Saturday, June 29, 2013

Futur[e]cho 2013


Dropped just in time for my trip!

Futur[e]cho and Futur[e]cho II are phenomenal and this one looks to be too.  Just check out the tracklist:

Coppice Halifax – R³
Dubatech – Cuboid
AXS – Distant Receptor
Ocralab – Dioscuri
Pembls – Xopt
Substak – Dub Walkers
aspect. – varation.
Benbui – Northern Lights
Federsen – Modular Tension
ISA – Akripose Dub
Beezcoop – Ghost Dub
DeepWarmth – Cities of Crystal
sicc – Spatial Formations
G.R.I.T. – And I Always Have [Backyard Sequence]
Fingers In The Noise – Sleeping Sun
Spaceci – Bioluminesences Of A Satellite Religion
Zander One – Sleep Chamber

Free (mp3) or support (FLAC):

HERE

See you in a week.

Materia Sounds


Dub techno mixes for days and days and days. Discover new artists and discover new sounds. Just awesome. Check out the roster:

Weight And Treble
Brickman
Etym
Velcro
Tape
Docetism
Textural Being
Rodja
Axs
Am.Light
8_Four
Aepiel
Slownoise
Niccolo Machiavelli
Suecae
Submersion
Martin Nonstatic
Naono
Sonitus Eco
Alan Backdrop
Ocralab
Mr. Frankie
Navs
Clemens
Rybitwa
Urenga

All free, all:

HERE

P.S. Going South again so have tried to provide some goodies to keep you (and me) occupied!

Submersion - Process (2013)


Just dropped today on the wil-ru label out of Portland which has featured music from a diverse array of artists and sounds including two of my favorites, Coppice Halifax and Morriconez.

An Ohio boy, Submersion makes deep and dense music that requires full immersion, or submersion as the case may be. He has worked with Coppice Halifax, most notably on the joint Dilate/Erode album and released his Cicada album on the Silent Season label. 

You can check out his discography and pick up some free downloads including some killer ambient mixes that were my first experiences with his music. Definitely recommended for experiencing the deeper end of the musical spectrum.

Check out the album and support:

Texturology (1994)

This isn't meant to be a sentimental "it was better then" post - though it may just sound that way - just a flashback remembrance of how amazing this album was and is after (figuratively) dusting off the archives.

There were two "versions" of this album released, a CD and a limited edition LP, for a total of 20 tracks. Diverse, dense and layered, it draws you in and doesn't let go, and you don't mind. While it bears the hallmark sounds of its creation period - WARP and Artificial Intelligence should come to mind - it has stood the test of time. 

Considering the 'retro' spirit of much of the electronic music being released today ('90s kids are now in the corporate marketing world) it is well worth popping this one in to remember what fresh and innovative sounded like. This is one of the best representatives of the creative energy of mid-90s electronica before it was marketed as "the next big thing" which, fortunately for those of us living then, didn't really happen until almost 20 years later and was then somehow, almost suddenly, ubiquitous and so very over.

I still get a thrill when no one around me has ever heard of most of the artists on my mp3 player or record collection. A huge appreciation to the music makers trying to find that balance between keeping it pure and self-sustaining.

CD


Info

LP


Info

Friday, June 28, 2013

Hysteri[c]a[l]


Since they are now where dinosaurs go to die I couldn't resist. Not knocking what it was at the time (saw them on this tour...well, I saw the rear view of the two girls standing on their seats in front of us), just the nostalgia factor that haunts us as we age.

Sourced from vinyl, recorded in full 192khz resolution and then resampled to 44/24 for manual click repair.

seekersinternational & wzrdryAV - Magnetic Haze (2011)


Tape hiss, such a glorious sound. This release is more than just that but that sound made me smile on my way in to work this morning. Amazing that a lot of the machines used to make music in the 80s and 90s that dated themselves quickly now have been reworked, reused and manipulated to make sounds that are, for lack of a better word, pretty cool.

