Pushmipulyu – 133 Thursdays [Interchill]

Title – 133 Thursdays
Label – Interchill, Canada
Format – CD
Genre – Downtempo, Electronic, Jazz
Release Date – 11Th May 2007
Purchase At –
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/itc/itc1cd028.html
http://www.juno.co.uk/products/267552-01.htm
http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/7417680/a/133+Thursdays.htm
http://www.amazon.com/133-Thursdays-Pushmipulyu/dp/B000H4VXBO
Links –
http://www.interchill.com/
http://www.pushmipulyu.com/
www.myspace.com/pushmipulyu

Tracklist –

01. Take Two More (7:17)
02. Wears The Summer? (6:04)
03. Mr. Jelly (8:12)
04. Syzygy (9:34)
05. Wake You (7:45)
06. Hyde Park Fauna (8:26)
07. Cushion (9:07)
08. Reverie (3:18)
09. Surreal Estate (6:25)
10. Some Things Just Make You Want To Cry (5:45)

Canadian electronic downtempo record label “Interchill” needs no introductions. Well known and respected for their top notch compilations and album releases by the most innovative collective of artist “133 Thursdays” by “Pushmipulyu” is no exception.

“Pushmipulyu” is the brainchild of “Michael Sasson & Steve Rowlands”. Based in London and living next door to each other both the artists have been a part of the electronic music scene since the early 90’s being involved with various other groundbreaking projects and organizations. “133 Thursdays” is a result of weekly jams sessions for over 3 years and hence the quirky but apt title.

“Michael Sasson” is a well know and respected industry figure being head of the Megadog and Club Dog organization, infamous for their touring parties around London and the record label “Planet Dog” that gave us the first “Eat Static” and “Banco de Gaia” album releases, and now teamed with “Steve Rowlands” of the “Full Moon Scientist” fame, “133 Thursdays” seems like a album that just cannot disappoint.

I wouldn’t want to do a track by track review for this one because the music on the album is a seamless eclectic fusion of various electronic music styles with a jazz twist and a very psychedelic vibe showcasing high quality and immaculate production skills by the producers. The overall jazzy and chilled out vibe is going to find its way to some great indoor lounge experiences for the saucer eyed crew. The album reminds me a bit of the ESL catalogue and other acts that fuse psychedelic elements with jazz overtones like “Flexitones” and “Electroslide”, albeit “Pushmipulyu” have their own unique sound.

All tracks are musically rich and diverse, but what I really like about the album is the relentless groove that takes one from downtempo, chilled breaks, lounge to house and back into eclectic world grooves all blended with loads of live elements like the saxophone, horns, guitars, trumpets to some crazy pianos that ride with style over choppy and groovy basslines. The percussive elements are chunky and the beat arrangements are skilled reflecting on the maturity both producers have. A special mention would be the mastering of the disc, the sound is clean and crystal clear, balancing all musical elements in a perfect manner and the urban photography that makes up the artwork for this very special disc.

Anyone into fusion and eclectic music styles is going to trip on this release, hats off to Andrew and Interchill to maintain innovativeness in their releases. Interchill should be given an award or something!!

Favourites – 1, 3, 6, 9
Rating – 4/5

VA – Ambient Spaces (Chapter 1) [DadA Music]

Title – Ambient Spaces Chapter 1
Label – DadA Music, India
Format – CD
Genre – Ambient, Chillout, Psychedelic
Release Date – May 2006
Purchase At -
http://www.dada-music.co.in/closerproduct.asp?num=10
and all leading stores around India
http://www.dada-music.co.in/

Tracklist -

1. Robert Rich – Somnium Intro (2:06)
2. Sync 24 – Wake (5:16)
3. Sattyananda – Liquid Rising (4:18)
4. Carbon Based Lifeforms – Metrostat (5:26)
5. Craig Padilla – Beyond Beta (4:22)
6. Vibrasphere – Folding Time (5:00)
7. Cell – Audio Deepest Night (7:58)
8. Hol Baumann – Send Away (5:51)
9. Mystical Sun – In The Sky (3:10)
10. Robert Rich – Somnium (6:10)
11. AES Dana – Shouting Valley (3:24)
12. True Frequencies – New Indigenous Religion (3:35)

Indian Ambient and Progressive record label “DadA Music” present “Ambient Spaces: Chapter 1”, that is compiled and gently mixed into an introspective electronic ambient odyssey by label founder and in house talent “Sattyananda”, which makes me sure that all listeners are in good hands.

