Passing by: A Sagittariun, eyesix, Emancipator, Scyye & Christ

A Sagittariun – Dream Ritual

I’ve been listening to quite a few downtempo/lo-fi/electronica albums recently so thought i’d get a few together in a Passing by post. The first, a recommendation from my friend Dan, is a must have for any fans of The Orb, FSOL, KLF etc. ‘Dream Ritual’ is an evolving journey through some steadfast euphoric electronica; with ambient, dub, psychedelia, vocal samples and breaks keeping this record both unique and reflective to years gone by. Available via Bandcamp.

Emancipator – Safe In The Steep Cliffs

This album is four years old now, so probably wont come as a surprise to many of you. I’m gearing up to seeing Doug in Portland next month so i’ve been giving his albums a spin and this one is by far the stand-out. His more recent album ‘Dusk to Dawn’ is also worth a spin, but there’s a couple of tracks on here which are another level when compared. Namely, ‘Greenland’, reminding me of Thievery Corporation’s brilliant ‘Shaolin Satellite’ and ‘All Through The Night’ – an instrumental masterpiece that would blow Bonobo out of the water. Available via Bandcamp.

eyesix – eyesix EP

You’ll be quick to draw comparisons with Boards of Canada on this one, and it deserves it to be honest. Dreamy lo-fi from summer 2013 available as a ‘Name Your Price’ on Bandcamp.

Scyye – Timegazing

A much more eclectic mixture than those above from Scyye, but still honing in on that classic Electronica/lo-fi feel. My favourite track is perhaps one of the more ‘ambient’ on the album – ‘Green Garden Gate’ but the bleepy ‘Nion’ is up there – hints of Ulrich Schnauss in parts. While away an hour and you’ll stumble across all kinds of inspirations in this album – this is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Available as a ‘Name Your Price’ on Bandcamp.

Christ. – Distance Lends Enchantment To The View

Seeing as we’re already on the electronica/lo-fi tip, let’s go back to 2009 and to one artist who probably holds the title for ‘Most compared to Boards of Canada’ – Christ. Rumours are that he was part of the early Boards of Canada up until 1995. So if you’ve already got BoC withdrawal since last years new album, try this one out for size. Available via Bandcamp.

Passing by: Gallery Six, Moss Garden, Elysee, Tone Color and Jokers Of The Scene

Gallery Six – Morgunn

This little gem from Hiroshima-based composer Hidekazu Imashige is the perfect introduction to his catalog of ambient work. Take the time to explore a discography that includes collaborative efforts with India’s Twisted Perspective and Cracow’s Lights Dim. Download on Bandcamp.

Elysee – Something Special

16 meticulously constructed minutes that blossom at their half way point. Stick with it. This exceptional talent out of France fuses minimal elements and live instrumentation to convey very real emotion. Definitely follow up with his work for Canada’s Archipel and Berlin’s Sleep Is Commercial. Download on Beatport.

Moss Garden – In The Silence of the Subconscious

Lee Anthony Norris and Dimitar Dodovski combine ambient and techno theory for a gratifying, yet desolate full length experience. The album’s warmer moments contrast with chilly, dub-laden passages that leave you stranded with break-taking views. This promising duo have an earlier EP also worth your time. Download on Bandcamp.

Jokers Of The Scene

The clear favorite on this ambient-themed compilation from Adam Marshall’s New Kanada imprint. Not a roster generally known for their work in the ambient sector, but we’re starting to see a lot more artists try to reach out and expand their horizons. It’s often either a clear hit or miss. This piece from Jokers Of The Scene follows through. Download on Beatport.

Tone Color – The Last Day

Rich textures, vivid field sounds and emotive arrangements star in this beautiful full length effort from Manchester’s Andy Lomas. Rare to hear such expertly crafted sounds on an artist’s debut. A must-listen for any budding ambient enthusiast (oh, and the album is free).Download on Bandcamp.

Passing by: Tegh, Inventions, Loscil, The Green Kingdom and Ulf Lohmann

Tegh – Night Scenes

Debut full length from Iranian producer Shahin Entezami on Inner Ocean Records (First Porya from Iran, now Shahin!) This is classic, expansive ambient music that’s perfect for reflection, window watching and imagineering. Download from Bandcamp (Name Your Price).

Inventions – Entity

The mighty Eluvium and Explosions In The Sky guitarist Mark Smith are teaming up for a new project titled ‘Inventions’. This track, taken from the self-titled album, is absolutely breathtaking, and i’ll be on the order as soon as it’s available (1st April) via Temporary Residence.

Loscil – Fury

Loscil hits the road this month alongside Fieldhead and with it, comes a split-tour CD. “Although not a collaboration in the strictest sense, sounds were shared by each artist allowing for a sort of aural infusion between the compositions”. As you’d expect from Scott, another masterpiece, albeit perhaps a little more accessible than his previous dark and mysterious tendencies. Seems like the release will be available to those who can catch him on tour first, with digital following on March 10th on Gizeh.

The Green Kingdom – Expanses

This one’s been on Bandcamp for a few weeks now and i’ve seen a few of you guys picking it up already. For those aware of The Green Kingdom, this masterpiece will come as no surprise. Deep textures, field recordings, and dubby elements make for a defining piece of work for Mike Cottone: “This album is, for all intents and purposes, a homage to classic ambient and ambient techno albums of the past”. Available on Bandcamp.

