160g audiophile black vinyl record housed in a 3mm matte jacket. Full color center labels. Black poly innersleeve. Shrinkwrapped. Edition of 200. Includes the vinyl-only arrangement, 'Caelum (No. 9)'. zakè – Caelum (Zakè Drone Recordings, 2025)Caelum is the third entry in an ongoing series of longform, loop-based sound sculptures from zakè (aka Zach Frizzell), sustaining the tranquil beauty explored on Unfurled Works (2020) and Deep Into the Unknown, We Shall Endlessly Roam (2023). Its four pieces were selected from more than two dozen sketches born out of experimentation in the quiet hours, and refined through Frizzell’s signature treatments, which conjure new worlds from antiquated means.
“Caelum (No. 2)” is led by a cycle of breathy, mournful French horns that convey a wistful kind of hope, and a serene image of the infinity through which every soul passes. During its progression over nearly half an hour, bristly field recordings and faint harmonic textures provide graceful variation, creating the sense of life on a collapsed cosmic scale. “Caelum (No. 4)” features frequent collaborator Kévin Séry (aka From Overseas), whose saintly guitar tones perfectly complement the lilting strings of the main theme. This interaction of elements creates a finespun variation in every repetition, so that the central phrase resembles a celestial body against the horizon, offset by a degree or two with each rise and fall.
Frizzell cites a major inspiration for Caelum from his wife, whose particular appreciation of Orchestral Tape Studies (2019) led the two to discuss, during a long road trip to a friend’s wedding, how approaches to patient music could be revisited and refined. He notes, “In many ways, these arrangements feel like love letters, further deepened by the experience of that weekend with new and old friends, celebrating connection, with the knowledge of its impermanence and preciousness.”
“Caelum (No. 3)” maintains that sense of contained infinity, with blossoming brass harmonies in the dominant loop, underscored by haunting drone textures that ebb and flow across the backdrop. Experimental stalwart Benoît Pioulard here contributes a recording from a broken tape machine, whose plaintive flickering adorns the edges, mimicking the film gate of an old projector. A distinct somberness runs through the closing piece, “Caelum (No. 1)”, as a shadowy cello motif wanders like a hungry ghost, searching for resolution, and reverberant, bell-like tones howl across the background, approximating wind through an abandoned house.
The backbone of Caelum’s composition comprises old 78s, reel-to-reel tapes, and manipulated classical recordings, all of which contribute to its unique aura. As part of this release, the original four movements are mirrored by a set of reinterpretations by Slow Blink (aka Amanda Haswell), who takes each one deeper into deterioration with her own array of vintage analogue machines, guitar, keys, and hand-hewn processing. Haswell states, “Listening to Caelum was like being in a dream I had many moons ago; through repetition, as with the memory of a dream, discoveries are made that present a new way to understand the same idea.”
Common to the elegant works that form the two halves of Caelum is an overwhelming sense of the uncanny, like seeing footage of Yosemite from a hundred years ago, and feeling its eternity in contrast with human fragility. We decay at a scale beyond our easy comprehension, but can savor the comforts of routine while they exist, even as we watch them fade into warbling obscurity.
RIYL: William Basinski, Bibio’s Phantom Brickworks, The Caretaker, Benoit Pioulard, Altars Altars
Written, recorded, and produced by zakè Additional textures and composition on Caelum (No. 4) and Caelum (No. 1) by Kévin Séry [From Overseas] Additional guitar textures and field recordings by Benoît Pioulard via ‘gold & sand’, intimatenoise.com Caelum No. 2•4•3•1 are mirrored by a set of reinterpretations by Slow Blink [Amanda Haswell], ('Decayed No. 2•4•3•1'), taking each Caelum movement deeper into deterioration with her own array of vintage analogue machines, guitar, keys, and hand-hewn processing Mixed and mastered at Kaleidoscope Tone Studio by zakè Photography, design and layout by zakè
I got the mystery tape box specifically the "your getting tons of tapes" tier
and it didnt disappoint at all packaged securely overdelivered in the best way in terms of content and didnt take long to get here ,it was exciting to finally see what i got, genuinely made my day when it came in the post, a massive 22 tape package and so far every tape ive listened to has been really really good! Quality all the way, and if anyone was on the fence about getting it, well dont be, go for it you wont be disappointed .
