One of Tobias’ little known releases appeared on our little sub-label Tokyo Droning back in 2011. ‘Kaskelot’ was a four-track E.P. that was incredibly popular in Japan, and coming housed in locally-sourced packaging, it was one of the highlights of this six-release label that was re-opened just after the Tōhoku earthquake. Being incredibly limited as a Japan-exclusive, the album has long been sold out.
We are so happy that we will be releasing the updated edition of a personal favourite release of ours, and one that has continued the fine work Tobias had published for Home Normal with his revered ‘Evolutions’ in 2010, and his follow-up ‘Everything Is Connected’ in 2012. We had discussed a reissue of sorts for many years, and over a number of emails back and forth (and a good old chat in London when Tobias performed at The Vortex for us in March 2013), we came up with a list of remixers to expand on the original pieces which have since been remastered.
In offthesky and Segue, we have two dear friends who were also the two artists that opened the Tokyo Droning label in both its original form in 2009 and in its reopening in 2011. Many people will be aware of the work of another old friend in Chihei Hatakeyama (who will also be releasing a new album with us late in 2017). And we are thrilled to be working with such great artists as many of you will know in Steve Pacheco, Simon Bainton, Porya Hatami, and Chris Herbert.
The original E.P. was a departure for Tobias with a more direct melodic approach. Being improvised and recorded during one late night at Sundlaugin in Reykjavik, Iceland sometime between March 24th and April 4th, 2011, Tobias directly recorded piano, vibraphone, pump organ, guitar, pedal steel, loops, and percussion for a more natural and open sound. These original four pieces have themselves been remastered in conjunction with the remixes.
To say it has taken a while to get here would be an understatement, what with moves around the world, the label closing down for almost a year, and life’s constant upheavals. This reissue seemed destined to never go into print, but it is such a pleasure that after such a period we get to release not one, but two (!) superb albums by Tobias in this and Vesterhavet in the same week. It just goes to show that no matter how distant things can be at times, there’s always a home to come back to eventually.
Thank you.
credits
released January 31, 2017
Recorded at Sundlaugin, Reykjavik, Iceland sometime between March 24th and April 4th, 2011.
Mixed and mastered by Tobias Hellkvist. Slightly reworked in 2016.
Huge thanks to Jordan Sauer, Steve Pacheco, Simon Bainton, Porya Hatami, Chihei Hatakeyama, Jason Corder and Chris Herbert for contributing your wonderful remixes, making this album very special.
Special thanks to Ian Hawgood for your patience and support.
supported by 12 fans who also own “Kaskelot: Reissue + Remixes”
This album is far beyond music, as it is almost only made from field recordings picked up in Montreal.
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A release hard to tame, but definitely rewarding in the end. Dotflac
supported by 12 fans who also own “Kaskelot: Reissue + Remixes”
In Bokeh, Wil Bolton patiently crafted six tracks, where processed field recordings and reverberated synthesizers melodies are carefully balanced.
Chimes, bar-like talks, distant traffic or whispers from the wind frame the story of this release in a very small location. We are only one step away from saying that the artist takes us in his privacy with Bokeh ; and I'll go for it.
Very personal and sensitive, this album takes place behind the closed doors of Bolton's near environment.
Lovely. Dotflac
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