v-p v-f is v-n 7" compilation series, 7001

Fine selection box of many minimal artists, some of which are 'regulars' on this label. Jeph Jerman, ting ting jahe, Richard Garet, Lawrence English, mpld, civyiu kkliu, Tommy Birchett, Ben Scott, Andy Graydon and label boss Ben Owen are all represented, turning in very short miniature recordings. Very short indeed. Nothing is over one minute long, and you have to admire those who up the ante on that restriction by contributing tracks on the B side that last merely 16, 11 or 7 seconds. Yet they still say something. The work is a combination of many things – including quiet but luscious drones, snippets of field recordings from urban or country environs, or documents of a minimal performance that may be no more than shuffling about in a dark room, or striking a percussive instrument once. Both Alfredo Costa Monteiro and Ilya Monosov manage, despite the severe time restriction, to turn in something approaching miniature symphonic compositions, with distinct movements. Plus there are a few lock-groove experiments, on which I dared not risk damaging my Goldring cartridge. This label has carved out a credible notch for itself in terms of showcasing highly extreme forms of minimalism. This sampler is perhaps their most entertaining and diverse release to date, because there's no chance of you getting bored with it before it's moved on to the next piece. Yet perhaps the durational aspect, one of the things that gives minimalism more 'meaning', has been sacrificed thereby.

reviewed by Ed Pinsent issue 17 in the sound projector
9/14/2008