xxxv

yannick dauby: low valley cd

first full edition cd release by this french sound artist. Utilizing a vast wealth of binaural and close-miced recordings of wind, foliage, and the like; yannick dauby presents a rich and varied field of sounds. From simmering acoustimatic crackling to low frequency tones, dauby's compositions yield truly imaginary landscapes rich in both textures and sonorities. yannick dauby has released numerous compilation tracks, cdrs, a new lp on alluvial recordings, and has collaborated with artists such as michael northam, jerome joy, christoph havard, and wan shuen tsai. he continues his ongoing phonography work and posts his latest recordings on his website.




Yet another enigmatic disc on this prodigious sound art label from the USA. I am sure that I've heard Dauby's name before, but it escapes me at the moment where that could have been. Low Valley consists of five tracks, ranging from almost 7 to almost 17minutes in duration. Since there is no accompanying information, all explanations about this work stay in the realm of the fantastic. So let's stick to the audible: small sounds drift in from silence, fading in and out. It must be rain or other water sounds, filtered, manipulated, but recognisable. There are also cicada's and buzzing insects, birds singing, together with a person doing almost nothing, just being there, electrifying things. Furthermore there are electronic devices going haywire and sinewaves weaving themselves through the fabric of sound. Okay, this may sound complicated, but it is actually not so much so. I believe that Dauby is enigmatic with a good reason: ultimately hte sound sources are not overly important , the result is. And it must be said without hesitation that his compositions are strong and compulsive and deserve all the attention the listener can give them. This work is very well crafted and there is no doubt that Dauby has learned the tricks of the trade very well indeed. Recommended!

roel meelkop, vital weekly #437



available now