markoff process

thomas dimuzio

rrrecords

1994 CD

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reviews

“An unusal soundtrack for the mind which constantly weaves an unending universe.” — ND

“A wonderful release from an incredible artist.” — Ink Nineteen

“... hears like one long piece.” — Vital Weekly

“Excellent experimental ambient.” — Manifold Records

ND

This CD is an impressive document which features excerpts from concerts by Thomas Dimuzio from 1990 and 1991 (such as performances at Generator, New Music America, Sonic Disturbance Festival and more). All tracks were improvised using a system of digital samplers and processors. Dimuzio has a unique touch, one that unburies a wealth of textures and creates a wealth of hidden treasures for the ear. An unusal soundtrack for the mind which constantly weaves an unending universe. —Daniel Plunkett

Ink Nineteen

To quote the liner notes, "Markoff Process features a series of concerts performed and recorded by Thomas Dimuzio during 1990 and 1991. All titles were improvised using an interactive system of digital samplers and processors with realtime control—no sequencers or backing tapes were employed."

The results of this interactive improvisation are ten compositions of layered sounds. The music reminds me of the work of :Zoviet-France: not only in sound but in feeling as well. I always have the most interesting, vivid dreams when I fall asleep to :Zoviet-France:, and the same thing happens with the work of Thomas Dimuzio. The music conveys colors and images and feelings through subtle soundscapes whether I'm awake or not, it just seems to be more intense when I'm unconscious. Don't get the worng idea—this is by no means new age music. There is nothing light, fluffy, or excruciatingly boring about this disc. This is soft-textured experimental music of the highest caliber.

Another thing that interests me about Dimuzio's work is that it's a recording of live improvisation, so you're actually experiencing the moment of this music's creation as you listen. A wonderful release from an incredible artist. —Andrew Chadwick

Vital Weekly

Dimuzio's LP Headlock from a few years back is much underrated and virtually unknown. His more recent cassette releases are unknown to me. His first CD contains recordings from several concerts using an interactive system of digital samplers and sound processors with real-time control - no sequencers or backing tapes were used. The ten pieces on this CD all have dense feeling as samples are thickly layered. It is hard to tell the difference between the tracks, as it hears like one long piece. —Frans de Ward

Manifold Records

Excellent experimental ambient. Using certainly taped and sampled location and media and instrumental sounds, Dimuzio delivers ten live performances from 1990 and 1991 that for the most part can be called intelligent noise-ambient. The piece 'Travelog' seems to mix in electrical screeches, Bollywood music, voice-overs and then grind them all up into a shifting cocoon of faces that descends into oceanic waves. 'Left Is Blue' is almost total ambient, with a driving tension through high-pitched tones far away, and fading ebbs and rumbles. 'Cloudmouth' keeps the echoing in-an-airplane-hanger ambience, but brings in revolving ambient shudders and bleak tension. Brilliant live works that reach down into the gut and emerge with bright or dark emotions and scenes that then come to powerful climaxes. A booklet explains a bit about Markoff Process, but it's best to let this dramatic, often apocalyptic music speakfor itself.