Steve Reich.
Berkeley November 7, 1970.
Alternative Fox.
LP.
New, sealed and unplayed.
Alternative Fox delivers a landmark release in the history of minimalism
with a live performance documented from one of the genre's
key figures: Steve Reich.
Recorded live at Berkeley University in the 1970s
(home also to key minimalism figures Terry Riley and La Monte Young),
this performance sees Reich deliver some of his
now legendary compositions, such as the shifting tape-loop
experimentation of "My Name Is", whereby vocals are cut-up, looped,
and played at different speeds to create constantly shifting combinations.
Similar to his "It's Gonna Rain", it's utterly disorientating
and makes for an absorbing listening whilst doffing a cap
to cut-up techniques championed by early Dadaists and later Brion Gyson and Burroughs.
The two-part "Piano Phase" demonstrates the effects
of playing minimalistic notes on two separate pianos
at slightly different speeds, so the two are drifting out of phase
with each other.
The effects are highly meditative, causing subtle rhythmic
mutations throughout the piece, whilst "Phase Patterns"
explores a similar technique albeit with a grainer electric organ.
Last but not least, "Four Organs" explores the effects of sustained
chords on multiple organs, set amongst a perpetual maraca,
whereby the combination of interlocking chords
on the separate instruments amalgamate to form a dense,
textured tonal tapestry.
