New album from German electronic music producer, Claude Speeed will be available from July 14th on Planet Mu Records.
You can listen to a track, Fifth Fortress on the artist's SoundCloud page.
Biosphere - The Petrified Forest
May 11, 2017
New extended EP of wonderfully evocative tracks from the Norwegian electronic artist, Geir Jenssen. It comes not too long after the recently lauded Departed Glories - although this is markedly different with more recognisable themes in the music.
While I did enjoy this previous album, the dark, gothic ambience ensured that I only occasionally spent time with it. In contrast, this new EP is much more readily accessible.
Stephan Mathieu - Before Nostromo
May 09, 2017
Recorded back in 2015, this nine-track album of pieces inspired by the characters in the movie, Alien (1979) is like peeking into some strange future. The concept of this collection is that in the minutes before the Nostromo crew awakes from hypersleep, each member has a dream.
This is cold, other-worldly electronics for those who still enjoy the original movie.
Before Nostromo is available in 24Bit Digital only from Stephan Mathieu's bandcamp page.
Penguin Cafe - The Imperfect Sea
May 09, 2017
Listening to the exquisite audio rendered on the 24Bit edition of this, my impression is of quite an ambient album compared to their older works. The world music elements that marked earlier incarnations of the ensemble have disappeared altogether.
This latest album begins with the beautiful and bumbling rhythm of Ricercar - it's summer music for driving with the top down. Control 1 Interlude is an atmospheric piece that reminds me of American minimalist, Harold Budd. Subtle and somehow menacing strings are broken by careful and considered piano notes. Protection builds very nicely before Rescue heads away into darker territory before exiting into sunlight with strong piano chords and insistent, driving strings. Now Nothing Rock Music is an excellent piano piece that has a strong 1980s feel to it (although I cannot explain exactly why) - maybe it reminds me of a film score or something. The last piece, Wheels Within Wheels feels like it is heading somewhere but fails to arrive at any sort of conclusion. Maybe that's the point.
What I enjoy most about The Imperfect Sea is that Penguin Cafe have been able to alter their style significantly and yet the essence of what makes the group so nice to listen to remains as always.
Audio CD and Vinyl. A 24Bit edition is available from HD Tracks.
Brainwaltzera - Aescoba EP
May 05, 2017
Nobody seems to know the true identity of this enigmatic electronic producer - one theory is that it's another alias for Richard D. James. Listening to this EP, one could easily imagine the tracks having been conceived in the Aphex Twin studio. Whatever the truth, there are some very nice moments on this record, harking back to the early 90s.
Bleep Records:
Brainwaltzera wears the '90s electronica influence on his sleeve with the Aescoba EP, a one to watch artist if you are plugged into any AFX'ian channels.
Having gained attention in 2015 when a certain user18081971 commented on the Sound Cloud upload quilat spring 1 [outtake], the ambient electronica masses have been waiting for some extended sessions from the mysterious artist to emerge, and the Aescoba EP carries on the level of high-end production that has seen his work catching the ear of a certain Aphex Twin.
Aescoba moves between late period Wisp style fuzzy rave cave techno as on ghaint [berl] with detro[id] to more Bogdan style breakbeat exertions such as 10_muddy_puddle Trot, its looped drums calling to mind many moments from the sadly deceased Rephlex imprint. While the whole vibe gets distilled into a hazy memory on poly_ana summers [schoolyard surph beat] capturing perfectly the flashback memories of a very unique time in electronic music.
Vinyl & Digital at Bleep.