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"This is what we’ve been waiting for – the chance to finally present the epic Touch catalogue in digital format. The UK label has long been a favourite of ours and it’s hardly surprising with the sheer volume of quality releases, they almost seem infallible even, with rarely a dud record emerging from their hallowed company. Established in 1981 and adorned with some of the most gorgeous cover-art ever to grace a sleeve, Touch became widely known for its look, fashioned in part by the photography of Jon Wozencroft (who co-runs the label). These simple but devastatingly effective images became synonymous with their respective releases and the label became just as widely appreciated in the art world as in the world of experimental music. It's the music itself though that has set Touch apart from so many other similar labels, and their roster still speaks for itself; Fennesz, Biosphere, Hafler Trio, Oren Ambarchi, Philip Jeck, Rosy Parlane, Jóhann Jóhannsson, BJ Nilsen, Chris Watson, Mika Vainio, Ryoji Ikeda – it reads like a veritable who’s who of contemporary experimental music. Many of these artists seem to have gravitated towards Touch to create their finest works – Fennesz with the seminal ‘Venice’ or Oren Ambarchi with the genre-bending ‘Grapes From the Estate’ whereas others simply found a home they could grow with over many albums; Philip Jeck and Chris Watson for instance, but it is to Touch’s credit that they have managed to build a team of worldwide recording artists this flawless. To conclude, the Touch catalogue is a selection of work we have deep respect for and somehow manage to keep going back to again and again, it’s just that good. Take the time to explore deeper and you won’t be disappointed…"

You can visit the Boomkat website here.

In February & March 2008, an event at Norwich Arts Centre, Norfolk, 'DIY', portrayed some of Jon Wozencroft's Touch cover art. Here are 3 photos from the exhibition, which "explored the contemporary infrastructure for self-promotion and the appeal of the hand-made object."

Date: Wednesday 09.04.2008 19:00
Location: Cabaret Voltaire, Spiegelgasse 1, 8001 Zurich.
contact email fo reservations etc: info@cabaretvoltaire.ch / +41 43 268 57 20
website: http://www.cabaretvoltaire.ch
you can find an announcement in German here

Programme

1900 Chris Watson presents...

1945 Mike Harding Presents Touch

2030 Chris Watson Live

TouchRadio 29 is now posted.

Novi_sad - dramazon - 22:52 - 259 kbps

Recorded, assembled and produced by Novi_sad, March 2008. Mastered by Electroware and Novi_sad at Dsp Lab, Athens

The whole piece is based on field recordings from:

Mamori Lake, Amazonia, Brazil
Alphios Bridge, Ancient Olympia, Greece
Vibrations from the bridge which connects Denmark with Sweden
A bottling plant in operation

and hydrophone recordings* from Mamori Lake.

Also used were sounds and notes from a church organ.

Output signals have been manipulated and electronically treated.

Dramazon is made in memory of a long rainy night in Amsterdam...

In the era of 01110011000111010110, one thing remains stable and it will remain stable and non-mutated for eternity. The way people kiss, the way bodies are connected...

[*thanx to Scott Konzelmann]