Hello!  Here's a partial list of what's available now from Realization Recordings.  All other records have been withdrawn as the label reorganises and reconsiders several key notions vis-a-vis backstock availability and distribution thereof.  Sorry, these titles are not available in other formats.  Please note the new address (email and land).  Don't use the old address any more!  Great bargains can be found throughout the catalog.  My online customers may be happy to learn that they can order Realization online with a credit card, via

http://www.gemm.com

Be sure to read the ordering information, shipping rates and other comments towards the end of the catalog.

Thanks - Jon Booth.

APHASIA / DACHISE

"Split Disc" split cd - Realization (RZD-021) - $12

"Great split CD of electronics, varying from virtually inaudible quiet organic sounds to power electronics sandblasting." -- Phil Todd (Betley Welcomes Careful Drivers)

"Quite a nice, challenging listen.  Both artists weave a variety of textures - ranging from quiet, environmental sounds to scalding feedback and power electronics.  Watch that volume control on this one!" -- Godsend (online).

"As the title suggests, a split, non-collaborative CD with each act offering 30+ minutes each.  Aphasia use many found sounds: street sound, wildlife, people mumbling, and weave it together to create a minimal but darkly effective soundtrack.  If you like the clues and riddles of The Hafler Trio, this'll be a must-have.  Dachise enter on a different track altogether.  Electronic manipulation, high-pitched oscillations and radio frequency pitches form an impenetrable wall of pain.  There's little environmental sound in here, the main power lies in the shrill sonic attacks.  A successful project, neatly executed." -- Immerse

"Two up-and-coming progressive noise artists from the UK: Aphasia opens with three tracks of jarring yet carefully poised blend of environmental musique concrete and post-industrial noise collage.  Dachise's four tracks combine elements of searing power electronics with dark ambience and heavily treated raw sound, resulting in a disorienting, multi-layered journey through alternate aural realities.  Limited to 1000." -- Subterranean

"The second time around for Aphasia to appear on CD, his previous experience was a split CD with Brume.  I am told that this is older, thus more rough, material.  Aphasia belong to that group of musicians running around to tape whatever sound from real life: street sounds, animals, etc,  In the studio this material is chopped up, looped and collaged in to pieces of music.  The separate elements are carefully placed and interrupted by pieces of silence.  It is this silence stuff that gives Aphasia their own character." -- Frans de Waard (Vital Weekly)

"Gimme a quarter?" -- nameless homeless person (onstreet).




CRAWLING WITH TARTS

"Sarajevo Center Metal Doors" cd - Realization (RZD-019) - $12

"This is the most amazing thing I've heard in years." -- Factsheet Five

"Sarajevo Center Metal Doors collects three very different compositions together.  Although they do have a central theme that involves the use of everyday objects and the misuse of traditional instruments to produce music.  The opening piece, '1-8 Ideomotors', involves 24 items found in the street or at home each used to produce it's own distinctive noise.  Small electrical Motors' revolving shafts are rubbed against taught strings or pieces of metal during 'Motors'.  A piece that's composition was primarily orchestrated by a deck of cards.  The final piece, 'Sarajevo Center Metal Doors', is performed by a quartet of non-specific instrumentation.  A violin and trombone are abused with much sound still being produced from everyday objects.  67 minutes in total." -- Paul Wild (Fisheye)

"...of late, their broad concerns lie with the musicality of traditionally non-musical things...a music constructed of a wealth of mostly percussive - and always odd and interesting - sounds...finding and releasing the beauty and mystery in anything and everything."
-- Halana




Q.R. GHAZALA

"Requiem for a Radio" cd - Realization (RZD-012) - $12

"Is that a compact disc playing?  Or is there something wrong with the air conditioning system?  Qubais Reed Ghazala is certainly testing the abilities of music listeners with this extraordinarily curious CD.  To sum it up, the disc contains four selections.  In the first, a small plastic radio is pried apart.  For the second piece, the radio is run through an ice crusher.  For selection three, the radio parts are cremated, and the final piece consists of the radio being sawed into chunks.  All those trendy, alternative rock fans out there who think their latest fave band is so BIZARRE and WEIRD don't know the meaning of the words.  This disc certainly is in the running for the most peculiar music release I've ever heard or reviewed.  I can't recommend this for everyone, because most people would not even define this as "music".  I'm perplexed...but I like feeling confused, so this hits a big HOME RUN with me.  Longtime babysue readers should be aware that I did NOT make up this artist...this CD actually DOES exist." -- Baby Sue

