Seth Nehil and John Grzinich are two sound artists, both having worked with audio and video on various CD?s, performances and exhibitions. ?Gyre? is their third collaborative release and was recorded in Finland, Estonia and Italy.

The facts sorted out, it?s time to write about their recordings, which were composed using location-based ?sound actions? which were later shaped in the studio. On the first track, this sounds like a combination of processed field recordings and improvised playing on found, self-made or imported items whose sound could best be compared to rhythmic instruments like the Kalimba. A hollow and gusty drone forms the backbone, over which Nehil and Grzinich ?play?, scratch and shake these items. The duo manages well to build a tense atmosphere and structure their elements in a way that keeps the listener attentive.

Track two is slower and more quiet arranging what sounds like water dripping from the ceiling with subtle birdsong and a broad range of other sounds. It creates a surreal soundscape because the first part of the track sounds like it was recorded far away from nature in a cellar or deep inside a deserted cave while the birds deliver the sounds from the outside world. In any way, Grzinich and Nehil?s recording is very direct and plastic. While listening to the CD you?re trying to picture the setting of the recordings which leads to slight confusion.

The third and final track is the most welcoming because it contains something resembling a melody. In that regard, it comes close to Loren Chasse?s solo recordings, as found on his recent ?The Air in the Sand? CD. The played and the found sounds blend together into an organic mix making them indistinguishable at times. 6/10 -- Stephan Bauer (11 September, 2006)