Sounds of Cambodian Speakers by Mirt • Ter

Field recorded albums are pretty difficult to review. On one hand - you have the idiosyncrasy of the essence of the field recorded sounds - it is not necessarily a ''composed'' material. On the other hand - the specifics of the place and the sonic landscape lies in the hands of the artist - they chose what and and how something or someone is being highlighted, recorded and what kind of sounds are emphasized. The characteristics of the field recording artists can help a lot to identify the zone of their interests.

Saamleng has just released a new album by Mirt and Ter who have been partners in art, music and life for over a quarter of a century and not only in terms of field recordings.

They have been travelling extensively and recording sounds as well as developing their own scope what in sonic sphere interests them the most.

Their nature recordings have been fabulous - something that I often go back to which is an exception as the field recorded albums are generally not the ones, you go back to - once you passed through the first listening experience.

This time - their records are set more in an urban kaleidoscope - we have sounds of the streets, chantings of the monks with birds and children chirping, hum and rattle of the motor vehicles, sounds of the vendors. It sounds both exotic and has its own structure and rhythm. 

The recordings have decent time frame which makes you feel not exhausted with too much stimuli.

Most of all - there is something magical in all those recordings - they are a testimony to ever changing world - of how despite globalization, places and spaces in them can have their own , individual atmosphere.

They are also in the middle ground when it comes to the character of the recordings - they seep into your ears seamlessly, making you appreciate every single details rather than being a boombox attack of the street noise.

Highly recommended!

 Bandcamp link

 

 Bandcamp link