Monday, January 31, 2011

Somnarium - Frost


Text taken from Earth Mantra Netlabel

We at Earth Mantra have long been fans of the enigmatic ambient music of Michael Meara. So you can imagine our delight at the prospect of releasing something by this superb artist, a prospect now a reality with our latest release: an album by Michael's Somnarium project called "Frost".

And what a lovely album we have in store for our listeners, a collection of gorgeous ambient pieces falling somewhere in between the realms of light ambience and ambient drone, with an enchanting orchestral flavor and expertly arranged layers of synthesizers, lap steel guitar, processed piano, electric guitar, manipulated vocals, and radio signals. Spanning a full seventy minutes of audio, with two tracks nearly twenty minutes apiece, this is indeed a deep dive into the mesmerizing sound worlds of Somnarium.

Motivated by a fascination with arctic vastness and the impact such extreme environments can have on the human psyche, Michael's original inspiration for "Frost" drew from accounts of polar expeditions conducted in the early twentieth century. Thematically, the music certainly evokes the scope and distance of such vistas, but we have to confess that we hear little coldness when we listen to "Frost". In fact, we might describe this music as uplifting, or even heart warming, almost the antithesis of the stated interpretation. But perhaps this is where Meara's singular genius shines forth the most, his ability to blend two opposites into a whole that somehow exceeds the sum of its parts. No matter what the interpretation, however, the music speaks for itself.

The compositional strength and instrumentation in "Frost" simply blows us away. Michael aimed from the outset to utilize "a more orchestral based approach", and indeed he has created a distinctive fusion of electronic and symphonic instruments that coalesce perfectly, with voicings that delicately pull on the strings of the emotions without going over the top, and with a sound design that can only be described as beautiful. A truly masterful achievement.

So with great pleasure we unveil the twenty-fourth album by Michael Meara, the resplendent and inspiring Somnarium album "Frost". May it be just the first of many Earth Mantra releases by this gifted artist. Highly, highly recommended.

Released in January 2011.



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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Rafael Anton Irisarri - Live


Text taken from rafaelantonirisarri

Live documentation of concerts during the past two years in different cities using different setups.

This compilation is FREE (limited downloads). Having said that, donations are always welcomed.

Enjoy!

released 27 December 2010
Artwork and photo by RAI
Photograph taken in Austinmer, New South Wales, Australia.
August 2010.





Witxes - Scrawls #01




Quiet Evenings - Follow the Water


Text taken from quietevenings

3" CD-R (edition of 25)
Hooker Vision (HIV062)

Grant (Nova Scotian Arms) and Rachel (Motion Sickness of Time Travel) Evans beckon the poison of summer with a slow hymn to the passing into autumn. Like echoed spores frozen in locked calm, the unmasked waves of tree lines coil dunes from pillows of chemicals. Lost in a cool haze of nostalgia, couples nestle in hillside splendor as the world below gurgles bemusedly. One final gesture to the perfume of brightness.

hookervision.blogspot.com/2010/08/friday-13th-batch.html

released 13 August 2010





Heinali - Brandbient


Text taken from heinali

"Brandbient" is a deconstruction of the local TV advertising block. It consists solely of loops of sounds of these ads, transformed in time and space.

released 28 December 2010
All music composed and performed by Oleg Shpudeiko.





Motion Sickness of Time Travel - The Sound of Reality Dissolving



3" CDr (edition of 15)
Hooker Vision (HIV055)

The sound of reality dissolving is the sound of rusty magnets excavating ragged spools of tape through miles of thunderous wind. Flowers dissolving. Flower reparation came about. Reverb choked landscapes dot the horizon of the weary traveller. Bundled ambient inside the controls waits the voice of whole waves, announcing electricity through afternoon rains. Telegraph signals processing hidden glass crescendos underground. Fade out. Dissolve.

hookervision.blogspot.com/2010/07/3-cd-rs-batch-one.html

released 25 July 2010





Preslav Literary School - In Fractals





Friday, January 28, 2011

Brainworlds - •••





Mooma - Herd Forming

Text taken from Mooma

Herd Forming is an album released in 2006. It's available for free download in both MP3 and FLAC formats.

Herd Forming is different forms of completely beatless ambient music. Shifting between constant tones and movement. Subtle motion in both warm and cold currents.



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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Wishcollapse - Volume 2


Text taken from Webbed Hand

This is a sequel to Wishcollapse's serene synthesizer ambient of Volume 1 [wh130], released here last Summer.

