Avsnitt
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Back in the 70s I was a huge prog rock fan and an offshoot of that fandom was discovering jazz fusion. I think Jean-Luc Ponty was the first proper fusion record I ever owned. I believe I was a fusion fan before getting into jazz in general. I've been planning on creating a fusion mix for months but just haven't gotten around to it. Then last month I was sipping coffee on a cold morning, listening to a fusion playlist, when a couple of laid back tunes came up. I immediately started a new playlist for quiet fusion tracks. And this mix is the result. It's got some of my all time favorite jazz fusion artists - Alan Holdsworth, Brand X, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock & Miles Davis. But surprisingly, not my fav fusion artist - Bill Bruford. He just didn't have anything quiet enough that worked with the mix. But at least his guitarist, Alan Holdsworth made the cut. I hope you enjoy listening to this little diversion as much as I did creating it. Cheers! T R A C K L I S T :00:00 Herbie Hancock - Vein Melter (Head Hunters 1973)08:50 Allan Holdsworth - Distance vs Desire (Sand 1987)13:56 John Abercrombie - Timeless (Timeless 1974)21:38 Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays - September Fifteenth (As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls 1981)29:06 Jaco Pastorius - Continuum (Jaco Pastorius 1976)33:30 Soft Machine - Between (Six 1973)35:33 Joe Zawinul - In A Silent Way (Zawinul 1971)40:11 Gong Emotions (Downwind 1979)44:50 Jean-Luc Ponty - I Only Feel Good With You (Cosmic Messenger 1978)47:38 Brand X - Black Moon (Masques 1978)51:55 Miles Davis - It's About Time (The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions 2001)60:49 e n d
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We have a special treat for this mix - an upbeat collection with an ambient house music vibe. I have a folder on my hard drive that is labeled "gentle house music." It contains tracks that have a definite 4-on-the-floor style but aren't hardcore, fill-the-dance-floor tunes. Something like Kiasmos. I have avoided making a mix of these tune because, truthfully, I suck at beat matching. I don't use professional software that would do it for me and I don't have quite the musical ear to pull it off on my own, at least for an entire mix.
That's where Johan Kisro and Petter Lindhagen come to the rescue. Johan and Peter record as Dött ljus and they have a new EP coming out on February 5th called Bottna. You can find it here - https://slowcraft.bandcamp.com/album/bottna The EP is on Slowcraft Records which says "the irrepressible energy of their hybrid electronica finds itself subtly grounded in a tenderly ambient melancholy."
I was immediately taken by the vibe of the new EP so I was over the moon when Johan suggested doing a mix for LLM. Perfect! I've always wanted a mix that sounds like this.
Here's what Johan says about this collection of tracks:
"This mix is a collection of songs we love—some of which may have influenced our upcoming EP, Bottna (out February 5th via Slowcraft Records). Bottna is a refuge, a place where anything can become something, where color breaks through the cracks in the pavement, hidden from the intensifying hum of a world unraveling. The songs exist at the intersection of rhythm and droning textures, and we wanted this mix to follow that same path—from fragments to flourish."
Thanks to Johan and Peter for curating this excellent mix.
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Kejser audiovisual - EMO TREE 3.0, pt.1 (EMO TREE 3.0 2024)00:46 Bonnie Beecher - Come Wander with me (1964) 02:21 Dött ljus - Förr (Bottna 2025) 07:06 The XX - VCR (Four Tet Remix) (2010) 15:22 Sofia Kourtesis - Vajkoczy (Madres 2023) 19:14 Radiohead - Everything in its Right Place (Gigamesh Remix 3.0) (2024)23:40 Menke - Nattskärran (Christian Löffler Remix) (2018)26:56 Kelly Lee Owens - Dreamstate (Dreamstate 2024)32:16 Colin Stetson - All the days I’ve missed you (ILAIJ I) (New History Warfare Vol 2: Judges 2011)33:09 Brian McBride - Prelude (When the Detail Lost its Freedom 2005)34:46 Fred again…, Delilah Montegun - Delilah (pull me out of this) (Actual Life 3 [January 1 - September 9 2022] 2022)38:50 Caribou - Honey (Honey 2024)43:13 Abul Mogard - Half Light of Dawn (Circular Forms 2015)49:20 Donnie & Joe Emerson - Baby (Dreamin’ Wild 1979)52:48 Dött ljus - Bottna (Bottna 2025) -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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I did not do a Sunday Morning Music mix at all last year 😮 That's probably the first year since the series started in 2011 that I didn't post a Sunday mix. The Sunday Morning series is one of the reasons that Low Light Mixes blew up on Mixcloud. So you'd think I would be posting more of these mixes to feed the algorithm. But, no, there is no plan for curating these mixes, they just happen when they happen. With all that preamble, I'm excited to finally get a Sunday mix up & running. This follows the classic format of some laid back jazz, some ambient & some quiet vocal tunes. My favorite track in the mix is "Amber Waves" by Ethel Cain. It's from her new album, "Perverts", which is an interesting collection of tunes that range from noisy, dark ambient to beautiful vocal tracks like "Amber Waves." LINKS TO ALL THE MUSIC USED IN THIS MIX:https://apollorecords.bandcamp.com/album/hanahttps://earthensea.bandcamp.com/album/recollectionhttps://af13.bandcamp.com/album/milanhttps://modernarecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-shoe-factoryhttps://samwilkes.bandcamp.com/album/iiyo-iiyo-iiyohttps://shop.aroojaftabmusic.com/products/night-reign-lphttps://fayewebster.bandcamp.com/album/underdressed-at-the-symphonyhttps://gsschray.bandcamp.com/album/whispered-something-goodhttps://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0DNZQ58QQhttps://kamasiwashington.bandcamp.com/album/fearless-movementhttps://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CZ4B4M61https://www.amazon.com/Album-Eiko-Talia-Spar-Ishibashi/dp/B0D9ZY1DXW/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.acUyTDm7L3-aUoCkmcVA9A5LtOhLs5TQ1v0CU74c7jU.6snIHYORMuWGNW-aOAv2puQ62pmjqPHCTaK6j1GBd1E&dib_tag=se&qid=1737331033&refinements=p_32%3A+Eiko+%2F+Talia%5Cc+Joe%5CcVon+Spar+%2F+Ishibashi&s=music&sr=1-1Cheers! T R A C K L I S T :00:00 Andert Tysma - Dalmally (Hana 2024)05:35 Earthen Sea - Present Day (Recollection 2024)09:35 Alister Fawnwoda, Suzanne Ciani, Greg Leisz - Night Bunny (Milan 2021)15:48 Oliver Patrice Weder - Breathe In (The Shoe Factory 2024)19:03 Sam Wilkes - Descending(Frue) (iiyo iiyo iiyo 2024)23:19 Arooj Aftab - Raat Ki Rani (Night Reign 2024)28:22 Faye Webster - Wanna Quit All the Time (Underdressed at the Symphony 2024)31:27 G.S. Schray - Another Haunted Mirror (Whispered Something Good 2024)35:25 Ethel Cain - Amber Waves (Perverts 2025)42:40 Kamasi Washington - Dream State (Fearless Movement 2024)50:45 This Is The Kit - Careful of Your Keepers (Live at The Minack Theatre 2024)53:45 Von Spar & Eiko Ishibashi - I (Album I 2024)60:00 end
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I've said many times that I love guest mixes. And I especially love getting mixes from artists that I've been listening to for years. Such is the case with this new set from Robert Farrugia.
