Borealis has been absolutely storming is lately. I’ve long been a fan of Jesse Somfay’s work, and he’s just grown and grown. To say he is now producing some of the best, most innovative electronica around is an understatement. His releases on Origami Sound so far have been quality and his upcoming album ‘Voidness’ is sounding just as good.

Not only does Jesse knock-out the remixes at a rapid rate, he knocks them out of the park and his recent rework of my favourite Massive Attack track is a perfect example. The distinct blend of two completely different moods mash perfectly. Elizabeth Fraser (of Cocteau Twins fame no less) is thrown into a cacophony of sound – a dark assault on her angelic voice seems to tear up the dream we have all come to love. But by the time the smile on your face has began to drop, you’ve just witnessed the beauty tame the beast.

See Borealis’ site for more remixes and keep an eye on Origami Sound for the latest releases.

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After Andy’s ‘Lost In The Halls Of The Mountain King‘ from October went down so well with everyone here, he set about another set and this time, instead of recent beauties from Loscil, Koss and Echologist, Andy has re-wound the tapes back to the 90′s and put together his very own strangely isolated place – inspired by the ambient rooms of early London techno clubs such as Final Frontier. Outcast member Beaumont Hannant appears in his preferred early 90′s guise, alongside one of Seefeel’s earliest works from the brilliant Succour and one of Aphex twin’s alter egos, Polygon Window.

“Like many record collectors I often forget about the great music I enjoyed in the past. Listening to some recent tracks by the likes of Dublicator and Carbon Based Lifeforms it somehow reminded me of the wonderful electronica of the early to mid 90ʼs so often played in the ambient rooms of Londonʼs more notorious techno clubs like Final Frontier. Regretting not really giving the music the attention it deserved back then, and from slightly foggy memories, I recorded this mix to take my mind back to those places. Some classic tunes in the mix here alongside those contemporary tracks that got me feeling nostalgic. Enjoy!”

Andy has many more superb mixes on his Verdant Recordings Soundcloud and you can read the feature on his last mix here.

Download.

(FLAC download coming soon)

Tracklist:
01. B12 /Pulsar (B12 Records)
02. Biosphere /Tranquilizer (Apollo)
03. Polygon Window /If It Really Is Me (Warp)
04. The Higher Intelligence Agency /Speedlearn [Empathy Mix] (Beyond)
05. Amorphous Androgenous /In Mind (Quigley Records)
06. Carbon Based Lifeforms /Central Plain (Ultimae Records)
07. Spacetime Continuum /Ping Pong (Fax +49-69/450464)
08. The New London School of Electronics /Georgia (Rising High)
09. Seefeel /Meol (Warp)
10. Luke Slaterʼs 7th Plain /Surface Bound (General Production Recordings)
11. Beaumont Hannant /A Summer Spent (General Production Recordings)
12. Sun Electric /Spreewald (Apollo)
13. Dublicator /High Energy Collisions III (ZeECc)

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The compilations begins with a dark and menacing texture, quickly accompanied by some elegant strings and distant, stretched chimes. A quick succession of clashing instruments akin with Art of Noise, and K.D. Expression’s Alpae-3717 kicks off. From there, I never looked back.

Plenty of new, inspiring ambient and electronica on this compilation from Sentimony Records. Russia’s psychedelic master, Astropilot put his Siberian ear to the ground with this lot, and even managed to pluck out two favourites you may have come across on ASIP before; Germany’s Field Rotation and the UK’s very own 36.

‘Special Places’ is available on Sentimony’s Bandcamp and below.

Tracklist:
1. K.D. Expression – Alpae-3717
2. Cygna – Camaras De Lamento
3. Chronos – Dandelions As Memory
4. Irukanji feat. JazzyFlute – Out From Little Box (AstroPilot Edit)
5. Ambient Intelligent Application – Via Lactea (AstroPilot Edit)
6. Rabitza – Port
7. AstroPilot – Svoboda
8. Access To Arasaka – AUG
9. Field Rotation – Disappear
10. Nexar – Jewel (AstroPilot Edit)
11. 36 – A Final Thought
12. Eguana – A Moment Of Madness

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Dewtone have been slowly burning away in the background with a few impressive releases. ‘According To The Trees’, by Hungary’s Antendex is one of the best to date. Melancholic and dramatic, Antendex sits on the hard-to-master grey line between ambient and electronica. The tracks are simple, yet clear as the background you see above, with the odd punchy beat gracing the landscape.

