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4tRECk is the name given to the home recordings and CDR ‘label’ of North Londoner Sam Callow.

A certain pride is taken in the utilisation of the most basic, rudimentary equipment to its fullest extent, with new methods of recording and sound manipulation still arising, even after 5 years worth of recording on the same 4-track tape machine. A variety of instruments are employed in a process that generally involves improvisation, some chance and perhaps most importantly a detailed approach to arrangement and structure to create what hopefully might be a new combination of elements and ideas. Key instruments such as guitar, piano and drums are sometimes plied against violin, accordion, melodica, tape-manipulation, Jews harp, voice, TV, percussion and a variety of odd sonic sources to create these mostly instrumental ‘compositions’, and have a tendency to sprawl into free-form at the song’s end mainly out of sheer releif of successfully completeing a take.

There exists at the moment 4 full length 4tRECk ‘releases’ on CDR. The 1st being a collection of recent recordings, the 2nd was compiled after extensive trawling through old disgarded tapes (pleasant surprises, noise and forgotten songs), the 3rd of one half digitally manipulated analogue ambience contrasted somewhat with a series of cover versions ranging from John Fahey, to Michael Jackson, to the theme tune to ‘80s helicopter drama Airwolf! and a fourth of new pieces with more of an acoustic element thrown in to the mix. A 5th is being recorded on an 8-track right now (more electronic sound sources plus a big, fat accordion)

contact: s.callow@virgin.net