Maurizio Bianchi / M.B. — Computers S.P.A
[Verlag System — 2023]★★★★★
Reviewed 13 April 2023by Paul Casey
Legendary Italian experimental musician Maurizio Bianchi sees his nearly 43 year old project getting another treatment, this time via Verlag System. Computers S.P.A. was recorded in November 1980, and has MB taking a step away from concretism and working exclusively with synthesis on the Korg MS-20. While the sounds presented on this album are pretty commonplace in the experimental scene today, the composition/improvisation captured by MB in 1980 was groundbreaking and fascinating. For this latest version, German artist Pharmakustik has taken the original Computers S.P.A. improvisations and edited them to give us a new look at these legendary pieces of synthesis.
The two original, long form tracks are presented here, available for the first time since 2010. Electronic and experimental, both versions of "Improvisation" take on a multi-layered, aggressive approach, feeling somewhat chaotic and propulsive. Structurally, this is very similar to releases found in the early/mid 90's harsh noise scene, albeit in a less distorted and violent manner. Buzzing oscillations do battle with different pitched pulses in what sounds like a Missile Command game gone awry. High layers crash against the lower oscillations, providing a larger scope of sound, with the middle ground set for interference and psycho-acoustically imagined sounds. The sounds that aren't there are often stronger in the mind than those zipping by quickly and chaotically. These long improvisations showcase a number of different sounds and techniques utilized to make the Korg squeak, squawk, and buzz, and their layering on top of each other adds the dimension needed to pull this all together, and is wonderfully done by the master M.B.
The next two tracks are edited versions done by Pharmakustik in 2022. Utilizing M.B.'s original tracks, these two, long reimagined versions show Computers S.P.A. through different lenses. In his take "OSCAM," the really upfront, chaotic construction has been squeezed a bit and placed in a shimmering, moving background, like an aquarium backdrop. Many of the sounds are quelled by a thicker filter, keeping them further to the back, but like fish, notes will sometimes escape the surface and interact a bit more with the listener. "SMECTRUOP" again invokes this approach of pushing the material to the back, behind a gauzy veil, although the overarching water vibe is exchanged for a more open, alien landscape feeling. Exploration of space through sound, these two pieces work together to create a very different look at M.B.'s original pieces.
The next two tracks are edited versions done by Pharmakustik in 2022. Utilizing M.B.'s original tracks, these two, long reimagined versions show Computers S.P.A. through different lenses. In his take "OSCAM," the really upfront, chaotic construction has been squeezed a bit and placed in a shimmering, moving background, like an aquarium backdrop. Many of the sounds are quelled by a thicker filter, keeping them further to the back, but like fish, notes will sometimes escape the surface and interact a bit more with the listener. "SMECTRUOP" again invokes this approach of pushing the material to the back, behind a gauzy veil, although the overarching water vibe is exchanged for a more open, alien landscape feeling. Exploration of space through sound, these two pieces work together to create a very different look at M.B.'s original pieces.
43 years old and still very fresh, Maurizio Bianchi's Computers S.P.A. sees new life on Verlag System, along with two new edits by Pharmakustik. The original M.B. works seem to have formed the blueprint for harsh, layered noise to come, and it's nice to hear these works and see what they have inspired. The reimagined tracks work better on their own if the source material is unknown, but playing alongside the originals, they're pretty drab and strip the M.B. works of all their vitality and charm. However, they're still interesting pieces and play as nice, gray ambient on their own. For more info
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