isolatedmix 55 - Loess

I bet you can think of a number of notorious electronica duos you wish had made more music. There seemed to be a certain rarity to them a while back, and in the past ten years or so, many have submerged into the studio never to surface again. They probably live-on through a Discogs vinyl want-list, or a name that sits top of your mind every-time you go crate-digging - I'll just check under 'A' anyway... JUST in-case this shop somehow has an early Autechre record ...

One of these duos are Loess. Formed of Clay Emerson and Ian Pullman, their last release together was in 2009, but their heyday was back in 2002/2003 with an innovative self-titled album on Nonresponse and a defining IDM piece on Toytronic, titled 3D Concepts Part 2  - this slice of orange vinyl gets a reaction every time - an absolutely stunning piece of glitchy-beats underpinned by beautiful melodies. 

Loess then followed up with a limited 7" on n5MD and an album titled Wind & Water. It was this album which seemed to solidify an IDM cult-following and an ever loyal fan-base, which has since been heard echoing the electronic music forums begging for more; comparing them to Aphex Twin or BoC amongst others, and reminiscing the defining days of IDM.

Loess' isolatedmix transports you into the eclectic minds of two producers at the front of the IDM era of yesteryear - what their music and that style has gone on to influence nowadays is unquantifiable, yet their musical heritage can be traced back to numerous styles and influences. From the undeniable sound of Squarepusher, Autechre, Aphex and Boards of Canada, to dub and nordic folk; these are tracks that will always sit top of their minds irrespective of genre: "Each of these songs sound just as good today, as they did the first time we heard them".

A sentiment that's undoubtedly echoed when slipping on a Loess album. Luckily, the duo are working on new material and plan to be releasing new music in the future...

Download.

Tracklist:
01. Augustus Pablo - Burial Dub
02. Squarepusher - Lambic 5 Poetry
03. Arovane - Thaem Nue
04. Aphex Twin - Alberto Balsam
05. Mum - We have a map of the piano
06. Nick Drake - Road
07. Vasen - Slunken
08. Bibio - Quantock
09. Orchestra Baobab - Utrus Horas
10. Rhythm & Sound w/ Shalom - We Been Troddin
11. Plug - DBC
12. Boards of Canada - Everything You Do Is a Balloon
13. Autechre - Draun Quarter

isolatedmix 54 - Ozy

When you think of Iceland and the music that's originated from this spectacular land-mass, your mind will probably wonder to the likes of Ólafur Arnalds, maybe experimental band Múm, maybe Kompakt's tech-pop legends Gus Gus, and more than likely, our very own-dub-techno master-mind Yagya. Dig a little deeper and you'll soon realise that despite his unique and pioneering style, Yagya's dub-techno wasn't the first to leave The North Shore. 

In the mid '90's Thule Records was releasing dub-inspired techno music from artists such as Sanasol, Exos, Thor, Octal and the man in question, Örnólfur Thorlacius aka Ozy.

Some of these artists, including Ozy, went on to wider international fame with records on the notorious Force Inc, the original home of Mille Plateaux, Yagya's debut album Rhythm of Snow and Ozy's second album Tokei in 2002. 

Now, nearly 13 years later, Ozy returns with a new album on the Nothings66 label, titled Distant Present, it reminds us how far he has come since we last heard his music. Rooted in techno, but straying far outside any given boundaries he may have previously associated with, Distant Present floats between the ambient tides of Glace, the autonomic breaks of Clockage, the Yagya-esque dubby dwellings in Scaphoid and the glitchy-electronics in Chrome-dip. Try fitting in the rumbling bass and garage vocal formations of Arcane, and a bubbling electronica take from Laurel Halo on Black To The Future, and you've got yourself one-hell of an album (available here).

Given Ozy's early productions and where he's landed with his latest album, it was always a tough call to see where he would land with his isolatedmix. Ozy's inspiration for varying production techniques and instrumentalism are evident, alongside an appreciation for composition, and the incessant journey ideation that's always a winner within mixes. He talks progression, evolution and layering whilst combining 22 tracks from the likes of Tim Hecker, Neel, OPN and Andy Stott - a beautiful addition to the series from one of Iceland's finest.

Introduction from Ozy:

"The overall approach to the mix was to use the selected tracks almost as instruments in a composition, gradually layering each track on top of the other. As I wanted to create a mix both pleasant and interesting, I tried to select a healthy mixture of ambient and drone music (from labels such as PAN, Kranky, 12k and Tri Angle records), while being mindful of not creating too much tension in the mix.

