The first thing that strikes you about ‘White’ a joint release between Israeli labels Auris media and Topheth Prophet and recorded by Igor Krutogolov is the whiteness of the whole thing. The gatefold sleeve gleams with its stark whiteness as does the 12-page booklet that completes the packaging.  On first impressions it has an almost clinical cleanliness to its presentation but then you notice a subtleness to it.

A delicate print of a tree and horse that are placed in shadowy recognition on the front cover and the same tree that appears almost spectre-like in the front and back of the said booklet as well as each panel of the gatefold sleeve – simplistic yet highly effective. It’s this inclusion of additional artwork that changes the perceived perspective of the ‘White’ from something harsh and clinical to something of great beauty with a naturally organic feel.  It has a charm and innocence about its presentation that is simplistic but highly effective.  So with such an inviting introduction how could you not fail be intrigued and captivated before you even play the all-important CD.  Thankfully almost instantly you aren’t let down.    

Consisting of one long track split into seven parts, ‘White’ is a true feast of listening pleasures from start to finish.  Utilizing minimal instrumentals (real one at that) including bass with bow, strings and a keyboard, Igor has produced a wonderfully dense and emotive set of recordings that owe more in sound to the abstract elements of compositions found in the post-rock genre than they do to the post-industrial.  The music is light and delicate with minuet intricacies interwoven throughout it fine audio fabric.  The mood and presence reflects iridescence, it has a subtle bittersweet shadow of darkness that lies just beneath the surface. You can feel is touch but it doesn’t over power.  One of the truly impressive things about ‘White’ is the way it grows with each listen.  At first you can’t help but be impressed with its depth and impressive sound however with each subsequent listen the compositions that Igor has forged slowly transforms themselves into something much more special and captivating.  Tiny details become visible and the atmosphere and ambience these instrumental tracks produce is simply stunning.  And no, this isn’t an over exaggeration  - as I’m listening to this CD as I write this I really can’t help but be overwhelmed by what I’m hearing and how wonderfully its recorded and presented.  

To produce an album just overflows with an immense beauty is a unique skill and one that has only been mastered by very few, especially when the emphasis of lyrics to project this is removed.  A band like Japan’s Mono does this with great ease and somehow so has Igor krutogolov.  And as with bands like Mono its immensely difficult to try and capture the true power, mood and presence that their releases produce in words alone as to try and describe what you’re hearing don’t do the recordings themselves justice; the same can be said for ‘White’.  

This CD is a real find and one of the releases that has surprised me as much as it has impressed.  It’s come from nowhere and I can’t tire of listening to it and becoming enveloped in its wonderfully addictive and immensely fragile classically styled instrumental passages.  It shines as a release and for those who have a love of sublimely beautiful instrumental music then this is worthy of your time and investment as it’s a truly remarkable and highly impressive release from start to finish.