Morphogenesis

In Streams: Volume 2, 1997 - 2000

Label: Paradigm Country: UK

"Morphogenesis started recording in January 1985 and this is their sixth CD release, coming 3 months after the release of Volume 1. Like Volume 1, this CD also contains excerpts from 3 concerts (all in London this time) and a studio piece. Morphogenesis play a few concerts a year, almost always in London. In fact we have only ever played outside the UK twice. Concerts have always yielded our most varied material, but until now their CD's have mainly documented their studio work. Both volumes of In Streams redress this. Of the concerts; one is a whole piece from the Spitz concert organised by Eddie Prévost, then there is a short extract from the Red Rose which has a ominous feel to it that is only partially due to the hostile audience. Finally there is the whole of our Sonic Youth support gig at the Shepherds Bush Empire which also has some interesting audience reactions - the initial cheer of approval on this piece was not because we had finally started, but rather due to a well aimed missile from the front row."-Paradigm

"VOLUME 2 covers the more familiar (what I'd call) "typical" Morphogenesis, with three vast sprawls that ooze and flow in that Stockhausen "improv" vein (the more abstract Aus den sieben Tagen) meets AMM that almost teeters on the edge of chaos. Gripping stuff (mostly), like a riotous ride inside the brains of 6 creative sonic artists all attempting to communicate with each others psychŽ. Generally it all works, with the sonic synapses set to sizzle, except for a weirdly out-of-place moment where it all goes kind of serious and "classical". There's also a 3¸ minute piece (intended for radio play - possibly) that doesn't really get anywhere to speak of, and seems a might weak and out-of-place. Of all the Morphogenesis recordings I've heard these two discs hold the most "rasping" (i.e. buzzing and screeching) works that I've heard from them, and thus quite challenging. They are also well-balanced with a wide range of moods and textures. In all, they document the Morphogenesis live sound really well."-Alan Freeman