Edward Ka-Spel "The Blue Room" Soleilmoon Recordings sol 87 cd 1998 (60:21)
Scarlett Cross (4:00)
Supper at J's (10:10)
A Roman Candle (4:11)
Design Fault (4:32)
Hotel Y (12:30)
Cause and FX (5:04)
Mosquito Munch Fandango (3:38)
Gemini (3:13)
Shall We Share Water Brother? (9:54)
The Blue Room (3:09)
Those responsible: Edward Ka-Spel (voice + instruments), Lisa (voice on "The Blue Room"), Raymond Steeg (engineering, mixing, sound wizardry), Frank Verschuuren (engineering on "A Roman Candle").
Overall impression: very good. Wow ... what a year for Dots and related releases! As if the wonderous new Legendary Pink Dots album, "Nemesis Online" and vol 2 of Ka-Spel's "Down in the City of Heartbreak and Needles" weren't enough, there's also 3 new solo releases (see also Twilight Circus Dub Sound System "Horsie", technically out in '99, and The Silverman "Silvermandellas"). "The Blue Room" is simply the most accomplished album to date by the Pink Dot's frontman. Edward creates fairly minimal but impressive electronic (keyboards/samples/programmed percussion) backgrounds/atmospheres for his excellent poetic lyrics and unique vocal delivery, similar to many of the electronic based songs on the LPD's "Chemical Playschool 10" album. Musically these songs are varied, some are quiet and subdued, some are rather abrasive and clanky (several songs have sections of both spliced together). Two songs ("Cause and FX" and "Shall We..") are entirely instrumental, both are nice examples of Edward's ability to assemble pulsating electronic sounds. "The Blue Room" won't reside in my cd players as much as "Nemesis Online", but it's certainly a worthwhile companion. The artwork/insert by Rachel K. is beautiful and can only truly be appreciated via the double lp version of this album (which also features a vinyl exclusive 3 part instrumental suite). Sing while you may ...
The Legendary Pink Dots at Brainwashed
Where did I get this cd? - mailorder via Rioux's Records. Email Jason.