Wednesday 30 December 2015

E.R.S. 'Full Moon Skank' Review





Full Moon Skank is a fresh new E.P. from Manfred a Himalayas based artist releasing material under the pseudonym E.R.S. The E.P. is available generally through Dubmission Records from the 18th of December (a tad late on this one).


The E.P. opens with 'Justice and Equal Rights' where the reggae keys are a constant underbelly to the intricate riddims, where the percussion rolls and at time explodes. In the latter section the vocal cuts, horns and twisted loops all come together making the cohesive whole a strong opening track indeed. The mood becomes slower and heavier with 'Hear and Now' and although the intricate and well panned percussion remains the low frequency bass is employed flirting with Dub-Step in a reggae stylee.


The following two tracks are more mellow 'E.T. Existence' employs Sci-Fi samples as you've probably ascertained from the title and the keys are pleasing to the ear. The title track however, puzzles me somewhat. There's nothing wrong with it the intricate percussion remains and the samples are fine. However, it lacks the dynamics of some of the other tracks so seems to me a strange choice for the title track. The E.P. comes to a close with 'Massive in Funk' which restores the dynamics of the first two pieces with some additional funky vocal cuts that work a treat.


Review by Woodzee


Links …



Tuesday 22 December 2015

Interchill the Compilation Review

Interchill Compilation


I must confess that this album was on my Bandcamp wish list, so I was delighted when Woodzee offered me the chance to review it.
First thing that struck me is the beautiful artwork adorning the front cover- the morning sun (I assume), in a clear blue sky partially hidden by the girder of a bridge. A perfect moment of stillness.
The artwork appropriately sets the mood for the music contained within. This is a selection obviously compiled with great love and attention to detail and as such it seems a bit churlish to have favourites. In saying that I’m going to single out the tracks that I either knew beforehand or grabbed my attention at first listen
First off is the effusive tones of Bruce Bikerton aka Alucidnation. I’ve known of Bruce’s music for a good few years now and love the warmth and generosity of his stuff. I was lucky enough to have Bruce compile a sublime selection for my radio show a year or so ago- (https://hearthis.at/thehouseoftheflyineyball/network16-alucidnation/)
Next up is the sublime Tom Green aka Another Fine Day with a track from his most recent album ‘A good place to be’. On remix duties is Greg Hunter who comes up with a delightful little twist taking in elements of Dub and Didgeridoo. The Kaya Project's 'Desert Phase' (Hibernation remix) is a more up-tempo offering, yet still proves to be a gorgeous slice of aural sunshine.
This is followed by the dreamy vocals of ‘To Mend’ by Bluetech & Lynx & Janover. I must admit that I far prefer this version to the harder original with the softer approach that Bluetech has taken the piece. Whilst Tom's 2nd inclusion on this compilation is the delicate and playful ‘Dusty Feet’. This track is the aural equivalent of summer rain, all light and refreshing
Spiral System follows up perfectly with the aptly named ‘Rain’. A great bass line provides the foundation for a lazy, hazy meander. Then Liquid Stranger takes us for a little diversion into ‘Zero Gravity’ before the brief interlude of Sunmonx laid back number ‘Run’. Then the Kaya Project return with their second offering the even shorter, but appropriately named ‘Flicker’. Short but extremely sweet.
Sinepearl serve up the aptly named and blissful ‘Ceremonial Tea’ and Ishq follows with a sublime slice of ambience. Best let these last two just work their subtle magic over you and please don’t attempt to operate any heavy machinery!
Alucidnation return for their second offering ‘Genetics’. This time remixed by the incomparable Mixmaster Morris in his much loved Irresistible Force incarnation. For me Morris can pretty much do no wrong and this track has long been a favourite of mine. I’m very much looking forward to the new Irresistible Force album seeing the light of day, hopefully in the New Year.
Liquid Stranger finishes off the delights with a final slice of excellence, which puts me in mind a little bit of Global Communications, remix of Chapterhouse ‘Pentamerous Metamorphosis’. Which is no bad thing at all.
In my honest opinion this is a sublime selection of chilled and ambient tunes to keep away the winter chill and I heartily recommend adding this to your collection.

