Looping (playlist #85)

“nyc loop”

Over the last several months I have been sprinkling into the airwaves music that explores the unique qualities of looping sound(s). The recording process associated with using repeating sound is commonly referred to as creating a “tape loop,” which clearly harkens back to the days of real physical/analog tape, as well as reel-to-reel recording. Tape loops, to quote wikipedia, are quite literally sounds “recorded on a section of magnetic tape and this tape is cut and spliced end-to-end, creating a circle or loop which can be played continuously, usually on a reel-to-reel machine.” While the analog tools to do this work are still around, and still used by some artists, more common today is the use of digital tools to re/create the unique and immediate “analog looping sound.” Like another color in the palette of a painter, for musical artists looping sound can create interesting sonic landscapes, engaging textures, and much more. No surprise, perhaps, the history of looping is diverse and deep and much more than can be covered in one show, but I dedicated a set of music to some of my favorites that explore this unique process. Definitely a topic to be revisited again. In addition to the looping sounds, there was time for more new tracks from recently received albums and much more.

Don't forget that you can listen to all of the music from the last episode, “New Music/New Podcast Episode!” from the comfort of your browser (click here). This week's artwork, “nyc loop” was created by yours truly.

Thanks for listening!


Composition Album Artist Listen Now!
Servant #2 Back Home Melissa Aldana Apple Music
Buddy's The Third Decade One For All YouTube Apple Music
A Walk In The Rain The Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble Bandcamp Apple Music
The Things You Love Say So Bent Knee Bandcamp Apple iTunes
Another Day The Passions of Great Fortune, Vol. 1 Roy Harper Apple Music
Another Day It'll End in Tears This Mortal Coil YouTube Apple Music
Quattro Piccole Mani (Four Small Hands) Devoto Deus Ex Machina Not available, yet.
Globus I Just Did Say Something I.P.A. Not available, yet.
Ramgana Tapu Sampler 2016 Michel Banabila Bandcamp
Music for the Gift: Part 1 Riley: Music for the Gift Terry Riley Apple Music
Concerto for Two Pianos and Five Tape Recorders Riley: Music for the Gift Terry Riley Apple Music
It's Gonna Rain, Part I Early Works Steve Reich Apple Music
Tomorrow Never Knows Revolver The Beatles Apple Music
Urban Landscape Sacred Songs Daryl Hall YouTube Apple Music
Goodbye Tape Loops Chris Walla YouTube Apple Music
An Omnipresent Sense Prevails Future Flows Steve Roach Bandcamp