ambientblog

Please note that I will move this podcast and terminate my Podbean account soon.

I will NOT stop publishing new mixes: I will just host them on other platforms. Please check back at http://www.ambientblog.net for further details. New podcast RSS-feed (mixes only, not the reviews) can be found on http://feeds.feedburner.com/ambientmix

I have struggled with Podbean for a few years now. For considerable dollars, the service is terrible. This is definitely the most terrible hosting platform I have ever seen. Awkward download speeds (over 20 minutes for 100Mb files) Non-existent customer support to all my complaints: all answer I ever got was "We will check into it" - but nothing ever changed, and I never ever got any further answer to my complaints.

As we speak, I am moving to a new loacation - and from what I've seen, this will considerably increase response and download time: from over 20 minutes to under one minute.

As far as I'm concerned, Podbean HQ can detach their ( 8086 PC) servers as soon as I've left the building!

Podbean HQ????

"Stillness" - image by Imago2007

This mix obviously found its name from the lovely intro (and outtro) track by Nest. Inbetween, there are many moments of 'stillness', too... Moments you may slowly drift off into the drones, letting your mind wander ... to be pulled back again by some of the post-classical 'anchors' in this mix by Winged Victory For the Sullen, Human Greed, Vladimír Gódar, and Maya Beiser (member of Bang on a Can, with a stunning cello performance of the Djivan Gasparyan composition 'Memories').

Maybe it's a good way to start a new year with a small opportunity to retreat from current society's turmoil, and to find some time to 'cocoon' to the sounds (and the sometimes fascinating depths) of "Stillness".

Some word of warning, however: if this suggests this mix only contains warm, comfortable and pleasurable sounds, be prepared for some suprises. I never said that "Stillness" always means "Comforting"...

Best wishes for 2012 to all of you!

[[Stillness - Sequence Scheme Image]]

Tracklist:

• [start time][sample length][artist - title] [album details]

• 00:00 05:55 Nest - Stillness Body Pilot, 2011, Serein SERE 11.3
• 04:04 02:07 Electricity private collection, 2011, not on album
• 04:44 02:33 I8U - Toluene Surface Tension, 2011, Murmur Records MMR10
• 06:32 01:29 Cliff Martinez - I'm Sick Contagion Soundtrack, 2011, Watertower Music WTM39266
• 07:09 05:01 Esther Venrooy - Vessel Vessel, 2011, Entr'acte E104
• 08:43 03:34 Leah Kardos - The Waiting Feather Hammer, 2011, Bigo and Twigetti
• 11:15 03:02 Lance Olsen - The Creature that Drank Sound Au Clair de La Lune, 2009, Infrequency IN005
• 12:05 08:10 Bass Communion - Cenotaph Cenotaph, 2011, Tonefloat TF115
• 18:16 02:45 A Winged Victory for the Sullen - A Requiem for the Static King A Winged Victory for the Sullen, 2011, Kranky KRANK157
• 20:33 03:57 Vladimír Godár - Postludio - Mantra Querela Pacis, 2011, Pavian Records PM0050-2
• 23:16 06:27 Human Greed, Michael Begg, Colin Potter - Deshret Fortress Longing, 2011, Omnempathy OMIC2
• 28:13 03:10 Carbon Based Lifeforms - System Twentythree, 2011, Ultimae Records, INRE047
• 30:27 02:07 Kirill Platonkin - Stellar Seeds (Original) Purified by the Fire, 2011, ADX 035
• 30:51 06:02 Sister Waize - Side Time Down A Dawning of Wonder, 2011, self-released
• 36:17 02:16 Spectra Ciera - Unlit Pathway Underpass, 2011, Feedback Loop Label FBL020
• 37:02 02:21 Justin Bennett - Tiergarten 1 Wildlife, 2008, Spore Records Spore 2007
• 38:26 03:16 Jacaszek - Windhover Glimmer, 2011, Ghostly International, GI-147
• 40:50 03:01 Tom Lawrence - Moore's Well Water Beetles of Pollardstown Fen, 2011, Gruenrekorder GRUEN 087
• 41:51 04:08 Pascal Savy - Reflective Shadow Liminal, 2011, Feedback Loop Label, PHBL02
• 44:39 02:53 Jan M. Iversen - Wolfsburg (Long) Standalones, 2010, TIBProd 100
• 45:28 01:03 Paul Schütze - Sacred Agents New Maps of Hell, 1992, Big Cat UK Records ABB 104 CD
• 46:57 00:49 Chris Watson - El Divisadero El Tren Fantasma, 2011, Touch TO:42
• 47:16 01:47 Chris Watson - Sierra Taramuhara El Tren Fantasma, 2011, Touch TO:42
• 48:12 01:31 Israel Martinez - There Were People II El Hombre Que Se Sofoca, 2011, Sub Rosa SR319
• 48:53 04:46 Maya Beiser - Memories (by Djivan Gasparyan) Provenance, 2011, Innova 778
• 52:28 05:32 Penjaga Insaf - Alam Semsta Sama Sadja, 2010, Power & Steel PAS 27
• 57:12 02:47 Nest - Stillness Body Pilot, 2011, Serein SERE 11.3
• 1:00:00 end

