Experimental vocalists, David Moss and Phil Minton spearhead a quintet on this 1998 date, recorded live in Zurich, Switzerland. Moss also employs electronics and drums, with others who augment the performances with percussion, additional vocals, and synths. All told, the musicians spin quite a few yarns that either venture into the macabre via voice processing techniques or when perpetuating melodramatic dreamscapes in concert with whimsical passages. Nonetheless, the performers cover a broad spectrum throughout these generally fascinating encounters.
Extraordinary performances
I've never been a great fan of either the Phil Minton or the Bobby McFerrin schools of vocal gymnastics. But Minton's presence here, with fellow vocalists Catherine Jauniaux, Koichi Makigami and leader David Moss, results in some extraordinary performances. Frank Schulte is on electronics, and Makigami plays conch shells and mouth harps as well. Recorded live in Zurich in 1997, with no overdubs or manipulation, all compositions are by the vocalists. There's a compendious variety of vocal effects and moods, from Schoenbergian angst on «Mood Change Maestros» to the eerily limpid «Paradise On Jupiter». On «Trading Post» Schulte comes into his own, settingup an electronic beat with effects.


Cover Art: Fabrizio Gilardino
Liner Notes: David Moss
Photo: Francesca Pfeffer

All music recorded live at Rote Fabrik Zürich, Switzerland, Oct 24, 1997. Mixed by Jeroen Visser and David Moss, 1998. Executive producer: Fredi Bosshard. Produced and published by Intakt Records