Snorkel’s latest album release, Past Still Present Tense delivers dubwise experimentalism, free improv, avant-funk, and post-Krautrock propulsion, driven by the London-based collective’s sonic explorations.

Across its four sides of deep grooves, improvisation, warped electronics, rare instruments, and shifting moods, Snorkel’s third album charts the collective’s evolution across multiple lineups – part retrospective, part glimpse of what lies ahead.

In certain respects this album is a retrospective collection. However, as reflected in its title, the group regard the release as a statement about where they are now and the sound of what is next to come. This latest release spans multiple incarnations of the group, drawing from various modes of improvising, recording, editing, and playing to capture their evolving sound and pushes beyond the sound of previous releases.

The album pays homage to the experimental past – to Krautrock, dub, free improv, post-punk, avant funk and afrobeat. However, in its propulsive momentum, its singular flow of fresh sonic permutations, it’s an album constantly moving fast forward to the future NOW. Over its four sides it covers a vast range of inventiveness, varying in mood from the playful to the ominous. Its sheer singularity is reflected in some of the more esoteric instrumental credits: Arp Axxe, Juno 106, Micromoog, Moog Rogue, unprepared guitar, Gyil (Ghanaian xylophone), Dark Star, Microkorg, Farfisa Bravo.

The album simultaneously tips its hat to the past whilst excitedly stepping forward into new musical directions. Where might Snorkel proceed next? Past Still Present Tense presents 360 degrees of possibilities. They have already staked a celestial claim to the far future, all of their own.

CREDITS:

Frank Byng - drums, dr. sample, voice, acoustic and electronic percussion, synths, piano
Ben Cowen - analogue and digital synths, sampler, hammond, piano
Tom Marriott - trombone + fx
129 - sampler, guitar, casiotone, unprepared guitar
Ralph Cumbers - modular synth, bass, electronics, drum machine, trombone, analog synths, percussion
Roberto Sassi - guitar
Charles Stuart - vocals, analogue and digital synths, melodica, electric reed organ, acoustic and electronic percussion, drum machine

+ Nick Doyne-Ditmas - bass [D1, D2]


Recorded by Paul Richardson and Frank Byng at Snorkel Studios, London
and by Antonio Feola at Fish Factory Studios, London [A1, B3, C2-4, D1-4]

Produced and mixed by Frank Byng and Snorkel
Mastered by Alex Bonney
Artwork by Raimund Wong
Photograph by Pete Saville

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