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(Photo by Lisa Fanucchi)

In the Northern Hemisphere, the November month is the month of Autumn: the month that summer is definitely over, when cold and darkness slowly creeps in. (In the Southern Hemisphere, November is a month of Spring - which means this mix will probably not fit your "November Thoughts" at all).

(Northern) November can be rough and harsh, but it's also very beautiful to watch nature prepare for winter and finding ourselves doing the same. It is also a good month to think November Thoughts.

[Click for sequence scheme image]

Playlist

first time is start-time; second time is sample length

• 00:00 04:30 Christina Vantzou - Prelude for Juan (No.1, 2011, Kranky Krank159)
• 03:30 04:36 David Darling - September Mom (Prayer for Compassion, 2009, Wind over the Earth WE2340)
• 05:48 03:05 Amiina - Sicsak (Puzzle, 2010, Amínamúsík Ehf. – AMIINA 5)
• 07:20 04:30 Runar Magnusson & Thor Magnusson - Kizxju (Classifields, 2007, Tri Postal Trip 6)
• 09:22 02:36 Siberische Zelle - Knechte des Tourismus (Archive 1, 2005, 90% Wasser WCD 003)
• 09:55 03:07 Alex Durlak - Bellows (Kanshin, 2011, Hibernate 008)
• 11:26 03:46 Field Rotation, Mari Solaris - Lament (Brave New World, 2011, Feedbackloop FBL010)
• 14:00 03:54 Dadavistic Orchestra - Deep Old Mu (Dokument.02, 2011, Dust Science Recordings Dustcd025)
• 15:41 03:25 Brian Eno - Calcium Needles (Small Craft on a Milk Sea, 2010, WARP warpcd207)
• 17:40 07:18 Yann Novak - Presence (Presence, 2011, Hibernate HB35)
• 21:38 04:39 Peter Broderick - Pause (SMM Context, 2011, Ghostly International, GI-133)
• 25:18 03:39 Clem Leek - Origami Soldiers (Lifenotes, 2011, Drifting Falling DRIFTING023)
• 26:54 04:09 Antonymes - Endlessly (The Licence to Interpret Dreams, 2011, Hidden Shoal HSR080)
• 30:21 01:00 Macu - One Minute for the Stars (One Minute for the Stars, 2011, SEM 011)
• 30:45 03:08 Daniel Menche - Hover (Hover, 2010, Touch Spire 3)
• 32:23 02:56 Allessio Ballerini - Zeit_Partone (Music From the Puddle, 2011, Time Released Sound TRS-03)
• 33:25 02:55 Natalia Noelis Siebula & Bartosz Dziadosz - Otta Og Kvida (In the Bleak Wilderness of Sleep, 2011, Audio Gourmet Netlabel AGCD05)
• 35:35 03:39 Erik Carlsson & Steven Hess - Waal (Bridges, 2011, Machinefabriek self-released)
• 37:50 03:38 Carl Michael Von Hausswolff - Night (800.000 Seconds in Harar, 2011, Touch TO:82)
• 39:09 05:35 Yann Novak - Lullabye (Cotton Dragon's Eye Second Anniversary, 2011, Dragon's Eye Recording, der003)
• 43:32 03:21 Sense - Less Than Perfect (Selected Moments Volume 1, 2011, Psychonavigation PSY046)
• 46:03 02:53 Janek Schaefer - Unfolding Honey (10, 2011, Room40 DRM410)
• 47:49 02:25 Franz Hautzinger - T-Gone (Gomberg II, 2007, Loewenhertz 018)
• 48:58 02:52 Kleidosty - Fruited Plain (Kleidosty, 2011, Loöq Records LQ-1108 )
• 50:50 03:23 Penjaga Insaf - Pelamun (Sama Sadja, 2011, Power & Steel PAS27)
• 52:26 04:23 Runar Magnusson - Useless Feelings (Mixed Feelings, 2005, Whitelabel)
• 54:07 03:04 Jean-Francois Laporte - Electro-Prana (Soundmatters, 2007, 23five 009)
• 56:55 01:30 Clem Leek - November 11th (Lifenotes, 2011, Drifting Falling DRIFTING023)
• 57:30 02:18 Stephan Mathieu, Janek Schaefer - Cosmos (Hidden Name, 2006, Crónica 027)
• 58:34 01:14 Jean-Francois Laporte - Electro-Prana (Soundmatters, 2007, 23five 009)
• 1:00:00 End

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"Teloorgang" is a beautiful dutch word that can be best translated with "Loss" or "Decay".

