Cargo Records

Disengage

First released in 1992, now back in print and available for the first time from Cargo.

Jim O'Rourke has acquired international acclaim for his work, which combines elements of contemporary music and a more autodidactic approach. 'Disengage' is an experimental work with electro-acoustic music. One of Jim O'Rourke's early avant electroacoustic compositional works on the Staalplaat label which is a collision of sounds from acoustic instruments, field recordings, and shortwave radio while also adding unique mixing and editing techniques to transform the sounds from the instruments to sounds that usually couldn't be idientified to them. Its very low volume, and slow moving, comprised of only 2 pieces; the 45 minute, 3 part "Mere", and the 50 minute, 2 part "A Young Person's Guide To Drowning". The ideas here stem from his first work 'Tamper' while he was still in college studying music composition and conclude on the Tzadik release 'Terminal Pharmacy' where since he has stated his departure from making "tape-music". This album takes from a few of his influences including Morton Feldman, Luc Ferrari, and The Hafler Trio.