Reviewed by Matthew Foord

Links


Monday 21 December 2015

Dr. Trippy 'Punjabi Swamp Music' Review

Dr. Trippy – Punjabi Swamp Music







Dr. Trippy burst out on the scene back in May of last year with his debut album 'Invasion by Osmosis' on Banco De Gaia's label Disco Gecko recordings. Since then I've had the good fortune to make his acquaintance at this years Whirl-Y-Fayre and catch a live performance. Fans of his sound shouldn't be disappointed with this new e.p. of fresh tracks full to the brim with the sounds of India and Jamaica.


The opening track 'Ashram' is slightly deceiving with it's intro which appears to be a nice slice of chilled electronica and then comes the drop and the mish-mash of Indian vocal stabs, dub and fiddle provides an instant festival floor filler. 'Darjeeling Daydream' has less of a jig to it than the opening track and more of a dubby Indian hip-hop feel but works just as well. While Dr. T Meets the Exterminator sounds like a James Bond ska track has been dragged through the washing machine with some psychedelic breaks.


I'm certain I've heard the underlying female Indian sample that runs throughout the pacier 'Indubia' alongside the flutes and male ragga vocal stabs either way this track is top draw. Drawing this e.p. to a close is 'Rant and Rave at Sunday School' where the horns and dub reggae meet the choral choir just in time for Christmas.


Review by Woodzee

Available from the 18th of December

Links






Monday 14 December 2015

Kwalli Kumara & Pete Ardron 'Exalted' Review

Kwalli Kumara & Pete Ardron – Exalted






Orchid-Star head honcho Pete Ardron cumulates a euphoric combination of classical, psychedelia, ambience, Indian and Celtic flavours in his own productions and on re-mixes for the likes of Afro-Celt Sound System and Terra Nine. On this occasion he has teamed up with Kwalli Kumara a singer, snake and fire dancer and Kundalini instructor. Each track on the album is based around an 11 minute mantra which can easily be applied to Kundalini meditation. Now although this is a market the album is aimed towards they're hoping it will also appeal to the fans of Pete's music in general. So approaching this review in the latter concept I'm looking for the appeal as a general global chill out release.


The opening track 'Bliss (Rakhe Rakhanhar)' combines finger cymbals layered over atmospheric synths which is soon accompanied by the mantra (which is delivered in a soothing and professional manner) and shortly after by the flutes which to me add a Celtic feel to the piece. The meditative aspect of the piece is obvious and although it's definitely not a dance number it serves the purpose for general relaxation.


The following track 'Strength (Gobinday Mukanday)' retains a fair few aspects of the opening number but is a trifle more uplifting in both the vocal and music and with the mantra is a touch reminiscent of George Harrison's use of the Krishna mantra 'Govinda Jaya Jaya'.


Whilst 'Joy (Har Haray Hari Wahe Guru)' employs the drums alongside the flutes and mantras continuing to lift the mood higher again.. In contrast 'Courage (Chattr Chakkr Varti) although retaining the drums has a more laid back tribal feel to them and comes across as a prayer chant even more so than the previous tracks.


As the title would suggest 'Energy (Adi Shakti)' reverts to the uplifting vibe once again with an almost trance like feel to the piece in places, it's definitely the most danceable number on the album so far. 'Abundance (Har)' retains the upbeat momentum beginning with an aboriginal feel with a dark underbelly that continues along with the short mantra and the other sounds bubble up into an uplifting crescendo around it.


I would imagine this release will be warmly received as an accompaniment in the Kundalini meditation market and I don't see why fans of Pete's other projects would be disappointed. Although, if the individual fan isn't completely at home with the total relaxation numbers they might want to skip through the tracks towards the end.


