Tone Science Module No 4: Form And Function
Tone Science sub-label, from DiN records, continues to explore the world of modular synth music. Following the success and critical acclaim of the first three Tone Science compilation albums, DiN label boss Ian Boddy has collated another nine tracks from musicians of varying backgrounds working in the realms of modular synthesis. One of the challenges for Boddy in compiling the Tone Science albums is to get the track order flowing to reveal a musical structure. There’s a certain amount of serendipity in this but for Tone Science V4 the shape of the album became very obvious early on. Opening with the beautiful abstract forms created on a vintage Paperface Serge system by Batchas the next two tracks feature gentle shimmering & undulating sequencer patterns from Lightbath & Panic Girl that instill a sense of calm & wonder. This leads us to the middle section of the album where first Andrew Huang gently slows down proceedings with harmonic abstract patterns before Stefan Bojczuk twists the mood with a stark, moody atmosphere conjuring up images of the isolated landscape referenced in the title of his track, Blackstone Edge.