MH-234 Bibio - Fi Recommended to Mush by Marcus Eoin of Boards Of Canada, the debut release from central England's Stephen Wilkinson (aka Bibio) is a triumph of saturation, distortion, and musical obscurity. Comprised of seventeen ambient songs built on samples of his own work rather than the work of others, fi is rich in musical imagery. Using manipulated live instrumentation, field recordings, and a strong portion of effects, Bibio's musical influences - the Incredible String Band, Joao Gilberto, My Bloody Valentine, Tortoise, and the producers of Warp Records - seep into his compositions. Bibio's debut is a revelation in the emotional power of lo-fi ambient compositions and clearly establishes him as a producer who has developed his own unique voice.

Tracklist 01. Cherry Blossom Road 02. Bewley In White 03. Puffer 04. Cluster At Cwm Einion 05. London Planes 06. It Was Willow 07. I'm Rewinding It... 08. Looking Through The Facets Of A Plastic Jewel 09. Wet Flakey Bark 10. Bewley In Grey 11. Teleidophonic Torch 12. Puddled In The Morning 13. At The Chase 14. Cantaloup Carousel 15. Lakeside 16. Bewley In Red 17. Poplar Avenue

Release Details Release Date: 02/08/2005   Running Time: 48:51   Download/Available/$7.00 1XLP/Out Of Print CD/Available/$10.00 Territory: World

Reviews Summary

Quietly captivating - Daily Telegraph / Immediately arresting - The Wire / The perfect music to dream by - Spin / Hypnotic - Exclaim! / Truly memorable stuff - 3D World / Exquisite - 3Hive / Recommended listening - Boomkat / The most relaxing experience you've ever felt - Impace Press

Reviews

3D World / 3Hive / Almost Cool / Aquarius / Atmosphere / Beatmag / Boomkat / Daily Telegraph / Delusions of Adequacy / Exclaim! / Grooves / Impact Press / Norman Records / Notion / Other Music / Pitchfork / Prefix / Rockpile / San Francisco Examiner / Scissorkick / Signal to Noise / Sloppy Heart / Spin / Splendid / Stylus / Terminal City / Textura / The Wire / Urb /

Imagine what would have happened if Nick Drake had lived long enough to collaborate with Aphex Twin and if Jan Gilberto, God Speed You Black Emperor! And Jim O'Rourke sat in on the session. Do you like what you hear? If you do, you will love Bibio (Stephen Wilkinson), a self-taught musician/producer from "The Black Country" of central England. Recommended to Mush Records by Marcus Eoin of Boards of Canada, fi, Bibio's new album, is comprised of seventeen tracks ranging in length from five-and-a-half minutes to fifty seconds. The compositions are based around samples of Bibio's own original instrumentation (primarily guitar) and location cassette recordings from the British countryside. This is ambient music that is difficult to relegate to the background. These songs are quiet yet compelling, steeped in the contemplative self-assuredness of being mindful and present in the natural world. Fi is music that reminds one of the transcendent qualities of isolation, music for those who can be alone without feeling lonesome. - Signal to Noise