4 ...according to our Business Lady on 30 July 2009.
Heavy Maple is the debut album from Rec.tangle A.K.A Brighton-based, France-born Adrien Rodes. Formally known as Topo Gigio, Adrian Rodes has been taking it steady since signing to Melodic ten years ago but it looks like the wait has been worth it. I'm really taken by first track 'Square One'. Brett reckon's it sounds like the theme to 'The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy' TV series so that gives you an idea of where Rodes is coming from. This is instrumental music at it's very best; dream-like, prog influenced and incredibly well played. At times it reminds me of the precise dynamic produced by bands like Tortoise but also shares a little in common with Goblin, Cluster, Stereolab (Adrien shares his studio space with Stereolab/Jr Electronics’ Joe Watson and Baikonour’s Jean-Emmanuel Krieger) and even Mike Oldfield!! Is this a bad thing? Depends on who you ask?? I like it. Adrian is certainly a virtuoso, playing all the instruments on this record, which include; 70’s synthesizers, acoustic guitars, acoustic and electric pianos, percussion, organs, sitar, zither and harp-like instruments amongst others (I guess that makes my Oldfield comparison stick a little better). He plays really good too, his drumming is particularly tasty. A very talented individual who likes to takes his time (10 years since his last release as Topoi Gigeo) to get things just right.
Love this record? Hate it? Tell us.
Sound clips for Heavy Maple by Rec.tangle: on CD at Norman Records UK. CD, Melodic, MELO061CD, £9.29.
Welcome to Heavy Maple, the debut album from rec.tangle, aka Brighton-based, France-born Adrien Rodes. A lush, dream-like, instrumental whirl, it’s the first flowering of a major talent, and the new incarnation of the artist formerly known as Topo Gigio.
The album sees Adrien move away from his sample-heavy origins to instrumental music. 70’s synthesizers, acoustic guitars, acoustic and electric pianos, percussion, organs, sitar, zither and harp-like instruments were all crammed into the 8-foot square recording space that Adrien shares with Stereolab/Jr Electronics’ Joe Watson and Baikonour’s Jean-Emmanuel Krieger in pursuit of the album’s full sound.
Adrien first signed to Melodic under the name Topo Gigio as a precocious 19-year-old, but his output has been anything but prolific. Ten years later, his name now changed to rec.tangle, he’s finally ready to release his debut.
TRACKLISTING: 1. Square One 2. Anima’s Lament 3. Balloon Ascending 4. Hedgehog Procession (At Dawn) 5. Elliptical Equilibria 6. Seaharp 7. Ethylic Fugue In Q Minor 8. Copper Dunes 9.Dominohead 10.The Meadow Green 11.Airborne Heliotropic Medusae
