Label: Audiokult Recordings, Vienna, Austria Artist: Ben Neill Album: Horizonal Release date: September 15, 2015 Contact:
[email protected] Horizonal is a new album by electronic music innovator Ben Neill featuring his self-designed computer interactive mutantrumpet. The recording is an ambient journey that blends Neill’s richly timbral melodies and textures with glitchy, minimal beats and deep sub bass lines. Using the unique palette of sounds generated by his instrument, Neill incorporates elements of future garage and deep house while keeping an ambient, reflective vibe with jazzy overtones. Guest artists appearing on the record are guitar wizard Gary Lucas, (Future Sound of London, Captain Beefheart) and saxophonist/sonic ecologist David RotHenberg. In addition to 5 original songs, the album includes a cover version of Sweetness and Light, written and recorded by the 1990’s shoegaze band Lush. Neill has been active as a composer/performer in New York City since the mid 1980’s when he worked with synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog to develop the first version of his instrument. He has previously released 9 albums on labels including Astralwerks, Verve, Six Degrees and THirsty Ear. Horizonal is his first release since the 2011 Songs for Persephone, a collaboration with vocalist Mimi Goese released on Ramseur Records. Neill has performed his music in wide ranging venues, from concert halls and jazz festivals to experimental art spaces and dance clubs. He has been called “a creative composer and genius performer” (Time Out NY),"the mad scientist of dancefloor jazz" (CMJ), and "a musical powerhouse, a serious and individual talent" (Time Out London).