Available on Detwone’s Bandcamp for a very reasonable $4.

Album Teaser

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Tracklist:
00:00 Intro – Sample from “Half-Life 2” (G-Man) 2004
00:24 Basicnoise – Exhalation (U.F.O. Edit) 2011
03:24 Northworks – Out 2010
03:41 Sample from “Half-Life 2” (Breen) 2004
05:41 Sample from PQM – You Are Sleeping 2002
06:49 Tangerinie Dream – White Eagle 1982
09:56 Sample from Tatort – Das Mädchen auf der Treppe 1982
10:00 Deepchord – Spirits 2011
12:37 Burial – In McDonalds 2007
14:11 Dettinger – Intershop 7 1999
15:16 Lars Leonhard – Fly By Wire 2011
17:22 Steve Hillage – Garden Of Paradise 1979
19:41 Jam & Spoon – Hermaphrodite 1993
21:31 Sven Väth – Caravan of Emotions 1992
27:17 Basicnoise – Raumklang I 2009
31:43 A Conversation with Rickie Lee Jones 1989
32:01 Steve Reich / Pat Metheny – Electric Counterpoint: Fast 1989
33:41 Bvdub – Make The Pain Go Away 2011
36:40 K.Fog – Except 2011
37:05 Erich Honecker – Über DT64 und die Beatmusik 1965?
37:52 Sample from Westbam – The Mayday Anthem (Marusha) 1992
39:02 Tomas Dvorak – The Prison 2009
39:16 Sample from “Half-Life 2” (G-Man) 2004
40:36 Adolf Noise – Was Ist Zuviel Zeit (Dub) 2005
43:47 Markus Guentner – Wenn Musik Der Liebe Nahrung Ist 2004
49:59 Sample from The Fish In The Sea Is Not Thirsty (Osho) 1978
50:52 Sample from Genesis – The Fountain Of Salmacis 1972
52:10 Deepchord – Vantage Isle (Spacecho Dub) 2007
52:51 Tomas Dvorak – By The Wall 2009
55:02 Steve Reich / Pat Metheny – Electric Counterpoint: Fast 1989
56:43 Sample from The Orb – Little Fluffy Clouds (Danny Tenaglia‘s Downtempo Groove) 1998
57:27 Moby – Hymn.Alt.Quit.Version (Extract) 1994
59:44 Markus Guentner – Umgebung 2005
65:09 B. Hilliard, S. Fain – A World Of My Own 1958
66:26 Aphex Twin – Avril 14th 2001
68:15 Rhythm & Sound – Rise And Prise (Vainqueur Remix) 2006
70:19 Pete Namlook and Dr. Atmo (Silence) – Sweet Angels 1994
70:37 Basic Channel – Q1.2 1995
73:10 www.rainymood.com – Rain Makes Everything Better 2011
73:53 LFO – Premacy 2003
76:57 Popnoname – Nightliner 2009
81:52 Mark Morgan – Christal Laboratory (Zork Nemesis) 1995
82:57 Kraftwerk – Endlos
84:10 Outro – Sample from “Half-Life 2” (G-Man) 2004
I didn’t mention all the nature effects and samples cause that would go beyond the scope.
A lot of atmo and voices are from the game „Half-Life 2“ by Valve.

