With percussionist extraordinaire Steven Hess (Locrian) now a full fledged member, Mark Nelson and Pan American deliver their first album since White Bird Release from 2009. Begun with the duo rehearsing for a series of shows, these songs were written together as a group to be played live. Bobby Donne (Labradford/Cristal) plays bass on multiple tracks, further emphasizing the live band feel. Mark Nelson's deft production touches abound, while Hess shows a mastery of understated rhythms.
W**L
Among my favorite music of 2013
My love of electronic instrumental music, usually and narrowly lumped into the "ambient" category, is something I can't share with any of my friends. None of them likes this kind of music, but I know there are fans out there. To those fellow travelers, I draw your attention to this latest amazing creation by Mark Nelson under the moniker of Pan American. Unlike some of the more purely atmospheric recordings of the loose genre, Mark's instrumental pieces on Cloud Room/ Glass Room do have some melodic movement in terms of a thematic motif, "rhythm section," and distinct mood within each composition. I have listened to this music mainly while working at my computer, and the stately progression of numbers like "The Cloud Room" has me feeling like I am doing something important, while a piece with more drive and momentum such as "Project for an Apartment Building" makes the world around me seem more alive. This album also sounds less improvised and more carefully constructed than some of the music it fits in with, but it also manages to feel relatively organic at the same time.
O**6
Pan Americanにハズレなし
一番良く聴いたセカンド360 Business / 360 Bypass、ファーストPan•Americanから数えるともう15年近く大好きなPan American。音響・ダブ系のアーティストの中でも活動の継続性もクオリティ取り分け優れていると思う。初期のちょっとJAZZっぽいニュアンスからは変化した気がするけど、生音っぽい気持ち良さと少ない音数で耳に残るキャッチーな展開は変わらず魅力的。このアルバムは初期とは違った意味でまたお気に入り。
