Today we have a new edition in our digital-only series, eRecords! ‘Cello Improvisations’ is a short collection of cello improvisations by Stockholm, Sweden based cellist and composer Henrik Meierkord.
eRecords is a digital record series created by Whitelabrecs, to run alongside our physical releases. These editions aim to transform the digital format into something that can be experienced in a similar way to a listener’s interaction with a real, white label vinyl record. Each edition includes a special PDF scrapbook including polaroids and liner notes.
We do not publish details about the concepts or production methods of a release so that the liner notes and content in each scrapbook will reveal the background of each edition in the series.
catalog: eR019 artist: Henrik Meierkord release title: Cello Improvisations release type: EP location: Stockholm, Sweden
released may 20, 2023
Written and produced by Henrik Meierkord Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Cover artwork by Henrik Meierkord Art and design Andrew Heath
You can find out more information about eRecords in our landing page link, below:
Our next release is ‘A Moment at Dawn‘ by The Dead Bellwhich is a collaborative album by Mike Cottone (The Green Kingdom) and Euan Millar-McMeeken (glacis). This album combines Mike’s widescreen americana-tinged guitars with Euan’s raw and intimate piano, along with additional sounds and techniques. This album is out now in a run of 100 CDrs, in our signature gatefold vinyl-effect packaging and be sure to also check out our special range of The Dead Bell merchbelow! If you follow us on Bandcamp (Click HERE) we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.
press release “We’re proud to present the debut album from The Dead Bell which is a Trans-Atlantic collaboration between Euan Millar-McMeeken (Glacis) and Michael Cottone (The Green Kingdom). Between them, these experienced artists have released their music through numerous labels including the likes of Home Normal, Lost Tribe Sound, Dronarivm, Oscarson, Sound in Silence, Hidden Vibes, Fluid Audio, Rusted Tone and Past Inside the Present. Some may recall that Euan had a previous release with us back in 2020; another collaborative album which was with Gavin Miller.
Euan is originally from Dundee in Scotland but now works in London, via Newcastle and Edinburgh. He developed his solo and studio work as glacis in 2010,after many years spent performing vocals and keys in a band. Other collaborations include gallowglas with Johan G Winther and Civic Hall with Craig Tattersall. Mike has been active as The Green Kingdom since 2005 and hails from Shelby Township, Michigan. He has developed an electro-acoustic sound that blends guitars, synths, sampled textures and field recordings.
‘A Moment at Dawn’ combines Euan’s intimate-sounding piano recordings and additional software-driven sounds with Mike’s signature guitar and melodic embellishments,with no set theme or concept. The project progressed naturally, as these two musicians shared and developed their sounds and ideas. The cover artwork by Casey Horner had become a focal point for their work and aptly reflects the title of the album; A Moment at Dawn.“
credits
Written and produced by Euan Millar McMeeken and Michael Cottone Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Cover photo by Casey Horner Packaging layout by Michael Cottone
merch range
Here’s a new range of merch we’ve put together for The Dead Bell, to coincide with their debut album ’A Moment at Dawn’. We’ve chosen warm and bright colours, perfect for the spring and summer months ahead:
Firstly we have a unisex hoodie in a choice of two colours:
The Dead Bell is Michael Cottone (The Green Kingdom) and Euan Millar-McMeeken (glacis) and those who order from this range will also get a free digital copy of the album.
Here’s the second of our two new releases for February, with this one being from Israel’s Guy Gelem. We’ve been working with Guy Gelem for years now; in fact, ever since 2016 when his album ‘Entirety’ helped kick-off the label in its inaugural year. His latest album ‘Passing by and Through‘ blends cello and guitar with casio keyboard sounds and field recordings, rounded off by the specially painted cover artwork from Amit. The album is out today in a run of 100 gold edition vinyl-effect CDrs. If you follow us on Bandcamp (Click HERE) we’ll keep you updated when we have new releases.
press release “Guy Gelem is a composer from Israel, who returns to the Whitelabrecs discography following digital release ‘Scenario’ and 2016’s ‘Entirety’. Guy has also created music for labels including Rural Colours, Split Femur, Quiet Design, Mini 50 ,Time Released Sound and Polar Seas. With the latter, he collaborated alongside Whitelabrecs owner Harry Towell, in an album called ‘Restful Spaces’.
Guy performs cello as part of ensembles and also comes from a background of playing electric guitar in bands. Since focusing on his own solo compositions, he typically combines both of these instruments together in his work, influenced by many styles including neo classical, jazz, electronic, post rock, Arabic and North African music.
