isolatedmix 10 - Nick Warren

A tenth anniversary isolated mix, a two year birthday for the blog and a very special guest: Nick Warren.

There isn’t much I haven’t already said about Nick within previous posts so I will try to keep this one short. An inspiration ever since first hearing tracks such as ‘Earth’ and pretty much every other track on the Way Out West self titled album. His Back To Mine mix remains one of my all time favourite compilations (and I’m sure many of yours too) and the opening tracks to his GU mixes helped grow my love for Ulrich Schnauss, Boards of Canada and Global Communication, amongst many others.

The inspiration mounted, the blog grew and two years later, there was never any doubt who should get behind this very special birthday and 10th isolatedmix. Luckily, Nick was very happy to oblige:

“I have long been a fan of the ‘A Strangely Isolated Place’ website. Any fan of ambient music should make a beeline for it. When Ryan asked me to do a mix for the site I had no hesitation in saying yes and here is the result. Included are some of my favourite pieces of music including “A Blues In Drag” by The Glove, Robert Smith from The Cure and Steven Severin from Souxsie And The Banshees side project recorded back in 1983 and still sounding incredible. It was a joy putting it together and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it.”

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Tracklisting:
1. “Crystal Lake” – Klaus Schulze
2. “Burr Dub” – Rocket Empire
3. “Neaera” – Taho
4. “Marraskuu” – Ous Mal
5. “Totems of the Red” – Harold Budd
6. “In Search Of Silver” (Ambient Mix) Nick Warren / “The Shining”
7. “Inside the Pods” – Johann Johannsen
8. “De Ushuaia A La Quiaca” – Gustavo Santaolalla
9. “A Blues In Drag” – The Glove
10. “Aqua” – Edgar Froese
11. “Months” – Oneohtrix Point Never
12. “Good Bye Forever” – Arovane / Timothy Leary samples
Additional keyboard parts, synths and samples by Nick Warren

For the latest on Nick’s releases, DJ dates, and mixes, follow him on Twitter, Facebook, or Soundcloud and his official website. Also, be sure to check out Soundgarden, Nick’s monthly slot on Frisky Radio, featuring his favourite downtempo tracks for the first half of each show.

Massive thank you to Nick for taking the time out to put the mix together. Not sure about every one else, but there’s enough inspiration in here to keep me going for at least another two years…

isolatedmix 09 - Helios

An afternoon in the sun, a burnt face and one of my most memorable experiences from Big Chill '09.

Since listening to Helios' compositions on a scorching afternoon last year, it’s been my mission to get Keith Kenniff on board for an isolatedmix. A multi-instrumentalist and master of cinematic ambient and soundtrack composition, Keith’s releases have spanned electronic ambient albums including ‘Unomia’, ‘Eingya’ and ‘Caesura’ under his Helios name, as well as piano-focused music under the name of ‘Goldmund’.

For isolatedmix 09, Keith provides us with an insight into the influences behind some of his renowned piano compositions with 45 minutes of perfected soundtracks from, Vangelis, Howard Shore, Ennio Morricone and Michael Nyman.

