Collected: Vol 1

It’s been a long time since I’ve done any type of blogging on here. A lot has changed since I was writing reviews more regularly. The last time I did this kind of thing, I titled it “Passing By” (for obvious reasons), and I’m not even sure those posts made it over with the site migration.

Perhaps one of the biggest shifts in the past few years, is that, other than still collecting vinyl, I am collecting more and more music on Bandcamp. And to be honest, I still feel like there’s space for people to be talking about all the great music released on the platform. I see so many brilliant albums come and go, disappear into oblivion. Bandcamp has its columns, but even those don’t scratch the surface (and tend to be a little swayed to certain styles it seems). So, here I am again, hopefully holding up a few more ambient, electronic (or any related genre tbh - you know what to expect by now) gems. Old and new. Let’s hope I can keep this rolling. I’ll keep it to five… for now, with words at a bare minimum. No pressure. No agenda.

You could also follow my collection on Bandcamp, but… maybe this approach will be less transactional.

Inhmost - Breaks and Dreams

Inhmost is a much-admired artist in our small circles, through his many styles and label appearances, his quality rarely dips. His latest on UK label Tonight’s Dream Recordings (many gems to be found in there) is quite fittingly, Simon at his Schnauss-ian best. And by that I mean - yes - beautiful drum (break) programming, nostalgic feels, upbeat, and all the melodies for window watching.

Casino Versus Japan - Tagebuch einer Verlorenen

Within the first 2 seconds of hitting play, you KNOW CVJ is back in the room. That analog whirrrrr, on Schnee… I didn’t realize how much I have missed Casino Versus Japan until I got through this album. Announced without fanfare, and maybe his best work yet, everything about this album harkens back to the early days on this site and stumbling across an agenda-less nostalgic sound that just hits right.

Gimmick - Analog Dream Plants

Acid-tinged electronics on the Sound Synthesis remix come close to succeeding the original from Gimmick, but the pure simplicity and beauty of the original track, retains #1 spot for me. Remix EPs are hard to pull off, but every one of these gems has its own flair (and BPM!). Snagged the vinyl.

Vidění - The Land Of Clouds

I like to think South Korean label Oslated has done an amazing job at continuing the legacy of the much loved yet now hibernating Silent Season label, through its deep techno aesthetics. This latest by Vidění is no exception, with airy dub techno and washes of nature infused throughout. Funny, as I look now, I see Shaded Explorer on mastering duties and a remix to book-end the album (an artist who made appearances on Silent Season). I surprise myself sometimes.

isolatedmix 121 - Oslated & Huinali Showcase mixed by S-Pill

One of the very few known labels emerging from South Korea and going from strength to strength recently, Oslated has become a consistent outlet for quality deep techno and ambient-leaning electronic music. Helmed by Jongmin Lee, the label, and its sublabel Huinali keep a busy calendar between them, push a variety of artists both new and known in our small circles. Oslated, also keep a great guest mix series going to help fuel the collective inspiration.

Segue, Inhmost, Doltz, Earthen Sea, Javier Maramon, Saphileaum, Polygonia, and many more artists have graced the catalogs of Oslated and Huinali in recent years, and the label’s various artist compilations expand even further into great artist territory. Needless to say, with such a rich and growing catalog, it’s a perfect time to use the isolatedmix series to highlight some of the great music across the two labels along with a few questions for label owner Jongmin Lee…

ASIP: How did Oslated begin and what was the inspiration to start a label?

Oslated: The Oslated project is a natural byproduct of my beliefs since 2016. It includes the label’s international scope based on my past experiences. The label's early mission statement was to feature unknown talented young DJs and producers, but if there were things that inspired me, it would be based on my various experiences in music for the past 20 years - since I was in my late teens. This still stands today.

You have a great ear for music and I much of your output. What is your general approach to the label’s releases?

First of all, I really appreciate the good feedback & support from many followers & friends including you. I want to give various answers to this question, but to put it simply, I believe in my ears, brain, and heart. What happens after that, whether good or not, I come to a conclusion after the release. I think this way is better. As my belief is that almost all releases on the label were a good experience for me. Therefore, I still believe in my choices, and I still love all the artists I've released on the label.

How would you describe the difference between Oslated and the sublabel, Huinali to the listener?

When I founded the Huinali Recordings sublabel, I wanted to differentiate myself from the parent label, Oslated. However, while out running one day, I thought it was not something I’m absolutely set on differentiating. It's classified according to the artist's wishes, and this is always in progress. So I don't know. The same question was previously asked on a webzine, and my answer to this is still valid: "To be honest, the genre division for our both labels didn’t matter from quite a while ago. What I think iss important now, is the relationship between the concept of an entire album and the corresponding time with the artist."

What are your most and least favorite parts of running a label?

