Daniel W J Mackenzie
'Return Written Arrange'
RM007
The Music:
Daniel W J Mackenzie is perhaps best known for his work as Ekca Liena, a
droning guitar and electronic mesh of ambience, electronica and hints of
doom. This alias has carved it’s place in the UK ambient underground. In
addition, Daniel also records and performs with psychedelic drone outfit
Plurals. Under his real name Daniel explores styles that are more intimate -
his well received debut self-release Teeth Sleep Under Winking Black Eyelid
is a melancholic and cinematic close focus study of the humble piano - and,
in this case, rather more calculated conceptual works.
The core of Return Written Arrange uses input
from a variety of musicians who were asked to provide sound recordings of
their choice from a selection of musical pitches and durations of
Mackenzie's own design. These were arranged in the order of when they were
sent back and the resulting sequence was duplicated in a way that
corresponded with the Fibonacci sequence, subjected to minimal production
and compositional enhancements and left as semi-aleatoric pieces, as much
constructed by chance and choice as they are bound by the rigidity of the
sequence.
Surrounding the two main conceptual pieces
(Return Written Arrange i and ii) are a series of shorter tracks
intended to provide much more human counterparts. These feature the kind of
sombre improvised piano that runs through Teeth Sleep... tinkering amid
atmospheres drawn from the other tracks and words from Irish poet P. Scanlan.
Together the different elements form a mysterious, enchanted and possibly
unsettling release that speaks as much for the soul's significance in
musical composition as it does the mind's.
The Release:
The CD-R release is made using recycled card covers and quality “Aquaguard”
matt finish CD-Rs. Download codes will be issued with CDr purchase.
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Reviews:
"Mackenzie accumulates layers of detail, creating a webbing effect of intricate interwoven rhythmic clusters – the overall effect is surprisingly visual"
Vital Weekly (813)
Very atmospheric music, a bit dark, a bit sombre even, especially in the long second part 'Return Written Arrange', but it certainly fits the dark season. Very nice release.
