Reveiw of Awakenings 2006 volume 2 and volume 2.5

[Yorky]

(translation by Rene van der Wouden)

Volume 2

Ah... what a beautiful way to start this double compilation with the dynamic and up beating music of Xan Alexander? A festival of chords, rhythms and hypnotic sound effects on sinuous and laborious synth solos which revolve and progress like a bolero. What else there is to say?

This is what Ambient Live Records is offering to us, EM fans. Awakenings is a collective project witch target to promote, at very interesting price, the new names as well as the new tangents on Contemporary Electronic Music. And this year, the project is at its second year, Awakenings decided to divide the electronic movements into 2 titles; Awakenings 2 and 2.5, witch is more ambient.

This Volume 2 is a 2 cd set. The first one makes us discover an electronic music near the 70’s, what is called the Berlin School essence, but with freshness of our time. All the titles are moving and progress with rhythm and harmony. The musical adventure continues with Brendan Pollard which offers a slightly floating title which grows on rhythm and a magic flute, a little as Tangerine Dream flavour at the Phaedra and Rubycon eras. More actual and more rhythmic, Mountain Steamer of Rene van der Wouden, an ignored name but which is worth the ears, explodes on hypnotic rhythms in loop. A good track where we can find similarities on Entity and their track; Space & Time. Always so mysterious and imperceptible Create draws a heavy one with Saturn Dreaming of Mercury (Part 1). As for them, Broekhuis, Keller & Schonwalderserve a long title. Finely worked on minimalisms progressions, it’s one of the good moments on this 2 cd set. Vietgrove buckles the loop on a sweet title where his guitar explodes into a big rock movement. An astonishing musical paradox.

The second cd offers a variety of unknown or less known artists who create original and very interesting material. We are a bit far from Berlin School movements, but still, the music is interesting and flirts with techno or electro acoustic ambience.

Awen kicks the opening with powerful rhythmic title bordering techno mood. Mooch, a revelation, proposes us a nearly ambient track with electro acoustic savours. Very experimental, Flow-Thing cowls with astonishment on a strange movement where odd moods are on rendezvous. Altres offers a similar style with Black Point., With Modulator ESP and his track With Time Running Out, we entered into a more old fashioned Berlin School EM with a zest of new breathes and darker territories. I was straightforwardly charmed with its twisting sequences which glean and dance on a dark background music. A similar style with The Glimmer Room and its progressive Fields Full of Poppies which moves towards intense sequencer. Nattefrost proposes a heavier title, nourished by an artifice of synth completely bewitching, on intriguing arrangements, faithful to its delicious Absorbed in Dreams and Yearning. Terje Winther exploits also a minimalism movement with his interesting track, Green Light Intervention. Inserted judiciously well, it’s a much difficult title to seize but which is of a transcendent nuance. The kind of track we appreciate more and more, with each listening.

This compilation is excellent. Ambient Live Records surpass itself by offering a collection of unreleased, for the fans, witch is a soft blend of EM, Berlin School style as New Berlin School, with a zest of soft techno and electro acoustics music. A double cd set filled to the top for those and those who want to tease a different and interesting musical world. Available at: http://www.ambientlive.com/awakenings/releases.htm

Volume 2.5

More floating, this version of Awakenings 2006 Vol.2.5 reflects perfectly well the essence on the front artwork: Deep, ambient and drifting, because it is subliminal from start to end. Soft and relaxing, Hyper EX Machina opens on a dark procession where piano keys float on an obscure linear movement which melt into Astrogator’s Astral Drift. A track intensely vaporous where relaxation and relieving are with goes. More atmospheric Für Herr Forcher from Nick Robinson slices the ambiance with a loud track that fills the air with atmospherics effects, just like Mooch which gives us the impression to listen some Steve Roach. Russell Storey deviates towards heavy atmospheric electro acoustic limbs with Xpanded Heartbeat which blows a beautiful melody on limpid notes, contrasting with the very loud and dark environment. Ramp continues on this movement with a clearer and animated title. Calvin Analysis by Zen Paradox is a beautiful musical spiral where the notes circle around a synth, punctuated of symphonic dashes. This upset the quiet atmosphere with sumptuous synth lines, on choked percussions succeeding in up beating the movement. A good moment on this collection which finds its serenity with Darkness is Falling, a soft track to join again with the depths of a cosmic drift, a quest for a celestial comfort. Phrozenlight makes its first appearance on a compilation and Passion fits perfectly there. A track intensely calms which follows admirably well 4m33s and which is melted with ease on Our Eyes Fixed Forwards, We March Towards the Impending Doom which shakes our dreams with pulsations and harmonies that we believed buried.

