Across the Universe of Languages (Bonus Download Edition)

Exclusive Bonus Download Edition - with 2 bonus tracks

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Iconic figures of the 20th century, The Beatles embraced the changing world. Their music still resounds in people’s mind, whatever their generation, country, language. It’s part of our heritage.

Nine of their songs have been newly arranged by David Chalmin, Nicola Tescari and Giovanni Sollima, intertwined with new compositions on the edge of improvisation. They create a multicoloured sound atune to our times, an encounter of diverse traditions and energies.

This innovative enterprise has been undertaken by Katia Labèque, unconventional pianist from a classical background to whom Miles Davies dedicated two songs, David Chalmin, alternative rocker, and Nicola Tescari, contemporary composer.
B for Bang was born out of their desire to create a dynamic of energy, movement, and curiosity - with the instinct to retain the differences of their backgrounds.

Joining them are, Massimo Pupillo (Thurston Moore from Sonic Youth/Mike Patton), and Marque Gilmore (Nitin Sawney/Talvin Singh). They also invited some of their friends to collaborate, improvise and join in the making of the album – Giovanni Sollima, Viktoria Mullova, Katell Keineg, Meg, Nadeah, Patti Smith, Daniel Day Lewis.

With the exception of the rogue ‘Grey Album’ by Dangermouse, Beatles remix albums have tended to detract from the originals instead of refresh and re-enlighten them. Although it is inaccurate to label this a Beatles remix album, the fact still remains that most people who have attempted to play around with the Beatles back catalog have burnt their fingers. Not so in this case. ‘The Universe of Languages’ is a unique re-composition (or ‘re-wire’) of Beatles tracks which are nestled amongst new compositions composed by this avant-rock collective who invite more than a few (famous) friends to join in the fun. This innovative enterprise has been undertaken by Katia Labèque (an unconventional pianist from a classical background to whom Miles Davis dedicated two songs), David Chalmin (from sci-fi avant-rockers Dimension X), and contemporary composer Nicola Tescari and joining them are a whole host of underground superstars including Massimo Pupillo (Zu), Patti Smith and even Daniel Day Lewis!

In total there are nine Beatles songs which have been completely deconstructed and newly arranged into a dynamic and brooding clutch of avant-rock compositions which possess a post-punky cabaret jazz-rock aesthetic to it. Refreshingly, B for Bang have selected tracks from across Beatles back catalog and not just their most famous tracks with only ‘Come Together’ featuring on The Beatles ‘Number 1’s’ album. Initially the listener is welcomed by a mishmash of vocal samples, spluttering feedback and warped micro melodies which pave a dark and eerie path to the resonant keys which open ‘Being For The Benefit of Mr Kite’. As soon as the drums and unique Eugene Robinson-esque narrative kick in, the quality of the production makes itself apparent with its wide soundstage and crisp positioning in which each individual instrumental element basks in its own unrestricted space. The track itself grabs hold of the quirky and twee melodica of the original but takes it through a psychedelic blender of warped sound effects, slightly out-of-key instrumentation and a very tangible level of visceral energy. ‘Helter Skelter’ initially sees gold-dipped melodies snake across a melancholy soundscape with strings accentuating the sense of majestic glumness. This brief glimpse of serenity is short-lived as the track turns into a melodic avant-punk train-crash of ‘falling down stairs’ piano, high tempo skittering percussion, dissonant feedback ridden guitars and screeched vocals; a combination which brings to mind visions of ‘Get Hustle’ jamming with Henry Cowell.

On ‘Golden Slumbers’ the collective create an instrumental only, atmospheric piano and feedback medley, giving the original track a noir-ish, David Axelrod composes for David Lynch feel. John Lennon’s heavy psychedelic sound of ‘I Want You’ was one of the key contributions to ‘Abbey Road’ and the rewire is probably the pick of the bunch on this album with its psychedelic avant-math pop dynamic. Initially a bouncy clutch of keys and strings dance breezily under Katell Keineg’s innocent girlish vocals. It’s all a bit ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ if directed by Goddard but just watch out for that damn wolf, as the whole thing gets swallowed intermittently by a monstrous cascade of crashing piano keys, threatening guitars and angular percussion. The interplay between the serene and the heavy is gracefully arranged and gives the track a real poise that is so unique but at the same time isn’t a million miles away from the original. ‘Happiness is a Warm Gum’ is a testament to the futuristic vision of ‘The Beatles’ and ‘B for Bang’ take influence from the solemn introductory section of the original and deliver it across the whole track resulting in a subtlety menacing grungy alt.rock offering. The collective add contemporary depth to the hazy lullaby ‘Julia’ whilst ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’ sees them engage in a complete reconstruction of the Beatles foundation with the track shedding its recognizable identity and morphing into something entirely fresh. The collective engage in a sound that see’s off kilter keys set in an energetic chamber-rock aesthetic before the familiar and unique vocals of Meg kick in, sung atop of a sinisterly drifting minimalistic classical soundscape. The collectives own unique compositions tend to be limited to short and semi-abstract interludes which act as a gel between the recompositon’s. Towards the end of the album they present a number of full length tracks which showcase their experimental nature. ‘Between Those Rocks’ is a slice of cacophonous classical avant-garde whilst ‘The Last Man On Earth’ is a terrifying mishmash of constantly switching off-kilter instrumentals and leftfield samples.

Overall, ‘Across The Universe of Languages’ is a cracking reconstruction of some of ‘The Beatles’ most endearing and hypnotic tracks and endless pleasure can be had by comparing and contrasting the originals with the new re-composed versions. The real ‘crux’ of this album though isn’t just the intelligent recompositon’s but the booming production values which make the songs burst out into your listening space and make the listener re-assess just how good their hi-fi system is. In addition, this release will allow a new generation of hipsters to uncover a treasure trove of classic Beatles material. (KS)

(Hella + TV on the Radio + Henry Cowell + Pendericki) + The Beatles = B For Bang