Reviewed by Woodzee


Links





Tuesday 8 December 2015

Radium88 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Space Traveller' Review




‘The Loneliness of the Long Distance Traveller’ is the 8th album by Nottingham based band Radium88. The band consists of Jema Davis who provides the delicate and ethereal vocals and Tim Thwaites, who pretty much does everything else!
I must confess an ignorance of the band up until recently when I discovered a track titled ‘ The Futures bright, The Futures Incandescent’ ,their contribution to Toby Mark’s (of Banco de Gaia fame) recent compilation ‘Strange Eyed Constellations'.
This album represents somewhat of a ‘stylistic leap sideways’ for the band, according to the blurb that I received with the album.
It certainly builds upon the ambient dub like textures apparent on ‘The Futures bright’ with a more, at times, guitar and beat driven formula; however, funnily enough, for me the more interesting and richly textured tracks are the ones of a more sedate vintage (although the change in tempo mid song during Track 4 ‘Renunciation Blues’ from a Dubby chugger to a slide guitar driven voodoo wig out is simply superb. My only complaint with this track is that it could have gone on for longer).
The album begins with ‘Disavowed, no doubt unaware’ sounds like it being heard over the airwaves beamed out for the depths of space. This segues nicely into ‘who will save us from the waves?'
Track 5 ‘Washed by Gravity’s Waves’ is reminiscent of a lullaby overheard from Cygnus XI- quaint and yet somewhat disturbing. This sense of unease and melancholy seems to permeate throughout the album, in keeping with the title and track names, perhaps representing a concept?
The beginning of Track 6 ‘The girl who outshined the Void’ with its gorgeous piano refrain put me in mind of an out-take from the Blade Runner soundtrack, before gentle beats are layered to aid a perfect accompaniment to the piano.
‘Heavy water, falling Stone’ is simply sublime- building delicately with Jema’s floating, choral vocals, it also progresses to become subtly more beat driven, intertwined with some excellent guitar work- all the parts working together in perfect harmony. This track for me perfectly utilises Jema’s vocals to full strength
‘The disappearing skies’ is the sound of a Parisian Café magically transported to the beach of some far off star.
Things seem to kind of weaken after this, with nothing seeming to match the imagination of the tracks that have gone previously.
Overall this is a good album with some lush and sophisticated ideas. Radium88 have served up a strange little dish (no bad thing in a world of X-Factor and its homogeneous banality) with more than a hint of melancholy, but with moments of genuine lightness and charm.
Reviewed by Matthew Foord
This album was released by Lotek Recordings on the 1st of November 2015 and widely available for purchase
Links

Thursday 3 December 2015

Perpetual Loop 'Nocturnal Symbiosis' Review



Artist: 

Perpetual Loop



Title: 

Nocturnal Symbiosis



Label: 

Digital Duvet/Uxmal



Released:

30th November







Nocturnal Symbiosis the 5th and latest studio release from Manchester based Charles Massey A.K.A. Perpetual Loop opens with 'Momentum', a track which contains a hefty proportion of piano and guitar that you'd also find on the more chilled side of Digtal Duvets releases, those tracks that conjure up a summery trance feel. However, here the vital difference is there's more of a spring in it's step.


The next few tracks take you on a journey reminiscent of late 90's trance with deep bass notes, harmonious piano, strings and flutes set against distorted gating and lush breakdowns. At this point I have to admit that although I don't really listen to much of that music these days, I'm totally enjoying this.


The rest of the album continues very much in the same vein, some might say it's dated, others retro. Whatever way you look at it there's obviously passion behind the music here and it's all good clean summery trance. What's more it's free of cheesy pop vocals and sends my mind down memory lane to labels like Platipus Records and I ask myself is there anything wrong in that?


Reviewed by Woodzee


Links





Tuesday 24 November 2015

Mystic Lounge 'Magical Dream' Review



Artist: 

Mystic Lounge



Title: 

Magical Dream



Released:

27th November










Mystic Lounge is a collaboration between Berlin based producer Mystic Crock and the UK based dj Liquid Lounge that came to life after a guest appearance by Mystic Crock on Boxfrequency.fm's Chill Out Sessions and 'Magical Dream' is the result.


It commences with a slightly bleak and industrial feel but almost immediately this is joined by a choral voice that stretches over the piece. Shortly after chimes, bells and other ambient pads are added to the mix and the groove begins to bubble slowly to the surface, dropping in and out in appropriate places. Add a few guitar licks, bells and other fx and the overall mood is achieved.


