HELLKVIST, TOBIAS - KASKELOT: REISSUE + REMIXES (CD)

"Having been described as "one of Sweden's best kept secrets" when releasing his first widely distributed solo album ('Evolutions') back in 2010, Tobias Hellkvist has continued to gain worldwide recognition for his releases, exploring layers of heavily processed drones combined with acoustic instruments and field recordings. One of Tobias' little known releases appeared on our little sub-label Tokyo Droning back in 2011. 'Kaskelot' was a four-track E.P. that was incredibly popular in Japan, and coming housed in locally-sourced packaging, it was one of the highlights of this six-release label that was re-opened just after the Tohoku earthquake. Being incredibly limited as a Japan-exclusive, the album has long been sold out. We are so happy that we will be releasing the updated edition of a personal favourite release of ours, and one that has continued the fine work Tobias had published for Home Normal with his revered 'Evolutions' in 2010, and his follow-up 'Everything Is Connected' in 2012. We had discussed a reissue of sorts for many years, and over a number of emails back and forth we came up with a list of remixers to expand on the original pieces which have since been remastered. In offthesky and Segue, we have two dear friends who were also the two artists that opened the Tokyo Droning label. Many people will be aware of the work of another old friend in Chihei Hatakeyama. And we are thrilled to be working with such great artists as many of you will know in Steve Pacheco, Simon Bainton, Porya Hatami, and Chris Herbert. The original E.P. was a departure for Tobias with a more direct melodic approach. Being improvised and recorded during one late night at Sundlaugin in Reykjavik, Tobias directly recorded piano, vibraphone, pump organ, guitar, pedal steel, loops, and percussion for a more natural and open sound. These original four pieces have themselves been remastered in conjunction with the remixes." (label info) comes in four panel recycled card package