Sunday, March 31, 2013

Entropy Records - Free Downloads


Another incredible sampler from Entropy Records, a label right up there with Silent Season as one of the best electronic labels out there.

HERE

Please support these labels in any way you can.  They take donations and are honest and up front about what it means to make, produce and distribute music today: "Try before you buy, buy before we die."  The best way to do this is to buy their releases (and their discography is astounding) but you can also donate

HERE

Paranoia Department - Apparitions (2013)




Another artist from the label with a free download.  Hard to believe this one is being offered up gratis.  It's as good as the artist name and album title sounds.

HERE

Keep the music alive!

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Rick Smith - Bungalow With Stairs 1 (2010)


The Underworld duo are involved in much more than just music. Rick Smith, the producer backbone of the Underworld sound, also does project work as Bungalow With Stairs. This album was released with one of Karl Hyde's art installations in Tokyo as a limited edition CD of the exhibit soundtrack to those who attended.  

I knew nothing about this release until doing some virtual digging. For some reason, I'm on an Underworld kick and have been for a while now. Karl Hyde's upcoming release is the tip of the iceberg. I suppose it has to do with recapitulating my past and enjoying their artistry as it evolves as they age as well.

Apparently made up of older material (you'll recognize a few snippets that would later end up on Beaucoup Fish) as well as manipulated spoken word samples, you'll discover that "ambient" sound that lies lurking behind all of Underworld's music, that sound that adds soul to the ecstasy their music invokes.  

You can learn more about the design collective Tomato which the duo were part of founding in 1991 here. You'll instantly recognize the album artwork.

Fascinating.  Highly recommended. 


Friday, March 29, 2013

Silent Season - Campfire Stories


Silent Season is one of the standout labels on the electronic music scene. Every release is essential and the quality that goes into each release is top notch.

This is a 2:45 (that's two hours and forty-five minutes) mix of various artists/tracks featured on the label as well as a host of artists representing a broad sound spectrum. Includes a new track from Anders Peterson (aka Skyscaper) whose upcoming release will be released soon.

Get yourself lost for a while and support the label however you can.  

Jeffrey Wentworth Stevens - The Holy Dogs of Other Days (2013)


New release from Jeffrey Wentworth Stevens just dropped today. Pre-ordered the digital release just two days ago.  Calling it "tunes for the abandoned cantina dance scene" it's currently loading into my mp3 player.

You can also order it as a Playbutton/mp3 player. Cool concept, just didn't need any more stuff. Those who download the entire album (as opposed to buying individual tracks) receive an exclusive remix by Coppice Hallifax.

He goes under a series of aliases - Jeffrey Wentworth Stevens, Morriconez, Jjango Cleefworth Stevens - and creates a curiously enjoyable mixture of psychedelic, folk, electronic strangeness. It's something that can most likely only be created in the southwestern part of the United States.

For a sampling of the musical styles under which this music might fit his The Lonely Mescal Button Haberdashery mix is highly, highly recommended.

For a taste of the vibe, check out the trailer for the album:



You can order the album HERE.



Thursday, March 28, 2013

PITDFWMTYDFWPIT


Going South of the Border has become one of my favorite escapes on many levels. Mostly it's because this is the time when I can absorb mass amounts of music in the tranquility of my noise canceling headphones. I enjoy the airports, security, customs, the flights, the hotel and the company I keep during the visit. I recognize the privilege so remain grateful for the opportunity for as long as it lasts...

It's always sweet to come home but there's that part of me that wants to keep going. I remain torn. One of these days, when I decide to cease being burdened by responsibility, who knows...

Instead of a straight travelogue I decided to go back through all the tunes I listened to and select the overall mood. There is a melancholy to be found here as represented by artists such as Silent Servant, Demdike Stare and Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement.

I refuse to give it the "dark" tag (some artists try so hard to be that they come off as, well, trying too hard); this is more of the shadow we all have lurking in us. Never fear, though, Alabama3 provides a little salvation so all hope is not lost.

I was also able to plug through a little over 800 pages of 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami.  Picked it up on a whim after seeing it in an airport bookstore.  Have not been so enthralled by fiction since The Life of Pi. The music was right, the mood was right and the book was exactly what I needed to rethink some things.


As for the cover art, I was looking for an interesting photo - tough to find amidst all the "glamour" of the shopping mecca at DFW - and looked up and noticed the camera.  

