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The Slow Music Movement Blog

​Mostly we put our daily recommendations here for the blog readers among you, although occasionally we go longform.
Reading about music is a bit like looking at pictures of food - not nearly half as much fun as getting involved, so we scribble a brief intro to hopefully whet your appetite but you're better off just hitting play. Not very "slow" I know but there's a lot of music to check these days & hopefully you'll find the recommendations a handy filter.
​Trust your ears, not opinions.

31/7/2021 1 Comment

Tangents - Timeslips & Chimeras (Temporary Residence Ltd.

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

​Ambient textures abound on the new Tangents LP for Temporary Residence Ltd. but the tempos fluctuate wildly from a hip hop crawl to all sorts of mutated, futuristic liquid drum and bass constructs. Pop it on the headphones & you'll simultaneously float & fly through the weekly shop.

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

Australian improvising ensemble Tangents return with a ‘twin’ release that sees 2020’s Timeslips complemented with a second album, Chimeras. The Timeslips tracks, which were released in digital-only form under the subdued circumstances of the first COVID wave, are remastered and reissued in the newly merged Timeslips & Chimeras package, receiving a full release on 2xLP, CD, and all digital platforms. Timeslips & Chimeras marks the third Tangents release issued through the iconic Brooklyn label Temporary Residence Ltd. (home to Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, MONO, William Basinski and more). 

The two albums were created in tandem, with much of the material recorded in one day at Sydney’s Free Energy Device Studios in 2018. Timeslips leans towards more literal takes on the studio-improvised material, with Tangents’ usual blend of ambiguous post-production treatment. Chimeras expands into more constructed passages of iterated overdubs, lo-fi electric jams, additional studio takes and splintered extracts from the Timeslips sessions, offering more extreme twists, turns and stylistic variation through doomy rock and dub drones, ecstatic superjazz and abstract collages. 

This landmark double release comes 3 years after the release of New Bodies, the Australian Music Prize nominated albumwhich thrust Tangents’ peculiar blend of improvisation and precision production into the international spotlight, a record which, says Grayson Haver Currin of Pitchfork, “overflows with sensations — of being overpowered and delighted, of being buoyed up and washed away by Tangents’ seemingly endless ideas”.  

More tension and intention pervades Timeslips & Chimeras, demonstrating a thoughtful maturation of improvisational ideas and more abstracted and purposeful production. With breathtaking, rhythmic drumming and skillful production driving the various moods, Timeslips & Chimeras emerges from an even more intense interaction between live playing and carefully constructed compositions. The brittle skittering mallets of “Exaptation”, raucous guitar of “Debris” and processed trumpet of “Vessel” add new timbres to their existing palette of jazz drums, melancholy piano, throbbing cello and swirling glitched ambiences. The tonal rumble of a 100-carriage coal train winding through New South Wales’ Bylong Valley signals the first half of the double album’s slow close, recalling Tangents’ earlier references to the Australian environment in New Bodies and Stateless, before the second half picks up on a new tack: “Lilliputian” carves an upbeat path through growling drones into an ecstatic techno-infused anthem. “Ossicles” revisits Tangents’ penchant for deep, almost dubstep, grooves. “Lost Track” is a bizarre detour into elated jazz melodics. “Timeslip” radically deconstructs the band with pitch-shifts, cut-ups and decontextualized performances, while “Chimera” further smears the live improvisations into ambient jazz and hints at acoustic dub, before “Wonder” signs out with pulsating organ, spurts of mutant cello, and empty beats.
  CreditsTangents are: 
Ollie Bown: software, field recordings, synths 
Evan Dorrian: drums, percussion, voice 
Peter Hollo: cello, fx 
Adrian Lim-Klumpes: piano, prepared piano, Rhodes, mallet percussion, organ, synths, fx 

Additional musicians: 
Sia Ahmad: guitar, percussion, synths (tracks 1-7) arrangement (track 5) 
Nick Calligeros: trumpet (track 2) 

Primary improvisations recorded at Free Energy Device Studios, Sydney 
Recording and mix engineer: Richard Belkner 
Additional recordings, composition, arrangement and production by Tangents 
Mastered by Bob Weston 
Artwork by Britt Hiatzus 
Design by Jeremy DeVine 
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30/7/2021 0 Comments

Wiki Chaves - Raíz (Self Release / The slow Music Movement)

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & WHAT THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

It's been great teaming up with Wiki Chaves and dropping a couple of singles from his new album, now you can finally check the full length LP that has just landed - perfect summer listening.

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

Wiki Chaves’ latest production is Raíz - a 27 minute long minimalistic instrumental album jointly released by The Slow Music Movement. Its 7 tracks combine beats from a legendary Ace Tone drum machine, quiet electric guitar layers and subtle acoustic percussion to create relaxing dreamy landscapes inspired by parenthood and a return to nature, hence the title "Raíz" (roots in Spanish). 

