Music Factory (Germany 1969) Tracklisting
A. Ho-Mai-Nhi (The Boat Woman Song)
B. Shook Eyes Ammunition
Spoon Rec. (US 1995) Tracklisting
1. Boat-Woman-Song
2. Canaxis
(bonus) 3. Mellow Out
Revisited Rec. (Germany 2006) Tracklisting
1. Boat Woman Song
2. Canaxis
(bonus) 3. Cruise
(bonus) 4. Epilogue
There is something magically haunting about side A, 'The Boat Woman Song.' Featuring ominous strings, and strange tape loop manipulations of exotic female vocals (field recordings of Vietnamese singers, as credited in the liner notes). The whole thing has this moody, autumnal vibe to it.
It is interesting to note that an excerpt from 'Boat Woman Song' was featured on the OHM: The Early Gurus of Electronic Music compilation, accredited to Holder Czukay which perhaps calls Rolf Dammers involvement into question.
There is nothing quite like this album. There is especially nothing quite like the side B track 'Canaxis.' It features some hypnotic other-worldly modular synth noises and obscure tape-loops. It is apparent that Holger Czukay had access to some great gear as well as archives of exotic recordings. A truely astounding collage of somber and meditative drones and loops that are very well put together.
The album was originally released privately on Can's short lived Music Factory label in 1969. It is interesting to note that there have been bootlegs purporting to be of the original pressings (not surprising considering that they sell for over $1,000). Can's other label Spoon re-released it in 1982. A second re-release in 1995 added the additional song Mellow Out. The Revisited Rec. release in 2007 added an additional track, renaming 'Mellow Out' as 'Epilogue'. Both are credited with being "from 1999 performed 'Magazine' multimedia project within Can Solo Projects live." 'Cruise' features more bizarre experimentation in sound collage, including creepy children voices at altered pitches. It is a very strange juxtaposition of things that don't really seem to fit. I've never heard anything quite like it. 'Epilogue' (alternately titled Mellow Out in other releases) is a sweet little 2 minute jam with guitar and sax.
Canaxis 5 is a real gem, a great recommendation for any Can enthusiast, or those with an interest in early sound experimentation. 9/10
