What can be exciting about a new compilation of unsigned Slovenian electronica artists which is out now on Beatport? This one is not as genre-hopping as some previous ones, it includes artists from abroad as well and it is a compilation of dub-infused electronica, clicks-and-cuts ambience on one side and some more dancey dub technoey tunes on the other. Not sure if those are the right reasons, so let’s look more closely at the tracks. Favourites include Symann’s glitch excursion into the bassy spectrum of steem, Mesec vs. Freeverse’s ragga-influenced breaks and Organon’s fairly standard dub techno which definitely delivers. The download pack also includes new and exclusive tracks from a few more established artists such as Anders Ilar, Aeroc and Forceback, among which Ilar’s slow but wonderful growing ambience is most fulfilling. The production quality is indeed wonderful with no apparent differences from home and foreign artists. The only downside is the rather quick job on the artwork which is unfortunately becoming more and more redundant in the age of digital-only releases. Synaptic crew and the label Soul Industries have no doubt put out a quality comp which hopefully will find its way on the hard drives of interested parties. Good luck!
Synaptic Chill & Grill Vol.1
Saturday, January 30th, 2010Alain Goraguer – La Planete Sauvage
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010I found out about Mr Goraguer through one of my favourite Serge Gainsbourg records, Du Jazz Dans Le Ravin, as he wrote and arranged most of the music for Serge’s earlier albums – amazing work. Then I came accross his solo work which includes a soundtrack for a 70’s animated film Fantastic Planet. The music is no doubt based on the jazz-funk tradition with a huge influence of psychedelic rock and a bit of that French je ne sais quoi. But the point of this post is that the film is also amazing in its own wierd way. I still have to watch it in its entirety but when planets, aliens and babies are combined with mellotrons, flutes, wah guitars and synths – what more could you really ask for..?