Currently listening, part 1

[drone on]

Mathias Grassow--The Darklight Quest Sessions.  Got this way back in early 2000s and I had so much Grassow I don't think I even listened to it until now.  Deep spacey coamic, great stuff.  Surprised this isn't on Bandcamp, at least not yet.

[Poaalpina]

Surprised this isn't on Bandcamp, at least not yet.

Because  three "Quest Sessions" and "Untitled Rooms" will be published by GS Production as plant pressed CDs.

[richardgurtler]

Surprised this isn't on Bandcamp, at least not yet.

Because  three "Quest Sessions" and "Untitled Rooms" will be published by GS Production as plant pressed CDs.

Wow, great news, Andrey, thanks a lot for your update!!!  :)

Richard

[chris23]

Went a bit nuts and bought a bunch of older and newer Ishq releases:

Older/compilations:
Ishq - Fluid Earth + Sunflower + Bloom
Each of these discs contains b-sides and unreleased/compilation tracks recorded over the years. Fluid Earth contains the second disc that accompanied Orchard in the Dakini release. The lead track is a smooth one with some light percussive components: hypnotic and serene. Out of this bunch, I would say that Bloom is the stand-out: It best represents the ambient side of Ishq that I appreciate: basic synth work with a nice mixture of organic and other-worldly elements. One of the tracks, Amaryllis Dreams, may be one of my favorite tracks in the Ishq cannon. Bloom, even if it is merely a collection of varied songs, holds together incredibly well as an album and, in my opinion, deserves more recognition.

Newer:
Onirojenik - Mundus Imaginalis + Onirojenik World
Two new Ishq releases in the Virtual World series. I'll be honest: These are not easy listens. On the one hand, these two discs represent a truly innovative direction for Hillier. They pick up where the lush, tribal themes that characterized Flowering Mountain Earth leave off, but then push those themes into what might be best described as an acid-inspired trip through tribal cultures on another planet. It is super interesting stuff and involves sound palettes that I've never heard before. On the other hand, I'm not sure these discs have a lot of replay value. They deserve careful study, but they wear out their welcome after a few listens. I might feel differently about this after a bit of time, but I find myself listening more to the releases I described above than these newer ones.

Of the two new discs, I'd say that Mundus Imaginalis is the best. It stays relatively true to some basic ambient roots. Onirojenik World requires a bit more patience.

https://virtual1.bandcamp.com/album/mundus-imaginalis
https://virtual1.bandcamp.com/album/onirojenik-world

[thirdsystem]

Just listened to Ishq - Bloom on Spotify . Excellent. Warm and relaxing on this dark, wet, stormy night here.

Now playing - Ishq , Omni vu deity - Nuiemiu Rift.

[chris23]

yum, thirdsystem

Goldmund - Sometimes
Keith Kenniff's previous releases under the Goldmund moniker were compositions for piano, with minimal accompaniment or treatment. This one maintains that spirit, but has some additional layers of processing that give everything a rich flavor: It is true to the classical side, but with a hint of "how did he chop that sustained note into 500 pieces and why didn't I notice it the first time?" side. It is hard to explain. But it is lovely minimal work. One of the tracks is performed with Ryuichi Sakamoto--a neat bonus.

Stream/Buy: https://goldmund.bandcamp.com/album/sometimes or http://westernvinyl.com/shop/wv138

[APK]

Thanks for new Goldmund alert, Chris. 
A very nice work indeed !

[thirdsystem]

The Angling Loser - Author of the Twilight This really is one of my favourite ambient albums.

Igneous Flame - Opaline . Wonderful , that track Lilac Haze gets me every time. Stunning.

Two absolutely beautiful albums that are a privilege to listen to.

[drone on]

It's "vintage" day at work:

Brainticket- Celestial Ocean.  Sort of a lighter, jazzier version of Hawkwind.  I bought this yesterday for $6 (Cleopatra/Purple Pyramid release with bonus "Live in 1973" disc) and now I'm ordering the box set with the other albums.  Very cool stuff.  Speaking of which....

Hawkwind-- This is Your Captain Speaking, Your Captain is Dead.  8 album (3 are doubles) box, 11 discs today, of 1970-1979 material.  Remasters from early 2000's, in cardboard sleeves, clamshell box, no booklet or liner notes.  It's bare bones but a great deal (think I paid only about $35 for this)to get all the awesome music.  There's a live disc from the "In Search of Space" tour 1972 called "Greasy Truckers Party" I'd never heard and sound quality is superb.   

King Crimson- Live at Fillmore East 1969.  Excellent recording (for an old recording) of the classic lineup featuring Greg Lake and the other guys from In the Court and Wake of Poseidon albums.  "Epitaph" is one of my all-time favorite songs.  Official bootleg on DGM. 

The Beatles--Revolver.  Arguably their finest album.   

[Antdude]

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.

[drone on]

Correction to my last post:  that's 1970-1974 Hawkwind.  And that's 11 discs TOTAL, not TODAY.  Thanks to auto fill on my phone and lack of proofreading!

[APK]

Machnefabriek :: The Cold and The Quiet

18 short tracks written as a score for an independent film. Beautiful minimal pieces.
Much of it piano. Delicate and precise. Love to hear more like this from Rutger.

https://machinefabriek.bandcamp.com/album/the-cold-and-the-quiet

[petekelly]

Igneous Flame - Opaline . Wonderful , that track Lilac Haze gets me every time. Stunning.

Cheers, man !

[chris23]

Mick Chillage - Zen Diagrams
Digital only. Excellent stuff, from the Nagual USB release on ...txt.
https://mickchillage.bandcamp.com/album/zen-diagrams

Jacob Newman - Invisible Autumn
Single track, two mixes. Slow-moving synth washes. Beautiful and calming.
https://jacobnewman.bandcamp.com/album/invisible-autumn

[Joe R]

I just read the Harold Budd thread... interesting. By coincidence, I've been listening to The Room quite a bit lately. Pure magic! And to a lesser extent, Avalon Sutra, which is nice too.

I've read good things about Abandoned Cities -- does anyone have this one?

[Altus]

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.

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  :)

[DeepR]

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

Thanks for this. I'm not a fan of Lisitsa but Scriabin is one of my very favorite composers and on this disc there seem to be a lot of early pieces (without opus number) that I haven't even heard yet. Now I must check it out.

[thirdsystem]

Namlook/Spyra Virtual Vices V - jazz orientated FAX music, enjoyed it.

Now checking out an artist I always meant to ........... Bing Satellites -

http://bingsatellites.bandcamp.com/album/twilight-sessions-volume-17

Long form, deep relaxing ambient. Will check the new one tomorrow. Purchase imminent.

[chris23]

Andrew Heath and Peter Maynard - Dust
Digital only. Found sounds and light synth and piano overlays. Great drifting songs, with much ear candy.

https://andrewheath.bandcamp.com/album/dust

[thirdsystem]

Posted this on the recent purchases thread however the CD has now arrived also. Absolutely beautiful artwork, fitting quality for the music. Been on constant play......

Ecovillage - Jesus of Nazereth on psychonavigation bandcamp.

https://psychonavigation.bandcamp.com/album/ecovillage-jesus-of-nazareth