Artist:
Various
Title:
Waypoint
Label:
Interchill
Released:
19th 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
