Early May will see the the final release in a series on which minimal electronica artist Alva Noto (or: Carsten Nicolai) and Japanese pianist/composer Ryuichi Sakamoto meet. Nothing is left to chance with this duo. The first letters of the title of every release in the series - ‘vrioon’ – ‘insen’ – ‘revep’ – ‘utp_’ – ‘summvs’ - together form the word 'virus'. The title (‘summvs’) of the concluding piece and also fifth album in the series refers to the Latin word 'summa' (or sum) and 'versus' (that underlines the unique collaboration of both artists without undermining their unique individuality). So that is the way that the minimal electronica of Alva Noton (who just recently released the impressive album 'Mimikry' with Blixa Bargeld) and the sober, equally minimal piano style of Sakamoto perfectly complement each other. Minimal beauty, so subtle and true that it almost hurts.

Listen here to a track from the CD.

"Exploring the potential for interaction and tension between electronic and acoustic instrumentation, the creative interplay between alva noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto makes for beautiful, rewarding music which only gradually reveals its subtleties." (BBC)

SILENCE IS SEXY is the antithesis of AB's just recently released brand new series THE ART OF NOISE. The Art Of Noise refers to the futuristic manifest launched by Italian Luigi Russolo (who also built ‘noise machines’ as instruments) in 1913 and it throws light upon the (underground) noise scene. Silence Is Sexy focuses on the so-called (new) contemporary classical composers that are increasingly gaining popularity in the field of ‘pop music’. They are engaged in the world of classical music but are often willing to have electronica trickle through in their work, often resulting in a unique sound. AB has already wholeheartedly embraced this movement in the past, having welcomed the likes of Max Richter, Hauschka, Jóhan Jóhannsson, Ludovico Einaudi, Nico Muhly, Peter Broderick, Ólafur Arnalds or Nils Frahm. The title Silence Is Sexy hails from the Einstürzende Neubauten album of the same name, from 2000. The band that previously made ‘industrial noise’ and currently honours the power of silence.