Citta Flow - With Intention Review

Artist: Citta Flow

Title: With Intention E.P.

Label: Invibe Music

Release: 15^th January 2013

Hailing from Seattle Citta Flow utilise instruments from around the world with electronic production. Combining the past with the present with the notion to create music infused with a mindfulness towards internal depths, spacious meditation, and alchemically healing intentions.

I felt the acoustics and ambient vocal tones of first track “Space Voodoo” was very much akin to the sounds of Lauge & Baba Gnohm and probably a track I would utilise in a chillout set. “Roots Voyage” begins with a more tribal feel accompanied by a didgeridoo this drops in places and the acoustic guitar is back accompanied by celtic sounding vocal tones. The title track “Intention” is the only true song of the e.p. and again has a celtic feel to it. These days I listen to far more instrumentals and it didn’t appeal as much to me (but I guess there are plenty of people out there who prefer a song). “Gaia Journey” is another tribal/didge no with some lovely vocal tones and Native American flute sounds. The E.P. closes with the Cosmos Mix of “Waiting For The Storm” which combines funky acoustics, flutes and more notable percussion.

Overall the E.P. is quite nice for kicking back and relaxing to and if you prefer the organic and global elements why not have a listen …

https://soundcloud.com/#invibe-music/roots-voyage-citta-flow 

Reviewed by Woodzee

Akasha - Into The Web Review

Artist : Akasha

EP: Into The Web

Label: Dubmission Records

Release Date: 13^th February 2013

Akasha or the Akasha Experience (not to be confused with confused with Germany’s Akasha Project) is the psychedelic dub project of Shane Harris and Babak Rezvani, who have been creating and releasing music in the South-West of England since 2010.

Whether you attribute the beginnings to the post-punk dub’s of Ruts DC or Killing Joke, On U-Sound or the Orb. Psy-Dub as a genre has been around a fair while and as with any genre some artists stand out. Now, although they may not have been around very long, with tracks like “The Chain” and PFM’s re-mix of “Brown Sugar” Akasha have made an instant impact.

 I was already familiar with a couple of the tracks on here. The closing track “Smoke Signals” for instance was available to listen to on-line early last year and at the time I desperately wanted a copy. Well all good things come to those who wait … J

In my opinion there’s really no need to talk you through track by track. For those of you familiar with Dubmission Records this is them back doing what they do best … releasing quality psychedelic dub. The whole E.P. is a wonderfully dubby, psychedelic tapestry with touches of the Orient. So if that’s your brew click the link below and open your ears.

Review by Woodzee

http://soundcloud.com/akashaexperience/outback-akasha

Pete Ardron & Samantha Ray - Interuterion Review

Artist: Pete Ardron & Samantha Ray


Title: Interuterion


Label: Pink Hampster Recordings


Release Date: December 2012

I was more than slightly intrigued to listen to this album. Samanta’s vocals within Orchid-Star are stunning and the power of her voice for me is most apparent in the track “Passion” this release takes you to the other side of the pendulum and the titles couldn’t be more apt.

Serenity originally produced in 2003 it was used in 2005 as the musical core to Simon Rogers' exhibition Water Feature and in 2010 as the soundtrack to Collision Course by Carmelo Musca of CM Films and Garry Stewart of the Australian Dance Theatre.

Reverie Uses recordings from sessions for both Orchid-Star and Sam and Pete's opera-fusion project (out in 2013) Reverie focuses more on Sam's voice as both a richly varied solo instrument and a phenomenal sound-source to manipulate.

Pete compares the two pieces to a lake and a river the first a static environment and the second a flowing journey. For me both tracks achieve their goal in the sense that setting aside half an hour to listen to either track completely relaxed me before the end. I can only imagine this is what it feels like to have a half hour session in a floatation tank.

Musically (and indeed vocally) I enjoyed“Reverie” more. For me this track "seemed" to hold more of a human element, while in fact the whole composition of this release was made utilising only the human voice. Exploring and experimenting with the beautiful tones and heavenly choral aspects of Samanta’s voice Pete creates two tracks that could easily be confused for a choral and synthetic fusion

My verdict if you’re looking to escape the beats and listen to something more meditative and healing for the body and mind you can’t go wrong here it’s a fantastic collaboration by two amazingly talented artists.

Link

http://pinkhampster.com/html/artistpage.php?artist=Pete%20Ardron%20and%20Samantha%20Ray

Review by Woodzee

Sarosa - None Of This Is Real Review

Artist: Sarosa

Album: None Of This Is Real

Label: Self Release

Release Date: December 2012

Sarosa is a project by Tim James drafting in musicians to give his composition’s a live band element. The music for me combines elements of smooth jazz, acid jazz and Balearic chill.

In my opinion there’s a few hidden gems tucked away on this album. “The Blue Pill” Which I’m guessing was influenced by Afterlife (or perhaps Chris Coco) has a wonderfully hypnotic synth and the soulful tones of Sarah Chappell. While the title track is pure beach chill out that slowly unravels guitar, flute and sax reminding me somewhat of the Project Club. Frazer Whitelock’s vocals don’t always work for me on the album. However, they really suit this and “Subway” a more piano house affair which reminded me of some of Chris Coco’s productions.

Despite the title this album isn’t as psychedelic as it sounds but we’re not all about the psychedelic anyway and this album certainly helps to reflect on those summer days in the dark and cold winter months.