Awakenings 2006 Volume 2.5 is an ideal compilation for those who like floating music. Very well arranged, we have the impression to listen to the same piece of music with his progressions and his agitations, quite discrete if I may say, to his last breath. For fan of ambient, astral voyages or relaxation, it’s a pure delight.

Me? I relaxed and fell asleep here and there, even on reading mode... and it was a good book. Available at http://www.ambientlive.com/awakenings/releases.htm

Reviews by Sylvain Lupari Guts Of Darkness http://www.gutsofdarkness.com/

[Yorky]

(original French version)

2006 Volume 2

musique Électronique new & berlin school

Ah…quel beau moyen que de partir cette double compilation avec la musique dynamique et entraînante de Xan Alexander? Un festival d’accords, de rythmes et d’effets sonores hypnotiques sur de sinueux et laborieux solos de synthé qui gravitent et progressent tel un boléro. C’est ce que vous offre Ambient Live Records. Awakenings est un projet collectif qui a pour but de promouvoir, à prix très intéressant, les nouveaux noms ainsi que les nouvelles tangentes en matière de Musique Électronique Contemporaine. Et cette année, le projet en est à sa deuxième année, Awakenings a décidé de scinder les mouvements électroniques en 2 titres; Awakenings 2 et 2.5, plus ambiant. Celui-ci recoupe 2 cd. Le premier cd nous fait découvrir une musique électronique plus près des années 70, ce qu’on appelle la Berlin School. Les titres sont tous mouvants et progressent en rythme et harmonie. L’aventure se poursuit avec Brendan Pollard qui nous offre légèrement flottant et qui croît avec cadence sur une flûte enchantée, un peu aux saveurs de Tangerine Dream, à l’ère Phaedra et Rubycon. Plus actuel et plus rythmé Mountain Steamer de René van der Wouden, un nom méconnu mais qui vaut l’oreille, explose sur des rythmes hypnotiques en boucle, un peu comme Entity et Space & Time. Create est toujours aussi mystérieux et fuyant avec Saturn Dreaming of Mercury (part 1), un titre lourd et pesant. Alors que Broekhuis, Keller & Schönwälder nous servent un long titre, finement travaillé sur des progressions minimalismes, (un des bons moments sur le cd 1). Vietgrove boucle la boucle sur un titre mielleux où sa guitare explose en gros rock. Un paradoxe musical étonnant. Le cd 2 offre une variété d’artistes méconnus qui offrent du matériel original et très intéressant. Awen poursuit avec un titre aux rythmes puissants, avoisinant la techno. Mooch, une révélation, nous propose un titre quasi ambiant aux saveurs électro-acoustiques. Très expérimental, Flow-Thing coule avec étonnement sur un mouvement étrange où l’étrangéité est au rendez-vous. Altres offre un style similaire avec Black Point. Avec Time Running Out, Modulator ESP m’a carrément charmé avec ses séquences vrillantes qui glanent et dansent sur un fond sonore sombre. Un style similaire à The Glimmer Room et le progressif Fields Full of Poppies qui bouge sous d’intense séquenceur. Nattefrost propose un titre plus lourd, nourri par un artifice de synthé totalement envoûtant, sur des arrangements intrigants, fidèle à son délicieux Absorbed in Dreams and Yearning. Terje Winther exploite aussi un mouvement minimalisme avec l’intriguant Green Light Intervention. Judicieusement bien inséré, c’est un titre difficile à saisir mais qui est d’une nuance sublime et que l’on apprécie de plus en plus, à chaque écoute. Cette compilation est excellente. Ambient Live Records se surpasse en offrant une collection d’inédits, pour les fans, qui est un habille mélange d’une MÉ, style Berlin School à la New Berlin School, voire un brin de techno et d’électro-acoustique. Un double bien garni et bien agencé pour ceux et celles qui veulent s’offrir un monde musical différent. Disponible au http://www.ambientlive.com/awakenings/releases.htm (jeudi 24 août 2006).

