Soundwalk Collective & Jesse Paris Smith: Killer Road Feat. Patti Smith (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP

Here’s a dark, morbid, and fascinating tribute to Nico by Soundwalk Collective, a multi-disciplinary group based in both New York and Berlin. The trio, consisting of Stephan Crasneanscki, Simone Merli, and Kamran Sadeghi, takes an abstract approach to narrate the tragic 1988 Ibiza bike accident that lead to the Velvet Underground chanteuse’s death, and chilling,  ambient soundscapes are paired with proto-punk icon Patti Smith's reading of the German singer-songwriter, musician, actress and model’s poetry/lyrics. It’s important to note that some of the tracks feature sounds from Nico’s harmonium, which is known to have been a gift from Smith while the two were spending time in Paris. Also, Smith’s daughter, Jesse Paris Smith, contributes to the music, and Killer Roads is an avant-garde body of work that’s finally seeing a physical release after some years of only being performed live.

• 2 x LP, black & white vinyl
• gatefold sleeve
• booklet included
• music label: Sacred Bones Records 2016

reviewed by donut savage 09/2016