L.R.J. Martens, the visionary behind the Dolphins Into The Future project, presents Eternal Landscapes, a mesmerizing sonic collaboration inspired by the artwork of Belgian visual artist Ada Van Hoorenbeke. This extraordinary album captures the essence of tropical aquatic environments through two immersive compositions that blur the boundaries between natural soundscapes and musical abstraction. These ethereal landscapes transport listeners through similarly tropical aquatic zones that Martens has become renowned for exploring. The first expanse unfolds as a journey through lush tropical mangroves, where chirruping bird calls weave through trickling Polynesian rhythms and a nocturnal chorus of unidentified creatures creates an otherworldly atmosphere. The composition breathes with the organic pulse of humid jungle life, where every sound feels both familiar and mysteriously alien.
The album's genesis lies in the intersection of visual and sonic art. Originally created for the installation "Spirits And Landscapes," these compositions were first experienced at the Wiels museum in Brussels and later at the Grimmmuseum gallery in Berlin. The pieces represent a true artistic collaboration, where Van Hoorenbeke's visual landscapes provided the conceptual foundation for Martens' sonic explorations. Recorded during the summer months of 2010 in Antwerp and in situ at Wiels in Brussels, Eternal Landscapes showcases Martens' unique approach to sound collage. His palette includes cassette manipulations, percussion instruments, flute, synthesizers, and special effects, all woven together into what he describes as "continuous sound recordings." The material was subsequently reworked and mastered by the artist specifically for this vinyl release.
The album represents a significant moment in the ambient and experimental music landscape, predating many of the tropical and aquatic sound explorations that would later become more widespread. Martens' ability to create immersive sonic environments that feel both meditative and alive with natural energy positions this work as a crucial document in the evolution of contemporary ambient music.
Instrumentation: Cassettes, percussion instruments, flute, synthesizer, special effects