Nettle: El Resplandor: The Shining In Dubai

Label: Sub Rosa

Years ago, when J Dilla’s The Shining was released, I kept reading in press releases how Dilla was using samples from the horror film in his album. One review even mentioned Nicholson’s rants on one track. I listened over and over again and didn’t hear anything that sounded like it came from The Shining. So I rolled my eyes a bit when I heard about this new album also inspired by Kubrick’s Gothic masterpiece, until I saw it was a band called Nettle headed by none other than DJ Rupture, the extraordinary Brooklyn-based musician, producer and deejay (check out his WFMU show). On El Resplandor: The Shining In Dubai, Rupture and an acoustic five-piece remake The Shining set in a luxury hotel in Dubai, combining North African folk, experimental electronics, modern classical and avant-garde noise to give us one of the year’s most bold and imaginative releases. The opener, “El Resplendor,” features eerie and beautiful vocals; “Radio Flower” has a distinct Arthur Russell vibe in its use of cellos and strings; while “Simoom” is the album’s highlight, a gorgeous and haunting mélange of loops, strings and guitar feedback. The concept may be interesting, but it’s the music that makes this album truly special. Highly recommended.