Link

http://www.reverbnation.com/playlist/view_playlist/-4?page_object=artist_2467801

Reviewed by Woodzee

Koan - Argonautica Review

Artist: Koan

Release: Argonautica

Format: Digital & CD Album

Label: Section Records

Release Date: 10^th December 2012

Nick Brennans Section records bring us label mates Koan's latest psybient album 'Argonautica' and people, it's a beaut!

It takes the Greek legend of Jason and the argonauts epic tale and uses it as the inspirational template to create a warm and psychedelic soundscape.

It opens with 'Orpheus and Eurydice' and it really does give the feeling of casting off onto calm seas with echoing, lapping arpeggios and breezes of warm flowing synth's. This combined with the liquid feel to the sparse rhythmic percussion really does give the feeling of being afloat.

There is a feeling of traversing deeper waters with 'Lost Lyre' and the melodies become more intricate and layered. I've found with each new listen another hidden gem of melody and effects become uncovered.

As the album develops the beats become more pronounced and the BPM's go up a notch or two for 'Irida Falls for Morpheus Pits', 'Crying Prozepine' (Blue mix) and 'Pegasus' where the former of the three morphs halfway through into lush breaks and washes of arpeggiated echoing synth.

Although the synth's maintain their trance like feel throughout the course of the album they never become repetitive and the programming constantly changes and evolves creating an emotive, affecting and never static listening experience.

'Seven Mirrors of Atlas' is a warm psychedelic dubby workout with cavernous echoes, deep swathes of bass, snares in the deep and once more multi layered soothing melodies and intelligent fx.

The journey comes to an end with 'Ladon' (Serpent Mix) which after more finely placed tripped out fx and slowed breaks closes with uplifting waves of synths.

This album is an absolute gem and having Nick Brennan (Tripswitch) on mastering duties really puts the icing on the cake to this already accomplished masterpiece.

Don't miss this one.

Now, where did i put that fleece..

CKAJohn

Tripswitch - Deer Park 2012 re-mixes review

Artist: Tripswitch

Release: Deer Park 2012 vol 2 (Chillout Re-mixes)

Label: Section Records

Format: Digital

Release Date: 3rd December 2012





For me Circuit Breaker Re:Wired is a must have album for any fan of electronic chillout music containing the original album and another disc of fabulous re-mixes by quality artists. This is one of those albums where fillers are few and far between but even among the gems there’s one track that is widely considered to shine not only on the album but within the genre itself.

Section records released the parts to “Deer Park” earlier this year and ran a remix competition for followers of the label to bring their creativity to the table and work with one of the Tripswitch favourites.  The winning mix was a down-tempo version from Radioactive Sandwich, but the high quality of the submissions has led to a 2 package(dance and down-tempo) release just in time for Christmas.

I’m going to concentrate on the down-tempo release here (after all we are about dub and chill).

I can see why Radioactive Sandwich’s submission was selected the elongated intro paves the way into a blissfully soothing take on the original peace and despite being slightly reserved on re-mixes of a firm favourite I have to say I really liked this.

Joey Fehranbache follows and keeps a suitable chilled opener with a really nice dub echo on the sounds. The track doesn’t deviate too far from the original while containing some nice melodic fresh input and although the track ticks along nicely for me there’s something lacking which I can put my finger on in comparison to Radioactive Sandwich's mix.

Audioglider start their mix in a darker, moodier direction upon slow firm 808 beats. The more chilled elements seem to bounce against this for a while but I found myself easing into the track along the way. Once again it’s listenable but for me lacking a certain something.

The final mix by Tektribe (a partnership between Ultimae label DJ Nova and ethno-percussionist Antonio Testa, with guitars from Rodolfo Airoldi) really appeals to me and could well have got my vote. This ten minute long journey begins fusing natures elements balanced with wonderfully apt synths, the guys slowly introduce tribal percussions and guitars riffs underneath Natasha Taylor’s exquisite ethereal vocals. Six minutes in and the drums are almost building an undercurrent vibe akin to a tribal house monster whilst still maintaining the chilled atmosphere.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Don Peyote - Heaven & Earth Review

Artist: Don Peyote

Album: Heaven & Earth

Label: Don Peyote Recordings

Release Date: 3rd December 2012

Andy Thomas’s stunning artwork gives a depth that truly reflects the album title “Heaven & Earth” and I hoped the musical content matched my anticipation as “Peyote Dreaming” is an album I love and often re-visit. So I’d been eagerly awaiting another release from Yvon Mounier (aka Don Peyote).

The opening track “Agartha” didn’t disappoint seamlessly drifting from repetitive synthetic tones and heavenly choral voices to sparse tribal beats and earthy atmospherics which is only heightened by the addition of Dan Richardson’s bamboo flute. This is followed by “Bouroukou” which envelopes you in slo-mo heavy tribal beats, dubbed tribal vocals, eerie spaced out synths and guitar. This track embodies my overall thoughts on this album and what I like about Yvon’s music. It may not be a catchy foot-stomper but he creates a wonderful atmosphere without heavily drawing on the obvious. Which I feel stamps his individuality in the psychedelic scene.

Another element which I feel sets Yvon’s music apart from other psy-dub artists is he’s often eclectic and sometimes funkier while still managing to retain his own trademark sound. “La Foret Perdue” for example is a blissful Gilmour’esque track perfect for chilling while the comically titled “Dub The Magic Derriere” is far from comical masterfully fusing psychedelic dub with Indian classical music while “Shake That Snake” provides a little something for those who like the more traditional reggae flavoured psychedelica.

Review by Woodzee