No.5203
GAJOOB Review by Bryan Baker:
“Indochina Soundscraps,” a cassette release by Abigail Smith, is a captivating tapestry of sounds that transports listeners to the heart of Southeast Asia. Recorded in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam between November and December 2016, and later edited and mixed by Justin Rhody in 2019, this album is an auditory journey that encapsulates the rhythm, harmony, chaos, and purpose of these diverse regions.
Smith’s recording style leaves the base sounds intact, with the (minimal) artistic manipulation being achieved through editing and juxtaposition. This approach results in an immersive listening experience where the listener is transported through time and space.
This sonic journey is marked by rhythmic train wheels clattering on tracks, the melodious tones of ancestral flutes, ceremonial drums echoing through the air, and the hum of everyday life. Through careful editing, Rhody weaves these diverse elements into a seamless narrative, creating a sense of fluidity that allows the listener to effortlessly explore this auditory landscape.
The album’s charm lies in its authenticity and the way it celebrates the mundane alongside the profound. The chatter of school rooms, the murmur of street corners, the distant strains of radio music from open windows, and the hushed reverence of ancient altars all find their place in this sonic collage. A harmonious blend of disparate elements.
“Indochina Soundscraps” has been released in a limited edition of 100 cassettes through Eh? Audio Repository, a label known for its exploration of the outer reaches and inner essence of sound. Each cassette comes with a download code, allowing listeners to take this journey again and again.
If you’re a fan of world music or unique field soundscapes, this album is a must-listen
buy this Cassette at Abigail Smith’s preferred online retailer
Media: Cassette.
Visit Abigail Smith
Bandcamp URL: https://indochinasoundscraps.bandcamp.com/album/indochina-soundscraps
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