For his latest album ‘Passing by and Through’, Guy began by recording layers of organic sounds, such as field recordings and some experiments on a Casio Earl 90 keyboard, as well as cello and guitar performances. Improvisation and an experimental approach was central to the creation of this music, focusing on a central nostalgic theme as the creative force. This album is dedicated to Guy’s personal journey in life so far, a fusion of periods, places, chapters, situations and other sentimental motifs. Each track title gives the listener clues about the detail that inspired the music. Nostalgia often brings about melancholy feelings but Guy wanted this record to glance optimistically towards the future too.“
credits
Written and produced by Guy Gelem Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Artwork by Amit Art and design by Andrew Heath
Our next release is ‘Reflections‘ by Hoshiko Yamane who is based in Berlin, Germany and who performs violin as part of Tangerine Dream and this record is a special collaboration between Whitelabrecs and 1631 Recordings. This album features Hoshiko’s violin performances, alongside a group of musicians and the album looks back to the period in which it was created, during and shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic. This album will be available officially in a run of 100 CDrs in our signature gatefold vinyl-effect sleevesand in a limited run of vinyl copies, created and supplied by 1631. The album will be out officially on Saturday the 3rd of Marchafter a pre-order on the 25th of February. If you follow us on Bandcamp (Click HERE) we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.
press release “Hoshiko Yamane is a Japanese composer who has been based in Berlin, Germany since 2006. She has released collaborative music with Mikael Lind and Eraldo Bernocchi on Time Released Sound and Denovali respectively, as well as solo material on 1631 Recordings who have facilitated this latest album, a split release with Whitelabrecs.
Hoshiko has toured for many years as a violinist with Tangerine Dream and also working with Jane Birkin, before she began to write electronic music as Tukico. Around five years ago, she began to compose music which returned to a musical upbringing which began with learning the violin at the age of four. She has studied classical music for many years and this was the reason for moving to Berlin, drawn to the city through a love of Bach and Brahms.
Whilst her work develops to incorporate many layers of instrumentation and other canvas-filling sonic details, Hoshiko’s music typically starts life as an improvised violin sketch. The sketches that formed the spine of this new album ‘Reflections’ emerged from the otherworldly backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, back in the early stages around March and April 2020. People were losing their lives every day and the world was praying in hope, whilst each day revisiting the quiet, apocalyptic reality of the world at that time. This album is not about the pandemic specifically. Instead, it was born from it. During that time Hoshiko was able to reflect upon herself, seeing inside her own being including the thoughts of hope she held for others. Like many around her, she was able to see life’s necessities; what is needed to get by, what is important and what life is all about. She was able to reconnect with the things that had previously been lost to the routine of daily life. These reflections urged for the inner-peace of everyday life never to be taken for granted again.
At that strange time, the violin sketches had been developed into full sheet music, waiting to one day be performed by a real ensemble. This was the first time that Hoshiko had put her ability to produce sheet music into practice and fittingly, as time progressed, she was able to assemble a string quartet to perform her music in person. Dreams of physical performance became a reality, as the ribbons of the players’ violin, viola and cello performances filled the room, intertwining triumphantly with one another, as if the pressure of isolation had built into a forcefield of musical energy. The album is cemented by the cover artwork, in which Hoshiko walks freely forward, with her own reflections now available for the world to experience, overlayed with our own.“
credits
Hoshiko Yamane – 1st Violin, Voice, Electronics Cecilia Ferron – 2nd Violin So Fukushima – Viola Sebastian Selke – Cello
All tracks composed and mixed by Hoshiko Yamane Mastered by Wil Bolton Recorded 2022 at UFO Sound Studios in Berlin Recording engineer Fabian G. Knof
Cover photo by Kei Sugimoto Art and design by Andrew Heath
Our next release is ‘Passing by and Through‘ by Guy Gelemfrom Israel, who returns to Whitelabrecs following 2016’s Entirety and 2021’s Scenario. This album features cello and guitar as the main focal points, along with Casio keyboard sounds and field recordings. This album will be available officially in a run of 100 CDrs in our signature gatefold vinyl-effect sleevesand will be out officially on Saturday the 18th of February after a pre-order on the 3rd of February. If you follow us on Bandcamp (Click HERE) we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.
press release “Guy Gelem is a composer from Israel, who returns to the Whitelabrecs discography following digital release ‘Scenario’ and 2016’s ‘Entirety’. Guy has also created music for labels including Rural Colours, Split Femur, Quiet Design, Mini 50 ,Time Released Sound and Polar Seas. With the latter, he collaborated alongside Whitelabrecs owner Harry Towell, in an album called ‘Restful Spaces’.
Guy performs cello as part of ensembles and also comes from a background of playing electric guitar in bands. Since focusing on his own solo compositions, he typically combines both of these instruments together in his work, influenced by many styles including neo classical, jazz, electronic, post rock, Arabic and North African music.
