Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Phasen - Urban Nomad [io026]





Album:
Urban Nomad
Artist: Phasen
Label: www.ionetlabel.com
Genre: Ambient / downtempo
Download

Review:
This will be my third review of a Phasen album. He gives us a good combination of guitar and slow paced beats and rhythms. It reminds me of some of some of the more old-school ambient by some of the pioneers of the genre. (Bill Laswell comes to mind) The album is hard to categorize into a specific genre creating a bit of s niche sound at times.

Personally i liked the track Comfortable (sort of drifting into the abyss stuff) , the other track Insomnia sounds like it was recorded during a rainy day. All with good effect.

I recommend this to ambietn fans or those who appreciate experimental guitar playing ...

Monday, August 27, 2007

Mkd - Delivering Different Sounds [io027]



Album:
Delivering Different Sounds
Artist: Mkd
Label: www.ionetlabel.com
Genre: Downtempo
Download

Review:

Mkd (formerly known as Miko9999) swings back with his first release since March and its somewhat of a mixed bag with this one. There are a couple of real keepers in this release and also one or two that might not appeal to all out there.

Mkd fuses together some fantastic elements to create this album. Ranging from ambient to downtempo lo-fi (all my favs) and he does create a somewhat cohesive album that starts you somewhere and puts you down somewhere else. Using melodies, placed over smooth sweeping pads and the downtempo (LO FI) beats underneath, he creates a melancholic experience thats makes this album worth the download.

*rubs hands together* ... I want some more please :)


Dimomib - Groove Chillium ep [did005]




Album:
Groove Chillium ep
Artist: Dimomib
Label: http://www.deepindub.org/
Genre: Dub /Ambient Dub /Downtempo
Release Date: August 2007
Download

Review:

an Ambient dub masterpiece and thats just the first impression when you listen to the first track.

I was listening to this today while programming and it really had a fantastic effect on my concentration. Trance-inducing-dub that will make your hair stand on end. My ONLY complaint is that its only 3 tracks, and the 3rd track is just a remix of the second track. I know, i know ... its an EP ... but i wanted more. I really enjoyed it and a person can only listen to two tracks so many times.

As with any ambient / Dub ... listen to it from start to end before you make up your mind. Its something that evolves and skipping evolution makes you miss out on the good bits.

Tek - Modular Family [pntg017]




Album:
Modular Family
Artist: Tek
Label: http://www.pentagonik.de/
Genre: Minimal Techno
Release Date: 31-July-2007
Download

Review:

If you like slow progressing, repetitive, pulsing beats and minimal techno this should hit the sweet spot for you. Its another album that builds tension & energy through slow movements in sonic elements.

It's nothing that will make you fall out of your seat, but it should get your feet tapping at least. Definitely recommended for minimalists and ambient techno fans.
Should make a good opener for a techno set...

New reviews on the way

Hi everyone...

Well, after a lot of consideration and a couple of nice emails from some of you, i decided to make time for some reviews. If tonight runs smoothly i will be posting at least one review, hopefully more.

Do i try and catch up with all the releases that i missed? or do i just skip over the past 3 weeks worth of potentially lovely music?

What do you think?

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Statedlife - Future Dream [AH014]




Album:
Future Dream
Artist: Statedlife
Label: www.archaichorizon.com
Genre: Ambient
Release Date: July 2007
Download

Review:

Another release from Archaic Horizon that oozes quality. This is by far one of the best Netlabels out there today with every release being consistent in quality.

Future Dream overflows with lush sonic soundscapes that fills one with emotion. It somehow feels as if it was modelled on "BT - This Binary Universe" (one of my favorite albums btw) and suceeds (in a sense) to create a simular deep emotional connection with the listener.

This is Ambient music as it should be and as such should be downloaded and shared with everyone you know. If you need to study, or have some serious thinking time ahead this music will help the mood. If you are suicidal ... uhmmm ... maybe give this one a miss