Review: Field Rotation - Acoustic Tales

In addition to running influential online radio station and website Fluid Radio, Daniel Crossley has been carefully building one of the scene's most beloved small run labels, Fluid Audio. Thus, following releases by Hessien and the enigmatic Hummingbird, we are treated to this stunning modern classical album by Field Rotation, a work which will doubtlessly cause the last minute re-writing of many 'best of 2010' lists in what has been a fruitful year for independent experimental music.

Field Rotation is the solo project of Christoph Berg. Berg creates experimental music which flirts with ambient, drone and modern classical overtones. Following the exceptional 3"CD Why Things Are Different released earlier this year on Hibernate Records, Acoustic Tales is his most accomplished work yet. The artist credits his inspiration for the album as literary greats Kafka and Hemmingway, hoping to create, in his own words, 'a collection of auditory short stories' - this Berg certainly succeeds at. To convey just how effectively the artist evokes images of the Czech existentialist's literary works is difficult with mere words alone and must be experienced to be truly understood. One is struck by the cinematic quality to the music and the listener is transported to another place and time.

Though Acoustic Tales is marked by Berg's restraint, the artist mixes things up a little and occasionally complements his modern classical material with flourishes of electronica but tastefully and in such a way as to lend emphasis to the natural beauty of the music. This light touch is extended to the recording and production of Acoustic Tales and a deep textural quality is notable, perhaps helped in part by the analogue tape format used by Nils Frahm when mastering. Acoustic Tales will appeal to fans of Berg's previous output and to those who appreciate such artists as Rachel's, Max Richter or perhaps Peter Broderick.

Beside the music, there is a wealth of other material to pour over, with a series of twenty photos by Ian Hazeldine (aka Antonymes), and beautiful poetry by Estela Lamat. Examining these pictures and reading the poetry while listening to Acoustic Tales is a moving experience indeed and should provide much enjoyment in this very special release.

Available mid-December in a run of just 200, Acoustic Tales will no doubt sell-out quickly and so if wishing to secure a copy, one would be well advised to join the mailing list which will provide a one off 24 hour pre-order.

Field Rotation - Acoustic Tales by FluidAudio

Review by Adam Williams for Futuresequence