I have several of Robert's albums and I always look forward to checking out his new material. Well, now he's got some new material definitely worth checking out. His new album is called "Natura Maltija - Official Soundtrack" and it just came out last week. You can find it here - https://robertfarrugia.bandcamp.com/album/natura-maltija-official-soundtrack
To celebrate the release of this new album Robert put together a wonderful ambient mix for us. Here is what he says about it:
"This mix features a selection of tracks from recent Ambient, Neoclassical, and Electronica releases, curated by Robert Farrugia. Centered around my latest album, 'Natura Maltija - Official Soundtrack,' the mix also includes tracks from friends and collaborators."
Links to all the music used in this mix:
https://zakedrone.bandcamp.com/album/certain-pathhttps://alily.bandcamp.com/album/saru-l-qamarhttps://robertfarrugia.bandcamp.com/album/natura-maltija-official-soundtrackhttps://alily.bandcamp.com/album/psalm018-virgin-stoner-works-2001-2004https://jogginghouse.bandcamp.com/album/softiehttps://pioulard.bandcamp.com/album/op-448-adagio-hallucination-archive-2https://thegreenkingdom.bandcamp.com/album/ether-hymnshttps://rhubiqs.bandcamp.com/album/aegis-of-silenceThanks to Robert for curating this excellent collection of tunes that fits perfectly into the Low Light Mixes vibe.Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Joachim Spieth & Warmth - Spectral (Fragments 2025)06:34 zakè, From Overseas, City of Dawn - Certain Path (Certain Path 2024)11:03 A Lily - Kemn Nixtieq Li Qed (Saru l-Qamar 2024)14:41 Robert Farrugia - Bufula (Natura Maltija 2025)16:50 A Lily - Solar Systems (Virgin Stoner: Works 2001-2004 2024)20:29 Robert Farrugia - Qabru (Natura Maltija 2025)26:39 Robert Farrugia - Qarnita (Natura Maltija 2025)31:38 Jogging House - State (Softie 2024)37:57 Benoît Pioulard - Op. 448, Adagio (Hallucination Archive 2024)44:12 The Green Kingdom - Sunsetgradient (Ether Hymns 2024)48:05 rhubiqs - Hope’s Canvas (Aegis of Silence 2024) -
This is one of those mixes where there's not much to say about it because there is no theme. It's just a nice collection of wonderful ambient tunes. Most of the tracks are fairly slow and drifty. A few of these I just discovered at the end of 2024 by browsing end-of-the-year lists. One of those is Gems III by Celer which as an absolutely beautiful record. Another one that was new to me is the closing track - "Il Mare Cancella, Di Notte(II)," a long, slow cut that I wish could go on forever. Here's to the start of 2025 and looking ahead to a year filled with excellent music. Cheers! T R A C K L I S T :00:00 James Murray - Feverfew (Weeds 2024)06:40 Yoyu - The Indigo Space Around Us (It's All Gonna Be Ok Somehow 2024)10:33 Lantscap - Fragile Peaks (Fragile Peaks 2025)15:55 Celer - Gems III.I (Gems III 2024)20:27 Last Days of Living - Where The Bay Becomes The Sea (. 2024)25:30 Calm Whale & Mik Kosma - Ocean Calling (TwoGather 2024)31:15 David Cordero - Alquézar (Postales 2024)35:03 Andrew Heath & Halftribe (feat. Anne Chris Bakker) - Garden Leave (Illuminations III 2024)42:06 Alaskan Tapes - Random Sequence (Something Ephemeral 2024)45:08 Marine Eyes - In The Spaces (To Belong 2024)48:18 Lamasz & come le onde - Il Mare Cancella, Di Notte(II) (Il Mare Cancella, Di Notte 2024)66:00 end
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What a great way to start off the new year! Jumping right in with this excellent mix from friend of the show, Andy McNeill. Andy records as Maple Mountain Sunburst and he released a wonderful album last year - https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatic He also did a guest mix for us last year which you can find here - Mixcloud & Low Light Mixes Blog.
My favorite discovery in this mix is the third track, "My Dog's Eyes" by Zammuto. I am blown away each time I hear it. One of my favorite track of 2024 is also included in the mix - Andy's own "Pop-a-matic." So good! The rest of the mix a great as well.
Here's what Andy says about his latest creation:
"Cycles, patterns and joy in repetition. I’ll paraphrase redditer Waves_of_awesome who said strongly repetitive music has the ability to transport the listener to a meditative state. “… repeating passages echo like a mantra, almost hypnotizing you”. It’s a fundamental yet unpremeditated element in my musical endeavours.
