Juha Mäki-Patola / Momentary Movements Of Landscapes / 130701

Momentary Movements Of Landscapes is Finnish musician Juha Mäki-Patola’s third solo album, and his debut for 130701. Taking inspiration from artists such as William Basinski and former label mate, Ian William Craig, Mäki-Patola creates ambient atmospheres from treated loops of Prophet 10 synth and upright piano. Here, however, in with the reverb and echo, he’s added overdubs of violin, bass clarinet and vocals to help shape sonic allusions to imaginary scenery. The 12 relatively short tracks are simply numbered, leaving their interpretation open to the listener. The record starts with the sound of surf, a turning tide, and spare, sparse distorted chimes. Summoning images of lights blinking out at sea, or conversely a shoreline illuminated at twilight, seen while riding the waves. A welcoming warmth. What was it Zora Neale Hurston said about ships at a distance having all men’s dreams on board? A melody falls in faltering patterns. A sorta slow waltz wrung from a mechanism that’s…