Orange Crush - The Fields [AH002]

Album: The Fields
Artist: Orange Crush
Label: http://archaichorizon.com
Genre: Ambient / Downtempo / Electronica
Artist URL
Album URL
Release Date: Unknown
Download (Complete Release)

Amazing downtempo electronica tracks with deep basses and lo-fi samples thrown in. Slow beats with melodic synth lines and lush sweeping pads create beautiful soundscapes.

This album is recommended to anyone with an open mind. Its GORGEOUS!

Uniquetunes - Facing The Fashion EP [foot027]

Album: Facing The Fashion EP
Artist: Uniquetunes
Label: http://www.bumpfoot.net
Genre: Acid Jazz (?)
Album URL
Release Date: 28 Dec 2006

Good Electronic Jazz tunes released by the guys and gals at Bumpfoot. Uniqetunes really show their stuff with this EP. Its funky smooth and fresh, hopefully there will be more from them soon.

Download

1. Unsuspected Usuallism (4:11)
2. Eternal Autumn (4:00)
3. Andy's Suitcase (Version) (2:11)
4. Midnight Stars (Live) (4:23)

ixmati - Galaxia Mar [kreislauf 003]

Album: Galaxia Mar
Artist: ixmati
Label: http://kreislauf.org/
Genre: Downtempo / Ambient / Chill
Artist URL
Album URL
Release Date: 25-Nov-2006




Download:
1) [05:13] rikmik
2) [03:12] shaft & scremph
3) [04:16] mariposas
4) [06:59] galaxia mar
5) [05:34] valeid

I am really amazed by this release. The first track didn't make a big impression with me. It was sort of slow to start and didn't really progress into anything that stirred any emotions in me.

But the second track just really changed my whole point of view on the album. Its gorgeous!!! I'm at a loss of words. Its by far the best track on the album but I'm not going to comment on all the other tracks. You have to give it a listen and see what you think.

The album is really rich and filled with fantastic music ... The production is great and its one of the few highly recommended albums so far.

Get it while its still free!!!!

Normaa - International Calling / Give Thanks To Be Part [JTR NET 11]

Album: International Calling / Give Thanks To Be Part
Artist: Normaa
Label: http://www.jahtari.org/
Genre: Dub/Downtempo
Artist URL
Album URL
Release Date: December 2006

There are only two tracks on this release. Both of them are serious Dubbed out tracks, with everything you would expect from top Dub. The reggae feel with deep sub bass's and funky guitar rhythms.

On a personal note. I liked the first track, International calling, more than the second. It just had this really good bassline which made me want to take out my fake dreads. The second track is also really good with a much deeper rooted reggae feel than no1.

Here is the download link, remember to visit their sites and give them your support.

Album: Can you see
Artist: Vochik
Label Homepage
Genre: Minimalist Tech-House
Artist URL
Album URL
Release Date: 15 Dec 2006
Download

Straight off the bat this album starts thumping with minimal house grooves. Deep basslines and funky groove set high expectations for the album in the first track. I would have loved to see it carry on from there but in the minimalist genre it seldom does change and this album is proof of that.

The album just never seems to get to get out of the running blocks and even though the first track really creates good expectations the rest of the tracks just fail to move the album any further.

Overall the music is still well produced and does contain some nice elements here and there.

Try it if you like the minimalist / techno genre's ... It might just work for you.

Fertique - Pestulon Summer Party [UR040-007]

Album: Pestulon Summer Party
Artist: Fertique
Label: URLAUTEN
Genre: Happy Breakcore
Artist URL
Artist on Myspace
Album URL
Release Date: 17 Dec 2006
Download entire release (10,6 MB) [ZIP]

Its been a while since i have listened to anything like breakcore or even happy hardcore. I had to put on my old school cap to give this album a unbiased review and I actually enjoyed the experience.

The first track "Pestulon Summer Party" really brought back the memories of the "real" PLUR feeling of years ago (Peace Love Unity and Respect). The high paced drumming and synths give it a semi euphoric feel and I guess thats where to "happy" comes from in the "Happy breakcore".

Some Interesting track names are used but the artist should keep in mind that song names are usually short for good reason. Imagine me coming up to you and asking if you have heard the new track by Fertique called "Starburst triggering mechanisms were captured on tape by a Brabantian from a parallel universe"? (Im sure your response would be WTF?!?!) ...

It comes highly recommended to anyone who likes happy hardcore or even Jungle. The whole release (3 tracks) weighs in at just over 10Mb so even if you delete it afterwards, its still worth it :)

Hardcore will never die! (oh! did i just say that out loud?)

My Funeralmarch - Conterminate EP [TMT#005]

Album: Conterminate EP
Artist: My Funeralmarch
Label: http://www.tonmagnet.de/
Genre: Death Metal
Artist URL















Some good quality death metal here... It falls somewhere in between Ministry style riffs, KMFDM beats and some In Flames in there too. The riffs are powerful and the drumming is pretty good.

