Softest - Music for Rain: Volume One (Inner Islands - 028)

Music for reflection - and some kush never hurts. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

 After being near the abyss, a return to bliss is needed to keep this joint rolling. My head was feeling weary and I needed to recover. Thus, I decided to plunge my hand into the Inner Islands jar which sits on the top shelf. They always deliver me to a serene place where my soul becomes enlightened. The first of two Summer releases on Inner Islands, Softest is the new project of Braden J. McKenna. On Music for Rain: Volume One introspective, soothing music provides one with the space and aural light to meditate on the beauty of the moment. Guitar, synth, and field recordings create slowly morphing soundscapes.

As the first track commences, morning dew glistens softly in the faint, embryonic light. Soft nascent vibrations act like the first cup of coffee, slowly shaking off the slumber in the sun's vastness. The mood is light and airy throughout. Waves of soft colors coalesce begetting undulating tranquility. When you breathe with these sounds, the environment shimmers; the bark of the tree uneven, stale and damp; a sheet of heavenly light flashes hot across the saturated grass coating it in brilliance; and the seemingly immutable sweet scent of the Earth that permeates the nostrils like the first few conscious breaths of the day - sweetly flowing and music for anytime of the day. Ascendant energy rings faithfully in "Surface Dance." Shifting radiance and delicate sounds are interspersed with nature. Peaceful loops combine with gentle streams of rain and crystalline radiance in "Trying"; gentle sounds wallow and ripple in the final track. 

One may purchase Music for Rain: Volume One directly from Inner Islands.

peace and love, friends :)

Rodman-Melchior Melchior-Rodman - S/T (FAB026)

lovely vibes from Fabrica Records. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Letha Rodman-Melchior's side - A - encapsulates myriad elements. Diverse and covering a wide range of moods, disparate sound sources are interwoven vividly; ultimately creating songs that spring to life right before your ears. Side A features collages that are comprised of field recordings; films and songs playing in the distance; room ambience; and her instrumentation, which is employed to great effect. These soundscapes have been tended to meticulously; the visceral tension in some places is difficult to elucidate - one of the best facets of this side. Altogether, Letha Rodman-Melchior's side makes me return for more. A second is not spared, as hauntingly beautiful, even mournful, loops coalesce with icy piano notes, wah guitar and room ambience. "Marsh of Decay" is definitely one to remember. The use of field recordings at the end makes it even more evocative. Shortly, in "Cleomedes" wayward transmissions circulate, while a piano somewhere off in the distance sings affecting notes. Eventually, it moves proximate to release a tranquil melody. Following these two stellar tracks is "Messala" which makes one's heart race before a sonorous voice parts the clouds. Somewhere in the distance, dusty strings play a slow song. "Patavius" is another standout track. A light and airy piano flutters effortlessly. Toward the end its character suddenly turns plaintive - quite lovely. Meanwhile Dan Melchior-Rodman's side is completely different. The flipside employs plentiful sources, loops and noise to create something that is constantly morphing.

This moving, sonically rich cassette from Fabrica is limited to 100 copies, from which the proceeds will be donated to the Letha Rodman-Melchior cancer fund. Anybody who is interested may purchase a copy directly from Fabrica Records.

peace and love, friends :)

Ōgon Batto - 007 (HAK007)

Vivid vibrations that guide you through the dubious darkness. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

The overwhelming sense of disquiet burns brightly from the bowl immediately. Bleary, opaque synth and ominous low ends have a portentous effect. Hazy noise careens until, unexpectedly, a sequence of piano notes finishes the track. Ōgon Batto, in the seventh release for Hare Akedod, exhibits a prowess for composition throughout this tape; the tracks seem structured for optimal impact on the listener. Many of the tracks could be regarded as ambient/dark ambient, yet there are infinitesimal manifestations of Krautrock and American Primitivism in some of the tracks; more so, the eerie cinematic feel produces evocative moments - a reason that this tape loops at the house. Ōgon Batto is the moniker of Bent Von Bent, co-curator of Hare Akedod. Along with David Edren - Hare Akedod/DSR Lines - they create limited edition electro-acoustic cassettes. I highly recommend the back catalog, especially Raju Arara. In the second track, the guitar is more pronounced compared to other tracks. Cascading piano notes produce waves of eerie chill. Meanwhile, reverb-soaked chords spread through the atmosphere with ease - a lovely juxtaposition. Menacing vibrations continue to circulate in the following track, "Jacht Op Allen." Contemplative piano ruminates in the stale air next to majestic zither. Ritualistic percussion increases the tension, which gives the track another dimension; poignant waves fade in while mutant synth manifests on the periphery. The flipside contains beautiful instances of minimalism. Enigmatic tones move furtively in the beginning of the first track on side B. The track slowly comes into being. Shortly, waves of synth pulsate, accelerate and descend all around the listener. Throbbing drums jut up through the sheen of gauzy electronics toward the end. The second track, which features field recordings, is lovely and more minimal than the others. The penultimate track is fantastic. Exhibiting celestial arpeggios and sustained tones that have an organ-like quality, it's the coalescence of something one might hear from Miasmah and Lunar Miasma.