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1) 0:00-2:03 Vangelis – Bicycle Riders – Blade Runner OST
2) 2:03-3:52 Francois Tetaz – Talimnavi – Wolf Creek OST
3) 3:52-5:00 Cliff Martinez – Something To Do – Narc OST
4) 5:00-8:17 Howard Shore – Happy Birthday, Nicolas – The Game OST
5) 8:17-9:57 Ennio Morricone – Humburt On The Hillside – Lolita OST
6) 9:57-13:10 Michael Nyman – Laura’s Theme/Laura’s Dream – Enemy Zero OST
7) 13:10-14:34 Howard Shore – Carl Rudolph Stargher – The Cell OST
8). 14:34-16:01 Thomas Newman – White Oleander – White Oleander OST
9) 16:01-19:03 John Murphy – Mercury – Sunshine OST
10) 19:03-19:57 Michael Andrews – Whoever You Want Him To Be – Cypher OST
11) 19:57-21:15 Mychael Danna – Gun Culture – Breach OST
12) 21:15-22:02 Mychael Danna – N.Y. Reading – Capote OST
13) 22:50-25:48 James Newton Howard – 25 Dollars Worth – Michael Clayton OST
14) 25:48-30:13 Johnny Greenwood – Prospectors Arrive – There Will Be Blood OST
15) 30:13-32:08 The Free Association – Dreaming On A Train – Code 46 OST
16) 32:08-34:46 Michael Convertino – Facing the Child – We Don’t Live Here Anymore OST
17) 34:46-36:21 James Horner – Playing A Game of Go – A Beautiful Mind OST
18) 36:21-38:03 Michael Nyman – Henry – The End Of The Affair OST
19) 38:03-40:28 Thomas Newman – Week Eight Days – Up Close And Personal OST
20) 40:28-42:21 Cliff Martinez – What Shoe Size? – Wicker Park OST
21) 42:21-43:40 John Murphy – The Last Message – Sunshine OST

Casino Versus Japan – Night On Tape

En-route from Attack Nine records in USA, the trans-Atlantic CVJ package took several painful weeks to reach me, but the limited edition, deluxe vinyl, CD, mp3s, t-shirt, bag and badge package was definitely worth the wait. I don’t often write reviews, but with such a great release from one of my favourite artists, a few words might go a little way to paying back the time and effort Erik Kowalski has put into this release.

Night On Tape isn’t an album you can just quickly press play on, skip half the tracks, or just listen to the start. Nope, unlike a few of Erik’s previous albums where i have found myself listening to just a few tracks over and over (my love for Metrobolt on Go Hawaii for example), Night On Tape, is an album listened to best in its entirety.

‘Hello you’ – a subtle introduction with delicate shoegaze-esque guitars, is quickly proceeded by the warm fuzzy and static noises from ‘Flow Of No Go’. It’s not until half-way through this track, that the first melody creeps through, but even then, it’s a raw distorted guitar which gently fades away into heavy muffled noise.

It’s a pattern that continues throughout. Initially lacking any fast stabbing drums or beats which have become a staple sound on many of Erik’s previous albums, Night On Tape grows slow and dark. Content with putting you into a comfortable slumber, it’s not until five tracks in that a glimmer of light creeps through in the form of a marching drum, blanketed by an airy drone, like a welcomed Sunday morning awakening. But you weren’t meant to wake up just yet.

Albums before, many of these tracks may have developed quicker, with more melody and recognition. Despite several sharp moments of loud distortion, the tracks are slowly wrapped amongst glimmering ambient tones, pads and filters. Where lacking in melody, it seems Erik has instead, focused on an array of different ambient sounds, distorted guitars and atmospheres. Creating harsh instrumental landscapes that when fused together, form beautiful thought-provoking tracks. Almost cinematic at times, each track develops without any obvious repetition. The kind of music you can never remember, and sounds new every time. For some, that defines an album which is easily forgotten. For me, it’s the making of an album I come out of, and want to dive straight back into.

The last track, ‘Miano: A Pink Night For The Snowmen’ is the tapes sunrise. After nineteen tracks of night, the textures peak and the rough-edged drums and replaced by a tinkering Piano. A fitting morning, to a Night on Tape.

The album may be a surprise to a few CVJ fans who have come to love Erik’s spaced out, sometimes quirky electronica. The distortions, filters and raw instruments are still there, but the melodies are sleeping. Described as ’20 previously unreleased tracks from CVJ’s recording archives’, this long un-interrupted night has been reserved for Erik’s hidden ambient gems.

