HUW - Wood / Water (2018; 2019) [Hi-Res]

UK producer Aaron Dolton (aka HUW) is a disruptor. He looks at things not for what they are, but for what they can become. On Wood/Water, the source materials are the solo piano works of New York jazz musician Richard X Bennett. The piano is sampled, transformed and reimagined through modular synthesis into new sounds that beguile and intrigue, as they explore unknown terrain. All underpinned by the aesthetics of downtempo electronica.

The two have never met.

While Richard X Bennett was completing his solo album Away From The Many, he looked for remixes to complete the project. Given a number of options by Ropeadope Records, he gravitated towards HUW because of his enthusiasm for their previous album Music From The Multiverse. Dolton produced remixes for Transparent Frame and The Slow Drag and the connection was born. This creative partnership continued, with Bennett sending further pieces from Away From The Many for HUW evolutions. As the project developed, the pianist composed five new pieces especially for Wood/Water, including the title track; which combines a gamelan concept with chilled broken beats.

Dolton says, “From my perspective, I think the way we adapted entire piano compositions into new electronic pieces was a fascinating workflow. The LP is truly co-written, even though the sense during production was of a remix. I found the existing structures fantastic to work against; composing, editing and then gaining feedback on the changes. From my point of view this project removed the 'blank page' syndrome, allowing me to really experiment with sonic textures and the technology. I was able to focus on the sounds as unimagined instruments.”

Asked about the changes to his signature piano sound, Bennett says, “It’s like waking up as another person. Who wouldn't want that. It is me, but it’s not me. Plus it sounds great!”

Tracklist:
01. HUW & Richard X Bennett - Wood / Water
02. HUW & Richard X Bennett - Refracted Light (HUW Remix)
03. HUW & Richard X Bennett - Isolation
04. HUW & Richard X Bennett - Stasis (HUW Ambient Remix)
05. HUW & Richard X Bennett - The Drop
06. HUW & Richard X Bennett - The Bass Remembers (HUW Remix)
07. HUW & Richard X Bennett - Transparent Frame (HUW Remix)
08. HUW & Richard X Bennett - The Slow Drag (HUW Remix)
09. HUW & Richard X Bennett - M - Theory
10. HUW & Richard X Bennett - Transform Function
11. HUW & Richard X Bennett - In Another Skin
12. HUW & Richard X Bennett - Stasis (HUW Remix)
13. HUW & Richard X Bennett - Imperial Guard