Produced in a limited edition of 80 tapes on transparent tapes with white print, the beautiful artwork was also produced by Bent Von Bent. Ōgon Batto's meticulous work has produced one of my favorite releases of 2014. Hare Akedod tapes don't hang around for long. Before they are OOP, secure a copy directly from Hare Akedod. Tomentosa should receive copies in the near future.

peace and love, friends :)

Cody Yantis - Resonant Memory (PT004)

Planted's seeds sprouted the super bud of tapes. Peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Planted Tapes returns in style with a lovely cassette by Cody Yantis. Admittedly, one of the most salient attributes across some of my favorite releases is the manner in which an artist explores the relationship between the texture of a tone and space. Resonant Memory is exemplary among recent releases of this type; the fragility of a resonant murky string juxtaposed to variegated sustained tones that dance among chirping birds; bolts of sonic lightening erupting from the guitar in the manner of Steven R. Smith; withered piano chords decompose, their energy redolent. Additionally, the banjo is notable on this release. Yantis' approach to recording Resonant Memory utilizes piano, banjo, electric guitar, and percussion among other instruments with the Akai GX - 4000D reel-to-reel tape machine. Upon pressing play, the sound bellows as one merges to the vibrations with alacrity. Yantis' heartfelt banjo melodies and crafting of the atmosphere evoke memories of listening to Tape and the Hapna label. One of my favorite sections occurs near the end of side A as withered tones fracture in the air next to a field recording of children playing - quite lovely.
                  
While you're perusing the goods on offer at Planted, check out the informative and exclusive Q&A with Cody Yantis. Planted Tapes has a permanent spot on my top shelf - trichome heaven. Resonant Memory comes in an edition of 100 tapes. Assembled meticulously by the Planted crew, the photographs are credited to Cody Yantis. One may purchase a copy directly from Planted Tapes. 

peace and love, friends :)

The Original Flowering Earth - Hosshin ((Cave - 22))

plunged into the stash and experienced nirvana. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

The mindful warrior's universe expands infinitely and that level of awareness is present in Hosshin from the Original Flowering Earth - Kyle Wade of Goldtimers - on ((Cave)) Recordings. Kyle delivers us to the promised land with a tape that adeptly combines field recordings, electronic and acoustic sources. After two sparkling splits on Goldtimers and Planted Tapes, Kyle's first solo recording - comprised of outdoor recording sessions in various yards and gardens in Chicago and Colorado - is notable for the manner in which it sonically precipitates the experience of ephemeral, solemn moments; elation; discovery; and contemplation. Bright, hopeful hues shine through opaque noise to warm the heart. Periodic bursts of noise are circumscribed by a placid drone. Soon, playful and gentle sounds caress the listener as we walk into the light of day - my favorite section on the tape! Later, buoyant strings graduate into celestial synth joined by fervent tones. Moments of serenity glow in subdued noise from field recordings. Fluctuating, tranquil waves merge and grace one's head with a fine mist. The three part suite on the flipside is lovely. Meditative synth shimmers over a layer of resonant energy. Ethereal and lustrous sounds bend and contort.

      When I consider achingly beautiful music that caresses the listener, the Original Flowering Earth and Former Selves are at the top of my list; it's not a coincidence that they share a split on Planted Tapes. Hosshin has a way of minimizing the distance between the speakers and the listener. The soul instantly coalesces with earnest and peaceful vibrations. Overall, Hosshin speaks to life. In any single moment, one may experience joy, sorrow, compassion, wonder, wistfulness, numbness or a range of feelings. Yet, the good, bad and in between occur in the same moment. And, that sensation permeates Kyle's music. Hosshin is produced in an edition of 50 cassettes and may be purchased directly from ((Cave Recordings)).

peace and love, friends :)

Chapels - But I Was Never Much Good (House of Alchemy 072)

House of Alchemy tapes make Bubba's trichomes shimmer with excitement. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

