Ulaan Markhor | en

Ulaan Markhor is a new solo vision from Californian Steven R. Smith; as with his former veils (Hala Strana and Ulaan Khol most recently), this new epithet brings about a wholly new origin for creation: rhythmic throb. Smith's heavy percussive clout has rarely surfaced on his records, and has heretofore never served as the focal point. Confined within canyons of mammoth ostinatos, the songs have nowhere to go but up. Smith's singular guitar playing is present throughout, rendering fuzzed and buzzing melodies & subtly interlocking lines that swirl amongst the percussive nexus. Though drawing on many familiar influences, Ulaan Markhor...

A project by guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Steven R. Smith (From the Soft Abuse website:) Throughout his career as a solo artist, and through membership with the celebrated ensembles Thuja and Mirza, Steven R. Smith has had a hand in creating some of the most compelling and singular instrumental psychedelic music of the past ten years. Smith's latest project, Ulaan Khol, moves beyond the Eastern European-inspired sources and scales employed by his work as Hala Strana towards an approach alternately true to his personal musical lineage and in a realm beyond any pre-existing work. As Ulaan Khol, Smith digs in deep...