An understated producer and renowned collaborator, Christoph Berg has appeared under his Field Rotation moniker across many significant projects in recent years, with several noted here on ASIP. He featured on Hior Chronik's album Taking The Veil, and provided remixes for Benoit Pioulard's Hymnal, and Ocoeur, for example, but as well as being a go-to collaborator for many of the genre's best, Christoph is a sublime composer and producer in his own right.
His last album under his own name, Paraphrases was a collection of chamber music compositions, embracing an enigmatic modern-classical vibe that veered on the edge of the most intriguing, experimental soundtracks. To quote from the release notes, "Christoph scores the history of eight narrow worlds, carved only from wood - violin, piano and double bass", and we've been waiting a full four years for the follow-up. In a fitting tribute to Christoph's instrumental prowess, the brilliant Berlin-based label Sonic Pieces (home to releases by Deaf Center, Nils Frahm, Otto A Totland) is set to release Conversations at the end of this month, affording Christoph the stature he deserves, as one of the most exciting composers around.
It's been a busy month for Christoph. Not only did he spend weeks putting this beautiful vinyl-only mix together, finessing it based on permissions like a true gentlemen, but we've also been treated to a collaboration with pianist Henning Schmiedt for bei, released on Tokyo-based imprint flau records just last week.
For his isolatedmix, Christoph has picked one of my favorite pieces of his to start (featured on the Reflection on 2016 mix); a beautiful rework of the dramatic Night Falls by Hecq. What follows, are carefully curated pieces that highlight the intricacies of Christoph's work and passion for complex, intriguing, yet romantic compositions. Fellow renowned instrumentalists Jacaszek, Celer, and Deaf Center make appearances, and a track from Christoph's new album provides the perfect curtain closer.
"It's been ages since I released my last record. And it's been a while since I created my last mixtape. Now, since I am proudly adding my second solo album Conversations to my discography this month, I have taken this opportunity to rummage through my record collection, select a couple of incredibly inspiring vinyls and play them for you. So, never mind if you happen to spot some crackles or dust. Perfectly suits the music, if you ask me...
Thanks to all the artists and record labels involved for giving their permission to make this mix available to the public as a vinyl-only mix. Since it is also containing works that have never been released digitally at all, please respect that this isolatedmix shall not be made available as a download". - Christoph Berg.
Tracklist:
01. Hecq – Night Falls (reworked by Christoph Berg)
from the LP Night Falls (Hymen Records)
02. Kreng – Untitled
from the 10“ Selfed (Substantia Innominata / Drone Records)
03. Jacaszek & Kwartludium – Kingdom (Les chênes, les bouleaux)
from the LP Catalogue Des Arbres (Touch / Gusstaff Records)
04. Simon Goff – Orange
from the LP HUE (Hiddenseer Records)
05. Mico Nonet – Maloja Pass
from the 7“ Maloja Pass (Mico Nonet Records)
06. Christoph Berg – Interlude
from the LP Paraphrases (Facture)
07. Celer & Machinefabriek – Maastunnel
from the 7“ Maastunnel / Mt. Mitake (Machinefabriek)
08. Deaf Center – End Station
from the LP Pale Ravine (Miasmah Recordings)
09. Christoph Berg – Conversations
from the LP Conversations (Sonic Pieces)
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