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If the current economic situation in the U.S. hasn’t gotten you down, then maybe the war in Iraq has. If that hasn’t worked at lowering your hopes for the future of the world, then maybe the current food shortages and increases in cost for about every commodity have helped destroy your optimism. Collected with the recent disasters in Burma and China, it is the recipe to create a collective somber amongst about every human loving sole on the planet. That is where So Called Records steps in with their second collection of artists from the Vancouver area on Manoeuvres 2 to help change your frame of mind.
We can all use reasons to feel uplifted these days. Buy some organic produce, free range chicken, or participate in the all too trendy surge of going green. Reduce your carbon footprint or maybe have one less child to reduce the pressures of over population. Or, better yet wash your pessimism away with good old fashion electronic music. So Called Records delivers ten artists on Manoeuvres 2 and helps instill a belief that there is still some good in the world.
It begins with an unfamiliar artist, Alektronic. Trying to dig up beta on this producer is like convincing the automobile industry to stop building vehicles that burn fossil fuels. They’re destined to not go unknown for too long because "Drone 420" is a decent piece of work. It is a slow creep of low-fi, trip hop where a beat walks a hidden rhythm down a dark eerie alley.
On the other hand, Tomas Jirku has a musical career that drives with efficiency. Originally from Czech, he has relocated to Vancouver where he records anything from techno to hip-hop. On "To Sleep at Sunrise", Jirku plays with a soft-house beat that rolls slowly against predominate electronica, showing the influences from his diverse work.
"Plane Jane" extends the feeling with another downbeat house variety. Gavin Froome delivers a relaxed mood with a repeating piano and bongo rhythm that is layered against warm ambience. This track is sure to provide a nice renewable energy source in the evening. Check out Calamalka’s stylin’ vibes on "Cropper." This dubbed out track is filled with the expected echoes, organs, and trippy electronic beats.
Fauxliage’s "Vibing" is one of the more pop tracks for the collection. Fauxliage combines members of the Canadian outfit, Delerium, with the vocals of Leigh Nash. This track is a sort of conservation effort as we find her voice silent on this catchy melody of keyboards and dreamy synths.
The Hermit returns again on this second edition to the compilation series. Only this time we see a serious rework of "Find Someone Who Actually Loves You" from a neighboring Upstairs Recordings artist called Gel-Sol. Gel-Sol has hardened the sound of Hermit’s track and creates a new solid beat while retaining the right elements from the original production. Again, the Upstairs Recording artist, Telefuzz, is highlighted for this compilation. He delivers the signature space age sound on a new track entitled, "The Ovaltine Prophecies." Leave it to Don Verbrilli to create those witty titles that will cause a chuckle. This chilled out piece will remind some of the familiar delightful sounds from The Financiers of Samsara.
Manoeuvres 2 is a collection of 10 tracks delivered at a time when good music is needed. Fortunately, this compilation showcases how the power of music can help turn your mood even if you aren’t feeling necessarily apocalyptic. Do your part to spread the good and experience the emerging sounds from Vancouver, Canada on Manoeuvres 2.
Track Listing:
1) Alektronik - Drone 420
2) Tomas Jirku - To Sleep at Sunrise
3) Gavin Froome - Plane Jane
4) Jay Tripwire - Noodle Frenzy
5) Christer - How You Like It
6) Calamalka - Cropper
7) Fauxliage - Vibing
8)The Hermit - Find Someone Who Actually Loves You (Gel-Sol Remix)
9) Pete Samples - And All The Kids Smile
10) Telefuzz - The Ovaltine Prophecies
For Properly Chilled
Upstairs Recordings have done their part to help save music on their new release, Upstairs Recordings Remixed. The Upstairs Recordings label has gone green and recycled material from previous releases in their catalogue as they allow their tracks to breathe new life. They have even gone so far as to highlight the benefits of reused old material from other artists and return the favor as members of the Upstairs roster remix some of their own favorite tracks from other acts. In today’s world, it is hip to be green and Upstairs Records prove that remixing old tracks is a step in the right direction to help cure the problems on this planet.
Solus is never shy when it comes to sharing good music on his weblog and his podcast delivers his own personal tastes. He always seems willing to share his own vision about music and on Remixed, Solus delivers a wealth of knowledge. He takes the time to mash up Hexes and Ohs and Verbrilli Sound. He creates a funky rendition with an upbeat rhythm of "Alive Until Saturday Night." And, on "Interstellar Spy Story," Solus sends this track into the cosmos with a stepped down version with real subtle hints of the original. Solus remixed "Disappointment" for Monta on the Modus Vivendi Volume 2 sampler from 2007. Now, it comes full circle on Remixed, as we get Monta’s version of Solus’s Session 5 on the opening track.
