Amorfone 001, 002 and 003

www.amorfone.com

Unfortunately tagged "world music". Yoshio Machida's new label takes the premise that great electronic and innovative music can happen outside of the normal axis of north america, western europe and japan. Machida lives in the center of totally connected Tokyo, and as a musician works within the insider avant guard. (Or whatever it is called.) However, through his world travels working for a non-profit aid organization and touring as a tireless musician he found perspectives and contacts far outside mainstream geography.

The term "world music" is a condescending attempt to place boundaries around what is effectively the majority of the population on earth: everything outside the USA, Europe and Japan. This term denies that innovation and informed creative thrust can exist in out countries, even as huge and culturally important as China or Russia. It attempts to confine "outsider" musicians as local phenomenon, unworthy or unwilling to speak to a sophisticated Western or Japanese audience, especially the avant guard kind. "World Music" has its beloved place, however it will never be allowed as equal, it will never lose its label.

Machida throws this rule book out. There are no typical "world music" images on the CD graphics, nor does it mention this label. Instead, a fresh graphic design style, a Tokyo label headquarters, and a simple description of the music puts the music on the same level as "regular" music.

Fitz Ellarald:

This album shows that great, current electronic music can just as easily come from deep Russia. Ellarald has listened to Oval, Eno, Mego and maybe even Matmos, but he takes his influences nonchalant. Instead of biting the styles, he calmly makes his own way. The result is sometimes overly precious, but it is also consistent and fresh.

Yoshio Machida:

Like Tomita-san, Machida-san uses the steel pan as his main instrument. But by using Max etc. and an improv approach to timbre building, Machida finds a balance between outsider and insider, effectively cleaning the slate. Anyway, in addition to its methods, it is a lovely work. Perhaps the optimism built into the project is a little bit hippy, but maybe it is time to re-evaluate so much worldly urban irony and darkness. This is ambient music with a point.

Cinc:

I found this one the most challenging project of the three. Made up of folk-rock players from Belgrade, this project is a re-construction of psychedelia and Balkan folk music. When I first read what it was about, I was sure I was going to hate it. Although it walks on the silly side, and the lyrics make us roll our eyes ("Forest Mother"), the project's honesty is bold. Interesting how global influences such as R.E.M. and local folk music naturally fall into place in a project like this.

a. bergman