Philip Jeck

Arcade

Genre: MODERN CLASSICAL / AMBIENT

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The master of enigma and virtuoso of vinyl ephemera, Philip Jeck presents Arcade, a follow-up recording to last year’s Iklectik, which was also recorded at the central London arts space of the same name. If you’re ever looking for a precedent to The Caretaker’s sound, check this out.

As ever, words generally fail us in properly capturing the fleeting beauty of Jeck’s work here, but fuck it we’ll have a stab, eh? For 32 minutes the multidisciplinary Liverpudlian artist coaxes an intoxicating, elusive cadence of crackle and harmonic swell from his modified turntable and treated vinyl loops. At a number of points within its windswept flux, we hear the BoC-like guitar streams rise to the surface, only to decay and deliquesce into the aether with a quality best described as mirage-like. Along with wizened traces of folk fiddles that blur distinctions between Celtic, Indian or Avant traditions, all infiltrated by the most gorgeous sylvan pads, this one is certain to leave a real lump in the throat and send shivers down the spine.

We’ve said it before about Jeck’s work, and it bears reiterating; we can’t help but feel his music is naturally informed by the play of light between the Irish Sea, the River Mersey and the roiling skies and topolography Merseyside. If you’ve ever visited, you’ll likely know what we mean, but if not then this sound is about the most acute, if impressionistic, allegory we can find. If you really want to understand it, we’d warmly suggest taking a folder of Jeck gear to the ‘pool for a headphone dérive.

MP3 Release (4)