We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Index of Refraction

by Tabuenca & Naphtali

/
  • Digital Album
    Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $9 USD  or more

    You own this

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    CD in jewel case, cellophane wrapped

    Includes unlimited streaming of Index of Refraction via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $13 USD or more 

    You own this  

     

1.
2.
Oil (1.47) 01:46
3.
4.
5.
Ice (1.309) 02:51
6.
7.
Amber (1.55) 02:57
8.
Beryl (1.56) 02:49
9.
10.
11.
12.

about

This new duo release “Index of Refraction” was recorded at Harvestworks in NY. An Index of Refraction of a material is a dimensionless number that describes how light propagates through that medium. Inspired by this definition, and translated/transposed to musical vocabulary– an index of refraction could be an analogy to the way in which acoustical instruments and the human voice behave when they are sound processed through electronic devices.

This concept in mind, Tabuenca/Naphtali improvised music while processing and manipulating their sounds, both electronically and acoustically, in order to create new sonic landscapes, each track is based on the refractive index of a different medium.

---
Massimo Ricci / Touching Extremes

Recorded in 2014 but still sounding impressively up to date, the twelve tracks of Index Of Refraction show two perspicacious musicians merging timbral proportionality and lack of foregone conclusions with the secret codes of impromptu action.
Tabuenca’s percussive arsenal and Naphtali’s voice are an attractive proposition. They both externalize their motivation without hyperbole, in a way restricting themselves to the point of emitting pitches whose pairing just can’t fail. There’s elegance behind the expressiveness, yet the sense of immunity from routine is totally retained. In synthesis, involuntary restraint improving the sonic attributes of the impulse.
As the electronics enter the scene the feeling is that of a perceptible change of magnitude in the scale of possibilities. An additional nuance at times revealing a will of its own; in those moments the music conveys its most intangible qualities. The comprehensibility of all the processes inherent to the duo’s acoustic interaction is not jeopardized; the word “disorder” seems to have never been known of over here.
In regard to some of Naphtali’s non-figurative melodic diversions, glimpses of a cross of Tenko Ueno and a slightly inebriated Meredith Monk flashed here and there. However, treat this affirmation as a transitory deranged fantasy of the reviewer.
More plainly, and in spite of the scientific grounds inspiring the work, picture scattered groupings of clouds mutating shapes through a crystalline sky, no storm threat whatsoever. This is perhaps the closest one can get to imagining how this pleasing album sounds like (if we pretend to forget the existence of the label link under the title, that is).
Got it, then? A classic case of “simply listen to prevent the reporter from persevering with his verbal bullshit”. Ultimately, we’re talking neatly performed improvisation: that’s perfectly fine with me for today.

credits

released April 1, 2017

Dafna Naphtali: voice and electronics
Luis Tabuenca: percussion

Recorded at Harvestworks, New York, April 6, 2014
Recording Engineer: Alex Thompson
Mixing, Mastering: Ignacio Monterrubio

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Acheulian Handaxe Records Brooklyn, New York

The Acheulian Handaxe appeared first around 1.4 million years ago. For about 1 million years it was used by early humans throughout the Pleistocene period without significant design changes. Modern archeological evidence suggests that the handaxe was more than just a tool, and was used for elaborate social displays and for sexual selection. ... more

contact / help

Contact Acheulian Handaxe Records

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account