Wishcollapse, a synthesizer ambient duo from Palermo Italy, presents a music both accessible and deep. This is a continuation of their sound explorations in Volume 1: Wishcollapse Vol 1.

Wishcollapse music seems to be adapted equally for imaginary sceneries of cosmic spiritual depth and for enchanted medieval taste panoramas. It seems really to be a perfect “musical equilibrium” for these opposite sceneries. –the artists

Wishcollapse are:
Massimiliano Grosso & Paolino Canzoneri
(All hard and software synthesizers and other electronic equipment)
Palermo Italy, 2011
Contact:
www.myspace.com/wishcollapse
myspace.com/paolinocanzoneri
Cover design by Wishcollapse



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Tone Color - Today Will Not Be Like Tomorrow


Text taken from audiogourmet

With a four-strong collection of ambient tracks derived from fragments of midi files and unfinished tunes that date back several years, we welcome Tone Color to the Audio Gourmet netlabel catalog.

Tone Color is Manchester based artist Andy Lomas, whose influences of Brian Eno, Harold Budd, Ulrich Schnauss, Raster Noton, Cocteau Twins, Ymo and 12k spill into his work which takes on a loosely ambient/electronica feel on the whole.
He has had work featured on a compilation album on Earth Monkey back in 2007 and also, he contributed a minute-long piece for our Coffee Break Ambient compilation that was released last year.

It is from the piece for the Coffee Break compilation 'Less Than Zero' that we began discussing the possibility of a full 15 minute Tone Color EP to come out on Audio Gourmet. Andy provided us with the full length original version of this and took the time to shape the fragments of sound on his computer into the soundscapes that make up this fantastic EP.


released 25 January 2011
Photography Jonathan Lees, Cragg Vale Photography (www.craggvalephotography.co.uk)

Mastered by Byron Felt, The Felt Collective (www.feltcollective.com)






Friday, January 21, 2011

Stefano Guzzetti - Silent Microcosmos


Text taken from laverna

The Immaculate Silence of Microcosms
Frames resting gently apon the constant imagination of a dreamer, diluted
shots break the silence of sound that emerges spontaneously from the slow
breathing of nature that gradually transforms into genuine symphony of life.
'Silent Microcosms ' is just that: a tribute to life, the slow slide along
our everday journey through reality, day after day. A heavy and treacherous
path , full of obstacles and pitfalls , disappointments and pain. Silent
feelings that belong to our microcosm that by altering the registration, are
transformed gradually into experiences of pure sensual sound, disconnected
from reality thanks to the violent call that calls for a poetic balance
between a romantic future vision ofsensuality and a sentimental,furious
lyricism . Whether you use field recordings, instruments such as piano ,
guitars and keyboards and high-tech machines , Stefano Guzzetti has the
ability to paint a changing world; that world that lives mainly inside us,
inside those microcosms in which boundless Silence reigns Immaculate within
our dreams .
Mirco Salvadori

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Emanuele Errante - Gouache


Text taken from laverna

'Gouache' is a French word that derives from the Italian 'gouache' and indicates a particular technique of painting in which colors are dissolved in the murky water and arabic gum. Naples, where this technique was affirmed at the end of the eighteenth century, is a colorful city dissolved into a vortex of problems and wrongdoing. Its colorful streets, its colors sometimes strong and sometimes evanescent, infuse cheerfulness that contrasts with the sad daily reality of a city that seemingly has no future.

These seven songs, which bear the names of seven locations in Naples, were composed to reproduce all the emotional contrasts that rape the soul of those who respect and admire this city and its beauty while aware of its difficulties. The tracks are made with the rhythm defragmentation technique that perfectly interprets the pulse of the asynchronous flow of the everyday life in Naples.

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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Specta Ciera - Accumulation Section


Text taken from Earth Mantra Netlabel

Earth Mantra is very proud to welcome another new artist to our roster of contributors, this time Devin Underwood and his enigmatic experimental ambient music project Specta Ciera.

Devin has always been deeply interested in the creative uses of sound design, and with his debut Earth Mantra release "Accumulation Section", he does not disappoint. This album is a fascinating collection of true sound sculptures, drifting somewhere in a realm of abstract texture that remains soothingly approachable to anyone who is a fan of ambient music. From glitchy sonic remembrances to virtual wind chimes to opulent tsunamis of textural goodness, there is truly something in this album for everyone. Indeed, Devin created the album for both himself and others as a meditation aid and source of stress relief. His goal was to make sounds that would be so easy on the ears that the listener would find themselves drifting into a relaxed state of consciousness without even noticing. After listening to this album several times, we can report that he most assuredly achieved his goal.

