Prototypes (album)

[3] For the release, Noto created sound collages from amplified electrical noises, which he arranged into a set of minimal movements.

This disc is brought to us by fellow German electronic label Mille Plateaux and is referred to by them as being of the "digital processing" style.

The 10 untitled tracks are a continuous suite of minimalist compositions constructed of the familiar sounds that seem to naturally emanate from everyone and everywhere in Germany these days.

For nearly 50 minutes Nicolai precisely codes structured, layered loops of clicks, pops, artifacts, "beats", waves, tones, pulses, static, silence and noise into pleasant and listenable mini(mal) symphonies.

The active evolution of each piece is both on a macro and micro level and the stereo field is fully explored ... attentive headphone listening ensures the full effect.