Ural Umbo Ural Umbo

We got a ton of stuff from the Utech label this week with a self titled Ural Umbo CD being one example. Ural Umbo is the work of Reto Mäder (Sum of R, RM74) and Steven Hess (Fessenden, Haptic) who craft hypnotic fragments of organic, instrumental music intended for contemplative listening. Utilizing more instrument than are worth mentioning here these dudes create an otherworldly form of improvisation that draws heavily on horror and sci-fi soundtracks as an influence, using them to inform these texturally rich pieces. The tracks here often swell to engulf the listener in a wave of subliminal harmonies and carefully manipulated feedback bringing to mind the influence of post rock, with 'Forlta Jag' in particular bringing to mind the rousing style of early Sigur Ros or Mogwai. Certainly a record that will reveal itself fully with further listens, this self titled CD has plenty going on to keep you improv, drone and noise fans happy.