ELECTRONIC

I look back at 2022 and realize that I didn’t put out the “usual” amount of mixes for the HC podcast. This is indeed because right after the celebration of the music from the year before, I was utterly preoccupied with the thoughts turned towards Ukraine. As a result, there were two “For Ukraine” mixes by Brian Housman of Stationary Travels and Peter can Cooten of Ambient Blog. In the last two weeks, with the annual Best of the Year tradition, I managed to broadcast and archive a few of my selections from each list, showcasing appearing artists. You can stream these via my Mixcloud account. But it’s not the same as the typical fair. So today, I’m back, along with the amazing Mike Jedlicka of Optic Echo, to share his favourite vinyl selections of 2022. This is that one particular tradition that I refuse to let go of, with today’s mix being the 12th instalment in the series. There is not much left to say, and we both hope the music speaks much louder. Please enjoy!

Mixes

Optic Echo Presents - Best Vinyl of 2022

Music is a strange form of expression. As a composer [a term I'm finally willing actually to admit to myself], I often ask myself - what do I do it for? And if I do it for myself, then what is this internal drive to share it with the rest of you? And if I have something to say, then why must it be heard, reviewed and purchased? It's a rabbit hole of unanswered questions from this side of a creator. But I can also happily admit that being on receiving end of this communication, I am extremely thankful for the sounds. Listening to the music produced by artists I admire is more than just an inspiring showcase of sonic creativity and sound design. When I'm surrounded by all these frequencies, I am transported into the world within each mind that has the unexplained capacity to move, to make, to shape the space. There is a "unity" of sorts when all these engineered patterns, transforming on their lengthy journeys, finally arrive upon my ears. And in this unity, I rest. Regensburg (Germany) based Markus Guentner is no stranger to these pages. I have been a fan of his deep atmospheric explorations for many, many years, going back to the early 2000s and his appearance on Kompakt's Pop Ambient compilation series [I think for every annual release]. I suppose that's how he became familiar with Joachim Spieth, who also appeared in these celebrated entries. I've also highly praised his work on A Strangely Isolated Place (see Theia and Extropy), and yes, that's how he ended up on the third volume of For Ukraine compilation curated by Raf. With his latest album on Spieth's Affin imprint, Guentner follows up his Empire [ASIP, 2021], painting wide ethereal soundscapes with a soft and textured brush. This is an exercise in delicacy and restraint, as each harmonic swell is breathing in and out and truly resonating with particles that somehow make me feel alive. 

"Onda captivates with its orchestral-like progressions, an endlessly interwoven carpet of sound that spreads out over six etudes. As if in slow motion, he scans through the individual sound particles, works out details, lets dust fall from the source material, cores, connects and in the end lets everything flow..."

Onda

Prisa

TRACK PREMIERE : Markus Guentner - Prisa

Klaus Schulze - Chromengel

Breathe With the Nights (Epic Meditation Music)

A commissioned audio work for a short film I did back in 2021. The majority of sound was designed from smashed glass samples captured on set during filming.

watch the film here: https://linktr.ee/serpentdream

Frames of Mind

Duw yr aber (god of the estuary)

Oxygène

Oxygene, Pt. 4

Speaking Stones

China

Chung Kuo (Remastered)

02 Reflection, Pt.1

Producer and ex-Emeralds member Steve Hauschildt fuses drones, tones and groans on this adventurous blend of synth-heavy sounds.

For more information and tracklist, head here: https://www.factmag.com/2019/01/14/steve-hauschildt-fact-mix/

Klaus Schulze - Chromengel

Sowrdation2

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