Thanks so much for making another instalment - the first is a yearly favourite

Set the Weather Fair: Seasons

Orion (Of the Night Sky nebula mix)

'Saravá Exu' [CD|LP|DIGITAL]
Denovali Records · den223
available on all formats at [http://denovali.com/ricardodonoso]

Ricardo Donoso is a composer, percussionist and electronic musician from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil who currently resides in Boston.  After having studied composition at Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory he has participated in a slew of projects over the years, most notably playing drums for avant-death metal unit Ehnahre and being one half of the ever morphing electronic duo Perispirit. Ricardo's musical vocabulary draws as much from contemporary composition, drone, to techno and noise.

In contrast with the continual pursuit of achievement, that today's culture teaches us, the theme of Descent, found in many myths in the shape of the hero going underground to pass a period of solitude, is no longer represented. A cultural space existed in most traditional societies for such a period in a person's life and it was seen as necessary in order for the initiate to re-connect with their past and concomitantly with his collective unconscious, or humanity’s primordial existence. 

"Sarava Exu" was written throughout such a period - one of deliberate isolation and expressed and channeled through the sacred esoteric rituals of the Brazilian cult of Quimbanda. The musical suite moves through the Seven Lines & Kingdoms of Quimbanda incorporating traditional Candomblé rhythms, Brazilian percussion, noise as well as classical string instruments, all elements from Donoso's past, re-examined & re-interpreted. "Sarava Exu" is a symphonic poem of a Quimbanda ritual and the musical accompaniment of Descent into one's own personal hell.

Certainly Donoso's most ambitious and challenging undertaking to date, but those who spend the time with it and uncover the layers underneath will be rewarded. The lines are now blurred between the compositional strategies of Donoso's solo work, the Scuba Death project and the techniques used when writing for groups like Perispirit & Ehnahre. Musically, the album takes its inspiration from movie trailer music; music that usually develops so fully and extremely in two minutes or less and has as its sole focus to trigger an emotional response with the viewer. Although each of the seven pieces are inextricably linked, one also gets the sense of a ongoing push & pull, with no resolution. A constant drive of trying to get somewhere, but never really arriving - dynamic crescendos come and go, developing and falling apart again and bringing us back to where we started, the music, constantly evolving and yet going nowhere simultaneously, creating a true sense of timelessness. 

If "Assimilating The Shadow" was the theory, "Sarava Exu" is the practice - a postscript addendum thats not an aimless or destructive fall into the abyss, but a meaningful restoration. "The way towards wisdom suggested by Exu is one of hellfire and brimstone, one of ruthless honesty and bravery, where the most vicious of all enemies is your self"

Sarava_ Exu

Ricardo Donoso - Vesperum

A piece to represent the perception of the acceleration of time as we get older

Summer

21 to 21

Jim Perkins - 21 To 21

James Maloney studied music at Oxford University and after graduating in 2011, found his own voice in minimalist composition and songwriting, which led him to the sounds and style present on Gaslight. The album is a vibrant piece of work that is built around an old piano, accompanied by a trumpet, vibraphone, glockenspiel, and subtle electronics. This is a music defined by spacious atmospheres, vibrant tones, and comforting chords, a bold soundworld crafted by Maloney on his debut record that make it a triumphant and original foray into minimalist territories. Maloney adeptly weaves a broad range of styles and influences into his compositions: gentle nods to cinematic orchestrations meet hints of post-rock sonorities, with infusions of mellow jazz and modern classical germs.

Gaslight is released on CD and digital on July 7. Pre-order: http://hcdi.gs/2s5lU8E

Gaslight

Blink

Pre-Order

TRACK PREMIERE : James Maloney - Blink

Save Your Light For Darker Days

After The First Death

Mysterium - A Second Choral Christmas

Some 8 years after compiling my Lullaby - A Choral Christmas, made for friends as an antidote to the constant Hark the Heralding that fills the classical airwaves at this time, I've finally followed it up with a new volume.  

This mix takes in various obscure carols, from medieval and renaissance sacred and secular songs to 20th century pieces.  The principle thing they have in common is an ear for unusual harmony and beautiful reflection.  Grab a mince pie, pour a mulled wine and enjoy.

Anon - Lullay, I saw
Hans Leo Hassler - Verbum Caro Factum Est
Graham Lack - Jesu Swete Sone Dear
Jonathan Rathbone - The Oxen
Peter Warlock - Bethlehem Down
Philip Wilby - The Word Made Flesh
Pyotr Tchaikovsky - The Crown of Roses
Einojuhani Rautavaara - Christmas Carol
William Byrd - Lullaby my Sweet Baby
Francis Poulenc - O Magnum Mysterium
Andrew Dobson - The Fisherman's Carol
John Jacob Niles - I wonder as I wander
Judith Weir - Illumiare, Jerusalem
Hieronymus Praetorius - Joseph Lieber, Joseph Mein
Trad - Salutation Carol

Mixed by Andy Digitonal, Christmas 2017

Mysterium

Mysterium - A Second Choral Christmas

Recorded live at the Bleep × store in Dalston 3rd February 2019.

https://bleep.com/bleep--warp-records--plaid--3rd-february-2019

The Warp Records Bleep × takeover marked the last event at our pop-up shop in Dalston. Mira Calix, Plaid and Special Request all delivered sets that were energetic, playful and ultimately; incredibly fun. This mix from Plaid starts from the off at 100% and stays there till the end. From the first kickdrum to the final squelch, this is a constant roller bursting with heart palpitating energy.  60 minutes of pure vibrancy with a breakbeat or two thrown in for good measure - fitting for a final big blow out!

No frills or faff about this set, just banger after glorious banger from Warp kingpins.

@warp-records

Bleep × Warp Records - Plaid - 3rd February 2019

Daniel McCagh - Altered States

this is a track from my debut album 'play flights', out now.



https://masonbee.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/thebeedrones
https://twitter.com/thebeedrones

Star Rover

Dadoo - Sammy

First Drambo track written and recorded on an iPad showcasing the new Drambo modular style application which is taking iOS musicians by storm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqNx5tBw0zU&t=231s

Drambo 1

Cinematic electronica's chief complainer.  Andy Dobson has been recording as Digitonal since the late 90s.  Part of the late phase of UK melodic electronica, he came to prominence on the seminal Toytronic Records label with a track on the Neurokinetic compilation and a debut album on the label shortly afterwards.  Since then he has recorded for Seed Records, Cactus Island, Uncharted Audio, B12 and Just Music who released Save Your Light for Darker Days in 2008, followed by a retrospective compilation.  Alongside frequent collaborator, Egyptian violinist Samy Bishai, and a flexible array of band members, Digitonal have toured extensively and have been in demand as a live act, known for their improvised sets of great range and beauty.

Mysterium - A Second Choral Christmas

Digitonal

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city at worlds end

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Handstitched*

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