Monday, March 25, 2013

DC 01-06


The foundation.  Essential.  In everyone's favorite format.

In case you don't know, they are releasing the archival editions on vinyl.  To get you in the mood, here is a teaser.

Headed South, see you in a few days.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

RSE - BMCCW


Gateway to another musical world rising that lies just beyond the pale...a signpost to start the journey.

On a similar note...

Info

Saturday, March 23, 2013

BB - PB


Vinyl, the 24bit/96khz rip variety.  Lossless.  Not my rip but based on the source it's legit. 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Music from Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus (2005)



You can't not have this in your collection. Fascinating, odd, beautiful, infectious. Not the "gothic" we normally think of...

The film is also essential. A British film crew, fascinated by the music of Jim White, goes in search of his Wrong-Eyed Jesus. Jim White plays tour guide.

Will most certainly cause your friends to wonder about you.  

Try

Info

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

IAS


A continuous mix of DC material from 2004.  Pre-dates the collaboration with ES so the BC imprint is much more pronounced but the sound that sets them apart is buried in the mix.   Essential listening.

In everyone's favorite format.

Info

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

TCS





Vinyl only versions, long out of print, these are the foundation for the brilliant full-length release of icey cold precision filled with a strange, isolated sense of shimmering beauty, like the middle of winter in the Great Lakes region of the Midwest.

As essential as anything released this century.

Info

P.S.


LIAE (1987)


By request...

FLAC

Info

Monday, March 18, 2013

Skyscaper (aka Anders Peterson aka Relaxpych) - Upcoming Release




Skyscaper (aka Anders Peterson, Relaxpych, et al) has a new CD called Atmospheric Stratification coming out soon which will include remixes from Atheus, Mindspan, Kasm and Sanderson Dear.  When it drops snap it up quickly (mine is already pre-ordered!) .

Atmospheric Stratification promo mix

He's done a lot of mastering work for the Silent Season label (among others).  Here's a sample of his track "Skyshaper" with Ekelon that was featured on Silent Season's phenomenal Wandering compilation:



Distant Radiance II/Soundscape One


Info

Shapes/Phases


Try

Info

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Karl Hyde - Upcoming Release




April 2013 will see the release of Karl Hyde's debut solo LP, Edgeland. It features nine tracks that were recorded over a year in London with multi-instrumentalist and producer Leo Abrahams (whom Karl met whilst collaborating with Brian Eno). Edgeland is a graceful and meditative collection that explores the limitless possibilities of what late film director Anthony Minghella christened 'esoteric Underworld' - something that's existed on record since dubnobasswithmyheadman

If you didn't know it, for much of my life I've been fascinated with abandoned buildings, landscapes and architecture.  Maybe it's the darkness, the longing for times gone by or just that I've found there to be peace and solace in those things that others pass by but as you can see in this video, Karl Hyde shares a similar passion.  You can read more about it here.

I've pre-ordered this on vinyl and am pretty stoked.  There has always been an underlying melancholy to be found in the musical bliss of Underworld and they somehow strike a perfect balance of the two sides of the human spirit.

Edgeland is released in Japan on April 10th and across the rest of the world on April 22nd on deluxe CD/DVD, standard CD, download and 12" vinyl. It is available for physical pre-order at www.underworldlive.com/store.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Audiokonstrukte – Sending Echoes (2012)


This one continues to drop in the shuffle and needs to be shared. Excellent electronic music of the dub techno variety.  May not change your world but it's definite ear candy.

Cold Tear is a netlabel to watch.

Info and free download

EIW - Vinyl + Bonus


No doubt everyone has a copy or has grown tired of their copy of this.  I am unabashedly a fan and always will be.  Seattle, 1994, one of his early EPs changed the trajectory of my life.  

I don't post this to reminisce.  Been on a vinyl kick lately and in many ways some of these releases sound like I'm hearing them for the first time.  Granted, I don't listen to these as frequently so perhaps the time between listens strengthens the experience but there's something about vinyl... 

Also included is the bonus disc of ambient sounds for which he would also become known which was included with the limited edition release in the UK.  Not everyone knows about this disc so I thought it would make a nice addition.

Before he became ubiquitous there was this album which, in so many ways, remains significant even today. Great sounds to get lost in.  As with many posts here, click around and you'll find it.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Various - Mr. Cloudy Serenity (2009)


A stellar collection of dub techno artists reworking Mr. Cloudy's "Serenity" track.

