BJ Nilsen & Stilluppsteypa - Man from Deep river [Mego Editions - 2009]Man from Deep river is the fourth collaborative album between BJ Nilsen & Stilluppsteypa and it sees the pair making their most consistent, compelling and complete record yet.The album sees the pair stepping away from the trilogy of drink related albums Vikinga Brennivín, Drykkjuvisur Ohljodanna & passing-out to look for new inspiration. Man from Deep river takes its name & some of it's influence from early Italian Cannibal film of the same name; but this is way more than just a rehash of 80’s cannibal soundtrack clichés, the pair really make something thats very original and compelling in it’s own right. The three piece album drifts from the openings quirky and wonky harmonic bamboo jungle bashings, onto sinister organ sustain with eerier distant bird song and subtle surreal sound scaping, onto damn creepy night drone scapes that mixes early evening bird chatter with synth and gong like drone airs. Onto fire & water field recording collages that morph into hazy vibe shimmer meets raising choral electronics with a grim underbelly, onto weird murmuring and bleak guitar scape drones, up to weird fairground organ and electronic revolutions that make you dizzy & onto melancholy retro synth marchers. I’ve always enjoyed the pairs work, but in the past it’s been very hit and miss with elements of the long form pieces either treading water or losing inspiration; but with Man from Deep river they keep your attention full held through out as they pull you through the strange, sinister and highly reward sonic world they’ve created. After enjoying and following the pairs work over their past three records; it’s great to see them creating with Man from Deep river their masterpiece. Simply put if you enjoy creative & long form morphing atmospheric music that dips in darkness, surrealism and sly humour this is a must buy. Roger Batty
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