alucidnation 'Paracosmic' review

Artist: alucidnation

Title: Paracosmic

Label: Lucid Recordings

Released: 12^th Oct 2018

Bruce Bickerton returns with another pure analogue release of electronic chill out, maintaining the format that gained him regular bookings at the Big Chill festivals throughout the noughties that took his productions to audiences around the globe.

This album begins with the short, simplistic and yet soothing intro ‘Take Flight’ which leads nicely into ‘Losing my Mind’ where the old skool bassline and vocal harmonies harp back to the Ibiza beach bar sound of the 90’s. The album continues to stamp an old skool impression upon me as I continue to listen through pleasant background music that either conjures up images of the Balearic beach or lazy days at an English riverbank.

That’s not to say there wasn’t tracks that rocked the boat somewhat (no pun intended) such as ‘Canoe Dreams’ which begins with a Folktronica feel leading into subtle 303 and sampled dialogue of a boy about his toy canoe. Which was followed by a more 303 structured piece ‘Supernova’ over layered with a space themed physics dialogue, which although is nothing new not only did it work well with the piece it held my interest in it’s own right.

In my opinion if you’re either a fan of Bruce’s work in general or fancy some fresh material in an old skool style, then this would probably suit you down to the ground for your moments of relaxation. The release is available in both CD and vinyl formats, which I would imagine goes hand in hand as a preferable format for those who seek out this sound.

Review by Woodzee

Links

http://alucidnation.co.uk/

http://www.helpmechill.com/eclectronica/

https://alucidnation.bandcamp.com/music

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 2^nd 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

https://interchill.bandcamp.com/album/interchill-2

Another Fine Day 'A Good Place To Be Re-Mixes' Review

Artist: Another Fine Day

Title: A Good Place To Be

Re-Mixes

Label: Interchill

Released: 10^th May

Hot on the heels of his recent album release and for me the tracks selected for the re-mix treatment are slightly puzzling as my personal favourite 'Nature Boy' isn't included. Never-the-less it's a fine album on the whole and a great bunch of talent selected for these versions.



The E.P. commences with two takes of 'Spanish Blues' and first up is Seb Taylor under his ambient-glitch pseudonym Hibernation (where he often leans towards fusing smoky jazz bar vibes with futuresque electronica). Seb utilises all the aspects of the original sending it off in little sequenced loops with added sparkle before the twitchy bass line drops. All in all he's done a sterling job complimenting and adding to the laid back melodic smoky jazz bar flavour of the original perfectly balanced with more ass wiggling sections. This is followed by Greg Hunter (Dubsahara) who in contrast delivers a wonderfully melodic dub which is equally as soothing as the original but leagues apart in his approach. So far the release provides two strong re-mixes suited for different occasions.



The second part of the E.P. is a trio of re-mixes based on 'And Dream of Seals'. In the first instance Tom re-visits the piece with his 'Chaos Theory Mix' where he employs an elongated field recording intro and then toys with the sounds more as well as adding a plodding beat and touches of tribal percussion. Next up is Alucidnation who adds a suitable spoken word diatribe and subtle fx, but manages to maintain the dream like quality of the original. Last but not least is Ishq's take (where if you're familiar with his music it's not as surprising as it may seem) he's actually applied the brakes to what's an already down-tempo affair. Matt focuses on the melodic piano of the piece adding choral voices and flutes, he dives deep into ambience to see the e.p. out in a truly relaxing and meditative fashion.



Reviewed by Woodzee




Links



Links

http://anotherfineday.co.uk/

Interchill's 'Waypoint' Compilation Review

Artist: Various

Title: Waypoint

Label: Interchill

Released: 19^th November

On previous compilations whichever stance Interchill's head honcho Andrew Ross Collins took on a compilation, whether it's reggae and dub, chilled electronica or global bass you could be rest assured that Andrew's selection of hand picked artists which may or may not be familiar to you, would be a blend of the tried and tested with some new discoveries and the result would usually come up trumps.

