Robert Ziino- Music from the Valley of the Flowers

Artist: Robert Ziino
CD Title: Music from the Valley of Flowers
Label: Experimental Artists
Reviewer:Matthew Johnson
Date: 6-27-05

On his second release, experimental composer Robert Ziino manages to make a great deal of music out of very little, creating twelve three-minute compositions by manipulating minimalist analog loops. As you’d expect, it’s very electronic and avant-garde, but it encompasses a wide variety of sounds and moods, from the drippy organic improvisation of “Fish, Clowns and Snakes” to the outer space coldness of “Faust Freak.” “Toltec Ritual” is ambient gone ominous, while “Dementia” is more playful. “The Homily” and “Schizophrenia” buzz rather than bleep, and conjure up visions of insectoid swarms or perhaps an army of broken-down hedge trimmers. Since each track is so short, it’s a bit more difficult to sink deeply into than many similar ambient albums, but on the other hand it’s also more exciting, since you never know exactly what Ziino is going to spring on you next. Fans of Nurse With Wound and Coil will particularly enjoy this one; it’s perfect when you’re in the mood for electronic weirdness and don’t have time to sit through a triple-CD set.

For more information on Robert Ziino, visit www.experimentalartists.com.