Label: Io Records
Catalog Number: iod.001 & iod.003
Release Date: March/April 2009
Format: Digital

The Devolution Series’, initially released partially in 2001, is a universe created by Richard J Valeo where machines speak to each other, and we get to listen to them as they think and play. Utilizing only field recordings and non-audio computer files files as audio sources, Valeo explores what sounds the computer itself makes when married to the organic world. With time stretching, convolution and pitching as the main methods of sound processing, he creates a truly ‘digital landscape’, a place that can only exist inside of computers, that is both organic and strangely familiar.

Designed to create an emotive sonic genome through the marrying of the organic and digital sound universes, ‘The Devolution Series’ creates a ‘digital sonic landscape’ that can only exist inside of the computer.  Listening to this sonic universe is much like listening to the sounds of machines becoming sentient, their inner thoughts, and their dialogues with each other.

By labeling the compositions with numbers rather than titles, it disconnects the listener from any frame of reference for the sounds and allows the listener to simply experience the music.

Volume One Available Here on Boomkat.

Label: Io Records
Catalog Number: iod.002
Release Date: March 2009
Format: Digital

Hardware Excursions Volume One:
The Hardware Excursions is a series of compositions composed using only harware. Excursion One and Excursion Two are completely improvised and done with out sequencers and use only an Oberheim OB-1, a Korg Monopoly, a clock modified Ibanez D-1000 digital delay and an Alesis Midiverb as sound sources. The concept behind this performance, we well as all of these ‘Excursions’ is to create a meditative space where the listener can let go of concrete ideas of sound sources and become one with the sounds and get inside their own head.

Available now exclusively at Boomkat

With each release Io Records explores the diverse musical universe of RJ Valeo — both his own compositions and those by fellow musicians he feels fits the distinct vision of Io Records.

With this series of releases, ‘Devolutions’, Valeo creates a universe where machines speak to each other, and we get to listen to them as they think and play. Utilizing only field recordings and non-audio computer files files as audio sources, Valeo explores what sounds the computer itself makes when married to the organic world. With time stretching, convolution and pitching as the main methods of sound creation he creates a truly ‘digital landscape’, a place that can only exist inside of computers, that is both organic and strangely familiar.

Beginning the series with 2 long play releases, followed by an EP, ‘Devolutions’ takes us on a computer aided journey through a contemplative digital landscape that can best be described at intimate and personal. The processes developed during the creation of these initial compositions in 2000 and 2001 form the foundation for his signature sound design style still present in all of his compositions today.

Boomkat review:
“After last week’s Hardware Excursions, RJ Valeo sustains his experimental outlook with this selection of masterfully realized micro-drones. The interchange between extreme high frequencies and deep, steady-handed industrial tones on ‘Construct 05′ immediately brings to mind Richard Chartier’s highly disciplined sound world, but these compositions also move towards more extrovert territory, harbouring shadows of half-melodies and flourishes of fractured circuitry. These more exploratory releases find Valeo in glorious form - let’s hope that he continues to pursue this beatless direction for a good while longer yet…”

After much work and toiling the Io Records launch is finally here. Hibernating quietly for over 8 years Io is back with a vengeance, with 4 releases in the first two months. We opted for a lowkey minimal website to begin with and will fill it out as time goes by. There is no secret who releases on this label, and there is no secret as to how to get in touch with the label owner.

First up on Io is Richard J Valeo with ‘The Hardware Excursions Volume One”. Boomkat says…

“Returning under his own name after recent activity as Isomer Transition, Type’s very excellent RJ Valeo resumes more experimental duties, momentarily setting aside his preoccupations with techno formats. Hardware Excursions Vol. 1 finds the New York producer exploring deep and extended freeform synthesizer explorations, at time bordering on drone or even outright noise. You can hear a bit of a sci-fi influence creeping into the music, with combining elements of low frequency, motor-like oscillations and higher pitched, modulated bird-like timbres making up the largest part of Valeo’s minimalist sound palette. Structurally these pieces are very liberated, unburdening themselves from anything that might be termed ‘form’ right up until the distorted industrial rhythm that fires up towards the end of ‘Excursion Two’. The result is 16 minutes of dense, surprising and immersive electronic music of the highest order. Very highly recommended.”

Fucking awesome. :)