Personally, I found this piece strangely alluring the more I listened and could well see it being a grower given half a chance. I'd certainly be interested in seeing what other material this project unfolds in the future.


Magical Dream is available on Bandcamp only from the 27th of November.


Links


Liquid Lounge -




Mystic Crock -




Thank you for supporting this project…


Track credits -
Written and Produced by Liquid Lounge and Mystic Crock
Mastered by Mystic Crock
Cover artwork by Cat Savery - http://catsaveryartist.wix.com/innersensedart


A short preview is available here



Wednesday 18 November 2015

Suns of Arqa 'All Is Not Lost, All Is Dub:The Remixes' Review


Artist: Suns of Arqa



Title: All Is Not Lost, 

All Is Dub

The Remixes



Label: Liquid 

Sound Design



Released: 

28th November





The Suns of Arqa's released 'All Is Not Lost, But Where Is It?' On Liquid Sound Design back in April this year. This wasn't a stereotypical S.O.A. release of Carnatic Indian music fused with Rastafarian Niyabinghi drumming but enhanced and focused on the dub elements with Youth, the Orb and Raja Ram on production. Label manager Robin Triskele has drafted in a wealth of talent to dub-the-dub so to speak and add a fresh lease of life to the tracks.


The proceedings kick off with Total Eclipse's version of 'Mother Tongue' which initiates with a tripped out raga fused with NASA samples and fades in and out of some beautifully melodic synth sequences and guitar licks. I must confess I'm not really familiar with Total Eclipse but I like the way they've stepped back and mellowed this track out but retained the original drive of the piece. The Saafi Brothers put their stamp on 'Sadrayama' which again seems to take a step back into a more eastern dub and dropping the squelch of the original.


Following on Kakan Dub Lagan add's his magic to 'Eramus Dub' which retains plenty of old skool reggae dub flavours alongside laid back synths, samples and scratches which he modesty but effectively tweaks I definitely got a soft spot for this one. Tor.Ma In Dub's take on 'The Fool Ascends' begins with a dark atmospheric intro with slow piano bass notes, before the reggae is slowly introduced, gaining volume and then is dubbed out in alluring and dream like fashion along with the eastern instruments and vocals.

Once again it seems like a step back from the initial release with Kuba's version of 'Discordant Dream' with a more dream like quality to the piece and the tribal drumming more of a pitter patter nestled amongst the dub. This theme follows once again somewhat surprisingly with Eat Static on 'The Truth Lies Therein' where you might expect a more full on approach he utilises the poetic spoken word perfectly throughout this frankly excellent eastern dub. The release concludes with Youth's re-mix of 'Pablo's Lament' which if you've brought either of the two previous S.O.A. releases on L.S.D. you will already have if not it's a harmonica fused piece of reggae dub with some interesting twists and turns.

As I mentioned previously this is not a stereo-typical S.O.A. release however, I would imagine most long-term fans of Michael Wadada's Suns of Arqa are fans of dub and will accept this for a S.O.A. in dub release. Personally, I'm definitely taking that view even though the Indian vibes take a back seat and I have to say I actually prefer this re-mix album to the original release.


Reviewed by Woodzee.


















Tuesday 17 November 2015

Drumspyder 'Sound Sigils' E.P. Review






Artist: Drumspyder





Title: Sound Sigils E.P.





Released: 24th October








Ever since Scott Sterling A.K.A. Drumspyder came to my attention on Dakini Records Tribal Matrix compilations I've been an avid follower of his releases. Scott blends the sounds of the Middle East, Africa and Mediterranean with deep house, bass and dub. However, unlike other acts such as Acid Arab for example who fuse the middle eastern instruments with dance music, Scott actually plays the percussion on his tracks rather than solely using session musicians, samples or drum machines.