Major respect to whoever curates the box, excellent choices!!
I Usually never leave reviews of things but this was worth doing it for.
I will definitely be buying this again no doubt about it and yeah just awesome really, very happy with it :)
It took a long time to arrive ( mainly because i put the wrong address😅) but overall its an amazing track. Thanking Cory from inner Amazing website and will buy more records from here.
The vinyl itself is very beautiful, and the sound is very punchy and clear! Of course all the tracks slap hard. Really great pressing, really great album!
I discovered the Bless Vol. 1 compilation a few years ago. Some of my favorite lo-fi artists were featured on it, and last year I reached out to the label hoping to get some of their releases.
Cory got in touch with me and personally made sure the record arrived safely. It sounds incredible, and the editions are beautifully produced.
Now I'm eagerly waiting for Vol. 1
Greetings from Argentina!
Really big fan. It’s a solidly built player and I think the aux-in recording function and ability to pair Bluetooth headphones/speaker is really unique, especially on the same device. I can’t speak to the Bluetooth pairing as I haven’t tested it out. I specifically was looking for an aux-in recording cassette player and this fit the bill perfectly. I tested this function and it sounds really great without completely losing the charm of a mic recording.
It was packaged perfectly! Everything that it came in was great, too!
HOWEVER, the page for this product does have a preview of all the songs ASSUMED to come with the album. This is not the case. This album comes with everything EXCEPT: September Rain (English Version)
With the previews available, I thought it'd be there. I was apparently missinformed. That is the ONE AND ONLY issue I have with my purchase. I wish they gave you the EXACT track list on the webpage. But like I said, that'd the only issue I had. Everything else was great.
I've been looking for an original copy of this album for a while at a price and quality that I was happy with. I was thrilled to find this on your website and couldn't pass up the opportunity to support you and support my unhealthy collection.
Excellent, can not recommend highly enough. My new go-to for Japanese import vinyl. Reasonable price, fast ship time. Will definitely be telling all 1 ½ of my friends interested in vinyl about Inner Ocean.
This album is truly fantastic. I have the cassette as well, it's so dynamic and interesting to listen to on both the turntable and in my case the player with headphones! blips is also just a very talented artist and incredibly kind person, sent me a short to make up for the shipping delay with the vinyl.
I can't say enough nice things about inner ocean and the artists on here. Interesting work from very talented people, great deals on buying multiple tapes and records, professional and kind customer service, I've honestly never had a bad transaction from inner ocean and I look forward to my next purchase! Thanks all!
Legit and amazing quality!!! These are my very first two vinyl albums and I just love how these two turned out! Would definitely recommend Inner Ocean Records to those who enjoy collecting vintage Japanese albums.
Most beautiful cassettes on earth as always. Every Inner Ocean release is an instant classic and everything I’ve ever ordered (cassettes, vinyl, merch) always comes quick and very well packaged. Best record label out!
Absolutely PHENOMENAL transaction, adding a piece of Casiopea history to my collection. Shipped fast, packed well, and Always a pleasure to do business with. Not my first Inner Ocean order, and FAR from my last! Again, many thanks to the IO crew!
I’m so glad to be able to have my favorite casiopea album on vinyl and it play wonderfully. Would say it got here quickly but alas the Canadian post strike happened not too long after I ordered it. But all in all I will definitely be ordering more from here.
Favorite Miki album. The added posted was wonderful surprise. Inner Ocean Records shipping and customer support is top notch. Can’t wait for my next purchase!
This is my first entry into the Lofi Snacks series after bumbling into the Inner Ocean label on Bandcamp and looking up their website. And my, what can I say other than it has been a delight! Really fresh vibey beats that sound great digitally on on my desk cassette player. The art is also fantastic and I love the print on the cassette itself. I've had this album on repeat since it arrived Monday. Look forward to exploring more of the Inner Ocean catalogue.
One of the greatest records in my collection! There are few legendary records that scratch the sonic itch this one does. Love the addition of the obi strip. Inner Ocean delivers greatness yet again!