There's a slightly different approach to this compilation all the artists have previously appeared on Interchill's releases (an Interchill's underground All-Stars if you like) and focuses on creating a sonic journey of contrast within the spectrum of chill out music rather than the similarities.

The journey begins with the Hibernation re-mix of 'Indifference' by New Zealand's psychedelic dance producer Grouch. Which entices you in with an atmosphere of lush synthetic eastern infused electronica transcending into the realms of psychedelic bass music and back. This is followed by Drift's 'Invisible Spirit' which is a contrast within it's self drifting (excuse the pun) between laid back, sun soaked acoustics of a Mediterranean vibe and darker electronic bass notes.

Although from his name Guru Shishya may appear like he's going to offer a Turkish number with 'Rich In Loss' appearances truly are deceiving as the piece is more orchestral chill with a gentle choir and a crescendo of drums and synths towards the end. Next up is Gaudi who manipulation of vintage hardware and modern techniques have firmly placed him as a latter day master of dub. There's no guest mc or theramin scratches in this piece it's a blend of traditional reggae dub with some ambient breakdown's and a touch of Indian percussion in the form of tablas.

The journey turns another corner with Seb Taylor re-mixing one of his previous releases under his Kaya Project moniker 'Dust Devil' under his glitchy ambient moniker Hibernation and spinning rather than turning expectations on their face with a stroke of genius and more than a touch of jazz. Variant Field a collaboration of Amani Friend of Desert Dwellers fame and Alex DeYoung offer a crisp and crunchy piece of chill with a spring in it's step and some nice melodic breakdowns as the title 'Dulcet Dalliance' suggests.

When I first heard the throwback dub of Another Fine Day's 'Walk Tall' as a teaser for this compilation I commented it was so laid back it was almost horizontal and this piece of jazzy piano lounge truly epitomises lazy Sundays. While Austero layer a blanket of Mediterranean beach chill over a surface of IDM beats and Latin vocal samples with 'Fuerza Brutal'.

The album then flows through a trio of contrasting Swedish artists initiated by ambient composer Fredrik Ohr who projects the compilation into the upper atmosphere with his piece 'In Orbit' combining melodic synths, crunchy bass and elongated panned passages. While my favourite dub-step artist Liquid Stranger (although now based in the United States a Swede by birth) continues in the slow deep and bass heavy vein of previous Interchill releases with 'Flipside'. This trio concludes with Sinepearl whose sound is inspired by nature and the forest parties of Sweden and takes a deep melodic trip with 'Cosmic Centre' resulting in a tribal like Tangerine Dream sound.

The journey winds down with a couple of UK based artists Spiral Systems 'Mondays' is a laid back melodic number injected with a sprinkling of Brazilian flavours and acoustic guitar. While Alucidnation gently drops you at your destination with a dreamy melodic piece of chill leaving you content with the memories of your excursion through 'Waypoint' and grateful for Andrew's wonderful selections.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Links https://interchill.bandcamp.com/album/waypoint

Alucidnation “Aural Architecture” Review

Artist: Alucidnation

Title: Aural Architecture

Label: Interchill

Release Date: 24^th September 2013

Aural Architextures is Bruce Bickerton’s follow up to his recent e.p. 03 (his first release for ten years). Bruce prides himself in his analogue approach to music avoiding plug-in’s and other gimmicks the result of this approach is a beautifully melodic journey filled with chilled piano chords and strings beautifully draped over ambient soundscapes.

I find it hard to pick stand out tracks on this release. But boy, does it work as a collective whole. In many ways this album gives a nod back to the ambient sounds of yesteryear, yet still captures your attention and most importantly achieves the desired relaxation and sets your mind adrift.

I’d highly recommend this album not only for the fans of his earlier releases on Big Chill Recordings but to anyone who loves melodic summer chill out sounds. Believe me you really can’t go wrong with this release it’s easily one of the best chill out albums I’ve heard this year.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Links

http://www.interchill.com/release.php?aid=38

http://www.alucidnation.co.uk/home.html