Interestingly, each of the individual tracks on "Accumulation Section" was built from the same core sound set, which was morphed into whole new compositions through various processes and treatments until they all took on their own unique shape - while still containing all the original ingredients. Many different instruments and sounds went into the recordings, including layers of cell phone and mini disk field recordings, controlled feedback, experimental instruments of Devin's own construction, piano, and a few outboard synths. We are particularly struck by how much diversity Devin was able to achieve using such a simple and effective compositional method. Just brilliant.

In addition, Devin felt that the work of Earth Mantra alumnus Jacob Newman was very much along the lines of what he was striving for sound-wise, so he asked Jacob if he would like to remix any of the songs. In response, Jacob created a beautiful remix of "Accumulation Section", which serves as a perfect capstone to the album.

All in all, this is a superb way to introduce the music of Specta Ciera to the listeners of Earth Mantra. Truly one of the most listenable and pleasing abstract ambient releases we have heard in some time, as well as a perfect backdrop for contemplation and meditation. Thus, we are very happy to be releasing "Accumulation Section" to our listeners, and hope to hear much more from Devin in the future. Highly recommended.



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Downloade: Specta Ciera - Mystic Valley Parkway


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Eluder - Untitled




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Oathless - The Road to Dystopia


Text taken from Community Audio

The Road to Dystopia is an ambient track in three movements by Oathless.

The piece was created between March and May 2009.



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Downloade: Oathless - Lambent Amber Winds
Downloade: Oathless - Standing Where Our Paths Shall Meet
Downloade: Oathless - Seen Through Reflection

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Sunday, January 16, 2011

Aless - i'mmobile

Text taken from distancerecordings

This month is our second anniversary and to celebrate we bring you this stunning album of deep, textured sonic exploration from Boise Idaho's, Hope Hampton. Hope is a classically trained violinist and pianist, but here she turns her talents toward digital signal processing; however, traces of her classical roots can be inferred from the fine attention to detail and careful use of space demonstrated throughout the album. We are proud to be able to release this, Hope's debut album, on Distance.


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Saturday, January 15, 2011

Inner Struggle - Justified Moments


Text taken from DNA Production

Inner Struggle is back shortly after its debut work "Burning Down The Past" was released in November by DNA Production. New EP called "Justified Moments" is shorter but more expressive and emotional.
These four tracks balance on the edge between light and fluid ambient and tense drone ambient. Listening to it, you could sink in the waves of echoing ambient layers which roll over elements of urban field recordings.

This release is a part of "Short Drones " series - "Short Drones Part VI".



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Implex Grace - Les Océans d'un Passé Lointain


Text taken from distancerecordings

As part of an attempt to resurrect the very first works of the Implex Grace project, veteran Distance Recordings artist
Michael Perry Goodman has retrieved several loops that were originally written and recorded in 2004, then salvaged from close schoolmate and friend, Paul Brandt. The loops were thought to be lost, but have since been given a new life.

The French title translates to "The Oceans of Distant Past" which is meant to express just how old this particular music is in relation to the Implex Grace project. The music was first recorded to cassette tapes and re-recorded back into digital files which were then edited down to seamless loops and eventually forgotten through lost hard drives and time.

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Downloade: Implex Grace - Diamond of Disappearance

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R6 - Ritual Of North


Text taken from DNA Production

This stunning work by Russian industrial project R6 reveals its amazingly high level of composition and quality. "Ritual Of North" smoothly combines powerful dark ambient, fine work with voice samples and field recordings, noise elements.

But the main thing is that awesome atmosphere of enigmatic coexistence of Orthodoxy and ancient pagan culture existed in Russian North as well as meditation and mental unity with The Nature.

This work creates an unique feeling of "the call of the blood", appeals to subconsciousness, to tribal memory.



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Akinesia - Each Flower Is Love


Text taken from DNA Production

A bit reserved and closed in infinite chain of its own loops, this work is similar to a lover or to a flower.

Like a lover's mood, it's dreamy and lonely, and its light drone loops weave a canvas which is painted with rare sounds. Like a flower, it's romantic, impetuous and a bit tragic when stirringly light guitar chords fall on the canvas like drops of blood or petals.

A flower live whole life for weeks, hurrying to grow, to blossom, to present everybody its beauty, to love whole world each second of its life. Each flower is lively and full of love.

