eM - Outward (CDEP) fou18
2002. Second release in the Foundry EP series (after Ben Swire's surprising EQUILIBRIUM) - about 20 minutes of experimental abstract digitalism at a great price!
The Foundry says:
This release continues the FOUNDRYEP series, following Ben Swire's Equilibrium EP. It features music in an atmospheric and experimental mode, following along the lines of eM's All the Stars Burning Bright release, but also incorporating other ideas and sounds.
The Outward EP is the first eM solo release since 2001's All the Stars Burning Bright. eM (Foundry founder Michael Bentley) follows on from where All the Stars Burning Bright left off, exploring a more experimental sound with this suite of three pieces. Beginning with the loops and drones of From the Earth, developing through textural washes of Across the Milky Way, and closing with the powerful and hypnotic rhythms of Beyond the Magellanic Clouds, Outward presents an engrossing soundscape that occupies an audio space where Robert Rich, Lustmord and Brian Eno meet.
TRACK LISTING
from the earth [7.01]
across the milky way [7.43]
beyond the magellanic clouds [6.17]
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Michael Bentley, founder of The Foundry label, has recorded under several names [eM, The Apiary and Rhomb (with Nathan Kreisberg)] and has released a number of EPs and CDs of electronic and experimental music. Projects include releases for the Irish label Fällt (as eM) as part of the invalidObject series; for Archipelago, a loose association of Bay Area artists (EPs as eM and Rhomb), inclusion on a CD compilation accompanying the latest issue of MIT Press' Computer Music Journal (one track as eM), as well as tracks on releases from No Type, SlapArt, and Dark Duck. Future plans include new full length CDs under both the eM and Apiary monickers, as well as collaborations within the Archipelago.
Bentley has composed and recorded electronic music off and on for a number of years, often collaborating with long time friend Nathan Kreisberg (most recently as Rhomb). Interest in other musical forms, most notably folk music of the British Isles (especially that of Scotland), has lead to performances at music/dance festivals in the Czech Republic, Austria, Norway and California, as well as performing and recording gigs on both east and west coasts of the US. The Foundry, originally begun (in 1985) as an umbrella for publishing chapbooks, emerged as an outlet for Bentley's musical endeavours in 1995. After several cassette releases the first Foundry CDs were issued in 1997. The Foundry catalogue has garnered critical praise (see review index here) and airplay throughout Europe, Australia, the US and Canada.