Some say there is beauty in decay....This may be true, but in fact only when watched from a safe distance - the 'decay' not regarding ourselves or our own environment..

It is, of course, tempting to relate the theme of this mix to the current state of our (western) society. But that may just be coincidence: this word "Teloorgang" came to mind when listening back the mix after it was finished.

True: this mix is a somewhat darker than some of the others published here. Thus, it perfectly fits in with the season that is up ahead: summer retreats, autumn kicks in, nights getting darker and colder. 

Sit back, close your eyes and immerse yourself in the beauty of decay and loss.

(The picture was taken in a small town nearYusufeli (Turkey): an near-desolate area that will be covered with water in the near future when the Dam Project will be completed)

"Teloorgang Sequence Scheme" - click here

 Playlist:

[start time][sample length] Artist - Title Album, Year, Label

• 00:00 01:29 Alexandre Desplat - (stretched string intro) Tree of Life OST, 2011, Lakeshore Records 
• 00:50 01:00 Julien Demoulin - Inertia Just a Moment (V.A.), 2011, Audio Gourmet 
• 01:17 01:24 MB+ICS - La Eternula Prenis Con Fuoco D'Occhi Un Nostalgico Lupo II, 2010, Lost Children Netlabel
• 02:27 03:09 Stephan Mathieu, Janek Schaefer - Fugue Hidden Name, 2006, Crónica 
• 02:32 00:26 Martin Lukanov & Mytrip - MT-r- Ml-l (x3) Two, 2011, Abandonment 
• 04:10 02:20 Michael Trommer - Pushing Through Gray  In the Bleak Wilderness of Sleep, 2011, Audio Gourmet 
• 04:32 02:02 Ricardo Villalobos & Max Loderbauer - Rethikiy Re:ECM, 2011, ECM 
• 06:04 01:39 Aairial - Piano Impro #1 Together EP, 2011 Imaginary Nonexistent Records 
• 06:43 04:20 36 - After Time Memories in Widescreen, 2010, 3six records 
• 08:50 05:46 Obfusc - Alto Piano Untitled, 2009, Install 
• 12:05 04:41 Jacob Kirkegaard - Ravine Eco e Narciso. Presenze Sonore, 2006, Provincia Di Torino 
• 15:00 03:17 Ozy & Runar Magnusson - Serenade for Strings in C Op. 48 "Andante Non Troppo-Allegro Moderato" Tchaikovsky Electro (V.A.), 2004, KAMA Records 
• 16:22 05:43 Andrew Liles - Song of the Ergophile In my Father's House there are many Mansions, 2006, Fourth Dimension Records 
• 19:49 04:50 Mental Youth - Brainwave #03 Embrace unreleased 
• 23:13 01:46 Kreng - Karcist Grimoire, 2011, Miasmah 
• 24:22 04:37 Jacaszek - Elegia SMM:Context (V.A.), 2011, Ghostly International 
• 28:22 02:34 David Velez - Division 2 Vacío Retórico, 2010, Audio Gourmet 
• 29:44 05:09 Human Greed - Weeping Bees of Heraklion Fortress Longing, 2011, Omnempathy 
• 34:17 02:22 Digital Mass - Desolatus Remix Desolatus Remix, 2011, Petcord 
• 35:41 02:18 Desert of Hiatus - The Meaning of Sound The Meaning, 2011, Desert of Hiatus 
• 37:18 00:55 Machinefabriek - Sol Sketch 21 Sol Sketches, 2011, self-released 
• 37:36 03:01 Machinefabriek - Sol Sketch 20 Sol Sketches, 2011, self-released 
• 39:54 03:10 Rui Costa - Untitled Untitled Songs: 49 Years from Gesang der Jünglinge (V.A.), 2005, Sirr 
• 42:32 01:42 Restive - G2 000033 G2.1, 2011, Self-released 
• 43:50 03:56 Amiina - Thoka Puzzle, 2010, Amínamúsík Ehf. 
• 46:52 02:39 On - In the Forest of the Night Your Naked Ghost Comes Back at Night, 2009, Type 
• 48:48 03:35 Gordon Monahan - Speaker Swinging Music Dances Itself (V.A.), 2006, Sonic Arts Network 
• 52:02 02:19 Sublamp - Corner Ghost In Our Hiding Voice, 2011, Hibernate 
• 53:45 00:51 Max Richter - Clouds 2 Elle 's Appellait Sarah OST, 2010, Jade 
• 54:02 02:32 Enrico Coniglio - Waterphonics Areavirus: Topofonie Vol. 1, 2007, Psychonavigation 
• 56:03 03:57 Alexandre Desplat - Emergence of Life Tree of Life OST, 2011, Lakeshore Records 