For his latest album ‘Passing by and Through’, Guy began by recording layers of organic sounds, such as field recordings and some experiments on a Casio Earl 90 keyboard, as well as cello and guitar performances. Improvisation and an experimental approach was central to the creation of this music, focusing on a central nostalgic theme as the creative force. This album is dedicated to Guy’s personal journey in life so far, a fusion of periods, places, chapters, situations and other sentimental motifs. Each track title gives the listener clues about the detail that inspired the music. Nostalgia often brings about melancholy feelings but Guy wanted this record to glance optimistically towards the future too.“
credits
Written and produced by Guy Gelem Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Artwork by Amit Art and design by Andrew Heath
Here’s one of two releases out now on Whitelabrecs, fresh for September. ‘A Is For Autumn‘ will soundtrack your ascent into the colder months (although not all parts of the world) and is out now in a run of 100 gatefold vinyl-effect CDrs after a short pre-order on Bandcamp Friday. The best way to keep informed about our low-run releases, is to join ourmailing list, and we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear!
press release “This record combines the work of two artists who have previously released solo and collaborative albums for Whitelabrecs. Andrew Heath is renowned for quiet, lowercase Ambient music, with his music appearing on labels such as Giraffe Tapes, Shimmering Moods, Rusted Tone, not to mention regular contributions for Disco Gecko and Whitelabrecs. Simon McCorry is a cellist and composer, who has been working for theatre, dance and film for over 15 years. His work in the contemporary Ambient sphere has seen releases on the likes of Naviar Records, Polar Seas, Shimmering Moods and Hidden Vibes.
Both artists are also keen collaborators, with discographies listing co-production work with the likes of Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Anne Chris Bakker, Anthéne, James Osland, Mi Cosa de Resistance and Toby Marks between them. For the first time, these two Stroud, UK based artists have worked together to create a soundtrack themed around the onset of Autumn, clocking in at almost an hour.
Andrew and Simon bring together their love of improvisation to create ‘A Is For Autumn’ which sits between tonal, electronic minimalism and neo-classical restraint – a warm balm for cold autumn days. Using a different palette of sounds for each of the recording sessions from instruments such as cello and modular, to piano and guitar, they engender a constantly shifting tone to these soundscape pieces, all influenced and informed by the time of year – a rich mellowing of landscape and of a withdrawing into a more intimate space as the year slows and the light levels fall away.
The rhythms of the world’s internal clock appear ever more skewed in these times, and the timing of the seasons are becoming more unpredictable. For some, Autumn may fall at a different time to the rest of the world and for some, not at all. This album is a homage to Autumn, as interpreted by the artists. For the listener, this might tap into your own memories of this colourful season. Or, it may transport you into the environment that has been created.“
credits Written and produced by Andrew Heath & Simon McCorry Mastered by Ian Hawgood Photography by Rita Kuklenko Art and design by Andrew Heath
Our new release ‘A Is For Autumn‘ will be available officially in one of our typically low runs of 100 gatefold vinyl-effect CDrs on Saturday the 10th of Septemberafter a pre-order on the 1st of September, on Bandcamp Friday. If you click here: mailing list, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.
press release “This record combines the work of two artists who have previously released solo and collaborative albums for Whitelabrecs. Andrew Heath is renowned for quiet, lowercase Ambient music, with his music appearing on labels such as Giraffe Tapes, Shimmering Moods, Rusted Tone, not to mention regular contributions for Disco Gecko and Whitelabrecs. Simon McCorry is a cellist and composer, who has been working for theatre, dance and film for over 15 years. His work in the contemporary Ambient sphere has seen releases on the likes of Naviar Records, Polar Seas, Shimmering Moods and Hidden Vibes.
Both artists are also keen collaborators, with discographies listing co-production work with the likes of Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Anne Chris Bakker, Anthéne, James Osland, Mi Cosa de Resistance and Toby Marks between them. For the first time, these two Stroud, UK based artists have worked together to create a soundtrack themed around the onset of Autumn, clocking in at almost an hour.
Andrew and Simon bring together their love of improvisation to create ‘A Is For Autumn’ which sits between tonal, electronic minimalism and neo-classical restraint – a warm balm for cold autumn days. Using a different palette of sounds for each of the recording sessions from instruments such as cello and modular, to piano and guitar, they engender a constantly shifting tone to these soundscape pieces, all influenced and informed by the time of year – a rich mellowing of landscape and of a withdrawing into a more intimate space as the year slows and the light levels fall away.
