A selection of downtempo musical highlights from 2020

 

With the landslide of emails, shares and media streams of new music, it’s becoming harder and harder to scratch the surface of music releases. So this list of no particular order is quite frankly a selection of releases that either impressed me or I repeatedly played on the commute to and from the day job.

1) The Orb – Abolition of the Royal Familia

https://theorb.bandcamp.com/album/abolition-of-the-royal-familia

Back in March the was a bit of a buzz about this album, with many saying the Orb were back to their best. Although I really liked the predecessor COW (Chill Out World) I could see from the off why this album would have universal appeal.

2) Gaudi – 100 Years of Theremin (The Dub Chapter)

https://gaudimusic.bandcamp.com/album/100-years-of-theremin-the-dub-chapter

Alongside a selection of heavyweight dub pioneers, the Theremin maestro celebrated the invention of this eerie electronic instrument by cementing a union with dub reggae.

3) Gigi Masin – Calypso

https://masin.bandcamp.com/album/calypso

A beautiful selection of sun-kissed Mediterranean ambience with touches of jazz. Just perfect to kick back and relax.

4) Yaima – Ceremonia

https://yaimamusic.bandcamp.com/album/c-e-r-e-m-o-n-i-a

Quite simply a lovely acoustic album from this American folktronica duo, which is inspired by the natural world and aimed at encouraging growth in the hearts and minds of the listeners.

5) Matt Coldrick – Music For A Busy Head Vol 2

https://panelectric.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-a-busy-head-vol-2

After many years Matt re-kindles this concept and dives deep into healing ambient textures, with touches of 70’s inspired prog rock guitar and gentle piano.

6) Paya – Hollow Skies

https://suriyarecordings.bandcamp.com/album/hollow-skies

A selection of tracks from the classically trained vocalist/multi-instrumentalist, that spans celtic folk, electronica and pop. At times almost mirroring her idols Dead Can Dance. The album is produced by Youth, who compared her vocal capabilities to Lisa Gerrard.

7) Tripswitch – Momento Mori

https://section.bandcamp.com/album/memento-mori

After a number of years concentrating on progressive house, Nick Brennan returned to the folds of downtempo where he initially made his name. At times darker than it’s predecessors but still balanced with moments of light.

7) Erothyme – Steep Dreams

https://erothyme.bandcamp.com/album/steep-dreams

This was the second Erothyme release that I purchased after a long hiatus on my behalf. With three exceptionally strong tracks this album ignited my interest in those albums I’d missed.

8) Andrew Heath – The Alchemists Muse

https://andrewheath.bandcamp.com/album/the-alchemist-s-muse

Not having heard his latest release I can only go on the two releases of this year I have heard. This edges it ever so slightly for me. However, if you like Andrew’s brand of ambient soundscapes, field recordings and laid back piano then they all fit the bill.

9) Eguana – Serenity

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

Eguana has churned out a good number of releases this year without lapsing on quality. Quite frankly I could have included any one of them. This album steered away from the space themes of it’s recent predecessors, with the focus placed on nature before moving to more mythical and fantasy themes of his following release.

10) Kaya Project – Body.Mind.Soul.

https://sebtaylor.bandcamp.com/album/body-mind-soul

Once again fusing tribal rhythms and world music with ambient soundscapes and ethereal vocals. Additionally featuring some re-mixes from Seb’s other projects such as Hibernation and Biotone.

Additionally ...

Richard Norris – Music For Healing (The Complete Long Form Series)

Richard followed on from his Abstractions albums with a series of 12 twenty minute ambient pieces, released weekly and aimed for relaxation or an accompaniment to practises such as yoga. Which is now available in a more compact version both digitally and on CD. There’s nothing really catchy about these releases they just suitably serve their purpose.

https://richardnorris.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-healing

Richard Norris Interview

Richard's illustrious career has brought to our ears a broad range of sounds from his co-production of the psychedelic acid album "Jack The Tab"  to old skool gems such as Intergalatica, Floatation, Face The Sun, Crystal Clear and the smash hit Swamp Thing as one half of the Grid. 


Add to this countless re-mixes and production inc Robbie Williams and Soft Cell. His more recent projects as one half of Beyond The Wizards Sleeve and his own Time & Space Machine fuse the past and the present with influences of psychedelic pop & rock and nu-balearica.

1)        Firstly thank you for taking the time out from your busy schedule to complete this interview. Could you tell us a little about yourself and how you started your musical career?

i started by howling down a Woolworths mic at the age of 13 in a band called the Innocent Vicars. I went on to make records as the Grid, and currently, occasionally, as Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve, and mainly the Time and Space Machine. It took years.

2)       It’s been a while since you released Balearic classics and chart smashes as one half of the Grid. Who or what were your influences for the more psychedelic 60’s and prog rock feel of the Wizards Sleeve and the Time and Space Machine?

Mainly any record that feels like a sensation, be it ESG or Liquid Liquid or Can or Neu! or Lee Scratch Perry or King Sunny Ade... sensation, plus the undeniable feeling of a rump, wiggling.

3)       Aside from the Time and Space Machine’s debut album “Set Phazers To Stun” other releases such as the volume series are only released on vinyl. Will they eventually be released on cd or digital for fans like me who haven’t brought any vinyl since 1999?

Yes there was a limited release CD called 'The Time and Space Machine Turns You On', which was out about a year ago, and collected tracks from all the vinyl releases. I'm sure it's still about if you want it. The next album proper, 'Taste The Lazer'.is out in a few weeks. I hope you like it.

4)       We’ve had a sneaky taste of the second Time and Space Machine album with the release of “Pill Party in India” how do you feel the album has progressed from “Set Phazers To Stun”?

About half way through the album I was persuaded by T+SM's beathead drummer Wildcat Will that we should turn the project into a live band. This really informed the album, and 8 minute wig outs like tracks such as 'Black Rainbow' are the result. It's moving towards the  psych-motorik-balearic band I have recurring dreams about. We have lift off!

5)       You’re taking your Time and Space Machine project on the road as a five man band. Where can people catch the show and are you willing to divulge the identity of the band members?

We are playing a few festivals, such as Standon Calling. Golden Down, Green Man, and the Strummerville festival Strummer Of Love. Mainly small festivals. We'll be bringing myself, Wildcat Will and a revolving bunch of pranksters, between five and nine, on to the stage. 

6)       As an established producer, musician, re-mixer and music journalist do you have any advice for young people entering the music industry?

I'd tell em the same thing that i am still constantly learning... do it yourself. There isn't any other way. I don't mean hand press your records and set up a vinyl stall, although that might also be fun. More like, do it for and by yourself, whichever way you do it. It's harder (and easier) than you think.