The only complaint is that the vocalist does not have a huge range in his voice. It does feel a little over-expressed at times. Sort of aiming for death metal vocals but just not hitting the growling required, then at other times he hits it pretty well.

The first track is just an intro so if you want to download one of the mp3's for a test run, try track 3(Collapse)

Im not sure when this album was released. I was unable to find any information on the website regarding it.

If you like metal its worth a download ...

Enjoy!

Download:
Cover Art
01. Branding
02. Isolation
03. Collapse
04. Spiders
05. Always Died
COMPLETE RELEASE: Full mp³ EP

Tatsu - Space Travel EP [bump020]

Album: Space Travel EP
Artist: Tatsu
Label: Bump Foot
Genre: Tech-House
Artist URL
Album URL
Release Date:
Download at bottom

This release is from the net label owner himself. I must say that its pretty damn good. Generally speaking this release has a retro feel to the music. Reminds me of the tech-house they used to play in clubs i visited during the mid to late 90z.

There are only three tracks on this EP all on the same template. Minimalist, deep bass, 4-2-the-floor beats with some really nice synth lines thrown in to fill up the gaps.

The usage of the good old drum sets from the 90z gives it that retro feel and even though some of the sounds were overused back then, its sort of nostalgic to hear them used again (in a good way). They were funky back then ... and its still funky today under the control of Tatsu.

When I listen to the EP it makes me want to go out and dance on an empty dance floor with a killer sound system all to myself. It must be amazing on loud speakers!!

Tracks:

1. ignition (6:14)
2. mission (6:31)
3. station (6:51)

The FarCry - The Calling [bump021]

Album: The Calling
Artist: Far Cry [U.K]
Label: Bump Foot
Genre: House / Trance / Techno
Artist URL
Album URL
Release Date: 12-Dec-2006
Download at the bottom (please visit the album URL for more)

Another great release by the Bump Foot net label, this time on their techno / house side (Bump).

a Solid Album by FarCry. Starting off with a mellow paced house track and building up into harder trance grooves. Mixing the two genre's to form something of a House/Trance hybrid.

Overall its a good album, it keeps you listening and has some good highlights. The only complaint from me is that it tends to jump a little too fast into the next genre bracket all the time, from house to techno, to trance ... but ignoring that, all the pieces on this album is really well done.

Download Links:

1. Follow Me (5:18)
2. Motion (5:10)
3. Lylu (5:55)
4. The Beach (5:01)
5. The Calling (6:02)

Reii - Faraway Times EP - [foot026]

Album: Faraway Times EP [foot026]
Artist: Reii
Label: Bump (Foot)
Release Date: 14-Dec-2006
Genre: Ambient Electronica
Artist URL
Album URL

Download links can be found at the bottom.






Foot is the Ambient and Chilled section of the "Bump Foot" label. Bump is Techno & House and Foot is chilled. It is a Japanese net label started by one of the staff members of Radio307, a Net Radio station. This is the first release I have heard from "Bump Foot" and I must say i am impressed by the quality.

This release is done my a Russian calling himself Reii, have a look at the artist link for more details and his contact information.

The Album starts off with an interesting yet well produced track that sets the mood for the rest of the album. Immediately with the second track it moves into the ambient realm filling the audio spectrum with drifting pads and nice melodies and this carries over into the 3rd track as well.

The last two tracks drifted a little too far into the pure ambient realm for me. I love ambient and would still recommend these two tracks to any ambient fan who like artists like Brian Eno and Steve Roach. But it might be a bit too spaced out for some of you.

Overall its a good release from Bump Foot.

Download: (please visit the website for more from them)

1. Wired (2:51)
2. Not Your Toy (5:22)
3. Stairs (4:10)
4. Dreamscape (3:10)
5. Hidden (3:28)

Focus & Itrema - Winter EP #1[ADR.COM17]

Album: Winter EP #1
Artist: Focus & Itrema
Label: http://www.aldenterecords.com/
Genre: Ambient /Electronica
Release Date : 13 December 2006
Release Link
Download Track 1
Download Track 2













This is a two song EP from Aldente Records. The first of the two tracks is almost a kind of relaxed house. Its definitely geared towards the lounge chair enthusiast but it has enough beat and rhythm to get (some of) us moving.

The second track is a little more obscure. No hooks here, just pulsing, rhythmic, ambient sounds with an dash of Eno and an almost Industrial undertone. i suppose it will be a little monotonous for most of you, but its stil a very good release.

I would have given you more details regarding the album but the release information on the website is in another language :(

Note: Both mp3 files are in 320kb/s format.

Good Rock ...

I have been searching hi and lo for Net Labels that release rock, metal, alternative, punk or anything thats not purely electronic music.

I'm not having much success.

If anyone knows of a label or even a band that is currently releasing music under the creative commons license please leave a comment so that i can get some other genre's on here.