Lasse-Marc Riek — Habitats

Lasse-Marc Riek’s “Habitats” released under the 3Leaves imprint is an electro acoustic collection of field recordings recorded in 2007 while in Finland. Accompanying this disc is a supplementary business card shaped cd-r containing images from the natural locations recorded in this album taken by Anne-Berit Riek. The disc containing audio begins with a narrated introduction and moves into the collected audio works described in the packaging’s linear notes.

With a rush of moving water and wind sounds, the calming swish of a lake in Lappajärvi is accompanied by the presence of meandering streams and hollow wind. Also present is described to be a wagtail and a sampling of a common gull according to the linear notes. Beyond the sixth minute the track simply cuts into what is understood to be the forest  of Alajärvi, There is mostly bird sounds present, but in the tenth minute you hear a light droning sound interrupted by the buzzing of a hovering insect and various other bird sounds. The linear notes describe many species within the field track and most likely only discernible to enthusiasts of field recordings or bird calls.

Moving forward to the seventeenth minute the recording shifts into another forest described to have been recorded from close. A lonely wind sound is steadily growling and seemingly joined by the snapping of twigs and rustling of branches of various species of tree. This continues for about 4 minutes before returning to a lake setting where there are now more distinct bird calls that to my ear resemble sounds more commonly recognized as mammalian. At this point there is seemingly more activity and an abundance of energy from all species contained within the audio.

The twenty sixth minute is described to be a direct recording of “landing stage” where a rhythmic dripping sound is heard along with a rubbery creek only to confusingly return to lake Alajärvi from close where a black headed gull is wildly calling. It immediately cuts into the next location Björköby. This is more of a relaxed audio clip where it is mostly the atmospheric howls of wind grazing the waters until a silent pause from 44:11 to 49:45. After that you hear a clumsy stumbling blunt object followed by narration in English and a final instance of natural sound.

The packaging is highly notable as it is a fold over booklet with a foam dot hub to hold the disc in place, but the business card was visible from outside the packaging beneath the plastic wrap. The artwork is mostly conservative as there are very few colors to be appreciated and text covers most the empty spaces along with a few photographs of birds in their natural habitat.

The disc is limited to 150 so it is possibly a good idea to seek one out if this kind of work interests you and easily is a pleasurable listen for those who simply can appreciate nature.