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Gaudi - Bass, Sweat & Tears (Interchill)
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KakoOlalaJwal
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 15, 2004 17:53
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Since the unpacking of this fifth Gaudi's album, I can't stop thinking about the word "generosity".. This album is bubbling over with generosity.. The digipack, first of all, with the 4 pages leaflet are in recycled cardboard/paper (without dwelling on it - which is noble) on which Ceridwen had fun with his paintbrushes, for a result that looks for nothing else than being beautiful. Nick Edell then complete the sleeve design (like the Kaya Project) focusing on simplicity and legibility. The generosity leaks out also in the texts detailing each of the influences that have inspired such and such a track, and also in the long list of acknowledgments and inspiring-artists.. Generosity, finally and before all in the content, the essence : the music ! More than 40 musicians, singers or speakers have been part of the creation of "Bass, Sweat & Tears"... Yalla, let's listen to them..
01. Tribalove
02. Sufani
03. Dub it
04. Babylon flamenco
05. Ayahuasca deep fall
06. Chaine a chaine
07. Ci fice lu mundu
08. Native dub
09. Tutta pe me
10. ...and the Earth said: oh my God
11. Kimiyaa e moraad
12. Theremystical
13. Meena
14. Truthful old man
15. Chant thermique
01-- Tribalove was created with Antonio Testa, an ethnologist who uses to involve music in his works and bring us to central and western Africa, where the Pygmy people have been using instruments used in this track (flute, talking drum, kalabash) for centuries. I love the shrill sound that punctuate the intro first, and then the rhythmics when begins the steady bassline drive.. A beautiful opening !
02-- Sufani is mystical poetry sung in the Qawwali tradition which lays on a musical collage where Islam and Hinduism meet. Melodies and rythms come from the Hindustani region (linking India and Pakistan) while the poems are arab or persian. This music has been popularized by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.. Gaudi links these influences with a radical rhythmic structure (one kick + one snare and so on... > in the mood of Puff Dragon for "Chinese Radio" in example) that is highly danceable.. Subtle melodies, alongside with numerous tiny sounds complete the floating ambiance.
03-- Dub It says it all : Gaudi brings us a good ol' dub beat, studded with rolling tabla and raw stell percussion.. The bewitching sound of the sitar is conversing with trancey elements in a superb way and the whole is definitaly irie !
04-- Babylon Flamenco, you have guessed it, is not polka-influenced. Together with the spanish band 'Ojos de Brujo', Gaudi brings another dub beat, colouring it here with andaluzian (sorry if there's a mispelling) flavours and delivering a sweet energy.. Accoustic guitar and characteristic handclaps, punctuated with short processed vocoder-samples and a huge bassline drive are recipes of this "spaced flamenco dub" meli-melo..
05-- Ayahuasca Deep Fall tells us about Piers Gibbon, an english botanist who went into the heart of the amazon rain forest to experience the "sacred vine".. The promising introduction brings us to an intensely groOvy beat.. The bass takes our control and makes us irremediably wriggle the hips.. The ambiance is rich and coloured.. A huge track !
06-- Chaîne à Chaîne brings us to Burkina Faso where Gaudi met the singer Eric Dah "Mo2ieu" who lends here his voice, telling in french about the situation in his country, and also refers to the days of slavery.. The first stanza, I dunno why, made me think about another song (Dans la Vallée, by Manau - I am not amateur, haha) regarding to the flow.. Besides, the quiet dub beat created by Gaudi is sensational and the subtilities of the ryhthmics hold the attention of the listenener.. Big Up for the conclusion, in a "end of improvised riddim" way..
07-- Ci Fice Lu Mundu is a traditional chant from Salento in soutern Italy (sung here by Alessandro Coppola, member of the band Nidi d'Arac). Gaudi accompagnies the band (playing guitars and trumpet) with a more Trip-Hop beat, pulled by a phat bassline which the score is rich..
08-- Native Dub is another ol'dubby structure conversing with flute and cries of the jungle.. The whole appears conciliating and brings us to a "just take it easy, mon" state of mind.. Nice one.