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Image with kind permission from the Panopticons project.

The main theme for this mix (as well as the title "Discouraging Intruders" ) came from the spoken word track by the Dwindlers: "What the Wolves Said": "No two of us on the same note, we sound bigger...our harmony discouraging intruders..."

Although generally not sounding like a pack of howling wolves, sometimes the purpose of 'ambient' music also is also is to 'discourage intruders' (such as unwanted sounds) to invade your environment..

From the opening, this mix slowly dwells into long drone soundscapes - some discouraging, others comforting - only to be interrupted by a climactic eruption from Siddhartha Barnhoorn's cinematic 'Artifacts' directly following the enchanting vocals of Fovea Hex, a choir arrangement that seems to be coming directly from heaven by Franz Liszt (from 'Via Crucis', 1879!), followed by a Sibil'La Catalana string theme from the 15th century - and finally to be concluded by the acquiescent vocals from the Terje Isungset track.

Whether you prefer to be on the inside or the outside is up to your imagination...

Playlist

(First time is the start time, second time indicates sample length)

• 00:00 (01:30) Äpne Sinn - Espiritista Espiritista, 2011; Relaxed Machinery rM015
• 01:00 (02:00) Antonymes - On Arrival at the Strange Museum (ending) The Licence to Interpret Dreams, 2011; Hidden Shoal Recordings HSR080
• 03:00 (03:13) Antonymes - On Arrival at the Strange Museum The Licence to Interpret Dreams, 2011; Hidden Shoal Recordings HSR080
• 05:35 (04:12) The Dwindlers - What the Wolves Said - Various Artists - Brave New World, 2011; Feedback Loop Label FbL010
• 08:00 (06:07) Field Rotation - A Dimly Haze (Asleep Pt. 1) And Tomorrow I Will Sleep, 2011; Hibernate HB31
• 09:00 (01:24) Enrico Coniglio - Kingdom of Her Dialogue One, 2011; Silentes cd 201128
• 10:08 (04:16) Arturas Bumsteinas - Boletus Satanas Pastoral, 2011; Crónica 055
• 12:28 (04:53) Johann Johannsson - An Injury to One is the Concern of All The Miners' Hymn, 2011; 130701 CD13-13
• 16:11 (05:40) Johann Johannsson - Freedom from Want and Fear The Miners' Hymn, 2011; 130701 CD13-13
• 18:34 (04:04) Model Citizen - Sleep Learning Various Artists - Brave New World, 2011; Feedback Loop Label FbL010
• 19:40 (06:37) Fovea Hex - Cup Of Joy (Colin Potter remix) Here is where we used to sing (bonus EP), 2011; Janet Records JRDS004B
• 25:45 (02:57) Siddhartha Barnhoorn - Artifacts Pillars of Light, 2011; Self-released
• 27:14 (03:59) Michael Prime - God's Own Dibber L-Fields, 2000; Sonoris SON-08
• 28:34 (06:00) Carl Michael von Hauswolff - Day 800 000 seconds in Harar, 2011; Touch TO:82
• 30:30 (04:54) Yann Novak - Nightfall Nightfall, 2011; self-released
• 34:27 (01:03) Franz Liszt - Station III, Jesus Fällt zum ersten mal Via Crucis, 1986; Decca 4805133
• 35:20 (01:18) Anonymus - Sibil'la Catalana El Cant de la Sibil-La, 1988; AliaVox Heritage AVSA 9879
• 36:20 (01:20) Arms and Sleepers - Crash Nostalgia for the Absolute, 2011; self-released
• 37:12 (04:49) Robert Crouch - A Body of Work Various Artists - Wood, Dragon's Eye Fifth Anniversary, 2011; Dragon's Eye, de6008
• 40:16 (05:58) Loscil - Névé - Coast Range Arc, 2011; Glacial Movements GM010
• 43:44 (02:41) Stuart Sweeney - Where the Shores Meet (16-9 version) 16-9, 2011; Oomff UK OOMFF1001CD
• 45:41 (02:20) Philip Samartzis - Davis Station Various Artists - 10, 2011; Room40 DRM410
• 45:49 (03:53) John Duncan, Valerio Tricoli - The Garden (excerpt) Eco et Narcisso. Presenze Sonore, 2006; Provincia Di Torino
• 49:03 (02:36) Christina Kubisch - Circles 1 Various Artists - Music Dances Itself, 2006; Sonic Arts Network, SAN200
• 50:24 (04:17) Cliff Child - Between Sides Einn, 2010; Fruit Tree Records
• 53:33 (02:06) Scanner - Black Box Warning May the Plague be with you - Remixes, 2007; Plague Recordings Plague 013 D/L
• 54:51 (03:08) Terje Isungset - Retrospect Winter Songs, 2010; All Ice Records

