Haines, Greg
2006-2012
Perhaps his greatest contributions to the sonic world are three definitive solo albums, each on a different cult record labels. These striking works are now collected and rightfully presented as three movements of a singular musical vision in the box-set "2006-2012". - Slumber Tides (Miasmah, 2006) is Greg's debut album, recorded and released when he was merely a teenager, seemingly tapping into a timeless wisdom where age makes no difference. It might have made more sense if Slumber Tides was the work of a composer at the end of his life, creating that final display of all the things he wanted to say but for some reason never did . . . but since we love things that don't make sense, many music lovers around the world embraced the reserved yet bold music of this fresh young talent. The five sprawling tracks here introduce not only Greg's knack for experimentation with different instruments and atmospheric textures, but also his gift for heartbreaking compositions, perhaps only comparable to the ground-shaking works of Arvo Part. - Until The Point Of Hushed Support (Sonic Pieces, 2010) is something of a departure from the more isolated soundscapes of Slumber Tides, is comprised of a single long-form composition in four parts, with a core of five string players recorded live in Berlin's Grunewald Church. Whereas the first album comes across as a curious exploration of sound, Until The Point Of Hushed Support is a bold statement from a music lover who spent four years refining his craft. The beauty in this music is an ancient one, one which is only reached with dedication and patience. - Digressions (Preservation, 2012) finds Greg returning to his own studio, delving more and more into the infinite possibilities of music production, where tiny accidental sounds can become emotional sonic moments, while adding recordings from a large student ensemble. Here, hints of woodwinds and brass are added to the instrumental palette of the first two albums. A universe of homemade sounds combine with processed layers of texture sourced from others players, such as the distinctive violin of Iden Reinhart, culminating in breathtaking crescendos which always seem to last just the right amount of time. In light of Greg's looming fourth solo album, Where We Were, which marks a rather drastic departure in many ways, these first three albums can now be seen as a wholesome introduction to a composer who is sure to keep surprising us in the years to come. Cd: nice three cds slipcase packaging.