"Reed Ghazala is an instrument maker you might recall from that groovy "Gravichords, Whirligigs..." compilation that came out last year.  A four-part requiem for a radio that is slowly destroyed & transformed.  Shadowing an actual requiem mass, this is quite successful as bizarre journey through technology as it is being melted down to scrap." -- Downtown Music Gallery, New York City

"Ghazala here uses only the sounds of a children's radio in various stages of destruction as his palette, and he comes up with a surprising array of textures and sonics.  Overall, it's a pretty atmospheric and jagged soundtrack.  Masterful work."
-- Godsend (online)

"Each movement of the mass starts with real-time sounds and then elevates into complex gatherings of noise punctuated by alien rhythms (an ice crusher grinding pieces, bubbling of molten plastic).  Ghazala has turned a musical artifact into a music maker of an entirely different sort, creating powerful music that is gothic in conception - rooted in the concrete sphere but reaching high into the world of the spirit and intellect - and thus appropriate for a high mass.  Strangely mesmerizing as the music builds ferociously into the Agnus Dei and the final meeting with god." - Mole

"Ghazala builts his own instruments through 'circuit-bending' (the creative short-circuiting of various electronic devices) and is now presenting two works on CD,  To aptly describe the concept of 'Requiem' I should re-write the extensive liner-notes, but in short: a radio is destroyed, then smashed in an ice crusher, then melted, and then sawed into chunks.  Each of these actions result in a 15- minute music piece.  The destruction of a small plastic radio is performed with great precision, a slow process, but delivering a great, concentrated musique concrete piece.  The contact microphone is then attached to the ice crusher.  There is machine drone in the background and small sounds of falling objects.  In the third piece, the radio pieces get thrown in a metal container before they are cremated.  I suspect some studio treatments are added here, since there is some stereo echo used.  The sawing piece is the most 'industrial' piece with its heavy backdrop of rhythmic machinery.  Of course there is a lot more to it, than I could describe here, but it remains a fascinating requiem." -- Frans de Waard (Vital Weekly)

"Threnody to the New Victims of Hiroshima" cd - Realization (RZD-022) - $12

"One of the Aquarius staff's all-time favorite drone recordings!  This came out in 1995, but we thought we'd list it anyway, after ordering a batch directly from the label 'cause we like it so much.  Electronic instrument inventor Q.R. Ghazala (you may remember him from the instrument-inventor compilation "Gravikords, Whirligigs...") presents his "first insect symphony", performed on his "Vox Insecta" - a synthesizer than specializes in simulating insect voices!  The beautiful instrument (depicted on the cover, it looks like some sort of Art Deco stenographer's machine) may or may not always sound like a swarm of insects, but it certainly produces some gorgeous drones...  Dark stuff, with keening higher-end tones supported by bass-y undulations.  Creepy and beautiful.  For fans of Tony Conrad and Lustmord and that sort of thing.  So totally recommended!" -- Aquarius

"(This is) something fans of electronic music and art need to experience...it will be looked back upon as one of the most important works of our time...take notice:  nothing comes close to Ghazala for artistry, for creative instrumentation or for intelligent presentation." -- Godsend (online)

"Something fans of electronic music and art need to experience... it will be looked back on as one of the most important works of our time... take notice; nothing comes close to Ghazala for artistry, for creative instrumentation or for intelligent presentation." -- Interface

"If you wander in the noise and experimental circles, this name may not yet be familiar to you, but after listening to these two discs you won't be able to talk about anything else for a while." -- Popwatch

"A timely meditation on the horror of nuclear war.  This work is performed by Ghazala on his Vox Insecta instrument, an elaborate insect voice synthesizer." -- Verge

"The 'Threnody' is a 5 piece work recorded for the 'insect voice synthesizer'.  Long sustaining drones make up what could be a requiem as well.  The drones are high pitched, thus giving the work a rather dark meaning: it sounds like an air raid siren going off during a bombardment.  This ain't pleasant listening, but a rather powerful work that, in all its harshness, does make sense." -- Frans de Waard (Vital Weekly)




