Igor Krutogolov
White
Auris Media 2006

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The name might not ring an immediate bell, but regular readers will likely remember two of Igor Krutogolov's many projects - Kruzenshtern & Parohod and Agnivolok, both little marvels of the little-known Russian-Israeli scene. For White, which comes with a 12-page booklet of snow-white paper (funny or arty), he plays minimal instrumentals including bass with bow, strings and a keyboard and gets help from a friend with a tape of falling rain. One could simplistically say rain is the central theme, regularly reoccurring in each segment (such poor weather in the Holy Land!) - yet the mood and presence reflect rainbow iridescence - bittersweet shadows sounding somehow comforting and ghostly at once. To quote myself from earlier: "sweet, maybe even a bit sappy, but each time I hear it"... it reminds me of Orsi's piece on the MCIAA split record. Well, in any case, it's very Italian to my ears: the intimacy, the flow, the romance, the presence... And all the contemplative grandeur.

So once more, I'm late to hear his work, but Igor will have to forgive me - something as secluded as Israel doesn't come much to our attention. The only problem that potential listeners and/or buyers may now face is finding a spot for White (sic!) in the enormous pile of similar musics. From my part, they'd better, instead of blindly adding any half-refined 'ambient' rubbish they can find. With extended pieces such as this, it's a tough task to hold back enough to let sounds unfold naturally on their own: exactly where Igor excels, while subtly avoiding kitsch by ways of contrast.

>> rapid / up.to (84mb) (d-_-b)
>> love it, buy it (Cold Spring)