Rafał Kołacki : ECHO GRAŁO

 

Rafał Kołacki might be know to some of the readers as quite an active member of a few ensembles: Hati, Molok Mun and as a solo artist.

In his work he is using variety of techniques, strategies, using electronic tools, field recording, working both as a sound design artist and as a person who prefers to have a hands-on approach to what he creates;  using ethnic instruments. All this and more adds up to the fact that we are dealing with an interesting, unorthodox approach in whatever he does.

His newest work: Echo Grało (The Echo has played) is somewhat an amalgam of what he has been doing so far but far more nuanced and challenging in terms of listening experience which is a bonus and advantage. 

It is a cd released by ever so active Antenna Non Grata, a Polish label, active promoting artists from different fields and genres.

Echo Grało is one continous track of almost 60 minute long which is a sonic landscape of an audio installation. It is a subtle trip between modular electronics, ethnic beats, both acoustic and electronic, sounds of water, electroacoustic preparations and modulations.

Water is the main protagonist here. It prompts many questions - not necessarily in terms of aesthetical pleasures but in terms of existential crisis related to the ecological and hydrological dire straits which is present now.

As a listening experience - there is no weak points here. It is exquisitely and beautifully balanced and composed to the point that you can see how far beyond the modal of ''ambient music' or ''sound art'' it slowly evolves. What struck me the most is how skilfully Rafał can operate with silence.

Try it now on recently released cd and definitely on a good audio set. 

Bandcamp release