giuseppe ielasi

15 Tapes

Having already presented two beautiful vinyl releases (one from Seth Nehil, one from Alessandro Brivio), the Senufo Editions label recruits Giuseepe Ielasi for its first CD outing. As was the case with the previous two records, the packaging and limited pressing (180 for the world in this instance) give this a real air of distinction before you've even pressed play, arriving as it does in a splendid letterpressed and hand-numbered cardboard sleeve. In terms of the music, Giuseppe Ielasi continues his enviable run of form, following on from his recent Tools disc for 12k. As with that collection, the Italian composer operates within fairly strict guidelines, fashioning a number of concrète miniatures based on edited tape recordings. While Tools concerned itself with the timbral identities of specific everyday objects, 15tapes takes the tape machine itself to be its subject, as Ielasi improvises with the device before recomposing and mastering the results. Eschewing narrative form in favour of pure sound design, Ielasi gives you a major auricular treat with these fifteen tracks, delivering abstract yet sonically vibrant textures with maximum analogue warmth and fidelity. While it's the treatment of the tape itself that's the central concern you'll hear Ielasi chopping through a variety of elusive source recordings, from clattering tactile noises to watery textures and woozy spooling manipulations. 15tapes is a terrific record for anyone in love with sound, and the fact that it only clocks in at just under twenty minutes doesn't prove to be too much of a disappointment given how often you'll find yourself repeating and flicking back through tracks to soak up every detail. Excellent.