Robert Henke News: Robert Henke: Atom/Document

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On the dancefloor, he’s known as Monolake, but my favorite Robert Henke compositions were designed for art installations or performances. Atom/Document was adapted from a collaboration with visual artist Christopher Bauder. The two improvise live by controlling a grid of 64 lit, tethered helium balloons. As Bauder changes the balloon heights, Henke triggers LEDs inside with percussion. The resulting music stands surprisingly well on its own.

The album begins with a heavy, multi-layered drone which crescendos, then subsides. Next “[quad-planar]” ticks like slightly off-kilter clockwork. “[shift_register]” alternates between high piano notes and industrial percussion. There are beautiful moments of melody.

I...