Neo-Realistic

Savant - The Neo-Realist (At Risk) [POL 15/2000 USA 1983 24-Bit FLAC]

I remain grateful to blog-follower Rob for introducing me to the works of Canadian instrumentalist Kerry Leimer, in particular his Seattle based ensemble Savant, who recorded in the Pacific Northwestern city at Tactical Studios between 1981 and 1983. A few years back, Rob sent over a compilation compact disc of Savant recordings, I vowed at the time to track down the original vinyl releases, which as I mentioned yesterday, this was eventually a successful trawl. A collector in Belgium held duplicate copies of both records and I negotiated them for a very reasonable price - nearly half the going rate on Discogs.

These are very limited pressings on Leimer's own Palace Of Lights label and after some deep cleaning, I was able to coax these tunes from vinyl for your enjoyment. This album represents seven works of electronic loops and manipulations molded by a variety of Seattle musicians, led my master creator Leimer. His musical ideas were gathered over time, then deftly sculpted in the studio into modern electronica underpinned by percussion, tape loops and basslines. Many electronic bands in the nineties borrowed the drum beats and spacious electronica of Using Words developing the sound which was to become drum & bass. The chants, simple gamelan-style percussion and bass hook on Shadow In Deceit make it my standout on this complex, rare and very important record. Enjoy.

A1 Using Words

A2 Indifference

A3 The Neo-Realist

B1 Shadow In Deceit

B2 The Shining Hour

B3 Knowledge And Action

B4 Heart Of Stillness