Organum

2000 release. The second of two CD anthologies of the Organum/David Jackman back catalog, following Volume One (ROBOT 017CD). The series is not exclusively limited to reissuing early vinyl releases in their entirety, but is rather a "collection" series that also includes alternate mixes as well as previously unreleased material. Meticulously mastered for truly maximum fidelity, Volume Two includes material primarily culled from theIn Extremis and Horii sessions (12" titles originally released on L.A.Y.L.A.H. Antirecords, in 1985 and '86 respectively). Track one, "Valley of Worms," includes the complete B-side (album version) of In Extremis, which features Jackman's collaborative work with The New Blockaders. This 20-minute piece is a massive eruption of relentless, burrowing atmospheres that are as often disturbing as they are engaging. Track two, "Horii," is an alternate version (differing from the 12" release) that features Jackman's collaboration with Andrew Chalk. At over 12 minutes, this piece offers a very bizarre mélange of sputtering bowed percussion, homemade woodwinds, and voice. Track three, "Ich Reiste Weit Und Verweilte Fur Einigezeit In Tring," is a previously unreleased work from 1989 that captures many of the (purely acoustic) compositional elements associated with the early L.A.Y.L.A.H. sessions. As with Volume One, these early dynamic compositions easily represent the raw beauty and intensity of the early Organum sound.