Unicity - S/T (PURR041)

crystal covered slow burners precipitate sweet relief. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Infinite radiant stellar objects bring about astral reverie. Unicity's self-titled release on Constellation Tatsu is a synthesizer adventure through the cosmos. Layers of blissful, variegated synth coalesce to make the speakers breath. This particular release has a dreamlike quality; Sections segue adroitly, focusing the listener's mind on emerging sonic phenomena. Parts evolve subtly, which endow the music with an expansive and encompassing feel. Overall, Unicity's mindful approach makes for stellar compositions. As we accelerate into vastness, an entrancing synth loop and ethereal drone put the listener at ease; concurrently, signals echo to illuminate the starry mind. Shortly, we arrive in a dubious environment characterized by minimal drone and interstellar tones that warble. As awareness flowers, resplendent blinding ecstasy is absorbed by each pore. Distant synth registers as barely perceptible, while bleary drone proves disorienting. My favorite part of the tape occurs soon as copious new age vibrations circulate among tidal sounds. Swirling light colors are emitted from the speakers among plaintive synth. Embryonic pulses fill the air. Quietly emerging, other cosmic elements begin to shimmer - crystalline, pulsating, ringing. A solemn drone caught up in a celestial vortex is spewed into the infinite releasing warm, tranquil vibrations.

These dreamy jams should keep your head flying high! One of three excellent tapes from the Constellation Tatsu's spring batch, the S/T release from Winnipeg's cosmic explorer is available directly from Constellation Tatsu for $6. Why not give a little more at the margin? Pick up all three cassettes (Les Halles and X.Y.R.) for $13.

peace and love, friends :)

Les Halles - Invisible Cities (PURR 042)

tranquil energy that permeates the radiant, yearning soul. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Whether shards of sunshine illuminate the quiescent soul or opaque, introspective clouds muddle the tempo of the breath, Les Halles, to borrow a phrase from the beautiful Pema Chödrön, makes music to help the listener start where you are. Invisible Cities, by Les Halles on Constellation Tatsu, utilizes flute and strings among other instruments. Introspective, languorous waves of flute flutter in a hazy atmosphere and dissipate in the palpable crackle and hiss. As we begin the climb this morning to the zenith of 4/20, the sun is engulfed by ubiquitous sonic fog. Yet, Invisible Cities is the perfect accompaniment for a journey over a tortuous route that leads one to the light.  

 Waves of warm hiss and crackle combine with mellifluous flute that billows lightly through the head in the opening track, "Between Two Deserts." Jovial voices circulate harmoniously. The hiss bubbles and surges, spraying the exterior with a fine mist. In the following track, patient strings exude calmness and mix with looped flute, the wavelength of which stretches from the speakers to the soul. Layers of placid energy echo and meander over the fragile resonance of plucked strings. "Wave from Memories" presents music that is intertwined with the breath. As swaths of equanimity multiply, rippling peaceful energy engulfs the listener. In the final track on side A, meditative tones twinkle and abut mystical loops. The flipside commences with my favorite track, "Grow in Lightness." Serene beams of sunlight are spread wide across the blue sky, breathing life into the still, dormant body. Contemplative tones with a light and airy character circulate while  faint strings whisper in the penultimate track. Flute ripples softly dissolving in the opaque atmosphere. The final track, "Illusion of Movement" is notable for its adroit use of space. Flowery, inner seeking waves drift lazily and slowly disperse. Occasionally, the hushed murmur of brushed strings is audible - lovely!

Constellation Tatsu tapes are omnipresent in my cassette deck. Released as part of Constellation Tatsu's spring batch, the artwork and design are credited to Dieter Durinck. Invisible Cities is highly recommended and may be purchased directly from Constellation Tatsu.  
  

peace and love, friends :)

Daniel Klag - Inner Earth (PURR029)

further. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

A breath that triggers the benevolent state of awareness is a blessing. Inner Earth travels at a dreamy pace through the nostrils, shimmering energy personified by peaceful drones aligned with the human spirit. Daniel Klag exhibits perspicacity in transmitting these inner states into the sonic realm. Track after track produces layers of tranquil light, each distinct in texture. A resonant whir of energy coalesces excellently with incipient awareness. As cool molecules ascend to zenith, suddenly the flowering warmth of the soul manifests. Cascading brilliant particles exit the nostrils. Introspective vibrations are apparent in the second track, "Litany." Warm, soporific drones that occasionally echo throughout the soul contrasted with poignant energy. Subtly a sheen whirls, the heart flutters. Repeatedly, suffering abates to unyielding light of awareness. I feel so alive right now. The side A closer is a cathartic release. Reverberating energy moves proximate. Parts of the sonic spectrum glow dreamily in the distance - elegant strings are a lovely touch. 

With each succession of the breath, despair and suffering submit to the awesome energy contained in "Awakener". Light bells resonate in the heart and mind, the distance in between becoming more minuscule as we embrace the core. A deluge of tears removes the remaining impediments; Being touched by the light, the inner essence contained within the crystalline synth that makes one levitate. Pulsating red light traces the peripheral contour of the soul. With the lightness of feather, waves vacillate and cluster around compassionate brilliance.  

