In the realm of sound poetry, John M. Bennett's "Blanksmanship" stands as a singular monument - a linguistic labyrinth where meaning dissolves and reconstitutes itself in unexpected forms. Originally conceived in the early 1990s and now reissued in a limited edition of 200 LPs with a 24-page poetry booklet, this work invites listeners into a meditative journey through ten cantos, each framed by a ten-word mantra that bookends the experience.

Bennett, born in 1942 in Chicago and raised partly in post-war Japan, has long been a fixture in the avant-garde poetry scene. His extensive background in Latin American literature and his role as an archivist at Ohio State University have informed his experimental approach to language and sound. With "Blanksmanship", he strips poetry to its phonetic essence, employing only his voice, a shakuhachi flute, and a bell to create an auditory landscape that is both minimalistic and profoundly immersive.

The album unfolds like a ritualistic incantation, where Bennett's vocalizations - ranging from guttural murmurs to ecstatic exclamations - interact with the sparse instrumentation to evoke a sense of timelessness. This is not poetry in the conventional sense; it's a sonic exploration that challenges the listener to relinquish the need for semantic clarity in favor of experiencing language as pure sound.
Critics have noted the hypnotic quality of Bennett's performance, likening it to a form of "sonic total poetry" that transcends traditional narrative structures. Indeed, "Blanksmanship" occupies a space where the boundaries between speech, music, and noise blur, inviting comparisons to the works of John Giorno and other pioneers of sound poetry.

This reissue not only preserves a pivotal work in Bennett's oeuvre but also reaffirms his status as a trailblazer in experimental poetics. For those willing to engage with its unconventional form, "Blanksmanship" offers a transformative experience - a journey into the depths of language and consciousness.

Recommended for adventurous listeners seeking to explore the outer limits of poetic expression, fans of sound poetry and experimental music and anyone interested in the intersection of language, sound, and ritual.