The opening track “Somnium Intro” by “Robert Rich” builds up a liquid atmosphere of nonchalance with flutes that glide across waterfalls granting passage to “Sync 24”, who is producer Daniel Ringström (of the Carbon Based Lifeforms fame), “Wake” builds up with dreamy whispers and mystical effects that spin around a spacious atmosphere.

Drifting further “Sattyananda” contributes “Liquid Rising” that reflects expert electronic configurations and atmospheric surges that emits a divine and fuzzy aura. Next is the Swedish duo “Carbon Based Lifeforms” with “Metrostat” which spirals ones thoughts into percolating dimensions of artic serenity.

Flowing effortlessly into the next ambient vision by “Craig Padilla”, “Beyond Beta” is a mellow and cinematic array of floating dimensions across lush atmospheric pads. Shifting soundscapes, the famed Swedish duo “Vibrasphere” make the mood brighter with their percussion and melody driven effort “Folding Time”.

We continue drifting in space with French Producer “Alexandre Scheffer” aka “Cell” who explores melancholic vibes and floating soundscapes with a complementing trance kickdrum that creeps in slowly but steadily weaving spatial musical textures, “Audio Deepest Night” has to be my favourite track on the compilation.

I am always excited to hear Ultimae’s best kept secret “Hol Baumann”, “Send Away” is a musical smorgasbord with a distinct ethnic flavour which is surrounded by high pitched percussion with a glitchy overtone. Another highlight of the compilation!!!

Next stop Earth!!!!, “In The Sky” by “Mystical Sun” who is from San Francisco and recently released his debut album on Cyberset records, sends the listeners on a African safari ride across percussive tribal drums and primeval vocal chants.

Picking up pieces from what’s left behind “Robert Rich” makes a subtle comeback with “Somnium” which has the same atmosphere as its predecessor, albeit stretching to a full 6 minutes giving listeners a feeling of contended spiritual relaxation.

Ultimae heavyweights “AES Dana” send listeners on a pagan flight across brooding sound textures while the last track on the compilation by “True Frequencies” called “New Indigenous Religion” features extremely beautiful melodies played on the piano, a percussive atmosphere and a gentle hollow bass. The perfect way to end the compilation on a more laid back and chilled groove.

Largely beatless and relaxing “Ambient Spaces” is a very pensive, emotional and relaxing journey through a maze of atmospheric sounds that progress slowly but dynamically. “Ambient Spaces” is like a journey across different planets while taking pit stops to dive into the beauty each has to offer. All tracks are gentle, immersive and have a certain visual appeal. This is electronic ambient music at its best, the DadA crew deserves a standing ovation for taking their chances to introduce these sounds to the Indian audience and being able to make the release accessible at all major music stores around India.

Favourites – 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12
Rating – 4.7/5

VA – Soul Vibration # 2 [Liquid Records - 2007]

Title – Soul Vibration # 2
Label – Liquid Records
Format – CD
Genre – Dub, Chillout, Psychedelic
Release Date – TBA
Purchase at – TBA

Links -
http://www.liquid-records.com/
http://www.myspace.com/liquidrecordsuk
http://www.triskelemanagement.com/promotion/soulvibration2/

