Jon Cocco
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jun 1, 2009 18:22:32
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V/A - AIR
Altar Records
2009
Track list
01. Zymosis - Zeta Bieng [Flute Mix]
02. Aquascape & Skydan - Voice Of The Universe
03. Dj Zen & Jace - Speak Your Mind [Open Air Mix]
04. Tentura - Discover
05. Shakri - Aurora Borealis
06. Chronos - Sacral Meeting [Rmx]
07. Asura - Dust and Daffodils
08. Aes Dana - Air Conditionning
09. RA - Cloudwalker
10. Solar Fields - Air Song [Remix]
Air is the first major release to my knowledge by Altar Records. The compilation is down and mid-tempo, and includes new tracks by artists: Aes Dana, Asura, RA, Solar Fields, and more.
01. Zymosis - Zeta Bieng [Flute Mix] begins with a gentle, female voice sample. It starts interesting; a drifting ambient score builds around peaceful soundscapes. A flute accentuates layers of melodic movements before before the beat kicks in. However the song doesn't seem to have a main focus or hook, though the atmosphere and worldly influence is nice, present throughout. The beat soon picks up, but the song appears more dependent on its layers than creating a captivating direction and/or opening with them. A exploring interlude takes place from around 4:09 to 4:30, and it is during this section that I'm intrigued for the first time since the beginning. The music returns around 4:40 with the accommodation of an echoed melody. It's catchy, but disappears all too soon, leaving the last two minutes to rely on its surrounding sounds of support. Overall this is a decent to fairly good opening track that could have been great. It has some nice moments. B-
02. Aquascape & Skydan - Voice Of The Universe is beautiful. WOW. This is up there with some of the most gorgeous downtempo work I've heard so far all year. The song is capitalizes on the celestial, spiritual growth, as reflected and experienced by the heart; here is a song that really evokes the senses. The first minute passionately builds, flowing. Soon arrives a wonderful melody lead, carrying this wonderful creature as it becomes more opening. A refreshing, weightless interlude takes place from around 3:00 to 3:40, where the song collects itself for the final act. This is one of best down/mid-tempo songs I have ever heard. It's gorgeous, opening, and beautiful. Wonderful track. A
03. Dj Zen & Jace - Speak Your Mind [Open Air Mix] follows up from the previous track with a stronger beat. After an intriguing, extended intro, the beat appears. Slowly the song awakens like newly born energy coming to its senses. The vehicle picks up, lifting off around 3:54 to a seasonal blend of percussion, movement, mid-tempo, atmosphere, crisp melody work, and ethereal female hymns, quite catchy. I think it sounds great, providing a second layer of emotion. An involved interlude arrives around 5:15, and the music returns around 4:45 as more edgy and aggressive than previously. A tasty melody soon emerges; tribal influences compliment the mid-tempo rhythm. The female hymns return in the final third which is nice. While the track seems stuffed with sounds and ideas at times, its intricacy actually works to its favor. The song has a varied, energetic, and artistically layered sound that permeates the senses. It's simply less easy to digest due to involving so much, but this involvement adds replay value, lasting appeal. Great track! B+
04. Tentura - Discover is far less intricate, layered, and packed with various ideas than the previous number. In being less loaded, Discover has a clearer feel, and a near Goa/Psy influenced hook that stands out in its first minute. A strong melody coupled with ambient notes appear around 3:00. The beat emphasis is great too; the song moves forward collecting new paragraphs of sounds, never abandoning its strong foundation. A clever albeit brief ring tone a la bell enhances the beat. This is a very well composed track that follows one direction throughout with solid results. It's both lighter on the senses and more simple than previous numbers, less ambitious but very well done. Good, if not great track. B+
05. Shakri - Aurora Borealis continues the previous track's concept in the sense it follows one solid direction and builds on it. What appears to be a female (and quite catchy the way it's utilized) hymn compliments the beat. A nice observation is how the beat picks up; it becomes fast and more supported past the two minute mark, adding strength to an already developing body. A chilled, atmospheric interlude takes place from 2:55 to 3:14, intrucing a peace instrument and numerous other sound. Key changes also seem to be present. The melody work is really nice too, gripping. An even catchier element takes place around 4:50; the song becomes more euphoric and uplifting. While not as complex as a track or two before it, this is a solid number. B+
