Italian
sound-sculptor Antonio Testa presents a series of sonic environments
that are often suggestive of found sound or musical representations of
wondrous places. The listener is inclined to envision the musician
working in low light somewhere below ground in harmony with his space,
each taking equal part: artist and expanse. Softly clanging chimes are
scattered against bird song and water movement, a low drone even and
measured permeating everything. Meditative evolving strains are rippled
by unidentifiable sonorous percussives, almost rhythmic. Reverberating
fluids, spills and streams run across smooth synthetic textures.
Turbulence gently heaves whilst a soft female voice speaks. We even get
to hear Rahien Testa's first cry on the opening eponymous track. The
impression is one of timelessness; ancient simplicity against
contemporary clarity. The gear list includes stalagmites and field
recordings as well as contributions from fellow musicians Alio Die
(samples, textures, drones, soundscapes from Thailand), Susana Beatriz
Alvear and Maurizio Dall'olio (voice), Daniela Risser (crystal bowls)
and others.
INFRAMUNDIS, meaning inland "universe" in Latin, is the latest in a
considerable discography from percussionist Antonio Testa. Antonio's
website points out that he "specializes in organic sound and the
creation of musical atmospheres through the use of a vast array of
mostly native and shamanic instruments, together with his own creations
made from organic and recycled materials". This interest is clearly
evident on this recording, which is primarily a musical research into
stalagmite and stalactite sounds mixed with textures and drones.
Stefano Musso shares in four of the ten recordings. INFRAMUNDIS is
surely an album that will appeal to fans of Alio Die. Very meditative
and evocative, this CD is one for experimental sound lovers looking for
something with an exotic edge, or cavern music without the cold
isolationist tone employed by other subterranean explorations.