Like yesterday’s Disquiet.com Downstream entry, the track “Frozen Resophonic” off Turkey-based Erdem Helvacioglu‘s Altered Realities album may sound electronically mediated but it was recorded live. The two states are not mutually exclusive.
Helvacioglu has developed systems by which he alters his guitar in real time. Available as a free download from the New Albion record label, “Frozen Resophonic” is glistening acoustic finger-work filtered and treated through various relays that glint and chime with hyperreal focus (MP3).
As if the generous echo didn’t already add significant depth, about halfway through Helvacioglu layers his still recognizable guitar against a pumping riff that sounds like Pete Townshend during the Who’s “Baba O’Riley” period, back when they were busy channeling the mystic minimalism of Terry Riley into rock’n’roll. It’s fitting, since Riley is a fellow New Albion recording artist. More info at newalbion.com and erdemhelvacioglu.com.