Description
#robertturman #vinyl #vinylrecords
Robert Turman, a DIY legend from the US, has recently released ‘Distant Dosage’, a collection of archival magic recorded between 1980 and 1984. This compilation serves as a missing link between his earlier noisier work and the hypnotic sound collages he would later create. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on Turman’s ‘Chapter Eleven’ boxset in 2021, you would have already experienced the essential early material that showcased Turman’s influential role in shaping the US DIY scene. ‘Distant Dosage’ fills in the gaps, featuring tracks that showcase Turman’s experimentation with loop-based techniques.
This is not easy listening, as Turman takes tiny musical fragments and repetitively loops them, subtly altering the rhythm to create unsettling stutters. It is reminiscent of sewer-strength industrial music and Carl Stone’s experimental compositions. The album opens with ‘A Kind of Dance’, a nearly 10-minute track that slowly shifts and evolves. At first listen, it may sound like a broken CD stuck on a dirty disc, but if you pay close attention, you will notice the minute changes and appreciate the meticulous examination of the snippet. ‘Listen With Your Heart’ speeds up the sample to a blur, relying on glitches between loop points to create a discernible pulse. ‘Not Moving’ transforms lazy jazz into a whirlwind of overlapping drums, playful horns, and an interrupted melody.
One of the standout tracks on the album is ‘Possibilities’, which is the noisiest and most satisfying cut. Turman focuses on texture here, pushing the sound into the red until it creases and distorts under pressure. These additional artifacts create unexpected secondary rhythms, with the loop point shifts acting as a call and response against walls of radio static. The album concludes with ‘Mind Meeting’, a piece that splatters smooth pop music into glitchy horns and muted vocals. It is a psychedelic and eccentric masterpiece that draws connections between Dadaism, surrealism, industrial music, and noise, while also pointing towards the cheeky laptop experiments of artists like Oval.
‘Distant Dosage’ is a testament to Robert Turman’s incredible talent and his experimental approach to music. It is a unique compilation that showcases the evolution of his sound and solidifies his influence on the US DIY scene. Whether you are a fan of industrial music, noise, or avant-garde compositions, this album is a must-listen. Turman’s loop-based experimentation and meticulous attention to detail create immersive and captivating tracks that will leave a lasting impression. His contributions to the DIY movement should not be overlooked, as he paved the way for artists like Oval and others to explore unconventional soundscapes.