This mix was created in may/june 2011.

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Although it was created in March, this mix shows little signs of "Spring".

There was no intentional relation, but inevitably the devastating Japan Earthquake, and the frightening nuclear disaster following it, somehow found its way into this mix. The result: a rather dark overall atmosphere, which seems to leave little room for hope.

But at the same time, in Europe, winter retreats and daylight returns. Nature shows that it can destroy as well as recuperate.

Playlist:

• 00:00 Porzellan - Vopar Tar [Parvo] Art, 2009, parvo 007
• 02:15 Max Richter - The Vel D'Hiv Elle s'appelait Sarah, 2010, Editions Jade
• 05:12 Colin Potter & Michael Begg - Carnethy Fragile Pitches, 2010, Omnempathy OMIC1
• 08:29 Victor Joaquim - Radio_O Essays on Radio: Can I Have 2 Minutes of Your Time, 2005, Crónica 020
• 09:39 Janek Schaefer - Untitled 49 Years from Gesang der Jünglinge (2005-1958), 2005, Sirr 0020
• 13:08 Mikko Tarmia - Amb_end_soft Amnesia, The Dark Descent (Game Soundtrack), 2010, Frictional Games
• 13:25 Mikko Tarmia - Amb_extra01 Amnesia, The Dark Descent (Game Soundtrack), 2010, Frictional Games
• 13:40 Jack Wall - Linking Chamber Myst IV, Revelation (Game Soundtrack), 2005, Ubisoft
• 14:12 Mikko Tarmia - Event_hallway Amnesia, The Dark Descent (Game Soundtrack), 2010, Frictional Games
• 14:18 Alio Die & Mariolina Zitta - Lithos (Part II) La Sala Dei Cristalli, 2010, Hic Sunt Leones HSL058
• 16:08 Peter Andersson - Sarkophagus Music for Film & Exhibition II, 2010, Old Europa Cafe, OECD135
• 18:07 Deaf Center - Hunted Twice Owl Splinters, 2011, Type 080
• 22:13 Heitor Alvelos - Had a Scanner been born on the Bopsphorus Essays on Radio: Can I Have 2 minutes of Your Time, 2005, Crónica 020
• 22:48 Max Eastley - Aerophones 5 Installation Recordings (1973 - 2008), 2010, Paradigm Discs, PD26
• 23:14 The Green Kingdom - Velvet Landscape Hidden Landscapes, 2011, Audio Gourmet AGCD003
• 26:10 The Fun Years - Re: We're Again Buried Under Baby It's Cold Inside, 2008, Barge Recordings, BRG005
• 28:17 Steve Peters - Hymne (pour un Fils des Étoiles) Erik Satie et les Nouveaux Jeunes, 2011, Arbouse ARBOU028
• 30:58 Gareth Davis & Machinefabriek - Grower, part 1 Grower, 2011, Sonic Pieces 010
• 37:28 Sussan Deyhim - Pulse Possessed, 2001, Venus Rising Records
• 40:44 Carl Michael von Hausswolff - Life and Death of Pboc Life and Death of Pboc, 1986, Radium 226.05 RAPH 013-4 (also in the 'Enter the Void' Soundtrack, 2010)
• 42:08 Michel Banabila - The Fall Alice in Wonderland & Various Other Works, 2010, unreleased
• 43:47 Eluvium - Ogives Redistributed Erik Satie et les Nouveaux Jeunes, 2011, Arbouse ARBOU028
• 46:05 Lexithimie - Flesh and Stones I Rather Die Terrified, 2010, Audio Gourmet AGN018
• 47:28 Antonymes - A Fragile Acceptance The Licence to Interpret Dreams, 2011, Hidden Shoal Recordings
• 50:55 Deaf Center - Fiction Dawn Owl Splinters, 2011, Type 080
• 52:21 Chris Watson - Runway O2E Incidental Amplifications, 2006, Room40, EDRM405
• 53:03 Alva Noto - Interim (for Dieter Rams) For 2, 2010, Line Line_044
• 54:00 Pleq - Good Night, Pjusk Remix Good Night EP, 2010, Basses Frequences BF29
• 58:06 Porzellan - Nebuleuse II The Fourth Level of Comprehension, 2009, Hibernate HB03
• 1:00:00 End

