Artist: Banco De Gaia

Title: Last Train To Lhasa

20^th Anniversary Edit

Label: Disco Gecko Recordings

Released: 14^th Feb on Bandcamp &

30^th March Elsewhere

Following last year's release of the 20^th Anniversary Edition of 'Maya' comes this little re-mix e.p. containing the original and a number of modern re-mixes as a pre-cursor for a non-digital 20^th Anniversary release of the album. For me 'Shanti' is my all-time favourite Banco track and would sit highly among my top ambient tracks ever. That said this track is still a stunning piece of work which contained all the right ingredients at the time and still appeals to me today.

This release begins with the original it's not the first time the sound of the train has been utilised in electronica (I doubt it will be the last). Kraftwerk's 'Trans-Europe Express' and even more importantly 'Metal on Metal' instantly springs to mind. But while that provided an industrial feel to a European journey Banco creates the setting of a steamy jungle excursion ascending into the mountains of Tibet. As I mentioned previously all the right ingredients are here with an infectious electronic sequence, flutes and eastern vocals layered over a chugging train which is perfect for laying back and casting the minds eye and yet danceable enough for the early hours.

First up on the re-mix duties is Altar Records, Astropilot who takes the track further into an ambient space with a trance like approach. Just as this version starts to get mundane a subtle but effective percussion is added. However, ongoing this version doesn't hold my attention. Although, obviously work well in a ambient trance/space music set and may well appeal to others.

This is followed by an edit which emphasises the train and vocals and although the other ingredients follow, it has a less danceable approach than the original. All in all, it's a good alternative imo especially for slotting into a chill out set.

Slinder whose bootleg version of Banco's 'Heliopolis' brought him to the attention of Disco Gecko, takes the track to the dancefloor with a progressive house twist. Initially I found his take a little repetitive but it grew on me in the latter half after a lush breakdown.

Finally (and exclusive to bandcamp) is the eighteen minute long 'Very Extended Ambient Mix' which as the title suggests prolongs the journey for the long haul traveller. Utilising all those luscious ingredients with stretches, reverb and the occasional swoosh. Very nice indeed and at £3 for the whole release it's money well spent.

Reviewed by Woodzee.

Links

https://bancodegaia.bandcamp.com/

http://www.discogecko.com/

Nickodemus 'Wonderworld: 10 Years of Painting Outside The Lines' Review

Artist: Nickodemus

Title: Wonderworld:

10 Years of Painting Outside The lines

Label: Wonderwheel Recordings

Released: 24^th February

Wonderworld is a mix cd featuring tracks released over the last 10 years by Nickodemus and friends. Although I have to wonder about the marketability of such an item in the current climate where dj mixes are readily available to stream in abundance, even from a chap whose Turntables on the Hudson parties feature esteemed guests such as Bonobo and Giles Peterson from here in the U.K. as well as high quality home grown talent Stateside. However, I'm a fan of the Wonderwheel output and Nickodemus especially, I find his productions a musical smorgasboard of latin, funk, afro-beat, dub, hip-hop and house that usually hits the spot fusing joys of the past with a modern twist.

Coming from this angle I found the mix contains a good number of classics from his three album releases. For me I really enjoyed the fact they are all there in one sitting and as I'm always plucking tracks from different sources when compiling a mix it's something I'd never have created. So on the other hand I'd imagine if your a lover of say Tito Puente, Baba Maal & Jurassic 5 or Thievery Corporation & Quantic but not familiar with Nickodemus or Wonderwheel it's a wonderful insight into their releases. Plus there's the added bonus of downloading the tracks featured individually in the price.

To summarise I really couldn't see myself buying a dj mix cd these days. But as files so easily disappear into the void those who still (like myself) keep the cream on cd with a selection such as this I really can't see any reason why not.

Review by Woodzee

Links:

http://www.nickodemus.com/

http://wonderwheel.11spot.com/

Temple Hedz 'Coming Home E.P.' Review

Artist: Temple Hedz

Release: Coming Home E.P.

