Portopia '81 - Electronic Communication (GJ-041)

new age nugs for your cosmic trek - trichome power!  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

When it comes to labels that inhabit areas of ambient, new age and experimental sound, Ginjoha radiates purely like the morning sunlight.  The amount of quality releases is impressive:  Logansport, Thaniel Ion Lee, Rainbow Body, Buchikamashi, Strom Noir, Mark Bradley, and Hakobune are just a handful from a discography overflowing with extremely talented artists who are currently creating some of the most beautiful experimental music. Portopia '81 is situated on the top shelf of that list!  Initially, I was unaware of this tape until my friend Daniel recommended it.  Thereafter, it has orbited the atmosphere, endowing it with serene cosmic energy.  I purchased both tapes, Cosmic City Serenade and Electronic Communication, because they exist in the right tail of the distribution - rare beauty.  Electronic Communication is a sonic vehicle to exalted regions, an enticing exploration facilitated by spacey, effervescent synth, ambient passages of sound, and high energy beats.  The trip begins as we extend a limb into the unknown, pulsating with an amalgamation of signals, transmissions, and ephemeral currents. 

A fantastic expedition ensues aided by buoyant, bountiful synth and supporting drone in the opener, 'Hello New World'. This section of the track absolutely mesmerizes, before climbing higher upon the merging of visceral, swift beats. Shortly, an uplifting, sonorous passage of sound manifests. The atmosphere is infused with ethereal drift as passages swell, resonating softly among passing signals and fading objects. In the following track, tranquility hops along ellipses of a lucid continuum.  Reverberating sonic energy, of a light shade, hits the body like a ray of sunshine.

The flip commences in stellar fashion. 'Cosmic Drive' begins with nascent, warm pulsations.  Before long, an evolving synth shifts into recurrent waves of light.  Random signals are emitted from a mass that moves laterally.  Soon, an effervescent loop moves to the fore. Among the many elements - and ones to be introduced - this track is never inert.  Shortly, ebullient beats emerge. It's named 'Cosmic Drive' for a reason - outstanding!.  Portopia '81 exemplifies an acuity for crafting a lucid and dynamic sonic environment.  Omnipresent in the first three tracks, this quality once again appears in the title track. From the mellow comedown of track 1, 'Electronic Communication' swirls ominously, layers of ambient sound gently fill the atmosphere before tapering.

From the faithful top shelf - and like any crystal-covered nug - extremely rare, Electronic Communication is something I would highly recommend. One may purchase Electronic Communication directly from Ginjoha.  Also, don't forget about Cosmic City Serenade! 

peace and love, friends :)

track from first tape, Cosmic City Serenade

The Rainbow Body - Free Sentient Beings (GJ-044)

eternal light radiates from compassion.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

As I sit on the ground under a tree - the earth warm and pliant; the swollen bark firmly pressed against my back - I recall the sagacious statement, "There is just as much life in a moment of pain as there is in a moment of pleasure."  Meditating upon those words for a brief minute, the benevolent sun then endowed the soft spot of earth with copious light.  Shimmering at my feet, the benevolent light acted as a harbinger to the deluge of tranquility, celestial vibrations and kosmische crystals that radiated from Free Sentient Beings, the most recent Rainbow Body - Matt Kattman-  release on Ginjoha.

  The offerings here are composed from guitar, effects and loops.  And, the first thing that comes to mind is the amount of sonic variation present.  Each track is unique in structure and style, yet they all converge at the same portal of awareness.  For example, in 'Free Sentient Beings 4' a spectral drone permeates the labyrinthine head.  It's gentle resonance is analogous to the rush of cool air upon inhaling.  The preceding track is completely different in sound.  'Free Sentient Beings 3' is a sonic vortex that sputters, protrudes, writhes and buzzes with an aura of loving kindness.  Even though the sonic maelstrom is omnipresent, serenity circumscribes the mass and pulsates lightly.  Unequivocally, two completely different tracks.  Yet, they exhibit the adroitness with which Matt approaches art.  Throughout Free Sentient Beings, layers of sound converge to emit peaceful energy.  However, along with manner in which they coalesce, the timing of integrating the sounds and space afforded is equally salient.  This aspect of the music is conspicuous in the first track, 'Free Sentient Beings 1'.  The opening track epitomizes the loving kindness meditation.  The sonic compassion which pours forth bathes the body in august light.  A tranquil loop emits edifying vibrations.  There is a ubiquitous quality to the sound. Maybe a minute into the track, the majestic manifests as ethereal sound is juxtaposed to the loop - beautiful!  Toward the end, warm grainy undulations transport one to the zenith.  The second track, perhaps, is my favorite.  Full of life and melodious, elongated crystalline tones echo in the cosmos and abut sonic energy that bustles and stutters forth.

Free Sentient Beings is unambiguously situated on the top shelf in trichome heaven.  Highly recommended, it infuses the living area with lovely vibrations.  Ginjoha has been releasing some excellent tapes - the Portopia '81 tapes come to mind.  Presented with gorgeous artwork and approaching OOP status, secure a copy quickly from Ginjoha.  

peace and love, friends :)