Reynols: The Whistling Kettle Quartet
SED1LP | Released in 2003 | $10
One-sided LP, ltd to 500 copies
A singularly brilliant work for baritone, tenor, contralto & soprano whistling kettles from this unpredictable Argentinian collective Reynols seems to be more active than ever. Responsible for a bunch of highly conceptual projects such as the “10.000-chicken Symphony”, “BlanTapes”, “Fire Music”, “Reynols Plays the Eiffel Tower”, etc. this sound-art piece redefines a traditional format in classical music Їthe quartetЇ in order to expand its boundaries and possibilities. Through the three movements of this composition (Andante Mogal, Moderato uno Surido Fermo and Allegro Repuliom Lanidelo), the sound of the four whistling kettles create deep textures, ranging from minimal static drones to complex pitch counterpoints. If the String Quartet has, for centuries, been a must for composers, what can we expect from the coming XXI century quartets? Maybe this release starts eying in key an answer.
REYNOLS started its activities in 1993 in Argentina. Since that date the work of the band has been basically oriented to improvisation, droning and deep experimental research, etc., employing diverse acoustic & electric instruments and no-instruments, tapes and electronics. The group integrates an amazing musician who suffers from Down’s Syndrome, Miguel Tomasнn, who plays drums, vocals and diverse instruments. The fact that Reynols integrates a handicapped member is not casual, actually the bandґs forrays into musical experimentation are guided by the inmense freedom of Tomasнnґs mind, giving a challenging and unique character to this project. The line-up is completed with Robeto Conlazo & Anla Courtis, who play electric guitars and many other instruments.
In 1995 Reynols released the first dematerialized CD called “Gordura Vegetal Hidrogenada”. In 1996 they started releasing stuff outside their country. At the moment the band has more than 80 releases in Europe, USA, New Zealand and Japan. During the years the bandґs activities has included: concerts for plants, tributes to dry ice, psychic energy refractions with toothbrushes, noise performances in public squares, etc. the band also has manofacturated self-designed electric guitars and other electric instruments.
During 1999 Reynols has been involved in several collaborations projects with the acclaimed american composer Pauline Oliveros. The band remixed Oliverosґs live stuff in a CD called “Pauline Oliveros in the Arms of Reynols” and played an internet concert with her in 1999. In august 2000 Oliveros & Reynols played together some concerts in USA including a performance at the Lincoln Center on her “Lunar Opera” that was the begining of the REYNOLS USA TOUR 2000. Reynols also played with Oliveros at the Deep Listening Space during ocober 2001.
During the 2001 USA TOUR the band presented their new homemade intruments called electric pacalirtes in more than twenty cities and played them at the No Music Festival with musicians like Lee Ranaldo, Alan Licht, John Oswald, Michael Snow, Paul Dutton and members of the Nihilist Spasm Band.
PRESS:
“Comparisons to Ligeti’s obelisk-speak score for 2001 come easily during “Moderato uno Surido Fermo” where pitches maintain a frightening vocal range, undulating with reverent moans. The quartet escalates into its final and most impressive section, “Allegro Repuliom Lanidelo,” as kettles produce grating screams and calls, sounding like the ambience from some dark, interstellar rainforest. Even at this noisy plateau, however, Whistling Kettle maintains a fragile, hushed quality which must be due to the unique timbre of the kettle.” -Andrew Culler, Brainwashed