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Juska Wendland & Joonas Mikkilä have spent the last three years conjuring up Brotherhood, a classic chill-out album that is full of beautiful piano pieces and euphoric melodies. Joonas is a choir conductor, classically trained pianist and composer and Juska is a long-term DJ, electronic music radio host on Finnish National Radio and event producer. I can imagine how these two have combined in the studio, with Joonas taking the lead on some very fine intricate compositions and Juska providing the inspiration from classic trance music. Two of my favourite’s from over ten years ago are remixed to form part of the album; Ralphie B’s ‘Massive’ and Slusnik Luna’s ‘Sun’ giving Brotherhood an extra dimension and personal moment of reflection. The high energy and addictive chords from Slusnik Luna’s ‘Sun’ are toned down and the lush melody transformed into an extended composition – a brilliant piece of work. I’m a sucker for classic trance and it doesn’t get any better when they are transformed into chill-out classics.

See below for some previews of the album with the rest available on DJ Orion’s Soundcloud. Available to buy on iTunes, Beatport or Juno.

Slusnik Luna – Sun (Orion & J.Shore Remix)

Orion & J.Shore – White Birds (Original Mix)

Orion & J.Shore – Nails (Original Mix)

Full album preview:

Tracklist:
1 Orion & J.Shore – One Sunday (Original Mix)
2 Orion & J.Shore – Architect’s Dream (Album Reconstruction)
3 Orion & J.Shore – Oasis (Original Mix)
4 Orion & J.Shore – Nails (Original Mix)
5 Orion & J.Shore – Departed (Original Mix)
6 Orion & J.Shore – White Birds (Original Mix)
7 Slusnik Luna – Sun (Orion & J.Shore Remix)
8 Ralphie B – Massive (Orion & J.Shore Remix)
9 Orion & J.Shore – Brotherhood (Album Edit)
10 Orion & J.Shore – The Night After (Original Mix)
11 London Elektricity – Just One Second (Orion & J.Shore Remix)

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I’m constantly (and of course, pleasantly) surprised by the amount of quality electronic music that seems to originate from Lithuania – take the earlier post featuring Stellardrone for the most recent example…

Paulius Markutis aka Sraunus doesn’t boast the extensive discography of Stellardrone, but Paulius has some absolutely quality tracks to absorb. For those that enjoy dub-techno, or the more 170BPM electronica synonymous with Bulb, you’ll find something in Sraunus’ Soundcloud. You can also download his first release ‘Out of The City’ for free here.

My favourite track from Sraunus – the one track which led me to explore him in a bit more detail, is called ‘Bili Light’ and features as part of the ‘Other Feelings’ compilation alongside another stunning track by Lithuania’s, Pembls called ‘Interpretation (featured on ASIP last november).

It was the Fingers In the Noise mix which led me to discover Pembls  > led me on to Night Music > led me on to Sraunus. I wonder how long this line of discovery can go on for…

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I’ve been out of action these past few weeks and have lots of music lined up ready to flip into tidy little posts. First up, is Stellardrone‘s latest spaced-out ambient record, ‘Echoes’. Lithuania’s Edgaras once again delivers one of the finest pieces of escapism known to man and once again, the brilliant Energostatic are behind the release.

You can download Echoes below using the Bandcamp player or visit Energostatic.

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Most of you will be familiar with Leandro Fresco’s ambient masterpiece, Buenos Amigos, the star on (what I consider) the best Kompakt Pop Ambient release to date. Since then, Leandro’s been pretty quiet and has only released one album, ‘Luz Sin Calor‘,  but still remains a legend in my eyes for the effect that specific track had on me, in helping me fall in love with the Pop Ambient series. Nine years on, I still revisit Buenos Amigos on a regular basis.

Leandro’s mix reflects on a similar style to his productions, with washing, melodic ambient including the legendary Ulf Lohmann, Arovane, Isan and the stunning ‘Pass Into Silence’ by Iceblink.

Wrap-up, get the big headphones out and bring in the New Year with Leandro’s warm textures.

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“This is my catalogue of invisible music,
from Buenos Aires,
all the best,
Leandro”

Tracklist+ notes by Leandro Fresco.

