8 Emanations by Matthew Politoski

“Defined as ‘an abstract but perceptible thing that issues or originates from a source’ Emanation is perhaps the perfect word to describe Matthew Politoski’s latest work, a beautiful, sprawling ambient release that is certainly both abstract and perceptible, fashioning out a simmering, evocative atmosphere as it moves through its various passages, a swirling mass of tones and textures, like walking through a dream-world in the cold light of day.” - Gold Flake Paint (https://www.goldflakepaint.co.uk/album-stream-matthew-politoski-8-emanations/)

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In many Gnostic systems of belief Emanationism is the center piece of their creation mythology. At the very top there is the Godhead; the singular, formless, bodiless, eternal light and darkness of all things and non things. Starting from the Godhead, from which all things stem, there is a down-flow of spiritual energy that happens with each emanation being an increasingly eroded variation of the original source. At each level, these emanated beings become less pure, less perfect, and less divine. The creation of the material universe is the result of a tragic flaw or passion in one of these lowest emanations.

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This album is sonically centered around the digital/cassette tape manipulation of recorded acoustic instruments such as piano, cello, voice, and nylon string guitar. Additionally, this recording relies on the use of various hardware/software synthesizers, digital samplers, guitar pedals, VST plug-ins, cassette tape recorders/players, and sparse vinyl sampling.

Hardware synthesizers used on this recording are the MicroKorg, Casiotone MT-10, and Casio SK-10. Software synthesizers used to generate sound were Absynth, Klopfgeist (stock Logic), and ES1 (stock Logic). Paulstretch was used to drastically digitally manipulate and slowdown samples of audio. The Mangle (by Sound Guru) provided the backbone for a lot of the digital manipulation that took place on this record and has also served as my cursory introduction into the world of granular synthesis. The guitar pedals used are the Line 6 DL4, Boss RV-5, Electro-Harmonix Stereo Pulsar Tremolo, and TC-Helicon VoiceTone C1. The go-to plug-ins used for processing were the SSL EQ, SSL COMP, Altiverb, H Delay, H Comp, Decapitator, and Crystallizer as well as various stock Logic plug-ins used for auto-tune and other pitch effects.

Field recordings were made using a Zoom H4nSP 4-Channel Handy Recorder.

The cassette tape manipulation was done on a Durabrand Boombox manufactured in August of 2004.

The vinyl samples used on this record are as follows:
"Eternal Internal" - Adios Señora by Sandro Giacobbe (La Super Discoteca / 4)
"317 Piano Improvisation" - The Song of Venus by Isao Tomita (The Bermuda Triangle)
"Godhelmet" - Yesterdays by Corky Hale (Harp Beat), Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 Rondo in B Flat Major as played by the London Symphony Orchestra

All acoustic sounds were recorded with an Audio Technica AT 4040 condenser microphone through an Mbox Pro Audio Interface onto a Mid 2010 MacBook Pro. Tracking and mixing was done in Logic 9 Express. The individual mixes were sequenced and mastered in ProTools 12.

The album cover was made by over laying 2 public domain images downloaded from the New York Public Library's digital collection.

Listening note: Best enjoyed on headphones or speakers with good low end response :)

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Currently releasing music under the moniker Bronze Vases ✿ ←

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