isolatedmix 95 - Sraunus

Dub-techno has kind of fizzled-out for me in the last few years. Not by design, but likely more as a comparison to how much I used to listen and dig for new music in that vein. Back in 2010, I stumbled across Sraunus who epitomized the best of genre with his debut album ‘Out Of The City’. It was a classic ASIP blog find, relatively unknown and deserving of more listens. Since then, Sraunus went on to release several more lovely albums with perhaps his most revered coming on Greyscale in 2017.

For those not familiar with Sraunus, the man behind the controls is Paulius Markutis - a Lithuanian producer originating from the post-industrial town of Panevežys. Sraunus escapes dub-techno clichés by placing his sound in strangely personal narratives that weave field recordings, delicate pop harmonies and darker emotional undertones. Any dub-techno listener, knows how hard it is to stand out in this field and Sraunus has gathered a respectable following for his consistent output over the years. But, as with all producers that dabble in dub-techno, ambient music is never too far away and provides much needed inspiration.

For his isolatedmix, Paulius decided to create an ambient mix, focusing on individual pieces of tracks in a hope to depict something new to the listener, moving from dark moods to bright, layering elements and intros into one rich tapestry - a truly immersive and technically flawless journey.

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Tracklist:

01. Takashi Kokubo - 海のつぶやき
02. Iron Cthulhu Apocalypse - Circumference (4 Hz Theta)
03. ULTRA ウルトラ - クレジット u p g r a d e ° 21
04. Latin girl signing
05. Garrett - Awaiting the Light
06. Halftribe - Tuning Out
07. Field recording
08. Laraaji - Ocean Flow (Seahawks Deep Drift Mix)
09. Roberto Musci - Tower of Silence
10. Roberto Musci - Improbably Music
11. Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - Joy
12. Sraunus - Kolonista
13. Baubas
14. Untitled
15. Nouveau Life™ - アンドロイド未来
16. Dominykas Niaura - Gyvenimas ėmė ir prabėgo
17. Roberto Musci - Claudia, Wilhelm R and Me
18. Unknown - 展示
19. Ｖｉｒｔｕａｌ仮想中空（ＶＨＳ）- その日が来るとき
20. Sam Amidon - Lucky Cloud
21. Flaming Tunes - Restless mind
22. Baubas
23. Carlo Giustini - A1. Il Vicino (Si Muove)
24. Terekke - Swim
25. Blue Darkness - A Sleepless Town

Sraunus on Bandcamp | Facebook | Soundcloud | Discogs

isolatedmix 94 - Brambles

Back in 2012 we were introduced to the work of Brambles. It came through a debut release on Welsh label Serein. From the very first track on ‘Charcoal’, as those beautiful strings hit, we knew we were in for something spectacular. It seems like millions agreed too, with 2.1m people streaming the track on Soundcloud since its upload - a testament to the beauty at hand. The album only got better as it progressed too, with the second track ‘Such Owls As You’ ending up as my favorite.

It wasn’t until 2015 that we were treated with a follow-up arriving as a single, more experimental track in ‘Half Gramme Holiday’, featuring another beautiful composition but this time underpinned by slow heart-beating drums. It was a subtle progression, perhaps enough of a progression after a three-year hiatus. But since then, we’ve been waiting to see where Brambles would land next. A full four years later (and three years after I emailed inviting Brambles to contribute an isolatedmix ha!) we have a new album coming soon, and an accompanying journey in the form of isolatedmix 94.

The lead single from the (yet untitled) album, Spirits may come as a surprise to listeners expecting another Charcoal. But Brambles’ respect for texture, composure and melody is clearly evident throughout this new approach.

… the sound palette has shifted dramatically but the moody and melancholic qualities that made their previous release so resonant remain deeply embedded.

One notable addition is the added manipulation of vocals. In Spirits, this evangelical, alien language is used as an instrument, never quite overpowering, holding enough back to add depth and mysteriousness.

The new balance of ambient and more colorful pop-infused productions comes to life within Brambles’ isolatedmix, showing where the inspiration has arisen from over the past few years.

This mix is a little trip around my current influences. Starting with experimental ambient, to left-field pop and ending with dreamy folky shoegaze. Some tracks are recent discoveries and others are tracks I keep returning to. I love how the internet has spawned so many micro-genres and niches. It's overwhelming at times but also exciting to find a new style and follow that path through the various artists, collaborations and offshoots. I have also included an unreleased Brambles track which will be on my forthcoming album - M.

