pop_and_live1

The first release in the "and/live" series of an improvised laptop
performance recorded live at Bar des Oiseaux in 2001 during the Manke
festival. A very nice mixture of sparse moments with dynamic builds,
crackling textures and drones of various frequencies, created from
environmental recordings and minimal electronics.

VITAL WEEKLY number 393 week 42 (2003)
You will have to excuse me for the delay of this review, but somehow,
somewhere, this release was misplaced in the Vital HQ (humho), but
a review is never too late. The recording is almost two years old and is
described on the cover as an "improvised laptop duet" - actually I saw
this only after I had heard it. I swear it was a combination of the good
old laptop in combination with someone producing electroacoustic
sounds, amplified tin foil, screws and bolts, combs: that sort of thing.
Well, maybe they were on the laptop as original sound sources. In the
course of forty-three minutes, things unfold only a very slow rhythm - a
gentle moving glitch (as opposed to glitches), almost inaudible
passage and whatever software they are using: it is hardly to be
recognized. Maybe it's just two guys playing their finished soundworks
and nothing is improvised? It certainly sounds like it. I am sure not
many improvisers would agree with me here, but saying something
sounds like it's composed, while it's actually improvised is probably an
insult to the rigid improv minds. But I rather see it as a compliment.
Only at certain times, this sounds improvised, but for the better part, it
sounds like a well planned thing. Either way: it doesn't matter. The
result is nice and that's what counts. (Frans de Waard)

ABSURD - absurdities #7 (MARCH 2003)
and/OAR is a new cdr label by Dale Lloyd (if I am not mistaken), the first
release of which was Yannick Dauby's and Christophe Havard's
encounter that took place at the Bar des Oiseaux sometime in
November 2001, and is a subtle impressive minimal recording using
the usual drones and crackles/scratches, whatever, which flows in such
a mood that I call it adventurous, especially the last 15 minutes of which
(in all is 43.45) turn to be more lively as a kind of opposition to the
previous half hour (?) that made me like it very much. I suggest you
listen to it at high volume as there's a lot happening in the background,
unfortunately I don't know much about Christophe Havard but that was
another installment to admire the work of Yannick Dauby! And also
curious for further releases of the and/OAR label as well, I think that is
more into field recordings or so genre. (Nicolas Malevitsis)

EAR / RATIONAL (APRIL 2004)
Ultra-subtle location recordings - I turn the stereo up loud and hear wind,
a little buzzing. A little frying, something falls. I forget about it and my
room is still interesting. A little scraping and I forget again. Tones come
and go, this is much more than plain field recordings. I can sense
emotion and something building, sounds seem placed and an order is
being made. The subtle sounds and crunchy bits make me feel like my
legs are being eaten by termites. This would fit in with the RLW type of
releases. Minimal use of sound creating a very large impact on the
environment and because it doesn't hold your attention, it is perfect.
(Don Poe)