ANTS RECORDS

This release is dedicated to the video works of Mike Cooper,

a cosmopolitan figure of which musically it seems superfluous

to say. From bluesman of the first hour, to improviser/

experimenter of the European (and not) more interesting

scene, to proponent of a sort of experimental exotica that

has become, over time, his trademark.

But, instead of the well-known and represented musician and

sound artist, this publication offers, in two DVDs for almost 3

and a half hours in duration, perhaps the least known side of

Cooper's creativity, that of filmic works.

The videos included here were made over a period of about

20 years, around the world (obviously, we would say ...): from

Sri Lanka to Bali, from Timor East to Hong Kong (Lamma), from

Crete to Sardinia, using different technologies, and different

filmic approaches (from experimental fiction to video

reportage, up to a very personal approach to video art),

sometimes intersecting the visual trajectories with his music,

sometimes simply leaving the video camera microphones open,

sometimes narrating stories.

All of this merged in a single or multi screen audio video visual

project (often shown as a live performance) centered on

small island cultures.

In the Box (which have the usual, extremely limited edition),

there will be also a selection of travel photos and drawings (in

photo and poster formats), as well as a booklet with very

detailed notes on all the videos.

(Please note: due to the limited edition the video supports are

DVD-R, singularly printed and checked)

Mike Cooper has traced a path completely of his own for the

past 50 years as an international music explorer, lap steel

guitarist, singer, improviser and composer, performing and

recording, solo and in a number of inspiring groupings and a

variety of genres, stretching the possibility of the guitar with

an eclectic mix of the many styles he has practised over the

years. A very eclectic and inspired artist, he is also active as a

videographer, sound artist and music historian.

Video DVD 1 (TT: 88:45)

Hotel Hibiscus City (45:49)

Abstractions (16:12)

• Sidney

• Raft

• Vietnam

The Walking Series (pt. 1)

- Walking in Bali (6:41)

- Walking in Timor East - Makan Itu Batu (9:06)

- Walking in Crete (10:57)

Video DVD 2 (TT: 117:34)

The Walking Series (pt. 2)

- Walking in Lamma (41:05)

• Dead Silence

• The Ferryman

• A Stor(y)m in a Tea Cup

• Beach Eco(ustic)

- Walking in Sardinia - Molentargius (3:02)

- Walking in Sri Lanka (8:11)

• A Bus Ride South

• Anuradhapura

• A Call to Prayer

- Walking in Syros (26:21)

• Syros(ly) Acoustic

• The Ferryman

• Greek Bus Aegina

- Walking in Ubin (38:55)

• Nature

• Night & Day

• The Floating World

• Ferryman

released 13/11/2021