A lot of different genres represented here — not really intentionally, I just wanted to include some favourites and influential tracks. But wait where’s O Superman? It’s Gonna Rain? I guess we’ll have to do a part two. I hope you all enjoy the journey." - Andy
>>>Links to all the music used in this mix<<<
https://open.spotify.com/album/6eUPFGpUKBafZKPpif4i1f?si=PJ4A6c8DR5WHr2z80vb_Ewhttps://philipglass.com/recordings/aguas_da_amazonia/https://zammuto.bandcamp.com/album/veryonehttps://mississippirecords.bandcamp.com/album/furaha-wenye-gitahttps://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatichttps://books.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-a-french-elevator-and-other-odditieshttps://crammed-discs.bandcamp.com/album/congotronics-2-buzznrumble-from-the-urbnjunglehttps://juanamolina.bandcamp.com/album/tres-cosashttps://open.spotify.com/track/7jOnhe335cbTJyTiZoPkxg?si=6b8e76be504245d4https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/the-maple-mountain-sunburst-triolian-orchestrahttps://open.spotify.com/track/65niHA7Rhd3oboXFpJ2Ah9?si=5c0b329838dc46efhttps://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatichttps://open.spotify.com/track/7hRG2HYhxsffbK2Iz2zlex?si=cff26a4af10c43e8https://open.spotify.com/track/6maBIgAWIxANaZlftqeYUA?si=2e50a4e857aa4487https://open.spotify.com/track/2q0WFOsFc7Gd9cujpPmZMC?si=a674dbcee6cf4337Thanks Andy, for creating this most excellent mix.
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Chapterhouse/Global Communication - Gamma Phase edit (Pentamerous Metamorphosis 1993)05:01 Uakti - Japura River (Philip Glass) (Aguas da Amazonia 1999)09:51 Zammuto - My Dog’s Eyes (Veryone 2016)12:50 George Mukabi - Kuoa Utaoa (Furaha Wenye Gita 2017)15:38 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Pop-a-matic (Ecstatic 202419:37 The Books - Cello Song ft. José González (Music For A French Elevator… 2013)23:28 Sobanza Mimanisa - Kiwembo (edit) (Congotronics 2 2005)27:15 Juana Molina - Salvese Quien Pueda (Tres Cosas 2004)32:41 Christina Pluhar and L’Arpeggiata - Ciaconna (Youtube)36:40. Maple Mountain Sunburst - Age of Steam (MMSTO 2010)39:52 Faust - Lauft… (aka Giggy Smile) (Faust IV 1973)43:06 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Without Fear (Ecstatic 2024)47:51 Seefeel - Climactic Phase 3 (edit) (Quique 1993)53:38 Soft Machine - We Did It Again (Soft Machine 1968)55:50 Air - Universal Traveler (Talkie Walkie 2004)60:09 Maple Mountain Sunburst Triolian Orchestra - The Ruby Yacht (MMSTO 2010)62:25 Leo Kottke - Doorbell (My Father’s Face 1989)67:24 end -
This year, like last year, I listened to more jazz than I have in a long time. It should come as no surprise that a lot of my listening tends towards atmospheric jazz. My favorite jazz record of the year, Nala Sinephro - Endlessness, definitely falls into that ambient jazz category. Or as a Pitchfork reviewer called in - Jazz, Not Jazz.
Here are my favorite jazz albums of 2024:
Bill Laurance & Michael League - Keeping CompanyCharles Lloyd - The Sky Will Still Be There TomorrowDawn Richard & Spencer Zahn - Quiet in a World Full of NoiseEli Keszler - LIVE 2Emile Londonien - InwardsFlock - Flock IIFuubutsushi - MeridiansJasmine Myra - RisingKika Sprangers - (In)finityKinkajous - Nothing Will DisappearNala Sinephro - EndlessnessPrefuse 73 - New Strategies For Modern Crime Volume 1Shay Hazan - WusulSHOLTO - Letting Go of ForeverSlowly Rolling Camera - Silver ShadowThe Bad Plus - Complex EmotionsThe Sorcerers - I Too Am a StrangerTotal Blue - Total BlueNot every album made into the mix plus I added a couple of tracks not on my album list. I hope you enjoy the jazz vibes. I'd love to know if listeners had any jazz favs from 2024. Leave a comment with some of you favorites.
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Kika Sprangers - Winter ( (In)finity )02:27 Slowly Rolling Camera - Desert Sun (Silver Shadow)05:55 Nala Sinephro - Continuum 8 (Endlessness)09:28 Jasmine Myra - How Tall the Mountains (Rising)16:43 The Sorcerers - Bebaynetu (I Too Am a Stranger)20:43 SHOLTO - Moki, Pt. II (Letting Go of Forever)23:27 Work Money Death - The Fast Flowing River (People Of The Fast Flowing River)29:00 Kinkajous - Pulses (Nothing Will Disappear)32:10 Total Blue - Heart of the World (Total Blue)39:06 Shay Hazan - Shimo Kitazawa (Wusul)42:20 Prefuse 73 - The End Of Air (New Strategies For Modern Crime Volume 1)46:47 Fuubutsushi - Circulating Air (Meridians)50:04 Emile Londonien - Jundo (Inwards)54:10 Joel Ross - What Am I Waiting For! (Nublues)56:45 Bill Laurance & Michael League - Yours (Keeping Company)59:25 Flock - Edge Of Empty (Flock II)64:55 Nala Sinephro - Continuum 3 (Endlessness)68:50 Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn - Try (Quiet in a World Full of Noise)74:06 end -
I like making these favorites mixes because it reminds me of why I liked certain albums in the first place. The perfect example is Abandoned Spaces by OdNu & Ümlaut. It's so good and I'm glad I can share with folks via these mixes.
This mix, Part 2, has a little different vibe than Part 1. More sequencer driven tracks, some percussion here and there, generally a bit more active than the first mix. At least the first half is more active, then we slow down & space out. I hope you enjoy this one as much I do.