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NOTE: Due to an error in the original post, this podcast issue did not load well in the iTunes podcast client. Instead of this mix (49'33'') it loaded a single track (17'02''). To solve this issue, this podcast has been re-uploaded. Please check the file length in iTunes and if necessary delete and redownload the podcast. There was no problem when streaming the file from the podbean site, the ambientblog website, or using the Android App. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused! Peter.

When I started working on this 'single artist mix' featuring music and sounds from Arno Peeters, I did not realise that creating a mix-collage based on soundscapes would be more difficult than one based on single tracks. A soundscape is a collage in itself - and using fragments from soundscapes to build another soundscape is like ripping up a collage and presenting the fragmented details out of their original context, rearranging them to create a new caleidoscopic image. The original context gets lost, and the result feels like an aural stream of consciousness that may not exactly be "easy on the ears" .... but may prove to be a fascinating exploration of imaginary territories..

Arno Peeters is a musician/artist/sound engineer working from Utrecht, Holland. Starting from the 80's techno scene (with Voltage Control, credited to release the very first 'Acid' record in the Netherlands), he soon ran into the limitations of the genre and pushed some borders releasing 'Fuzzy Logíc' on Djax-Up-Beats, and the even more experimental "Aeroson" soundscape on the legendary Mille Plateaux label.

From there, Arno's focus has shifted from recording projects to sounddesign and installation projects - partnering with installation artist Iris Honderdos on numerous global 'social art' projects.

Looking back on this mix, presenting fragments of Arno's experimental work (spanning almost 30 years), it appears the overall theme in Arno Peeters' work is human communication in all its difficulties - demonstrated most clearly by the collection of voicemail messages in Audentity II. That particular track, by the way, was also used in one of my earlier mixes - Peinzing - sequencing it into Paul Simon's 'Quiet' and from there into Jon Hassell's 'These Times...' - a particular sequence I have always considered one of the most 'emotional' of all previous mix-collages.

If you're looking for strictly ambient mixes, this one will probably not be one to start with. But hey...did anyone say they all should be 'easy on the ears'?

The full playlist, including links to most of the original full tracks, can be found on http://www.ambientblog.net/?e=372

+153

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Ambientblog proudly presents a new "Guest mix",  contributed by Bartosz Dziadosz a.k.a. Pleq. 

After reviewing his latest releases, I did not hesitate when Bartosz asked me if he could contribute a mix to the ambientblog podcasts. This Pleq Ambientblog mix is not a mix of his own music, but a mix of Various Artists that gives great insight in the kind of music that inspires Pleq.

It kicks in fairly heavy with the high pitched noise of Go Koyashiki's "Silhouette", which when it suddenly drops feels like it has prepared your mind to 'open up' for the sounds to follow. Bartosz' mix balances the almost industrial electronic sounds with the more organic romanticism of (for example) Library Tapes, Max Richter and Spyweirdos.  Before closing the mix, two previously unreleased Pleq tracks are included: a collaboration with Hakobune and another with Natalia Noeila Siebula. 

Tracklist:

1. Go Koyashiki - Silhouette (Touch, mAtter 2010)
2. Yui Onodera - Synergetics #1 (Synergetics, Drone Records 2007)
3. Library Tapes - Pieces Of Us Were Left On The Tracks... (A Summer Beneath The Trees, Make Mine Music 2008)
4. Max Richter - Infra 5 (Infra, 130701 2010)
5. Aidan Baker - Shadow Of Death Dream On (Within The Final Circle, Mirakelmusik 2005)
6. Andy Graydon - Untitled 5 (Geomancy, mAtter 2009)
7. Celer - Bracelets Passed To Spanish Hands (Capri, Hummnig Conch 2009)
8. Marihiko Hara - In Dem Dritten Innenhof (Reflexion, Und Dann, Metamorphose, U-Cover 2008)
9. Solo Andata - A Ballet Of Hands (Fyris Swan, Hefty Records 2006)
10. Library Tapes - Feeling For Something Lost In Two Parts (Part. 1) (Feelings For Something Lost, Resonant 2006)
11. Off The Sky - Her Soft Circumference (Caustic Light, Autoplate 2005)
12. Hakobune + Pleq - Critique Of Practical Reason (Unreleased, 2011)
13. Natalia Noeila Siebula & Bartosz Dziadosz - Leit (Unreleased, 2011)
14. Spyweirdos - Sixth (The Numbers, Creative Space Records 2008)

