Apparently Ollie Cherer began writing the music which became Dollboy’s debut album on a whim; a break from the kicking big-beats with which he has dallied for many years. Since then his demo and early promos have been swooped upon by the Different Drummer label who wanted to release it, by Pete Lawrence, who invited Dollboy to grace Eastnor Castle, and by a veritable Who’s Who of ambient DJs, who have been falling over each other to bring these spectacular tunes to the tired and huddled masses. Ollie, meanwhile, has been wandering around with a confuzzled expression on his face, assuring everyone that he only ever meant to write some tunes to listen to in the bath.
‘Plans For A Modern City’ is an original, unusual album, that nevertheless manages to reference the very pinnacles of modern no-tempo music. Although real instruments – guitars, pianos, vibes, even a harmonica – are layered over the album like emulsion on a wall, the feel of it remains very electronic and futuristic. It’s a conjuring trick also performed with aplomb by Sigur Ros, and much of ‘Plans ‘ has a similar glacial cool. ‘China’ has an unintelligible yet heart-wrenching vocal (in Cantonese, perhaps?) which is deeply reminiscent of the batty Icelanders’ invented language Hopelandic.
‘Juicy Fruit,’ which opens the album sounds like Plaid at their most marvellously minimal – Big Chill Classic ‘Ralome’ springs to mind. ‘Cymballine and Celeste’ is a marvellous piece of piano-led neo-classical which invites comparison to Arvo Part or even Phillip Glass while ‘Monks and Bells’ sounds like, well, some monks with some bells. In a good way.
If this is a great album for ambient fans, it should also keep guitar purists happy. The extended solo that is ‘How We Behave’ pits a Peter Green-ish melody against pastoral sound effects. It is so stunning that you might be moved to forgive the birds twittering all through it. It’s the only cliche on the album, so lets cut some slack. Thankfully the dawn chorus has flown by the time we get to ‘Hatterjax’in which steel guitarist Jack Hayter does a magnificent BJ Cole impression on pedal steel, and there can be no higher praise – except to say that the track sounds like a lost classic from a Global Communications album.
Ambient albums traditionally reach their audiences with a languid lack of haste, building a fanbase, if they are lucky, eventually. There should be no excuse for not rushing out to buy Plans For A Modern City tomorrow. Dollboy have achieved their modest goals with apparently effortless grace. It really does sound bloody marvellous in the bath.
Enchanted Gordon
Dollboy
http://www.differentdrummer.co.uk
The National Cyber Security Alliance to Host Data Privacy Day 2012 Event Via Facebook Live
Manufacturing Close-Up January 28, 2012 The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a non-profit cybersecurity awareness and education organization and official coordinator of Data Privacy Day, announced that it will celebrate Data Privacy Day 2012 by hosting a panel-style forum on the intersection of privacy and security on January 26, from 9-11:45 a.m. ET at the George Washington University Law School.
According to a release, the event entitled, “The Intersection of Privacy & Security,” will feature U.S. Federal Trade Commissioner Julie Brill along with several industry privacy leaders and will be broadcast worldwide via Facebook Live the social media site’s official live streaming channel. here music notes facebook
The Company notes:
Data Privacy Day is an annual international awareness initiative that commemorates the signing of Convention 108, the legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection, which recognizes the individual’s right to protection of personal information as a fundamental freedom. Effort’s across the globe focus on educating people about the importance of protecting the privacy of personal information and promotes individual control over private data. NCSA leads Data Privacy Day with the help of official sponsors Intel and eBay, Inc. and partners and likeminded organizations. The January 26 forum is sponsored by NCSA, Comcast, eBay Inc., Intel, Facebook, AT&T and MasterCard Worldwide.
Julie Brill, commissioner of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will serve as keynote speaker. Two panel discussions moderated by Christopher Wolf, co-chair and founder of Future of Privacy Forum and partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP, will include panelists: David Hoffman, director of security policy and global privacy officer, Intel; Gerard Lewis, vice president, deputy general counsel and chief privacy officer, Comcast Cable; Ari Schwartz Senior Internet Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Commerce; Rick Buck, head of privacy GSI, eBay Inc.; Erin Egan, chief privacy officer, policy, Facebook; JoAnn C. Stonier, global privacy & data protection officer, MasterCard Worldwide; and Bob Quinn, senior vice president- federal regulatory & chief privacy officer, AT&T. musicnotesfacebook.com music notes facebook
“As people across the globe continue to integrate the Internet into their daily lives, it becomes increasingly important that everyone understands privacy in the digital age, how to safeguard their data and own their online presence,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director, National Cyber Security Alliance. “We are thrilled so many leaders in the field are participating in the event and extremely thankful that Facebook has donated the live stream to make the event available around the world.” Data Privacy Day is an annual International celebration designed to promote awareness about privacy and education about best privacy practices.
The National Cyber Security Alliance is a non-profit organization. Through collaboration with the government, corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, the mission of the NCSA is to urge a digital citizenry to use the Internet securely and safely protecting themselves and the technology they use and the digital assets we all share.
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