The music on Raíz is driven by soft riffs that develop organically and work as mantric loops, seasoned with deep reverbs that convey a retro vibe, and spatial backgrounds reminiscent of ambient music. The influences for the tracks on the album are drawn from diverse roots: dub’s signature sound, post-punk heavily chorused guitars, exotica rhythms, classical guitar arpeggios and smooth jazz phrasing.

CreditsWritten By Wiki Chaves 

Performed by Wiki Chaves (guitar and drum programing), Nicolás Supertino (percussion and melodica) and Nico Bruschi (bass guitar) 
Produced by Nico Bruschi aka Sidirum 
Mixed by Nicola Carra 
Mastered by Jerónimo Escajal 
Cover by Carmen Chaves 
Photography by Agustina Perretta
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30/7/2021 0 Comments

Balimaya Project - Wolo So (Jazz Re:Freshed)

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & WHAT THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

Get your Friday freak on & launch into the weekend with the horn & string assisted, propulsive polyrhythmic joys & full on celebration of Mandé music from London's Balimaya Project for Jazz Re:freshed & pray to Mangala that live music returns soon as this crew will undoubtedly smash any show.

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

Driving collective polyrhythms, blazing frontline horns & virtuosic kora stylings collide across this dynamic meeting of traditional Mandé music/culture and contemporary jazz.
CreditsYahael Camara Onono - Lead Djembe/Arranger/Composer/ Voice /Sangban 
N’famady Kouyaté - Balafon/Sangban/ Voice 
Jali Bakary Konte - Kora 
Skanda Sabbagh - Dounoun 
Adeegun Crispin Robinson - Congas/voice 
Paul Goumou - Omele/Shekere/Sakara 
Michael Adesina - Lead Talking Drums/Sakara 
Moses Olukayode - Talking Drums/Sakara 
Yohan Kebede - Keys 
Godwin Sonzi - Guitar/voice 
Jonathan Monga Moko - Bass/voice 
Nathaniel Cross - Trombone 
Joe Bristow - Trombone 
Elias Ntiamoah Atkinson - Flugelhorn/Trumpet 
Ife Ogunjobi - Trumpet 
Triston Dubison - Kit 
Mariam Tounkara Koné - Solo Vocal 

Recorded at: Livingston Studios 
Engineered by: Marcus Locock 
Mixed by: Marcus Locock 
Mastered by: Daz-I-Kue 
Date recorded: July 2020 

Thanks to: 
I’d like to thank my ‘father’ Sidiki Dembele for his undying encouragement, mentoring, care and Attention and education in tradition and culture. 

A big thanks to my Family - Balimaya Project - without whom, none of this would be possible. The talent that surrounds us all is extraordinary. 

To Michelea Onono and Adaiba Onono, for keeping us Sane. 

Thanks to Andrew Azuka Uchea (RIP), Frances Uchea and the Uchea family for their prayers and support throughout my life and career. 

Marcus Locock, for working with us singlehandedly and doing a hell of a job 

Last but definitely not least, a huge thank you to Jazz re:freshed. Adam, Yvette and team, You have consistently followed and supported everything we have done. Advised, sacrificed and supported. To pull this off during a pandemic was no mean feat. But your unwavering positivity and encouragement has been priceless. What you do for the community, in general, is indescribable. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.​
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29/7/2021 0 Comments

Sonmi451 - Seven Signals In The Sky (Laaps)

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

Sonic luminescence lights the way through flora rich, poorly lit ambient waters on Sonmi451's exploration of deep space's aquatic realms for Laaps, as the alien fauna & unseen sirens utter sweet ASMR nothings in an effort to beguile & bewilder.

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

All tracks written & produced by Bernard Zwijzen/Sonmi451. 

Equipment : Moog Mother 32, Elektron Octatrack, Instruo Arbhar, Make Noise Morphagene, Happy Nerding FX Aid. Plugins by Applied Acoustics, Native Instruments, Arturia and U-He. Additional production, sequencing and mixing in Ableton Live. 

Mastered by Taylor Deupree 
Artwork by Stéphane Mahé 
Design by Sprflxgrfzm 
_____________________ 

"Bernard likes to thank Mathias for his wonderful work on the LAAPS project and for the opportunity to participate. Thanks also to friends & places for inspiration"​

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28/7/2021 0 Comments

Duo Brothers - Cookie Stars (Raw Tapes)

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

One for the space cocktail lounge sophisticates & suave summer shakers from the Duo Brothers on Raw Tapes, as they throw some outernational jazz licks over some smooth & slinky grooves for all your linen clad, sunglasses on the head, warm weather moves.

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

Welcome back to our dope lil universe. 