Mixed by Bartosz Dziadosz (Pleq) -  march 7, 2011

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When I read that a new Fovea Hex album will be released in the "Very-Imminent-Future", this revicved fond memories of their 2007 box set called "Neither Speak Nor Remain Silent". Two quotes may introduce this fascinating collection: Brian Eno thought these were "Some of the Most Extraordinary  Songs I've heard in Years", and The WIRE aptly summarized it this way: "If Emily Dickinson had ever been allowed to make a record, this is probably what it would have sounded like".

These comments are all about the songs, but I was also impressed by the way Fovea Hex combined the (unmistakable English) "folk" tradition, their sweet sounding but very strange and mysterious vocal poetry, with a daringly experimental sound backing - even to the most extreme on the stretched minimalist remixes of the Hafler Trio (Andrew McKenzie) on the bonus versions  included in the original limited special edition.

"Fovea Hex" is in fact Clodagh Simonds  (with Laura Sheeran on supporting vocals). In the early 70's she recorded with Thin Lizzy as well as Mike Oldfield, but her discography also includes recordings with Matmos, Current 93 and Russell Mills. The list of contributors to "Neither Speak Nor Remain Silent" almost reads like a "who's who of British experimental electronic music": how many artists can list contributions by people like Brian and Roger Eno, Roger Doyle, Colin Potter, Michael Begg, Percy Jones, Steven Wilson, Robert Fripp, and Andrew 'H3O' McKenzie on one single album release?  

Considering all this, I have always felt that this album deserved to get more attention than it actually got. It was critically acclaimed well enough (check the Pitchfork Reviews on the Wiki page), but to my opinion too few people seem to know about this album at all. It seems to have "gone cult". Which is nice, but probably a lot more people would like it when they heard it.

Since the original EP's are still available through Bandcamp, but the limited special edition box set (including the Hafler Trio Bonus CD's) has sold out, I decided to dig up this mix from the radio archives and present it here on ambientblog.net once more. The original NPS-Folio program was aired on January 1, 2008 (the quiet drone in the beginning was intended for the introduction which is left out here).

 Playlist:H30 (Hafler Trio) - The Discussion (Bloom Bonus)

1. Fovea Hex - Don't these Windows Open (Bloom) 
2. H30 (Hafler Trio) - The Discussion (Bloom Bonus)
3. H30 (Hafler Trio) - An Answer (Allure Bonus)
4. Fovea Hex - Allure (Allure)
5. H30 (Hafler Trio) - The Discussion (Bloom Bonus)
6. Fovea Hex - While You're Away (Huge)
7. H30 (Hafler Trio) - The Explanation (Huge Bonus)
8. H30 (Hafler Trio) - An Answer (Allure Bonus)
9. Fovea Hex - Huge (The Joy of Trouble) (Huge)
10. H30 (Hafler Trio) - An Answer (Allure Bonus)
11. Fovea Hex - We Sleep You Bloom (Bloom)
12. Fovea Hex - Neither Speak Nor Remain Silent (Allure) 
13. H30 (Hafler Trio) - An Answer (Allure Bonus)

All tracks from "Neither Speak Nor Remain Silent" , 2007 Limited Edition Box Set containing "Bloom" "Huge" and "Allure" Die Stadt; Janet Records, DS83, DS86, DS89, JR001, JR002, JR003

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 What exactly happens at the moment night changes back into day again, when darkness slowly retreats and light comes back in? Are we aware of what happens outside, at that time of day most of us are still sleeping? What sort of animals or creatures are hiding from the light, and what sort finally dare to come out again? Would we discover “Dawn Secrets” when we’d leave our own safe and familiar surroundings?

To be honest, I did not start this mix with this theme in mind…it just ‘dawned’ on me when listening to it when it was almost finished…But from the start, I wanted this mix to have a strong ‘environmental’ feel (but not only include field recordings).

Like most of my previous mixes, I also wanted it to be be unnerving as well as comforting: to cycle between ‘tension’ and ‘release’ foa a ‘storytelling’ feeling. So I guess it’s better labeled as “cinematic environmental”  than just as “ambient”.

