Cristal, Re-Ups (side A)

2008's Re-Ups is an incredibly sparse, slight listen.  The simple textures exist often in isolation.  Sounds often evolve slowly over an extended period of time before being replaced.  Most of the sounds fall in the noise side of the palette, with little tonal information or reference, though a high-pitched tone does occasionally emerge.  These tones stand out from the midrange frequencies that the noisier sounds occupy.  While the palette and style remains relatively consistent, there are separate tracks spread across the two sides, with titles that are identified in black-on-black print inside the nice gatefold and also on the back of the obi-strip.  The music seems to have been carefully composed—while the palette resembles the quiet improvised music of recent years, the structure feels much more purposeful.  Labradford bassist Bobby Donne is a member of Cristal, but the music here is far more extreme in its austerity than even Labradford's quietest moments.