We’re stoked to announce Cookie Stars, the second album from one of Raw Tapes’ most impressive instrumental lineups, the Duo Brothers. Visionary local staples Sol Monk and Yonatan Levy have taken the cool from their debut album to another level, lifting off into “spaceship jazz” territory. Cookie Stars sends you out into orbit, each song a planet onto itself, leaving pleasureful tastes from different atmospheres but never drifting too far from home. Think Khrubangin meets psychedelic jazz: groovy synths, soft riffs, and flowing beats all effortlessly bounce off of one another, masterfully spaced and minimalistic, leaving each room to breathe. 

Cookie Stars takes you on a chill journey towards the stars. Enjoy the ride.

CreditsAll tracks composed by Yonatan Levy except Rough Waters by Elyasaf Bashari 

Produced by Aviv Cohen (Sol Monk) and Yonatan Levy 

Recorded and engineered Aviv Cohen at Saloniki Studios 

Mixed by Aviv Cohen (Sol Monk) and Yonatan Levy 

Mastered by Asaf Shay 

Artwork by Linja​

IF YOU LIKE THAT YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS

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27/7/2021 0 Comments

Trippers & Askers - Acorn (Sleepy Cat)

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

Inspired by Octavia Butler's prescient 90's novel predicting today's climate & wealth inequality crisis', the new LP from Trippers & Askers for Sleepy Cat Records is a laid back alt-Americana & jazz laced psychedelic folk foray into humanity's dark side, the still burning candles of hope & the difficult choices facing us all sooner than we want to admit if we want to build a more equitable, sustainable future.

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

Inspired by the world building, Afrofuturist radicalism of the novel “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler, the latest Trippers & Askers LP “Acorn” blends spiritual jazz and traditional styles in ways that pose fundamental questions about the nature of “American” music. With cover art from acclaimed comic artist John Jennings - whose work includes multiple graphic novel adaptations of Butler’s work - this concept album ushers the listener through the narrative of the novel as it pertains to the very real political and emotional challenges of the present. 
Parable of the Sower was written in the 1990’s and set in 2020’s U.S. when society has collapsed for everyone but the super wealthy due to climate change, wealth inequality, religious fundamentalism, and corporate greed. The protagonist – a woman named Lauren Olamina – embodies a kind of radical hope that has nothing to do with denial. In fact, it’s a kind of hope that can only spring from the fact that she understands the severity of her and her community’s situation better than anyone else. It’s a hope that is anchored by a religion that she creates called Earthseed, a way of seeing the world that many contemporary black feminist activists and musicians such as adrienne maree brown, Toshi Reagon and so many others have taken up as a spiritual roadmap toward liberation from an increasingly unacceptable present. 
Side A of “Acorn” deals with the childhood of humanity on earth, with the discovery of Earthseed ushering us to the stars. Side B deals with a “sweet, sad and terrifying” adulthood that is oriented toward the creation of the first Earthseed community, “Acorn.” An album based on the second novel in the series, “Parable of the Talents”, is in process. 
Acorn was recorded primarily in Durham, North Carolina, and features some of the area’s finest including Andy Stack (Wye Oak, Joyero), Joseph O’Connell (Elephant Micah), Joe Westerlund (Califone, Megafaun), former Sun Ra member Ken Moshesh. Here are some words on the album from songwriter, friend and fellow traveler, Will Stratton.
 
 CreditsPerformance: 
Jay Hammond | Voice, Guitars, Mandolin, Bass, Electronics 
Chessa Rich | Voice, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, Flute 
Andrew Carlson | Voice, Bass 
Joe Westerlund | Drums, Percussion 
Ken Moshesh | Percussion 
Joseph Decosimo | Fiddle 
Bako Jaf | Saz 
Mike Grigoni | Pedal Steel 
Joseph O'Connell | Pump Organ 
Andy Stack | Saxophone, Organelle 

Production: 
All Songs by Jay Hammond 
Saz by Bako Jaf recorded in Pigneto, Rome 
Engineering @ Silkworm Sound in Durham, NC by Saman Khoujinian 
Engineering @ The Rubber Room in Chapel Hill, NC by Saman Khoujinian 
Engineering @ Arbor Ridge Studios in Chapel Hill, NC by Jeff Crawford 
Engineering and Initial Mixing @ Everywhere by Jay Hammond 
Final Mixes by Scott Hirsch @ Echo Magic Studios in Ojai, CA 
Distributed by Sleepy Cat Records 
Manufactured by Blue Sprocket in Harrisonburg, VA 
Package design by Gabe Anderson 
Original Cover Artwork by John Jennings 
Produced by Jay Hammond 
© simultaneities 2021​

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26/7/2021 0 Comments

Sam Gendel & Sam Wilkes - Music For Saxofone & Bass guitar, More songs (Leaving Records)

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & WHAT THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

Nice to see Sam Gendel back with Sam Wilkes on another mission for Leaving Records. Anchored by a bit of hip hop bump they embark on a smooth future jazz ride, but not without them gently probing the jazz continuum for possibilities they will no doubt explore at a later date.

