Maps and Diagrams - The Voices of Time

Tim Martin has had a prolific career so far as Maps & Diagrams, with releases on an extensive list of labels including Static Caravan, Expanding Records, Awkward Silence Recordings, Smallfish, and Handstitched* Recordings to name but a few.  Martin sees no sign of slowing the pace of his output either, with two other albums out this year on Chemical Tapes and Time Released Sound. 'The Voices of Time' is his third release for Handstitched, following two limited CDrs 'Koel' and 'Koom' in 2009.

Something that strikes me of Martin's work is the sense of place he creates through his ambient soundscapes. But rather than settle on simply being observational pieces - he continues to push himself to fully explore these environments with a curiosity of someone completely in love with sound and its myriad permutations. As with any artist/musician, more often that not, it is this passion for their medium that makes for a truly compelling work and is able to illicit emotional responses in the listener.

The Voices of Time is a collection of intriguingly entitled pieces (Letraset Addiction, Rapid Ear Movements?!) that convey Martin's passion and character beautifully. Beginning with 'Your Weakness', the first few tracks have a wonderful sense of tactility, tentatively emerging electronics vibrate and build, making comparisions to The Boats, Marcus Fischer, Michael Santos easy. The Infinite Delay and Longshore Drift are bolder in sound, the later's wavering notes and slightly alien rippling sound both reminiscent of Boards of Canada, a comparision that can be made also on later track 'Looks Simple Enough'. The title track, ten minutes in length, features random cascades of piano amongst swelling drones that really establishes its themes and indulges its lush surrounding patterns to great effect.  Last track 'From the Archaeas' imagines the sounds that could be created by single celled micro-organisms - archaeas - who have their own evolutionary history, different to every other living organism we know of.

If the success of an album can be measured by its ability to intrigue, captivate and hold interest, then 'The Voices of Time' is a winner. As part of Martin's career as an artist it not only reflects his maturity of approach with his imagination and character, but provides a perfect introduction to his sound for the uninitiated.

Maps and Diagrams - The Voices of Time by handstitched*

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