Still Audio: Calm, Free Electronica

Just prior to compiling Still Audio #31, I recieved an email from Gustavo Caldas, of Beyond Absence, letting me know about their latest release over on Webbed Hand. Beyond Absence are rapidly becoming one of my favourite artists with their free-form ambient acoustic style. So, I’m delighted to feature a track from their latest release “Complacency” on this podcast.

We also feature old-school electronica from Mikael Fyrek courtesy of newly formed Nordic netlabel Soft Phase, and some relaxed IDM from Raoul Santos on the Cubiculum netlabel.

Track 1

• Artist Country: Sweden
• Netlabel:Soft Phase
• Artist: Mikael Fyrek
• Release: Directors Cut
• Track: 4/A dream I never had
• URL: http://softphase.org/netlabel/releases/sfp02

Track 2

• Artist Country: Netherlands
• Netlabel: Cubiculum
• Artist: Raoul Santos
• Release: Sleeping Dogs EP
• Track: All Big Blue
• URL: http://www.archive.org/details/RaoulSantos

Track 3

• Artist Country: USA
• Netlabel: Webbed Hand
• Artist: Beyond Absence
• Release: Complacency
• Track: 07/Space Trip
• URL: http://www.webbedhandrecords.com/wh113-beyond-absence-complacency/

 

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Subtle, slightly up-tempo pace for this episode. Jazz references, ambient melodies, interspersed with occasional vocal samples.

Track 1

• Artist Country: Russia
• Netlabel: Groovecaffe
• Artist: Stanislav E. Rasovsky (Irokez)
• Release: Enfeeblement [EP]
• Track: 3/Enfeeblement
• URL: http://groovecaffe.com/releases/view/112/

Track 2

• Artist Country: Finland
• Netlabel: Sonetika
• Artist: Deymare
• Release: Design Your Life
• Track: 3/Rune Stones
• URL: http://www.sonetika.com/Releases/son009.html

Track 3

• Artist Country: Germany
• Netlabel: Kreislauf
• Artist: He-Lux
• Release: Native
• Track: 1/Essentials
• URL: http://kreislauf.org/v10/?p=498

 

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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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An eclectic mix. Free-form nu jazz (think re-assessed Weather Report) followed by simple, downtempo elecronica, rounded off by an un-edited performance on the Tenori-On from Norman Fairbanks.

Track 1

• Artist Country: Portugal
• Artist: Platform
• Release: tube118/Templates
• Track: 3/Haphapénaway
• URL: http://www.monocromatica.com/netlabel/releases/tube118.htm

Track 2

• Artist Country: Italy
• Artist: Minidudes
• Release: shift_05/Minidudes The remixes
• Track: Blastini (Tatsu Reisen im Winter Mix)
• URL: http://www.shift-netlabel.com/release_05.html

Track 3

• Artist Country: USA
• Artist: Norman Fairbanks
• Release: Living Near The Valley
• Track: Fake City
• URL: http://www.normanfairbanks.com/valley.html

 

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An upbeat yet relaxed feel to this, the first proper podcast. Hope you enjoy it.

Heard something you like? Please follow the links below to find out more about each artist and netlabel.

Track 1

• Country: Norway
• Netlabel: Aquavelvas
• Artist: Proviant Audio
• Release: Welcome Wilderness EP
• Track: 02/Good Morning, Dear (feat. Hans Mathisen)
• URL: http://www.aquavelvas.com/mp3s.asp?release=aqv012

Track 2

• Country: Italy
• Netlabel: Kahvi Collective
• Artist: Brioskj
• Release: #235a-235e / Pyramids
• Track: 03/ ghibli
• URL: http://www.kahvi.org/169.php

Track 3

• Country: USA
• Netlabel: Epsilonlab
• Artist: Vincent Casanova
• Release: EPS17 / Exotic Rituals
• Track: 01 / Vacationing in Adhedonia
• URL: http://www.epsilonlab.com/main/releases/details.php?lang=en&id=55&t=1&p=1

 

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