Matt Borghi - "Huronic Minor"
(b:/group Records 2000, CD)
Matt Borghi - "Huronic Minor"
(b:/group Records 2000, CD)
From Aural Innovations #15 (April 2001)
Huronic Minor is inspired by a great storm that occurred in the Great Lakes region (Matt resides in Michigan) in 1913, and The Huronic was a ship that was run aground during the storm. Matt has read a great deal about the storm, visited memorials of shipwreck sites, and even spoken to old mariner's to hear their tales of the sea. The resulting creative inspiration has produced the ambient space impressions that make up this album.
The music is similar to Matt's last release, For Running Time, but for this listener Huronic Minor is a more linear work that evolves as a continuous whole. Inevitable I suppose given that this is something of a conceptual work. The music develops in more detail (though still subtly) around its single themes than that heard on For Running Time, including elements of the minimalism that is often characteristic of ambient music but also being theme oriented in the way that much electronic space music is. This is a journey into the coldest and darkest reaches of space, and given the nature of the theme this all must take place during the calms before or after the storm. The music washes and phases slowly making for a meditative and image-inducing, though chilling atmosphere. Headphones essential.
For more information your can visit the bgroup Records web site.
Listen to several examples of Matt's work at his Mp3.com web site.
Contact via snail mail c/o Matt Borghi; PO Box 181; New Hudson, MI 48165-0181.
Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz