TONY STOUFER * ONE SWELL FOOP (ABSOLUTE OBSCURITY)
39 US stations are currently giving TONY's songs on this ambient friendly noise
release airplay. That can only mean this CD has something special that makes it a winner
worth some attention. Some of TONY's influences are: TODD RUNDGREN, THOMAS DOLBY and ULTRA
MARINE. Several music listeners have told TONY his music sounds like WILLIAM ORBIT
material, and he agrees, though he made his music before discovering that particular
artist. What is this guy using to make this music? Well, we asked. M: I want to know what
some of, if not all of the instruments - sound generators involved were. TS: I Used 3
units for this album: 1. Akai S-2000 sampler 2. Korg 05rw tone mod 3. A proteus1 into a
mackie 1202 then straight to DAT. That's it. ONE SWELL FOOP is exactly that, ONE SWELL
FOOP. Review by:
Mental Music Zine
http://www.angelfire.com/me/mentalzine/MENTALissue5reviews.html
Tony Stoufer - ONE SWELL
FOOP:
One of the joys of doing this magazine over the last decade (or so) has been the
discovery (through my contacts in the D.I.Y./HOMEMADE music scene) of talent others
haven't heard yet... so that I'm, like, in CONTACT before the "movement"
arrives. Guys my age are often mired in biz-nezz muck to th' level that they don't
even realize there ARE exciting new talents out there. Well, Tony Stoufer is one of
THOSE, people! Title track is a KICKER, electronic swirling, beat-centric rawkin'
that'll have you tappin' yer' fingers AND yer' toesie-wosies! This is HEALTHY
electronic music, draws immediate comparisons (for me) to my long-time musical partner
Harlan Mark Vale. Tony has an intimate knowledge of various rhythmic structures,
clearly expressed in nods to various genres, but these original toonz' are ALL his.
Though there are ballad sequences, his playing is HIGH ENERGY all the way through.
Many of the tracks are danceable, as well, but equally suitable to just kick back &
listen to. Didn't spot a bit of drony stuff. If you enjoy music that comes
from a soul at ease with itself, you'll followup on my recommendation - this is MOST
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Rotcod Zza
Review By:
Improvijazzation
Nation - Issue # 41
http://members.tm.net/rotcod/Z41Reviews.htm
- Tony Stoufer: One Swell Foop
(absolute obscurity - 1999) (8.2)
Warm, sweet analog electronics are lovingly
layered and impeccably arranged into light-yet-dense mixes which are heavy in a
distinctively '70's vibe without actually going full-blown retro. With tropicana
percussion tapping a steamy tattoo Particals of Light swings into a
cheesy lounge groove (and don't get me wrong... cheese can be good, as evidenced here).
Hazy guitar sounds drift across Nudie Suit which picks up a strutting
bassline that could have been lifted from a 1977 stag film. Sustaining a cool progressive
build-up, The Magnificent Catastrophy (6:17) mines the same semi-funky
territories and is similarly somehow-antiseptic, as all-synthetic music can sometimes be.
More subdued, though powered by breaking
beats, Artifacts detours into semi-tribal areas with wispy flute strands
and a drippy rhythm. Smooth-yet-drummy No Direct Sun radiates at a
leisurely pace with rippling guitar, blippy keyboarding and light piano explorations. The
most experimental track is the closing piece, Politician's Love Song
(2:18) in which distorted, muffled voices chant amid a binaurally panning clatter. Overall
an impressively "swell" effort, if not pretty straightforward.
Review by:
AmbiEntrance
http://www.spiderbytes.com/ambientrance/0400ov.htm
Tony Stoufer
One Swell Foop
Absolute Obscurity
Ab/Ob 022
California's Tony Stoufer is a seasoned musician with a great deal of experience
under his belt. Not only is One Fell Swoop a solo home recording, Stoufer is also
shouldering the release and distribution of the disc through his own independent label, Absolute
Obscurity.
According to the disc's liner notes all of this music was recorded from 5 to to 9 in the
morning, after a good night sleep and a large cup of coffee. This laid back recording
atmosphere definitely rubbed off on the music, which is both easy-going and easy to listen
to.
All twelve instrumental tracks are very calm and relaxing, the smooth, polished
electronics skillfully woven into an accessible brand of IDM. Though the end result sounds
quite professional, there is a slight quirkiness and playful experimentation that lightens
up the disc.
Well-crafted, soothing and a little bit funky, you can tell that Stoufer had a lot of fun
creating this music.
Review by:
http://www.emptiness.net/reviews/rev900/rev967.asp
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