BRUNO SANFILIPPO – CLAROSCURO
Classically trained musician and composer Bruno Sanfilippo (Spain) presents a beautiful romantic and somewhat melancholic set of modern classical compositions for piano, violin (Pere Bardagi) and violincello (Manuel del Fresno).
“With the fragility and beauty of some Arvo Pärt compositions and a high cinematic touch, “ClarOscuro” brings the perfect soundtrack for an imaginary movie.”
Imagine a single 50 minute track album with contributions from more than 150 artists….
I can’t even begin to list names here but you should definitely check the list on the Bandcamp page – I’m sure it’ll raise your interest to find out more about Rutger “Machinefabriek” Zuydervelt‘s project“Stay Tuned“.
Not counting their recent collaboration “Drowning in the Sky“, with Sleep Orchestra, “Solstøv” is Pjusk’s fourth release – and their third for the 12K label.
Since their debut in 2007, the Norwegian duo (Jostein Dahl Gjelsvik and Rune Andre Sagevik) have built themselves quite an impressive reputation.
With “Solstøv”, (Sol – Sun / Støv – Dust) they don’t disappoint – to say the least!
RAPOON – THE FIRES OF THE BORDERLANDS
Originally released in 1995, this is considered a landmark album in the impressive catalogue of Rapoon (Robin Storey) releases. It became out of print long ago, but now receives a well-deserved expanded re-release: the double CD features a (near) 40 minute live recording for KFJC Radio (San Francisco) from 1996, next to the remastered version of the original album.
Inner Vision Laboratory is a musical project from the Polish artist Karol Skrzypiec, who describes his music as ‘basically industrial dark ambient, also including elements of ethnic music, classical music, et al.”
“AMBIT” is the result of his online collaboration with Nepenthe (Daniel Krause) (whose alias probably refers to the ‘Drug of Forgetfullness’). (Note: See Nepenthe’s reaction in the comments below)
Building on the sound of a soft damped piano, including the breathing and squeaking sounds of the piano’s inner mechanics, “Petrichor“ risks being compared to the reference artist of the genre, Nils Frahm.
A comparision I guess almost every artists would fail.
“Dream Sequence“ starts with a rumbling distant thunder and the dripping sounds of water in a bathroom nearby. Slowly – very slowly! – drone chords set in to create a calm soothing sound. But underneath, there is the dark foreboding sound of a low register piano pulse…
“We are Snoqualmie Falls, and this is the soundtrack to our dream life. Where we’re from the birds sing a pretty song, and there’s always music in the air.”
Snoqualmie Falls – named after the scenic cascade in Washington State – is Jeff Stonehouse (a.k.a. Listening Mirror and Jffstnhs) creating the music and Alicia Merz adding her ethereal vocals.
Taalem is a Paris-based label – “exploring the different sides of ambient music through 3” CD-R’s and FLAC downloads – with a somewhat different release policy:
“As we’re tired of all these ultra-limited & ultra-expensive releases, taâlem discs are unlimited editions. As long as the demand exists, every release is available.” Some fine examples from their recent releases:
∅E + ENRICO CONIGLIO – INNER FROST
21 Minutes (2 Tracks) of Glacial ambient created by ∅e (Fabio Perletta: guitar, loops) and Enrico Coniglio (guitar, field recordings, sampler).
The (december 2013) release was especially postponed because the music perfectly fits the winter season. The opening sounds of a harsh winter storm might give you some extra chills.
But in summer, this wide musical landscape full of fascinating details may help you cool down when desired!
RAISON D’ÊTRE – MISE EN ABYME
Another voyage into darkness by Raison D’Être (Peter Andersson, Sweden, who has been recording music since 1992). “Mise en Abyme” (“Placed into the abyss”) “is an inner journey down to the most hidden and dark parts of the Self. But even in the darkest and chaotic places in the depths, there are small shades of light, hope and understanding.”
