Gagarin - Adaptogen

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Press release

4...according to our Phil on Thu 15 Jan, 2009.

I believe Brett has already reviewed a Gagarin release this week. I thought I'd write a few words about the 'Adaptogen' CD as it sounded pretty good from what I've heard. He's already said it sounded like EU (courtesy of Brian) and I'd have to go with that really. If I didn't know better I'd say this is icy fresh sounding electronica from the depths of Russia but it's actually from a guy who was in Ludus (old Manchester arty band from the early 80's). This is well nice melodic electronica which is totally lush sounding. Nothing new whatsoever but there's not masses of folks making this sort of thing now so it's always nice to hear it. If you're into the early Toytronic or N5MD or possibly some of Merck stuff then you'll like this we think. Crunchy.

ADAPTOGEN is the latest album from GAGARIN released on GEO records. It comes as the culmination of an incredible year of creative activities from the intrepid musical space explorer. 2008 has seen him contribute atmospheres, synth and drums to Pere Ubu´s performance of UBU ROI at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, electronics, beats and production to acclaimed releases from label mates Raf & O, and Roshi as well as festival dates including Glastonbury on drums with the legendary Suns of Arqa.

ADAPTOGEN is a development from previous releases showing further exploration of a recurring theme in Gagarin´s work - the collision of urban and pastoral sound worlds. The sound of the album is edgy, littered with crackles and noise but also featuring aching melody and moments of blissful calm. From the glitchy down tempo melodictronica of "Straiff" to the clanking urbanism of "den Bosch", via the free-jazz drone clash of "B Plas", the distorted ambience of "Aconite" and a huge melting pot of sounds gathered from field recordings, classical samples, synths, improvisation and live and programmed grooving. Packaged in a lovely CD digipack of shimmering rust colours.

GAGARIN´s history as a musician is well documented. He started out, as Dids ( a drummer), in Manchester cult band Ludus, before embarking on an extended working relationship with Velvet underground legend NICO, recording and playing also with JOHN CALE, ERIC RANDOM, MOONTWIST, SUNS OF ARQA, BILL PRITCHARD and many more. For the last 10 years he has worked with DAVID THOMAS and PERE UBU, in a variety of roles - remixer, synthesist, samplist, sound designer and has contributed several pieces to Ubu´s forthcoming Ubu Roi album.

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