peter broderick / machinefabriek / various

Brian 50 - CD Edition

*CD Edition including the Machinefabriek and Peter Broderick tracks from the lathe-cut version, plus 9 more tracks from Brian Records artists - 200 copies only* If you missed the alluringly bizarre Brian 50 release from last month, here's another chance to get hold of the thing, albeit under a slightly streamlined guise. The initial run of 50 copies (featuring the 8" lathe-cut transparent vinyl component) has, quite predictably vanished, although this CD-only edition nicely preserves the essence of the project, carrying over 12 key tracks from the original edition, featuring such well known artistes as... Roy... and... Dave, but also Peter Broderick and Machinefabriek, whose exclusive contributions are fully present and correct. Once you've delved into the tracklist you'll find plenty of obscure new treats to get acquainted with too. Let's start with those A-listers though: Broderick really gets into the spirit of the release, offering a new song which itself is titled 'Brians'. Here the multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/composer/arranger slips into vocal-harmonising folksy country mode and imparts information about the various Brians he has known of the years: "I have known three Brians..." he states in unwaveringly serious and reverential tones. It's a lovely if absurdly trivial outing for Broderick, and good for him for getting stuck in. Rutger Zuydervelt offers two Machinefabriek tracks: the immersive tremolo drone outing, 'Ax', and a special Brian version of 'Nert', which features yet more delectable tones, this time set in a scraped, metallic soundworld. Looking elsewhere on the disc you'll bump into the skillful beatboxing of Pieman, the excellent 'Spin Well' by New Volunteer and the absorbing field recording work of Runge Kutta. Additionally, emphasising the informality of the project are Roy (who serves up a couple of piano solos) and Dave, a songwriter pal of the label's curator who appears on three homely and intimate songs on this abridged CD edition. Although not quite so eccentric for the second edition (this time limited to 200 copies), Brian 50 retains its character and plenty of its presentational quirks - the extensive liner notes are back and the package still arrives in a hand-stamped envelope.