Ken Ikeda - Mist on the Window [Spekk - 2007]Mist on the window brings together 10 tracks recorded over a 2 year period by Japanese sound artist Ken Ikeda, using his own self-constructed instrument made with rubber bands and nails, & some slight electronic elements to create a touching, alien and beautiful collection of soundworlds. It astonishing how many different sounds & textures he’s managed to get from his instrument, as well of the range of emotions/sound colours he creates and dives into. The tracks are often multilayered, intricate and dense sound constructions, which are all beautiful balance so every layer of sound can be heard and defined. It all starts off fairly quirky, playful with more snappy tracks, but as the album progresses the tracks slowly becoming more melancholy and thoughtful, Ikeda really weaving out some emotional moments. An album that has its own distinctive sound pallet falling somewhere between melodic & haunted ambience, playful sound art, picking stringed tones and electronica- but ultimately it sounds very unique, all played in a masterful & accomplished manner. Roger Batty
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