Previously on "The Hit List" this is finally replacing that v2 VBR rip that's been lingering for years.  I can personally trace the lineage back to the source so there is no doubt where this one originates.  

v0



P.S. Thanks to those who contributed to make this happen.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

JC - FITN (Vinyl) + Bonus


As with anything too close to a major, click around to find what you need.

The track "MOL" from the film BV was one of the most beautiful songs I had ever heard in my life that immediately buried itself deep in my soul. Stemming from this film and other works by the same director/composer, this dream is extended it into a full album. It has lost none of its impact almost 25 years later.  

One of the prizes in my vinyl collection, I have a sealed copy in the vault.  So, as a tribute, this is a vinyl rip from a 24bit/96khz source.

Essential.

Bonus


Monday, March 11, 2013

S&JD - NE: Expdtns (1999)



The UK edition of this release features a remix of a track, still ubiquitous, which was pulled from the U.S. release for licensing issues due to its major label association.  The absence of this track makes the whole U.S. release a total and complete waste.  So, for your listening pleasure...

A little more detail can be found below along with digital files of the vinyl.  


Info

Sunday, March 10, 2013

i:

Small Words (2006)


Info

Wide Road (2005)


Info

Small Words EP (2005)



Info

LINKS - Part1//Part2

So, Echospace. Has been an obsession since circa 2007 when The Coldest Season dropped. Rekindled my love for music. So, like any obsession, I followed the trails and connections to anything and everything touched by the Echospace guys. Their tentacles run deep.

Have no idea who i: is but the two vinyls were mastered by Steven Hitchell under his Soultek moniker and at his Souldubsounds studio/label.  There are remixes from Soultek as well and Echospace in an earlier incarnation which, if I am not mistaken, are the earliest tracks under the Echospace name, at least that I've found in the discogs database.

Vinyls in FLAC.  Still trying to source the Small Words EP below (currently at 320 kbps) and the Wide Road EP is one of those problem children I just have not been able to find.  Haven't even seen a copy for sale so it's now on The Hit List.


Saturday, March 9, 2013

Earth - Earth 2: Special Low Frequency Version (1993)


Difficult to explain, this one.  Not even sure why it ended up on my mp3 player.  Probably started out doing a dig for Demdike Stare and veered off to The Haxan Cloak or some such artist and eventually ended up at Earth.

Considered to be a pioneer of drone doom (drone doom?), think guitars tuned way down with minimal riffs  that resonate in your head for upwards of half an hour.  Slow.  Way.  Down.  Breathe.  

I'm reminded of Eluvium's "Zerthis Was A Shivering Human Image" from his Lambent Material album or his Static Nocturne, distorted guitar washing over you that somehow seems like a lullaby.

This album is like that, kind of.  I get the 'doom' tag, probably for the amped guitar, but for some reason the sound is cathartic. Recommended for times of stillness like when drifting off to sleep.

May impair motion related activity.


Friday, March 8, 2013

James Blackshaw ‎– O True Believers (2006)



Not sure how this one crossed my path but when "Transient Life In Twilight" dropped the other day I sat spellbound.  The sound filled the room and it was a moment of bliss.  There is something about the acoustic guitar, especially the 12-string, that has a hypnotic effect.

Shades of Michael Hedges, this is a pleasant break from the world of the machine.

Try

Info

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Japan


Info


Info


Info


Info


On one level you may feel betrayed; on another level, it's like falling in love all over.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

1994






1994.  The year that changed everything for me.  There were four albums that defined events leading up to and into that year (and an explosion of albums after).  Behind each album is a long story that clearly defines the power of music.  While I am no longer "there" and do not wish to glory in the past, the power behind these memories is so strong that I am instantly transported back to the emotions, the feelings, the sorrow and the joy of that period of time whenever these play.  Sometimes it's good to back and reflect; just have to be careful not to dwell.

The first three are v0 files sourced from lossless vinyl rips.  Been on a vinyl kick lately so these are fitting.  Not quite as romantic as the needle in the groove but a bit more substance than straight digital:

AAEA was only released on vinyl in the Netherlands (though a re-issue was released in 2012)

EEIDISWCW was issued on vinyl in the UK in 1992 (this album did not see a U.S. release until 1993).

CFP was not originally released on vinyl but was re-issued on vinyl in 2011.

