Clara Engel - Undergrowth
Nestled on the vastly lush and open stretches of the Mongolian-Manchurian steppe, Undergrowth by Clara Engel begins with a beautiful bow and string melody filling the heart with this timeless vista. For me, this sound is rooted in the continentality of a place landlocked in both time and space. Sounds on this new cassette release are the glowing embers within the soul. Passages turning sonic pages, blurring memories of folk and depicting a fractal future.
Clara Engel's choice of instruments connect cultures and centuries. The talharpa, melodica and cigar box guitar coupled with the patient and lush playing style elicit thoughts of arduous journeys and fire culled nights. But with this ebb back to folk driven sounds of Europe and all land east, there is a flow to future worlds and new discoveries. "Wobbling Dance" and "Who Goes There?" float with ambient rhythm on a light current of electronic drone. Wonderful deviation from an album of beautifully played instruments with enduring creativity. Clara Engel's pairing of the opening track "Fallen Nest" with the final selection "Take Me Home" is also and very thoughtful choice, bringing all sounds into one complete album.
Released on Geology Records in a very limited edition of fifty cassettes. The Wisconsin label has always used the slipcase to house the plastic cassette case adding extra love for every physical copy. This gives a beautiful palette for Clara Engel's cover artwork. Copies are currently available.
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