New releases this week: Library/Archive

Review: A long awaited, bumper six album pack of music and voice assembled by Delia Derbyshire of Radiophonic Workshop fame, and broadcast on four shows between January 1964 and September 1965, collectively known as Inventions for Radio. These experimental, longform shows were conceived by playwright Barry Bermange and were made up of the voices of callers-in, speaking on four themes: dreams, the existence of God, life after death and ageing. The participatory nature of these shows deviated massively from the radio status quo of the time, and the participants were selected to eschew the standard received drawl of most 60s radio presenters.
The music and editing was done by Derbyshire, whose avant garde sonic settings lend the audio an enigmatic, spectral quality. Although she was not credited for her contribution, nor were the broadcasts available commercially, they still developed a cult following. Silva Screen now presents the four broadcasts in their entirety, each on a separate LP, with two LPs of bonus material, and a booklet of detailed notes by producer Mark Ayres and David Butler of the Delia Derbyshire Archive. An elusive and essential landmark of 20th century sound collage.
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