Modern Obscure Music Vinyl, CD & Tape 21 Items

Modern Obscure Music is proud to present Pierre Bastien & DJ Low's "Swing Low", a work that fuses the poetic inventiveness of Pierre Bastien with the visionary legacy of the late DJ Low (Tom Deweerdt), a central figure in Belgian independent music and founder of the influential Lowlands label. This album, which interweaves memory and experimentation, represents Bastien's debut on the Barcelona label's catalog and a testament to the creative bond between the two artists.
The album, composed of seven pieces, stands out for its hybrid nature: five reinterpretations of Bastien's previous works, some of them coming from his influential Mecanoid (originally released by Rephlex), and two unreleased improvisations, A Pupa and Reviver, which seal the unique character of the project.
Pierre Bastien, recognized as a composer, inventor and builder of sound machines, has been a tireless explorer of the frontiers between the mechanical and the musical. From his contribution to the Belcanto Orchestra, his collaboration with the PRSNT project to his participation in Pedro Vian's Earth, Our Planet or his collaboration with Tomaga for the Other People label, his career illustrates a constant commitment to experimentation and the intersection of disciplines. Among the artists he has worked with are names such as Robert Wyatt, Jac Berrocal, Jaki Liebezeit and designer Issey Miyake. His works have found homes on iconic labels such as Marionette, Morphine and Discrepant to name a few.

The album is presented with a visual design by Koen Bruyneel, reinterpreted as a tribute to Tom Deweerdt, a decade after his departure.

ARTIST:
Felicia Atkinson, Büsra Kayikçi, Carmen Villain, Kuniyuki

Takahashi, Pavel Milyakov, KMRU, Ana Quiroga, Abul Mogard, Pedro Vian

It’s a pleasure to bring together, on this album, musicians with whom we feel a very special connection,
namely Felicia Atkinson, Büþra Kayýkçý, Carmen Villain, Kuniyuki Takahashi, Pavel Milyakov,
KMRU, Ana Quiroga, Abul Mogard and Pedro Vian. All of them have been very generous in their
willingness to participate in an artistic experiment: to build bridges between architecture and music.
Each of these artists chose a space and translated it into a piece of music, and the result is a sonic
kaleidoscope through which specific territories can be gazed upon from unexplored points of view. The
compositions that make up this compilation are synaesthetic windows through which we can observe with
our ears. To look through them, all we have to do is listen and we’ll be able to contemplate, in a unique
way, spaces located in such different places as Vilches (Chile), Istanbul (Turkey), Oslo (Norway), Sapporo
(Japan), Nairobi (Kenya), London (England), Rome (Italy), Berlin (Germany), or even in imaginary
universes.

TRACKLIST

1. Büsra Kayikçi - Genius Loci
2. Pavel Milyakov - GTR chords movement 1
3. Felicia Atkinson - Le Poème de l’Angle Droit
4. Carmen Villain - Luften Imellom
5. Kuniyuki Takahashi - Moere
6. KMRU - Stretch Mabati
7. Ana Quiroga - London Fields
8. Abul Mogard - Teatro Romano di Tuscolo
9. Pedro Vian - Neue Nationalgalerie

All music was written, mixed, and produced by Pedro Vian & Raül Refree in Barcelona. Special thanks to the Blancafort family for providing the positive organ for the recording of the album. Also thanks to Mar, Gina, Teo, and Balthazar for the support.

Barcelona born and based young composer Olivia Font's debut album, Invictam explores resilience and adaptation through a unique blend of strings, analog synthesizers, electronics, and experimental percussion. The album's narrative, guided by a transformative female voice, unfolds through long, repetitive melodic patterns that meditate on time, transience, and the passage of seasons.

This unique vision is further enriched by collaborations with British cellist Oliver Coates and actress-singer Ana San Martín, alongside a track from producer Pedro Vian himself. Preorder Invictam today and be part of this remarkable journey. Cover by Adrià Cañameras.

