Moon Tides, by Mzungu

Excerpt taken from Bandcamp relaese page.

Sitting, trying to study I looped a sample I had been working on in my DAW. This sample stayed playing for approximately 30 minutes – on repeat. I stumbled upon ‘Moontides’, named after the complicated interplay between moon and tides. Rhythmically massive, the relationship is nevertheless tangible and can be seen at work on any coastline.

In this work I have taken sounds and stretched and manipulated them, warping tempo and rhythmic structure. All of the samples start at the same time, but due to their differing lengths they never ‘complete’ together. Combined with volume automation this allows for a release of constraint. Take, for instance, traffic noises in the early morning mingling with the sound of birds outside your window. The two sounds merge, relate to one another. They are not pre-planned, but are rather rhythmically spontaneous – the rhythm emerging as it becomes. This symbiosis, this rhythmic chance, is allowed to develop in the repeated playing of samples.

There exists, nevertheless, a structure. The song ‘wraps around’ as a bar (or a complete rhythmic unit) as the piece finishes. Therefore, each element never sits parallel, but rather its position to other elements shifts continually. Frankenstein’s monster, a complete butchery of beauty. Notes, preludes, sonatas and other flotsam and jetsam. It came out of an idea (an attempt) to do away with scales and notation and see what happened. All of the keys and scales are by ear, elements are pitched according to feeling, not rule. Tones clash, do battle and drift apart falling into harmony then dissaray.

Doing away with working within a Western theoretical understanding of music is not novel, and I do not pretend it is. This is purely a piece of pretentious imagination. However, the musical bastard – as I have so named this project – exists and is out here for your pleasure or pardon

– Jonah Hebron aka Mzungu

released September 4, 2018

Sick Day, by Gould ’72

the band:
fairlight cmi, moog lpt, farfisa vip-233, gem sprinter, casio mt-140, roland space echo, acetone rhythm ace, alesis hr-16, fender strat, prs se custom, big muff pi, small stone phaser, mxr m234 chorus, behringer desk mixer, plugins, laptop©2019 ATF Sound
atfsound@gmail.com

released January 14, 2019

Odds and Ends

Before they are lost to the sands of time, here are a few enjoyable listens that were released a few months ago…

From Infinity to Here – by Soular Order

Released October 8th 2018 – City By Night (UK)

Colossal and beautiful ambient works from Soular Order – very lush and relaxing soundscapes with just the right hint of melancholy wonder. Perfect for rainy nights and reflection.

Saturday Drones – by Spheruleus

Released October 6th 2018 – Self Released

Looking for a brief blissful escape from the real world? May I recommend Saturday Drones – a longform ambient track by producer Spheruleus – highly recommended headphone listen!

Jellyfish – by Ohm-N-I

Released September 21, 2018 – Legendary Entertainment

Fascinating and satisfying abstract electronics with just the right amount of vapor flavor – aquatic and mystical….

A Life Between Music & Science EP – by TxOne

Released October 8th 2018 – Hello Strange

Lush and expansive dub-techno bridging the gaps between deep house and ambient stylings, stretched carefully across 5 beautiful tracks.

IV – by mgxu

Released October 7th 2018 – DMT Tapes

 

J☉ὗℜпҾƔEP by ♡u∫agi幻覚∀∁ⓛᙌ✬

Here is some weirdness for you fam! I won’t waste your time – enjoy the listen!

nightview, by invisible lover

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Solid vaporwave from Invisible Lover – courtesy of the squad at DMT Tapes.

Guitar Samples, by DR00

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Torontos Legendary Entertainment bring us an interesting new project from producer DR00 – Guitar Samples. An experimental 9 track tape that is, according to the creator, made entirely of guitar samples, sans a few bits of percussion on a track or two. The result is a very organic and interesting listen. The vibe is solid whether the track is pulsing with rhythms like the remixed Oak, or simply blissing out over the possibilities of sonic manipulation on tracks such as Beyond Recognition.

You can grab a CD of the project from Legendary Entertainment, there is also a Cassette release available via Æescape Sounds, but either way you will be doing yourself a favor picking this up!

Whatever it is, Whenever you feel like it, by Heart Eyes

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Colorado label Community Radio Tapes presents us with this beautiful little oddity by Heart Eyes, Whatever it is, Whenever you feel like it is a 6 track tape of glazed bedroom ambience with plenty of emotion.

The tape is quite pleasant with some interesting ideas, though there is a lot of weirdness going on it always remains a comfortable weirdness. The kind that you know won’t harm you. However there is an anxiety to some of the tracks, a looming melancholy that sits really heavy! Do not panic however, it’s a very nice listen and ends on a high note.

You can download the album via bandcamp or purchase a cassette copy from the same page!

Good for

  • Study Sessions
  • Meditation
  • Late Night Chill

Favorite Track: I am crying, I can’t talk

Reminiscence, by Handbook

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This May we are blessed by a fresh EP of beats from UK Producer Handbookreleased by Frances Cascade Records on May 4th 2018. The project features 7 chilled-out beats with a splash of vocal features for flavor.

In typical Handbook fashion, there is a patience to the instrumentals, demonstrating careful consideration for sonic layout. The percussion floats around the realm of boom-bap to chillhop, tracks like Mango swing so smoothly you can’t help but nod your head. Both live and sampled vocals are tastefully dashed into the mix, keeping the listen interesting from beginning to end.

Read more about the release and purchase a copy via Cascade Records bandcamp page, you can also stream the music on your favorite streaming service!

Good For

  • Smoke Sessions
  • Midnight Drives
  • Study Music

Favorite Track: A Pure Connection

Battle in Nagoya, by Lips and Ribs

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Equal parts chiptune madness and funky footwork, Battle in Nagoya is a new cassette tape released through Field Hymns Records by Lips and Ribs. Featuring some truly dense and determined tracks, 16 to be exact, this album drags the listener on a strange and mystical journey. Think – soundtrack to an acid soaked JRPG, with tracks often featuring massively oversaturated percussion and in-your-face synthesizers which are often as cheesy as they are amazing.

The album isn’t for the faint of heart, each track has a unique sense of urgency, resulting in quite a hectic listen. I encourage you to dive right in though, once you succumb to the vibe of the project it really is an amazing project to enjoy from start to finish.

Good For

  • Smoke Sessions
  • Midnight Drives
  • Solo Dance Parties

Favorite Track: 14: Hans

Imaginations, by Alexandre Navarro

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Imaginations is an EP of ambient synthesizer music by french producer Alexandre Navarro. 5 tracks packed full of beautiful textures, blipping and buzzing synths combined with tasteful percussion. There is an attention to detail in each sound and tone that only becomes more apparent on repeat listens.

Good For:

  • Study Music
  • Midnight Drives
  • Deep Thought

Favorite Track: 4. Au bord de toi