Ergo Phizmiz - Things to Do and Make

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 14 / 8 / 2010

Label: Care in the Community Recordings
Format: CD

intro

Unique major label debut album for quirky avant-garde experimentalist, Ergo Phizmiz

Busy Ergo Phizmiz releases too little of his eccentric music on record. It is a special occasion indeed when he does; a new single and album on Care In The Community follows on from 'Nose Points In Different Directions' which came out on Womb three years ago. Womb quit business and has since then been reincarnated as a netlabel on wombnet.blogspot.com . Once upon a time recording as Ergo Phizmiz and his Orchestra, Ergo Phizmiz too offers a torrent of projects and albums on his website at ergophizmiz.net and on his MySpace. Ranging from covering Missy Elliott and the Velvet Underground to his recent Doctor Faustus project, he treats us there to many giveaway goodies. 'Things To Do And Make' compares with nothing that he has put out before. The first major and mainstream Ergo Phizmiz album may be a small independent release, but this album goes to show how major record companies have lost touch completely. It's the kind of listening experience that will force you to shut down your mobile and close your Twitter and Facebook accounts. Best enjoyed on LP therefore, 'Things To Do And Make' takes the listener into a display of witty and wizard wordplay, nostalgic grooves and inviting tunes. Some tracks disguise them as ballroom dances, with a few not of the sound quality you would expect on a major debut. Kicking off with crystal clear complexion, Phizmiz raps like a skiffling scatman on 'Busby Berkley'. 'Fairy Chewbacca', a misleading stream of conscious disco tune precedes 'Food and War' which must be another newly recorded song. It is abundant with wacky comedy effects and, if not addictive, ever so enjoyable. The low-key operette 'The Dapper Transvestite' and 'Mandrill' sound equally bright and erudite. Followed by another muddy sounding, yet jolly bouncing tune, 'Hotel', Ergo picks up the thread again. 'Shanty' is a haunting piece of seaman accordion melancholy. The rich details found in the orchestration very often come from samples, yet in the details the genius shows. 'Parrot In The Pie' lastly calls for another dance and is another foot-tapping accordion number. The party rounds off with the 'Dirty Shower Honk Stomp' which brings the album to a quirky and hooting farewell. 'Things To Do And Make' album is rather unique, but, should you insist though, is recommended for those who care for Kevin Ayers, Robert Wyatt, Jonah Lewie, Max Tundra and 4-Treck.

Track Listing:-

1 Busby Berkeley
2 Fairy Chewbacca
3 Food & War
4 The Dapper Transvestite
5 Late
6 Mandrill
7 Hotel
8 Shanty
9 Parrot In The Pie
10 Dirty Shower Honk Stomp
11 Boris Von Horace

Band Links:-

https://ergophizmizmusic.bandcamp.com
https://twitter.com/ergophizmiz
https://www.instagram.com/ergophizmizplc

Label Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/careinthecommunityrecordings
http://www.careinthe.com/
https://twitter.com/careinthecom
http://www.last.fm/label/care+in+the+community+recordings
https://www.youtube.com/user/careinthecommunityAV