[ Hypnos Forum ]

Altus - Innerspace

Vast, slow-moving ambient waves for 70 minutes. Nice stuff, Mike.

https://altusmusic.bandcamp.com/album/innerspace

It does seem a little quiet here, possibly a by-product of the changing nature of the industry, i.e. fewer physical releases, less resources used to publicize them. I have to admit, most of my purchases are digital these days, especially on Bandcamp(hi, Pete and Jana), with only the rare CD purchase to satisfy the compulsive completist still in me.

And, as pointed out, we've lost some amazing talents recently. I think Gigi and Pete Namlook's passing knocked a huge hole in our collective community. Most of us are Oöphoi fans to one degree or another, and the demise of Pete's Fax label has been a big loss, not only for the new releases, which almost always generated a lot of buzz, but also because there was so much crossover into different sub-genres and artists influenced by Pete, that it seemed to take on a life of its own here.

I kind of miss obsessing over their work and I'm probably not the only one.

I would advise watching the first episode. It gives you a good overall feeling of the scope of the show and sets up the dynamics for most of the major characters and plot lines. I think you'll know by the end, whether you want to go on watching.

But, it really is an excellent series. Don't worry about the books. Just enjoy the show for what it is.

A fascinating track-by-track breakdown of "Heroes" by Tony Visconti:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03g18sx

Bandcamp comes through again. It seems as though most of my purchases and discoveries are coming from BC these days. It's a haven for a lot of great ambient/EM/downtempo/world/electronic/etc music.

Altus - Komorebi Somehow I missed this when it first came out. A great collection of slow, deep breathing ambient drones, a little more on the upbeat, melodic side, but a gentle, dark undercurrent winding through as well. I've already listened to it 3 times since yesterday. Well done, Mike.

Scott Lawlor - Drone Excursions 10 and 12 currently, but there is a whole series on Bandcamp with hour-long drones reflecting all kinds of different moods and vistas to be heard.

Valentina Lisitsa - Scriabin Nuances Beautiful collection of new recordings of some classic Scriabin etudes, poemes, mazurkas, and waltzes.

Over at http://lowlightmixes.blogspot.com, Dave Michuda has created a new mix including excerpts from Max Richter's massive, 8-hour "Sleep" project. I'm looking forward to getting the complete project after Christmas. You should also check out his "The Healing Piano" mix. Thanks Dave, I needed that.

Very nice. I might also have this playing while flying in Elite Dangerous as well. 

Antdude: I'm still debating whether to buy the physical version of this, partly because I've been spending too much lately. How is the packaging? Is it beautiful as a set?

Chris, it's an eco-wallet-style foldout package. Quite nice, actually, although not much in the way of liner notes, etc. It's a limited run of 1000, signed & numbered( I got #6). The CD is currently sale-priced at $30, the Bandcamp download is $25. It's also downloadable from iTunes and Spotted Peccary.

As a follow-up, Steve's web site has begun taking pre-orders for the full 4-CD release of Bloodmoon Rising in September. I'm sure the complete digital release will also be available on Bandcamp and the other usual sites.

Terrible news. Chris Squire was my first bass guitar hero. That signature Rickenbacker bass, those beautiful vocal harmonies and great stage presence. I was fortunate enough to see Yes live many times in the '70's and '80's and Chris was always my focal point on stage.

Yessongs is probably the best showcase for his playing, and I guess it's time to dig out my vinyl copy that I've just about played the grooves out of, and remember a truly great musician.

RIP Chris.

I know some of you are in the same age group, so the new "Thunderbirds Are Go" is quite frankly, a hoot.

Here's the new intro: