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Junk Magic: Compass Confusion
By
Craig Taborn
pianob.1970
The album incorporates a cross section of electronica techniques, including often lesser recognized subgenres like ambient, trip-hop, and minimalist industrial. This diverse representation of electronic music coupled with the quintet's animated live performance results in an unusual and potent effect throughout. Compass Confusion establishes equality between traditional instruments, electronics, and postproduction, each becoming a valid tool for expression. The manipulation of pace, depth, space, and sonic layering native to both electronica, especially its later manifestations, and abstract jazz are underscored by the group's alchemy. For example, the opening composition "Laser Beaming Hearts" layers ambient sound sculptures, traditional techno rhythms, and drum and bass beats in a mounting surge of energy, all interlaced with individual and group improvisation. In contrast, the dark dub bass, minimalist spatial effects, and

Mat Maneri
violab.1969
Compass Confusion is not an electronica album with jazz inflections nor is it a jazz album masquerading as electronica. It stands as a singular creation, best absorbed via emersion rather than dissection. ">
Track Listing
Laser Beaming Hearts; Dream and Guess; Compass Confusion; The Science of Why the Devil Smells like Sulfur; The Night Land; Sargasso; Sunsets Forever.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Compass Confusion | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Pyroclastic Records
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