Audioglider - Summer Rainstorm e.p. Review

Artist: Audioglider

Title: Summer Rainstorm E.P.

Label: Section Records

Released: 13^th May 2013

I don’t think they could have conjured up a more apt title for this e.p. (and I’m not referring to the rainy weather we’re experiencing in the UK recently) but the title track which conjures up the feeling of release from those summer storms after a few days of soaring temperatures. This is a magical soothing journey a perfect soundtrack for the summer months which I could easily see slotting into Ibiza chillout compilations.

This is followed by “Restoration” and Audioglider is on a roll here as this is another great summer track drifting between dubby bass lines and Mediterranean guitars which set me in mind of the Café Del Mar compilations.

The mood changes slightly with “Wrapped Up Tight” an electro’ish bass line is complemented with lush loops and warm synths and deep piano chords which gives a soulful, almost jazzy feel to the track in places.

The closing track “Crossing Boundaries” again is an apt description reflecting on the elements employed in this 80’s inspired e.p seamlessly weaving shoegaze, lounge, nu-disco and house which a pleasurable listen.

Personally, I think adding Audioglider to the artist rota of Section Records is a shrewd move by Nick Brennan he’s certainly dipping into all the sub-genres and I suspect given the airplay this could prove to be a summer smash, widening the appeal of the label to a wider fanbase.

Reviewed by Woodzee

http://www.sectionrecords.com/

Liquid Stranger - Cryogenic Encounters review

Label: Interchill 

Mastered By: Vincent Villuis @ Ultimae

Release Date: 5th January 2012

Sitting back playing this through an Arcam amp with new Denon headphones was a perfect come down from a hectic New Year. Martin Stääf‘s Liquid Stranger releases continue to amaze me. Although the material he releases on Interchill are generally less harsh than those on Rottun this album is even more chilled than it's predecessors. The album has a atmospheric backdrop reminiscent of the synthesized sounds of 70's space movies, expertly drifting in and out of different themes ranging from slo mo bass heavy and trip-hop beats, reggae, psy-chill, idm, spacey jazz-funk and beatless ambience providing a perfect soundtrack for getting warm and cosy on a winter’s night.

The opening track Beacon for example begins with a slow trip-hop vibe and soon envelopes you in a funky madness that slowly fades into a lush chilled ambient drone with bass heavy notes. A personal favourite Zeal begins not unlike the Art of Noise slowly enticing you in further through multiple layers until the bass drops. There’s plenty going on throughout the track including an unexpected and slightly vocoder’ish vocal accompaniment. While the final track Ectoplasm is an Ishq’esque beatless ambient affair ideally suited for total relaxation.


Reviewed by Woodzee.

Tatva Kundalini talks about Chill Om

Press the title above for a link to download a mix from Tatva Kundalini

THE IDEA BEHIND CHILL OM:

Chill Om started basically because of the frustration that I was facing a couple of years back to produce, release and promote the sound that I wanted to specialise in. The movement started 8-9 years back when I was producing music and a lot of indian major record labels ruled the music scene in the country and of course there was no space for independent music back then. Also, the majors had absolutely no idea about the global new age independent music industry that had already been existing in the worldwide scenario...the indian majors as I mentioned above were far behind in there strategies to promote new music and were not supporting good music..it seemed their final aim was to only make money...in chill om records perspective, of course money is important but not the most important thing. So basically, there was no outlet back then which could really do justice to the music and the existing labels. They were giving most of the independent artistes a tough time, so I guess as an artiste I took it upon my head to initiate Chill Om records and help support independent talent and here we are today...one of India's top independent record label promoting, producing and releasing music from great global music architects from around the world.

THE JOURNEY:

The journey for sure has been very adventurous. Considering the fact that when we started the only thing we had were lots of positive energy, passion, good music, exactly 100 dollars and a lot of support from fellow artistes who are now exclusive Chill Om records artistes...Over the past couple of years, artistes and all the crew members have made it possible for us to sustain what Chill Om intended to do and be strong and keep it going...its a label for the artistes, by the artistes and of the artistes.

