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Behind Blue Eyes "Kisses from the clouds" (Iboga rec. 12/09)
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aden
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Dec 9, 2009 01:42:18
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Artist : Behind Blue Eyes
Title : Kisses from the clouds
Format : 2 CD
Label : Iboga records
Release date : nov. 09
Tracklist :
1. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Endless Possibilities (Motion Drive rmx)
2. BEHIND BLUE EYES, SUNCONTROLSPECIES : Portrait of a heartbeat
3. YOTOPIA : Domination (Behind Blue Eyes rmx)
4. BEHIND BLUE EYES, BEAT BIZARRE : Ol'fox
5. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Double Trouble
6. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Endless Possibilities
7. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : The world is our oyster (2009 mix)
8. BEHIND BLUE EYES, FLOWJOB, JOYCE MERCEDES : You were aware
9. BEHIND BLUE EYES : Kisses from the clouds
10. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Sub Surface Dwellers
11. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF Time Stop
12. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Depth Charge
13. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF, TERZIAN : Holy Makaroly
14. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Depth Charge (Antix rmx)
15. KRUSSELDORF : Spanker
16. KRUSSELDORF : Cold sleep chamber
17. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Autumn
18. BEHIND BLUE EYES : Kisses from the clouds (Krusseldorf rmx)
In November 2005 the emergence of the Behind Blue Eyes project was unanimously hailed as an original, high quality contribution to the progressive sound. The duo comprised Michael Abel-Larsen better known as Banel, one of the founders of Iboga records, and René Nielsen of Beat Bizarre fame. Their ‘opus 1’ was soon followed by a second album, conceived of as a studio live set, reflecting the shape of the many gigs they were performing on the stages worldwide at the time. Four years after their debut, the original project has become a solo project, borne by Banel alone, René having given up the studio in pursuit of other pleasures. Michael has nevertheless felt the need to nurture his music writing with the partnership and comradeship of fellow producers. Hence the presence of the usual suspects from the Iboga roster in this new recording : Martin Zimmermann (Beat Bizarre), Andrew Davidson (SunControlSpecies), Jeppe Ørnkilde (Phony Orphants), Wouter Thomasson (Zen Mechanics, who will again be on rmx duty on an up-coming EP), Philip Guillaume (Motion Drive), Yotopia, Flowjob & Joyce Mercedes. However, one partnership stands out, as half the tracks here have been written with the Stockholm-based, sound engineer Simon Heath, known for the excellence of his ambient project Krusseldorf and Couchlock, mounted with the occasional collaboration of Carolin Terzian. This partnership comes as no surprise, given Banel’s true love and feeling for ambient, as illustrated in his Roskilde 2008 DJ set, one of many he has performed on the biggest scenes worldwide.
1. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Endless Possibilities (Motion Drive rmx)
Motion Drive prolongs and expands the atmospheric trance vein of the original, grooving up the combo, adding large arpeggiated drifting pads, and topping the final sequences with piano arrangements. This rework strips off the first electro-ish theme of the original, which is eventually swapped for a dense entanglement of sugar sweet melodic lines laid on a shimmering harmonic backdrop. Good opening.
2. BEHIND BLUE EYES, SUNCONTROLSPECIES : Portrait of a heartbeat
The blue-eyed Iboga head honcho and the antipodean from Melbourne have produced here a hypnotic trance stomper with a massive dark surging atmosphere, highlighted in the break featuring a hovering and looming bell chime. In this context, the little synth theme in the first half and in the closing bars seems, IMHO a bit clumsy or little out of place, and makes me regret the lacerated theme of Diamond in the rough. This minor qualification aside, the piece shows that this collab has a future.
3. YOTOPIA : Domination (Behind Blue Eyes rmx)
The remix of Yotopia’s Domination is a more throbbing affair. And the duo has been obviously seduced by the original’s dense treatment of the low medium sound register, which they have stressed and complexified. It is now a fascinating mix of growling and purring lines, backed by a solid, hypnotic, whirring loop that does marvels. The melodic register, on the other hand, is played down, as this remix has only retained the tight soaring arpeggio that gives way to a thoroughly melodic finish in the original. But the result is truly convincing: at once entrancing and spine chilling. Well done!
