Rob Mazurek - Vortice of the Faun (2015)

Astral Spirits is unbelievably stoked to unleash a brand new Rob Mazurek tape “Vortice of the Faun” into the world! This is Mazurek’s second tape release after the absolutely stunning “Alternate Moon Cycles” release on International Anthem last year. But more interestingly this is Mazurek’s first solo electronic outing since his equally stunning “Sweet and Vicious Like Frakenstein” way back in 2004 on Editions Mego. This tape holds 80 minutes of pure abstract beauty: at times harsh, at times soft, but always moving forward into new territories as Mazurek has done throughout his 25 year career.

“Vortice of the Faun is Mazurek’s latest cassette release and was entirely constructed through electro-acoustic means, utilizing oscillators and modules designed by The Harvestman (Seattle) and MakeNoise (Asheville), some of which sample acoustic sources, though most of the cassette is created from purely electronic sounds. Hundreds of samples and audio colors were collected, and the portable rack that contains these devices – a recent addition to his quiver – has granted a tough additional dimension to Mazurek’s canvas. Furthermore, this set is not entirely solo – one piece, “Arc in Light of Faun Tiger Born” features four separately conducted rabeca tracks performed by Thomas Rohrer that have been woven into a landscape of glitches, fluffs, and flinty whirrs. Mazurek has never appeared to merely augment his brass with electronic resources; rather, his dedication to electronic music is an extension of the brass tradition. There’s physicality, often abrupt but always shaped, to this music – at times it appears rooted in the economy of breath and an almost embouchure-driven phraseology of forward motion and sculpted color.” — Clifford Allen (excerpt from the liner notes that accompany this release)