Pan! Pan!! Pan!!!

With American Thanksgiving behind us, we now find ourselves in midst of that awesome/terrible time of year where everybody and their dog starts pumping out year-end lists. In the music world there have already been a number published. NME and Paste both put out their indie-centric lists. Mojo has once again catered to the boomers, while Decibel has put together a fine list of strong metal records. One of the lists that has already caught my attention is Fact Magazine's "Record Label of the Year" list. While it seems odd to try to make a judgement call of this kind (how do we evaluate which record label has been most influential this year? And what is the benefit of making such a call?), it was great to see them give love to one of my favourite labels this year - PAN records.

Started in 2008 by Bill Kouligas, PAN has quietly built up a strong lineup of artists that includes everything from the Anthony Braxton-inspired jazz of Andre Vida, to the avant-classical work of percussionist Eli Keszler, to the bizarre Japanese pop of NHK'Koyxen (the 'n' is supposed to be backwards, but I can't figure out how to format my document to allow such a symbol). What I love most about the label though, is that while the artists being released by PAN appear to be pretty diverse in style, you still get the sense that there is a common vision being maintained among them. I can't help but think this is because of the diligent work being done by Kouligas. He has brought together artists from the fringes of the jazz, classical and electronic worlds in a way that illustrates a common desire for experimentation. Whether it's through screwing around with an upright piano, circuit-bending, or seeing just how many saxophones one man can play, there is a consistency of style among the diverse artists found on PAN. So, to celebrate the coming-out party for PAN that 2012 has been, here are some of my favourite tracks from the label's 2012 releases.

Andre Vida - Excerpt from Brud: Volumes I-III

Okay so this is from 2011. But this 3-disc set celebrating the Hungarian-by-way-of-Berlin saxophonist Andre Vida didn't get much love on this side of the Atlantic until this past spring. Vida's compositional, and improvisational style is such that you can never be sure whether you're listening to him make shit up, or if it is all orchestrated. This piece from the record, while from an earlier, and perhaps more reserved time in his career, is pretty indicative of his style. Loaded with intensity, and played with grace.

NHK Koyxen - "638" from Dance Classics Vol. 1

This is the kind of dance music I dream of making.

Eli Keszler - Cold Pin

Helm - Impossible Symmetry 


Lee Gamble - "DTI" from Diversions 1994-1996"