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Solar Fields - Leaving Home (Ultimae Records 2005) CD
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DeathPosture
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 24, 2005 00:01
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Solar Fields – Leaving Home
Cover: http://tinyurl.com/dszvb (front) + http://tinyurl.com/a3znf (back)
Artist: Solar Fields (Sweden)
Title: Leaving Home
Format: CD (digipack w/16-page colour booklet)
Label: Ultimae Records (France)
Cat. #: INRE 017
Distribution: Ultimae.com/network
Date: Ultimo October 2005
Track listing:
01. 04’41” Home
02. 05’01” Time Slide
03. 08’23” Insum
04. 01’05” Star Fruit
05. 02’44” Magnetosphere (Star Fruit Part 2)
06. 04’08” Stereo Hypnosis (Magnetosphere Part 2)
07. 12’21” Air Song
08. 10’36” Cocoon Moon (Glastonbury Festival 2005 Mix)
09. 15’44” Monogram
10. 07’41” Times Are Good
11. 07’27” Leaving Home
.m3u-playlist: http://tinyurl.com/d6mq2 (all tracks!)
Review:
Sonic chromatographies and equal differences…
Magnus Birgersson from Gøteborg, Sweden is one of the living chill-legends... Yeah, pretty much everything he has released has been solid gold – the previous two SL albums + the H.U.V.A. Network album + all the amazing compilation tracks… This guy is the ambient armadillo! And who else than Solar Fields could pull off a stunt like releasing two full length albums simultaneously!? Yeah – this is the ‘regular’ album whereas Extended is more of a concept thing (review to follow shortly!)… As mentioned above, Solar Fields has yet to let me down, and I’ve been looking forward to this album for a long time… Released on my fav’e chill-label Ultimae, this *has* to be good… Let’s find out…
Let me take you thru the tracks…
#01: Home
Every journey starts at home… And so does this one… What we get here, is soothing, mellow ambient which slowly develops into laid-back downtempo… Running water, subtle sitar and digital jungle sounds… This is the tease track – before you know it, we’re right into the next track…
#02: Time Slide
Again we drift back into mellow oblivion… Free your mind and let your thoughts drift! If it wasn’t for the electro-pads, this would sound very similar to Sigur Rós… Epic, well-crafted ambient with a pompous glory to it… The traditional Indian string instrument veena is heavily used in this track, which creates a very emotional and melancholy feel… Sliding through time!
#03: Insum
And the vast, pompous soundscapes continues – and damn, what an intro to this track… Something resembling a power drill… More sitars… Digital acid-rips… Static electro-hisses… Oh yeah, you can cut the tension with a knife here… This is highly experimental ambient – soaked in surprising twists and turns… Solar Fields aphex’ed up… Very refreshing and innovative to say the least! Best track so far!
#04: Star Fruit
#05: Magnetosphere (Star Fruit Part 2)
#06: Stereo Hypnosis (Magnetosphere Part 2)
As these tracks are obviously connected, I’m gonna review them as a whole… We start with a short skit, which is as much a transition as it is an intro… Heavily cut dubby beats of industrial proportions… Kinda scary really! Soon enough we’re back to floating, oriental, filtered ambient – with a strong emphasis on majestic chords on some kinda warped piano/synth… The last part of the trilogy of tracks sees the focus shift more towards an old-fashioned rhythm section… The percussions are shredded, mutilated – only to be patched back together into a mutant of joyrex’xy dimensions… Again SL is pushing the experiments to new, uncharted lands… Very refreshing in all its gory glory, though maybe a tad too inaccessible for the untrained ear… I like it though!
#07: Air Song
The experimentation continues, and once again the borders of Ultimae chill are widened… This is another introvert track, which a thick emphasis on heavily cut beats and breakz – giving the track an outerworldly Ant Zen spin… Technoid noises for chilled people! Yeah, the first part of this track reminds me of the sound of Funkstörung or the likes… Halfway through we shift back to more extrovert ambient with deep, dubby beats and murky, melancholy pads in the background. The final run ties up things nicely, with its roomy, panoramic qualities… A very complex, wholehearted track… And if you were to pick one track, to represent the album, this would be it… As massive as it is mature!
#08: Cocoon Moon (Glastonbury Festival 2005 Mix)
We drift seamlessly into the track which I’m guessing was performed at the 2005 Glastonbury Festival (well, d’uh!)… We start in ambient territory, but soon we cross over into laidback, downbeat land… Like a weird, unfamiliar electro bastard child this track is very hard to place anywhere… It’s repetitive and minimal, yet also evolving and eclectic… As trancy as it gets with Solar Fields – but still kept within a downtempo framework… A true electronica hybrid from start to finish… And maybe even less easily accessible than some of the previous tracks here! Interesting, but it will take me a long time to fully appreciate this I reckon…
#09: Monogram
This is much more to my liking though… This is another gargantuan mofo of a chill track… Ranging from virtual beatless ambient, over ethno-chill to up-tempo electronica… Everything spread across fifteen minutes and forty four seconds… Complete with mysterious jungle-sounds and the works… A solid SL track!
