The Ambient Ping presents Ben Grossman with cheryl o + quasiMODAL

["Scott M2" <scott@dreamstate.to>]

THE AMBiENT PiNG   http://www.theambientping.com
Free - Every Tuesday Night - doors open at 9pm - 1st set at 9:30
  @ club nia / C'est What - 19 Church St. at Front St. - Toronto
         3 blocks east of the Union Station subway.
         map - http://www.cestwhat.com/map.html
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Tuesday April 6th - Ben Grossman with cheryl o + quasiMODAL

Hurdy Gurdy Man & experimental sound artist Ben Grossman
returns to the Ping for a night of improvisations with cellist
cheryl o and improv ensemble quasiMODAL.

In the first set Ben and cheryl will set sail on an electroacoustic
voyage merging "vielle a roue" (hurdy gurdy) & cello, with both
artists employing live-looping technologies & other treatments.

Then, in the second set, cheryl's improv group quasiMODAL
will squeeze onto the stage to join them in travelling even
farther out... with Matthew Poulakakis (Automatic Fats)
on bass/guitar/trinkets, Michael Keith on acoustic guitar
and Steven Sauve (Karmafarm) on piano.

Ben Grossman - http://www.macrophone.org
cheryl o - http://www.cellojuice.com
Matt P - http://cdbaby.com/cd/automaticfats
Michael Keith - http://www.michaelkeith.com
Steven Sauve - http://www.karmafarm.ca

Between Sets CD - "Gone To Earth - disc 2" by David Sylvian
Sylvian's acclaimed 2 disc set has been remastered and
re-released on CD in unabridged form - with the entire 2nd disc
of instrumental ambient music (previously only available in
the limited-edition Weatherbox set). After the 2nd set we'll
play the beautiful songs on disc 1. http://www.davidsylvian.com
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Coming Tuesday April 13th - Karmafarm with NODEform Visuals
http://www.karmafarm.ca
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rik maclean's *ping things* CD Reviews

"Uprox Detox" by Portland 

Unique electronic experiments are diluted with emotional debris,
while Portland displays love, sadness, and anger in one swift
motion within each of his tracks." Piehead Records releases
another fantastic disc as part of their brilliant 2004 subscription
series. This time it's "Uprox Detox" by Portland, a fascinating
and inspired amalgamation of tones, drones, beatz and fuzz.
Where do they find such wonderful things? 

A quick overview; 

Opening track "Learned" features a noise-y drone intro.
Shapes shortly appear, static becomes sound and soon a
sort of order is created. Suddenly a beavy beat begins and
we aren't in Kansas anymore Toto. Squelchy tones squeek
in and out and bells ring in accompaniement. 

"Ocacsax" opens with more subtle tones, a sense of forboding
and tension made all the more so by offkey piano? Organ?
Something key-driven. A fuzzy beat enters but does little to
ease the unease. I quite enjoy this one, event though it
left me feeling rather anxious. 

"Close the Lights" has an air of beauty to it, a sense of
discovery, of hope within darkened rooms. The beats
maintain a similar tone to earlier tracks, but seem
somehow more reassuring, more supportive and
inviting than previously. 

"Ten Sky" uses simple arpegiated melodies overtop
evolving pads to suggest an air of calm. 

Title track "Uprox Detox" returns to the same static
found in the opener, this time in limited doses, a sense
of tamed hostility. Fast and frenetic, like shaking off
the darkness of dreams. 

Great stuff... 

rik maclean - rik@pingthings.com

Steve Roach is currently the Featured Artist at ping things.
Visit http://www.pingthings.com/PTfeaturesNF.htm to read
an exclusive interview with this master of the ambient genre.

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http://www.pingthings.com = ambient + electronic + chill things
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The Ambient Ping presents free live performances by Toronto's
finest ambient, chillout and experimental music artists plus
performers from across the continent, every Tuesday at club nia
(aka C'est What) featuring a comfortable lower stage area, perfect
for attentive listening, plus a higher level with a bar, back room
and more seating that's great for conversation, good food and the
club's impressive beer, wine and whiskey selection. Musical treats
are on offer at the *ping things* ambient/experimental CD boutique.
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Please forward this e-mail to any friends who may be interested
in live ambient, chillout and experimental music performances