ism

_ISM

jansen barbieri karn

Cat. No.MPCD9 RELEASE DATE 09.99

type:

info:

features:

vocal / instrumental

the first true jansen barbieri karn collaboration

album

david torn, aziz ibrahim, clive bell with vocals by

jansen, zoe niblett, karn

_ISM transpired from a major label signing (Polydor Japan ) and was released in Japan in the early part

of '99. Medium was then able to licence the album in territories outside of Japan.

_ISM is the first complete album in which Jansen, Barbieri and Karn have written and recorded as a

three piece and in it’s uniqueness fully envelopes the trio’s distinctive musical styles.

JBK: We sometimes feel that the process of recording can

become too habitual, particularly when collaborating within

the familiar surrounds of an enduring friendship. We’re at a

point where we seek out the ‘accidents’ when structuring a

piece of music - singular moments that lead a composition

away from the familiar and alludes to something much more

unforeseen - a way of stepping outside of our own trappings

to reveal hidden dimensions that may even surprise

ourselves.

a free lyric sheet is included with every purchase from Medium

Reviews

Loosely speaking, their tools are keyboards, bass and drums, suitably modernised for this recording debut with stray samples and doctored details. Pasting up pieces by their guests (noise guitarist David Torn, jazz saxophonist Theo Travis, exotic fluteman Clive Bell), JBK keep the melodies strong, but scuffed up by fuzzed-up bass, looped guitar burrs and crackling radio subliminals. The amniotically bobbing Carry The Ashes soothes; Mick Karn's clarinet oozes on Beast Haunted; while Zoe Niblett provides guest vocals on three tracks, peaking with Red Track Dance.
Q Magazine December 99

..... largely instrumental, sound textures rather than songs, occassional whispered vocals and a claustrophobic feel. An atmospherically charged album which succeeds admirably.
Classic Rock Winter Special 99

There have been so many spin-off permutations of ex-Japan men over the years that it's easy to lose sight of the gemstones, but this - the first time these three have combined sans Sylvian - is a treat. All the adjectives normally thrown at Eno - ambient, experimental, haunting - are justified here, as timidly-named -ism slowly, serenely, stakes out it's seductive, shifting terrain. Steve Jansen bashfully approaches vocals on just two tracks, leaving the faint sighing to one Zoe Niblett, but this is more about Barbieri's weird washes of sound and Jansen's loops and electronica. Importantly, it never disappears up it's own atmospheres, always returning to a groovy, sensuous, building thrill, especially on Carry The Ashes and the engaging Red Track Dance. Mick Karn seems reluctant to show off, but when he lets that unique bass style fly, he's magnificent. An evolved Tin Drum without the tunes, then, which is yet a mighty fine thing.
Uncut February 2000

Full of beautiful atmospherics and complex rhythms it is also pretty approachable. Tracks like The Shallow Pool and Cold Light retain conventional structures whilst To The Core is sublime. It's deeply pretentious but has an unerring understanding of ambience and melody. At times (as in Beast Haunted, Carry The Ashes), little may appear to happen but there's an underlying theme that catches you in it's drifting, shifting textures. Mixing flutes and clarinets with samples, electronics and guitars (Aziz Ibrahim ex-Stone Roses guests on some tracks) makes -ism music for dreaming in slow motion, and it never becomes dull or difficult.
Rock Sound November 99

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