- Melbourne’s Albrecht La’Brooy have dropped their new record, Tidal River. They’re a duo consisting of Alex Albrecht and Sean La’Brooy, two deft keyboardists / multi-instrumentalists who are well versed in jazz and improvisation. Their spontaneous music-making is equal parts ambient, equal parts club ready. Since 2014 they’ve released a slew of 12”s, largely on their own label Analogue Attic.
Tidal River, on the otherhand, appears coursty of the classic ambient/techno imprint Apollo. It kick off with the track Daybreak, a suitably beatless start to affairs. Washes of piano and guitar come in and out, underpinned by subtle synthwork and precise bass guitar. It reminded me of the spectral ambience of a Popul Vuh score. Kicks enter the picture on the next song View From The Peak. Dreamy pads and a nice sequence give the track momentum, complimented by piano chords and shuffly drums. All these elements crescendo nicely throughout, really building and delivering (this goes for the superb title track also).
The groovy Sealers Cove is a standout for me. It has a funky bass line, beautiful pads and a smattering of hi-hat. Again, there’s great use of piano: it’s warm and beatific in the way the best house records are. It develops really nicely over its near ten minute length, with variations coming in strong past the half way mark courtesy of guitar and freewheelin’ bass. Darby Saddle is another solid song. It starts off with hazy pads and field recordings of bird sounds (extra points). Again the drums shuffle about while waves of synth and piano meld together. The percussion is noteworthy in this one too, with interesting rhythms, sounds and rustles coming in and out. Last Night ends the record, a rather dubby track with some saxophone on it.
For an improvised record, Albrecht La’Brooy exhibit incredible finesse on Tidal River. The live nature of these tracks give them a real energy and viscerality. I find that is something that a lot of electronic music is lacking these days. If you need a masterclass in house music-making, you could do a lot worse than this.
- Hillfolk.