Volume 2.5

musique Électronique ambiante

Plus planant, cette version d’Awakenings 2006 Vol.2.5 reflète bien l’inscription sur sa superbe pochette : Profond, ambiant et à la dérive. Parce que c’est subliminal tout au long. Doux et relaxant, Hyper EX Machina ouvre sur une procession sombre où des accords de piano flottent sur une ligne linéaire obscure qui se fond sur Astral Drift d’Astrogator, un titre intensément vaporeux où la détente et la relaxation est au rendez-vous. Plus atmosphérique Für Herr Forcher de Nick Robinson tranche l’ambiance avec un titre lourd aux effets atmosphériques très présents, tout comme Mooch qui nous donne l’impression d’écouter du Steve Roach. Russell Storey dévie vers des limbes atmosphériques électro-acoustiques lourdes avec Xpanded Heartbeat qui souffle une belle mélodie sur des notes limpides, contrastant avec l’environnement très pesant. Ramp poursuit sur ce mouvement avec un titre plus clair et plus animé. Calvin Analysis de Zen Paradox est une belle spirale musicale où les notes virevoltent sur un synthé, ponctué d’élans symphoniques retenus, qui bouleversent l’atmosphère de somptueux solos sur des percussions étouffées, qui réussissent à sortir des claquements plus cadencés. Un bon moment sur cette collection qui retrouve sa sérénité avec Darkness is Falling, un titre doux pour renouer avec les profondeurs d’une dérive cosmique, à la quête d’un confort céleste. Phrozenlight fait sa première apparition sur une compilation et Passion y a bien sa place. Un titre intensément calme qui suit admirablement bien 4m33s et qui se fond avec aisance sur Our Eyes Fixed Forwards, We March Towards the Impending Doom qui secoue nos songes avec des pulsations et des harmonies que l’on croyait ensevelis. Awakenings 2006 Volume 2.5 est une compilation idéale pour ceux qui aiment la musique planante, flottante. Bien agencé, on a l’impression d’écouter la même plage avec ses progressions et ses agitations, bien discrètes faut préciser, jusqu’à son dernier souffle. Pour amateur d’ambiant, de relaxation et de voyages astraux, c’est un pur délice. Moi, je m’y suis endormi, même en mode lecture…et c’était un bon livre . Disponible au http://www.ambientlive.com/awakenings/releases.htm (jeudi 24 août 2006).

[Yorky]

Dave Law of SMD has a go ...

Awakenings 2006 Volume 2

This is a double album set containing (as far as I can work out) all previously unreleased material (except for probably the Entity track). We start with two of the best pieces of music. First up is 'Omnicron' from The Omega Syndicate's Xan Alexander. Lovely bright tones hang in the air gorgeously fading into the distance, as if reaching out. They are answered by an echoing sequence which just gets better and better as it develops. A fantastic slow melody rises from it like a gentle mist from a waterfall. The pace starts to quicken with the introduction of another superb sequence and rhythm. The lead line gains extra bite as we go. This is wonderfully composed stuff- no meandering waffle. I am very much reminded of a cross between Chris Franke's 'London Concert' and 'Pacific Coast Highway' albums. Yes - it's that good!