One of my favorite moments in the mix is when the sounds of the euphonium in “Time away” by Andy Stott are allowed to gradually appear within the picturesque Call Super track “Dovetail” – then to be faded out subsequently over the distilled atmosphere of Margaret Dygas’ “Country way of life”. Another favorite is when Muhammad‘s chello instrumentation “Sakrifis” slowly evolves over Allessandro Cortini’s analog sounds in “Passatempo”, adding depth and nuance to an already resonant track - then to slowly exit and make way for the brilliant Function & Vatican Shadow production “A year has passed.

The mix was recorded during a quiet winter evening at a friend‘s house in central Reykjavik".

Download.

Tracklist:

01. Arca - Held apart 
02. Willits + Sakamoto - I don't want to understand     
03. Call super - Dovetail      
04. Andy Stott - Time away
05. Margaret Dygas - Country way of life
06. Oneothrix Point Never - Ships without meaning
07. Visionist - Can't forget
08. Ozy - Glace
09. No Ufo's - Hydro at 14th and Alder    
10. Neel - Travelling On Kepler Dorsum
11. Rainer Veil  - Slow
12. Allessandro Cortini - Passatempo     
13. Muhammad - Sakrifisis     
14. Function and Vatican Shadow - A year has passed
15. Janek Schaefer - 102 FM 
16. Logos - Surface area
17. FIS - Her third eye       
18. Lee Gamble - Head model
19. Objekt - Cataracts
20. Ozy - Maqybe
21. Lawrence English - Graceless hunter   
22. Tim Hecker - Sketch 7  

Ozy on Facebook | Soundcloud

Artwork photo by André Fromont

isolatedmix 53 - Anders Ilar

Anders first appeared on ASIP in 2012 with isolatedmix 34 and now returns to the series with another superb journey, diving deep into the depth of winters past and the varied sounds that have influenced him from the season.

You may be forgiven for thinking Anders hasn't released any music since his last isolatedmix, but the newly relocated Ludvika resident has been busy with colabs the likes of Yard. As Anders describes "Since my last album Elva on Shitkatapult in 2012 I focused on completing the first album of Our Loving Sun. A project between me and Chris Jones aka Yard, and a few invited friends on vocals, bass and guitar. We started working on the album in January 2011, so it has been a long time to finalize it. A 4-track EP was released on vinyl in October 2013 on swiss label Mina Records with a remix by Ripperton, and the Album was finally released on Bandcamp in October 2014"

During this time he also collaborated with Mina Records founder Claudia Ayala aka Masaya on a track called Stars where he provided the vocals and some additional production, set to be released in May 2015. Next-up Anders is going exactly where we want him to and producing a new ambient album titled Inuti. 

“At the start of 2015 I started working on a new ambient album. It will be called Inuti (Swedish for inside, or within). It’s soundtrack sounding with lots of piano. I’ve invited a few guests to provide some additional instrumentation, such as saxophone and other woodwinds, and bass, guitar and vocals on one or two of the tracks. I’ve also been collecting field recordings this winter - it’s all coming together nicely. ”

— Anders Ilar

Anders' isolatedmix is a segue of ambient musical styles and the perfect precursor to his new project, spanning multiple acoustic approaches from the likes of OPN and Bibio, alongside older-hats such as Tangerine Dream The Legendary Pink Dots and Dead Can Dance.

"This mix was created in late 2014, for the darkest time of the year as a sort of soundtrack to the winter months. The music was selected with great care to create a perfect theme for the darker days and long nights of winter. Elements of Strings, Piano, Horns and woodwinds co-existing with digital and acoustic rhythms, and desolate synthesizers. Bringing the mind to a calm bliss. Music that has inspired me recently and in the past". - Anders Ilar.

Skip below for Anders' narration to this perfectly curated isolatedmix. 

Download.

Tracklist:

1. Erik Truffaz & Murcof - Human Being
2. The Legendary Pink Dots - Premonition 13
3. Dictaphone - Jarszewko
4. Oneohtrix Point Never - Ruined Lives
5. The Legendary Pink Dots - Ballerina On a Rice Paper Leaf
6. Bohren & der Club of Gore - Midnight Walker
7. Bibio - Kaini Industries
8. Dictaphone - A Bout The Souffle
9. Anders Ilar - The Inner Workings
10. The Legendary Pink Dots - Pendulum
11. Shrubbn! - Echo 5|2
12. Bear McCreary - Refugees Return
13. Dead Can Dance - Windfall
14. Tangerine Dream - Sequent C
15. Wunder - Strings Of Clouds
16. The Legendary Pink Dots - Two Steps Beyond

Words about some of the artists/tracks from Anders:

Erik Truffaz & Murcof - Human Being
I first heard of Murcof after reading the name in a review of my own album Everdom from 2003. This track is from his recent album Human Being with Eric Truffaz on Trumpet. Fantastic stuff as always from Murcof.

