Review

Rian Treanor + Ocen James

Saccades

Nyege Nyege Tapes • 2023

If it has Rian Treanor on it, then there is an algorithm or improvisation in it somewhere. This is also the case on »Saccades«, the album he recorded together with violinist Ocen James. The Brit and the Ugandan celebrate rhythmic and complex compositions. The idea for the collaboration came about five years ago when travel-loving Treanor journeyed to Kampala. Not only did he gather experience for his album »File Under UK Metaplasm« there, but he also worked on a collaboration with Ocen James that was strongly influenced by improvisation. This resulted in a track like »Rigi Rigi«, over which the violin swirls above a flat beat, or in a slow, sombre piece like »Memory Pressure«. In keeping with this approach, »Saccades« sounds like a compilation, with the record barely possessing a pervasive atmosphere. When »As It Happens« crashes like an avant-garde piece, it has little to do with »Tiyo Ki«, perhaps the album’s most crowd-pleasing moment. Despite this, »Saccades« does not grow to become a monstrosity over its ten tracks, but opens up various new spaces, and is more like a large building from which you can enjoy various views, while the one or other crack runs through the walls. A sound to disappear into. Not for comfort or escape. But to organise your thoughts and just be.