My favorite part is, of course, when I see an artist get a very good response to a release and develop further musically. I would say the hardest part is the interpersonal relationships. I get the most stress from this part, but I put the most effort into directing and consulting myself to minimize this and to be flexible with one another. This is probably the common denominator of all label & platform owners...isn't it?

You just pressed your first vinyl record for Huinali, with Segue, who I admire. What made you decide to move into vinyl for this release?

First, I don't want to say that a lot of physical releases are the goal. Anyway, Oslated had already released 3 vinyl records, and at some point the sub-label Huinali planned to do a vinyl release as well, from the day it was founded. And yes, I tried to do this naturally. Before being a label owner I was a DJ and a collector of various music. I honestly don't want to differentiate between digital and physical and I just want to release GOOD MUSIC. The reason I release physically as well is simply because my followers wish.

If you could have released any favorite/past album in the world on your label, what would it be and why?

I myself had such a wishful plan, and I’m the one who insists on “Oldies, but goodies” too. But as time passed, I realized something myself. Now, my simple argument for this question is, "The past is beautiful when it is the past."

You had S-Pill make the mix, can you tell us a bit about him and why you chose him to create the mix?

Seojun oh aka S-Pill is my close brother, and he holds the title of the only official DJ artist on the label. I guarantee that he is the best DJ in Korea and proud of him. This is the only reason.

What can you tell us about the future of Oslated and Huinali?

I don't want to elaborate on this question, but love Paul Valery's quotes here. "Nothing is complete unless you put it in final shape.".

"The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be."

~

astrangelyisolatedplace · isolatedmix 121 - Oslated & Huinali Showcase (Mixed by S-Pill)

Listen on Soundcloud or the ASIP Podcast.

Download MP3

Tracklist:

1. Inhmost - River Crossing [HNL008]
2. Gallery Six - Wish On A Star [HNL006]
3. Vâyu - To Achieve Awareness [HNL015]
4. Earthen Sea - Outcropping [HNL004]
5. Moon Patrol - Inparke [OSL026]
6. Adhémar - Smell Of A Summer Field [HNC001]
7. Lindamann - Blue Hour [HNL017]
8. Javier Marimon - Dem Cics [HNL002]
9. The Vision Reels - Her Form Is Slowly Morphing [HNL016]
10. Daniel[i] - Eubela [HNL010]
11. Segue - Deep Green Dub [HNP001]
12. Launaea - Reflected Life [OSL017]
13. Asllan - Citizen of the World (Soolee Rework) [OSL024]
14. Saphileaum - No Clue Of Life [OSL006]
15. Zemög - Hiking In Chicaque [HNL011]
16. Owl - Forest Shadow [HNL014]
17. Doltz - En [Forthcoming on Huinali Recordings]
18. ABSIS - Static Trip [OSL021]
19. Polygonia - Tanz der Gliederfüßer [HNL012]
20. Einox - Chirico (Romi's Paradox) [OSL016]
21. Sanjib - Without Words [OSL008]
22. Javier Salazar - Acae (Adhémar & Javier Marimon Repitch) [OSL025]
23. Aspetuck - Microscopic Moments Of Focus [OSL023]
24. Modeo - Nobody Sleeps [OSC002]
25. Ryefield Society - Sun Fossils [HNL018]

~

S-Pill (Oslated / Jeju Island, South Korea) | Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram
Oslated | links

ASIP - Reflection on 2021

As with all past ‘Reflection’ year-end mixes, I start with a collection of albums I have enjoyed over the year. Through the process of compiling a mix that flows well, songs are whittled down and selected from this collection. This means many of my favorite tracks and albums are often omitted in the process, due to the need for them to fit in a mix that comes together as organically as possible. As I say every year, this isn’t a definitive ‘best-of’ list, but a selection of just some of my favorite music from the year in one easily listenable format. It’s the most enjoyable way for me to boil down the music I’ve loved from the year using these self-imposed restrictions, for you to then enjoy and discover more. I encourage you to use the mix to jump off and explore each artist, listen to the album in full and see what else is on the label (and check the Buy Music Club list). Of course, releases or aliases a part of our own label/s are not considered (head over here for our label-specific 2021 showcase).

Another crazy year in the books (or is this the new normal?). Looking back, it’s been a tough year personally and one that in theory should have left me with more time to listen and absorb music but somehow did the opposite. This mix, as it does every year, serves as a great way for me to dedicate time listening to albums again, and I’m realizing this has become a yearly sort of musical therapy for me. The fact that people actually listen and await the mix, is a lovely bonus.

It’s been interesting to see the pendulum of music move across various online listening platforms during strict lockdowns this past year, and what seemed like an onslaught of output as artists buckled down inside. At one point, I am sure we were all left feeling truly spoiled with music choices and online events, despite not being able to attend physical events until the past few months. I know from my own experience, that many artists have albums in the locker and the labels are now struggling to keep up with the present vinyl production bottle-neck.

