Nandele - 1994
The sound of the new republic, a concept album, a history lesson, an intriguing fictional sonic story. Yes, Nandele's newest composition on Already Dead Tapes and Records is all of these. The title for this release is simply "1994", a date two years after then end of the Mozambican Civil War. These are the K7 field recordings of fictional writer Vandole Ukalyoi documenting his travels within Maputo at the time of the first democratic election in the city. The preceding description is paraphrased from Already Dead's bandcamp page because of the provided insight into the concept of this composition. Now to be added is another important description, ((Monumental)). A feeling that surfaces in thoughts with every note and repeat listen. "1994" contains incredible lengthy sublime selections. Sonic soundscapes built around both growth and decay. The longest titled "Fofoka" is close to a half hour in length. Nandele burns aural embers creating a thick droning static fog while sinuous electronics whirl in some futuristic symphony. This glorious sounding sojourn follows with more fluid creativity, "LeV1". Rising from a building focal point, gentle cacophony with spoken word sheds terrestrial tethers to sail aloft in a pulsating current of gooey synths. The second longest track "OMM.MU$EU" blends in seamlessly with the previous and about halfway through finds a groovy electro beat, something a little different than most of this tremendous endeavor. Each and every selection offering tasty introspection for the mind and sonic tranquilizing for the body.
Released on Already Dead Records and Tapes in a cassette edition of seventy five. These have quickly sold with good reason leaving only seven remaining for purchase at the time of this description. Another note, the thirteen minute track "Entre Makuas" is found only on the digital side, just no where to put it on a this already full ninety minute masterpiece. "1994" is an exceptional achievement! Many thank yous to Nandele for this repeat listening galore album and Already Dead for bringing it home.
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