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Likimas

On August 27th 2023, I received the very sad news of the untimely passing of Brian McBride at the age of 53. There is so much more that I can say about the emotional turmoil that this has caused in me and the entire music community. But today, I won't talk about the darkness in which the world is left with one more going-out light. Instead, I'll celebrate his music, which is still among us, flickering with energy to light and show the way. "Far From Home" is the "Diminished Stories Mix" which Brian made for Kenneth James Gibson's Further Translations album, collecting remixes by the likes of Jack Dangers, Christopher Willits, Scanner, Awakened Souls, and a few others, reworking pieces from Gibson's previous albums (in this case, "Far From Home" appeared on his 2018 release In The Fields Of Nothing). Gibson met McBride in the late 2000s, and the duo started a band, Bell Gardens, in 2009, exploring "the realms of Americana, chamber pop, folk, and psychedelic pop." For this remix, McBride begins with shimmering waves of wistful strings, which, after their introduction, subside into a bit of darkness, maybe sadness, and introspective grief, the way my mood turns every time I think about this world without the many great musicians that we lost along the way. Or, is it possible that we mourn for ourselves, and music is the way to leave a piece of us behind and be immortal, even for a bit? In any case, I'll close my eyes and play this gorgeous music, and for a moment, I'll pretend that Brian's still around. To me, that is as real as the rest...

Further Translations

Far From Home (Brian McBride's Diminished Stories Mix)

TRACK PREMIERE : Kenneth James Gibson - Far From Home (Brian McBride's Diminished Stories Mix)

In September 2015, I got swept away by the sonic tapestry of modular synthesis, deep textures, and fluid dynamics (the sonic composition, not the discipline of physics and engineering) coming out from a mysterious Serbian composer calling himself Abul Mogard. The story was that this Belgrade-based retired metal factory worker, with no previous music background, picked up a vintage Farfisa organ and self-build modular synthesizer and began recreating the sounds surrounding him for many years.  It was a great story, but I didn't buy it because the production quality was simply top-notch, and I knew that it would have come from an experienced electronic musician. I wasn't wrong, and years later, we learned that it was an alter ego of an Italian Guido Zen. "Great story, Mike, but what does it have to do with today's track premiere?" Well, as far as I know, Jan Nemeček _is_ from Belgrade, and he does indeed build rich layers of sound from "raw tonalities of partially defunct digital synthesizers." In this organic meets digital sound-generating chain of "neural" synth network, Nemeček reveals lovely hidden depths with low sub-bass, drony mutations, and granulated particles, which slowly evolve on this subtle horizon. It's an absolutely delectable track, which would keep many sound designers entranced with its tasty details. And yes, albeit I enjoyed that fable of Mogard, I am indeed delighted that Jan Nemeček is real. Lovinly mastered by Stephan Mathieu!

Dissolved

On Subtle Horizon

TRACK PREMIERE : Jan Nemeček - On Subtle Horizon

Written and Produced by Tadeuš Jatkevič
Mastered by Porya Hatami
Photography Alexander Kopatz
www.go70north.com
Faint037 // FaintCD037
Faint / 2023

Nesugražinsi Laiko Atgal

Bersarin Quartett is not exactly comprised of a group of four people but is actually a project of a single mind that is of a  German electronic musician Thomas Bücker. I have been a huge fan of Bücker’s gorgeous compositions since his 2008 self-titled debut, which he released on Lidar. Four years later, he was picked up by the beloved Denovali Records, which has consistently appeared on these pages with their unique aesthetic that spans a variety of genres. And so I covered and praised this follow-up simply titled II, and then, in 2015, III, and then, in 2019, [finally] with a more memorable name, Methoden Und Maschinen. Suffice it to say that every single one of these releases ended up on my respective Best of the Year selections. So it should be of no surprise that I’m excited about Bersarin Quartett’s newly announced 5th album, coming out on December 15th [hey, journalists and bloggers, hit that pause on the publication of your favourites of the year!] titled Systeme. I’ve listened to the album many times now, and I can tell you that as an entire package, it brings together all my favourite elements of this particular contemporary genre and, of course, that of Bersarin Quartett’s. “While it still sounds popularly symphonic here and there, there are also many soundscapes that have an observing, almost unmasking effect.” This is particularly fascinating in Bücker’s more than successful attempt at electronic bass music, where he joins the ranks of another favourite musician of mine, Ben Lukas Boysen, seemingly blending neo-classical with neo-electronic styles, as will be evident in today’s exclusive track premiere.

Systeme

Neuronen

TRACK PREMIERE : Bersarin Quartett - Neuronen

If, 20 years ago, you told me that I'd still be writing about ambient music, I think I would have simply laughed. How much could be said, not just with words but also with these sounds? But as the years appear to speed up, I find myself immersed in it much more (even as I see so many other publications slowly disappear), discovering new layers, space and people who have another story to convey, one that I am happy to be a part of. Regular followers of this site will, without a doubt, recognise my personal connection with the present moment, often hoping to convince myself and others that we should focus on what is instead of how it was before and certainly instead of how it could be. How could it possibly be any other way? How could we not be here and now, experiencing all that's happening around us as it could only be? Are there better times ahead of us, or is it only doomsdays? And does it really matter when we get there in the end? Okay, I'll pause here for a time and focus on the music, premiering for you a piece by Austin-based ambient artist TJ Dumser, who releases music under his Six Missing moniker. This piece is titled "Guidance", and it is taken from his upcoming full-length, Here For Now. Across the twelve pieces on the album, soft pads, swirls, and swooshes are echoed in a faint, reverb-drenched ambient calm, sometimes accompanied by the quiet acoustic guitar strums, sometimes allowed to simply expand into infinite indistinct space. It's in this space where I find myself writing these words. Here for now... and hopefully for a little bit more...