You can find the full list of favorite ambient albums of 2024, and links to each album, in the post with Part 1 - https://lowlightmixes.blogspot.com/2024/12/2024-favorite-ambient-albums-part-1.html
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Martin Stürtzer - The Last Oupost (Lander Modules)06:50 Extraworld - Axial Precession (Perihelion)13:40 Civilistjävel! - VI(feat. Thommy Wahlström) (Brödföda)17:00 OdNu + Ümlaut - Unforseen Scenes (Abandoned Spaces)23:00 2fel - Stranger Flow (Stranger Flow)27:25 Altus - Origin Extract (Ultraviolet)32:27 The Green Kingdom - New Constellations (Horizons)37:10 Michael A. Muller - Mirror 2 (Mirror Music)41:50 Heavenchord - Atmospheres & Soundscapes 1 (Atmospheres & Soundscapes)49:55 v e n n - Long Farewell Pt. 1(v e n n & Brannan Lane) (XIII)54:06 Ulla & Ultrafog - Jesses Car (It Means A Lot)59:13 end -
Another year, another ton of releases to sift through. I could keep adding and subtracting albums for weeks and still not be entirely satisfied with the final list. But here it is - my Favorite Ambient Albums of 2024.
As I was creating this part 1 mix, I kept questioning my choices. And then, when the mix was done and I listened to it, I was like "Wow, this turned out really well." I really like how the mix evolves with the first half being a bit more electronic and noisy and the second half leaning more orchestral.
Here's the list of my favorite ambient albums of 2024, in alphabetical order:
2fel - stranger flow Adam Wiltzie - Eleven Fugues For Sodium Pentothal [Kranky]Akmuo - Dreamwalker [Space of Variants]Altus - UltravioletAlva Noto - Xerrox, Vol.5 [Noton 2024]Benoit Pioulard & Offthesky - Sunder [laaps 2024]Circa Alto - Faint Structures (Whitelabrecs 2024]Civilistjävel! - Brödföda [Felt 2024]Dirk Serries - Streams Of Consciousness Compiled [Projekt]Eli Keszler - LIVE 2 [LuckyMe]Extraworld - Perihelion [Exosphere]Hainbach - The One Who Runs Away Is the Ghost Soundtrack [Seil]Heavenchord - Atmospheres & Soundscapes [Cold Tear]Humble Bee & Offthesky - Here In, Absence [IIKKI]Innesti - ContemplateJogging House - Live at homeJonas Munk - Mirror Phase [Azure Vista]Maps and Diagrams - if all will be lost [Quiet Details]Maps and Diagrams - Islands [Handstitched]Martin Stürtzer - Lander Modules [Echo Elberfeld]mastroKristo - Passage [Lost Tribe Sound]Max Richter - In A Landscape [Decca]Michael A. Muller - Mirror Music [Deutsche Grammophon]OdNu + Ümlaut - Abandoned Spaces [Audiobulb]Pan American & Kramer - Reverberations of Non-Stop Traffic on Redding RoadPolaroid Notes - Quiet Rooms [Whitelabrecs]Sumner James, Robert Chamberlain, Volcano Lazerbeam, Saroon - Dive 1- Refraction [Bathysphere Records]Tewksbury - Floes Volumes I-IV (Tridek]The Green Kingdom - Horizons [The Slow Music Movement]Ulla & Ultrafog - It Means A Lot [Motion Ward]v e n n - XIIIWilliam Ryan Fritch - Adhesion [Lost Tribe Sound]
And here are links to each album:
Stranger Flow | 2fel
Eleven Fugues For Sodium Pentothal | Adam Wiltzie
Dreamwalker | Akmuo | Space Of Variants
Ultraviolet | Altus
Alva Noto - Xerrox Vol. 5 | Noton
Sunder | Benoît Pioulard & Offthesky | laaps
Faint Structures | Circa Alto | Whitelabrecs
Brödföda | Civilistjävel!
Streams Of Consciousness Compiled | Dirk Serries | Projekt Records
LIVE 2 | Eli Keszler
Perihelion | Extraworld | Exosphere
The One Who Runs Away Is the Ghost Soundtrack | Hainbach
Atmospheres & Soundscapes | Heavenchord | Cold Tear Records
Here In, Absence | The Humble Bee & Offthesky | IIKKI
Contemplate | Innesti
Live at Home | Jogging House
Mirror Phase | Jonas Munk | Azure Vista
if all will be lost | Maps and Diagrams | quiet details
Islands | Maps & Diagrams | Handstitched
Lander Modules | Martin Stürtzer
Passage | mastroKristo | Lost Tribe Sound
In A Landscape | Max Richter | Decca
Mirror Music | Michael A. Muller | Deutsche Grammophon
Abandoned Spaces | OdNu + Ümlaut | Audiobulb
Reverberations of Non-Stop Traffic on Redding Road | Pan American & Kramer
Quiet Rooms | Polaroid Notes | Whitelabrecs
Dive 1: Refraction | Sumner James, Robert Chamberlain, Volcano Lazerbeam, & Saroon | Bathysphere Records
Floes: Volumes I-IV | Tewksbury
Horizons | The Green Kingdom | The Slow Music Movement Label
VIII | v e n n
It Means A Lot | Ulla & Ultrafog | Motion Ward
Adhesion | William Ryan Fritch | Lost Tribe Sound
I hope you enjoy part 1. Part two is coming soon. Followed by a mix of jazz favorites from 2024.
What are some of your favorite ambient albums from the past year?