This E.P. continues in the same vein as previous releases and as with any other artist some tracks stand out more than others, but overall I feel it's apparent each approach on these tracks whether it's the Arabic psy-bass fusion of 'Fingerbeat' or the accordion dub of 'Spyder Step' the production has matured and he's got the fusions down to a tee. The other thing that appeals to me is although he employs bass it's mostly a subtle use that doesn't over power the melodies in the pieces which I find off-putting in some of the releases in the scene lately.



To summarise if you're already a fan you won't be disappointed and those who like their Arabic fusions who are unaware of his work delve in you might be pleasantly surprised.






Saturday 7 November 2015

Twelve Albums You Maybe Should Have Brought In 2015

Astropilot – Lost & Found (The Organic Remixes)
 [Altar Records]



Woob – MXV [Bigamoebasounds]



Vakula – A Voyage To Arcturus [Leleka]



Various – Strange-Eyed Constellations [Disco Gecko]



Various – A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble

 (Exploding In Your Mind):

The Wizards of Oz [Warner Music]



Another Fine Day – A Good Place To Be [Interchill]



Adham Shaikh – Basswalla [Black Swan Sounds]



Various – Varja Mind: Meditative Soundscapes [Desert Trax]



Don Peyote – Blue Lotus [Don Peyote Recordings]



Sequentia Legenda – Blue Dream [PWM Dist]



DF Tram – Illegal Lingo [Subatomic]



Various – Moon Rocks Vol 3 [Throne of Blood]



Saturday 10 October 2015

Liquid Sound Design 'Dakini Mother Tongue' Compilation Review






Artist: Various





Title: Dakini Mother Tongue





Label: Liquid Sound Design





Released: 10th October










Liquid Sound Design was created in 1998 by Youth as a sister label to Dragonfly showcasing the more down-tempo output aimed at post-club listening. Eventually, the management of the label was taken on by Pathaan and is currently in the capable hands of Robin Triskele.


The album commences with the Ozora mix of 'Return To The River Ganges by Celtic Vedic and features a wealth of established talent from the world music scene including legendary dub bassist Jah Wobble and Youth himself. As you may of anticipated the track is a heady exotic fusion of Celtic and Indian vibes easing you in gently before dropping the dubby bass line and introducing Shri's sultry vocals (who some may recognise from previous work with TaTva Kundalini and Gods Robots with Janaka Selecta). This is followed by the Bhanda Dub of 'Amethyst Corrida' by Wadada Youth Mundy which maintains the theme with tribal drums rolling along behind melodic harp strings, flutes, sitars and an orchestral violin break which complements the piece perfectly.


The album then moves away from the eastern mood with the Irresistible Force Dub Mix of Tecktures feat. Mixmaster Morris 'Giant Robots In The Sky' which is frankly a beautiful piece of dubbed out choral ambience. The compilation then switches back to the eastern fusions with Kuba's 'By The Foot Of Your Mountain' which begins with a Ravi Shankar'esque Sitar intro slowly teasing intermittent drum hits before the laid-back dub and Indian vocal takes full effect.


With the general stance of this compilation so far it's no surprise that Youth's Navigator Dub of Suns of Arqa's 'Navigator' is plucked from the previous L.S.D. re-mix E.P. packed full of tribal chants  & flutes that provide the listener with a dubbed out chill before exploding into pounding drums with trance like sequencing sections. The mood switches once again with the Bhanda Dub of Brother Culture vs Youth on 'People Love The Music' a bass heavy dance hall riddim bringing the reggae back into the dubs.


Yet again the style reverts back to the east with Ghostliner's 'Phoenix' an exotic dub with tribal vocal stabs and percussion that's rather fitting to the compilation as a whole. The album closes with the long awaited return of the Dub Trees (Youth, Greg Hunter and Twisted Records Simon Posford) where the Youth vs Cosmic Trigger Dub of 'Future Roots' is a lovely fusion of speaker shaking reggae dub and psybient sounds.


To conclude this is a solid release and continues the quality and style fans of Liquid Sound Design have come to expect. There's a heavy eastern element to the album which made me wonder why they didn't stick with that format throughout the whole release. However, I can answer my own question as the tracks that didn't fit that pigeon hole are too good to leave out.


Reviewed by Woodzee.



