The near-legendary Old Heaven Books presents another fabulously bizarre album (also available as a CD and reel-to-reel tape) of Chinese guitarist (of Kazakh extraction) Mamer. From the release’s Bandcamp site:
“Mamer first became known as a dombra virtuoso and a modern master of Kazakh folk music. Over the years, he has evolved into a prolific and versatile artist, working across the boundaries of both tranditional and contemporary music. Mamer leads seven band projects: IZ, Bande, Mekrop, TAT, Mask, 51-Rayon, and Kunakar. He has released over 30 records, presenting a diversity of distinct styles including folk, ambient, industrial, noise, improvisation, and drone music.
“Every Mamer is brand new”. On stage, Mamer gives absolute control to his artist ego, surprising his audience in every next performance. An artist who refuses to repeat his past, Mamer creates, solely for the call of his inner world and the vast universe. The only tradition he commits himself to is that of innovation: electric bass, classical guitar, dombra, Dolan rawap, bouzouki, Jew’s harp… Mamer transforms every instrument in his hands, no matter classical or folk, into sound machines from a different planet, sending out outlandish harmonies made up of myriad sound particles. With a remarkably unwavering approach to composition and almost stifling calmness and self-restraint, Mamer has built up a sonic kingdom of his own: of darkness, profundity, and boundless mysteries.“
For those of you who like lo-fi guitar with hints of an instrumental Big Black along with an ominous vibe, you will definitely love this.