#10: Times Are Good
Times are good indeed – and it’s time to leave this earth and explore inner as well as outer space! This is undisputed, unparalleled chill-out… Gone are the grimmest explorations into IDM, and we’re left with soothing, transcending ambient soaked in subtle twirls, frills, thrills, spills and… Guitars! Amazing track!
#11: Leaving Home
So, we never really left home, eh? Clever! Well, this is another perpetual Solar Fields ambient tune… Beautiful, floating beatless melodic pads which eventually are accompanied by a subtle rhythm section… Yeah – this CD wouldn’t be complete without one of these ‘trademark SL’ tracks which we’ve all come to love so much over the years… A solid tune and the best damn possible way to end this unique album…
Unique is the keyword here – this album is totally unique… The level of experimentation is unparalleled and style wise, this crosses back and forth between more genres than I care to count… But it’s still unmistakable Solar Fields down to the very last second… You wanna know what it really is? … It’s talent! The vast composing talents of Mr. Magnus Birgersson – the ambient armadillo! This is by far his most mature album – it’s definitely not as easily accessible as some of his previous instalments, but what is lacks in ‘easy listening’ it makes up for in fertility… This album is ripe of the bone, and will serve the listeners for light years to come… Give the extrovert parts some time to grow on you, and I’m sure they’ll come around… Most of them have for me!
As always with Ultimae, everything is top-drawer material here. From the beautiful artwork, down to the very last well-mastered second of audio-bliss… A safe buy for any fan of experimental ambient seasoned with nonconformist musical warps, twists and turns… Audio anarchy! Now stop reading, and go order this album… It’s amazing! … Enjoy!
Favourites: 2, 3(!!), 7(!), 9, 10(!!), 11(!)
DeathPosture
External links:
Solar Fields: http://www.solarfields.com
Ultimae Records: http://www.ultimae.com
Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/release/532089
Ultima E-shop: http://tinyurl.com/7d6te
Saiko Sounds: http://tinyurl.com/9csc8
Amboworld: http://tinyurl.com/7rqav
ShopSonic: http://tinyurl.com/br39j
Psyshop: http://tinyurl.com/8v8uo
Ajuca: http://tinyurl.com/bneun
Juno: http://tinyurl.com/c8mo3
  On really romantic evenings of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion... |
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sure_smoke_alot
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Nov 24, 2005 09:25
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Ultimae does it again releasin 1 gem after the other
a real masterpiece by Solar Fields
i was really surprised to see pics. by Mr. Magnus (nice pics)
the use of the instruments is so nicely fitted in the whole thing dat cannot be expessed jus expirenced
a must buy
a gr8 album & an equally gr8 review (as always) by Mr. DP 
peace |
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Acidhive
IsraTrance Full Member
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2014
Posted : Nov 24, 2005 12:55
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Great release as always from Solar Fields. I really like the atmosphere throughout the whole album. On saikosounds it says there's also an album called: Extended. But it's never available. Is it a special release??
"Subconscious unravels at the point of death, and all time it has known erupts into a moment. As death extinguishes us, so we become it."
[Esoteric: Subconscious Dissolution Into The Continuum] |
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onyxura
Started Topics :
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Posted : Nov 24, 2005 13:01
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Quote:
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On 2005-11-24 12:55, Acidhive wrote:
Great release as always from Solar Fields. I really like the atmosphere throughout the whole album. On saikosounds it says there's also an album called: Extended. But it's never available. Is it a special release??
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It's only available through the ultimae web-page. Very nice, indeed  |
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Dai
IsraTrance Junior Member
Dai aka Amatti
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Posted : Nov 24, 2005 14:41
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Morpheus Music
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 24, 2005 20:58
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ori_k
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Nov 24, 2005 21:02
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just had a listen
what can i say? good-good-good
oh and one more thing-the production is simply outstanding! |
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ganjagil
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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858
Posted : Nov 25, 2005 00:54
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Ahhhhhhhhhhhh i can't wait to get this one! I am going crazy about this music it's super super interesting man wow! You are the new trance man i love ultimae records...This album must be also another materpiece man!
thank you thank you thank you!
Bom
Ganja
Your sound, is your music, is your soul keep them all on the right track!
Please Check our music at:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=438956
www.soulkontakt.com
contact :soulkontakt@hotmail.com |
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..::PsySacred::..
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Nov 25, 2005 12:22
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again ultimae and again another good rls from this label in ambient and downtempo scene....i got two album from solar fields in these days from net once leaving home and another extended and i hade listen those was great,solarfield always have some word for speaking in ambient scene,sounds was nice and professional
keep going solar fields
fav's: all
good review deathposture |
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ganjagil
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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858
Posted : Nov 29, 2005 12:34
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Wowowowowow what an album what really spiritual psychedelic sounds it's unexplainable the love, joy and hope you are giving us through your music! Really well done i cannot explain how special this is for me....
Bom
Ganja
Your sound, is your music, is your soul keep them all on the right track!
