Netaudio

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Various Artists – Dreaming/Awake [23Seconds 010/011]

February 11, 2008 in Netaudio by Carsten Pötter | 4 comments

dreaming awake

These two compilations were released by Swedish netlabel 23Seconds in January already. While they are available as two seperate files, they should be considered as one release. Both releases feature rather unknown – at least to me – artists from all over the world.

Since I have never listened to any of the artists’ tracks before, I was really suprised by the sound on both releases. I guess, it’s fair to say that most tracks are electro pop, even good old-fashioned 80s synth pop. And if I am not totally wrong even old Casio keyboards can be heard on some tracks.

Dreaming features more mellow tracks, while the tracks on Awake are more straight-forward, sometimes even crossing over into electro territory. While not all tracks are catchy enough to grab my attention, it is an overall very enjoyable release. Actually worth downloading.

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Like Ambient?

January 28, 2008 in Music, Netaudio by Carsten Pötter | Permalink

zym018 konntinent

Somehow I have not seen any sunlight today. It was dark when I left home, dark again when leaving the office, and throughout the day just low clouds. Not a nice day at all. Oh yeah, and it’s Monday. So I have decided to listen to these two gems again. Both releases fit the atmosphere of this day quite well but are not as depressing as you might think.

Tisza meets Dunav by Letna is an eight track album on one of my favourite labels, Zymogen. While it has the usual ingredients of a typical Zymogen release – ambient, field recordings, drones even -, often an acoustic guitar is featured creating lovely melodies and a warm atmosphere. Very optimistic release actually.

The four track EP All Lines Lead In by Konntinent on the UK based Serein imprint is more experimental than Letna’s release. Overall colder sounds, more abstract themes, but Konntinent also manages to offer slight approaches to classical music like on the second track. It’s not just the use of strings but the whole composition that make me think this.

Two remarkable releases which are recommended to everyone into experimental music.

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Machtdose Podcast January 2008

January 13, 2008 in Music, Netaudio by Carsten Pötter | 4 comments

machtdose_jan08 It’s been a log time since I have mentioned any netaudio releases here on NSR. That’s not surprising at all considering that I haven’t listened to many releases recently. I am still intrigued by the netaudio scene but I hardly find time to download and discover new artists, labels, and releases worth listening to. A pity! Fortunately there are some blogs focusing on netaudio and they are even nice to us lazy folks and produce podcasts.

One of those blogs is German Machtdose which is based in Frankfurt; surprisingly, it seems to be based in the same district of town I live. The world is a small place, really. Anyway, there are monthly Machtdose podcasts which are broadcasted on local radio station Radio X and are also available for download. The January podcast covers a wide range of genres and labels. It includes well-known labels like Test Tube, Kreislauf, tonAtom, and Interdisco but also unknown (to me) labels such as Tripostal and Luv Sound. Actually it is a very pleasant mixture of sounds, mostly electronic music though. The podcast is highly recommended and can be downloaded here.

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Johann Bourquenez Trio – Los Criminales Reciclados En Conductores De Autobuses [Insubordinations]

October 28, 2007 in Music, Netaudio by Carsten Pötter | Permalink

insubcdr02 In the untiring quest for quality netaudio releases here at NSR I have come across this nice little gem of quality jazz. And once again I am surprised that I haven’t heard about this trio and label before. Actually, I should have noticed this label since it is run by Swiss artist D’Incise whose release on Zymogen was covered here before. The label’s mission is covering improvised music and free jazz.

The release consists of four tracks. While the first track is pretty fast and straight forward, the second one – Mairie Des Lilas – is a smooth, sometimes almost silent piano driven track. On the third track we see this trio’s musical quality, covering a wider spectrum than jazz, being more folky and including a drum solo near the end which is more reminiscent of rock drummers. The last track is very smooth once again and finishes a highly recommended release.

If you’re into jazz, get this release. Definitely a trio and label to watch.

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The Jazzy Side of Netlabels

October 23, 2007 in Music, Netaudio by Carsten Pötter | 4 comments

A few days ago Matthias over at Numblog (German) has noticed that there is a strong minimal techno / tech house dominance among netlabel releases. I can’t say he’s wrong, though at least two other genres are quite popular as well: dub techno and experimental/noise/field recordings/drone/ambient releases. Though Matthias is looking for good dub, hip hop and even jazzy releases. Admittedly it is quite difficult discovering such gems. Crate digging has become mp3 digging it seems. ;) Anyway, here are two releases which are worth downloading:

Proviant Audio – Welcome Wilderness EP [Aquavelvas]

proviant audio Aquavelvas is a Norwegian netlabel which has been founded in 2004 already but I can’t claim I have heard much about it yet. One reason might be its focus on unknown (at least to me) Norwegian artists. Proviant Audio is one of them.

The seven tracks of Welcome Wilderness are mostly jazzy flavoured downbeat tracks, very sophisticated. Though to spice things up a little bit there is also a track called Just Like That which is a booty shaking funk affair. Great music and highly recommended.

The Incognito Traveller – EP [No Copy Protection]

incognito traveller No Copy Protection is the netlabel of Mexican label Konfort. The music on this release is even more jazzy than on the Proviant Audio release. Smooth tracks complete with piano, trumpet and guitar. The perfect soundtrack for those nights you can’t sleep.

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