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Pan American / Kramer - Floating Island (Reverberations of Non-Stop Traffic on Redding Road)04:22 Maps and Diagrams - Hvar (Islands)07:35 Jogging House - Live at Home pt. 1 (Live at Home)13:15 Innesti - Astral Secrets (Contemplate)16:14 Alva Noto - Xerrox Arc (Xerrox, Vol.5)20:53 Hainbach - End of Work (The One Who Runs Away Is the Ghost Soundtrack)22:45 Akmuo - Dreamwalker (Dreamwalker)26:50 Sumner James, Robert Chamberlain, Volcano Lazerbeam, & Saroon - Euphotic (Dive 1: Refraction)31:36 Benoît Pioulard & Offthesky - Fed On Lilies (Sunder)35:48 Jonas Munk - Dawn Layer (Mirror Phase)40:40 Polaroid Notes - The Night Returns Without A Sound (Quiet Rooms)45:40 The Humble Bee & Offthesky - Space (Here In, Absence)52:00 William Ryan Fritch - Gravitropic (Adhesion)60:10 Adam Wiltzie - Mexican Helium (Eleven Fugues For Sodium Pentothal)62:44 Max Richter - A Time Mirror(Biophony) (In A Landscape)66:36 mastroKristo - Waves(Federico Mosconi Rework) (Passage)73:40 Dirk Serries - the whispering scale (Streams Of Consciousness Compiled)82:45 Tewksbury - Aperture (Floes Volumes I-IV)94:23 end -
I have hosted more guest mixes than ever this year, which I love because it exposes me to new artists and new mix concepts. Many of these mixes have come through the fine folks at Nettwerk Music Group. It's appropriate then that this final guest mix of the year comes from one of their artists - Hollie Kenniff. I absolutely love the way this mix ebbs and flows, the tracks blend together perfectly.
Hollie just released her fourth album, For Forever, which is a lush, melodic ambient record that uses electronic and acoustic instrumentation to create an emotional, ethereal listening experience.
Here's what Hollie says about her music:“My hope is that my music encourages others to explore their inner landscapes and to inspirereflection. I want my music to be a musical backdrop for meaningful and transformative moments in other people's lives.” I'm a music mix dork who loves a good segue between songs and this beautiful mix from Hollie has a ton of them, an absolute joy to soak in. Cheers! T R A C K L I S T :00:00 Hollie Kenniff - Over Ocean Waves (Anita Tatlow Remix)02:08 Kazuma Okabayashi - Rainfall04:55 Warmth - Receiver07:40 Tangent Universes - An Elegant. Disinterested Trance (Field Collage)10:32 Chihei Hatakayama - Sound of Air13:54 Black Brunswicker - The World Passing By16:17 Akira Kosemura - Dear Sunshine18:10 Alanna Crouch - Repeating Events 21:18 Human Is Alive and Warmth - Spectrum23:58 Felicia Atkinson - Shall I Return To You26:46 Antarctic Wastelands - Mysteries28:46 Hollie Kenniff - Surface32:10 Jon Hopkins and Olafur Arnalds - Forever Held34:31 Clariloops - Morning38:55 Gollden - There Will Be Birds in September42:36 Kilometre Club - Connect44:42 Nala Sinephro - Continuum 348:33 Markus Guentner - Vanish (Feat. Joachim Spieth) 53:16 Chad Lawson - In Another Place (Helios Rework)56:16 Ben Lukas Boysen - Alta Ripa -
At the beginning of September when I posted my "Sequencer City" mix, I said I'd been on a berlin school bender. Well, now three months later I'm still on that sequencer synth kick. At the end of October the analog synth itch was scratched by a stellar guest mix from Erwin Broers called "Capturing The Voice Of A Galaxy." It featured tracks from the Klaus Schulz label, "Innovative Communications.
Now we have have a follow up mix from Erwin called "Back to the Roots of Berlin School." Oh man, this is some good stuff! Erwin tells me that "there's a whole sub-category of "Berlin School" out there called "Retro Berlin School". In the mid 1990's "Berlin School" was revived by nostalgic electronic artists who benefited from technological innovations to make the iconic analog synths such as the Mellotron, the ARP 2600 and the big Moog Modular more playable. The result was a huge resurgence of mid 1970's style Berlin School EM which was dubbed "retro" to mark the difference with the classics such as Tangerine Dream's Stratosfear, Klaus Schulze's Timewind and Ashra's New Age Of Earth."
I hope my current obsession with this genre continues because I am loving every minute of it. Thanks for another great mix, Erwin.
Cheers!
T R A C K L S I S T :
00:00 Redshift - Redshift(excerpt) (Redshift, 1996)09:20 Cosmic Hoffmann - Shiva Connection (Shiva Connection, 2000)15:00 Free System Projekt - And Then There Were Two (Impulse (reissue), 2005)29:00 Brendan Pollard - Aquarius (Expansion, 2005)31:17 Ramp - Phasenverzerrung (Nodular, 1998) 42:50 Javi Canovas - North Of Circle (Impasse, 2005)56:42 Arcane - Dystopian Fictions (Gather Darkness, 1999)71:02 end -
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Just hanging out all day with family, eating and drinking. Perfect.
The songs in this mix were all chosen for the titles, which all fit the Thanksgiving theme. Besides the obvious titles with the word "thanks" my favorite track titles are "my dad's famous potatoes", "Give me cornbread when I'm hungry", and "An Awkward Conversation at a Family Gathering."
Play this in the background as you eat way too much food and hopefully not way too much beer.
Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Grouper - Thanksgiving Song02:42 Ólafur Arnalds - Family Stroll04:30 Massive Attack - Everybody's Got a Family05:55 Matt Morton - A Special Thank You08:00 anderegg - thanksgiving10:14 lawrence - falling down a dam of mashed potatoes13:33 Lullatone - An Awkward Dinner Conversation at a Family Gathering(piano version)14:55 TSU! - Dear Stanley, Thank You17:29 Richard Thompson - Family(guitar version)20:13 Bill Frisell - Thankful25:15 Carlos Niño & Friends - Togetherness feat. Jamael Dean & Devin Daniels28:42 The Circular Ruins & Off The Sky - Giving to You30:48 Tiny Isles - With Thanks, Petal34:53 Cliff Martinez - my dad's famous potatoes37:06 John Fahey - Give me cornbread when I'm hungry40:13 Loren Connors - Why We Came 41:45 Peter Gregson - Gifts at Dinner45:42 Hildur Guðnadóttir - Many Secrets in this Family48:00 Endless Melancholy - Moments We Spent Together51:51 Sven Laux - Thank You, Goodbye54:44 Pat Metheny - Last Train Home 59:18 end -
I'm not exactly sure how this mix started. I think I was listening to the track, Outlook Remains Untouched, by |||||||||||||||||||| , yes that's the actual name the artist goes by.|||||||||||||||||||| on bandcamp I like the jazzy vibe the tune has. It reminds me of similar tracks from the heyday of glitch and idm that also have a jazz feel to them. Sort of Jazz-ish. So I grabbed some older tracks from 2001, 2002, 2006, and mixed them with new tunes to come up with this electronic mix that isn't really jazz...more like Jazz-ish.