I’m not sure if there are any more deluxe packages left (grab it if you can!), but you can get the CD or digital download from the Attack Nine website.

isolatedmix 08 - Lunar Testing Lab

Secret Station Records have received plenty of love lately, by you guys and of course me. The label continues to release quality electronica, with several available for free download, and prompting an SS tribute mix by Mach V. So, what better way to celebrate the next isolatedmix than the musical genius behind the lot – label founder Eric Watson aka Lunar Testing Lab.

If you’ve taken advantage of Secret Station’s free downloads, you would have set ear upon the otherworldly music that is Lunar Testing Lab. Featured as the labels first free download, SS01 ‘Seashore Blvd’, laid down the standard for label artists which has now become for me, one of the most impressive netlabel rosters out there. SSO1 was a mixture of classic chill and dowtempo, at times similar to Lemon Jelly (Summer Seas) and closely resembling Boards of Canada quality (Shoreline at Dawn). Ss01 was recently succeeded by SS20 –Unauthorized Frequencies, and if Seashore Blvd reflected a blissed out American summer, Unauthorized Frequencies was crafted for the winter; expanding upon scratchy vocals, space-themed samples and deep thought provoking melodies.

For isolatedmix 08, Eric has dug deep into his beloved record collection, carefully selecting tracks from vinyl only – a unique insight into the influences, sounds and styles which have crafted Lunar Testing Lab’s productions. Space samples, Jazz, IDM, ambient, ‘late 60’s mind expanding experimental’ and tracks that I’m not even sure where to start classifying.

Eric’s words: “I hope people can find something in there that they like”.
My words: When a compiler stays true to their influences and seeks to exceed expectations, the result is always more than a ‘like’…

Download.

Tracklisting with commentary by Lunar Testing Lab:
1- Copper Plated Integrated Circuit – Integrated Circuit
“I heard some samples from this record online, and after not being able to find it for years, I finally resorted to ebay. Lots of great tracks and sounds.”

2- Mort Garson – Hair
“Mort Garson is one of my favorite artists. Not only do I love his music, I also love how he never really did an album as “Mort Garson”- they are all concept albums with different names (like Ataraxia, Plantasia, Black Mass/Lucifer, and the Wozard of Id). I first came across his name when I found an LP called ‘Music For Sensuous Lovers by Z”, and I then figured out that Z was Mort Garson. I’ve been buying his records ever since.”

3- Kraftwerk – It’s More Fun To Compute
“My favorite track from my favorite Kraftwerk LP.”

4- Neal Norman – One Step Beyond
“Besides the cool science fiction theme, I also got this one because it had 2 original tracks by legendary exotica master Les Baxter. They are the best songs on this record.”

5- Mort Garson – Where Do We Go
“Another from Mort Garson, off his LP of cover songs from the musical Hair, done moog style. Much better if you don’t know the originals.”

6- Hugo Montenegro – Too High
“Hugo Montenegro playing Stevie Wonder cover tunes on the moog? Yes please! I got this one at a Salvation Army in Ohio while I was on my way to some record stores. It is way better than anything I found in any those stores. A great, great record.”

7- Emmett Frisbee- Watches The Captioned News
“This is from a local (Pittsburgh PA) artist, and I think this is his only release. I got it for a dollar at a local flea market, and it turned out to be a fantastic record, and one of my favorites. I would love to be able to re-issue it someday.”

8- Tonto’s Expanding Head Band – Timewhys
“I first heard TONTO on the radio back in the late 80’s. I was fortunate enough to have a tape running at the time, but I never knew who it was. It was only when I got this record a few years ago that I figured it out.”

9- Mort Garson – Good Morning Starshine
“One more from Hair. This one has been covered a million times, but never better.”

10- 10 Speed – Tour de France
“A nice cover of the classic Kraftwerk track, I think made for the movie Breakin’. Not sure where it was ever properly released, this is from a K-Tel breakdancing record.”

11- Keith Mansfield – Build Up
“A bit of funky prog KPM library music from one of my favorite producers/arrangers, Keith Mansfield.”

