Architects of Harmonic Rooms and Records

Steffen Basho-Junghans - IS

We are delighted to announce our first ever release – ‘IS’ by Steffen Basho-Junghans. Because of its intense nature and connection with solitude and depth of thought, we’ve gone for the two extremes:
1:Super heavy weight deluxe vinyl (200grams) that comes with a free digital download for those long walks with the ipod.
2:Or if you want to skip the vinyl and just go for the download go to:
http://diogenes.greedbag.com/buy/is-9/

Includes Postage and Packing
Sent 1st Class
Vinyl’s out of sleeve in good packaging.

'IS' Reviews:

German steel-string fondler Steffen Basho-Junghans is new to these ears but now I'm at least ever-so-slightly more educated about his particular ouvre I can start shouting about this 200gm vinyl & download set on Architects of Harmonic Rooms. He specialises in well cerebral Takoma style meanderings that sound too trancendental to actually find words to describe. I feel like I've attempted to write about this kind of thing too many times, and when you're faced with a quality proposition like Mr. Basho-Junghans, you feel like an abject failure as there is not much criticism you could level at this guy who initially learned his art on the tougher, colder side of the Berlin Wall. There's some really blinding passages on this record, some tripped out bits, some introspective road-movie style segments but overall a lucidity & knowing.... This could go anywhere and you get the feeling it probably will. This certainly ain't some well-worn pastiche, this Is the real deal y' hear me? Norman Records

Steffen Basho-Junghans is an avant/folk guitarist from Germany who combines a lyrical approach to steel guitar with an experimental use of various technical ‘binds’. He adopted the name Basho as a talismanic tribute to two figures central to his thought; the haiku master Matsuo Basho and the devotional guitarist Robbie Basho. Is presents a series of live guitar performances recorded straight to DAT between 2000-2006, switching between 6 and 12-string acoustics as well as some slide. Is perfectly balances both of Basho-Junghans’ styles, bridging his more experimental work and his more traditionally sourced material, with spare instrumentals that echo Blind Willie Johnson while projecting that vision forward into more fractured and aggressively nuanced environs. But he’s just as capable of sweeping you away on tumbling arpeggios and lush, melodic inventions as he is at rerouting the post-Takoma stream, so if you’re looking for a significantly new take on contemporary guitar soli, this is the place to be. The closing track, “...and like Wind we go” is dedicated to the memory of Jack Rose. Edition of 500 copies on 200g vinyl with a free download coupon. Volcanic Tongue

This might be a career best from German Takoma-ite Steffen Basho-Junghans. This new album plays like a showreel of the guitarist's talent: 'When The Plains Are Singing' is an exemplary piece of lapsteel playing that absolutely sings, eschewing the more earthy blues figures you might associate with the style in favour of something with an almost weightless, spiritual quality. Similarly, 'Changes' arrives in a flurry of strings and stargazing, strummed drones, and 'Leaving Eden' is a thing of near sublime loveliness. It's largely unrelated from the American bluegrass stem that tends to be at the source of guitar records of this ilk, instead favouring a more modern, occasionally minimalist form. In any case its fluid, modal qualities fit in beautifully alongside the other solos here. Highly recommended. Boomkat

Part The Wild Horses Main On Both Sides - Battle De Bataille CDR

Flautist Kelly Jones performance veers seamlessly from Anthony Braxton styled free playing to a haunted elongated droning style akin to Isnaj Dui. Pascal Nichols, the percussive element of the duo, splatters sporadically in a fractured rainfall, faintly disrupting proceedings to begin with, then forcefully propelling the musical structure into steadier rhythms. This primitive structure is forced in amplified rackets via free jazz techniques and improvisation, evocative of artists Chris Corsano and Alex Neilson... - Foxy Digitalis

Only 4 copies left in the whole world! Jan 2010

£6 including postage and packing.

Directing Hand - Songs From the Red House 12" Vinyl

William Morris inspired, lp called 'Songs From The Red House'.

Four live songs and two studio songs with full colour artwork by Lavinia Blackwall.

Only 5 copies left (These are the only 5 copies left in the whole world). Jan 2010

£14 (including p&p) for UK residents:

£16 (including p&p) for other EU residents:

£18.50 (including p&p) for non-EU residents

MV & EE - Meet Snakes Pass & other human conditions 12" Vinyl

Recorded in Sheffield near the end of a European tour, the pair sound relaxed and fill the hall with the autumnal swell of their acoustics. The pair's babbling brook of notes shape "Cold Rain" into a perfect balance of song and winter breath smoke. Their gentle dishevelled playing turning into extended guitar runs, the blues pulled loose. Their choices here take a route connecting Delta phantoms and a stony set of grooves, the threads of their playing toying with plummets into psych paths. The most beautiful trail they wander is through "Anthem of the Cocola Y&T," a free-ish stumble bumble that adds a little dissonance while keeping everything above the waterline. - Brainwashed

£14 (including p&p) for UK residents

£16 (including p&p) for other EU residents

£18.50 (including p&p) for non-EU residents

Stephanie Hladowski - The High High Nest 10" Vinyl

"The story is that these four songs are all that's left of Scatter's scrapped final album. As that free folk assembly went on their separate ways, thankfully vocalist Stephanie Hladowski has collated the tracks into this 10" EP. It feels like these songs have been pulled through the liquid mirror of a now-closed world, with this world being better off for having them. These brief glimpses of the past reveal themselves as further puzzle pieces in the reconfiguration of British traditional songs as part of a living present..." - Scott McKeating, Brainwashed

£6 (including p&p) for EU residents

£7.50 (including p&p) for non-EU residents

Singing At The Moon - Singing Knives Compilation

'Contributions all fall within the parameters of improvised folk or homemade psychedelia, but with a diverse instrumentation and hands-on song craft,,, Singing At The Moon manages to be always idiosyncratic and occasionally otherwordly.' (Derek Walmsley/The Wire)

Track Listing:

Tirath Singh Nirmala - Singing At The Moon

One Ensemble of Daniel Paddon - Low Clowns

Peril Hill - Vapours In August

Chora - Live From The Inky Gazelle Gland

Bridget Hayden - Untitled

Nalle - Are You Beautiful Inside? Are You Here?

Feather Gatherers - Leaves

Big Eyes Family Players - Alenky

Michael Flower Band - Santa Flauta

Tau Emerald - The Piano Key

Inecto School - Mullard's thrid Madrigal

James Green - Ribbon

Ben Raynolds - The Golden Arm

Directing Hand - Down In Yon Forest

McWatt - Untitled

£6 (Including P&P)

T-Shirt Catalogue Number AOHRTS1