Here For Now

Guidance

TRACK PREMIERE : Six Missing - Guidance

Following the 130701 imprint for over two decades has been a rewarding experience. After all, this is the same offshoot of FatCat that brought us the best of Max Richter, Hauschka, Jóhann Jóhannsson, and yes, even introduced the world to Sigur Rós. This is what a label does best - it puts a "label" on its output, essentially a stamp of approval, if you will, of what it is excited to support. And this is why I hungrily continue to consume pretty much everything in its catalogue, especially by artists previously unknown to me. [And, secretly, I hope that you can say the same about the purpose of my words]. Today, I'd like to share with you a track by the Danish composers Emil Friis and Patricio Fraile, who are best known for their film and television scores (again, mostly for the Danish audience). For their collaboration titled The Expected Sounds Of Minor Music, the duo composed eleven vignettes with minimal piano melodies supported by a string quartet and solo cello performed by Joe Zeitlin. "The album's layered and intimate sound, along with its ability to encourage contemplation [...] reflect the duality of life, encompassing both the major and minor moments." This is a perfect soundtrack to wake up to and start a brand new day, bringing forth some optimism, serenity, and hope... even as it's mostly based on minor keys.

The Expected Sounds Of Minor Music

Minor Music

TRACK PREMIERE : Emil Friis & Patricio Fraile - Minor Music

Good morning, friends. I’m finally taking a little break and going away for a couple of weeks, reflecting on the last year [and all the gorgeous music, of course], but before I leave, I wanted to share with you this beautiful piece by ILUITEQ + Lorenzo Montanà who came together for a new collaborative album, KATÀ MÉTRON, scheduled to be released on the always forward pushing n5MD this March. The Greek expression “katà métron” means “according to the right measure”, which is all about balance, harmony and the right attitude towards everything around us. “More often than not, the dominant model is to go beyond our limits and have a “sense of measure” is not capitalistically profitable as we must nourish our constant desire to always wish for more, not caring for the consequences of such a “bulimic” attitude.” With this theme in mind, the group created a rich and textural ambient sound, underscored with rhythmic and percussive elements to drive the storyline forward, expanding outwards like a vaporous blanket of mist. There are ethos (and echoes) of the classic ambient passages traversed by Montanà, who is undoubtedly familiar with this sonic geography via his work on labels such as FAX with Pete Namlook (check out the Labyrinth series). Here, the Italian ambient duo of Sergio Calzoni and Andrea Bellucci, whom I profiled before as ILUITEQ, apply a modern electronic twist to what becomes a perfect fit for Mike Cadoo’s meticulously curated label. Check out this track, as well as the accompanying video (published on the site), which captures the movement.

Katà Métron

Noesi

TRACK PREMIERE : ILUITEQ + Lorenzo Montanà - Noesi

Warmth - Ocaso

The other day, I was discussing with my good old friend the constant fluctuation of the music release pendulum that I follow, oscillating between my absolutely favourite artists and labels [where sometimes it can feel like I am inside an echo chamber] and chasing the latest and new [where sometimes I am guided by marketing trends of PR]. As usual, the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle, and I will still chart my own course. Today is an immensely gorgeous example of the former, where I am eagerly celebrating a brand new release from my favourite artist – Ben Chatwin. And this is a perfect model of balance, where Chatwin does not simply sharpen his skills but projects them another leap forward, creating another new style that one day, I’m sure, will stand out as prime. If you peruse these pages you’ll be sure to find nearly every release from Ben Chatwin going back to 2015, and then, once again, even further in time, to 2008, when he was recording under another named project. But with his latest releases on Village Green, the last of which was The Hum (2020), Chatwin managed to evoke the voice of the inorganic, blending melodic beauty with intense sonics and tense, edgy rhythms. “Obsessed with the physicality of sound, Chatwin utilises modular synthesis to imbue life and instability into the recordings. Pushing his exploration of analogue textures, audio is passed through an arsenal of compressors and saturators to build layers of grit and grime around this new set of tactile compositions.” So yes, I’m a massive fan of his compositions, and yes, I have even secured a coveted remix of his for an upcoming single I intend to release any day now [more on that later!]. For his new album, titled Verdigris, Chatwin set up his own imprint, Disinter, to take us down his forward-thinking evolution of sound.

Verdigris

Dolmen

TRACK PREMIERE : Ben Chatwin - Dolmen

Sunrise improv - 27052024

some original solo piano pieces...  some mixes from my podcast... some exclusive track premieres...  and some tracks from the albums I review for Headphone Commute... Enjoy!

TRACK PREMIERE : Six Missing - Guidance

Headphone Commute

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