HEN OGLEDD - BRONZE (CD)

"In combination with the Dawson-Davies Hen Ogledd CD release, Streamline is glad to present the first-ever CD issue of Bronze, the second Hen Ogledd album, originally released in 2016 as a small edition LP pressing on the Alt.vinyl label. Initially considered an unlikely meeting of the minds between singer/painter/guitarist Richard Dawson and reductionist free improviser/Welsh harpist Rhodri Davies, the duo reappeared on Bronze as a quartet called Hen Ogledd, with the added talents of Dawn Bothwell (voice and electronics) and Laura Cannell (medieval double recorder). As unusual as the sounds contained in these recordings is the development the band has taken, from the abrasive amped directness of the first album to this avant-folk excursion evoking both ancient and contemporary qualities. These six hypnotic pieces of distorted improvised folklore - ranging from archaic, electrified stomping pulses to the floaty sounds of echoed harp and guitar strings and fragile, ghostly vocal choruses - represent an important step in the development of one of Britain"s most unusual and unpredictable outfits as well as a singular completely unique musical expression. Hen Ogledd"s Bronze has been remastered for CD from the original source recordings by Jim O"Rourke and is presented in mini-LP sleeves replicating the original LP artwork." (label info)