Maya Jane Coles blows up Gel-Sol’s "Cool Sweet Awesome Yay" and reassembles this airy track with a beat that opens the door of this track to a wider audience. Gel-Sol returns later and applies his characteristic style from Unifactor to a track of his Vancouver neighbor, The Hermit. "Find Someone Who Actually Loves You" also appears on the Manoeuvres 2 compilation from this year for good reason. It highlights Gel-Sol’s style and skill at masterful sound manipulation.
E.D. Swankz makes a singular appearance with a terrific remake of his "Gamefazed." The Ancient Astronauts are a DJ duo from Germany with an extensive history of remixes of the likes of Fort Knox Five and Up, Bustle and Out. What we find here in "Gamefazed" is a solid recreation using echoes and danceable beat while capturing all the beauty of the original. Hexes and Ohs return with an electropop version of Telefuzz’s "Sayshell." This high-tech mix features vocals over a new catchy sound.
The Verbrilli Sound is somewhat ubiquitous on this release as many have taken to opportunity to show their appreciation of his work. In addition to Solus’s rework of "Instellar Spy Story," Verbrilli sees another version from Chris J. His mix slides in a heavy, head-nodding bass line and organs that makes for a real delightful lounge sound. Verbrilli returns later with his on remake of the fantastic Laura B’s "Ice Cold Water." Verbrilli travels back to their meeting in the U.K. at the Big Chill event and remixes this track originally released on the "IChill" compilation on The Big Chill record label. He layers this track with a nice dose of an upbeat rhythm allowing her vocals to still shine brightly throughout. The gift continues to give on Remixed with a bonus track of Verbrilli’s "Parisonic."
It seems there are so many issues in the world that can bring your mental state down these days. Fortunately, there’s not much to complain about with this release, so I won’t even try. Each remix is a creative exploration of the original tracks, sure to help you breathe a sigh of relief and uplift your spirits. You can even feel good about the low environmental impact with their minimal sleeve constructed in recycled paper. Upstairs have done a great job assembling this release and help ease your worries of the sometimes overwhelming problems elsewhere.
Track Listing:
1) Solus - Session 5 (Monta remix)
2) E.D. Swankz - Gamefazed (Ancient Astronauts remix)
3) Telefuzz - Sayshell (Hexes and Ohs remix)
4) Gel-Sol - Cool Sweet Awesome Yay (Maya Jane Coles)
5) Bussetti - Itch (The Verbrilli Sound remix)
6) Hexes and Ohs - Alive Until Saturday Night (Solus remix)
7) Verbrilli Sound - Moonlight Swim (Kinetic Kid remix)
8)Verbrilli Sound - Interstellar Spy Story (Chris J remix)
9) The Hermit - Find Someone Who Actually Loves You (Gel-Sol remix)
10) Telefuzz - Sayshell (Sound Capsule remix)
11) Verbrilli Sound - Interstellar Spy Story (Solus remix)
12) Laura B - Ice Cold Water (The Verbrilli Sound remix)
13) The Verbrilli Sound - Parisonic *unlisted bonus track
He hails from Quebec, Canada but you can't tell that from his creations. The different ethnic instruments he uses are powerful reminders of how small this planet really is. His 10 years of musical production rain down an obvious ability to produce beautiful electronic melodies. On his previous release, Activate, he displayed a prowess for mixing beatwork with anything from ethnic flutes to the occasional Middle Eastern vocals. And, when it rains, it pours down with thunderous power on Stimulus as he continues to deliver more of his unique brand of music.
"Creative Tao" feels like a perfect awakening for Stimulus as it fills the mind with the sounds of the Far East. Soft vibes pan out against a gentle flautist as we feel the world around. It passes into "Galactic Surfer Boy" under the hypnotic use of tabla drums against a spiritual chant. The track "Fuelled Exploration" is really a title of the storybook for what M-Seven's modus operandi in music production might actual be. Curious keyboards drive this track on a pace that feels quick while at the same time it brings a state of relaxation. "Oneness" and "Mind Bend" add to the collection of 18 tracks and stand out as more meditative but still equally pleasing to the senses.
You won't be calling Stimulus an ambient soundscape by any means. M-Seven's interesting beats move his sound past the realm of atmospherics. Explore the gentle moods created under headphones as M-Seven rounds the spectrum of airy synths with just the right bpm to elevate the sound to something peaceful yet uplifting.
Track Listing:
1) Creative Tao
2) Galactic Surfer Boy
3) Humanizing the Machine
4) Fuelled Exploration
5) Eye of I
6) Future You
7) Vanished
8) World in a Rain Drop
9) Birds are Spies
10) Oneness
11) Mind Bend
12) The Seed
13) Sleeper Agent 9
14) Take a Deep Breath
15) Meditation on the Sun
16) Lotus
17) Fluid
18) Continuous
For Calmscape
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Comments
"Curious keyboards drive this track on a pace that feels quick while at the same time it brings a state of relaxation."
quick but relaxing i feel what you mean, very nice state of relax to be in.