Phil Von Review
Phil Von
Flamenco dancer, singer, performer & composer, Phil Von originated the group Von Magnet in London in1985. With Von Magnet he released a dozen of records mixing world music, flamenco, theatre & electronic music. As a solo artist he writes "made to measure" music for ballet, contemporary dance, art & theatre. He is co-leading the project Meta Meat.
https://vonmagnet.bandcamp.com/album/mezclador
https://metameat.bandcamp.com/
"More than 25 years ago, Von Magnet called one of its albums "Mezclador". In English, "The Mixer" doesn't translate well to the alchemical concept of combining and colliding different universes. They had the intuition that the renewal of the arts would need to undergo this "miscegenation" of genres and disciplines. Since then, a myriad of projects have gone through that blending process, which has become a global fusion phenomenon, especially in the realm of music. Not always masterful, unless skillfully, tastefully, and, more importantly, soulfully crafted.
When I drifted inside "Porque a lua se quebrou" by Turning Point, I was in awe: How refreshing and exciting to listen to such a singular and original project! And "Because the moon broke" is definitely one of a kind! It bears the three conditions mentioned above, and more. Made in Portugal by a trio of talented individuals, this record allies mesmerising spoken words and poetic texts (in French and Portuguese) by performance dance-theatre artist and stage director Ligia Lebreiro, subtle electronic soundscapes, noises and rhythmic loops by music activist and electronic composer Simão Valinho and riveting lead vocals sang in Portuguese in the genuine style of Fado by Raquel Sousa.
Turning Point, our three-headed monster, unfolds its tracks like different chapters of an audio tale. Each page holds different flavours, multiple feelings and the whole piece is elegantly filled with poetic essence.
Their invitation to this Odyssey takes us through various contemporary experimental collages and dark electronic rhythmic shores. There, we visit a mechanical neo cabaret, here, dive in nostalgic traditional fragrances, elsewhere witness a battlefield of theatrical rebellion…
Simão's sonic world is subtle although rich and vivid, always offering space for the voices, the deep and confiding warm tones of Ligia contrasting with the lyrical mastery of Raquel's expressionist Fado.
When curiousness is puzzled by intelligence and heart is touched by bliss, then one recognizes true Art."