Joshua Abrams - Music For Pulse Meridian LP

Where Joshua Abrams’ work as leader of Natural Information Society sees him directing a group of musicians as a single entity, this new solo release takes a considerably different approach. Composing a piece for two violas, harmonium, and electronics to work along with a Lisa Alvarado installation at a LA gallery, this piece leans more towards the 20th Century minimalism strains of his work than the jazz-leaning of NIS.

Like any soundtrack worth its salt, an art-exhibit soundtrack should stand on its own if it’s gonna wind up on LP and this one does! Apparently the work played on loop 24hrs/day while the installation was on show, and it’s the kind of music that you could live in for that long. There’s something bodily in an abstract sense here, with a blending between the violas and harmonium creating a breathing, inhaling sound and Abrams’ electronics like an abstracted irregular pulse through the whole thing. Something for the La Monte Young heads!
–Mitch