12- Mort Garson – Swingin’ Spathiphyllums 
“The final one from Mort Garson, this time from his Plantasia album. The back cover says “full, warm, beautiful mood music especially composed to aid in the growing of your plants”. I wonder what sort of plants they were growing when they came up with this record?”

13- David Fanshawe – Oceans of Sound
“Another one from the KPM library, this time atmospheric bells.”

14- Electronic Moog Orchestra – Space Symphony
“The Electronic Moog Orchestra’s records look like they will be great, but they’re not. This track is pretty interersting, and one of their few originals.”

15- Black Moth Super Rainbow – Caterpillar House
“I had to throw something more modern in here, and nothing fit better than BMSR. This was the first track of there’s that I heard, and I got the vinyl immediately after hearing it (and just in time, as it went out of print right after that). Still one of my favorite’s of theirs.”

16- Synergy – Terra Incognita
“A pretty mediocre LP overall, with this 1 exception. And it’s on clear vinyl too, which is kinda cool….”

17- Chris and Cosey – Gates Of Ancient Cities
“I had this on cassette way back, and I listened to it ALOT. So when I saw an unopened vinyl copy on ebay for like 5 bucks, I snatched it up. Playing it again reminded me of driving around in my car after high school.”

18- Brian Eno – Through Hollow Lands
“I found a bunch of Eno’s early records at the local library. Obviously his later, more ambient releases would have been better, but there were some tracks on them that I thought were good- this one, and one that became one of my favorite songs, Here Come The Warm Jets”.

19- Terrence – The Emperor
“I found this record at Goodwill one day, and after a few more minutes of searching, I found a few more that were all owned by the same person (their name is written on them all), and they were all really good, including this one by Terence. This track is a nice example of late 60’s mind expanding experimental music.”

You can follow Lunar Testing Lab on his latest exploration – the LNT Facebook Page. And keep an en eye on the Secret Secret station sitefor more releases by Eric and a host of other talented electronica artists.

isolatedmix 07 - Mach V (Echaskech)

Their productions on ‘Shatterproof’ and ‘Skechbook’ span delicate ambient, dub and dark rolling breaks,  and with such diverse electronic sounds, I’ve always wondered what keeps Dom, Andy and Mach V from Echaskech ticking along…

For isolatedmix 07, Mach V has stepped up to select a few choice current cuts from the Echa-mp3 player for your delectation and delight.  Moving from nu-psyche, through folk, ambient, downtempo, electronica – even dipping it’s toes in to shoegaze – this audio array will hopefully offer you some insight into the diverse musical interests that this group has. There’s even an exclusive Echaskech remix of The Beaufort Scale’s ‘Dreaming in Binary’ – a perfect climax to a stunning mix.

At the moment, things continue apace at Echaskech HQ; as well as busily remixing and writing new material for the summer, they’re working with Roots Manuva on his up coming tour, sorting out the live show for Digital City, 27th March and have just heard that their highly successful residency at Concrete at the Hayward Gallery will resume in July, this year.

Echaskech are currently planning their festival season for 2010 and already have several festival bookings that they’d love to tell you about, but can’t at present… you’ll just have to keep your eyes on their website.

Download

00:00 Animal Collective – Graze
03:20 Snowblink – Ambergris
08:10 Klimek – Exploding Unbearable Desires
11:30 Jonsi & Alex – Indian Summer
20:04 Halogen – Baked
22:06 Sounds From The Ground – Crystal Beam
25:43 Echaskech – Redeploy
29:04 Dub Tractor – This Is Order
31:50 Zero 7 – Ghost sYMbOL
36:19 Yimino – Miagranov
40:07 Landau – Good Morning Gravity
44:24 The Village Orchestra – Lo Pencil (The Village Orchestra remix)
52:14 Beaufort Scale – Dreaming in Binary (Echaskech mix) *Exclusive to ASIP*

Want more Echaskech? Check out the ASIP interview from December 2008, and a review of their latest album ‘Shatterproof’.