Smalltown Supersound will release an album from 58-year-old Norwegian composer Erik Wøllo, titled Sources. Early Works 1986 – 1992, out March 29. 

Wøllo, who has been a professional artist since 1980, has covered a wide range of styles, from rock and jazz to experimental electronic and classical music. He was one of the first Norwegian composers who adapted a minimalistic style, building a bridge between grand symphonic realms and gentle, serene sounds. His musical statements range from slowly-drifting kaleidoscopic passages to epic soaring guitar melancholy, to upbeat ever-changing sequences and compelling melodies. Wøllo has also been composing and performing music for films, theatre, ballets, and art exhibitions, as well as music for string quartets and large orchestras.

Sources joins Wøllo’s nearly 40-album catalogue. Comprised of 10 previously unreleased tracks, it was originally recorded surrounding the album sessions that spun Dreams Of Pyramids (1984), Traces (1985), and Silver Beach (1986). This was the start of a very fruitful and inspired period for Wøllo, thanks to modernized technology like MIDI and inspiration from music from all over the globe. 

“There was lots of new equipment coming out during these years, and this reflects the music I made at the time,” Wøllo says. “There was also a lot of great electronic music released. I was inspired by artists like Hassell, Eno, and Budd. Also a big influence was Klaus Schulze after seeing him at the legendary Club 7 in 1984.” We’re told that the spacey sounds on Sources show a clear line of cosmic excursions between Wøllo’s early releases to modern day fellow Norwegian travelers Lindstrøm, Bjørn Torske, and Prins Thomas.

Sources remained untouched, transferred from tapes that Wøllo had made years ago, before Helge Sten mastered the material in his Audio Virus Lab. The collection was mostly created with a Roland MSQ 700 sequencer, in real time with several MIDI synths/modules recorded directly to either a two-track stereo recorder or four-track Tascam Portastudio.

“I am very happy that the album feels like one whole. I do not often look back, and I rarely listen to my own releases after they are released,” says Wøllo. “Sometimes I get positively surprised discovering new aspects of my older material. This is music made on impulse and with an eagerness to create. Not much thought was put into how it would be released. At least this is the way I remember it.” — Erik Wøllo

Tracklisting

01. Blooming

02. Swamp Land

03. Soft Journey

04. Under Water

05. The Near Future

06. Big Sky

07. The Movie

08. Luftreise

09. Native Dance

10. Ody At Sea

Sources. Early Works 1986 – 1992 lands March 29, with “Ody to Sea” streaming below.