Philip Clemo and Ysanne Spevack: Soundzero
By Chris Homer
- Artist: Philip Clemo and Ysanne Spevack
- Title: Soundzero
- Genre: Instrumental-World-Experimental
- Label: Independent
- Website: www.philipclemo.com
Philip Clemo and Ysanne Spevack have collaborated for the Soundzero project (available in the U.S. 4/6) which includes a host of capable musicians including Cleveland Watkis (voice), Pete Lockett (percussion) and Mark Sanders (drums). There are many other contributors of note as well that make this recording unique.
Clemo plays the guitar, keyboards and provides atmospheres (which are a quintessential element of the entire recording) and Spevack handles all the violins-electric, acoustic and metal, whilst providing vocals and such interesting additions as the Tibetan prayer wheel recording.
Essentially what you get from Soundzero is a hodgepodge of sounds that are spiritual and earthy by nature yet when you listen to tracks like “Friction” which is the perfect title by the way, the music offers some rocking guitar parts that sound like they belong on rock fusion album rather than atmospheric world instrumental effort such as this. The beauty of the eclectic offerings you will find on the CD brings forth so many facets of feelings and emotions; it is a bit hard to describe where you may end up. I can say this, the album is both wonderfully different and at times enjoyable strange, and for this listener that puts it all into proper perspective. Every individual will find their own way as they listen.
The genre this falls into is equally difficult to surmise, perhaps saying it is a combo of instrumental-world-experimental is the best way to try to put it in box somewhere, although this container is subject to change at a moment’s notice. You never know what kind of sound, atmosphere or tone that will come into the mix and there is an assortment of voices and off kilter if you will vocalizations that find their way into some of the tracks as well.
For the most part, I enjoyed this CD but at times found myself adrift needing to pull myself back into the mix of the whole thing but I suppose that is the purpose of what is being presented, for you to step into another consciousness or reality. This music requires a lot of attention because there are many different things going on all at once. You do need to be in the right frame of mind and mood to listen to this and appreciate what it has to offer and thankfully my heart and mind are open to all the possibilities that a project like this invites.
** 4/5 Stars
Reviewed - March 8, 2009
Tracks:
- Merkaba
- Surfing Dreams and Chaos
- Catching the First Train
- What the Voice Leaves Behind
- Friction
- Irian Jaya
- Thinking of the Infinite Sun
- Burn out the Channels
- Catching the Second Train
- Black Dog
- Long Red Road
- Separated by Shadows
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