1. Leandro Fresco – Lejos De Ti
The feeling I feel, when I come back from the airport.

2. Daniel Melero – 11
From his ambient record ‘Operacion Escuchar’, one of Daniel Melero’s ambient masterpieces.

3. Pass Into Silence – Iceblink.
I love to hear this song, only at noon

4. Gustavo Cerati – Todos Duermen.
From the motion picture +Bien – very inspired Gustavo

5. Audio Das Poly – Sciex Elan
From the “Juxtapose’ EP.

6. Arovane – Scapen Te
5th track from the “Atoll Scrap’ album – so deep, it’s like Tango, Buenos Aires dance.

7. Isan – Cutlery Favours
I got this CD during a short period when I lived in Barcelona, it reminds me of the hot summer.

8. Pommerence – Diacido
One of my fav pieces of Pommerenck and a very good friend of mine

9. Leandro Fresco – Laptop Granja
A song from 2005

10. Cerati/Melero – Alborada
A dark, intelligent, ambient piece, lost like an interlude in “Colores Santos” album

11. Brian Eno – An Ending (Ascent)
A piece taken from the ‘apollo’ cd. When i hear this, I see all in orange

12. Arovane – Ambelio
Another track from the “Atoll Scrap” album – Arovane is the best!!

13. Gustavo Lamas – Envueltos
A great composer, his music is always brilliant!

14. Pantha Du Prince – Im Bann
My fav track from the ‘Black Noise’ CD. I love the balance between the guitar and the other sounds.

15. Marsen Jules – Couer Saignant
I love Marsen Jules’ music, it’s like pressing the pause button, something very difficult to achieve.

16. Ulf Lohmann – 11.
11 is a very special number for me, in a lot of senses, spiritual and magically.

17. DD & Leandro Fresco – Thank You + Capsula.
This is a home made mix that i did with two tracks, using the end of DD’s Led Zeppelin cover “Thank You’ and “Capsula’, a track which is featured on my first album.

18. Bjork – All Is Full Of Love
A classic song from Bjork. I like this version, of course, without drum programming and featuring rhythmics loops.

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I’ve put together this very special ambient/dub-techno mix for the brilliant Das Kraftfuttermischwerk as part of their Advent Calendar series. So far, the series has featured some superb mixes by some of the site’s musical inspirations, so i’m honoured to take part and contribute.

This is an extra special moment for ASIP too, as the hard work going on behind the scenes is starting to come to light. I’ve featured two previously unheard tracks in this mix which are lined up to be a part of the upcoming ASIP release series. The first one, by Kit Fegradoe, set’s the idealic scene ‘In Nam’ and the second, a whirring jungle-sampled stormer from Robert Heel. More info on both of these in due course, but for now grab yourself a sneak preview of what’s to come!

These tracks sit alongside some other greats which go someway to summarising what I have been listening to for most of this year. The treasured finds of Parks and LJ Kruzer, another superb release from Energostatic, a great year for Specta Ciera and the twinkling classic of Warp’s Brothomstates help portray my idea of the calm before, the madness during and the beauty after a storm.

If you’d like to find out a bit more information about the planned ASIP release series, see here. But stay tuned to ASIP in the next few months as we’ve got some amazing artists lined up already.

Thanks to Ronny at Das Kraftfuttermischwerk for the invite and the continued support. And thanks to you guys for tuning in. Exciting 2012 ahead!

Download

01. Kit Fegradoe – Girl Walking On The Beach Wearing A Skirt (Forthcoming on ASIP)
02. Parks – Eternal Wind (Infraction)
03. LJ Kruzer – Ter4 (Uncharted Audio)
04. Sven Weisemann – Xine (Wandering)
05. Robert Heel – Jungledub (Forthcoming on ASIP)
06. Marc Atmost – Deity (Energostatic)
07. Specta Ciera – Glowing Colours (Energostatic)
08. Biosphere – Ikata (The Sight Below Remix) (Touch)
09. Martin Nonstatic – Parallel Thinking (Silent Season)
10. Markus Guentner – Senses (Air Texture)
11. Specta Ciera – Underpass (Feedback Loop)
12. Gel-Sol – As Far As Eye Can See (Psychonavigation)
13. Brothomstates – Mdrmx (Warp)
14. Soosh -Take My Hand (Self Released) Free download

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