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Tracklist:

01. Kara-Lis Coverdale - Touch me & die
02. Ryuichi Sakamoto - Fullmoon (Motion Graphics Remix)
03. Natureboy Flako - Gelis
04. Brambles - Out Of Bounds
05. Amnesia Scanner - AS Daemon
06. Aisha Devi - Two Serpents
07. Susumu Yokota - GEKKOH
08. Visible Cloaks, Yoshio Ojima, Satsuki Shibano - Anata
09. Zora Jones - Oh Boy
10. Lorn - UNDEAD DOGS
11. SOPHIE - Is It Cold In The Water?
12. Charli XCX - Cross You Out (feat. Sky Ferreira)
13. Nosaj Thing - How We Do (feat. KAZU)
14. M83 - Corridor
15. Florist - The Fear of Losing This
16. Slowdive - So Tired
17. Julia Holter - How Long?
18. Grouper - I’m Clean Now
19. John Maus - Cop Killer

Brambles | Soundcloud | Discogs | Bandcamp

isolatedmix 93 - Chihei Hatakeyama

Chihei Hatakeyama discovered ambient music accidentally. Growing up enjoying heavy-rock music throughout the clubs of Japan, he would hear basements and secondary rooms playing what he refers to as “softer music”. Chihei originally set out to recreate in the guise of bands like My Bloody Valentine, but the infamous vocals that accompanied the guitars and gazing became something he couldn’t replicate, often leaving him with just the beat and structure. It was this process of elimination that forced him to explore the freeing creativity once you start to remove the idea of any predetermined limitations. Only then did he realize he was making what other people called ‘ambient’ music.

This trial-and-error is coincidentally the perfect elemental breakdown of Chihei’s ambient work. Distant gauzy guitars and finely tuned electronics weave like the waves of his hometown Kanagawa, creating soft and beautiful ambient music that has no limitations in structure or approach. It’s classically Japanese in its calmness, purity, and refinement, and in Chihei’s appreciation for finding beauty in the every-day (the Japanese art of Sen no Rikyū).

Often using paintings as inspiration, Chihei will start in a similar manner as the painter, by setting a tone and color through his “synthesizer, guitar or effects unit”, further improvising on that sound to make the delicate melody and chords.

With releases on Kranky, Home Normal, Hibernate, Rural Colours, Dronarivm, Room40, Constellation Tatsu, and his own label White Paddy Mountain, Chihei is without a doubt a well revered producer within the ambient music world. Chihei’s latest album returning to Room40, titled Forgotten Hill, is the perfect example of this artistic quality and his overarching influences of place, creating an impressionist meditation on his journey through the Asuka region of Japan; an area known for its burial mounds, epic Buddhist monuments and quietly poetic landscapes.

“A few years ago I went on a trip to the Asuka region. This album, ‘Forgotten Hill’, draws all of its inspiration from this trip. The experiences I had on this journey were used as compositional guides to compile the sonic impressions I experienced during this time.” - Chihei

Like most of Chihei’s work, the album is delivered deep within the details, tone and textures. It’s ambient music at its purest that requires attention if you’re to fulfill the gravitas of the story at hand. And similar to a painting, you can stand and stare at it all day, placing yourself in the mindset and eventual place of Chihei. There are no spectacular technique changes throughout the album - a similar palette is used - but the swells, depth and colors draw you in, ask you to look out, reflect or move on.

For his isolatedmix, Chihei draws on inspirations across the ambient music spectrum. From the early pioneers of Robin Guthrie, Harold Budd, Windy & Carl, to more modern approaches from Burial, Ana Roxanne and Huerco S, alongside fellow Japanese producers Motohiko Hamase, Satoshi Ashikawa, Yumbo and Yutaka Hirose and more contemporary pieces from Hope Sandoval and Julee Cruise.

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Tracklist:

01. Robin Guthrie & Harold Budd - Neil's Theme
02. Leif - Loom Dream
03. Wilkes - Descending
04. Julee Cruise - Floating
05. Nivhek - After its own death
06. Yutaka Hirose - Taiko
07. Burial - Ghost Hardware
08. Satoshi Ashikawa - Still Way
09. Les Bertucci - Accumulations
10. Suso Saiz - Mexican Bells
11. Ana Roxanne - Nocturne
12. Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions - On The Low
13. Lumens & Profits - Coastin
14. Luis Paniagua - Prepartivos Para El Viaje
15. Motohiko Hamase - Elan Vital
16. Jonny Nash - Shell
17. Huerco S / Lifeblood (Naïve Melody)
18. Leyland Kirby Presents V/Vm - Monroes Stockport
19. Windy & Carl -- My Love
20. Rebekah Del Rio - No Star
21. Yumbo - Ishi Ga Full

Chihei Hatakeyama | Website | Bandcamp | Discogs

isolatedmix 92 - Midori Hirano

Born in Kyoto, Japan and now residing in Berlin, Midori Hirano’s discography has spanned a wide spectrum of experimental electronic music. From her 2016 album on the esteemed Sonic Pieces, to her latest praised work on Australian label Daisart and her beautiful extended piece for the Longform Editions series, Midori’s work is often recognizable when in play due to her manipulation of the piano.

A talented player from a young age, Midori’s work revolves around these classical elements, often told through soft pieces, with added electronic processing and field recordings. The result draws you in through attachment, as differentiating layers and effects change productions from a simple modern classical score, to an engaging experimental piece. Think Steve Reich, or other minimalist innovators, and you’ll enjoy Midori’s experimentations.