Ulf Lohmann – PCC

I’m cheating a bit now, because the sample below isn’t even the full track, and i’ve already devoted a whole post to Kompakt’s Pop Ambient 2014. But just give it a listen. It’s bloody good. I wish the track was out there in its entirety. Read the full review of Pop Ambient here.

And last but not least, can someone please explain to this guy why Nils Frahm is a genius, and not a ‘piano mess’?

Photo @astrangelyisolatedplace

Passing by: Markus Guentner, Odd Shapes, Audioglider, enh, Sonae and Mr Frankie

A few treats from ASIP regulars in this Passing By feature.

Markus Guentner – Our Home

A little gem released by Markus Guentner a few weeks back now; not to be missed and a free download. Dark, subdued and industrial with a reverberating bassline. Download on Soundcloud.

Odd Shapes – Ice Cream Cathedral’s ‘The Ranger’ remix

A superb EP all-round by Ice Cream Cathedral and a rare remix by Odd Shapes. You’d probably expect Asger to take the drums on this piece to another level, going by his remix duties on Uncharted Places, but instead he opts for a stripped back version, letting the beautiful vocal swirl and the melody shine. The Debut LP will be released March 4th through Oh!My Collective (ohm014).

Audioglider – Mixtape 14 (mix)

Audioglider always manages to come up with these mix tapes at the right time of my life, and as you’d expect from Roberto, it’s a dreamy, melodic and a perfect companion to lazy, hazy days. Featuring a bunch of great tracks from enh, Message To Bears, Bass Kittens and XSpance – the latter of which has a rather good album called ‘Night Echoes‘ up on Bandcamp. Download the mix on Soundcloud.

enh – So Zero (mix)

Continuing the ASIP contingent, enh‘s also been busy preparing his latest mix and it’s packed full of ASIP related goodies. From Roger Martinez’s Horizontal Excursions to Parks, Stray Theories, and Markus Guentner remixes from Uncharted Places. I can’t be biased all the time, but this one’s bound to be good with this lot involved! Download on Soundcloud.

Sonae – Winter (mix)

You may remember many moons ago, it was through Sonae’s mixtapes that she came to release her Places Series EP on ASIP. The mixes are quite the legend round these parts and we’ve been void of them for far too long now. Sonia’s back, with tracks from Loscil, Fieldhead, Jon Hopkins, Apparat and Peter Broderick. Play on Mixcloud.

Mr.Frankie – After The Bliss (mix)

I found myself enveloped in this mix by Mr Frankie – a beautiful blend of textures, dub and deep voids of techno. Some superb track choices including: DFRNT, Edanticonf, Voices from the Lake, Minilogue and Adam Michalak.

Image – Suddenly The Trees Are Giving Way (@astrangelyisolatedplace)

Passing by: Echaskech, Kangding Ray, Textural Being, Edanticonf & Jesse Somfay

Echaskech – Form | Function

Echaskech are long overdue a new album and news of their latest masterpiece, ‘Origin’ landed in my inbox last week. It’s been on repeat ever since and i’m working on a full review, but until then you can get a small tantalising node of Ech with an EP titled ‘Form | Function’ – set to be released on the 17th Feb prior to the full album dropping on 24th Feb. Keep your eye on Just Music for more news.

Kangding Ray – History of Obscurity

I’ve got to admit i’ve always been a bit reactive with Kangding Ray’s releases. Sometimes they’re a little too much for my liking and need a certain mood (one which i’m not always in). But the video for the track ‘History Of Obscurity’ confirms what many reviews were reporting – that “the different sequences (from the upcoming album) are arranged seamlessly into dense, evolving compositions, while keeping their autonomy,”. Perhaps this is a clever way of saying this album will span a few styles of techno? Either way, this is one album I will be positively pursuing. ‘History of Obscurity’ will be released on February 24th via Raster Noton.

Textural Being – Cranberry

Textural Being has become synonymous with dreamy dub-techno, so it’s a rather pleasant surprise to see him creep out of this title slightly. This EP, uploaded to Soundcloud as a free download sees Sage experimenting with percussion, leaving the bubbly beats alone and creeping into a funkier, more techy vibe. Download on Soundcloud.

Edanticonf – The Boundary of Nowhere Land

Silent Season’s latext vinyl issue is a euphoric and expansive techno piece. This is the kind of stuff you lose yourself with – in amongst a dense forest surrounded by nature and solitude. And i’m pretty sure that’s exactly what Silent Season and Edanticonf are hoping for. Look out for a full review soon – i’m waiting for my LP to drop through the door any day now. See Silentseason.com for more info.

Jesse Somfay – Love Affair With The Moon.

Jesse Somfay has had somewhat of a revival with his most recent electronic ventures as Borealis. I’ve been a big fan of him since his very early releases on Traum and his melodic techno back then was every bit as unique as his recent electronic onslaught under the Borealis name. Just like 2005’s ‘Between Heartbeats’ and 2009’s ‘A Catch In The Voice’, his first release on Archipel, ‘Love Affair With The Moon’ is beautifully rewarding minimal techno. Recently uploaded to Soundcloud, you can download the release for free over at Archipel.

“As the sun rises over a perfectly calm ocean, pink popcorn clouds spackle the sky and an ethereal moon grows weary and sets as sand blows around with a gentle breeze”