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Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
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Edward Ka-Spel — O'er a Shalabast'r Tyde Strolt Ay
(Beta-lactam Ring mt048b, 2002/2009, CD)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2010-07-01

O'er a Shalabast'r Tyde Strolt Ay Cover art

Edward Ka-Spel records and releases two basic types of solo music, songs and experimental music (collages, found sounds, and electronics). O’er a Shalabast’r Tyde Strolt Ay is an amalgam of both styles and it is hard to believe that it has been seven years since its release. The original release was in a standard jewel case. But for this reissue, Beta-lactam Ring has chosen a custom-made cardboard gatefold case that mimics the original LP issue. According to the web site, the music has been fully remastered by Randall Frazier at the Helmet Room studios, but for the life of me, I cannot detect a difference between the original and the reissue. Perhaps because the three tracks are so long (22:38, 11:34, and 11:50 respectively) it is difficult to note any variations, subtle or otherwise. The first song “An Ill Wind” opens with ambient rolling waves of sound that slowly evolves into one of Edward’s signature waltzes and ultimately an industrial collage of electronics and samples. “O’Riley’s Comet” is a more abstract piece with a repetitive beat of random sound bites, electronic squeaks, and reversed sounds. And the final track “Safer Than the Open” is a beautiful ambient piece with EKS providing eerie and wordless background vocals. The music grows on you like a sonic moss, but I would only recommend this disc to established EKS fans.

Filed under: Reissues, Issue 38, 2009 releases, 2002 recordings

Related artist(s): Edward Ka-Spel

 

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