Felbm - cycli infini

SOUNDWAY

£19.89

Cat. no: SNDWLP171
Format: LP
Barcode: 5060571362216
Release Date: 21 Jul 2023
Genre: Indie

Dutch multi-instrumentalist Felbm returns with the conceptual album 'cycli infni' - a 38-minute composition of metamorphosing tape loops, musical patterns and instrumental sketches

Further exploring the concept is the vinyl release which features the track spread over both sides and cut to the end of each locked groove - creating an essentially never-ending piece that challenges the idea of the traditional listening process. The idea came to fruition by way of a lifelong interest and growing awareness of the cyclical nature of the world around him - be it through observing nature, or the mathematical and mind-bending works of Dutch artist MC Escher, or minimalist composers such as Erik Satie, Laraaji and Melaine Dalibert. "The openness of Laraaji's and Satie's music have also been an infuence to create a certain softness and feeling of comfort, as I like this piece to be a place you want to revisit", says Felbm, real name Eelco Topper.

While Topper's previous releases on Soundway Records comprised series of short, individual sketches, on 'cycli infni' the tapestry is sewn seamlessly together using a step- like progression through the circle of ffths, which as the name suggests, brings the listener back to the musical key and soundscape at which they started. Should the full track be on repeat, it begins anew without being noticed.

The piece began life with a layer of drone loops using tapes and delay pedals, over which acoustic instruments such as fute, saxophone and bass trumpet would playfully but gently interpret a melody - toying with jazz, ambient, fourth world and percussive sounds. As the music evolves through the key progression, organic elements such as birdsong and wind chimes ground the piece in nature. Says Topper: "the never-ending metamorphosis of matter has always fascinated me, the idea that nothing ever really disappears and everything has already been
here… just in different shapes."

Composed, performed & produced by Eelco Topper

Featuring:
Mark Alban Lotz: fute & bansuri
Koen Boeijinga: saxophone
Efe Erdem: bass trumpet
Gijs Batelaan: pedal steel guitar
Mastering by Alex Geurink
Lacquer cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery Studio Artwork by Joost Stokhof

Tracks: cycli infni / cycli infni (continued)