ASMUS TIETCHENS

"Das Vieh und Sein Vater" cd - Realization (RZD-020) - $12

"Of all the solo experimentalists to emerge out of the "industrial" and "ambient" German sub-culture in the 1970s, Asmus Tietchens has been amonst the most creative and prolific...amongst the dozens of contributions he's donated (to compilations), this CD collects 18 tracks bridging almost as many styles." -- Audion

"Now, at long last, here is the first collection of his rarest compilation tracks.  For the Asmus Tietchens neophyte, one could hardly ask for a more comprehensive and attainable introduction to his work, covering 14 years of highly influential sound exploration.  This is the sound of abandoned sureties for what is new, liberated, and honest.  This is a daring experience in the sense that it tries not at all to please, and that in it experiments were attempted that have influenced the current post-industrial scene to a great degree since he has been pushing the boundaries of 'dark ambient', 'isolationism', and 'new electronica' well before these styles were even named." -- Auricle

"Realization Recordings is perhaps one of the all-time strangest music labels in existence.  To say that the label has no regard for commercial appeal is an understatement.  Artistically, however, these folks know EXACTLY what they're doing.  A case in point is this CD by German abstract electronic composer Asmus Tietchens.  The CD features eighteen contributions this man has made to various compilations over the years.  What does the music sound like?  It's actually hard to describe...but I can promise you that these "tunes" are very obtuse and mentally challenging.  This is the first thing I've heard by this fellow, but after this experience I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for ANYTHING he releases.  This beats the pants off almost all the stuff I get in the mail lately that's dubbed "ambient" or "trance" music.  This is delightfully STRANGE." --Baby Sue

"A collection of compilation tracks from this great German sound composer / sculptor who's been a very influential but low-profiled member of the experimental music scene.  This release compiles 18 now-rare tracks ranging from 1981 through 1995, and works as a fine primer to the man's past work which mixes musique concrete collage techniques with post-industrial ambience and abstraction.  A unique and visual experience that's quite recommended." -- Godsend (online)

"Retrospective glimpse into Asmus Tietchens' previous works for the home taper community back in the eighties, when the audience for this sort of music was even smaller.  Strange how many of the tracks are so interesting and vibrant, even fifteen or more years ago, the sound and end work seems to transcend the technique.  So much of the old stuff from other artists is marred by obvious types of equipment use.  Tietchens has always managed to make a joyful noise that was so interesting and soothing it went beyond that.  You couldn't tell what he was using - and ditto here.  These mostly ambient, swimming drone and collaged instrumentals weave around spoken voices, ghostly wooshes and startlingly whimsical strangeness.  A great way to examine Tietchens for the first time." -- Manifold



ASMUS TIETCHENS / PBK

"Five Manifestoes" cd - Realization (RZD-008) - $12

"The 38 minutes of this CD explore various types of repetitive noise, incorporating some of Tietchens' hydrophonic recordings, high-pitched squealing, resonant clatterings and other, less easily nameable sounds.  It's one of the least accessible of either musician's releases, drawing sounds out from the void, deep space sounds.  The noises are almost totally freed from earthly influences, almost totally existing in an abstract field of pure sound." -- EST 2

"Asmus Tietchens has proven over the past few years to be one of the most prolific composers of severe, angst-ridden electronic music.  On this cd, he collaborates with PBK (Philip B. Klingler)...their collaborative effort yields music which is variably clangorous, restrained, grating, metallic, soft, ambient, spacy or droning - but always, quite strange." -- Option

"A brilliant collaboration featuring original sound material created by PBK, reworked by German sound composer Asmus Tietchens.  If you're familiar with either artists' work, you know it's safe to expect this to be absolute cutting-edge abstract electronics." -- Verge




"As Yet Untitled" cd - Realization (RZD-001) - $12

AMK, ARCANE DEVICE, ARCHITECTS OFFICE, Michael Chocholak, DIMTHINGSHINE, Thomas Dimuzio, Randy Greif, HANDS TO, THE HATERS, ILLUSION OF SAFETY, PBK, Murray Reams, STATIC EFFECT, John Wiggins, WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF NOISE.

