Trance Forum | Stats | Register | Search | Parties | Advertise | Login

There are 0 trance users currently browsing this page
Trance Forum » » Forum  Music Reviews - V/A - Midnight Soul Dive (Aleph Zero)
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on StumbleUpon
Author

V/A - Midnight Soul Dive (Aleph Zero)

Morpheus Music
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  94
Posts :  165
Posted : Jun 11, 2007 14:59
V/A - Midnight Soul Dive

STYLE
Deeply chilled downtempo/ambient collection from Aleph Zero Records. These smooth sound paintings breeze along on lazy crepuscular beats that drift in and out of consciousness - digital loops blink and pulse, a blend of traditional drum sounds, programmed percussives and weightless cybergrooves - then the beats are gone, off into the gloom, or lost in sleep. The electronica is clean and expansive - restful nocturnes with cool reverberating phrases cycling around in constant evolution. The emphasis is on the hues and shades of the night - serene pads welling up behind synthetic chimes, muted bell tones and flute-like voices. Tracks breathe in and out of rhythm, buoyant and vaporous developing naturally one into another. Liquid rainsticks, scintillating static crackle and airy effects add detail - Omnimotion including a ghostly female voice, Ishq and Shulman blending bird calls and silken string sounds, Rena Jones playing delicate clarinet and cello somewhere off in the depths.

MOOD
The low light serenity of this album puts me in mind of that state of semi consciousness in between wakefulness and sleep where thoughts pass into dreams and vice versa. The dispersal of low key rhythm into beatlessness and back again, the comfortable oceanic swelling of soft drones, the indistinct voices and part identifiable sounds all work toward this common mood. That said, this is not a soporific CD of easy listening music - there is also an enjoyment of darkness, the artists here exploring the musical edge between melodic manipulation and ambient shapelessness - a serious experimentation with sonic states to touch the soul.

ARTWORK
The front cover is a pool of midnight black - tangled plumes of rising smoke swirling across one another in a knot of light are frozen in sculptural smoothness. On second glance a shadowed eye stares out from the centre of this intertwining of insubstantialities - ice blues, ashen tones, indigo depths. On the reverse is a track list - fine white against black, more spiralling fumes dimly visible in the deepest ultramarine. An expanded tracklist appears inside providing writing details and website information for some of the artists. An attractive package that is ideally suited to the accompanying sound content.

OVERALL
This latest compilation from Aleph Zero Records presents the more ambient side of the label - twelve tracks of subtle synthetic beauty that twist and hang in the air like sonic incense. Big names in the world of downtempo chill appear alongside less well known artists - all so closely united here in vision that this could be a single artist release - yet the diverse personalities each offer a unique viewpoint on this midnight excursion. Bluetech, Rena Jones, Elve and Omnimotion build the album to a dreamy, hypnotic climax along with a blissfully ethereal collaborative piece by Ishq and Shulman. Other musicians include Unoccupied, Cord, Krill.minima, Hibernation, Cosmic Fools, Anahata and Vataff Project. The promotional material explains the project as "a nocturnal journey starting in any other evening of everyday life and going through mysterious musical back roads and unknown sonic paths, spiralling down and diving deep inside your soul - a Midnight Soul Dive".

WHO WILL LIKE THIS ALBUM
Aleph Zero here deliver an album that dives further into ambience than their previous releases - if you enjoy the more floatational side of chill, this is one for you. Working the same rich vein of sleepy downtempo as Native State's 'Beneath The Surface and Ultimae's 'Albedo' - if you liked those albums you might want to check out the E-Flier for the album HERE.


http://www.morpheusmusic.co.uk for more reviews.
          MORPHEUS MUSIC
www.morpheusmusic.co.uk
ELECTRONIC MUSIC MALL
http://www.electronicmusicmall.com
Adam H
Para Halu

Started Topics :  17
Posts :  220
Posted : Jun 13, 2007 16:06
this is a good downtempo release... congratulations to mr. CORD from hungary

here, tracklist:

1. Everyday Life
UNOCCUPIED

2. Zodiac
CORD

3. Wie die Wolken zieht auch der Tag vorbei
KRILL.MINIMA

4. Melt
HIBERNATION

5. Bohemian Atmosphere
COSMIC FOOLS

6. Prana
ANAHATA

7. Plasticine Bird
VATAFF PROJECT

8. Embrace
OMNIMOTION

9. Mother Nature
ISHQ AND SHULMAN

10. Cyantium Flower
ELVE

11. Snow Drift
BLUETECH

12. A Curious Unraveling
RENA JONES          www.parahalu.net
Alias
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  32
Posts :  984
Posted : Jun 15, 2007 21:19
im very sad to see ....that nobody replies here

also ....its very rare to see reviews about ambient/chill-out ....in isratrance
------------------------------------------------------------
some tracks here almost beatless....

one more thing is that this is true musicians.....very talented musicians!

superb production

need more time to listen this compilation

          www.myspace.com/aliasix
full_on
IsraTrance Team

Started Topics :  279
Posts :  5475
Posted : Jun 15, 2007 22:10
Don't worry, I'll make a review as soon as my original copy arrive.