Granted, there were artists who were doing the same thing with those machines then and earlier but they were considered avant-garde and other fancy things. The foresight of what they were doing is being appreciated, much of it due to today's music makers paying homage to them. Rrose's recent Secret Thirteen Mix attests to this fact.

wzrdryAV is starting to see some recognition, having released Octophase Meditation on Silent Season last year and offering up a few more releases on his Bandcamp page. A nice meditation of sound.

Info and Name Your Price download:

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Axaminer Sampler - Volume 2 (2013)


So looking forward to this, just dropped a few hours ago.

Their first volume was stellar. Though it did feature familiar artists such as Vytis and Giriu Dvasios, most of the artists were new to me and continues to surprise me as I dig deeper into it.  This one looks to be more of the same.

Info and free download:

HERE

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Field Recordings - Field Records

Dutch label Field Records features a series of mixes called Field Recording that hosts a vast array of musicians that will take you deep into the musical spectrum. Below are some highlights. Currently at 50 mixes, most of them can be picked up at Mixesdb. Music to keep you busy for days.

Mohlao


Link

Info

Djorvin Clain


Link

Info

Quantec


Link

Info

Luke Hess


Link

Info

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Variations In Height

A curious story into the rise and fall and rise again (?) of a great label featuring some of the emerging artists of the dub techno world. Amazing albums, amazing artists, amazing tracks. And then something happened and no one, not even artists with albums slated for release on the label, seems to know exactly what happened.


This compilation is very much out of print and provides an excellent opportunity to tap into some of the best artists making dub techno music in its most recent iterations. Though there have been recent releases on the label, I am not certain as to its status.

Featuring tracks by such artists as Spaceci, Ohrwert, Giriu Dvasios and others, it's a great introduction to the label and an even better gateway into the diversity to be found in a sound that risks sameness and imitation.

Monday, June 24, 2013

astrangelyisolatedplace - Uncharted Places Double Vinyl Compilation


Here's a chance to be a part of something unique and special, a crowd funded vinyl release from A Strangely Isolated Place, one of the best sites for mixes and music releases from well known and lesser known artists. It's a site I strongly endorse and this is a really cool idea.

18 tracks were selected for this release and ASIP took votes as to which 8 tracks would end up on the vinyl. Voting is in and now they need to fund it. The site owner is quite generous so for your contribution you get a pretty remarkable return.

Here are the contribution levels:

$5 will get you a big thank-you on the vinyl artwork.
$15 will get you a thank-you and a HQ download of the full Uncharted compilation – 18 tracks, over two-hours of music.
$20 will get you the above, as well as an exclusive surprise MP3 package prepared by the artists involved, featuring new (even some unreleased) music.
$40 will get you all of the above, and the limited edition double transparent vinyl including an A3 poster.
$60 will get you all of the above plus an Uncharted artwork t-shirt.
$100 will get you all of the above, plus a custom hand-made double CDr. 
Or if vinyl isn’t your thing, for $60 you can get the custom CDr, thank you, HQ downloads and surprise MP3 package.

For the artists featured and the tracklist go:

HERE

To get in on this go:

HERE

P.S. Get in quick, this one should fund with no problem. I'm scouting the $60 level but had to pause on the 'Go' button as I'm trying to weigh my budget with the Echospace/Deepchord stuff dropping soon as well as scheduled drops from other artists I follow. Hope my discogs listings move quickly!

Cyan Music Netlabel


In case you haven't picked up on this by now I am a huge fan of netlabels. I am amazed at how much music is out there that is free and/or donation operated. I try and throw support when able but hope also that by generating a little buzz in my small corner of the universe it will help artists by getting their music out there and enabling them to continue.

According to the site:

CYAN is a free and independent netlabel, based in Cologne (Germany). It was founded back in 2009 by Jana Rockstroh and Marco Köller (aka New Age Hippies), inspired to offer exclusive and unique releases for free, on hand for all. The intention of CYAN is to provide high-qualitative music and to feature talented and unconventional artists. All the music and works on CYAN are released under the terms of creative commons. 

