The opening track of Tullis Rennie‘s Safe Operating Space, Sometime Too Hot, opens with a striking sound, the source of which it is difficult to pin down; it is a dramatic opening that gives us an excellent idea of what is to follow. The second track, Asunder, begins with another striking sound, a crash, seemingly created electronically, and repeated rhythmic patterns. The album then moves on in the next track to a more acoustic piece, Do You Want To Hear About The Deal That I’m Making?, in which Dee Byrne leads on alto sax accompanied by rumbling electronics and percussion in the background. Cath Roberts on baritone sax enters right at the end of the track with short punchy phrases.
This album is one of many contrasts. Each track creates a soundscape mixing the sound of the electronics and percussion with the sounds of the acoustic instruments, namely the two saxophones mentioned above, the violin of Preetha Narayanan and the cello of Tara Franks. It is led by Tullis Rennie, a composer, trombonist and DJ who has taken the improvised tracks and manipulated them in his studio to create a fusion of improvised music and club music. The aim is to create through the short abstract soundscapes an musical event reflecting the magical unrepeatable moments that occur in club music, a particular sound or rhythm that one wants to grab and get hold of.
This is an important album that makes a significant contribution to the growing field of improvised electronic music.