**For the chance of winning a Bandcamp redeem code for this release tune into the Chill Out Sessions on Boxfrequency.fm at 20:00 G.M.T. on Sunday the 25th of October and keep your eyes peeled on the facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/1494797440820745/ **


Links







Saturday 3 October 2015

The Chill Out Sessions 'October Edition'




The Chill Out Sessions returns to Boxfrequency.fm Sunday the 25th of October with another 3 hours of down-tempo & laid back delights. I will be taking a back seat for this broadcast and featuring two guests for your aural pleasure.







Sequentia Legendia draws inspiration from Berlin School Music where Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream immediately spring to mind in his original compositions. His music has featured on the compilation album 'A Tribute to Edgar Frose' and recently released his debut album 'Blue Dream' on the French electronic label PWM

Praise for Blue Dream

Sylvain Lupari: 'Three monuments of EM with variations on the same theme. Blue Dream is to the 2010's what Mirage was in the 80's'

Stefan Schulz: 'Blue Dream von Sequentia Legendia ist für mich kosmische Musik'
http://www.empulsiv.de/

Phillippe Vallin: 'Sequentia Legenda un nouveau garant de la grand tradition cosmique'



For those who are unaware Robin is now label head and DJ for Liquid Sound Design Records and also label DJ for Merkaba Music. Having been involved in the music industry over 2 decades ... she has also been at the helm of the PR/Consulting agency Triskele Management since 2003, providing PR, marketing and consulting solutions to the scene’s top events, artists and labels. Since that time, she’s played a pivotal role in the promotion of more than 250 music releases.

Additionally Robin has graced the decks of chillout rooms at festivals and club nights in England, Greece, Belgium, Finland, Panama, USA, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Germany and Hungary. Sharing the stage with the likes of Tripswitch, Kaya Project, Pitch Black, Banco de Gaia, Ozric Tentacles, The Orb, Akasha, Bluetech, Juno Reactor, Brujo’s Bowl, Gaudi, International Observer, Quanta, Entheogenic and numerous other widely respected artists.



Past broadcasts including artists such as Mystic Crock, Ascendant, Don Peyote, Templehedz, Globular, Tripswitch and many more are available on the Sun is Shining and Liquid Lounge Mixcloud and Hearthis profiles.





Sunday 13 September 2015

Desert Dwellers 'The Great Mystery Remixes Part One' Review


Artist: 

The Desert Dwellers



Title: 

The Great Mystery

Remixes Pt. 1



Label: 

Desert Trax



Released:

21st September






Earlier this year the Desert Dwellers released 'The Great Mystery' which they consider to be their most diverse to date. To celebrate they embarked on a re-mix project of established and up-and-coming artists from across the globe with the intention of being just as diverse. The second part will be released in late October with contributions from Emancipator, Whitebear, Sixis, Mystral, Supersillyus, Halfred, Master Minded and many others.


Moving back to the release in question they begin with Liquid Stranger a producer whose releases are just as diverse, but whether he's focusing on dub-step, reggae or chill you can be sure there's plenty of low frequency bass. His take on 'Wings of Waves' is light and summery with flutes and chimes and subtle yet effective use of speaker shattering bass. Following on from the enticing opener is Gaudi's take on 'Our Dream World' where he's clearly put his knowledge of vintage synthesizers and gadgets to get this ethnic dub chugging along nicely. If you're not suitably impressed by the re-mix talent employed so far they're not slipping with Kaminanda joining the throng and taking on 'View of Laniakea' which he's kept down-tempo and melodic utilising the chorus and strings at times some of the fx tease and fool you it's going to go mental and then he pulls back at the last second.


At this point I'm guessing the album moves to the up-and-coming (well at least for me as it's an artist I'm unaware of) with the Tribone Re-Stomp of the title track. It's an interesting style slightly harsher than it's predecessors with an electro feel to the bass line, plenty of psychedelic twists before the atmospheric breakdown where the emphasis is placed on manipulating the Arabic vocals and strings while the final section pulls it altogether. I'm not overly familiar with Twin Shape either and their Lost Tribe re-work of 'The Sacrament' fuses spacey synths and harmonic voices with psy-bass and synthetic dialogue. Following on Acid Crunk pioneer An-Ten-Nae offers an alternative take of 'View of Lanaikea' where he masterfully manipulates the vocals and strings over intermittent choppy breaks.


