At old 7" topic was said:
QuoteCARLOS GIFFONI "Resignation letter" 7"
Harbinger Sound
Same can't be said about this. Also 2008 release. Ltd 100 tour single. Plain white sleeve with stamped title and numbered by hand. But what an uninspired synth bullshit we have here. I have never heard that CG would have done REMARKABLE album. His gigs worked well with heavy duty subwoofer power and loud volume, but all this synth stuff seems like having guy with two analogue synths with no effects, no interesting recording methods. Just line recording of testing what sort of sounds could be pulled out of these synths. And I can tell: not good ones.
It's been long time since I was listening Giffonis work. Today happened to grab some odd hand painted box from box of tapes, not sure what it was. Then turned out it's
Carlos Giffoni "Charred Flesh" tape. Being limited to 13 copies, with handmade package by Hospital Productions, you can't really know what to expect. Mr. Fernow has told that he ain't particularly proud of many of releases under label, as Hospital wasn't just normal label, but it gathered things that was flowing around during particular moment.
So what we have, is of course internationally acknowledge masters and notable releases that survived the test of time. But at the same time, local dudes, tour mates, side projects, various musical tests of new methods of creating sound and so on. These just "happened", and label did small runs what made sense at the specific moment and moved on.
But now, 10 years later, how vital is some releases what was based on old friendship or having met at gig and coming into conclusion of putting out short tape would be nice. etc? A lot of american noise of certain type during 2000's was "live scene noise", and their albums barely manage to capture long lasting power in form of recording. "Just another jam", so to say.
In case of Giffoni, my view has been that his importance was most of all organizer and that some of his gigs I managed to see, was decent. But I have yet to hear recording what would be both personal and strong. I can't listen his techno stuff, and pretty much all abstract synth is sort of... wanky.
However, listening this 20 minute tape from 10 years back, I'm quite convinced THIS could be the best Giffoni I have heard. It has no techno. It is not particularly wanky, even if it's not THAT far from 7" commented above. It is the two synths going from one thing to another, yet session just manages to not lose the grip on the buttons. Many of his collaborations, seems to rely on Giffoni wanking these synths while other guy saves what is saveable. Most solo works go too dull electro stuff. "Charred Flesh" is more like the best gigs I saw from him. From same era. Finland and New York. It is curious that when artists has a good release, then it's impossible to find. Curiously checked out discogs and noticed that one copy has been sold during all these years, and that for 167 euros! WTF?!
While I'm not specially hunting for more Giffoni, I'm still curious if people have any comments what is really his best works and releases that maintain relevance after decade(s) ?
