Gorgeous, low-key sounds, a collection from bblisss.
Released June 3rd, 2016
bblisss, by Various Artists
Gorgeous, low-key sounds, a collection from bblisss.
Released June 3rd, 2016
Tag: album
Waterbed, by Tendencies
Orange Milk Records recently dropped a new tape of glowing future-funk goodness, Waterbed, from producer Tendencies. This is a 6 track project full of energy and awesome beats. Not shy on the use of vocal samples, it makes this a very poppy and listenable tape. Packed with wicked bass-lines and catchy melodies, this one is definitely worth a listen. And if you like it, you can grab a copy on Tape as well!
Favorite Track: 3. Waterbed
Brandon Smith’s Tendencies project shines through a lot of 2015’s Vaporwave overload with some of the heaviest and most heart-pounding grooves I’ve heard in the Future Funk sub-genre. The music is beautifully trapped between poles: hi-fidelity disco shimmer and YouTube digital grit, 70s and 80s material Product placement excess and early 21st century intangible commodity explosions, side chained sample madness against a clear and distinct producer and songwriter’s ear.
released October 9, 2015
Lumine, by bansheebeat
Had this one recently recommended, Lumine by bansheebeat. Released by Galaxy Swim Team, Lumine is an ambitious melting pot, packed full of inspirations from all corners of the globe. It’s an impressive listen from start to finish, 9 tracks altogether, ranging from relaxed melodies to pulsing dance arrangements. There is a little something for everyone in here, as bansheebeat fuses future funk styles with j-pop emotions he creates something quite unique and satisfying!
I personally loved this album from start to finish. Maybe it is my own love of things like Japanese culture, vaporwave and good electronics, but for other fans of the same they will find this project to be a well-crafted and enlightened listen.
You can download the album now via bandcamp, the CD’s are sold out but you can still pick up a tape for now!
Favorite Track: 3. Rainy Love
released 07 July 2015
All tracks composed, arranged, produced, and mixed by bansheebeat
All tracks mastered by Noah Hafford, with consultation from bansheebeat, Mike Vallejo, and Calvin Hansen
Everything recorded and sequenced in my bedroom while watching endless episodes of The Eric Andre Show and Parks and Recreation, in and around Mike and Joy’s apartment, and from other various places around Tucson, AZ where working on an album is probably inappropriate.
All songs written by bansheebeat, except track 2, composed by bansheebeat and Ivy Hollivana, and track 5, composed by bansheebeat and Patrick Sovereign
Artwork by Grant Newbold
grantmichaelnewbold.tumblr.com
please listen kindly.
MEMORY LOOPS, by FLOWERS
I have recently fallen in love with this album from FLOWERS, brought to us by Dark Pursuits of Washington D.C.
MEMORY LOOPS is a 12 track drone/ambient project with plenty of noise and personality. The compositions range from the subtle and relaxing to pure sonic shredding, and it all works wonderfully together. One after one, FLOWERS constructs unique atmospheres with his exploration of sound. Lo-Fi crackles accompany deep vibrant tones to create a delicious dichotomy that leaves me breathless and wanting for more. The project is available to stream and download via the labels bandcamp.
Favorite Track: 3. COLLISION II
Alienation, by The Electric Nature
Georgia’s own “The Electric Nature”, conceived and fronted by Michael Potter, have weaved together this psychedelic masterwork over the course of 2 years! Both dense and free, Alienation is a unique listen for sure. The band has a full roster for this album with lots of folks helping out, providing guitars, horns and synths. The result is an impressively bold collection of experimental jams that I can only assume would be even more fulfilling to hear in a live situation. Highly recommended listen, and purchase the album one way or another!!! ( The digital download includes a bonus 20 minute track, and Illuminated Paths records are offering a limited edition Cassette tape of this release!)
Favorite Track: 6. Alienation II/Outro
Recorded in various places and on various devices in Athens and Carrollton, GA between 2013 and 2015, except track 3 – half of which was recorded in 2003.
