Magazine Sixty Music Review with Darren Morris

Greg Fenton reviews Darren Morris – Selotape, Organ & Wurlytubes – Ramrock Noir Records

It occurred to me that sometimes, with an open window, a passing roar from an unseen truck moving from right to left can be more sonically exciting than the drone of a lot of ambient music. At least it is more of a distraction, diverting your attention further afield.

Older buildings tend, for the most part, to create unique atmospheres, whether because of their long history or the nature of their construction. This collection of meditative pieces was recorded on the Henry Willis organ at the Union Chapel, London, and the presence of history runs throughout the sound. Rather than encouraging passive reflection, these pieces engage your thoughts directly. As the music unfolds, a blissful uncertainty takes hold. While the organ can sound serene and uplifting, darker undercurrents continually emerge. I guess, much like the world does.

Most remarkable is how naturally the electronics merge with the organ, expanding its vocabulary without obscuring its character. Ancient acoustics and modern processing become inseparable, allowing familiar sounds to assume entirely new emotional identities.

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