09-- For Tutta Pe' Me, Gaudi invited the italian singer and actress Lina Sastri in this chant of the dusk, mysterious and sensual, applying to the MoOn.. The viola sound in the opening has also been used by TIT in "Angel Voices".. Later, Salvatore Jovine's fisarmonica brings an original touch to this floating dub.
10-- ...And the Earth Said : Oh My God introduces the Huli culture, based in Papua-New Guinea and features their beautiful traditional intrument called Gawa (kind of mouth bow harp). Gaudi let the rhythmics come slowly in place, giving it a massive bassline drive.. before making later the track take off suddenly.. The result then is.. hehe.. just amazing.
11-- Kimiyaa E Moraad, meaning 'alchemy of desire" is the title of an iranian poem recited by Esraphiel. The fact that it is recited here by a woman here raise its impact beyond the 'simple' beauty of her voice. Violins and flute alone will accompagny her..
12-- Theremystical allows Gaudi to express himself on his theremin.. It is a unique instrument : electronic box with two antennas sensitive to the variations of the electric field produced by the human body, and therefore requires no physical contact. I have seen the french band Avril (F-Communications) using two of them on stage, and it is really impressive indeed. Notice that the instrument is also one of the onstage components of Gaudi's live-acts.. The track is introduced by a vocoder-sample arranged as a wink to the old records that were delivered with the turntables and the firsts stereo systems.. Then starts a strong dub beat that contrasts with the sharpen and floating sounds of the theremin, defined by the moves of Gaudi's hands.. Really a tasty track !
13-- Meena is the name of the hindi-singer who performs here while the percussions of Jagdev Anuraag and Khadim Haji, structured in 5/4 fragments bring an interesting dimension. The dialogue later with steady tablas is pleasant, and sometimes a stratospheric wave come and float on this whole.
14-- Truthful Old Man is a very emotional song featuring Antonio Cocco who went to heaven a few months after the recording. He was the last of the Cantadores, a very old tradition in Sardinia where he lived for 76 years.. The bassline drive holding his chant is just superb and the ambiance will bring the Negresses Vertes lovers to the tears..
15-- Chant Thermique features the unique Fire Organ, an immense instrument created by a french man (Michel Moglia) who allowed for the first time the use of his works in this album.. The massive intrument (20m by 8m - approx 2 tons) transforms the heat of flames into sound energy with a very wide range of frequencies.. In this song the instrument is first slave to the rhythmics, letting it setting up slowly, and then get out of its control to express itself widely.. It is a pity the track is that short.. I would have like to enjoy a few more !!
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That's it for this "Bass, Sweat & Tears" which the title recalls the Churchill's famous promise, but which the aim here in only musical and emotional.. I don't know if Gaudi's nickname is connected to the architect, but still his musical environment is as rich as the architectural creations of the other.. His album follows in a perfect way the Walking Trough by Kaya Project in the catalogue of Interchill. The crew looks motivated to suggest us jewel after jewel.. Bravo !!
"Made In Canada, listened everywhere" appears on the cover.. I'd like to add "inspired from here and there !" 
Thanx for the reading
cheerz
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"Get your dose of BoOgie !"
http://www.bunkum-records.com
http://www.myspace.com/zekakoo |
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intrees
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
18
Posts :
599
Posted : Nov 15, 2004 22:14
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Still waiting for mine  |
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greatgirl
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
30
Posted : Nov 16, 2004 01:54
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Quote:
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On 2004-11-15 22:14, intrees wrote:
Still waiting for mine
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also i
choose the best |
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BrettFromTibet
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
61
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749
Posted : Nov 16, 2004 07:28
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...it's been playing non-stop all weekend - and I LOVE IT! I don't have any second thoughts about proclaiming it a proper and worthy followup to Kaya Project's CLASSIC first album. I can't easily imagine how this type organic world-fusion/dub could be any doper/heavier/dubbier/groovier. !
(This style fits my taste more than the 'colder' and more digital releases like Aleph Zero and Ultimae style)
Hearing this CD reminds me of the magic feeling I got when I first heard "Dubtrees: Nature Never Did Betray..." wow!
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best tracks so far are:
#2 - Sufani
#10 - ... and the earth said: Oh my God!
it's so good i am tempted to be un-chilled and unprofessional, and use lots of expletives and curse words to emphasize how much I like it... but will just say: @#$@ it's good!