Label: New Division Ltd

Released: 23^rd February

Temple Hedz is the brain-child of Paul Savery inspired by the likes of Banco De Gaia where live shows in the past have often been propelled into eager crowds alongside a full backing band. After several years in the wilderness Paul is staging a come back with a new album in the pipeline, as well as stepping back on the festival circuit in 2015. If you're a regular listener of our 'Chill Out Sessions' radio show on boxfrequency.fm you may well remember the excellent mish-mash of global electronica and live instrumentation of Paul's guest mix which featured more than a fair few of his own tracks.

This E.P. starts in the clichéd manner with the title track 'Coming Home'. From the word go the Banco influence is obvious with audio samples, tribal chants and vocodered indie like vocal stabs fused over multiple electronic layers providing an overall uplifting feel with psychedelic twitches and dubby basslines.

Following this is a cover of the Cure's 'A Forest' now although I'm a fan of a fair amount of their output in the 80's it wouldn't be my choice as there's already been the 'Tree Mix' on 'Mixed Up' and Mark Plati's drum n bass version on 'Join The Dots'. I've previously mentioned this to Paul and he said it's was always going to be this, as it's a song close to his heart because he used to play it regularly with a band in his youth. Having said that I don't dislike the original and as covers go it's a deeply layered sonic instrumental, that's also an interesting dance alternative which easily holds it's head alongside the others previously mentioned.

Next up is the Doppler Theory mix of 'Tashi' and this guitar laden fusion of Indian vocals and psychedelic electronica is my pick of the bunch. The vocals grabbed me instantaneously whilst the track drifts from indie fused electronica into psychedelica and back with relative ease.

The final track dimensions is a more laid back affair beginning with a stereo-typical but none-the-less apt spoken audio of the swami or guru which is later exchanged and enhanced with ethereal female vocals layered over the flutes and chimes of the Far East.

Overall this is a sterling little collection of mid and down tempo output from Paul which I've no doubt will appeal to festival goers this summer. So I'd recommend fans of Toby Marks dig in and have a listen as personally I look forward to the album with eager ears.

Review by Woodzee.

Links …

https://soundcloud.com/templehedz

https://templehedz1.bandcamp.com/

http://www.templehedz.co.uk/

MCTHFG 'Materials: Part One' Review

Artist: MCTHFG

Title: Materials: Part One

Label: Dubmission Records

Released: 2^nd February 2015

This is MCTHFG a.k.a. Seoul based Christopher Wing's first single released on Dubmission records with another to follow next in March. I have no idea what his sobriquet relates to (apparently a closely guarded secret). However, Christopher does reveal that his music is inspired by 80's sci-fi movies and dub, which is a perfect platform in my humble opinion.

The single contains an 18 minute long version of 'Oscillation Overthruster' which is then sliced into 3 sections (in order to make the single more readily available over certain platforms). So for the purposes of this review I'll cover the smaller sections.

Part One begins with sequential tones layered over an atmosphere, which I can relate to the science fiction films previously mentioned. Although there's a subtle use of reverberation it takes a couple of minutes for the dub to surface prominently. Although, deep bass notes and percussion are utilised it's balanced with gentle keys and fx providing an ambient dub feel to the piece.

Part Two starts with a different approach, with what I'd describe as vacuum in space atmosphere and then, almost immediately kicks into a melodic acidic dub. However, this is short lived as the track soon transcends into a gentler production more akin to Part One.

Part Three although retaining a laid back feel, drops heavier beats with plenty of oscillations (as the title suggests) alongside string and piano interludes. Although, I can relate to the suggested Sci-fi influence and the drum sounds have an 80's sound I still find myself making comparisons to the ambient dub of the early 90's.

To summarise this release the production is obviously aimed as a retro chill out piece for those who prefer the dub approach. It's probably better to listen to the track as a whole enjoying the journey rather than in the parts alongside other tracks.

Review by Woodzee.

Links: https://mcthfg.bandcamp.com/