Tracklist –

1. Terry Davey – Karin (2:37)
2. System 7 – Kupuri (Mirror System Remix) (8:23)
3. Slackbaba – Tsentak (8:12)
4. Nagual Sound Experiment – Completley Sideways (6:42)
5. Mood Deluxe – Mercury Rising (7:13)
6. Organismic – On The Air (Original Mix) (10:49)
7. Capsula – Golden Orb (8:55)
8. Phutureprimitive – Innerverse (8:06)
9. Zubzub – Inner Marine (5:14)
10.Terry Davey – Liquid Soul (2:31)

The first Soul Vibration installation released in 2005 still generates a buzz and gets one into the special chillout groove with its dubby oriented psychedelic sounds. The sophomore effort by “Liquid Records” tries to push the boundaries further and present a collection of acoustic and organic sounds streaming into dub textures, showcasing an eclectic collection of tunes.

The names featured on the compilation are definitely the most innovative collective of artists who come from diverse backgrounds. Phutureprimitive, Slackbaba, Naugal Sound Experiment aka Mood Deluxe, Capsula, System 7 along with a bunch of other names blend into a sonic recipe that just cannot go wrong.

We begin with some mild acoustic guitars courtesy “Terry Davey” who sets the mood into a relaxed and musical atmosphere.

Jet setting into 5th gear “System 7″ provides a journey across different landscapes with its world music sound, the guitars and female vocal loops add wisely to the magical atmosphere. World music at its groovy best!

Track 3 “Tsentak” by “Slackbaba” is a mild dubby ride across eastern motifs that combines elements like the tabla with a ever evolving groovy bassline that stride over fx laden piano bits on a steady but phat kickdrum. Ace stuff from the Baba himself!!

Next on the sonic menu is “Naugual Sound Experiment”, a highly skilled producer from Brighton better know for his alter ego “Mood Delux”, the NSE sound is glitchy, dubby, and urban, although “Completely Sideways” explores a slightly different dubby vibe being more fluid in structure with its hanging guitar loops and relaxed bassline. Keep a look out for his debut album “Invisible Moments” soon to be released by “Liquid Records”.

Teleporting into a parallel world of sounds, Cameron donnes his psychedelic breakbeat avatar as “Mood Delux” and what results is “Mercury Rising”, personally tested on chillout floors this is one monster of a track with a groovy hook that drives everyone towards the dance floor, the morphing bassline combined with psychedelic ethnic vocals and acid squelches with trippy breakdowns is nothing but skilled sonic manipulation.

Track 6 “On The Air” by “Organismic” puts us back on the chilled out wagon, running a distance of 10 minutes and 49 seconds and packaged within a super slick bassline along with intelligent drum programming this is just pure bliss. Top notch stuff!!!

Diving further into the sonic vortex “Capsula” treats our senses with “Golden Orb”, even though it’s filled with alien synth textures with electronic blips panning in every possible direction the track manages to keeps us on Earth with its relaxed guitar strums.

I always crave for new material by DJ Rain aka Phutureprimitive ever since he released his album “Sub Conscious” in 2005, “Innerverse” has a very deep spiritual vibe, and the musical content on this one is just so rich that I find it difficult to describe the emotions that Rain manages to bring forward. This is PURE MAGIC

Flowing into track 9, “Inner Marine” by “Zubdub” who is a very high prolific composer from the “Ozric Tentacles” fame enlightens us with a light and atmospheric dubby track with flutes within electronic textures. Neat stuff but nothing really groundbreaking.

Ending the sophomore odyssey by Liquid Records is “Terry Davey”, who allows our senses to rewind back to the beginning of the compilation with his beautiful acoustic guitar. A perfect end to a perfect beginning!

All I’ll say is Liquid Records never fails to deliver the best electronic music that bends and breaks genres; I would even dare to say that SV2 has reaffirmed my faith in the chillout scene. Soul Vibration # 2 is a sonic bassline treat that’s going to appeal to fans of varied electronic music genres and would definitely be a success across the globe. The “Liquid Crew” is full of positive vibes and I wish them nothing but success for all their musical ventures.

Favourites – 3,4,5,6,8
Rating – 4.5/5