On 9th December Modern Obscure Music presents Cascades, the new album from Pedro Vian & Mana, which premiered during their immersive live set at the most recent Sonar Festival in Barcelona. Cascades was recorded over a three-day studio session in Turin during the winter months, which is reflected in the musical narrative, as the eleven tracks flow gently like an icy river, filled with a mixture of hazy melancholy, uncanny dream-states and euphoria. Various recording techniques and instrumentation was utilised, including the Lyra-8 organismic analogue synthesiser, which takes principles from living organisms to produce sounds resembling a conversation between nature and technology. The result is a spellbinding ambient odyssey that features a luminous synthesis of neo-classical strings and orchestral drones, together with strange voices, and abstract passages designed to evoke Dante’s Inferno, which represent the soul’s journey. Pedro Vian is a renowned Catalan artist who has released three solo albums (Beautiful Things You Left Us For Memories, Pedro Vian and Ibillorca) and a collection of singles on his Modern Obscure Music imprint – a multi-disciplinary platform based on deep listening and music research. The ‘prsnt’ compilation, which Pedro curated in 2021 and featured Laurie Spiegel, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Visible Cloaks, received support from Pitchfork, Crack, Brooklyn Vegan, The Quietus, The Wire and Metal. Pedro has been remixed by Inga Copeland and Pye Corner Audio, and has recorded mixes for of Bleep, Self-Titled and Juno Daily. As part of a new generation of Italian electronic music artists, Piedmont born composer and producer Mana has released two full length albums (Seven Steps Behind and Asa Nisi Masa) on Kode 9's Hyperdub imprint, plus an EP on Nicolas Jaar's Other People label under his Vaghe Stelle alias. Earlier in his musical journey, Mana supported Laurent Garnier, James Holden and Skream across the Torino club scene, and in 2011 teamed up with Italian friends Lorenzo Senni and A:RA to form the experimental group One Circle. Pedro Vian & Mana’s previous work as solo producers has pushed the limits of electronic music, and together they’ve garnered critical acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, The Quietus, The Vinyl Factory, Resident Advisor and more. They now join forces to traverse new sonic territories between electronica, ambient, drone, and trance-inducing soundscapes.

Modern Obscure Music turns to Japan for inspiration. Suemori debuts on the Barcelona based imprint with an album of striking textures and sounds. From the first track, you can feel the influence of the Far East in both the melodies and rhythms created by Suemori. The music is complemented by Mayte Nicole Estebanfs impressive artwork. Suemorifs real name is Yoshinobu Hoshina. He previously recorded as Hoshina Anniversary. Under this alias, Hoshina released music on labels such as Boysnoize Records and ESP Institute. As Suemori he released the Maebashi album earlier in 2021 on Elena Colombifs Osare! Editions imprint. Tawamure is an album of richly textured compositions. Pianos and electronics are equally important. Some tracks are beatless and others have an unorthodox approach to percussion.

Sun Ra's disciple and multiface artist Jamal Moss is back to Modern Obscure Musicafter his debut on the label with the “The Anticipatory Organization” under The SunGod alias back in 2018. J. Moss more known as Hieroglyphic Being is back to the Barcelona based recordlabel with a new aka, OUR Souls ARE IN THE Hands OF THE Transalor. Threeyears after “s..kr.t.z.m", released on Warpfs sublabel Arcola, the chicago electronic-wizar signs “An Era of Spiritual Tenebraeh. The new EP is composed by two 18minutes long freejazz-psycodelic improvisations. A trip to the dark holes of the spaceeternity.

Ltd Black Vinyl Gatefold edition + 32 Page Booklet + Download Code The LP contains original compositions by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Pascal Comelade, Laurie Spiegel, Lyra Pramuk, Chassol, Nicolas Godin and Pierre Rousseau, Pedro Vian and Pierre Bastien, Visible Cloaks, Kelman Duran, Raul Refree, Lucrecia Dalt, Lafawndah. + a booklet with writings by contemporary thinkers like Shumon Basar, François J. Bonnet, and pictures by, Araki, Juergen Teller, Elizaveta Porodina, Dani Pujalte, P Jack Davison, Zhong Lin, Alessandra Sanguinetti, Adrià Cañameras, Javier Tles among others. Lacquer cut by Josh Bonati & Mastered by Rashad Becker ‘prsnt’ is a unique global artistic project combining the input of artists across the worlds of music, video and written word which acts as a statement on how we, as consumers, engage with music in the 21st century. Vital electronic musicians including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lafawndah, Lyra Pramuk, Lucrecia Dalt and Visible Cloaks have each contributed tracks, which are approximately 32 seconds long. The concept was devised by Created By Us and the Barcelona-based label Modern Obscure Music. They read a study which identified that the overwhelming volume of instantly accessible information online is shortening attention spans and altering how audiences engage with music digitally. Their curiosity about the state of online consumption developed further on discovering that around a third of all listeners using digital platforms skip to the next track, within the first 30 seconds of playing. Each musician was given a fascinating challenge to create engaging compositions with real artistic merit, inside the confines of this shortened span. Akin to Brian Eno’s famous Windows 95 start-up music, the time constraints are crucial, and the compositions are deceptively complex and more substantial than expectations of their nano nature would suggest.