The rhythms of the world’s internal clock appear ever more skewed in these times, and the timing of the seasons are becoming more unpredictable. For some, Autumn may fall at a different time to the rest of the world and for some, not at all. This album is a homage to Autumn, as interpreted by the artists. For the listener, this might tap into your own memories of this colourful season. Or, it may transport you into the environment that has been created.“
credits Written and produced by Andrew Heath & Simon McCorry Mastered by Ian Hawgood Photography by Rita Kuklenko Art and design by Andrew Heath
We have another two physical editions set to release on the 13th of November following a Bandcamp Friday pre-order on the 5th of November. The first of these is from Gloucestershire, UK based cellist and composer Simon McCorry, who had previously collaborated with anthene for Whitelabrecs in May’s The Equation of Time. Simon has released with labels such as Naviar, Polar Seas and most recently, Rusted Tones. In this new album, he has also enlisted the help of pianist Simeon Walker, to close out the album.
The Illusion of Beginnings and Endings is out now in a run of 100 copies! The best way to keep informed about our low-run releases, is to join ourmailing list, and we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear!
press release “Simon McCorry is a cellist and composer from Gloucestershire, UK who has released music through the likes of Polar Seas, Naviar and Rusted Tone. He has also been a regular collaborator, most recently with anthéne, with whom he created The Equation of Time, released here on Whitelabrecs in May 2021. Simon has prepared a new solo album called The Illusion of Beginnings & Endings, which draws upon a body of work he composed for a contemporary dance film production.
For this release, Simon has worked once again with visual artist Tom Tebby, who has designed the packaging around imagery techniques using a camera and paper. The result provides a stark and obscure focal point, which projects itself into the cinematic textures of this album. The concepts and ideas behind The Illusion of Beginnings & Endings are based loosely around ambition. We all have different views on ambition and what this means for us, and the artist states that their preference is to live for the moment. This album reflects that this idealistic view on the world is at odds with a society that pushes us to constantly strive for a brighter future. To some, this is a grey cloak of fear; a fear of failure or underachievement. To others, taking stock might be hard.
The drama of this sound, its deep pensive cello, pulsing modular synth movements and transcendent piano, provides a space in which we can ponder upon our own ambitions. The lens through which we see ourselves may differ from one person to the next. Perhaps you will feel an urge to be present, or the opposite; an urge to feel vacant? Either way, the weight of our own ambition may feel that bit lighter as a result, as we decode the contents of this album.
-“You can never get outside it; you must always turn back. There is no outside; outside you cannot breathe. Where does this idea come from? It is like a pair of glasses on our nose through which we see whatever we look at. It never occurs to us to take them off”- (Ludwig Wittgenstein)“
credits Written and produced by Simon McCorry Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Piano on track 10 by Simeon Walker Art and Design by Tom Tebby
We have another two physical editions set to release on the 13th of November following a Bandcamp Friday pre-order on the 5th of November. The first of these is from Gloucestershire, UK based cellist and composer Simon McCorry, who had previously collaborated with anthene for Whitelabrecs in May’s The Equation of Time. Simon has released with labels such as Naviar, Polar Seas and most recently, Rusted Tones. In this new album, he has also enlisted the help of pianist Simeon Walker, to close out the album.
‘The Illusion of Endings & Beginnings‘ will be available in one of our typically low runs of 100 gatefold vinyl-effect CDrs, complete with art and design by Tom Tebby.
It will be released for pre-order on Friday the 5th of Novemberand then released officially on Saturday the 13th of November.If you join our mailing listusing the link below, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.
press release “Simon McCorry is a cellist and composer from Gloucestershire, UK who has released music through the likes of Polar Seas, Naviar and Rusted Tone. He has also been a regular collaborator, most recently with anthéne, with whom he created The Equation of Time, released here on Whitelabrecs in May 2021. Simon has prepared a new solo album called The Illusion of Beginnings & Endings, which draws upon a body of work he composed for a contemporary dance film production.
For this release, Simon has worked once again with visual artist Tom Tebby, who has designed the packaging around imagery techniques using a camera and paper. The result provides a stark and obscure focal point, which projects itself into the cinematic textures of this album. The concepts and ideas behind The Illusion of Beginnings & Endings are based loosely around ambition. We all have different views on ambition and what this means for us, and the artist states that their preference is to live for the moment. This album reflects that this idealistic view on the world is at odds with a society that pushes us to constantly strive for a brighter future. To some, this is a grey cloak of fear; a fear of failure or underachievement. To others, taking stock might be hard.
The drama of this sound, its deep pensive cello, pulsing modular synth movements and transcendent piano, provides a space in which we can ponder upon our own ambitions. The lens through which we see ourselves may differ from one person to the next. Perhaps you will feel an urge to be present, or the opposite; an urge to feel vacant? Either way, the weight of our own ambition may feel that bit lighter as a result, as we decode the contents of this album.
-“You can never get outside it; you must always turn back. There is no outside; outside you cannot breathe. Where does this idea come from? It is like a pair of glasses on our nose through which we see whatever we look at. It never occurs to us to take them off”- (Ludwig Wittgenstein)“
credits Written and produced by Simon McCorry Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Piano on track 10 by Simeon Walker Art and Design by Tom Tebby
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