I know it sounds weird, but when creating a mix like this, I always feel like if the mix itself is choosing the tracks to be included. The result of some combinations often surprises me.

I hope that this mix tells its mysterious story to you … and maybe reveal some ‘secrets’ along the way…

This mix was created in december, 2010 and published on Headphone Commute in january, 2011.

Playlist:

1. 00:00 Atom TM - Notturni No.1 - 1i3835tra3Um3, 2010, Rather Interesting RI067
2. 00:52 Atom TM - Notturni No.2 - 1i3835tra3Um3, 2010, Rather Interesting RI067
3. 02:54 Plinth - Drift - Flotsam, 2006, Second Language SL05X
4. 04:47 Jon Hopkins - Dawn - Monsters (OST), 2010, Domino Records DS036CD
5. 06:03 Simon Whetham - Music's a Wood you Walk Through - Wood - Dragon's Eye Fifth Anniversary, 2011, Dragon's Eye Recording de6008
6. 07:54 Enrico Coniglio - The Crab's Secrets - Underwater Noises, 2011, Ephre Imprint/Lost Children Netlabel
7. 10:19 Mariolina Zitta - Cave Calls - Concert for Bats, Voices and Natural Sounds, 2007, Earth Ear ee6142 
8. 12:50 Philip Samartzis - General Electric - Audible Geography, 2008, Room40 EDRM416
9. 13:50 Un Vortice di Bassa Pressione - Hydrocoma Pt. 3 - Underwater Noises, 2011, Ephre Imprint/Lost Children Netlabel
10. 15:30 Listening Mirror - The Organist - Coffee Break Ambient, 2010, Audio Gourmet Netlabel AGN021 
11. 15:50 Chubby Wolf - Vocal Sounds Vibrate Air - Wood - Dragon's Eye Fifth Anniversary, 2011, Dragon's Eye Recording de6008
12. 16:24 Balmorhea - Palestrina - Constellations, 2010, Western Vinyl WEST070
13. 20:50 Johann Johannsson - Sifreri - Explorer's Club 7 - Reykjavik, 2010, Loaf LOAF36D7
14. 22:07 Wil Bolton - Slate - Time Lapse, 2010, Hibernate HB22
15. 23:40 Sigur Rós - Kafari - Sing me to Sleep (Indie Lullabies), 2010, American Laundromat Records ALR-0023
16. 28:35 Jos Smolders - Aiolos (Vangsaa Exterior) - Various Sampler Contributions, 2010, Earlabs
17. 32:43 Julien Mier - Breathe With Me - Flakes, 2010, Esc.Rec esc.rec.30 / Lomechanik lomek15
18. 34:28 Sleepingdog - Polish Love Song - Sampler Winter 2010, 2010, Gizeh Records
19. 37:40 Markus Mehr - Datenwolke - Lava, 2010, Hidden Shoal Recordings HSR069
20. 39:40 Keith Kenniff - Anchor's Hold - The Last Survivor, 2010, Unseen Music
21. 40:52 Jon Hopkins - Attack - Monsters (OST), 2010, Domino Records DS036CD
22. 42:16 MiaMia - Bend Over Harder - Flakes, 2010, Esc.Rec esc.rec.30 / Lomechanik lomek15
23. 43:50 Enrico Coniglio - Fondamente Nove Incl. 130 Cm S - Salicornie Topofonie, Vol. 2, 2010, Psychonavigation PSY039
24. 47:25 Giya Kancheli - Theme From Hamlet, Var. I & II - Themes from the Songbook, 2010, ECM Records 2188
25. 49:59 Ephraim Wegner - Swarm - Audible Landscapes, 2010, Crónica 052
26. 50:50 Collin Thomas - Blackjack Afternoon - Stones/Still, 2010, collinthomas.net
27. 54:20 Zazie Von Einem Anderen Stern - Nacht - Regen:Tropfen, 2010, Drifting Falling DRIFTING018
28. 57:00 Zazie Von Einem Anderen Stern - Intro - Regen:Tropfen, 2010, Drifting Falling DRIFTING018
29. 57:10 Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson - Degradation - Angels of the Universe, 2001, Fat Cat Records FAT1102
30. 58:22 Atom TM - Notturni N0.3 - 1i3835tra3Um3, 2010, Rather Interesting RI067
31. 59:02 Julien Mier - Breathe With Me - Flakes, 2010, Esc.Rec esc.rec.30 / Lomechanik lomek15

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