Once again we move into the up-and-coming territory with AtYya's take on 'Birds Over Sand Dunes' slower and more minimal than the original echoing the vocal samples with a series of looped sequences and gated vocals sections which are pleasant in places but it didn't grip me overall. Land Switcher move back to the realms of psy-bass with their take on 'I Dropped It' with plenty of rapid loop sequences and drum rolls over the dubby main body they still manage to keep an overall down-tempo feel to the piece. While Drumspyder keeps us firmly placed in the east with his trademark doumbek infused alternative to 'Our Dream World' although much lighter than Gaudi's in places it still chugs along nicely in the appropriate sections.


Govinda deliver what I would describe as a minimal psy-bass take on 'Crossing Beyond' and once again maintain the eastern feel of the piece throughout. Finally, we're back were we started with the Hibernation alternative to 'Wings of Waves' a light and harmonious rug thrown over a slow and bass-heavy floor.


Reviewed by Woodzee.






Wednesday 9 September 2015

The Project Mix 'Drift' Review



Artist: 

The Projector Mix


Album: 

Drift



Label: 

Dubmission Records



Released: 

18th September








The Projector Mix was Mike Hodgson's alias before he teamed up with Paddy Free and their releases were no longer contained to their native New Zealand but gained worldwide notoriety in the dub scene as Pitch Black. This retrospective release covers material that Mike composed, collaborated and re-mixed between the years of 1990 and 1996.


The album opens with 'Marshall Law Dub' the first of two collaborations with Hallelujah Picassos. The track begins in a manner not too dissimilar to Depth Charge's releases of the time, with samples that sound like they've been pulled straight out of Kung Fu and Blaxploitation flicks soon accompanied by the anticipated traditional dub reggae sounds and vox. The second ' Principal Dub' drops the gunfire and sirens and replaces them with a more soulful vocal stab, that aside it continues in the traditional dub reggae vein closer to King Tubby than the more electronic dub of Pitch Black.


The album moves away from the collaborations at this point with a trio of re-mixes. First up is Mike's take on 'Began Dub' by Nemesis Dub Systems which sounds like a chopped up industrial post-punk track slowed down and given the dub treatment in an almost Andrew Weatherall like fashion. Next is his re-mix of 'Orbital Dub' by another New Zealand act that's more than likely caught your attention Salmonella Dub. Where the under-laying atmospheric synths behind the dubbed out guitar, keys and sax show a sprinkling of a few of the Pitch Black signature sounds. This section of the release closes with the re-mix of Sound Foundation's 'Lethal Dub' a spacey Mad Professor'esque dub that's slow and minimal in places and bass heavy and distorted at others.


The rest of the release is strictly solo material beginning with 'I am a Wanderer' a bass heavy dub with rolling percussions and sequences that could arguably be categorised as dub-step before it's time. This is followed by 'Like The Angels of Dub' which layers sampled dialogue over rock guitar and hard hitting percussion. While 'Like The Angels of Light' begins as though it's a lighter flip-side guitar wise that said the percussion although more electronic is just as heavy. Next up is 'Miro Pump' which at times is slow and atmospheric with an eastern feel but there's plenty of distorted fx pumped in for good measure. The album closes with the aptly named 'The Key to Laughter' which is quite simply dubbed out laughter in various pitches before the bass and percussion is employed.


Overall I think you need to place this album in the period it was created as at times it's far more minimal than most of the multi-layerd dubs released in more recent times. However, if you're a fan of Mike's output it's an interesting insight into his early works and will probably appeal to fans of dub in general.


Reviewed by Woodzee.


Additionally, if any fans of Dubmission Records output are in London on Friday the 11th of September their head honcho Crazy Baldhead is putting on a free 4 hour DJ set at Camden's InSpiral Lounge which kicks off at 21:30.