Sanso- Xtro - Fountain Fountain Joyous Mountain

Our review
Customer reviews
Press release

4...according to our Ant on Thu 10 Feb, 2011.

It's been ages since we've heard anything from Melissa Agate. Five years have passed since her 'Sentimentalist' album for Type. Where has she been? Apparently relocated back home down-under, quietly working away at her latest long player for the esteemed Digitalis label. It's clear Melissa is a talented musician, playing everything from synthesizer/ electronics, guitar, drums, melodica, harmonica and even singing. The tracks have a fluid dynamic that's somewhere between songwriting and improvisation and there are certainly some moments of beauty to be found, particularly when she plays bells and sings as can be heard on 'Light Come Light'. Limited copies available on fluorescent green vinyl.

It's been over five years since we last heard from Melissa Agate
aka Sanso-Xtro on her record for Type, "Sentimentalist." In
those five years quite a bit has happened. Agate's relocated to
her native Australia and the move has treated her well.
Fountain Fountain Joyous Mountain takes a lot of the ideas from
her first record and dials them in, pushing everything to the next
level. This collection of songs is a quiet force, blissfully
confident and expertly assembled. Sanso's soundworld is fully
immersive environment.

On the opener, "Fountain Fountain," we get a glimpse of
everything to come. There's this carefully controlled chaos at
work that is immediately hypnotizing. Agate sings simple
passages toward the end, welcoming listeners into this new
world as her voice floats above the fray.

It becomes obvious as the album progresses that Agate is, at
heart, a drummer. The staccato rhythms and percussive
embellishments bring the album to life. These rapid-fire beats in
conjunction with precise, half-speed instrumentation work in
perfect harmony. Reminiscent of Blackdance-era Schulze at
times, there's an intoxicating dizzyness that is effortlessly
present in "The Origin of Birds" and "Wood Owl Wings a Rush
Rush." Agate even throws a few nods to free jazz with
"Goodnight Thylacine." Her skill as a drummer is matched by
her ability as a songwriter, knowing when to push it over the top
and when to hold back. Album closer, "Exit: Joyous Mountain,"
sounds like a lost Alan Lomax gem with its melodica/harmonica
duet and delicate singing.

"Hello Night Crow" is the literal and figurative center of the
album, though. It starts with a ringing synth loop that gives
nothing away until the chord changes emerge a minute in.
Again it's about the slow-build, raising the tension and
anticipation before melting into the sky. "You wouldn't recognize
that its not there anymore," Agate sings over the bubbling
waves of synths. It is beautiful and crushing.

Fountain Fountain Joyous Mountain was mastered by Lawrence
English. Vinyl cut at D+M in Berlin, Artwork and design by
Fergal Brennan.