"I don't know about you, but I like to be entertained by what I listen to, not to be tortured, challenged yes - but not having my ears ripped apart by razor-like electronic sound waves!" -- Audion

"A reasonable introduction to all Realization's artists is the CD "As Yet Untitled", which samples output from all the above plus people like sonic Surrealist Randy Greif, Arcane Device, The Haters and AMK.  It's at the same time consistent and diverse.  Most artists find a niche somewhere in the abstract noise genre, but they're sometimes quite widely-separated niches.  As a result, it's not really listenable as an album.  It never gets a chance to suck the listener into any of its particular noise-pools.  If I'd heard it before the individual artist's work, it may have put me off!" -- EST #3

"A collection on CD that seems like a digital resurrection of cassette compilations of olde, with tried and true names of the cassette underground...a more interesting and generally tastier collection than the "Cassette Mythos" compilation, actually.  If you know these folks, then you know to buy this already.  If you don't know them and are remotely interested in collage work, noise drones, electronic music experiments, or generally unusual sounds, seek this out.  If not ... well, you're dead already so never mind." -- File 13 #13

"Brilliantly conceived compilation of sonic artists working mainly in noise textures.  I would recommend this without reservation to anyone looking to experience the breadth of this evolving genre.  You'll find everything from all-out assaults to crackling ambience, all of it exceptional.  Highly recommended..." -- Gajoob

"I really like compilations like this.  You get a generous helping of music - in this case, 15 artists clocking in at 68 minutes.  You get to discover other artists worth exploring further.  This compilation succeeds at that by introducing me to Michael Chocolak, Thomas Dimuzio and Dimthingshine, among others.  The compositional styles of the artists complement each other and the track sequencing encourages continued and repeated listening.  It's very annoying when a compilation doesn't make tonal or thematic sense, and even more annoying when you come to a halt because of a poorly-placed track.  On "As Yet Untitled Vol. 1", you'll roam through an assortment of what can loosely be described as "ambient music".  However, it's not sonic wallpaper.  There's a variety of manipulation techniques, sound sources and intensities that demonstrate how much space is to explore in experimental music.  I think you'll find this compilation of American artists a respectable addition to your music library." -- Industrial Nation #8

"I often regard compilation albums as a way of sampling & experiencing groups and artists I might otherwise not hear, and I'm sure other people do also.  This, however, is a very different kettle of fish, with none of the groups whom I have heard over a longer medium being 'typically' represented here.  Instead, the compilers have chosen examples which will blend together in stark, cold, experimental juxtapositioning, a gradual progression of individual, emotionless barren themes which sit together well, forming something which is truly 'Industrial' - a dehumanized soundtrack of the harsh, the stark, the grey and the pallid.  Assuming you survive the experience (fat chance), this might be the audio memory which would haunt you throughout the years of recuperation.  An impenetrable cacophony, but somehow both cyclic and composed.  Not the easiest of albums to listen to, but plenty to reward the listener who doesn't mind his / her music noisy, extreme or obscurely experimental." -- Antony Burnham (Metamorphic Journeyman)

"The works presented here range from musique concrete sounds to ambient to improvised, and to more dense power waves.  A good range of artists presented here, and a good place to sample works by names you might have seen over the years." -- ND #17

ORDERING, SHIPPING, OTHER INFORMATION

I am now a registered seller with GEMM (Global Electronic Music Marketplace) - at

http://www.gemm.com

GEMM.com will process credit card orders at no extra charge to you.



HOW TO ORDER ONLINE

GEMM is pretty cool because they'll process credit card orders for me!  Only select stock is listed there right now.  So, if you don't see what you want on my GEMM list, just give me a click at my new email address.  I'll post whatever you want there, if I still have it. Credit card orders cost 10% more, but it it's easier for you, it's okay by me.  The GEMM site will let you browse the Realization page, and also lets you compare my prices with the other dealers there...  A useful currency converter can be found here.

HOW TO ORDER THROUGH THE MAIL

Neatly print, or type, your order.  Please list alternate choices if possible.  Sorry, I can't take credit card orders via the mail (see above).  Send cash (at your own damn risk!), or check, money order, or international money order in US $ (foreign) payable to "Realization Recordings."  I take PayPal too - just give me a click to confirm your order.  A useful currency converter can be found here.