Ltd White Vinyl Gatefold edition + 32 Page Booklet + Download Code The LP contains original compositions by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Pascal Comelade, Laurie Spiegel, Lyra Pramuk, Chassol, Nicolas Godin and Pierre Rousseau, Pedro Vian and Pierre Bastien, Visible Cloaks, Kelman Duran, Raul Refree, Lucrecia Dalt, Lafawndah. The booklet includes writings by contemporary thinkers like Shumon Basar, François J. Bonnet, and pictures by, Araki, Juergen Teller, Elizaveta Porodina, Dani Pujalte, P Jack Davison, Zhong Lin, Alessandra Sanguinetti, Adrià Cañameras, Javier Tles among others. Lacquer cut by Josh Bonati & Mastered by Rashad Becker ‘prsnt’ is a unique global artistic project combining the input of artists across the worlds of music, video and written word which acts as a statement on how we, as consumers, engage with music in the 21st century. Vital electronic musicians including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lafawndah, Lyra Pramuk, Lucrecia Dalt and Visible Cloaks have each contributed tracks, which are approximately 32 seconds long. The concept was devised by Created By Us and the Barcelona-based label Modern Obscure Music. They read a study which identified that the overwhelming volume of instantly accessible information online is shortening attention spans and altering how audiences engage with music digitally. Their curiosity about the state of online consumption developed further on discovering that around a third of all listeners using digital platforms skip to the next track, within the first 30 seconds of playing. Each musician was given a fascinating challenge to create engaging compositions with real artistic merit, inside the confines of this shortened span. Akin to Brian Eno’s famous Windows 95 start-up music, the time constraints are crucial, and the compositions are deceptively complex and more substantial than expectations of their nano nature would suggest.

The amazon-naut is Bep Kororoti’s second album, the LP arrives at Modern Obscure Music after his mid-2020 release “Love is the way", an EP in collaboration with African singer Akin that aimed to be one of the hits of the summer when the first restrictions were announced during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Clubs and festivals from half of the planet had to cancel plans for the rest of the year. This second album inspired by the ancient space warrior who brought joy and new knowledge to this little community from the Amazon river is composed of clear ethnic influences, loaded with minimalist rhythms and fragments of film sequences. The LP goes hand in hand with the reinterpretation of the Brazilian Koyapos tribe myth by Marcio Matos, a visual artist in charge of giving face and image to the mesmerizing Portuguese label Principe Discos since its inception

Modern Obscure Music has been making links with the Far East since label boss Pedro Vian visited Japan and this is their first 12” release from a Japanese artist. Albino Sound is Hirotaka Umetani from Osaka and here he presents Black Lagoon. This is an exciting EP of experimental soundcapes and left of centre dancefloor escapades with an extra special remix from German producer DJ Normal 4. Black Lagoon opens the EP with live percussion and mysterious sounds and is followed by the mesmerising tones of Plum Valley. Transparent Colony is an open-armed ambient cut and the EP finishes with two versions on Dried Seeds. The original is an energetic mover and DJ Normal 4’s Vibe Strike Remix is an eastern synth inspired mission.

2020 repress!

Modern Obscure Music welcomes Sam Haar to the imprint for the first album released by an artist other than label founder Pedro Vian. The album is entitled Euso. Sam Haar is a New Jersey born producer and sound artist. Influenced by both experimentalism and traditional dance music, Haar’s music is something uniquely his own. He is best known as being one half of musical hardware loving duo Blondes with Zach Steinman (neither of them are actually blonde). They famously favour machines over computers and provide hypnotic live shows. Blondes have released the majority of their discography for Rvng Intl., before jumping to R&S in 2017 for the more danceable Warmth album.

EP that showcases five remixes from Eric Copeland, a frequent collaborator of Animal Collective; the Swedish producer Peder Mannerfelt; two from the exceptional musician and DJ Tevo Howard and Escapismo, an anonymous project of which we cannot detail any information. The release will be available in vinyl and digital towards the start of June, reuniting the subjective and stylistic interpretation of each producer, effectively translating the tracks into a more dance-oriented, clubbing feel.

