WHAT THE PRESS RELEASE SAYS:

After Francis Harris’ third album 'Trivial Occupations' gained magnificent resonances during press and listeners - his “meandering, spine-tingling loveliness” (DJ Mag, USA) became an album of the year in several publications - here is the Remix-EP with two very special reworks.
While the left-field ambient waves of 'Trivial Occupations' still linger in the ears, Joaquin Joe Claussell and LNS tamper with the two bit more beat-driven 'Minor Forms' and 'St. Catherine And The Calm' for two new interpretations that totally break the chains.

New York based DJ, musician and producer Joaquin Joe Claussell, label-owner of both Spiritual Life Music and Sacred Rhythms Music is looking back on a list of countless works on Labels like Vega Records, Brownswood Recordings and Wonderwheel Recordings. Famous for his percussion-driven Afro-House tracks which are influenced by his Puerto Rican background, he also has a deep connection into New York’s local Jazz Scene. Claussell's Cosmic Arts Version of Minor Forms features the outstanding Jazz-pianist Bennett Paster with skillful and organic Piano lines. The track opens up with indistinct vocal chants and distant piano-tinkles alongside scattered drum hits. This moody, steady swelling beginning follows on the vibe of the original’s jazzy trumpets. As the bass, played by Claussell, hits at some point, the whole track turns into a fusion of virtousic synth and piano melodies, underlined with excentrical drum rolls. A turn back into the lighter ambient-spheres finally ends the wildness.

"No different than how I approach producing remixes," says Claussell, "my goal first and foremost is to initiate a connection with the original composition. What this allows me to do is become intimate with the piece in a way that it almost becomes one of my own. Once the relationship is established, I then sketch out the ideas in my head - then on to the canvas - hence whatever format, whether that be DAW or Tape that I feel can most appropriately assist me in getting the job done. As it relates specifically to 'Minor Forms', I envisioned it becoming a journey that moves in 4-parts (Deep Wilderness, Morning Light, Jazzstosphere and back into the Wilderness). The ultimate goal was for the remix to become a story that continues moving through different atmospheric scenes and melodic emotions-all the while respecting the brilliance of the original story. An important part however, is that i need to feel the original composition before i entertain the idea of agreeing to do remixes. And so, hats off to Francis Harris for creating an inspiring piece of music to begin with."

The lively breathing nature of 'St. Catherine And The Calm' is what Laura Sparrow aka. LNS is most fascinated about, so her approach for her remix was to “utilize Francis organic sounds and approach it both via hardware electronically, and using real instruments”, she says. Her Sister, Nadja Sparrow, who is a professional flutist played over the track, creating a goosebump-atmosphere, that is permeated by floating tape-delays of the originals’ piano and vibraphone. Calm and breakbeat-like drums provide the basis for this breathtaking harmonic adventure. LNS, originally keeping the spirit of Calgary’s underground scene alive, is now at home in the Berlin’s equivalent. Not only her love for Detroit and UK-Techno during Djing, but also a great variety of musical influences mirror in her productions. On her recent releases on DJ Sotofett’s Label Wania and her self-released Recons One EP she shows off a interesting mix of short edged electro and leftfield electronica.

With almost thirty minutes playtime, Trivial Occupation Remixes leaves the impression of listening to an entire album that continues telling the story of the original. 

WHAT THE PRESS RELEASE SAYS:

WRWTFWW Records is honored to announce the much anticipated reissue of Satoshi Ashikawa’s undeniable classic of Japanese environmental/ambient/minimalism, Still Way (Wave Notation 2). The album, available on vinyl (first time since 1982) and digipack CD (with one bonus track), comes with a cover artwork by Hiroshi Yoshimura and liner notes by Midori Takada, Satoshi Ashikawa himself, and Irish producer Gareth Quinn Redmond (whose Still Way-inspired album Laistigh den Ghleo is being released simultaneously on WRWTFWW).

Initially released in 1982 as part of the Wave Notation series*, Still Way is, without a doubt, a seminal Japanese environmental/ambient/minimalism album, often mentioned alongside Midori Takada’s Through Looking Glass and Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Green as one of the genre’s most important pieces.

"Like the moment of stillness, after the wind passes through the garden, when the rain stops for a brief second…" Notably inspired by Erik Satie’s Furniture Music and Brian Eno’s ambient work, Satoshi Ashikawa aimed to compose music "intended to be listened to in a casual manner, as a musical landscape or a sound object…not something that would stimulate listeners but music that should drift like smoke and become part of the environment."

The result is simply phenomenal, subtle minimalism and emotional elegance exquisitely orchestrated by Satoshi Ishikawa and his team consisting of his wife Masami Ashikawa (on flute), Midori Takada (on vibraphone), Yuko Utsumi (on harp), Tomoko Sono (on piano), and Junko Arase (on vibraphone).

In conjunction with Still Way, WRWTFWW is releasing Laistigh den Ghleo, a companion album by Irish ambient/minimalist composer Gareth Quinn Redmond, inspired by Ashikawa’s approach.