The Legendary Pink Dots - Premonition 13
Legendary Pink Dots started in 1980 and has been in my aural input for about 30 years now, and these guys keep churning out great experimental  music to this day. For many years I almost forgot about them, but the voice of Edward Ka-Spel haunts me to great affect. Much respect. Included in this mix is four tracks spanning four decades, proving that music is the only way to live. Sing while you may!

Dictaphone - Jarszewko
Dictaphone, another great example of a successful marriage of electronics and acoustics. 

Bohren & der Club of Gore - Midnight Walker
Bohren & der Club of Gore play jazz as slow and deep you can get. I simply love their music, relaxing and soothing. And it even inspired me to start a collaboration with a saxophonist. I found one (Benny Morrison) and we are currently working on some tracks for a new album. Hopefully it will be finished this year.

Bear McCreary - Refugees Return
Bear McCreary has made some of the most excellent scores to date. TV-shows like The Walking Dead and Battlestar Galactica are blessed with his music.

Dead Can Dance - Windfall
Dead Can Dance are one of my all-time favourite bands and inspirations. Beyond words and beyond worlds! 'Within the Realm of a Dying Sun' is possibly the most beautiful music ever created. 

Tangerine Dream - Sequent C
Tangerine Dream (RIP Edgar Froese) are one of my earliest electronic heroes. This track from 1974 album Phaedra had to be slowed down severely to harmonize within the mix.
 

Anders Ilar | Web | Soundcloud | Facebook | 

isolatedmix 52 - Sebastian Mullaert

2006 and I’m sat in Crosstown Rebels HQ working as a label assistant. When I say HQ, I mean a house in Dalston (London) that doesn’t get-going until 10am and serves as a party house well into the early hours. My stay with Crosstown Rebels was short-lived, and back then the label consisted of just a few of us; head honcho Damian Lazarus (who has since taken the label into the techno-stratosphere) and Label Manager Matthew Styles (a successful producer in his own right) between them, putting out a unique blend of minimal-induced-techno unconstrained by a specific genre boundary.

One of the releases I remember from my time with Crosstown Rebels, was a track by Minilogue called Hitchhikers Choice. Not only was it a defining minimal-techno track, but it featured an amazing accompanying video – one that led to many more in the same style. Similarly, the music led me to even more; it opened-up my world to Traum Schallplatten. My favourite techno label was home to Minilogue’s previously released Certain Things, several other EP’s in the forthcoming years and ultimately Animals; Minilogue’s first album featuring an ambient disc alongside the quirky-minimal techno we all came to love.

A few years later, and Sebastian Mullaert, begins to peel off from his Minilogue partner-in-crime, Marcus Henriksson to create music in his own realm. The brilliant Mule Electronic becomes his home for several EP’s and eventually his latest album alongside Eitan Reiter,Reflections of Nothingness. This album has been on repeat for me recently; ambient and experimental; rooted in Sebastian’s techno roots and paying due diligence to the detailed live approach that went into its production.

It’s a story that spans nearly ten years, revolving around an artist I’ve followed since I first stepped into the music industry. Needless to say, this is very special isolatedmix for me, and another moment to help me reflect on an amazing journey over the years that’s led me to experience literally thousands of new artists and productions. From Minilogue’s own music, to the discovery of labels such as Traum Schallplatten and Mule Musiq, to Sebastian’s efforts today with Eitan Reiter.

As for what’s next for Sebastian, it doesn’t hold up. An EP on Traum was just released, called Direct Experience, another Sebastian Mullaert EP will be released on Joris Voorn’s label Green in May, and a new Wa Wu We EP will be released in the summer. A new solo album is on the horizon as well as a bunch of remixes for Jurek Przezdziecki, Leo Anibaldi, Malbetrieb and Bluetech. And later this year, a live/DJ album with Ulf Eriksson who runs the Kontra Musik label.

The mix? Well. Where do I start. It’s a DJ mix at heart. It’s over two-hours long and pretty much puts an arrow through the heart of everything Sebastian stands for and has going on. Immersive ambient, minimal and deep techno, percussive elements and an over-riding sense of evolution. In the spirit of Sebastian’s trippy Animals, we’ll see you down the rabbit-hole.

“As most of us do, I love a wide range of musical expressions and energies and since music is they way I mostly express my creativity I also like to play with all forms of music. My DJ mixes over the last couple of years have been mostly aimed at dancing, but this time I’ve mixed music in a more alternative way; both ambient music but also slower dance music … enjoy the journey” – Sebastian Mullaert / Bali, February 2015.

