Still Audio: Calm, Free Electronica

Three tracks for this podcast, two from the release entitled “Rarified” by Beyond Absence, recently made available on the excellent Webbed Hand label. The two-man team comprising Beyond Absence (Gustavo Caldas and Mauro Longordo) describe themselves as having a traditional musical background including, amongst others, jazz and bossa nova. These influences are clear in tracks 1 and 3 of Still Audio #28, but the whole release has a beautifully light, melodic touch. Subtle chord progressions (more than slightly jazz-influenced) are improvised throughout to create an electroacoustic beauty that compels you to slow down, and listen carefully.

Track 2 is a previously unreleased piece from Audio Gourmet, in advance of his forthcoming album. A tropically intense drone incorporating field recordings as well as Harry’s own rapidly emerging, dense, layered style. I think we can expect to see more of his work coming to a netlabel near you very soon indeed.

Update: Harry tells me that since the original was recorded, he has re-mastered this particular track to include some original field recordings that will find their way on to the forthcoming album. Follow the link for track 2 below for more information.

Track 1

• Artist Country: USA
• Netlabel: Webbed Hand
• Artist: Beyond Absence
• Release: Rarified
• Track: 03/Ophio
• URL: http://www.webbedhandrecords.com/wh109-beyond-absence-rarified/

Track 2

• Artist Country: UK
• Netlabel: n/a
• Artist:Audio Gourmet
• Release:n/a
• Track: Untitled Drone
• URL: http://www.archive.org/details/AudioGourmet-SevenMinutesOfPeace

Track 3

• Artist Country: USA
• Netlabel: Webbed Hand
• Artist: Beyond Absence
• Release: Rarified
• Track: 04/Air and Rain
• URL: http://www.webbedhandrecords.com/wh109-beyond-absence-rarified/

 

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Transient Universe refers to the universe not being fixed, as most imagine. It is the idea that the universe is constantly expanding and contracting at a varying rate. With this, the theory has it that our moods and emotions change in accordance with these contractions. Everybody will remember times when they felt they had more energy, more confidence and optimism in a particular situation…and equally they will remember the times when they just haven’t felt up to it. Often, these feelings are unexplainable, as there is not necessarily a reason for us being suddenly optimistic/pessimistic. Think of a human striving for a dream or goal and whilst usually remaining confident, the next day they wake up feeling they’re just not good enough to make the grade. The Transient Universe theory explains that this sporadic fluctuation in mood is a completely natural process.

[Audio Gourmet Field Recordings]
Track 3

• Artist Country: USA
• Netlabel: Musica Excentrica
• Artist: Kenneth Kirschner
• Release: Magnificentia Naturae (Compilation)
• Track: 5/”January 25th, 1997″
• URL: http://excentrica.org/releases/1/

Track 7

• Artist Country: USA
• Netlabel: Kurzwellen
• Artist: Pocka
• Release: Sampled Guitar
• Track: 5/Dao
• URL: http://www.archive.org/details/kwn004

Track 8

• Artist Country: Italy
• Netlabel: Zymogen
• Artist: Con_Cetta
• Release: Sclerosis
• Track: 1/”2.53″
• URL: http://www.zymogen.net/releases/zym019/

 

 Standard Podcast [33:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A beat-free episode perfect for helping you discover fifteen short minutes of solitude. Field recordings and soothing drones, skilfully layered. Thanks to Harry from Audio Gourmet for letting us know about his new release “Defying Science”, a track from which we’re delighted to featured here.

Track 1

• Artist Country: USA
• Netlabel: Archaic Horizon
• Artist: David Tagg
• Release: Skin Diagram
• Track: 1/Sunscape
• URL: http://www.archaichorizon.com/releases/ah025/ah025.html

Track 2

• Artist Country: UK
• Netlabel: Webbed Hand Records
• Artist: Audio Gourmet
• Release: Defying Science
• Track: 1/Inner Monologue
• URL: http://www.webbedhandrecords.com/wh103-audio-gourmet-defying-science/

Track 3

• Artist Country: Unknown
• Netlabel: Ansiform
• Artist: anonymous
• Release: ansi037
• Track: Rebirth
• URL: http://ansiform.afraid.org/

 

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Minimal clicks, field recordings and lush ambience all round. Rhythmic, but not overly dancy. Also includes not one but two tracks from the excellent Insectorama label. Why? Because I simply couldn’t decide which one to include. It’s all good.

Track 1

• Artist Country: Russia
• Artist: Ivity
• Release: Blur EP
• Track: 1/Blur
• URL: http://www.insectorama.de/index.php?m=3

Track 2

• Artist Country: Greece
• Artist: dimonib (Nikolis Dimosthenis)
• Release: Auxiliary Outputs LP
• Track: Auxiliary Output 1.6
• URL: http://www.deepindub.org/did019-dimomib-auxiliary-outputs-lp/

Track 3

• Artist Country: Ukraine
• Artist: Pasha Slatkin
• Release: First Dive (Compilation)
• Track: Heat Of Breath
• URL: http://www.deeplimit.net/en/release/dplm08/

Track4

• Artist Country: Netherlands
• Artist: Flip and Tou
• Release: Dynastic
• Track: 7/Row Ya Boat
• URL: http://www.insectorama.de/index.php?m=3

 

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Deep, dark, ambient sounds from orchestral to wall-shaking soundscapes. Must be listened to with a decent set of headphones/speakers to appreciate at it’s very best.

Track 1

• Artist Country: USA
• Artist: The Nature of Light
• Release: Shores of Jupiter
• Track: 4/Ocean Deep Eyes
• URL: http://www.webbedhandrecords.com/wh099-the-nature-of-light-shores-of-jupiter/#more-117

Track 2

• Artist Country: Germany
• Artist: EXurban
• Release: Leerstand Untergrund
• Track: 03/Seelenkinder
• URL: http://www.exurban.de/music%20news/music_releases.html

Track 3

• Artist Country: Scotland
• Artist: Mosca
• Release: PhCH001-1
• Track: 8/Brand New Polaroid
• URL: http://www.phantomchannel.co.uk/releases.html

 

 Standard Podcast [26:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I’m delighted to see that Audio Gourmet’s excellent album is now available from Webbed Hand Records.

Astute Still Audio listeners may recall that we featured a sneak preview from “Earth’s Exit Door” on Still Audio #10.