Links to all the music used in this mix:
https://barcodenoun.bandcamp.com/track/outlook-remains-untouchedhttps://robagwruhme.bandcamp.com/album/thora-vukk-pampacd002https://www.amazon.com/Mizoknek-Iso68/dp/B0018CCMZUhttps://triosk.bandcamp.com/album/the-headlight-serenadehttps://ambarchiberthlingwerliin.bandcamp.com/album/ghostedhttps://prefuse73.bandcamp.com/track/clean-up-scene-apprenticehttps://josiahsteinbrick.bandcamp.com/album/mouthfeel-serenehttps://nalasinephro.bandcamp.com/album/space-18https://rockinghorse.net/products/cd95049https://memetune.bandcamp.com/album/indicatorhttps://fourtet.bandcamp.com/album/threehttps://flau.bandcamp.com/album/reverberate-slowlyhttps://boomkat.com/products/we-think-as-instrumentshttps://laurencepike.bandcamp.com/album/prophecyhttps://elikeszler.bandcamp.com/album/live-2-1Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 |||||||||||||||||||| - Outlook Remains Untouched (Outlook Remains Untouched 2021)05:06 Robag Wruhme - Tulpa Ovi (Thora Vukk 2011)09:00 Iso68 - Catzen (Mizoknek 2002)13:40 Triosk - Lost Reprise (The Headlight Serenade 2006)19:00 Oren Ambarchi, Johan Berthling, Andreas Werliin - II (Ghosted 2022)25:36 Prefuse 73 - Clean Up Scene Apprentice (New Strategies For Modern Crime Vol. 1 2024)28:30 Josiah Steinbrick & Sam Gendel - Mouthfeel 1 (Mouthfeel, Serene 2021)30:00 Nala Sinephro - Space 5 (Space 1.8 2021)33:10 Andrew Pekler - you are here (Station To Station 2002)34:10 Oblong - sketches of staines (Indicator 2006)37:21 Four Tet - So Blue (Three 2024)42:02 El Fog - Smoke and Satellites (Reverberate Slowly 2015)44:35 I’m Not A Gun - Soft Rain in the Spring (We think as instruments 2006)49:20 Laurence Pike - Prophecy (Prophecy 2020)53:09 Eli Keszler - Copenhagen Part III (LIVE 2 2024)60:00 end -
Thanks goodness election season is almost over. Election night can be a stressful time so here's a mix of new ambient tunes to help us all get through the night.
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Logic Moon - Lifelines (Lifelines 2024)03:15 Bruce Brubaker - Music For Airports, 1/2(Bows Version) (Eno Piano 2 2024)07:00 Feeling Flying - Shimmer (Spirit Level 2024)13:15 Andrew Lang - Tristan's Ascension (Frailty 2024)17:15 Martin Stürtzer - Radiance (Dawn of Time 2024)24:50 Steve Roach - One Day (One Day Forever 2024)32:07 zakè & anthéne - distant forms (regeneration 2024)37:16 Michael Scott Dawson - Mojave Flowers(feat. Michael Grigoni) (The Tinnitus Chorus 2024)41:07 Faux Tapes - Dive Pr 2 (Dive 2024)45:15 David Cordero - Sonidos olvidados (Melodías Susurradas 2024)48:54 LAB'S CLOUD - Praia da Cruz(Solo Version) (Arquitectura Natural 2024)54:18 Glasbird - Days of Iron and Steam (Fenscapes 2024)60:21 end -
Another stellar guest mix comes our way courtesy of loyal listener, Erwin Broers. He asked if I was interested in a mix of electronic music from Innovative Communication, the label founded by Klaus Schulze in the late 70s. Yes, please!
Here's what Erwin says about this fantastic mix:
"I was in my teens when I got in touch with Electronic Music by means of well-known artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk and Vangelis. Searching for more similar music in the local library, I came across an LP with on its sleeve just a mysterious picture of a huge radio telescope. The album was Robert Schroeder's "Galaxie Cygnus-A" ! Liner notes on the back of the sleeve explained that the music was commissioned by the Austrian Broadcasting Service (ÖRF) and performed live at the 1982 ARS Electronica Festival in Linz, Austria. The idea behind the project consisted of capturing sound waves coming from the Cygnus-A galaxy with the help of the Effelsberg 100 meter radio telescope, the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world at that time. Schroeder used those sound waves as basis and inspiration, and created a magical soundtrack for stargazing and floating in outer space. Needless to say, I was blown away by this album, and from then on I fanatically sought out other releases on the Innovative Communication label, which - by the way - was founded in 1978 by the late Klaus Schulze, one of the godfathers of Electronic Music.
To honour my memory of that exciting period, I chose to start this label retrospective with the first two tracks of this special album - including some of the white noise straight from space ! The mix is rather heterogeneous and gives a good impression of the kind of EM that was published on IC in its heydays, ie. the 80s. From the early 90s the label quickly became more commercial edging towards mellow new age and average electro-acoustic instrumental fusion (aka NAM)."
Thanks, Erwin, for this trip back in time.