SHIPPING RATES

POSTAGE IN THE US:   $3 for the first two CDs (shipped First Class), $4 for three or more CDs (shipped Priority).  I can send orders via Media Mail, but it can be really slow (2 weeks is normal, 4 weeks is not unusual) and not really worth it unless you're buying LPs. See rates posted at GEMM for LP / 12" vinyl.

POSTAGE ELSEWHERE:  US cash in registered envelope or international money order in US dollars.  See online options above (PayPal is available in many countries).  I don't use Surface Mail anymore, but I'll charge you a reasonable Air Mail rate.  For example, one CD to Europe is usually $4 or less.  Inquire first.

SO WHAT THE %*%&*^? IS GOING ON WITH REALIZATION?

Longtime customers probably have noticed that Realization has been operating at reduced capacity these past couple of years.  Of course, I'm striving to maintain the same speedy and courteous service in the mailorder department as I always have - although I haven't added many new items to the catalogue.  Complications in my personal life prevent me from expanding and improving many aspects of the business, but that doesn't mean that I've given up or gone under, or any such thing.  Admittedly, Realization is broke, but that's never stopped me before.  Things will sort themselves out in time.

LABEL NEWS?

People keep asking me when Realization will release more music...well, I just don't know.  The awful truth that, despite critical raves and praise from my peers in the underground and experimental music scene, virtually none of the eight cd titles issued so far have lived up to my extremely modest expectations, sales-wise.  The fact that I'm a lousy businessman is undoubtedly a contributing factor - but, I really don't think anyone is to blame particularly.  It's a market economy - like it or lump it, bud.  This little niche is heavily flooded with product, but lacking buyers with big wads of disposable cash.

THE FUTURE?

Yeah, I think there will be a future...but what does it hold for Realization?  Some surprises, maybe - or, at least, some interesting new directions.  A website shall appear (apart from this one), no doubt.  I'd like to expand the range of music for sale through Realization, as mentioned before.  In time, I expect my other obligations to become less time-intensive, so I can finally work for Realization full-time.  I have a lot of ideas, so - stay tuned...

Jon Booth, Realization Recordings.  August 2001uv.

UPDATE:  Hello.  Thanks for visiting the Realization page.  This is intended simply as a place to get quick info about my label's releases.  In case you're new around here, Realization is a very small record company concerned with experimental and / or commercially marginal music.  During the years 1990 - 1996 (or so), my efforts were primarily directed toward establishing Realization as a label.  There were eight titles on CD and quite a few cassettes (remember those?).  Sadly, the label proved to be a financial disaster, and pretty damned stressful at times.  To make a long story not quite so long, I'm no longer releasing new works, but there are seven superb, critically-acclaimed CDs still available, and that's really why this page exists.  Realization sells other music too.  Since I don't have the time or resources to maintain my own retail site or to continue printing and mailing catalogs, I keep an extensive catalog online at GEMM where shoppers can order with a credit card.  There are lots more CDs (and vinyl) available there.  You'll find the usual experimental, ambient, electronica and noise you'd expect, as well as Krautrock, psych, industrial, dub, out-rock and jazz.  As cash flow allows, I hope to continue expanding the selection.  Some people don't care for GEMM - maybe they find the order confirmation system a bit slow, or the site navigation confusing, or whatever...that's fine.  You can get my full product list in your email or snail-mail box, no problem - just ask.  If you want to pay me directly with PayPal or ye olde check-in-the-mail, it's easy.  By the way - thanks a mill' to David Cotner for keeping my page on his site.  When I first met Dave, he was a snot-nosed, freckle-faced kid with frogs in his pockets.  Over the years he's evolved into the dashing, black-clad playboy / bon vivant of the underground avant-garde we know today...with frogs in his pockets.

Jon Booth, Realization Recordings.  November 2002uv.




RELATED LINKS

GEMM is a great music shopping resource and it costs nothing to become a registered user there.  See the whole Realization catalog and order with your credit card at my page: http://realizaton.gemm.com

Find out all about visionary composer / artist / inventor Q.R. Ghazala and the art of circuit bending at his eye-popping website.

German electroacoustic music legend Asmus Tietchens has an informative website - check it out.




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