I had a bit of a crisis over the last six months and found myself questioning a lot of things, among them, is it still necessary for me to do… THIS? This thing? I’m doing? This thing I’m doing? Albums like Mulago Sound Studio confirm on their own that, even if no one is hearing this old tree falling in the woods, it’s worth it to keep slamming away on this keyboard to reach the pure few, the true soldiers, the beleaguered sons and daughters of dreams that never came to pass (and believe me, I’m right there with ya). Visions Congo, as often is the case with releases on Discrepant, is Gonçalo F Cardoso doing what he does best: taking over the world. Er wait; SHOWING us the world. There’s always that weird world-music guy at every college radio station; Cardoso is that, but instead of avoiding him like scorching case of the plague you want him to show you more of what he’s learned. Mulago Sound Studio might be his best, bringing a touch more flare to the table while still setting us up with his traditional mix of native-to-the-area-in-question instruments and dialogue. My favorite section mixes lapping waves with (seemingly) a string instrument, splices of strange percussive ‘clicks,’ and more of those amazing voice clips. Soon a gorgeous sunset of a synth drone (again: guessing) washes over the waves like a wayward tide, soon enveloping the entire crowded composition into its orbit. Another side ends just as another begins, and you’ll especially want to hear what’s in store next (hint: gospel/hymn overtones, crickets, boulders of bass that build and build); all you have to do is trust Cardoso to bring the goods, and he always does. Mulago Sound Studio is the best example yet of a patchwork of sounds weaved into an intricate whole, like an audio culture quilt. Don it as soon as you can.
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