Please Check our music at:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=438956
www.soulkontakt.com
contact :soulkontakt@hotmail.com |
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elektric sheep
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Nov 29, 2005 13:03
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A friend is opening for party this weekend, and I have recommended air song...it will sound massive on the PA...the bass is just so deep and warm and the track has such space and attention...
Thanks U SF |
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Morpheus Music
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Dec 5, 2005 14:51
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Morpheus Music Review
STYLE
Intricate ambient environments carefully built up and then lifted, carried along by beats as soft and shifting as summer evening breezes. Little by little tracks well up into blissful rhythm, establishing mesmerisingly recurrent themes and building to exquisite climactic releases. Solar Fields layers many levels of electronic sound, dense tonal masses, all manner of crystal clear sonic peripherals, constantly evolving loops - these are variously embellished with hazy voices and acoustic instrumentation. Magnus himself plays Veena, sitar and guitar among other 'harmonical acoustic instruments', weaving ethnic, otherworldly and exotic sounds into his percussion patterns and sound beds. Although repetition of themes frequently occurs, this is never employed idly, each element mutating, altering - [Leaving Home] feels like a very detailed construct. Added to this Magnus has a feel for a pleasing sound - nothing grates here, even when abrasive or acidic settings are chosen, the balance retains an attractive elegance. Everything flows into one united suite where tracks develop one into another passing through low-key lulls into melodic motifs that lodge in your subconscious such as the masterful Air Song and Monogram.
MOOD
Deliriously serene and graceful. [Leaving Home] has an emotional weight that a lot of electronic music lacks, I suspect that this has been a true labour of love. Restful currents, light hypnotic percussion and masterful experimental excursions presented with top-notch production - all make for a beguiling journey (without ever laving your home). There is little here that appears to have been done before or that follows a trend - Solar Fields blazes a trail of 'sonic chromatographies' that others will doubtless follow at a distance.
ARTWORK
This is an Ultimae package so we know we can expect a quality product - added to that [Leaving Home] features Magnus' own photographic imagery collected during his travels. This is a three-panel gatefold digipack with a 16 page booklet included. The outer cover holds a trio of atmospheric urban imagery whereas inside we find two intensely organic shots cast with green and orange - a third picture is hidden behind the CD - Magnus with sitar in hand and glowing computer screens at his back. The glossy booklet has a page for each track with a complementary image and some brief notes, thanks and credits at the end.
OVERALL
The previous two albums, the H.U.V.A. Network material, compilation appearances - everything Magnus Birgesson produces seems to be something rather special. Now to cap everything he releases two full length albums simultaneously! [Leaving Home] and the aptly titled [Extended] where meandering explorations of Magnus' themes are set free of many structural bounds. There is an incredible attention to detail that elevates this album although the sound is never cluttered and is very beautiful. I found myself wondering just how much time this guy must have spent tweaking small points, polishing minor facets to get this high finish - [Leaving Home] is certain to become the standard by which much future music will be judged.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS ALBUM
Chillout fans that can cope with shifting beats that come and go will likely be drawn to [Leaving Home]. But this is a genre breaking release - anyone that loves beautiful music should give this CD a listen - it is ambient electronic music, but it's also passionate, enthralling, unique. A sublime album, classy and very professional - don't miss this one!
Original review with samples is here:
http://www.morpheusmusic.co.uk/html/reviews23.htm#leaving
Cheers
Paul
MORPHEUS MUSIC
www.morpheusmusic.co.uk
ELECTRONIC MUSIC MALL
http://www.electronicmusicmall.com |
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-Abatwa-
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Dec 5, 2005 17:56
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Anyone who knows Solar Fields previous work knows he is one of the masters of ambient who is able to take you to faraway places and leave you sitting in your seat with a calming dreamy atmosphere for the time the musics playing.
This album is no less, even more imo. the cd is very very well done as and the pictures are very very nice.
music wise;smooth ambient with lotsa intricate sounds that will make you trip balls if you listen how the stories are told in the songs and how they unfold i find is very well done. all in all this is a very good album. thx for delivering such an album in such cold winter times.
9/10
`Bottomless wonders spring from simple rules, which are repeated without end` Mandelbrot |
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Meta-Morphosis
IsraTrance Senior Member
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Posted : Dec 6, 2005 14:50
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Awesome reviews ... im waiting for my copy
“What we need is the development of the Inner Spiritual man, the unique individual, whose treasure is hidden in the symbols of our mythological tradition and in man’s unconscious psych.” - CJ Jung |
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BrettFromTibet
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Dec 19, 2005 06:55
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“Leaving Home” by Solar Fields is a sublime, sophisticated album of experimental psychedelic ambient sounds that require deep listening to absorb and assimilate. Delicious crepe-thin melodies and intermittent downtempo beats slink up suddenly and tap you - before disappearing out of the picture. EFX-warped scitar scales and sound hooks grip your third-eye and massage it until it spasms. This is not music to play while driving or at a party, but more for discreet listening in at home in the dark. But if you can get quiet enough to hear what is going on - you will find a portal to beautiful dimension that no producer has ever linked to before. Well done!
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