Ben Neill Thirsty Ear Records Updated: 08/06/09
People mold their bodies, parents mold their children, architects mold buildings, and landscapers mold the environment. Ben Neill has molded horns into his “Mutantrumpet”, which started out over two decades ago as three trumpets and a trombone and is now updated to trigger Midi, digital sounds, samples and visuals as well as sounds like a traditional horn. Neill has performed with Robert Moog, minimalist composer La Monte Young, John’s Cage and Cale, and DJ’s Spooky and Olive as well as in bands and at installments around the world.
On Night Science, Ben Neill continues his journey through sound, blending dub-step with ambient jazz, with his mutantrumpet the voice of the instrumentals. On the spacious dub of Outlands the trumpet purrs calmly. On the sinister and percussive Menace Ultimo the horn cries in the background then trills away in the last third along to bouncing bass. On Heartthrob the slightly off-kilter beat is accompanied by soothing synths and various hums and murmurs from the mutantrumpet for a warm and comforting composition. Neill takes a lighter approach to dub on Alphadub with a high and muted horn lead, bubbly rhythm and airy synths.
Night Science is a fitting title for Ben Neill’s album as many of the tracks are dark and technical. But the superb music heard here should whet your appetite for some lighter, less dystopic forays into Ben Neill’s talented mind.
(Bret Miller)
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