Oleksandr Yurchenko - Recordings Vol. 1, 1991—2001

Muscut's recent collections of Valentina Goncharova works (both now back in stock btw - essential hardly covers it) arrived at a crucial moment in the history of the Ukraine, their endeavours to highlight the country's underexposed cultural legacy coinciding with the exact point its very existence was being threatened. While such activity currently makes little material difference to the ever distressing challenges facing the Ukrainian people, from an ideological (and not to mention ethical) perspective it remains necessary work. This compiling of Oleksandr Yurchenko compositions sees them double down on their approach, once again bringing to light the vital work of an otherwise obscured Ukrainian voice in such a way so as to remind us just what's at stake (and it's always worth being reminded of such things). Yurchenko, who's life was cut short by illness in 2020, was both musician and illustrator, leading a fairly reclusive life, spurring any offer of media coverage on the few occasions when his work had made some gesture towards wider public attention. It adds a layer of intrigue to music that is ostensibly and avidly experimental and exploratory in nature. For his signature work and this record's opener, Count to 100. Symphony #1, Yurchenko had created his own instrument from a longboard and several guitar pick-ups, reminiscent it seems of a miniature version of what Ellen Fullman had devised on the Long String Instrument. The result, here edited down to 25 minutes, finds some space between Michael O'Shea's mournful inventions and the arcing drone of Glenn Branca. It's a totemic piece, deserving of a place in the canon and continued study. It's the headline moment for obvious reasons, but the second side is equally arresting and distinct, showcasing either short form tape experiments (Intro and Playback #2), cascading folk-centered reveries, or on the astonishing Playback #1, a circling exercise in tension and no release that would see the Dead C weep in awe. There's also seemingly much more of Yurchenko to uncover that space and time here doesn't allow (it's worth referring to the official multi-paragraphed press release for further insight). That's for another time - possibly Vol. 2? - since now you're tasked with making sure you pick this up before it inevitably disappears. We don't have many, though in a just world, i'm not sure you could ever have enough. Unbelievable music.