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Robert Schroeder - Galaxie Cygnus-A Part 1 & 2 (Galaxie Cygnus-A, 1982)12:08 Klaus Schulze - Silent Running (excerpt) (Trancefer, 1981)19:26 Peak - Nightmist (Ebondàzzar, 1982)25:30 P'Cock - The Prophet (The Prophet, 1980)31:15 Peter Seiler - Serengeti (Sensitive Touch, 1987)36:00 Mind Over Matter - Paradise: 1st. Movement: Being One (Air) (The Colours Of Life, 1988)42:09 G.E.N.E. - Taste Of Dawn (Life Is A Melody, 1988)47:42 Software - Syn-Code-Z: 1st. Movement: Code-Ocean (Syn-Code, 1987)53:45 Patrick Kosmos - Airgasm (Cosmic Resonance, 1991)63:16 end -
This mix is a continuation of a trend I noticed several years ago - the use of sax or other wind instruments in ambient music. I think I've done 3 other mixes that feature wind instruments.
This one came together fairly quickly as there is a lot to choose from. Most of the tracks are 2023 or 2024 with 4 of the 14 a bit older. I really like the flow of this set, one song bleeds right into the next with the beginnings and endings slightly obscured.
This also seems to work well as and autumn themed mix. I picture a cold, dreary autumn day like the one in the cover art. Speaking of the cover art, does anyone get the connection between the title and the cover?
Links to al the music used in this mix:
https://naimasax.bandcamp.com/album/she-was-like-arthttps://annechrisbakker.bandcamp.com/album/a-sketch-in-leavinghttps://circaalto.bandcamp.com/album/faint-structureshttps://www.lottepen.nl/muziek/https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B01MSUAGFN?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=https://bathysphererecords.bandcamp.com/album/dive-1-refractionhttps://latenighttales.bandcamp.com/album/late-night-tales-lafur-arnaldshttps://naimasax.bandcamp.com/album/this-must-be-the-placehttps://johnalsobennett.bandcamp.com/album/klimahttps://taylordeupree.bandcamp.com/album/sti-ll-2https://tapanirinne.bandcamp.com/album/decaying-lighthttps://machinefabriek.bandcamp.com/album/recytlehttps://icrdistribution.bandcamp.com/album/slowed-lifehttps://wereleasewhateverthefuckwewantrecords.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-a-cosmic-gardenCheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Naima - nO0NOu (She Was Like Art 2024)03:30 Anne Chris Bakker - Qanik (A Sketch in Leaving 2022)05:10 Circo Alto - For Reeds (Faint Structures 2024)11:02 Lotte Pen - Wanderer (Pelgrim 2022)14:23 Jon Gibson - Extensions II (In Good Company 2010)19:52 Sumner James, Robert Chamberlain, Volcano Lazerbeam, Saroon - Bathypalegic (Dive 1: Refraction 2024)24:24 Sarah Neufeld & Colin Stetson - And Still They Move (LateNightTales 2016)27:14 Naima - Ectenic Force (This Must Be The Place 2023)34:47 CV & JAB - Dwelling (Κλίμα(Klima) 2023)38:27 Taylor Deupree - Snowsand(For Clarinets, VIbraphone, Cello & Percussion) (Sti.ll 2024)41:30 Juha Mäki-Patola & Tapani Rinne - Decaying Light (Decaying Light 2024)45:12 Machinefabriek - IV(after Horovitz) (Recytle 2023)48:22 Jonathan Coleclough, Theo Travis, Jeph Jerman - Slowed Life (Slowed Life 2024)52:39 Takashi Kokubo & Andrea Esperti - Travelling Through The Stars To Gaia (Music For A Cosmic Garden 2023)62:25 end -
I fell in love with the music of Andy McNeill, who records as Maple Mountain Sunburst, back in 2010 with the release of the album The Maple Mountain Sunburst Triolian Orchestra. Combining a wide variety of instrumentation, electronics, loops and samples to create a unique album and listening experience. The album was one of my favorites of 2010.
When I found out that, after a long hiatus, there was new album this year, I was totally hyped. The new recording, Ecstatic, is everything I'd hoped for. Described by Andy as “Instrumental electronic ambient with loops and chopped samples, old keyboards, guitars, and found voices. The vibe is heartwarming, blissed-out, and euphoric; a balm for turbulent times.” You can find the album here - https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatic
I was so excited by the new music that I asked Andy to create a mix. He graciously agreed and created multiple mixes. So awesome! This is the first one and it is excellent. I can't stop listening to it.
Here's what Andy says abut this mix:
"I could say this playlist is about transcendence and something about the physical and spiritual journeys we might take to get there. Or I could just say these are tracks that bring me joy. Some old favourites, some new. I’ve tried to weave my own material through here in a desperate but determined effort to rise to the level of wonder and beauty in these artists’ work."
Here links to all the music used in the mix:
https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatichttps://open.spotify.com/track/0yK8sWD6cfrc7pGfaPIcZH?si=b6d1f12acad04c44https://open.spotify.com/track/2u00DQoxKIsaI0bGpZ4pZ7?si=0f59590912b64ef1https://open.spotify.com/track/0Di008winU6Jn2wz7RBtSa?si=e67b5b93d4764368https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatichttps://juanamolina.bandcamp.com/track/quie-n-2https://zammuto.bandcamp.com/track/tonight-well-go-for-a-ridehttps://sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com/track/everything-that-riseshttps://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatichttps://open.spotify.com/track/2QL6VUSna6Te2VhyZ9AeFn?si=30ae04def6764edehttps://radiohead.bandcamp.com/track/pyramid-song-1https://open.spotify.com/track/5GO0qzKdvndy7g9r0iKEDz?si=883c63881ad84ecchttps://open.spotify.com/track/2Mug919daYq40cgwzNhgbY?si=77878dbe0e394788https://open.spotify.com/track/6nDzGTp2IvrtEEEgCTInMX?si=349ebcab620e4acbhttps://open.spotify.com/track/6N0Ts6humF8CHQSk7qqxZM?si=de5de47f5fae4f8cThanks, Andy, for your hard work on this set.