*The Wave Notation series also includes Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Music For Nine Postcards album.

Prelude 1:46
Harp - Yuko Utsumi
Piano - Tomoko Sono
Vibraphone - Midori Takada

Landscape Of Wheels 11:52
Harp - Yuko Utsumi

Still Park - Ensemble 12:05
Harp - Yuko Utsumi
Piano - Midori Takada
Vibraphone - Junko Arase

Still Park - Piano Solo 4:48
Piano - Tomoko Sono

Still Sky 8:33
Flute - Masami Ashikawa

Image Under The Tree 13.03
Flute - Masami Ashikawa
Piano - Tomoko Sono
Vibraphone - Midori Takada

Wrinkle 11:52 (Bonus - CD & Digital Only)

WHAT THE PRESS RELEASE SAYS:

Drip is mostly composed on a weekday after work, at home alone in front of my computer with a select few instruments that I'm deeply fond of.

The lack of sleep as a direct result of making these tracks is worth it, I think.

Recorded in Gothenburg 2016-2018 by Ess M.
Much love to Janne & Mattias for lending me a couple of silver boxes.

Buy the vinyl here: metabanana.airforce#!/release/RE205

Credits
released August 16, 2019

Recorded By – Ess M
Mastered By - Andreas Tilliander
RE205 Repeatle. Distributed by Metabanana Airforce

WHAT THE PRESS RELEASE SAYS:

Following up on the 2017 debut EP 'Don't Get Me Wrong’, Dazion returns with his second release on Second Circle.

On his latest EP; 'A Bridge Between Lovers’, we hear the Dutch multi-instrumentalist take even more unexpected swerves and turns in the form of five new tracks recorded in his home studio in Den Haag. Setting himself loose from any musical confines, his process develops spontaneously; a Spanish guitar connects with an Indonesian wind instrument, wood sticks are channelled through a gritty sampler, while weird drum patterns make their way out of Alesis HR 16-B and Yamaha computers.

The results of these recordings are a fluid yet familiar Dazion sound; typically utilising electronic and organic sounds in his own distinctive way. As with its predecessor, the tracks on ‘A Bridge Between Lovers’ are heavily rhythmically fuelled as well as rich in melody. Not least during another collaboration with the Portugese vocalist Paulo on the alluring opening track ‘Eu Ñao Sei’, where Dazion again radiates what he himself calls, his "musical message of love to everyone".

Welcome to our weekly RSS feed friendly round up of the last seven day's social media music recommendations.

Reset your dial with the purple hazed pairing of Prana Crafter & Tarotplane at the controls of this unhurried exploration of the outer cosmic realms of psychedelic electronics, stoned to the bone rock & acid folk fusion for far side enablers Beyond Beyond is Beyond.

Now here's a winning combination if ever there was one as members of Hiatus Kaiyote team up with Theo Parrish to produce some sweet summer soul with a boogie house bump. Modern soul at its absolute finest.

Stunning African soul music as the "dodo" vocals of Kenya's Olith Ratego grace the perfectly tailored Afrophile percussion & subtle electronic touches of Sven Kacirek & Peter Power to wonderful Afro fusion effect for Pingipung Records. Can't wait for the Autumn album release.

Sometimes you've just got to get funky and the 80's aping, synth powered, soul soaked, sunset cruising sounds of Koolade will add a boombox bump & shoulder padded sheen to your Wednesday.

Give your Tuesday a Finnish deep house bump as Suomise twins, Freestyle Man a Jimi Tenor official lay down a great, cosmic jazz injected, freaky four tracker for Studio Barnhus.

The post punk reawakening continues apace with the excellent new Love Vinyl assisted Gramme LP for Gilded Lily. With an evolutionary polish & an electro disco sanding of their early raw edges, music with attitude never sounded so funky or danceable.

Aural Sunday serenity from Don Slepian as Numero Group reach back in time & retransmit his 80s New Age ambient vibrations to the new wave of seekers reconnecting with the universe & prioritising the planet over profit.

Welcome to our weekly RSS feed friendly round up of the last seven day's social media music recommendations.

The audible bioluminescence of Constant Shapes new LP is giving my lazy Saturday morning a sonic sparkle as his West coast, stream environment gleaned, field recordings lap against high-spirited, new age of New Age, ambient synthesizer shores to energising effect.

Check out the Hawaiian homegrown Aloha Got Soul 2019 compilation of digi dub, Polynesian funk, psychedelic folk, jazzy licks, cosmic vibes & sweet soul. Perfect Pacific soaked, magma warmed summer listening & a timely reminder of what a great label they are.

With purity, simplicity, power and beauty Luedji Luna delivers an Afro Brazilian masterpiece for Sterns Music. On repeat today and for the forseeable future...

Check the consummate bass playing & fearless futurism of Bubby Lewis' new electro juiced, jazz fusion LP for Ropeadope Records. Aided by all the right West Coast collaborators he takes the scenic route from hyper kinetic kaleidoscopes to deep nu-soul all the while oozing positive vibes.