All tracks and works provided by CYAN Music are released free under non-commercial creative-commons licenses. None of the artists on CYAN Music neither transfered rights to GEMA or any other music collection societies for tracks released here on CYAN Music nor authorized those or any other institutions to discount for the tracks released here exclusively on CYAN Music. 

Open-minded to all genres of electronic music, from Ambient over Techno to Trance, Jana and Marco are always searching for special and honest music for CYAN, which represents music with soul. 

Music is the connection to the world throughout the feelings we have. Explore it and feel free to connect. Your resonance and demos are welcome.

If you're interested in getting started, check out the Cyan Clouds compilation.



Featuring 18 tracks (including one by Yagya) this is as good a place to start as any.

Cyan Clouds

Site info and other music available:

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Syntagma ‎– Syntagma (2012)


This is one that constantly appears in my shuffle.  It seems that once a track is picked up by the shuffle it is more likely to be repeated. Not sure about the algorithm used in the shuffle but it somehow just doesn't seem that random. In this case, that's not a bad thing.

This is some solid deep house, minimal techno (according to their words) with spoken word samples a bit more political or activist in nature. Today's drop was "Revolution" with some Qur'anic recitations buried in the mix, something that always perks my ears up.

From the unfoundsound netlabel, don't sleep on this one.  And browse the site. This is number 72 out of 75 which means that there is a whole lot more music to explore. Downloads are free; donations are appreciated.


Saturday, June 22, 2013

A Paradigm Shift

This post will be a bit more self-disclosing than usual (this may go through a few edits). Comments and feedback are encouraged.

I posted one of my favorite recent releases, Dusk (Versions) by Coppice Halifax, a few days ago. I decided to post more than just that release alone, something of a Dusk Complete version, as I am wont to do, and went ahead and ordered the Endless Dusk release from Bandcamp to do this.

In hindsight I was pushing the envelope a bit more than usual, thinking somehow that at least I'm providing some support for the artist and not giving away the entire Endless Dusk release, just those tracks with "Dusk" in the title. Imagine my surprise that within hours I received correspondence from Brian Grainger, the artist who operates as Coppice Halifax (among other names, as is often the case with electronic musicians).

He was, surprisingly, not requesting that I remove the links. He proceeded to share with me that this release was not yet available digitally and was not freely available on the web and as such retains a special place for him. I could sense the (understandable) frustration with the extremes that the "free market" economy has generated yet I sensed an almost philosophical resignation that only comes with a well thought out understanding of reality. What he requested was that I provide a link to the page where people could still purchase a copy of the release.

I proceeded to remove the links as I always do if contacted by an artist/copyright holder (unless it is a completely inane request). It is not my music; I have no right to justify not removing it. But he was so philosophical, so passionate, I had to respond to him.

Here's what I wrote:

Thank you for contacting me.  It's always a combination of thrill and a reality check when an artist contacts me about something on my blog.  Your words touched me and, contrary how some may feel, I really do care that you rely on your music for income.  My daughter is a singer and has had some success locally so to a small degree I understand the challenge of being able to sustain yourself doing something you truly love.  

I am a music fan (my wife thinks it may be an addiction) and the intent of the blog is not to just give anything and everything away for free but to try and generate interest and income for artists and their works.  From communications with folks who follow my blog (some of whom are musicians themselves), I am semi-successful in this regard and that makes me feel that I am contributing in a positive way rather than taking money out of artists' pockets.

But when something here has a less than positive effect on an artist I take those words to heart and it provides an opportunity to rethink what I am hoping to accomplish.  I have removed the direct links but will add a fuller post about your music and provide a link to Dusk Versions where people can support you directly.

I can modify this to a Dusk "teaser" and include a few sample tracks but that is strictly up to you.  

I will leave the full enthusiasm up on the blog and continue to try and find that fine line between sharing my enthusiasm with others whereby conscientious and thoughtful music lovers will intentionally provide what I call "real support" for your music and other artists featured on the blog.  
He was genuinely surprised by, and appreciative of, my response and noted that many respond back to him calling him "closed minded" and "greedy" when he makes such requests. He mentioned that he would like to see more blogs like mine rather than the "No Data" variety (if you catch his drift) that just posts dozens of records a week with no information about them. This is one extreme of the "free market" economy; all consumption, no soul.