Brendan Pollard from Rogue Element gives us 'Modac'. We start with windy 'War of The World' ('The Weed' I think) sounds. A bright sequence emerges from the excellent atmospherics accompanied by mellotron, in classic Berlin School fashion. This really is a stonking piece which gets even better with the introduction of a high hat line and subtle little melodies. We keep in sequencer driven mode for René van der Wouden's 'Mountain Steamer'. The sequence itself is decent enough but we have to wait until just a couple of minutes from the end before it is given any real support, this time in the form of bouncing rhythm and lead lines. Excellent they are too, I just wish we they had been introduced earlier. Create contributes 'Saturn Dreaming of Mercury (part 1)'. We get a beautiful mellotron start and it is no surprise when a high register sequence enters in the second minute. Another sequence joins the first and they both seem to increase in pace as if racing each other through the ether, the tron still doing its own wonderful thing. Lead lines join in the fun. In the sixth minute the sequences seem to stutter as if decaying only to regroup and surge forward again accompanied by more lead lines. Broekhuis, Keller & Schonwalder are represented by a unique twenty-minute track called 'Another Mysterious Concert Tape - Part 1'. To me these guys are some of my favourite Electronic Musicians on the planet. Soft pads are punctuated by ticking percussion. Flutey synth adds to the serene atmosphere. Gradually we are brought to wakefulness as a slow delicate sequence rises to the surface. By the ninth minute a drum line in introduced and the sequence starts to increase in pace as the excitement builds. A wonderful delicate piano melody adds a contrasting softness to proceedings, its juxtapositions with the ever more energetic pulsations being devastating. B,K & S must have been on more Various Artist albums than any other EM musician but I would reckon that this track is better than any of the other tracks they have donated. Absolutely stunning.

Entity gives us 'Space and Time'. A rapid sequence / loop does its energetic thing, starting to morph this way and that in the third minute but remains fairly aggressive throughout. We finish the first disc with 'The Oligarch' by Vietgrove. If you like your EM with a heavy dose of prog then you will no doubt be well aware of the band already. Real sounding drums (though I am sure they are not) mix with a lovely lead line then blistering guitar. All a bit like instrumental early Yes maybe but mainly it reminded me of Sheffield band Haze. Whatever, if fairly heavy prog is your thing I am sure you will love it. I know I did (took me back to being 17 again!).

The second disc kicks off with 'Clone' be Awen. There were some humorous vocal samples at the beginning telling me that I would now probably find it harder to become pregnant! We then get a cacophony of noises then an explosion out of which surges powerful dance rhythms. It certainly covers a lot of ground in its five minutes duration. Probably the most in ye face and non compromising track on the whole double album. I have always had a soft spot for Mooch but they have never been a big seller for SMD because they plough a somewhat different path to that followed by our core customers. 'Flow- Thing (Flute Thing mix)' is initially rather abstract and full of various percussive elements A four note loop becomes the main focus before things take a more Eastern tinged, well out there, psychedelic turn. Sounded all rather Gong like to me. Modulator ESP has been refining his craft for some time now and is getting better all the time (he is also one half of Astrogator- along with Create). 'Time Running Out' begins with some rather melancholy drift. Indeed it keeps a rather moody, even menacing feel throughout. A sequence can be heard very low in the mix. A bass one comes to join it but both are rather restrained, biding their time. Rhythms then tron are added to the slow build up. It is certainly an impressive track but needed more than its nine-minute duration to really blossom. Nattefrost is represented by 'Near UFO'. He goes for the big epic massed strings type heavy drones over which meanders a brass melody. A sequence is unleashed as laser fire sonic blasts flash above. Both stylistically and sound wise it reminded me very much of Synergy or even the first album by Tontos Expanding Head Band. Then in the fourth minute it is all change as we descend to an abstract organic gloop. From that we move to twittery computer communication type effects - then back to a sequence! Wow, what a trip! The string pads return to join the pulsations - then back to abstract realms. No chance of getting board here. Yet another sequence is brought into play accompanied by echoing high register embellishments. The sequence seems to gain extra oomph all the time only calming down again just before the finish.

