It's been a while but the cult DIY label ono - run by Michael Holland and operating initially out of Rawtenstall then Manchester and now Riga is back! The new record is made by an artist called Kaspars Groševs and he is primarily a painter but he also runs a gallery, DJ‘s and is, to all accounts, an active person in the Riga community. He's previously been featured in the Wire.
After hearing the music (originally on tape) played at Bolderaja, a plan to release a vinyl pressing of "Figuras" was put together. Featuring the five initial sketches that make up the "Figuras" theme on side A, all plinky plonk electronics, vintage space age melodies and retro analogue fx, with a bit of what sounds like a Prophet 5 pluming out bass.
"DCF" opens side B with bit reduced textures and the ghosts of Eski synths morphed into a toybox Kraut groove. "Buer & Andromalius" sees two plucked bass notes tethered to a whole manner of collapsing sonics and reverberated clatters. A mix of tonal harmonies, found sounds and discord which reminds me a little bit of Vladislav Delay. "Untitled" meanwhile returns to suspended, icey planes; a morse code pattern and gently exhaling synths our only company.
As in usual ono fashion - each sleeve is completely unique. Michael uses recycled materials, paints and collage to create individual pieces each with their own character yet instantly recognizable as the ono aesthetic. Also included is a screen printed info sheet.
Fresh from Riga and stupendously limited. You know what to do!
After hearing the music (originally on tape) played at Bolderaja, a plan to release a vinyl pressing of "Figuras" was put together. Featuring the five initial sketches that make up the "Figuras" theme on side A, all plinky plonk electronics, vintage space age melodies and retro analogue fx, with a bit of what sounds like a Prophet 5 pluming out bass.
"DCF" opens side B with bit reduced textures and the ghosts of Eski synths morphed into a toybox Kraut groove. "Buer & Andromalius" sees two plucked bass notes tethered to a whole manner of collapsing sonics and reverberated clatters. A mix of tonal harmonies, found sounds and discord which reminds me a little bit of Vladislav Delay. "Untitled" meanwhile returns to suspended, icey planes; a morse code pattern and gently exhaling synths our only company.
As in usual ono fashion - each sleeve is completely unique. Michael uses recycled materials, paints and collage to create individual pieces each with their own character yet instantly recognizable as the ono aesthetic. Also included is a screen printed info sheet.
Fresh from Riga and stupendously limited. You know what to do!
TRACK LISTING
A1. Fig 11
A2. Fig 4
A3. Fig 32
A4. Fig 18
B1. DCF
B2. Buer & Andromalius
B3. Untitled (feat. Vivienne Griffin)