I like to think I have an 'ethic' behind what I post, that what is posted is really out of print or hard to find (or overpriced) or represents an artist who deserves more recognition and won't get it via the mainstream. And I still believe this to be true. However, even though the album I originally posted is two years old (my minimum requirement), I realized that it is not so simple.

A recent interview with Lou Reed quotes him denigrating the mp3 and those who download. His views are understandable and I'm sure there is more behind his statements but we all tend to categorize and it is rarely, if ever, so simple. Sure there are some, maybe even most, who fit into the categories of which he speaks.

There is a cultural shift we are in the midst of and it is much larger than just music and mp3s. I can't quite put my finger on it but can sense it as can, I think, many musicians.  Music is not about profit, that much is clear. It is more than just art in some high brow fashion that just because it exists deserves compensation. For those who love it and not just consume or divinize it, music is so much more. 

I realize that without samples folks are less likely to buy records, especially those from artists unfamiliar, but is it necessary to post an entire album to "try" for free? Bandcamp often streams entire albums. Isn't that enough to determine whether or not someone likes it?

And, as there seems to be a set point we've reached for the price of the music alone, isn't it fair enough then to send them genuine support (i.e. payment)? Most of the overhead (packaging, retail distribution, middlemen) is stripped away so it seems to be a more economically viable option. I have become a huge fan of Bandcamp and my purchase list continues to grow. And for old school folks like me the more "tactile" option is frequently provided.

The email exchange was a "before and after" moment and confirmed what I have been sensing and the exchange has made me that much more sensitive to what I do here and what the purpose is. He has visions of a book that will cover this terrain, that middle ground where many fear to tread which is that "pulse" of this cultural shift in which we are immersed.

I am excited to be on the "inside track" of his upcoming releases and will enthusiastically post what information he makes available to pass on. I think it is this personal connection to the music that is one of the biggest shifts taking place. This isn't an "idol" thing which is only created when artists are packaged and seem larger than life; this is a very "human" thing when we realize that the individuals behind the music are not so different than you and I, they just have a different vehicle for expressing themselves that hits us where we live.


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Giriu Dvasios - Broadcast Mixlr


Another plug for Giriu Dvasios, this one for a stunning two hour mix of dub techno goodness on Paris' Radiant Child's

You can get the mix along with a host of mixes by other artists:


P.S. Been a bit busy as of late and had a game changing conversation the highlights of which I'll post here when I get some spare time.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Giriu Dvasios - Esu (2013)


As you probably already know, I strongly believe in supporting artists financially whenever possible. I currently follow several artists consciously and loyally and buy most every release they put out. Giriu Dvasios, founder of the netlabel Cold Tear Records, is one such artist.

None of the artists I support are on major labels so this allows my money to go where I want it to and not get eaten up by middlemen.  It is also much more personal (occasionally one on one with the artist) and meaningful.

A few months back he started a subscription idea for his own site. For only $1 a month, it is a low cost entry into helping allow someone the freedom to create something that we love. Sadly, he has openly and honestly viewed it as a failure because only 20 people signed up. I've seen other artists make similar attempts and crowd funding is also on the rise, though these tend to be album or project specific.

I think is a great idea but it does highlight the challenges of being an artist in the musical world today. With so many artists out there and music proliferating at an exponential rate, how do you make a mark enough in the world to get loyal fans to support you financially, especially in a genre such as dub techno where anyone with a laptop and the right software can make music?

Personally, his music has stood out from the first time I heard some of his remixes from some releases on the Cold Tear site. Digging through his back catalogue has been a pleasure. He has a touch that gives his music that certain something that makes his sound unique. Rod Modell features one of his tracks on his Inverted Audio mix which featured many tracks from various netlabels, including Dvasios' own Cold Tear label.

His full release Esu was released earlier this year and he has decided to release an mp3 version of it for free (FLAC is still a purchase, one I recommend). The album cover is a 3-D generated fractal (another favorite concept of mine) and looks great when blown up full size. Well crafted dub techno with a smattering of other styles scattered throughout, definitely recommended.

