Michael Wittgraf releases his debut album Manifold, an expansive effort with numerous layers hidden in the composition, through Ravello Records. Choosing texture over melody, the album features Jesse Langen on guitar and vocalist Amanda DeBoer Bartlett, both of whom wonderfully compliment Wittgraf's electronics...

Manifold is not an album for those looking for melody and conventionally pleasing structure. This is very much an experimental album that fuses electronics, guitar and, on occasion, vocals.

It's not an album that I'd personally listen to for pleasure. I'm not a fan, on the whole of guitar music, even though I play guitar (badly). I'm also not a fan of music where I don't get an emotional response on one layer or another. However, I was intrigued by Wittgraf's music here. The electronics on tracks like 'Topographic Timepiece' really do make you sit up and take notice. It's a little like a classic '70s BBC Radiophonic Workshop album.

The album contains 7 tracks (53 min) and for those who love experimental avant-garde music to broaden their musical horizons, this will certainly satisfy your craving... for a while.

6

Darren Rea