06. Chronos - Sacral Meeting [Rmx] is interesting. More industrial, psy, and metallic/futuristic sounds emerge from its birth. Sounds express as moments, particles rather than formulated and developing rhythms. The song continuously collects and releases sounds. It's interesting to see the album attain unpredictable, less linear tracks, as the previous two built strength on a relatively predictable path. I can't sense where the song's taking me here. Its ability to regroup, recoup, and redesign itself as it progresses is impressive. Lots of alterations seem to take place that enhance the track, but my favorite parts involve the little lifts, such as the one around 3:17. The song has a handful of these "lifts" that provide bursts of energy around the psychedelic art. Interesting, psychedelic track. B+
07. Asura - Dust and Daffodils is the first artist on the compilation that more familiar with. What Asura creates here is fairly different in style from their previous work; a more soothing ambient-influenced trance piece. The beat appears to be secondary, though paramount as foundation to the harmonious, moving walls of melodies. From its first-melody wave around 2:05, the song becomes more musical and emotive as it moves forward. Listen to the gripping part before the track evolves around 3:55. Their is a unique moment that lasts around :45 seconds. This doorway opens for new sounds, smart layering like an enlightened orchestra. Strings, pads, ambient, and various tunes play to the simple albeit effective beat. This is mainly a tune driven track filled love and light. It sounds so simple initially, yet its melodies are quite effective, warm, and memorable. Strong track. B+ / A-
08. Aes Dana - Air Conditionning is one of the more gentle tracks here. Some listeners who enjoyed Aes Dana's more sutble work before their stand out melody work on Lysistrata via Opus Iridium compilation may enjoy this one. It has a nice background sound to it. I just don't find it does anything interesting all too much as it progresses. Progressive ambient-influenced mid-tempo is more like it. Without a clear hook, I'm not arrested, though the song is filled with a gentle, dreamy atmosphere and tone from beginning to end. A creative female voice alteration moves in the background to peaceful, open space. I think this is a pretty good track; it's just more atmosphere driven around a beat than anything, so I don't remember the track very well once it ends. Overall I expect more from Aes Dana, but this isn't bad. B-
09. RA - Cloudwalker begins with strong albeit gentle waves of ambient, in tune with a growing, psychedelic chemisty until the first melody lead takes place around 1:13. The song has a very nice sound to it, continuously building. Around 1:50 establishes more energy, melodies, and supporting sounds in edition to the attractive lead from 1:13. More development arrives at 2:28. The song is like a beautiful piece of sculpture that continues to evolve and know itself. The song has strong eastern melodies and flows very well. Those who enjoyed RA's mid-tempo work on 2008's 9th album will notice inspirations right away. Included is a souring sound in its final third, evoking more than a passionate nod to RA's Gateway Eight track on 2008's Sundrops compilation. The song is filled with passion and emotion, though less groundbreaking than their work on 9th. Great song. A-
10. Solar Fields - Air Song [Remix] has an answer to some degree to those who liked and/or loved their amazing 2009 release of Movements. I wouldn't place it in the top three of Movements, but Air Song [Remix] comes very close to the near perfection of style that I loved on Movements. It's great, possibly excellent, and ends one of the better compilation of 2009 with strength as opposed to weakness. Great track. B+ / A-
In conclusion, this is an interesting compilation! It's very well done. I really miss mid and downtempo releases, and this is a quality one. While my least favorite track is that by Aes Dana, I'm surprised with how solid the overall compilation is. For instance, I hadn't heard of Aquascape & Skydan before, yet their Voice Of The Universe track here is marvelous. Add several more strong ones, and that's before the most known line up (from Asura to Solar Fields) begins. Naturally, hearing such strength towards the beginning is a good sign. Air is one of the most solid compilations of 2009. It's good with greatness or great with good numbers and I'm happy I got it. It's also nice to see Solar Fields following up their style from 2009's Movements which is one of the best chill album's ever released IMO. Air is a refreshing chill compilaton for those into down/mid-tempo.
Favorite tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
B+
Samples / Order
http://altar.fonderieart.com/air.html
http://www.altar-records.com/preorders.html
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