For any electronica fans, take Midori’s work as MimiCof however, and these minimalist productions take on new rhythmic layers, often finding themselves in an even more electronic guise, sitting alongside the finest moments of labels like City Centre Offices and Morr Music, the melodies of a Lusine and the classical manipulation and experimentation of a Ryuichi Sakamoto. A high bar by all accounts, but evident in the pieces captured below, where the extremes of this sound have seen Midori’s most energetic piece to date, Moon Synch, expand with rich experimentations originating from the Buchla synthesizer.

Not only is Midori pushing the boundaries of electronic music as her own name and as MimiCof, Midori has recently signed with Erased Tapes Music, and has contributed remixes for the likes of Sonae, Kid 606 and Liars. And of course, the talent doesn’t stop there - Midori has also helped provide some photography for Christian Kleine’s ASIP release, taking pictures of her newly adopted home in Berlin.

But, back to what you’re here for, the music, and here’s what Midori had to say about her isolatedmix which combines the art evident across both her monikers with recent experimental pioneers that stay true to her sound:

“This mix consists of recent favourite tracks of mine including two of my own songs. A few tracks have voices or field recordings which I often like to use also for my music, as I often want to have a kind of feeling of watching films every time I make a mix. It puts me into a place isolated from a world while I’m listening to it for myself” - MH

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Tracklist:

01. Tujiko Noriko - Ride
02. Senking - Ep 4
03. Félicia Atkinson - Valis
04. alva noto + ryuichi sakamoto with ensemble modern - Broken Line
05. MimiCof - Opal
06. Eli Keszler - The Immense Endless Belt Of Faces
07. Caterina Barbieri - Fantas
08. Driftmachine - Shift II
09. Ornate Coldtrain - Powerful Myth
10. Uguisubari - Nanzen-Ji
11. Mark Pritchard - The Blinds Cage (feat. Beans)
12. Amnesia Scanner & Bill Kouligas - II
13. Midori Hirano - Haiyuki
14. Jim O’Rourke - And a 1, 2, 3, 4
15. Yair Elazar Glotman & Mats Erlandsson - Format And Formalize Desire
16. Robert Lippok - Samtal

Midori Hirano / MimiCof | Website | Bandcamp | Soundcloud |

isolatedmix 91 - RichEars & Leandro Fresco - Dream Collar

It’s been ten episodes since our regular Balearic-sunset-conjurer RichEars graced the isolatedmix series (isolatedmix 81) but a whole five-years since Leandro Fresco stepped up with his second mix (with isolatedmix 47).

RichEars is a welcome regular at this time of year (we always get an itch for some Balearic vibes around this time). Whilst Leandro has been busy curating his own weekly series of gems on Frisky Radio, spending each week digging around some of the finest ambient music.

The two are therefore a natural pair to lay down a 2-hour journey and come together as one from across the globe for isolatedmix 91. With Leandro following the lead of RichEars’ first hour, the two flow through classic artists and many memorable moments, creating a timeless mix that’s fitting for watching the world go by, or an extended chill session. RichEars, in his own style, sets the tone, keeping things eclectic and lively, moving between well-known artists such as Global Communication, HIA and Vangelis, amongst quirkier samples and soundtracks, Then Leandro continues down the rabbit-hole, taking a slightly more modern approach, with a heavily German and Kompakt-related textured twist, including Bochum Welt, Michael Mayer, Closer Musik and Arovane.

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Tracklist

Hour 1 (RichEars)
01. William Orbit - The Mighty Limpopo
02. Disastrato - Give Up
03. Global Communication - 14:31 (Reload Remix)
04. Cult Of Youth - Gymnoso
05. Calm - Light Years
06. The Higher Intelligence Agency - Speedlearn (The Irresistible Force rmx)
07. A Guy Called Gerald - Emotions Electric
08. The Superfools - Little_Fluffy_Clouds_Scavenger_Mix
09. Vangelis - Blush Response (UNKLE Sounds Edit)
10. Chicane - Low Sun
11. Leggo Beast - The New Deal
12. Harrison & Daicz - Una Luz Tan Brillante 2
13. The Orb - Montagne d'Or (Der gute Berg)
14. Penguin Cafe Orchestra - The Sound Of Someone You Love Who's Going Away
And It Doesn't Matter
15. David Sylvian - Words With The Shaman
Hour 2 (Leandro Fresco)
16. Bochum Welt - Laurel Canyon
17. Negativland - Michael Jackson
18. Melorman - Wait
19. The Orb - Back Side Of The Moon
20. Michael Mayer - Baumhaus
21. Leandro Fresco - Verano Sin Fin
22. Gas - Rausch 1
23. Dirk Leyers - Daydreamer
24. Yui Onodera - Cromo 2
25. Gustavo Lamas - Mañana
26. Thore Pfeiffer - Tarragon
27. Leandro Fresco & Rafael Anton Irisarri - Un Horizonte En Llamas
28. Closer Musik - 1,2,3 No Gravity (Dettinger Mix)
29. Arovane - Seaside
30. HTDC - The Sky Is Black

~

Rich-Ears | Mixcloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Leandro Fresco | Frisky Radio | isolatedmix 24 | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram