k. leimer/marc barreca: chains of being

A conceptual and contemporary approach to early music, exploring its ambiences, timbres and feelings. Delicate experimentation with sound textures where different white noise tones can meet the strings from a viola da gamba. A cinematic work, very touching and emotional. Almost mystic, spiritual ambient. K. Leimer and Marc Barreca are two American synth/multi-instrumental musicians that have been active since late '70s. They have some previous collaborations released in Leimer's imprint Palace Of Music. Presented in a very careful edition, the record comes packed in a folder printed in letterpress with wood and lead types. Six letterpress cards -- one per track -- are also included, contextualizing the artists' references used as an inspiration for their compositions. "These three pieces spring from a love of early music, specifically the works of Sainte-Colombe, Marin Marais, and John Dowland. Each of these composers -- their lives spanning a period of great musical innovation and change from 1563 to 1728 -- is represented by a track included here. While there are no direct quotations present from any of their pieces there is a now familiar reliance on timbre and even on drone, elements that flourished in the often slowly-paced and harmonically narrow style of early music. Those stylistic elements have been taken up today, deliberately or not, by ambient, dark ambient, post-ambient, and slow music artists. In atmosphere early music often evokes a melancholic -- even elegiac -- sensibility appropriate to the present time." --K. Leimer "These three tracks were inspired by the shadows, streams of sunlight, muted colors and peaceful interior ambience of Spanish cathedrals. Calm and mystery combined." --Marc Barreca