Purchase the limited edition cassette from Illuminated Paths:
illuminatedpaths.bandcamp.com/album/alienation
Included with the download is the Broken Machine Films produced video for the track “Alienation I” utilizing Tachyons+ analog video synthesizers, which can be viewed on the web here:
Digital downloads also include a live, 20-minute bonus track, originally released as one side of a split cassette with Corner Coronah on Stronj Flow Records. There may be one or two copies still floating around out there…
released 01 September 2015
Michael Potter – Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Electronic Drum Pad, Vocals, Noises, Field Recordings, Arrangements, Recording, Editing, Mixing, Production
-with-
Josh Lamar – Drums (track 4), Chimes (track 1)
Patrick Lowe – Bass (tracks 4, 5)
Michael Pierce – MicroBrute (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)
Thom Strickland – Electric Guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)
John Fernandes – Clarinet (tracks 1, 2, 3, 6), Violin (track 6)
Sean Dunlap – Juno 60 (track 3)
Nick Stinson – Electric Guitar (track 3)
John Spiegel – Electric Guitar (track 6)
Zack Hann – Electric Guitar (track 4)
Jake Merrick – Alto and Soprano Saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 3, 6)
Paul Warren – Drums (track 3)
Thomas Valadez – Electric Guitar (track 6)
Artwork by Jeremy Kiran Fernandes
Many thanks to everyone who played on and contributed to the album – Josh and Wes at Illuminated Paths – Chris White and Mission Trips – Cult of Riggonia – Future Ape Tapes – Easily Suede – Wet Garden – Jade Poppyfield – Frank Hurricayne – Narrator – Corner Coronah – Louie Larceny – Alec Livaditis – Scott Vinosky and Ailanthus Recordings – Fresh Produce Records – Tom and the Go Bar – Scott Crossman the Genetic Outcast – Brandon Locher – Sean Hartman and Joshua Tabbia at Already Dead Records – and Mercer West and the Secret Squirrel
Music For A Rainy Season, by Gus Till & Supercozi
Section Records brings us this wonderful new ambient album, full of unique instrumentation and long-form progression. Music for a Rainy Season combines relaxing and blissful atmospheres with both electronic and acoustic sounds. A fantastic listen for fans of Windham Hill Records, as the overall vibe seems very derivative of that era in new-age ambience.
Favorite Track: 2. Music For A Rainy Season
Section’s first ever ambient album release is an exquisite production by trance / chillout legends Gus Till and Supercozi. Effortlessly combining sublime etherial ambience with traditional western and southeast Asian instrumentation, this is a complete listening journey that oozes class and wellbeing, paradoxically finding comfort and warmth in its rain-soaked inspiration.
released 01 September 2015
Written and Produced by Gus and Cozi Till.
Artwork by Michael Morton @ Crime League.
Mastering by Ian Ion.
De Retour, by Ujjaya
Recently had this one recommended to the blog, very nice psychedelic ambience! Exotic and relaxing, this french producers brings us a liberating little listen with this album. It is available via the website for free download as well!
Favorite Track: 3. Escale Á Odawara
Towards the end of the year Spheredelic presents the release of Ujjaya´s album „ De-Retour“.
Behind the project name Ujjaya is the Paris (France) based artist Randriambololona for whom ambient music is not a just musical sytle but a spiritual search. Thus he undertook several trips to India, to study with a guru, develop his technique and musical knowledge, and collect exotic instruments.
His music shows a deep understanding of his musical heroes: Steve Roach, Brian Eno and Jorge Reyes. „De-Retour“ is pure meditation leading your body and mind into a deep state of awareness.
Cavade Morlem, by Olan Mill
DRONARIVM brings us this deep ambient masterpiece. Calming, soothing, this is a fantastic choice for a relaxing afternoon with a cup of coffee…
Favorite Track: 8. Somimes
“Writing and recording ‘Cavade Morlem’ was one of the smoothest experiences I’ve had producing an album. The tracks were originally created to be played at a handful of concerts throughout the end of last year. The shows were performed using processed guitar, violin and some pre-recorded samples of voice and organ. I was joined by Mike Jessop on violin for many of the songs and his contributions are sampled at various points on the record.
I spent the beginning of the year reworking recordings from the live sets and trying to piece together something coherent. The resulting album is a far calmer experience than the original performances and I hope listeners find a state of mindfulness while experiencing the work”.
– Alex Smalley
released 13 July 2015
Mastered by Porya Hatami
Cover art by Lena Lello
Curated by Bartosz Dziadosz (Pleq)
Meta, by Boliden
With this album, Chemical Tapes introduces a new series of releases, the Solid Hex series, focusing on beat-heavy music and grooves. Still commanding the signature melodic softness I come to expect from Chemical Tapes, this is an exciting development to see them offering a more broad selection of great music. I am very excited to see what is next for this label.
Favorite Track: 3. Seeds
(DET) n,n-diethyl-t
First in the Solid Hex series of more beat focused releases. Boliden’s debut album entitled Meta. 10 tracks exploring hypnotic lo-fi techno aesthetics.
Music & Artwork by José Delgado.
released 29 June 2015
INSIGHT, by Julien Marchal
Julien Marchal presents us with a stunningly beautiful and intimate new album INSIGHT, featuring tons of ethereal piano noodlings and emotional melodies.
Eternity Tree 