On the ASIP label front, we finally managed to launch our 9128.live sister label, producing physical and digital editions from notable live performances, with many more planned for 2022. Despite ACL recently commenting that ASIP seemingly “so far has seemed immune to the vinyl shortage”, we have been massively impacted and have only been able to keep somewhat of a cadence this year because we had so much in the pipeline. Next year, we may see bigger gaps between releases and different formats as we look to work with new plants and basically turn our production flow on its head. Numerous times this year I have questioned whether to continue with our current approach, and I am sure many other labels have felt the same.

On the listening front, and upon reflection, I have definitely been drawn to the more electronic-driven side of ambient music this year. Slightly darker and edgier perhaps for obvious reasons, with less instrumental, gentle, or orchestral sounds in my library overall it seems. The Reflection mix, as it does every year, ends up moving through several different stages and captures many of the different styles of music that have been on high rotation.

This year’s mix, begins with some more tranquil pieces (Hopkins, KMRU, Arian Shafiee), then takes a dive into the deep, dynamic elements (ASC, Inhmost, Sciama, AES DANA, Ulla, Bana Haffar), to then slowly emerge into melody just before the hour with Christina Chatfield. Things become more storied, as pieces are overlapped and looped, presenting the powerful drones of Christina Giannone, and more fluid, energetic beat-driven pieces from Ground Tactics, Whylie, nthng and Skee Mask - most of which made me crave the (out of bounds) dance floor. Beats then become crunched, textured and irregular, with the likes of new discoveries in, Hoavi, Vivan Koch, and Amandra X Matthies. The mix then begins to draw in, as more melodic moments take over from some (old but new) music from Niko Tzoukmanis and CiM, before the final chapter draws in with more organic and spiritual elements from Saphileaum, Alex Albrecht, ending on a positive curtain closer from Wau Wau Collectif. Ending the mix on something more optimistic seems to be a requirement after the journey of this past year.

Thank you to everyone listening and supporting what we do, and I hope you can find a new artist or album to support on Bandcamp with this mix - all this year’s inclusions are below in the Buy Music Club list. For a more extensive list of what I have supported and listened to this year, head over to my Bandcamp collection.

Listen on Soundcloud, Mixcloud, or the ASIP Podcast.

Download

astrangelyisolatedplace · ASIP - Reflection on 2021

Tracklist:

000.00. Jon Hopkins - Tayos Caves, Ecuador I (Domino)
006.20. KMRU & Echium - Unending (Self-released)
009.10. Bolivian Fireships - Quiet Room, Locked Door (Hream)
012.50. Arian Shafiee - Wembley (Constellation Tatsu)
018.00. Ab uno - Adonai (Mahorka)
019.30. ASC & Inhmost - Sunrise on Titan (Auxiliary)
026.10. Sciama - Periphery (Auxiliary)
029.00. AES DANA - Foreword (Ultimae)
031.40. Ulla - Shelter (Motion Ward)
033.30. Bana Haffar - Totally Alive and Totally Invisible (Self-released)
039.50. Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement - Flying Fish Ambience (Hospital)
043.20. Nadia Struiwigh - Organic (Nous’klaer)
047.15. Op Zee - Muziekkamer (Stroom.tv)
050.00. Christina Chatfield - Concatenate II (Mysteries of the Deep)
057.10. Nigel Mullaney - The Well Of Sleeping (Behind The Sky Music)
059.00. Avsluta - Meditation 16 [Notes on Iridescence] (e2-e8)
1.00.30 Marine Eyes - On this Fresh Morning (Stereoscenic)
1.03.30. Christina Giannone - Realms II (Past Inside The Present)
1.09.00. Milieu - Terpentine Xylophone (Milieu Music)
1.10.05. Ground Tactics - New Earth (Self-released)
1.16.10. Whylie - JGL24-04 (Lith Dolina)
1.19.40. nthng - Energy Reloading (Lobster Sleep Sequence)
1.25.58. Skee Mask - LFO (Ilian Tape)
1.29.15. Ocoeur - Breaking The Circle (n5MD)
1.32.57. Hoavi - Tessera (Peak Oil)
1.36.17. Vivian Koch - Closed (AD93)
1.39.20. Amandra X Matthies - Cornemuse (Nous’klaer)
1.43.30. Warrington-Runcorn Newtown Development Plan - Part of the Union (CIS)
1.47.35. Akira Sileas - Cliff Cooling (Rusted Tone)
1.52.10. Niko Tzoukmanis - Raindrops (Libreville)
1.57.15. Uf0 - Yeh Premoh (Self-released)
1.59.50. CiM - Metric (Delsin)
2.02.10. Sofie Birch & Johan Carøe - Portal of (Stroom.tv)
2.03.10. Saphileaum - Savar (Good Morning Tapes)
2.07.50. Alex Albrecht - Forest from the Trees, w. Sean La’Brooy (Analogue Attic)
2.12.00. Wau Wau Collectif - Yaral Sal Doom (Sahel Sounds)