Kaffe Matthews

The imprint’s motto is set out boldly in the packaging for CD Cecile: “Annette Works is a label set up to produce works that use a real-time exploitation of electronics in a particular place at a particular time.” Thus we have Kaffe Matthews with three lengthy real-ambience pieces (for a total of 70-plus minutes) recorded live in London, England Chicago and Oslo, Norway. Most interesting is that each track truly seems to reflect the location. The UK recorded “Contact C” sounds like a living, breathing, city of industry; you can almost feel the grime as you listen to the vehicular hum and manipulated static. Similarly, “My Love Gave Me A Blue Plastic Watch,” the American piece, is a bustling, busy, no-time-for-anyone affair with sighs, honks, screeches and a great feeling of distance, as if you just can’t get close to it no matter how hard you try. “Skagerrak” is equally effective with its ability to bring forth images of ice, vastness and those trying to get things done. A remarkable release likely to gain approval for those lovers of Pole, Oval and Pan Sonic who would like a bit more with their snap, crackle, and pop.