Audio Obscura and the Sound Celestial Orchestra - Western Wind
Westron Wynde first appeared in print in 1530, and with the tune being used as the basis for masses by the likes of John Taverner and Christopher Tye this is not the most obvious of sources for contemporary. That is just what Norfolk’s Neil Stringfellow - aka Audio Obscura - has done for this album. With strings from the Sound Celestial Orchestra, vocals from Bird Radio and field recordings, Western Wind is one of the most intriguing things that I have heard this year. At its heart, this is experimental electronic music. There are hints of the likes of Aphex Twin and Future Sounds of London but also elements of hauntology recalling Ghost Box or Broadcast and Enoesque ambience throughout. The multi-tracked voice on Western Wind (Vocal) is equal parts Gregorian chant and Cossack choir. Retreating Tide comes on like Clint Mansell's soundtrack work. Bringing to mind Massive Attack, the darkly haunting Western Wind (Imperial) is the album highlight. The label that commissioned this is now on indefinite hiatus so it is a minor miracle that it has seen the light of day but I am very grateful that it is has. Disturbing, beautiful and enthralling, this is good, good stuff.
9/10