I'm all up for forward looking music and the post hip hop beats, ambient tropes, genre confusion & chilled futuristic vibes of the new Frythm EP for SXN is on repeat this morning.

Mash up your Monday with a one way ticket to the unholy Bermuda triangle of Jamaica, LA & Bristol where I Jahbar & partners in rhyme ride a drying shed load of sensi crazed, Duppy Gun Productions vs SKRS, dancehall riddims for Bokeh Versions. A bright light in the JA autotune dark ages.

Hypnagogic haziness designed to soundtrack urban twilight zones but sounding mighty fine on a Sunday, check out the ethereal pop of Bitflower Bb for All City Records & why not her fine sounding somnanbulant Dream~cycles DJ sets whilst you're at it.

So I've been a bit slack with the mixtapes recently but that is about to change, kicking off with the first in a series of Slow mixes. This one I've done especially for the Group Mind label/collective/discussion forum ambient fiends.

As the title suggest this one largely focusses on musicians that are also electronic producers or musicians that make their instruments sound like machines. I also threw in a couple of straight up tracks with an ambient vibe that fitted the flow nicely.

So take a wander through a world where cultures unite, musical instruments and machines mingle, genres are blurred, the nature of ambient is questioned, spirituality & agnosticism meet in the middle, love is everywhere and music is King.

You can also find the mix on our podcast and Soundcloud pages.

Savina Yannatou - Karaindrou: The Wind of War (ECM)
Seán Mac Erlaine - Horse-drawn Thoughts (Ergodos)
M. Grig - Call (12K)
Geir Sundstøl - Læms (Hubro)
Dakota Suite, Dag Rosenqvist and Emanuele Errante - de ziekte van emile (Karaoke Kalk)
Oiseaux-Tempete - Ya Layl, Ya 3aynaki (Ô nuit, ô tes yeux) (Sub Rosa)
Emil Abramyan - Fever (Kingdoms)
Dean McPhee - The Blood of St John (Hood Faire)
Justin Adams - Deep C (Wayward)
David Baron - Cracks In The Dream State (Here & Now)
James Heather - And She Came Home, Mary Lattimore Rework (Ninja Tune)
Duke Pearson - Cristo Redentor (Blue Note)
Maarja Nuut & Ruum - Kuud kuulama (130701)
Roland P. Young - Stillness (Em)
Lars Jakob Rudjord - Horisont, Kid Koala Remix (FYRLYD)
Hymnambulae - Totemdjur (Hypnagoga Press)

There is also a Slow Music Movement, Slow Ambient playlist if you want a slowly evolving, stylistically diverse ambient selection. It is up on Soundcloud in a limited way due to track availability issues but you can head over to our TSMM profile on the streaming services for the full selection:

TSMM Spotify
TSMM Apple Music
TSMM Deezer
TSMM Youtube

Welcome to our weekly RSS feed friendly round up of the last seven day's social media music recommendations.

The new age of New Age, Indian tradition & our present day electronic reality clash to mesmerising, psychedelic effect as Ami Dang catapults the ancient sound of the sitar into the 21st century & beyond with this futuristic, fungus fueled fusion for Leaving Records.

If you're listening to musings on the human condition then best they come from someone like Mark Lanegan whose husky voice sounds like he's seen a thing or two & given it some thought. Couple this with the fuzzed up, strung out & pleasingly unpredictable sonic scenery of Alessio Natalizia & you have a truly distinctive LP from a very particular pairing.

Future music frivolity from Persian Empire as he escapes our musical cage & constructs a genre neutral, creatively crafted, jazz injected, funk inflected, hip pop beat ark that effortlessly floats above the rising tides of data driven, music homogeneity for Slovenia's Rx:tx.

The perfect soundtrack for midweek lulling from Tapani Rinne, as one of Finland's finest melts his sax & clarinet into subtle machine sounds to create a soothing, cultured & harmonious electro acoustic ambient Arcadia. Lovely stuff & thanks to Ambient Blog for the tip.

Big up to Séance Centre for introducing me to the deeply affecting Afro Caribe jazz of Gwakasonné. Fusing Guadeloupe folk traditions, spiritual jazz & early electronic embellishments, Robert Oumaou's musical visions of unity, protest, poetry, past & (80's) present is a simply wonderful, life affirming joy. If you haven't got €30 or a record player stream the original LPs.

This Indo jazz charged cathartic cry from Sarathy Korwar & his group of Delhi & Mumbai rappers expounding the Indian diaspora experience of populist politicians cynically harnessing fear rather than hope & undoing years of multi-cultural integration, tolerance & understanding for Leaf Label is a take no prisoners wake up call.

Soothing my tired head with ambient carresses, blessing my urban existence with the sounds of nature & offering new age of New Age solutions to a world looking in all the wrong places & faces for answers Soda Lite's most recent LP for Inner Islands is hitting all sort of spots today.