Pedro Vian Vian and Maalem Najib Soudani "Mogador": A Fusion of Analog Electronic Music and Traditional Gnawa Sounds
"Mogador" stands as a compelling exploration of the intersection between seemingly irreconcilable musical worlds: the experimental realm of analog electronic music and the deep-rooted tradition of Gnawa. This project is more than just a juxtaposition of styles; it’s a meeting of minds where the ancient and the modern, the analog and the organic, are woven together into a seamless auditory dialogue.
What truly sets "Mogador" apart is the way Pedro Vian’s use of the EMS AKS Synthi and Buchla doesn’t overpower the mix but instead forms a perfect synergy with Maalem Najib Soudani’s qrebeb and guimbiri. Rather than competing, the analog pulses intertwine with the hypnotic lines of the traditional instruments, amplifying the trance-inducing qualities inherent in Gnawa music. The Maalem’s vocals, steeped in history and spirituality, float over layers of synths that feel both ethereal and tangible, crafting a soundscape that is as cinematic as it is visceral.
This is not just a collision of cultures or a superficial fusion exercise. "Mogador" represents a genuine dialogue between two ways of understanding sound and space, where every element—from the syncopated percussion to the serpentine modular waves—contributes to a sonic landscape that is both haunting and profoundly resonant. Here, tradition isn’t a museum piece, and analog electronics aren’t a rootless futurism; instead, they transform each other, creating something greater than the sum of their parts.

Pedro Vian and Merzbow release their first joint work, an unbounded expression of creativity
and experimentation. Over the album's forty-minute duration, listeners can experience a blend of
field recordings made by Pedro Vian at the DIA Bacon Foundation in NYC, specifically inside Richard
Serra's sculptures. These recordings are interwoven with the ambient percussion and melodies
characteristic of Vian's work, alongside the piercing and sharp computer frequencies produced by
Merzbow, one of the most acclaimed artists in the global noise scene.

"Inside Richard Serra Sculptures" is both a complex and spontaneous piece, an abstract journey
into the unconscious that may be difficult to grasp for closed minds. This work stands as a
masterpiece of contemporary expressionism, merging ambient sound and noise in a way that
challenges and redefines the boundaries of sound art.

The collaboration between Vian and Merzbow is notable not only for its innovation but also for
its ability to transport listeners to a space where sound becomes an immersive and visceral
experience. The use of Richard Serra's sculptures as a source of inspiration and sonic material
adds a unique dimension to the project, emphasizing the interaction between physical space
and musical creation. Photo by Alba Ricard

“Earth, Our Planet?”: A call for environmental awareness. This time, Pedro Vian - the
founder of Modern Obscure Music - presents his fourth solo album (following his 2020
release, "Ibillorca").
Due for release in spring 2024, "Earth, Our Planet?" promises to immerse us in a moving
odyssey, crossing the boundaries of musical genres to provoke an urgent meditation on the
protection of our planet. On this occasion Vian has composed the album influenced by the
myth of the eternal return, the compositions are long and repetitive, generating states of pure
trance.
Pedro Vian, singular for his fusion of genres and styles, ventures into even more complex
territories in "Earth, Our Planet?". From the first listen, it is evident that this work treads the
line of convention and breaks the boundaries of electronic and experimental music with
artistic dexterity. The album weaves together texture, hypnotic rhythms and melody. Each
track reveals his distinctive ability to create immersive landscapes, guiding the listener into
deep emotional introspection. This is not just music; it is a transformative experience.
The beauty of this album lies not only in the musical vision. The album features high-calibre
collaborations that add layers of creativity and elegance. Trumpeter Pierre Bastien, whose
early productions left an indelible mark on Aphex Twin's Reflex label, infuses "A Day in
Rotterdam" with a unique emotional resonance. Violinist, Asia, renowned for her avant-garde
approach and ability to conjure unique landscapes, elevates the album's opening tracks
"Urobóros" and "Les Tambours Subterraniens". Their skill and sensitivity intertwine perfectly
with Vian's artistic vision. In addition, Italian producer Daniele Mana, with whom Pedro Vian
collaborated closely on his previous album "Cascades", known for his experimental
approach and talent for creating extraterrestrial atmospheres also contributes to "Les
Tambours Subterraniens". His artistic perspective adds more complexity and texture to the
piece, pushing the boundaries of contemporary electronic music. There is also a
collaboration with Raül Refree, an artist with whom Vian worked with last year, presenting
“Font De la Vera Pau”, an album that The Guardian defined as "a wonderful piece of electroacoustic
music, a captivating mix of strings and analogue synth drones which sometimes
flirts with Alice Coltrane-ish spiritual jazz".
With "Earth, Our Planet?", Pedro Vian not only offers up some of his best work to date, but it
is also a call to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. As a part of a planet where
environmental awareness is more crucial than ever, he urges us to protect and preserve our
world as an extension of ourselves. This extensive work is a statement, Vian addresses the
notion that too often we prioritise immediate needs over the well-being of the planet. It
highlights the fact that we often consider the Earth as a possession when, in reality, we are
but a part of it.