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

The follow-up to 2018's underground jazz milestone from Los Angeles-based musicians Sam Gendel & Sam Wilkes. Music for Saxofone & Bass Guitar More Songs collects nine additional songs from the duo.

CreditsPerformed, recorded, mixed and produced by 
Sam Gendel + Sam Wilkes 
additional bass by Daniel Aged on THEEM PROTOTYPE, COLD POCKET, FLAMETOP GREEN 
Mastered by Matthewdavid McQueen 
Recorded on location at Mh Zh + Daniel's Basement + etc. 
2017-2021​

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25/7/2021 0 Comments

Ambalek - Fremder (Seil Records)

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & WHAT THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

If you need a snug sonic blanket for your lie-in, a sofa friendly soundtrack or just a long hot soak in a sound bath then head over to the new Ambalek LP for Seil Records & hit play on this Sunday suitable ambient suite.

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

'Fremder' is about finding escape and solace in suburban sylvan spaces. 

Made with hand played electronic instruments: Ciat Lonbarde Deerhorn, Cocoquantus, Plumbutter, digital piano (sampled via microphone), eurorack, Novation Peak, and Elektron Digitone. Where necessary loops were made either with cassette tapes or Gauss Field Looper.

CreditsProduced & Mixed by Ambalek 
Mastered by SALZ Mastering 
Artwork by Ambalek ́s SX70 
Design by Aoki & Matsumoto 


*** 10% of our earnings go to charity. *** 
It is our goal to make the world a more optimistic place. And music is one way to reach it. But we also want to help good people do good things. So every quarter we donate 10% of our label earnings to support a small non-profit organization, as there even humble amounts can make a real difference. These are organisations in the fields of helping the environment, fighting racism or providing music education to underprivileged groups. On our social media channels we let you know every six months to which charity our donation went and help spread the word about their work.​

IF YOU LIKE THAT YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS

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24/7/2021 0 Comments

Wiki Chaves - Hollywood (The Slow Music Movement)

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & THE VIDEO LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

"Hollywood", the brand new single from Wiki Chaves drops today and it's a perfect slice of summery Surfadelic Exotica to soundtrack all sorts of fun in the sun.

CHECK OUT THE B-SIDE AS WELL

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

Argentinian by nature, Californian by location and just in time for summer, along comes Wiki Chaves armed with his Ace Tone drum machine, guitars and a pleasing genre fluidity to help make those holiday hammock sessions even more chilled and those summer nights that bit steamier. He's like an iced lemonade and alcoholic fruit cocktail in one handy, multi-compartmental, recyclable thermos container. 

But this is only part of the story. Big things are happening in Wiki's world, not least becoming a parent at the same time as navigating major life/career/philosophy changes and rediscovering the joys of nature. Some people at this stage of their life dial the therapist, Wiki opted for musicology instead and is releasing an LP of tropical mantric grooves to help him and you if you press play, through life's changes & challenges. 

So jump on the couch and head over to his Bandcamp for the full therapy session whilst checking the tropical dub delights of "Pleasure Point" and the Exotica meets Surfadelic excitement of "Hollywood" released as singles through The Slow Music Movement.  

wikichaves.bandcamp.com 
wikichaves.com 
soundcloud.com/wikichaves 
instagram.com/wikichaves/

​CreditsWritten by Wiki Chaves 
Wiki Chaves - guitar and drum programming. 
Nicolás Supertino - percussion and melodica 
Nico Bruschi - bass guitar 

Produced by nico Brushchi aka Sidirum 
Mixed by Nicola Carra 
Mastered by Jerónimo Escajal 
Cover by Carmen Chaves
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23/7/2021 0 Comments

Mia Pixley - Margaret In The Wild (Self Release)

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & THE COVER LOOKS LIKE
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WHAT WE SAY

Restless soul Mia Pixley is not just knocking down walls but building bridges between the disparate neoclassical & jazz worlds, fusing her convention teasing cello, sweet southern soul with easy on the ear yet thought provoking lyrics on her strikingly original & mightily accomplished debut LP.

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

Mia Pixley's first full length album, "Margaret in the Wild," establishes a new home beyond Pixley and her cello – a home that is truly sowed in the earth. A lifelong nature lover, who finally found her place with the help of strikingly emotional ocean swims during the pandemic, “Margaret in the Wild” represents Pixley unapologetically planting herself alongside others. The nine-track album demonstrates Pixley opening herself to the wilds of connection, to gratitude for what she has been given, as well as, to sorrow for what she has lost, and to nature’s inspirational capacity to finally root her uprooted beginnings.​
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