"Originally released as a small run cassette in 1987, only to fall into
tape label obscurity, Robert Turman's industrial genre-bending
masterpiece album Way Down finally has been excavated for a proper
reissue after twenty-three years in the shadows. This album solidifies
Turman as a cut above the rest with respect to his talent and his
natural ear for experimental composition. Turman first came onto the
industrial scene in the late 70s as the ominous other half of legendary
noise outfit NON, alongside Boyd Rice, together releasing the now
classic first NON single, Mode of Infection/Knife Ladder 7″ in 1977.
After parting ways, Turman went on an excursion of self-released
cassettes to which he fused every possible influence at his disposal,
culling together past habits of experimental know-how and going forward
into uncharted terrain. After his previous experimental efforts included
on his Flux release in 1981, and even later in the prolific Chapter
Eleven boxset, Turman turned the tables with the creation of Way Down,
using synthesizer arrangements and drum machines alongside guitar solos,
piano chords, tape loops and primitive sampling to create a whole new
concoction of dance-like minimal synth blended together with the
industrial darkwave noise he was mostly known for. After almost
vanishing from the music scene, Turman resurfaced in 2005, teaming up
with seminal noise musician Aaron Dilloway to not only reissue previous
recordings, but to record and perform once again with new releases out
on Hanson and Medusa. This vinyl reissue of Way Down serves as the
blueprint of what Turman sought to render as a very accessible minimal
synth/industrial album, yet keeping it just obtuse enough to make it one
of the most brilliant and engaging albums to be ushered into the canon
of 80s experimental culture." - boomkat
absolutely amazing, & perfect for the murky cold weather outside. i can't believe i've gone this long without hearing this masterpiece. it reminds me a lot of vatican shadow, so if yr into fernow's recent work, then this is right up yr alley amigos.