4. BEHIND BLUE EYES, BEAT BIZARRE : Ol'fox
O’fox features a pillar of the Iboga community : Martin Zimmermann (with 3 artist albums under the belt, he is still enchanting the crowd with his timeless, unique music). His idiosyncratic touch is clearly audible, notably with the squawking which yields the strong (perhaps a bit too strong) binary pace of the track. This is soon backed by all kinds of deep gurgles, which just might signal a dissentry attack after drinking from the Montreux lake or all kinds of excesses in Goa. Nice return of an all time favourite artist.
5. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Double Trouble
“Double Trouble” maybe owes its name to its hybrid nature. It tries to blend a techy ostinato with a trancey backdrop made of lazy, long, melancholic, drifting pads and lines, which dominate the track in the middle section. The dance floor might loose it with this one. And so might I. The least convincing piece so far.
6. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Endless Possibilities
Another piece of atmospheric and moody Progressive Trance whose melodic development likens to a ballad built on contrasting themes : a low key, rather galumphing, slightly electro-ish initial one, is later on taken over by a perky and elegant jingle. The large drifting pads that serve as harmonic backdrop are nice and set a sweet mood.
7. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : The world is our oyster (2009 mix)
The 2009 mix of the “The world is our oyster” originally released in Set 8, is given a tougher and more complex treatment in the rhythmic combo, while the eerie melody of the original is reworked in a gritty way, counterbalanced by a recurring riff that reverts the track back to the original BBE overtones. Quite a pearl.
8. BEHIND BLUE EYES, FLOWJOB, JOYCE MERCEDES : You were aware
This collab with the duo Flowjob features the lengthy vocal participation of the Dutch DJ, top model, Playmate, dancer, sound engineer and vocalist Joyce Mercedes who sings a line. Her coquettish voice is treated with all kinds of effects and plays a pivotal role, recurring throughout the track, while the accompanying arrangements rely on classic prog trance repertoire with cool riffs and synth lines. The result is not bad, even if the tone (and technique) of Joyce’s voice does not have the appeal of singers like Michele Adamson, nor the galvanizing and bewitching vocal presence of Caitlin Devlin (Elektrochemie and other Get Physical releases). But maybe Joyce’s appeal does not reside uniquely in her vocal organ. And, given the seduction potential of our Danes, little doubt they will net Niki Belucci next time.
9. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Endless Possibilities
The seminal piece takes us to bucolic, liquid soundscapes, with lots of pretty, evanescent patterns evaporating off the warm surface. An electroish theme jolts the track into action, and bouquets of melodies are tossed into the sun in a closing finale.
  http://myspace.com/adenbeatersweet
http://www.flow-records.com |
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aden
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Dec 9, 2009 01:43
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10. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Sub Surface Dwellers
CD2 opens with another melodic piece which reflects the signature sound of the BBE-Krusseldorf association. It displays deep harmonic floating pads and electric piano episodes, with a brief and plain arpeggiated theme stacked atop. Another cool breezy track.
11. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF Time Stop
Our tandem reverts this time to the spooky register more akin to the Beat-Bizarresque style of the origins. The arrangements are coloured with sombre, mysterious overtones, creating a deep surging atmosphere until the introduction of a more easy going melody lightens the nightscape towards the end of the track. The teetering bass is not so dance-floor minded, which accentuates its solemn character: a minor drawback of this very progressive tune.
12. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Depth Charge
“Depth charge” clearly has techy ascendants, and features another spooky sounding melodic progression which evolves towards slightly electroish, grittier tones in the final bars. The bass is humpty dumpty and is not meant for epic cavalcades.
13. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF, TERZIAN : Holy Makaroly
This is another exploration of the deeper, more sombre otherworldly register, yet balanced by the distant reverberated hovering female voice sample. Another meditative piece.
14. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Depth Charge (Antix rmx)
It comes as no surprise that Antix has chosen this one for a remix. It is rather the Fiord side of the Strom brothers that expresses itself here. The duo have considerably beefed up the bass, injected their trademark droning and shuffled groove and invigorated the pulse with some rhythmic hooks and their typical heavy cymbal ride which steers things forwards. They wrench out almost all of the original theme, twist up the remaining fragments, and swipe them across the stereo field at the end, heightening the eerie atmosphere. Another great demonstration of their art and an instant favourite in this album. Double thumbs up!
