Unusually, Star Switch On features the sounds of large grouse and goat-herders, nocturnal birds and death-watch beetles. Chris Watson’s lead instrument is his tape recorder: a former member of Cabaret Voltaire, Watson now specializes in natural history sound recording for radio, film and TV. Watson has previously released a pair of remarkable, Bjork-feted albums-Stepping Into The Dark and Outside The Circle Of Fire-featuring his untreated wildlife recordings. For this release, his sound sources were offered to electronic illuminati like Biosphere, AER, Fennesz and Mika Vainio for processing. Though Watson’s material is distanced from its original specific location, atmosphere and subject matter, his sound recordings nevertheless prompt a series of fascinating and compelling re-workings.