A cross-cutting label exploring the boundaries between different disciplines based on deep listening and music research, Modern Obscure Music is set to release 'INRI' (INDUSTRIA NACIONAL DEL RUIDO INFINITO) on the 1st December, the new album from Dellarge.

Inspired by the scenic beauty of his studio's surroundings at Lake Pátzcuaro in Michoacan, Mexico, Alejandro Barba, aka Dellarge, delves deep into the depths of his artistic consciousness to craft a spiritual album that encapsulates the essence of the place. 'INRI' stands for Industria Nacional del Ruido Infinito (National Industry of Infinite Noise) and serves as a vessel for Dellarge's innermost self-expression and reflections on the potential of humanity.

A multifaceted artist and veteran of the music industry for over two decades, his latest musical creation is an intimate and personal album and a departure from previous Techno/EBM-orientated Dellarge releases. 'INRI' (INDUSTRIA NACIONAL DEL RUIDO INFINITO) offers a mesmerizing blend of ambient, futuristic, and industrial sounds that transport listeners into a realm of mysticism, futurism, and duality and stands as a testament to Dellarge's artistic growth and his ability to transcend boundaries, offering listeners an immersive experience that connects them to his world.

Drawing inspiration from numerous sources, Dellarge found creative fuel in books such as 'El Arte de los Ruidos' by Luigi Russolo, 'Manifiestos y Textos Futuristas' by F.T. Marinetti, and science fiction classics including 'Congreso de Futurología' by Stanislaw Lem, 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson, and 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. Musically, he delved into the works of Coil, Michael Bundt, The Threshold Houseboys Choir, krautrock legends CAN and Popol Vuh, early Kraftwerk, Arthur Brown, Yello, Esquivel, The Residents, and Hector Lavoe for inspiration.

When asked about the creative process behind the album, Dellarge revealed a disciplined routine that involved immersing himself in the sounds, focusing on minute details that connected with the vivid world he envisioned. Ethereal tracks such as 'Viento Androide' and 'Viaje al Sol' offer a glimpse of a hopeful future, while darker compositions such as 'Corpus de Sangre' and 'Toro de Falaris', explore the wickedness and compassion within humanity. Each piece in the album represents a unique sonic journey.

'Viaje al Sol', the first single to be taken from the album, is set for release on the 27th October, and is also available as an EP which includes a remix from Juan Mendez aka Silent Servant. The remix is also included on the digital version of the album and available on 7" vinyl alongside an exclusive reworking of 'Cascabel' by the founder of Modern Obscure Music, Pedro Vian.

"It's a pleasure to bring together, on this album, musicians with whom I feel a very special connection, namely Felicia Atkinson, Bü?ra Kay?kç?, Carmen Villain, Kuniyuki Takanashi, Pavel Milyakov, Joseph KMRU, Ana Quiroga and Abul Mogard. All of them have been very generous in their willingness to participate in an artistic experiment that's been on my mind for a long time: to build bridges between architecture and music. Each of these artists chose a space and translated it into a piece of music, and the result is a sonic kaleidoscope through which specific territories can be gazed upon from unexplored points of view. The compositions that make up this compilation are synaesthetic windows through which we can observe with our ears. To look through them, all we have to do is listen and we'll be able to contemplate, in a unique way, spaces located in such different places as Vilches (Chile), Istanbul (Turkey), Oslo (Norway), Sapporo (Japan), Nairobi (Kenya), London (England), Rome (Italy), Berlin (Germany), or even in imaginary universes."