15. KRUSSELDORF : Spanker
Spanker is a hybrid of deep, low key, hypnotic trance and ambient, running slow at 120 bpm, with distinct Trentemoller reminiscences especially noticeable in the final bars.
16. KRUSSELDORF : Cold sleep chamber
A masterful relaxing and numbing journey, stacking up silky pads interspersed with acid glitches and shimmering string arrangements. Will be spun in the chill-out in the winter months to come.
17. BEHIND BLUE EYES, KRUSSELDORF : Autumn
This is definitely a seasonal piece, the title setting the mood for this deep trance track at the pace of 128 bpm. The general arrangements will be at home in the lounge, but they are successfully grafted onto an easy going rhythmic combo that keeps the track trotting along. A high pitched chirping motif unfolds towards a more developed melody in the end.
18. BEHIND BLUE EYES : Kisses from the clouds (Krusseldorf rmx)
Krusseldorf draws the curtain on this second volume, with his ambient rendition of “Kisses from the clouds”. He expands on the original theme, adding some retro keyboards or harpsychords [sic], and dishing up, in the very last sequences a flurry of gleeful, sinuous synth lines and treating them with a flourish of humoristic effects. Nice finish.
Bottom line
This album reflects patient studio work and careful attention, delivering finely chiselled melodies and deep atmospheres. It contains nice achievements such as the rmx of Yotopia, the updated edit of “The world is our oyster”, “Holy Makaroly”, and above all, my personal favourite, the Antix rmx. It is also a great opportunity to put one’s hand on beautifully produced, classy ambient music. I can safely recommend it to Iboga lovers and wider circles. Classic 2005 tunes like “Diamond in the rough” or “Brumbasse” have, IMHO, not been surpassed in their dancefloor appeal, but, overall, the collaboration with Simon Heath has proved to be very fruitful. Together they have written an interesting new chapter in the development of the BBE story, that continues in the vein of the previous opuses.
Aden
Related links:
http://www.myspace.com/michaelbanel
http://www.myspace.com/krusseldorf
http://www.myspace.com/krusseldorf
http://www.myspace.com/ibogarecords
http://www.iboga.dk
http://myspace.com/adenbeatersweet
http://www.flow-records.com |
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kameleonpangea36
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jan 2, 2010 16:14
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This is an amazing CD. Every track is interesting and fresh. Deep with a serious vibe, lots of tribal elements, and lots of clean melodies. Im so glad that these guys hooked up. The addition of Krusseldorf is very apparent and it adds a really classic touch. Ive listened to this Cd about 3 times now continuously and every time i hear something new. and 2 cds?! thank you guys. these will be played for years to come.
(This is for the progressive people)
label: www.pureperceptionrecords.org
design: www.designsbymattbryson.com
soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/kameleon-pangea |
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Edward X
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Posted : Feb 2, 2010 01:06
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I was on 29 January in Lisbon where I could watch/listen the live presentation of this work in Portugal.
It was really a surprise to me because I only have heard a few tracks of this album.
Anyone could see that the music has resulted in the perfection in terms of satisfaction and feel the contagious feeling that flooded in that place.
It`s a sound that I would call sweet, contagious, happy and and full of freedom, but with much class and personality.
Very good work indeed
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pfc
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
58
Posted : Feb 2, 2010 13:24
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With every listening i get deeper in love with this album...Great story,some old school elements combine with updated sounds...Very deep psychedelic stuff in here...
Kisses from the clouds is already classic for me...Ol'fox remind me of old days...So many great trax here...
Only what is confused me is the small number of coments about this great release...Maybe it will take time till this album will grow on the scene. Quality things need more listenings. Thanks for refreshment of the prog scene to BBE!!!
Cheers. |
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psyfish
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Posted : Feb 6, 2010 23:08
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last track is fantastic.good allbum.krusseldorf rox. |
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Bom*shankar
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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512
Posted : Mar 17, 2010 10:28
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need 2 check it i guess. quite like the new krusseldorf on beats & pieces. |
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Banel
Behind Blue Eyes
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Posted : May 7, 2010 11:31
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