Aleph Zero did it again, check out this outstanding E-Flyer with samples to all tracks:
http://www.aleph-zero.info/media/AlephZ07/eflyer/MSDFlyer.htm

Respect!           .
...Be gentle with the earth...
...Dance like nobody's watching...
.
...I don't mind not going to Heaven, as long as they've got Coffee in Hell...
Alias
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  32
Posts :  984
Posted : Jun 21, 2007 14:47
the title of this compilation describing perfectly my feelings !

this album is more experimental, very different from other chill releases....each track is very different....

maybe it sounds stupid....but i think this album is minimal ambient! or minimal chill!

although this minimalism....there some amazing atmospheric moments!

the production is amazing...i think this is the next level of production!

the cover is simply brilliant ...like other aleph zero covers!

some artists here i never heard.....well did aleph zero
to give a chance for new talents!

favorites: 2,4,5,7,9

rate: 8/10



          www.myspace.com/aliasix
Trip-
IsraTrance Team

Started Topics :  101
Posts :  3239
Posted : Jun 22, 2007 15:14
In my opinion another awesome compilation following the older NBC release.
It's a perfect relaxation flight and can go deeper if you let it too... Took me a while to digest it properly - for sure leaves a good taste now           Crackling universes dive into their own neverending crackle...
AgalactiA
Alias
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  32
Posts :  984
Posted : Jun 22, 2007 16:35
Quote:

On 2007-06-22 15:14, Trip- wrote:
In my opinion another awesome compilation following the older NBC release.
It's a perfect relaxation flight and can go deeper if you let it too... Took me a while to digest it properly - for sure leaves a good taste now




totally agree with you!

to listen this album properly....you need time
thats the way to understand this music!
          www.myspace.com/aliasix
Cord

Started Topics :  0
Posts :  1
Posted : Jun 26, 2007 11:13
Quote:

On 2007-06-21 14:47, Alias wrote:

the production is amazing...i think this is the next level of production!

favorites: 2,4,5,7,9
rate: 8/10



Nice to see these words. (and that you picked number "2". )
Nathan
IsraTrance Senior Member

Started Topics :  301
Posts :  3605
Posted : Jun 27, 2007 16:39

My Hebreview:

http://www.layla.co.il/ContentView/ContentView.aspx?cimid=105560&cid=116

          -=The Meaning Of Life Is To Give Life A Meaning=
Banel
Behind Blue Eyes

Started Topics :  96
Posts :  415
Posted : Jun 27, 2007 22:50
Quote:

On 2007-06-15 21:19, Alias wrote:
....its very rare to see reviews about ambient/chill-out ....in isratrance




I have been thinking about that many times too, theres soo much top quality music in this end of the spectre. But it barely gets noticed as i see it.

Midnight soul dive is certainly among those i will pick up... Looks very nice & interesting!
          www.myspace.com/michaelbanel
full_on
IsraTrance Team

Started Topics :  279
Posts :  5475
Posted : Jul 8, 2007 19:58
My review:

VA - Midnight Soul Dive ( Aleph Zero, Jun. 2007 )

Track List:
01. Unoccupied - Everyday Life - 04:25
02. Cord - Zodiac - 06:25
03. Krill.minima - Wie Die Wolken Zieht Auch Der Tag Vorbei - 06:18
04. Hibernation - Melt - 05:17
05. Cosmic Fools - Bohemian Atmosphere - 06:00
06. Anahata - Prana - 06:29
07. Vataff Project - Plasticine Bird - 10:40
08. Omnimotion - Embrace - 04:46
09. Ishq & Shulman - Mother Nature - 06:44
10. Elve - Cyantium Flower - 09:34
11. Bluetech - Snow Drift - 04:32
12. Rena Jones - A Curious Unraveling - 04:31


Aleph Zero Records once again delivers the unexpected with their new compilation Midnight Soul Dive. This time we have a diversified repertoire with new artists standing side by side with stabilished Aleph Zero regulars, which are no others than some of the best downtempo producers like Shulman, Bluetech and Omnimotion.
This night time sonic journey was compiled by DJ Shahar and Shulman, the owners and label managers of Aleph Zero Records, and the results shows their sensibility and unpredictableness.

The cover is great as usual with all Aleph Zero releases, showing sort of a cigarette smoke with a human eye, which made me think about how volatile the human perception is. It was made by Antti at FTHR Productionz. Check it here:
http://212.227.206.198/cgi-bin/zoom.cgi?ale1cd007_b.jpg:CDs/ale/ale1cd007.html:;

The mastering sounds awesome, and was made by Yaniv Shulman himself and sounds clean as usual.

