Once dubbed “the most beautiful lake in the world” by German explorer Alexander von Humboldt and “too much of a good thing” by author (and LSD enthusiast) Aldous Huxley, Lago de Atitlán draws many eyes to the Guatemalan Highlands. Baltimore artist Rod Hamilton responded to its pull last summer, and while there composed a collection of crystalline xylophone psychedelia titled Atitlán. The tape makes curious use of track names; “Treppe 3” opens, “Prelude 1” closes, and so on. It’s a code we’re yet to translate, but are having a delightful time in the process. “Dance 1-4” does in fact have four sections, each activated when a new element enters the mix. The piece assembles into carbonated splendor—one not unlike the hypnosis we’d love to imagine follows a deep stare into the blues of Lago de Atitlán.
The album is available at bandcamp.