The crater-sized hole left by Chris Reimer’s passing continues to be felt by everyone who knew, loved or listened. As the not-so-secret weapon behind Women’s spidery guitarmonies, he inspired a new generation of golden Calgarians and sprinkled magic dust throughout the subterrain. However, Chris was also an accomplished experimentalist, as heard on cuts like “Woodbine” from Women’s self-titled debut and an iridescent solo set captured live at Weeds Café.

A similar soundworld can be found within this cassette, originally commissioned by Chad VanGaalen and now lovingly bundled with Chris’s words and art. From the six-string melancholia of “Trees Die In Switzerland” and “Small Piece For Guitar” to the white noise fuzz-bath of “Stuck/Rvrs/Talentless Hack” and ominous orchestrations of “Overweight Motorcycle Cops” there’s a sonic cornucopia here. Yet it’s the extended pieces that truly linger, whether explored via La Monte Youngian sundaze in “Truck Middle (digital 1)”, sighing strings and sparse pianos peppered throughout the 10 minutes of “Truck Part One”, or “Finnish Song (2)” trembling like wind chimes in a snowglobe full of hiss. All proceeds benefit the Chris Reimer Legacy Fund, but the real gift of The Chad Tape is its guided tour through another side of a boundless imagination. Purchase here.