Before start making this review I decided to follow the prescription, and listen to this release every night for a week. Sometimes I just pressed play and turned off the lights, some other day I listened while reading a book, once I just kept gazing at the booklet and so on. It grew on me in a relaxing way, now I feel comfortable with the music, like with a good friend, and I'm still getting some parts of the story that are not so explicit. After that every night experience I got connected to the music, and now I feel it's unfair to compare these tracks because they have no pretensions else than be there by my side at night, helping in the relief of the every day's tensions and warming my heart with hope.

Sometimes the transition between tracks is abrupt, like when we suddenly accept the feeling that tells us we must know someone better... Similar thing happens between the first two tracks, some other times it happens very smoothly, even to the point were I don't know what track is playing, or maybe I'm wrong and there was no transition at all, it was still the same track.

This is music to be appreciated drop by drop, like that tasteful coffee which you can't rush to, or you'll miss the smell. There's so much diversity here, sad feelings, dense atmospheres, happy endings, tranquility...

Listening to the music is better than any track description, particularly in a release in which the music really speaks for itself. So check the samples now:

http://www.aleph-zero.info/media/AlephZ07/eflyer/MSDFlyer.htm

Not convinced yet? OK, read some random comments on some tracks.
Prana (T6) was the first track which I actually believed I got the story within, but once I knew its ending its beginning became something else. At first I didn't like the Krill.minima track (T3), because it has some noises that sound like interference, but now all I can hear is its enchanting flow. Mother Nature (T9) is a sonic walk through a forest, very relaxing. My girlfriend liked the birds (got kissed just by playing this album), there are beautiful bird sounds in many tracks. Melt by Hibernation (T4) reminds me Bluetech style and it's a deep and meticulous track. One of the most psychedelic tracks here is Plasticine Bird (T7), one of my favorites for sure, a well polished gem rich in details and still simple, amazes me every time. The Rena Jones track (T12) is a good beatless closer, sounds simple, but it's deeper than that. Bohemian Atmosphere (T5) develops slowly until a turning point full of emotion. Omnimotion's Embrace (T8) is one of my favorites here, it has positive atmospheres, unexpected sound effects and an awesome vocal usage. But it seems my real favorite is Elve - Cyantium Flower, which has incredible timbers and is long enough to develop its whole potential. A sweet track which I won't forget. Not to mention it also has birds.

To make a light years trip short, you must check this album. Did I mention it comes with a stick?


Recommendation: This release is highly recommended for all downtempo/Chill lovers. It is perfect for home listening and due to its diversity also very useful for DJing. Here we have more than 75 minutes of music distributed between 12 previously unreleased electronic chillers, each of them delivering something special and different, and together they assemble a huge and uncompromised nighttime lullaby. Highly recommended.

Buy it here:
http://www.aleph-zero.info/media/AlephZ07/eflyer/MSDFlyer.htm
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=6487
http://www.beatspace.com/dettagli/dettaglio.asp?id=3511
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/ale/ale1cd007.html

Favorites: 1, 2(!), 3, 4, 5(!), 6(!), 7(!), 8(!), 9(!), 10(!!), 11(!), 12.
Respect!
          .
...Be gentle with the earth...
...Dance like nobody's watching...
.
...I don't mind not going to Heaven, as long as they've got Coffee in Hell...
NasCa
Psybetyarok

Started Topics :  20
Posts :  247
Posted : Jul 10, 2007 22:24
ablsolutely superb compilaton!

go alphen zero go go!!

Drosophila


Started Topics :  2
Posts :  38
Posted : Jul 26, 2007 21:11
Very nice, Aleph Zero once again deliver a beautiful and relaxed trip, they don't give us compilations often but when they do its good (well the last one was good too anyways )

Very crispy sounds, a lot of different influences in this pot, from crispy IDM'ish sounds to deep ambient'ish to more celestial floating ambient... a beautiful journey!



highly recommended!
Galaxian
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  40
Posts :  661
Posted : Jul 27, 2007 02:06
after some time at last i heard minimalistic chill for those beautifull special moments... i dont have a particular favourite here, but i liked omnimotion, ishq & shulman and bluetech... very nice release as we all used to from alph zero crew... music for the end of the day
Bom*shankar
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  19
Posts :  512
Posted : Aug 8, 2007 10:34
Startin to dig into this one. first, i wasn't swept by it, but last night i listened to it with full attention in bed with little light from outside only and then i start to realize the deepness of this release- the name probablt fits it too well. hope to review properly soon after few more simikar listens. Krill.minima, Anahata, Vataff Project, Omnimotion and Elve are fucking deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep! And its all pretty pcychedelic in a deep yet subtle way
Trance Forum » » Forum  Music Reviews - V/A - Midnight Soul Dive (Aleph Zero)
 
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on StumbleUpon


Copyright © 1997-2024 IsraTrance