This twenty three minutes piece is whole life, a full cycle for a flower - from germination to fading. And somewhere between is bright and brief blossoming when each flower is as beautiful as the love itself.



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Richard Moult - Procyon Over Beinn Airigh Charr

Text taken from Rural Colours

Richard Moult is a poet, painter and composer living in North Scotland and is as a member of Irish psych-folk band United Bible Studies. Richard draws his inspiration from landscape, particularly wilderness areas. For many years his music comprised of highly structured, composed works (specialising mainly in classical song), but now has gradually moved towards more improvised and spacious works as a response to living in increasingly isolated rural areas. Richard regards his current mode of composing as a more effective means to allow the spirits of Nature to presence themselves.



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Friday, January 14, 2011

Lusruta - Solemnizing The Trivial

Text taken from Aesthesea

68 minutes of dark emotional sounds...for the language where all languages end.



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Downloade: Lusruta - Sailing The Sea Of Nothingness
Downloade: Lusruta - Recalling Future Days
Downloade: Lusruta - Scenes from a Life Past


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Alonefold - Signpost Horizons

Text taken from Rural Colours

Scott Beardow aka Alonefold is a composer located in Canberra, Australia. Working as an audio programmer in the day he indulges in audio experiments at night. Like many ambient artists there are hidden themes here, layers of sounds deep in the mix collected from over 8 years of sound design and composition. Using only a few hardware synths, an analog mixer and an effects unit he attempts to build the kind of textures that remind one of places of solitude and beauty.



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Downloade: Alonefold - 2008-2010


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Thursday, January 13, 2011

Drone Wallah - Caput Mortuum


Text taken from Webbed Hand

Drone Wallah's "Caput Mortuum" serves up the characteristic drones, ranging from soothing to intense.

Credits:
All tracks produced by Drone Wallah (C.P. McDill), January 2011.
Cover design by C.P. McDill



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Downloade: Drone Wallah - Rain 1
Downloade: Drone Wallah - Rain 2
Downloade: Drone Wallah - Augury
Downloade: Drone Wallah - Womble-cropped

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Listening Mirror - After The Briefest Of Pauses


Text taken from Rural Colours

For this release, Listening Mirror was the collaborative ambient/drone project of Jeff Stonehouse and Kate Tustain.
Jeff's background is in sound recording, generation and manipulation. Kate is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist. Listening Mirror is a hybrid of their various disciplines and an attempt to extract some beauty from the noise that surrounds us all every day."
Their second release comprises of two tracks, 'The Leechpool' is composed of a field recording from some local woodland, combined with improvised piano which is then looped and manipulated.(Written by Jeff Stonehouse) 'Venice Boxhead' is a recording of a spring morning in Jeff's garden combined with looped and treated piano by Kate. (Written by Jeff Stonehouse and Kate Tustain)



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Downloade: Listening Mirror - Intensity Breeds Inertia


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Beginnings - Waiting on the Weather

Text taken from Rural Colours

Beginnings is the alias and solo project of experimental musician Jon Frost, who creates drifting soundscapes with electric guitar and laptop synths. On this his first official release, Jon adopts a semi-improvised approach by recording passages of solo guitar on-the-fly, then later arranging them with electronic layers of tone, harmony and noise to create a sound that is full of shifting textures and ambient melancholy, designed to accompany the waiting moments of any given day.

 

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Radere - Maple Drip


Text taken from Rural Colours

Radere is the nom du plume of Carl Ritger, a Philadelphia-based writer and sound artist. Inspired by the notions of stasis and chance, he has been exploring the fusion of acoustic sound sources and digital production techniques since 2003. Largely shunning synthesis in favor of heavily processed organic loops, Ritger’s aesthetic aims to strike a delicate balance between densely textured washes of sound and subtle rhythmic structures. His full-length debut – A Process In The Weather Of The Heart – was recently issued via Full Spectrum Records.

Maple Drip marks his sophomore effort, showcasing a composition that has popped up in his live performances in one form or another for nearly two years. Intended as an ode to the transition from winter to spring, this EP stands as a more minimalist effort than the decidedly denser soundworld found on his Full Spectrum release. Stripping away much of the digital processing techniques that defined that album, Ritger reveals an interlocking mosaic of guitar loops, field recordings and burbling electronics that gradually accumulates to a shimmering wall of sound, all textural thrums and immersive resonances.

Mastered by Rafael Anton Irisarri.

Released November 2010 as part of Rural Colours’ subscription pack 5.



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