INFLUENCES:

Lots and lots, life, struggle, hardships, my dogs, sepultura, slayer, massive attack, bjork, state of bengal, skazi, aluna, aerospace, vaishyas...the list goes on.....

INITIAL DAYS AND STRUGGLE:

No regrets at all..the struggle as I mentioned was of course there..but all of us have to sometimes realise that we all are born rich... you get successful in real life, when u get successful in your head...its simple...life is beautiful and simple..may god give more power to all the souls...hari om!

CURRENT GIGS:

All over india, dubai next week, then a russian tour in early june...full power full on!

JACK AND JILL:

Jack and Jill is Tatva Kundalini's next full length completely progressive record. The record is up for release in the month of July. There is going to be an all india pre-release tour for the same. I think after all the successful releases on Chill Om such as Azaad-e, the internationally acclaimed Swaraaj, the Indian Electronic Café comps, Jack and Jill for sure comes as a full live dance record that is going to establish the Indian dance movement worldwide...may the revolution keep sinkin deeper and deeper...

Hari om

Tatva Kundalini

http://www.myspace.com/tatvaindia

http://www.myspace.com/chillomrecords

Steve Miller a.k.a. Afterlife Interview

1) Which genres and artists were the major influences in developing your sound?

Everything that I have ever heard that I liked, especially dub (Sly and Robbie, Lee Perry, Bob Marley, Studio one, Peter Tosh) Jazz and Blues (Coltrane, Sinatra, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Quincy Jones, all the old blues players, Seasick Steve, George Gershwin, Lalo Schifrin), Rock ( Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Stones, Beatles, the whole 70s thing), House Music ( I could go on all day)

2) You have a new album called "Electrosensitive" due out this year. Can fans expect more of the same. Or would you say your style has taken a different direction?

I've been told it's my best album so far, more songs, lots of different vibes including a deep house tune featuring Sharon Musgrave who sang on "Fascinating Rythmn" by Bassomatic (William Orbit) and a classy parisian dub featuring Juanita Grande who works with Charles Schilling. You can hear both of these at www.myspace.com/stevemillerisafterlife

3) You have collaborated with a range of artists including Danni Minogue, Cathy Battistessa and Chris Coco. You also have a project with Chris "the Normalites" with a preview e.p. released recently. How does this project differ to the chilled balearic sound that you and Chris are known for?

Like any collaboration it's a mixture of both of our vibes but I find what also happens in a collaboration is there's a real sense of the unknown, anything can happen and probably will because there's a greater sense of experimentation and bouncing mad ideas off each other. What's come out of this so far is guitar based dub and satirical lyrics with the odd bit of house and ambient drum and bass, we have no idea what will happen next but I'm looking forward to it.

4) Are there any Afterlife live shows or are you d.j.'ing at any events?

I'm booked to play in a bullring in Ondara near Denia, Spain for a new festival called Dance4 Life
in June, also looking at Moscow, Ibiza, Amsterdam but it's really difficult as wifi gives me a headache so I have to specify wifi free zones and that is not always possible hence the name of the new album.

5) You have appeared on Cafe Del Mar compilations. Are you a seasonal visitor to the Islands yourself? If so which artists do you see breakin' through big this year in Ibiza's balearic and chillout scene?

I visited Ibiza every year from 1994 to 2003 and will probably return this year to promote my album. There are so many new artists it's very hard to say but I do know that Chris Coco has got a brilliant new album coming out called "Feel Free Live Good" which is fresh, quirky, super balearic and in the best tradition inspired by his time there last year. One Eskimo should do really well and Gelka and anything else on Wax On Records.

6) Which artist you haven't already worked with would you like to any why?

Quincy Jones, I could learn so much, he's a genius and so humble too.

7) What advice would you give to inspiring artists just starting out?

Do what you love and stick to your guns.