Free download (mp3) or purchase (FLAC) here:

LINK

For genuine artist support:

Subscribe

Monday, June 17, 2013

RA.368 Luke Hess


Another Detroit artist who has been rising up my playlist as of late. Friends with Steven Hitchell (aka Echospace, Intrusion, Variant, etc.) and present at the Ghost In The Sound after party, it seems he is finally getting his due. 

Just dropped today.

Tracklist and download:


P.S. And, in case you don't have it, Hitchell's Intrusion RA mix remains the essential dub techno mix. 

Sunday, June 16, 2013

DJ Shadow + DJ Krush Live @ Mo’ Wax Headz Tour, 1994


Hard to imagine we're coming up on 20 years on the initial Headz release, the comp that changed just about everything.

Here’s the recording of the DJ Shadow & DJ Krush set recorded live at the Mo’ Wax Headz Tour night Sankeys, Manchester on 9th November 1994. 

A large selection of US Hip-Hop form the golden era, Funk, early Mo’ Wax releases, a bit of Jungle…It’s all about eclectism. All credit goes to DoodleBugs, the promoter of the event, for this recording. 
Mix and info:

HERE

P.S.  This is the site for Mo' Wax archaeology. Take some time to browse around.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Coppice Hallifax - Dusk Versions (2011)


Brian Grainger is an artist well worth exploring in all his guises.

Prolific is an understatement and makes bvdub's output look small in comparison. Yet everything he puts out is high quality and he continues to refine his craft.

This is one of my favorite series of tracks, picked up on a whim sometime ago, great for late night drives.

This is not yet available digitally but limited edition CD-Rs are still available from his site (it is a recommended purchase). You can listen to the album in its entirety:

HERE

His work is as varied as it is good and whatever style he chooses, his music never misses.

(P.S. Thanks Brian for helping guide this post in a different direction)

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Remnants





Was listening to these today and realized that this (though maybe at a higher bpm) is what was experienced at Ghost In The Sound.  

It wasn't the mellow, blissful sounds ("BCN Dub" notwithstanding) of Silent World or the analogue wash of Liumin. It was the sound captured here, an evolved sense of that spirit of the 90s, purging all the imitators currently in the field trying to capture the sound with many never having lived through it.  

The genius here is that rather than the bliss created in your headspace with synthesizers or screaming divas it is the sound of organic field recordings and manipulated analogue frequencies buried in the beats that will send your head into, if you will, echospace.

These are the "remnants" of Hash Bar Loops but these capture the evolution in the sound.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

BBQ Beets III


The Beets I and Beets II compilations remain all-time favorites. "Roof top music" it's called, a Brooklyn thing. Put out by theAgriculture label, DJ Olive provided a continuous mix of tracks from the label's roster of artists and it represents well. While not a mind blowing experience it is a mix that is as fresh and as tasty as a cool breeze in the middle of the heat of summer.

I stumbled across this one a few months back and have yet to determine if it is an official release or not. There is mention of it on the label's home page with a CD/DVD supposed to have been released in 2006 (!) but so far I have been unable to earth this. Multiple inquiries have so far come up with nothing.

The bandcamp page shows it as being released in 2012 but does not offer an official download option so I'm not sure exactly what's going on...

So this is but a teaser of what appears to be a legitimate release that has somehow yet to be unearthed. 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

RA Podcasts


Ok, so I have the first 200 and a few extra available (but not admitting where they are stored). Any suggestions on how best to offer these to the universe at large?

At 15 GB this is way too large (and way too conspicuous) to upload them all to traditional hosting sites and would take more time than I have available. 

Any sites already h_sting these...?  Pr_vate bl_gs?  


Detroitism


The crazy thing about the musical world today is that EPs and singles and lesser known releases are put out daily and it is literally impossible to keep up.  It's the paradox of our day and age.  How much is too much?  I haven't yet found the answer yet, though if I had my way I'd have music playing 24/7.

