Mika Vainio, Ryoji Ikeda, Alva Noto

2018 release (RARE) ** "Live 2002 captures an inspired performance at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Newcastle by three revered, influential and likeminded pioneers; Ryoji Ikeda, Alva Noto and the late, great Mika Vainio. Minimal but highly effective, the performance builds throughout with deep sub bass, sleek, spacious sound design and high voltage, inorganic ambience. The innate noise floor in music technology is pushed up to take centre stage. This is sound of electricity, the hum of the engine room and of technology operating almost independently, only gently coerced with artistic finesse by expert human hands. At points static is used decoratively with an ornate, delicate intricacy. At points it becomes rhythmic, like the innate repetition found in machinery. The sonic spectrum later opens up, evoking a rush with lazer-like beams of audio light and a barrage of colossal, synthesised waves."