Cheers! T R A C K L I S T :00:00 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Waters Of Forgetfulness (Ecstatic 2024)05:24 Santo & Johnny - Sleepwalk (Presenting Santo & Johnny 1959) 07:43 Lemon Jelly - Ramblin’ Man (edit) (Lost Horizons 2002)13:45 The Percy Faith Strings - Out Of This World (Bouquet of Love 1962)17:46 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Murmuration Awe (Ecstatic 2024)20:34 Juana Molina -¿Quién? (Segundo 2000)23:04 Nick Zammuto - Tonight We’ll Go For A Ride (We The Animals 2018)25:14 Sufjan Stevens - Everything That Rises (Javelin 2023)30:10 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Dream Fuel (Ecstatic 2024)34:56 Michael Nyman - Drowning By Number 3 (Drowning by Numbers 1988)38:24 Radiohead - Pyramid Song (Amnesiac 2001)43:07 Cocteau Twins - Otterley (Treasure 1984)46:53 Michael Brook - Midday (Hybrid 1985)52:18 Brian Eno - Spider and I(Before and After Science 1977)55:55 Bill Frisell - Half a Million (Is That You? 1990)59:00 end -
I have a whiteboard on the wall outside my office at work where we compile random lists of things - "Best Pizza Topping", "Favorite Kitchen Utensil", "Best First Track of an Album", etc. Recently the category was "Songs for Fall/Autumn." I posted about the list on Mixcloud here - https://www.mixcloud.com/lowlight/posts/songs-about-fall-autumn-fall-colors/ So I grabbed a few tracks from the suggestions, some of my own favorites & some instrumentals to come up with this new Fall Colors mix. The set alternates between vocal tunes & instrumentals. Btw, the cover art pic is one of my own, taken ten years ago in my backyard. Cheers! T R A C K L I S T :00:00 Neil Halstead - Seasons (Sleeping On Roads 2002)05:21 Jonny Nash - October Song (Point of Entry 2023)09:21 Fleet Foxes - Wading in Waist-High Water(Solstice Version) (A Very Lonely Solstice 2021)11:25 Trembling Blue Stars - Two Octobers (Her Handwriting 1996)12:40 Iron & Wine - Autumn Town Leaves (Weed Garden EP 2018)15:50 Jeff Pearce - The Last Warm Day In October (Rainshadow Sky 2008)20:03 The Declining Winter - Autumn Hours (The Definition Glance 2021)25:50 Brian Eno & Harold Budd - Late October (The Pearl 1984)30:00 Willie Nelson - September Song (Stardust 1978)34:31 The Modern Jazz Quartet - Autumn in New York (Django 1953)38:06 Bill Fay - The Geese Are Flying Westward (Who Is The Sender? 2015)40:48 Early Day Miners - Autumn Wake (Let Us Garlands Bring 2002)46:00 Neil Young - Harvest Moon (Harvest Moon 1992)50:50 The Six Parts Seven - Changing The Name Of October (Silence Magnifies Sound 1999)56:33 Yo La Tengo - Autumn Sweater (I Can Hear The Heart Beating 1997)61:33 end
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This mix is another great example of why I enjoy guest mixes so much. This collection of tunes starts off rather noisy, hence the title. It's a style of music that I don't go to very often. But it's very cool to hear in this mix.
Our guest this time is Ethan Helfrich, who records under the name Black Brunswicker. They have a new album out called "Been Around Here Before" and you can find it here:
https://blackbrunswicker.bandcamp.com/album/been-around-here-before
Here's what Ethan says about the mix:
"This is a collection of some music that I've been listening to recently, as well as some old favourites. Having spent 2 months in the US this past summer visiting family and traveling for gigs, I spent a lot of time on the road. It brought me back to music I used to play on my daily commute, when my days were soundtracked by the incessant humming of Chicago's highways (listen to "I Think This Heat is Getting to My Head" off my new album for the reference). While most of this isn’t what people might consider ambient — and I don’t really listen to ambient music much anymore — it’s instrumental guitar music that shares a similar feeling. It transports you to different worlds and headspaces or, at the very least, keeps you company on your morning drive."
Thanks, Ethan, for the trip this mix takes us on.
Cheers!
T R A CK L I S T :
00:00 Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Fire at Static Valley (G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END! 2021)05:44 Russian Circles - Ghost on High (Blood Year 2019)07:55 Wolves In The Throne Room - Dia Artio (Two Hunters 2007)13:25 Sleep - The Sciences (The Sciences 2018)16:10 Grouper - I Saw A Ray (A I A: Dream Loss 2011)20:20 Black Brunswicker - Down at the Creek (Been Around Here Before 2024)23:25 William Tyler - Highway Anxiety (Modern Country 2016)32:20 Jack Rose - Miss May's Place (Dr. Ragtime & His Pals 2008)34:53 John Fahey - America(Re-Recorded Version) (Death Chants, Breakdowns And Military Waltzes 1964)39:48 Black Brunswicker - The Cave (Been Around Here Before 2024)43:27 Fripp & Eno - Evening Star (Evening Star 1975)50:45 Bobby Lee - Walking with Trees(Live) (Cosmic Country Revue Live at PDV 2023)54:41 end -
This is a collection of tribal ambient tunes. Think frame drums and synth washes. Think Steve Roach & Robert Rich - "Strata." Think Byron Metcalf.
There's really not much else to say, if you like the sounds mentioned above, you'll enjoy this mix.
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
00:00 Louigi Verona - Geothermal Rising (Abiogenesis 2024)06:30 Steve Jansen & Richard Barbieri - Remains Of A Fragile Illusion (Other Worlds In A Small Room 1995)11:11 Byron Metcalf & Mark Seelig - A Teacher Appears (Kali Raga 2024)20:52 Glasbird - Lokoteraina (A Sonic Expedition 2024)23:40 Mystic AM - Thus Spoke Zarathustra / The Djinn (Cardamom & Laudanum 2022)31:42 Cowboy Sadness - Billings, MT (Selected Jambient Works Vol. 1 2024)35:45 Byron Metcalf - Nine (The Shaman's Heart II 2011)44:10 The Rain Dogs - Delta Drift (Variations (i) 2020)50:45 Craig Leon - The Gates Made Plain (Anthology of Interplanetary Folk Music Vol. 2: The Canon 2019)56:10 Frore & Shane Morris - Into The Dust (Ochre 2023)67:30 end - Visa fler