Stumbled across this one some time ago and it's a pleasant trip every time it pops up.  A nice two song EP of dub techno tracks from Romanian artist Blatancy giving a shout out to Detroit.

Definitely worth checking out.

Monday, June 10, 2013

In Dreams


Not sure how I ended up here exactly but I've gone back to watching every episode of Twin Peaks. Slowly approaching 25 years, I forgot how incredibly ahead of its time it was...

Anyhow, Blue Velvet was my gateway to the Lynchian universe. And it was the title song from this release (as well as a certain JC song) that captivated me. Granted, I knew this artist previously (mostly from a certain Van Halen remake) but this song, this version and its placement in the film was forever etched into my mind.

So I ended up buying this particular hits album. Sadly, it was not long after I picked up this album that he passed. It was at once a fitting tribute to his career but a strange twist of fate as he was really just achieving long overdue recognition for a style that was his and his alone. That unique haunting delivery seemed even moreso after his passing.

The songs on this release were updated recordings (much like Gordon Lightfoot did on his Gord's Gold) and the title track was updated with the film director and T Bone Burnett. 

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Moody


Track 1.  Nothing more needs said.

Over the past decade or so I've started to get the "Detroit" thing in regards to electronic (i.e. 'techno') music.  Having been schooled in Motown since my infancy, the musical legacy of the city is no stranger to me.  However, it is only within the past few years, perhaps driven by DEMF, that the city has gotten its well deserved credit for its contribution to electronic music.

It has also become a frequent place of visitation for me due to my work and, finally, a full musical immersion into the musical soul of the city over Memorial Day has further entrenched the city in my mind. It bears similarities to my hometown on a much smaller scale. There is something about the post-industrial wasteland that mesmerizes me on an intellectual, emotional and philosophical level.

There is so much music it is difficult to know where to start and this album is as good a place as any to take you a little deeper into what makes the city's musical roots so amazing.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Electric Ladyland


Trying to my groove back...

Some of the best of that inimitable 90s trippy, downtempo, jazzy kaleidoscope of sound from one of the most well known and innovative labels out there. Though the label is better known for a different kind of sound, these are solid comps with an amazing roster of artists whose back catalogues should be explored.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Erosion Compilation (2013)


Several tracks from this compilation popped up in the shuffle on my trip and I figured it was definitely one to share.  Free download from the Doppt Zykkler netlabel. With familiar artists such as Vytis, Rob Velasquez and John Ov3rblast, it's a winning compilation indeed and a chance to discover some new artists experimenting with the dub techno genre as it continues to evolve.

Information and free download

HERE

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Echospace - Gonna Be A Good Summer

Save your pennies, refinance your house, get a second job...

From the Echospace FB page:

"cv313 "dimensional space" promotions started @ DEMF and thanks to all for the positive feedback. Release date definitively in July (US and EU), will also be released as a 4LP box set scheduled for August. Brock Van Wey's new double CD release coming out in July along with remastered CD editions of the entire deepchord catalog! Also, the last of the deepchord remastered series "13-16" will be released as a triple LP set end of June early July. Intrusion's "The Seduction Of Silence" has been completely remastered with new unreleased material including Intrusion feat. King Midas Sound and out-takes from the album packaged in a 4LP gatefold set due in August. Also proud to announce a new artist to the echospace [air] series and long time friend Matt Thibideau from Toronto who's produced a beautiful ambient composition that quite literally took us someplace else featuring a cv313 rework. More to come, thank you all for the support!"

Not to mention a planned release of Liumin on vinyl.

Oh, my...

Saturday, June 1, 2013

So?


Think you know the album?  Give this version a listen.

I've been on a high all week from the show which has gotten me through a ridiculously long, insane week at work. I'm off on yet another trip south of the border if that's any indication as to the kind of week it was. Will be back with some updates to the blog.

In the meantime, the Echospace FB page gave this blog a positive shout out for the review I wrote for the Ghost In The Sound event at DEMF! Words can't even describe how incredibly thrilled and humbled I am by that. Thanks Steve.