The rip for the vinyl (which was issued in 1994 and re-issued in 2010) for STTIMS isn't working but I'll up it once it's repaired.  In the meantime, the substitute is a worthy alternate.

Too close to the majors for comfort so click around, you'll find what you seek.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Spectral Network - Defragment (2006)


For fans of Rod Modell's Incense & Blacklight (and the whole DeepChord sound, for that matter), you will find yourself swimming in familiar terrain.

The tracks "Aloeswood" and "Ultraviolet World" were previously released as "Part 8" and "Part 9", respectively, on Spectral Network's Defragment: Part 7-10.  "Aloeswood" is an edited version of "Part 8".

A bit of background information on these releases:

Featuring 10 tracks and over 75 minutes of new material on 3 vinyl releases, this is the first new official Deepchord production in four years.

The concept for these releases began after Sickinger wrote some tracks and sent them over to Ruxpin for collaboration on a new Spectral Network album.

After Ruxpin did some remixing and reconstruction, Sickinger sent them over to Rod Modell, founder of Deepchord, for further processing. Rod went in the studio and manipulated the tracks to the extreme and gave them the infamous Deepchord treatment that he is so widely known for.

Defragment was the result and it is now being released as a Spectral Network project.

OCTAL 04 - Defragment: Part 1-3: Part1//Part2
OCTAL 05 - Defragment: Part 4-6: Part1//Part2
OCTAL 06 - Defragment: Part 7-10: Part1//Part2

For the realization of this project, Spectral Network was:

Rod Modell: Sequencing, processing, recording, atmospheres, treatments.
Sickinger: Atmospheres, samples, treatments, MPC.
Ruxpin: Atmospheres, samples, treatments.

An interesting album, if you listen to each part consecutively you can almost sense the development from straight up bouncing techno and its evolution into Rod's fascination with what is happening behind, beneath and around the beats.

Info

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Amanda Palmer - The Art Of Asking (TED)



Another must watch video.  13 minutes that will enhance your life.

If you've followed closely here for any amount of time, you know that I often struggle trying to figure out how to make sure the artist - not so much a label - benefits from their work.  I am not one of those who believes that just because music is freely available online it is somehow a right.  But it's here and it isn't going away.

I am very much against the legislative onslaught by corporate middlemen whose incomes are slipping away and seek to punish, making it seem as if this is the most important issue of our day.  I've said it before and it bears repeating: the day of the behemoth label and the mega superstar is dying.  No matter how much a Bieber or a Rihanna is forced down our throats, we have the ability online to find that music that moves us and, on the flip side, artists are able to reach out and find an audience of fans who dig what they have to say unfettered by commercial interests.  

Recently I contributed to a crowd funding project for The Conet Project and it was successful.  Pretty cool idea.  231 people contribute $80, get their name in a booklet and a project that might not otherwise see the light of day will come to exist.  Still haven't received the finished product yet but I do look forward to it.  Though it wasn't cheap, it will have that much more meaning when it arrives.  

I've been able to communicate directly with a handful of artists whose music moves me and there is a sense of pride that comes in purchasing, sometimes directly, from them.  The personal touch is a huge factor and I gladly support them financially.  Though I may never meet them in person, there is a connection there and a mutual passion for the music.

Though I don't know who Amanda Palmer is (though the cross between Cabaret and Punk sounds quite interesting) she gives an amazing presentation about asking fans for support.  She has tapped into something, that fans really do care about what an artist has to say and will, given the choice, support that artist willingly.  

The bridge between artist and fan is shrinking.  There is a tremendous paradigm shift happening and it will be amazing to see where it goes.  I've seen it called "The Intention Economy" and it basically states that the power is in the hand of the customer and the voice is where the money goes.  By purchasing a favorite artists' albums, especially ones not on a major label, I have let my "voice" be known.

Is her journey an anomaly or is she a harbinger of things to come?

Would be curious to hear others' thoughts on her talk.  Comments always appreciated.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

DJS - Endtrdcng (Vinyl)


Needs no endtroduction...

The reason EOMI got shut down.

Click around, you'll find what you seek.

v0

Info

Friday, March 1, 2013

Field Records

A host of techno variations from the Field Records label out of the Netherlands.  Will keep you busy for days with artists such as Ohrwert, Conforce and Delta Funktionen.  A great label to keep a pulse on what is happening in the world of electronic music.

If you can, check out their Field Recordings series which features mixes from an impressive roster of artists.