Hibernation 'Ambient Re:Works 01' Review

Artist: Hibernation

Title: Ambient Re:Works 01

Released: 28^th June

Following on from the recent ambient re-works of the Kaya Project, Seb Taylor applies this method to another of his projects Hibernation. When he mentioned on social media he was toying with the idea, I immediately thought having always liked the Jazzy elements utilised in some of the original tracks, that this would work perfectly.

As always Seb plays a number of different instruments from guitars, bass and piano to the zheng (a Chinese plucked string instrument) which he utilises in ‘Wabi Sabi’ over rippling water and laid back atmospheric synth voices and fx. Guest musicians are also featured such as Natasha Chamberlain (Kaya Project) with vocals and flute, Susi Evans adds clarinet to ‘Empty Cities’ (where you could easily draw comparison to Floex) and Vicki Flint plays mute trumpet to the strings and harmonic vocals of ‘Aquarius 138’.

For me the tracks on this album yet again bridges the world of traditional music with the electronic, whilst achieving an atmosphere with these re-mixes that you want to find in an ambient album. In other words perfectly suitable for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Reviewed by Woodzee.

Eguana 'Invisible Civilizations, Vol. 3' Review

Artist: Eguana

Title: Invisible Civilization, Vol. 3

Label: Cosmicleaf Records

Released: 17^th June 2019

The third release in the series of deep ambient releases from Moscow based Eguana. This series and indeed the artist is new to me. However, I’m always open minded to hearing new music in this genre and to expressing my thoughts.

The album begins with the aptly titled ‘Deep Sleep’ where melodic tones are nestled amongst the atmospheric drones and it’s a pleasant enough way to begin the journey. The next track ‘Cosmic Angel’ starts in a similar fashion but it’s a long piece and has a little more to it, with teasing passages that threaten to build to a crescendo but drop back before that point is reached. I’ve decided by the third track ‘Laminar Flows’ this album is firmly in the Space Ambient categorisation with it’s eerie sci-fi movie soundtrack feel and drifting piano keys.

Moving on with ‘Membrane Pulsation’ although I can see where the title sprang from I’m still picturing a journey in space and enjoying the ride. The brakes have certainly been applied to the next piece ‘Mothers Heartbeat’ however, the sci-fi feel isn’t lost. Moving on with another lengthy track ‘Viscous Substance’ a slow burner that maintains the feel of it’s predecessors and if you’re already on board for the ride it won’t disappoint.

There’s a touch of occasional percussion and emphasis on the bass tones that’s more apparent in ‘Extraterrestrial Temple’. Whilst ‘Astral Flower’ utilises deep sweeping analogue sounds leading us to the final piece ‘Awakening’ which is just a lovely piece of ambient synth music to see us out.

Like most genres there’s quite a hefty catalogue of artists releasing this style of ambient music and I feel this album most definitely wouldn’t go amiss as a sci-fi movie soundtrack. In fact I’d go as far to say it’s veering to the higher end of the space ambient market and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reviewed by Woodzee.

Links

https://cosmicleaf.bandcamp.com/album/invisible-civilization-vol-3

Gregory Paul Mineeff 'Grind' Review

Artist: Gregory Paul Mineeff

Album: Grind

Label: Cosmicleaf Records

Released: 29th May 2019

Grind is the debut album from multi-instrumentalist, composer Gregory Paul Mineeff. The album is a collection of minimalist piano pieces performed on an electric tine piano accompanied by analog synthesizers. Gregory says the intent was to produce an album based around simple, minimalist piano pieces, but with a synthesized atmosphere.

The album begins with an intro ‘Nearing the end’. Initially I thought this was a bizzare title. However, as it sounded somewhat like a church organ enveloped in an atmospheric drone, then perhaps it’s a more morbid end it implies? This is followed by the more aptly titled ‘Two’ where Gregory creates a sense of engaging beauty in slow motion.

Moving through the album although it maintained a chilled ambience, I found the next couple of tracks became less engaging and more background music, but slowly track by track by the time I’d reached the 8^th track ‘If there was time’ my attention was pulled back to the music. I’ve listened to this a few times now and the result has been pretty much the same. Gregory certainly achieves an ambient mood with these pieces and for those who are solely seeking relaxation, that’s probably enough.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Links

https://cosmicleaf.bandcamp.com/album/grind