Inner Earth produces myriad intimate moments - myopia cast aside with each breath, subsumed by the omnipotent vastness that is awareness. Senses flourish and cognitions become more acute in this climate. Ultimately, this is a tape for everybody. Those who enjoy travelling to radiant inner zones will admire the progression from front to back. Most of all, Daniel Klag's music strikes the sparks which make one realize intrinsic luminosity, the inner flame that extends to all who you touch. Inner Earth may be purchased directly from Constellation Tatsu - a label on my top shelf.

peace and love, friends :)

Reuben Sawyer - Constricting Realities (PURR030)

This one brings the peace; and Humboldt Relief always brings the love!  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Constricting Realities floods an austere environment with encompassing vibrancy.  An aggregate comprised of myriad shimmering layers of peaceful energy.  Layers of sound billow, approaching the listener in a dreamy manner.  Aural euphoria circumscribes the listener for the entirety of Constricting Realities, by Reuben Sawyer on Constellation Tatsu.  There is a perspicacious awareness to texture and tone throughout.  This is right up there with Kyle Landstra's lovely Cosmic Winnetou tape in the ambient realm of experimental music. In the first track, a gradually expanding and voluminous drone places the listener in a state of elation. Early in the second track, a nascent resonance develops rapidly.  Multiple layers of vibrating sound caress the listener.  Warm energy cascades, drenching the listener in bliss.  The sound in the environment experiences several metamorphoses.  Instances of gentle currents subsumed by soft drones and unrestrained reverberating tones are performed adroitly.  Pure mediation music follows in the last track of side A, as heavenly energy abounds.  The flip is the same trip.  Elements slowly coalesce and undulate.  Shortly, the listener is besieged by celestial vibrations.  The last track is awesome, and much different than the previous ones.  This one commences with some of the most aggressive sound on the tape prior to making the transition into a tranquil climate - slow ascent of the sun.

Highly recommended, Constricting Realities is available directly from Constellation Tatsu.

peace and love, friends :) 

White Poppy - Drifter's Gold (PURR 0034)

sweet sativa!  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

As White Poppy's - Crystal Dorval - saccharine-coated voice hovers ubiquitously, it circumscribes the denizens and assuages their suffering. The near panacea ambient pop music is the gateway to a tranquil state of being.  One of the most impressive facets of this tape is Crystal's voice.  Robust enough to part the clouds, at other times it's as gentle as a friend's embrace.  Just as salient are the hazy strings and songwriting.  White Poppy creates opaque soundscapes that glisten warmly in the front of your head. For all of these reasons and more, Drifter's Gold, released on Constellation Tatsu, will certainly receive end of year nug luv.              

The atmosphere is immediately enhanced upon pressing play.  'Green & Growing' is tantamount to a cool breeze blowing through the flowers on a summer day - a gorgeous instrumental.  The following two tracks, 'Who Are You' and 'Daydreaming', exhibit Crystal's proficiency with the guitar and creating a lovely aural environment.  Tranquil melodies glitter in the nascent sunlight.  Hazy, ethereal vocals float interminably.  In the instances where Crystal's voice ascends acutely, the listener rides the crest of a beautiful sonic wave.  'Drifters Gold', the closer on side A, is different than the previous tracks.  In this track, Crystal adeptly utilizes space and tone.  Elongated tones gently manifest and ascend.  The flipside commences with 'In The Sun'.  Light strums and softly resonant strings billow in the sativa haze, with Crystal's mellifluous voice omnipresent.  The final track, 'When I'm Gone', is one of my favorites.  The vocals and guitar are quite lovely in this track.  Musically, it moves at a deliberate pace; Dreamy in sound, soothing to the ear and edifying to the soul.


Drifter's Gold sits on the top shelf in trichome heaven.  Accompanied by gorgeous artwork, it may be purchased directly from Constellation Tatsu.
 
peace and love, friends :)

Emuul - Free Structures: What We Thought When We Thought The World Was Shifting Under Our Feet (PURR 0025)

ensconced in these lovely tones - join me friends!  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Every Emuul release is an opportunity to rejoice!  For me, Emuul occupies a strata in experimental music in which few peers exist.  As for contemporaries, Derek Rogers and Thoughts on Air come to mind.  Each of the aforementioned artists reach me on an intimate level.  I'm sure we all have artists that affect us in such a beautiful manner.  When one listens to this type of music, it is not a transient experience.  Rather, when one is blessed with such fidelity in art, it becomes part of the person.  What We Thought When We Thought The World Was Shifting Under Our Feet, the latest Emuul release on Constellation Tatsu, is something that I hold dear to my heart.  Much like the process of osmosis, the patient passages of sound gradually permeate your body, illuminating the soul in the process.  

Side A is as poignant as anything I have encountered this year.  It is comprised of a loop of light, soft, voluminous tones; elongated passages of sound; and piano.  Emuul's composition is perfect and it reminds me of the process of life.  In the beginning, Emuul puts forth a loop of patient tones, with a contiguous soft, modulating drone.  The patient tones that comprise the loop change subtly.  Listening to this often and being attentive - though they may sound alike on the surface - each iteration has a slight variation.  Piano notes appear sporadically.  Approximately halfway into side A, the background drone exhibits a more acute texture.  Soon, the drone moves to the fore, enveloping the loop.  Within a few minutes, the loop returns.  However, the tempo has been altered, which endows the succession of tones pensively.  As the loop begins to dissipate, the constituent parts become audible.  Toward the end, pauses occur between the tones.  It is quite beautiful and reminds me of Basinski.  Masterful!  The flipside is equally stunning, yet possesses a different character - more minimal than side A.  The beginning exists in a nascent state, slowly coming into being - think of the tender beauty displayed by Josh Mason.  Delicate guitar notes wistfully hang on budding branches and the pulsating drone is almost inaudible.  Low end reverberations manifest occasionally, while ethereal tones change when confronted by the light.  Soft waves and tranquil tones coalesce with evocative minimal passages.

An incredible tape from a stellar batch!  Constellation Tatsu is doing wonderful things, and each tape from the recent batch is magnificent.  And, it's almost impossible to beat their price - $16 including shipping for four high quality cassettes.  Released in an edition of 150 copies, Emuul is credited with the music and photography.  Buy this directly from Constellation Tatsu!                    

peace and love, friends :)