The Preservation label presents Map of Circular Thought from Providence, Rhode Island’s Area C. Area C is the music project for composer and multi-media artist Erik Carlson. Carlson has recently completed the soundtrack to a National Geographic documentary on New Orleans in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, and has worked on several projects for NASA’s Space Grant Consortium along with numerous audio, multi-media and public art installations. Map of Circular Thought follows several acclaimed works including 2009’s The Planetarium Project, described by The Wire magazine as “inspiring”:

“As Area C, Erik Carlson combines the ideas of sound art and installations with the intricacy of electronica and spontaneity of improvisation”

Map of Circular Thought is a set of meditative, contemplative pieces – a sonic rendering of the connection between memory and the present. Using minimal rhythm and melody to form constellations of fixed tones, these compositions burst with flickering sonic detail to create constant flux among the patterns he creates. The warm, analog sounds on Map of Circular Thought - made using guitar, organ, keyboard and a drum machine - engage and play with states of consciousness in listening, and in particular found inspiration in the abstract dreamscapes of UK electronic pioneers Seefeel. Carlson also traces a line back to minimalist composers Terry Riley and Steve Reich, and shares a kinship with the transfixing qualities of more recent acolytes such as William Basinski and Philip Jeck. Map of Circular Thought mainlines to the mind but is also a visceral, tingling thrill to the ears.

Map of Circular Thought is the second in a new limited edition CD series from Preservation called Circa. 300 copies only will be available of each release in the series and each will feature a design by Mark Gowing. Each design will be realised using a specially created abstract alphabet of shapes, determined by artist, title and catalogue number for something both fixed and random.