One of my favorite things to do upon receiving a batch of House of Alchemy tapes is to go right for the gold - Chapels. Chapels is tantamount to a sweet trichome-covered nug in the bag that leaves a lovely fragrance wafting through the house. Throughout the duration of a recording, these tapes exhibit a propensity to envelop. Studying these sounds in the present moment is an enriching experience. In the realm of experimental tape labels, few compare to the venerable and prolific House of Alchemy. When I listen to Chapels, I often find myself thinking of another talented artist who permeates my head similarly, Josh Mason. That comparison may bewilder some.While their craft manifests differently, both are notable for providing a minimal and encompassing experience. Drilling down more deeply, it is about exploring sound, and sometimes its relationship with the environment. Chapels' discography explores myriad moods and vibrations, ranging from foreboding; ominous; dark; vibrant; voluminous; introspective; hopeful; austere - the human experience. Label proprietor, and Chapels main man, Adam Richards, utilizes a phalanx of instruments in his recordings, as well as on the latest release, But I was Never Much Good. Each side is comprised of obscured and hazy collages, which yield thick, sustained and opaque ambient vibrations.

Blotches of corroded keys surge and modulate. Loops hang tenuously on a blighted synapse - music for introspection. Shortly, abundant layers of modulating, hazy energy coalesce. Becoming more concentrated, the sound moves to the fore until the flickering energy is exhausted. Soon objects resonate, which culminates in a churning wall of noise. Side A ends with a poignant sample. As the flip gets going, scrambled field recordings and rolling minimal noise graduate into a stream of high pitched whirling noise. Swirling energetically in the silent night, blurred tangential signals float ominously through clouds. Ghastly utterances struggle to communicate in the murky hiss - lovely!

But I was Never Much Good may be purchased directly from House of Alchemy or through Tomentosa.

peace and love, friends :)

Gaël Moissonnier - Live at Knot Gallery (ORL15)

 psychotropic modular vibrations for your head. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Usually, I do not post out of print releases that are unavailable to purchase. However, Gaël Moissonnier's performance at Knot Gallery in early 2013 - released on Orila Records of Greece - is the type of electronic music that is vivid, distinctive, kaleidoscopic, and psychedelically unpredictable. An experimental artist from France, Gaël Moissonnier utilizes analog modular synthesizer, field recordings and tapes in his music. Psychoactive, variegated layers are coated by thick and noisy processed field recordings. The deluge is frenetic and dazzling. Surging with enigmatic energy, it orbits the head at unfathomable velocity.  

Sold out at the source, a copy is available through a discogs seller with the same name as Gaël's label, Zerojardins. Additionally, the performance in its entirety is still available for your listening pleasure at Orila.

peace and love, friends :)

thanks to zimbra for the good vibe

Widesky - Floatsam (Bridgetown #91)

meditations on sound. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

Floatsam, from Bridgetown's summer batch, is music that mesmerizes the head. Widesky is the musical project of musician and multimedia artist, Seth Chrisman. Disparate elements such as processed instruments, field recordings, found sound and radio static coalesce into enthralling drones; minimal passages of reverberating noise; and expansive, opaque passages of modulating warmth. Sometimes the music takes on a turbulent or blustery character as one is bandied about in the sonic breeze. At other times, it churns and ascends hazily as the sound perpetually shifts. Rooted in a sense of place, I find these compositions to be experiential. Closing one's eyes, the unremitting waves eviscerate the levy/filter in your head, showering one in radiant aural light.

 As the cassette begins, the listener is submerged in undulating waves of various intensity and solemn drones that move tortuously. Of particular delight is the emphasis on exploring texture. The transition from 'Floatsam part 1' to part 2 is lovely. Nascent tranquility manifests prior to being consumed by a noisy vortex. In 'Jetsam', a deluge of hiss-covered drones refract as they contact the water to produce hazy and luminous vibrations. 'Coriolis' opens the flipside. Elegiac and introspective drones reverberate as we peer down at the rotating earth. This track provides a nice contrast to some of the more intense, yet just as beautiful, moments on side A. Moving more proximate to the water, the last track, 'Gyres', ensconces the listener in grainy noise and colossal, animated waves of great magnitude.                  

A lovely tape, and just the type of thing one expects from Bridgetown. A first edition of 50 cassettes sold out quickly. Fortunately for us, a second edition of 50 cream colored tapes has been released. Featuring full-color labels and double-sided printing on heavyweight gloss stock, Floatsam may be purchased directly from Bridgetown.

peace and love, friends :)