Download.

Tracklist:

01. Ooze – Untitled
02. Tenniscoats – Aurora Curtains
03. Varg – Ohns Odegard
04. Function and Vatican Shadow – Things Known
05. Stressassassin – Raumwelt Signal
06. Bluetech – Untitled (ooze remix)
07. Fjader – Satori
08. Ooze – Restricted Flow (Porn Sword Tobacco remix)
09. Conforce – Abundance of selves
10. BLNDR – Isolate Frequencies 2
11. ESHU – Lansin
12. BLNDR – Metal Stretching (Incarnation 2)
13. Leo Anibaldi – Evocation (Wa Wu We Sneak mix)
14. Conforce – Temporary
15. Stephanie Syke – Hypno
16. ESHU – Cesium
17. A&S – Asteroid redirect images
18. Dino Sabatino – Vision Quest
19. Claro Intelecto – Night of maniac
20. Audrey – Dust Storm Salsa
21. Mathew Jonson – New Identity
22. Hakimonu – Cadence One Native
23. STL – One Day
24. Yagya – DeepChord Redesigns 5
25. J & L – Ramayana Chant
26. Tin Man – No New Violence
27. Donato Dozzy – K2
28. Son Sin – Upekah
29. Ooze – Trying Outwards (Ooze remake)
30. Wa Wu We – Untitled
31. Wa Wu We – Untitled
32. Higher Intelligence Agency – Orange
33. Lawrence – A Day in the life
34. Reiner – Lung
35. Bluetech – Untiled (ooze remix take 2)
36. Alucidnation – Prefer to Stay in

Sebastian Mullaert on Soundcloud | Facebook | Twitter

isolatedmix 51 - Kiyoko

With just one album and two EP’s to their name so far, Jack Lever and Joe McBride are just at the beginning of their journey together asKiyoko, but setting a ridiculously high standard from the off. Individually, the duo’s productions have spread far and wide as Synkro (Joe) and Bering Strait (Jack) on labels such as Apollo, Auxiliary, and D-Bridge’s label, Exit Records. Together they each bring something rather special to the party which has entertained the ears of many of us from the very beginning (with their debut album, Sea of Trees) and has left us itching for whatever’s next around the corner.

Kiyoko’s unique approach defies the genre boundaries many people stick to nowadays. Their productions are refined and seem stripped down to the very core of what makes us tick. Playing on the origins of drum’n bass and incorporating the slow-burning melodies and euphoria of atmospheric ambient music, subtle samples and neat beat-work add an often unexpected addictive twist to their productions.

The northern-English duo are a little elusive on the mix front too. Since their mix for Finest Ego in 2012, I’ve had them on my isolatedmix wishlist; it was perfectly mixed, key-considerate and a true reflection of their inspirations. Isolatedmix 51 takes it one step further, and will once again go down as one of my favourite mixes in a very long time.

Looking ahead, their debut album Sea Of Trees is finally getting a vinyl-press through Auxiliary. But until that special day, sit back and escape with the duo’s inspirational isolatedmix. And if you’re new to either of them, check out their individual productions as Synkro (his recent mix for i-D mag) and Bering Strait – undoubtedly two of today’s most exciting producers indivudally, and just as revered together as Kiyoko.

“The mix is a selection of some of our favorite ambient tracks from the past & present & we would like to say it is an honour to have a mix up alongside some of our favorite artists of all time (Helios, Arovane, ASC to name a few)”. (Kiyoko)

Download

Tracklist:

01. Oh, Yoko – Seashore (Instrumental Ver.2)
02. Kiyoko – Open
03. Xela – Impulsive Behaviour
04. Jon Hopkins – Open Eye Signal (Asleep Version)
05. Kiyoko – Archway
06. Move D – Rote Zone
07. Christ. – Discombobulate
08. Ian Hawgood – A Film By The Remote Viewer
09. Dania Shapes – December Waiting Room
10. Sad City – You Will Soon Find That Life Is Wonderful
11. Synkro – VII
12. Ambulance – Hydro Lines
13. Tangerine Dream – Remote Viewing
14. Bering Strait – Transmission 110 
15. Desolate – Imagination
16. Machinedrum – Vizion
17. Vatican Shadow – Whitewashed Compound Stealth Helicopter Crash
18. Kiyoko – Something To Think About
19. Muslimgauze – Old Arab Record Not On Compact Disc

Kiyoko on Facebook | Tumblr | Soundcloud | Twitter (Synkro) | Bering Strait