Andy G championed Altres is up next with 'Black Point'. They create quite a complex collage of often seemingly structureless sounds and effects. Nearer the end things become more conventional with gentle plucked strings. The Glimmer Room is a real class act as is demonstrated by 'Fields Full of Poppies'. From a gently syncopated beginning the most beautiful and heart rending melody emerges. This is a stunning composition that is as ample a proof as any that Electronic Music can be anything but cold and unemotional. Terje Winther finishes this collection with his twenty-one minute 'Green Light Intervention'. It starts with the most wonderful deep reverberating throb. Twittering effects surge then break. Sonic whooshes explode almost like a warning siren. It is certainly an uncompromising beginning! Buried very deep in all this is a sequence. You really have to strain your ears to hear it at first, but slowly. Oh so slowly, it emerges though never rises to the top of the mix. A lead line is brought into play but to me it spoilt the brooding mood somewhat. In the fifth minute it is all change as some sonic stabs herald a full on rumbling sequence. By the tenth minute another sequence has been added and we are belting along in fine fashion. The lead lines are again slightly oddball but if you liked Tim Blake's 'Crystal Machine' you might quite like them. In the fifteenth minute we return to spooky atmospherics only for normal sequencer driven business to return soon after and blast us forward right to the end. There is quite a variety of music to be found on this 2 CD set, some real gems included. (DL)

Awakenings 2006 Volume 2.5

There was so much material submitted for volume 2 of this series that they couldn't fit it all on the planned two CD set. They therefore decided to take all the more 'ambient' tracks to one side and place them on an album of their own. What's more they are all cross-faded together to make one continuous 77-minute piece! The results are reviewing here. 'The Rapture' by HyperEx Machina mixes mournful dronal backing with equally melancholy piano detail. The combination of sounds chosen are excellent and it serves as an impressive opening section. We float into 'Astral Drift' by Astrogator and the mood lightens slightly. It is like looking out from a cliff top with the wind blowing in your hair- the aftermath of some storm perhaps.

The looped plucked strings of Nick Robinson are next. 'Fur Herr Forcher' certainly sounded experimental and rather intriguing but for me not an easy listen. 'Out There 2' by Mooch is full of manipulated cosmic sounds that really get you appropriately 'well out there man'. In the last few minutes there is even a hint of subtle melody. It is as if familiar sights are being seen again after a long time away from home. Very impressive indeed. Russell Storey gives us 'Xpanded Heartbeat' and as expected hangs around a pulse. It seems to be racing though as if after some great exertion. Ramp are probably the 'biggest' name on this album and I was expecting (given their current output) something very dark indeed but instead we get 'Scissors', quite a syncopated number but tremendously subtle with a gorgeous little melodic motif hanging in the middle a mix also containing restrained contemporary rhythms. It is a superb track that wouldn't have been out of place on Ian Boddy's DiN label.

Zen Paradox's 'Calvin Analysis' is another track that is far from just giving us drift. A rapidly changing high register (but also quite quiet) sequence morphs madly all over the place and is soon joined by another pulsating line. They swirl around each other, coming and going, creating quite a mesmerizing brew. In the fourth minute a rhythm joins them increasing the complexity of proceedings still further. Personally this is not what I think of as 'ambient' music at all but a fascinating track nevertheless. 'Darkness is Falling' by 4m33s is much more what I would expect. Mournful, windy drones hang in the air like spectres from the abyss. Clusters of notes come from time to time hinting that there is also something else out there. A slow pulse starts up and the feel is now a little lighter and more optimistic. It is all change again a couple of minutes later as the spectres return.

'Passion' by Phrozenlight is one seriously spooky five minutes of vast echoing and rumbling dark sonic emissions. We finish with the humorously titled (well I found it funny!) 'Our Eyes Fixed Forwards We March Towards the Impending Doom' by Chaos Research (just a guess but would Dave Gurr from the Omega Syndicate be behind this one?). Vast metallic / crystalline tones shimmer like rays of light refracting through sheets of ice. These mix first with deeper drones then vast rumbles as if the very earth itself is convulsing. A curious quirky rhythm strikes up combining a deep bass drum and what sounded like vibes so containing elements of both light and dark-. Strange indeed. This is an album which contains much more than just 'Deep Ambient Drift. Sure it isn't as energetic as Volume 2 but still had enough going on to hold my attention and those more abstract moments were very well done as well. The cross fading between the tracks a running order were also superbly handled. (DL)