$^%$$#@ good!
the care, selection and musical craftsmanship that went into recording and producing this just OOZE right out of the speakers... as does the BASS.
the "woofer advisory - EXPLICIT BASS" sticker on some of the marketing material is no joke! I tried playing this in my car, where the left speaker is slightly blown but can handle most CDs, even most dub CD, ok. NOT THIS ONE! it just makes such a fuzzy, flatulating fuss - it's unbearable.
also tried listening to it on a $13.99 flea-market quality "Audiovox" cd portable at work - and it doesn't sound right... with no bass represented.... sounds tinny and empty.
Just play it on decent speakers or headphones and ENJOY...
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christian liegas
Started Topics :
0
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2
Posted : Nov 22, 2004 21:12
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I have bought this album because of the "buzz" around it; people told me that was very good.....!....
Well, very good is only a little compliment for this magnificent album!!
Rare times in my life I have experienced this feeling with music, this album is rich of contents, rich of beautiful sounds and an amazing production! I am not a journalist, I am just someone who loves good music, this album is simply beautiful.
Thanks to Interchill and specially thanks to Gaudi.
10/10
Christian |
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intrees
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
18
Posts :
599
Posted : Nov 22, 2004 21:30
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Yes, this album is simply incredible.
I received my copy this weekend and have been playing it non-stop! This is one of those great, great releases... I think this will have to be my favourite release of the year - Phuture Primitive may have to come a close second!!
A huge thank you to Interchill who seem to improve with every release.
And Gaudi for bringing the most complete dub into our lives.. 
- - It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice... - -
www.revolvemagazine.co.uk |
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Lucid Dragon
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
156
Posted : Nov 23, 2004 01:03
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heard great things about this album
must get it after reading these reviews ...
damn there are sooo many good chill out cds coming out of late its burning a hole in my pocket...
ne way ...
Bom
"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf. "
--Rabindranath Tagore |
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Tigry
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
7
Posted : Nov 23, 2004 21:32
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I fully agree with everyone this cd is simply stunning.
Ciao for now. |
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-Abatwa-
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
42
Posts :
1087
Posted : Nov 27, 2004 00:16
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extraordinary album. I really didnt expect this much. what a variety? I simply stunned. the deepness and the ritual story behind the tracks. ahh I just cant stop listening to it. simply one of the best releases of 2004
`Bottomless wonders spring from simple rules, which are repeated without end` Mandelbrot |
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Jingabé
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
18
Posts :
387
Posted : Dec 14, 2004 13:45
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Amazing album!!
Up there with Kaya Project's "Walking Through" for most likely contenders of ambient album of the year..
Glad I have bought them both  |
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sherlockalien
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
22
Posts :
629
Posted : Dec 14, 2004 14:23
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still waiting.. there has been some problem with the shipping.. I cant wait, please let it be today, post man =) |
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Outolintu
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
63
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1477
Posted : Dec 14, 2004 17:10
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i had to go and listen to some samples
of the tracks. hmmh... am i the only one
who hears it or are the lyrics in "sufani"
the same ones (a bit modified, rearranged etc) as in ott's "splitting an atom"? god damn sample cds! because i liked (some of) the gaudi tracks a lot but this recycling of the same soul that makes the track special really makes me sad. i'm not accusing anybody of ripping because they were just using the same sample. i just wish that artists would use unique vocals (sung especially for their track. yes, i know it's hard to find a wonderful vocalist) because they are the soul of the track |
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KakoOlalaJwal
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
116
Posts :
2565
Posted : Dec 15, 2004 20:38
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Outolintu my dear..
You're right, but be aware that there are many tracks on this album with featured singers (males/females).. And also that the poetry you hear on Sufani is.. ehm how to say.. like an anthem or I don't know how to translate properly.. of the Qawwali culture..
Cheerz !
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"Get your dose of BoOgie !"
http://www.bunkum-records.com
http://www.myspace.com/zekakoo |
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bluespectralmonkey
IsraTrance Full Member
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1336
Posted : Dec 15, 2004 23:02
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KakoOlalaJwal
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
116
Posts :
2565
Posted : Dec 15, 2004 23:53
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(in this case)