Elohi 'Enochiana' Review

Artist: Elohi

Title: Enochiana

Label: Synchronos

Released: 21^st Feb

This new three track space ambient single is by Lucaz Samotyha a graphic artist and composer from Poland. Mastered in Abstract Studios, Spain by Rual Jordan (Labs Cloud). So after an albeit short introduction lets move on to the music.

The first track ‘Kether’ begins with heavenly choral and melodic synths voices, eventually Tangerine Dream like sequenced loops push the pace a tad but are still surrounded by a choral ambience and at just over eleven minutes long there’s plenty of scope for progression as the piece rises as drops.

The next track ‘For Saturn’ is still reminiscent of TD with more sequenced loops over ambient atmospheres, deep bass stabs and vocal samples. It’s a pleasant enough piece that works well in places but doesn’t grab me quite as well as the first.

Finally the single comes to a close with ‘Gratitude’ where choral voices are predominant in the first section of the piece, as it progresses bleepy little loops and vocal samples are added whilst towards the end it’s sounding like a nod back to late 90’s trance.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Links

https://synchronos-recordings.bandcamp.com/album/elohi-enochiana

https://soundcloud.com/user-749317978

A Hundred Drums 'A Hundred Drums' Review

Artist: 

A Hundred Drums

Title: 

A Hundred Drums

Label: 

Gravitas Recordings

Released:

14^th February

Gabrielle Watson’s self-titled album symbolises what she intends to accomplish with her production. Choosing ‘A Hundred’ for it’s spiritual and social importance, whilst ‘Drums’ call our hearts to beat in sync. With this project Gabrielle aspires to align all listeners heartbeats to her BPM, unifying us all in the music. We beat with collective heart on the day celebrating love.

Gabrielle s also a board member and facilitator with Shakti Sound, an all-female DJ/Production retreat for beginners, which hopes to create a movement that prioritizes accessibility and representation across all cultures, demographics and backgrounds through workshops on production, meditation, movement, press, promotion, social media etc. Additionally, she is the founder of B-Sides an L.A. based production company previously nominated as the best Dub-Step promoter by the label Dubploc.

So after the introduction how does it sound? We begin with ‘Shakti Sound’ a short intro that is somewhat of a soundclash of indidgenous tribal music and vintage film soundtracks, accompanied as you may expect by tribal’esque drums that descends into an ambient drone. This is followed by the Wicker Man themed ‘Circles’ feat. James Xavier where the tribal drums plod along with eerie electronic sounds, distorted vocals and touches of low frequency bass. The dark theme remains on ‘Boogie Man’ where low bass and drum breaks roll off Gabrielle’s haunting whispery vocals.

The intro is more melodic on ‘Psy-Area’ before synth loops swirl around the low frequency squelchy bass. Were back to that dark feel with ‘Apex’ where the ticking clock fooled me into thinking the bass was going to drop hard and heavy. However, it’s actually more of a laid back dub-step piece. The Vibe Emissions mix of ‘Circles’ places emphasis on the heavy bass with a few licks of pacy rolling drum loops. A more stereotypical dub-step track all in all. Then we finish with the Leon Switch re-mix of Lord of Tings feat. Jayne Gray. Which is my favourite Jayne’s lyrics set me in mind of Digable Planets, fitting like a glove with the eerie atmospheric dub-step behind.

To summarise this isn’t stereotypical bass music or dub-step it’s dark and experimental so will probably appeal to a niche audience. That said I think the collaboration with Jayne Gray would appeal to a wider audience and perhaps should be pursued further, if of course it isn’t already.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Links

https://www.facebook.com/ahundreddrums

https://ahundreddrums.bandcamp.com/album/a-hundred-drums

Kick Bong 'Mission to Audition' Review

Artist: Kick Bong

Title: Mission to Audition

Label: Cosmicleaf

Released: 31^st January

Having listened to Francks music for many years now I’ve always felt he had a slightly unique slant to his productions. From the earlier psy-chill production that transcended into the electronica he produces today. This album (for me at least) symbolises the Kick Bong sound, where melody is paramount yet sometimes is juxtaposed against darker basslines and atmospheres. Quite possibly his best work to date.

The album gets underway with ‘A New Beginning’ where after a dark atmospheric start melodic chimes and indistinct voices drag you into the light. Whereas ‘Happy Baby’ has a more of a retro Detroit feel to it with a nice chilled break in the latter section. The intro on ‘All I Need’ is quite unique with field recording seagulls and a chilled atmosphere that works in somewhat of a crescendo when the bassline kicks in. Add vocal snippets that wouldn’t go amiss in a house or deep dub-step tune, and some stereo-typical synth loops by this point the album is drawing my attention.

Again I can draw comparison to the retro techno vibe on ‘All of Me’ alongside the stereotypical rave vocal hooks the tracks slowly descends and ascends as it progresses and it’s another good number. There’s a bit more grit to the bassline with ‘Happiness is Easy’ juxtaposed against melodic looped synths and the vibe that’s been built in the album so far is maintained. The intro on ‘I knew I Could Fly’ begins with laid back guitar but is soon joined by harsher electronic fuzz and melodic keys that carry you along.

By this point we are at the title track and this piece in some respects reminds me of early ambient dub at it’s best. However, the growling stabbing bassline gives it some extra push. Whilst ‘Chilly Wind’ is perhaps more laid back there’s also a plodding squelch amongst the guitar, mellow pads and harmonious voices all in all a lovely piece. The grand finale to the album is the extended re-mix of his recent single ‘Take Me Away’ and it couldn’t be more fitting.

Reviewed by Woodzee.

Links

https://cosmicleaf.bandcamp.com/album/mission-to-audition