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V/A - Mountain High 2 (Candyflip Records 2005) CD
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DeathPosture
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 4, 2005 14:25
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V/A – Mountain High 2
Cover: http://tinyurl.com/74pnm (front) + http://tinyurl.com/8xvjn (back)
Artist: Various
Title: Mountain High 2
Format: CD (digipack)
Label: Candyflip Records (Greece)
Cat. #: CFR CD16
Distribution: Arabesque
Date: October 2005
Track listing:
01. 06’23” Cell – The Gate
02. 05’24” Max Maxwell & TKY - Twilight
03. 07’27” Kick Bong – Way Of Life
04. 06’23” Lideres Band feat. Bede – Close (Chill Mix)
05. 06’25” Max Maxwell - Isha
06. 05’38” Lideres Band – Secrets Of The Truth
07. 06’16” Kick Bong - Ballad
08. 07’17” I.X.O.P. - Forever
09. 04’24” Lideres Band feat. Bede - Duende
10. 08’09” Aes Dana – Bam
11. 07’22” Solar Fields – Good Times
.m3u-playlist: http://tinyurl.com/9bnu8 (all tracks!)
Review:
Misty mountains of Greece re-visited!
Candyflip Records from Greece is back with the long awaited follow-up to the 2003 chill-compilation Mountain High… The first one was an epic journey of high-quality chill-out – and by the looks of the track list, this one is too… Alex Candy has spent more than 18 months hand-picking these tracks and I feel pretty confident he knows what he’s doing… Let’s find out…
Let me take you thru the tracks…
#01: Cell – The Gate
As on the first Mountain High compilation, we’re graced with a track by French sound-engineer Alex Scheffer… I find that the quality of his tracks often varies a great deal… Sometimes he creates amazing music, and other times mediocre stuff… But damn – this is good! Very chilled, laid-back tribal downbeat… Yeah, you’ll gather plenty of energy to climb the mountain with this ethno-lush and luxurious track! Very sweet!
#02: Max Maxwell & TKY – Twilight
A shorter version of this track was also released by Com.Pact Records earlier this year on the Unwind - A Journey Into Global Grooves compilation… Max Maxwell from New Zealand collaborates with Yaniv Zaidman on this dusky track… This is downbeat world-music relying heavily on sample-CDs, but with enough originality to keep me interested… Slow and poking – lukewarm and tasty… Reminds me of Asura… Pretty good, but not outstanding and a little too short…
#03: Kick Bong – Way Of Life
French producer Franck Jousselin was also on the first Mountain High with a very nice tribal track… And yeah, this is very tribal too… Complete with native chanting and rainforest showers…Add some dubby, slow-paced space stabs – and you’ve pretty much now what you’re dealing with… All in all a very nice, chilled hybrid track… I dig it! ;o)
#04: Lideres Band feat. Bede – Close (Chill Mix)
The Lideres Band was formed in Barcelona by Brazilian Rafael Mello (a.k.a. DJ Basbu) who was joined by percussionist and producer Jose España and bass player Juan Carlos… This is dubby ethno-electro-chill with emphasis on an enchanting flute line… Also the string-work is impressive here… Kinda reminds me of Gotan Project… A really, really nice tune!
#05: Max Maxwell – Isha
Max from Golden Bay, New Zealand is on his own on this track… Yeah, this is lush, plush world music… Ranging from laid-back dub to crossover downbeat… More flute-action + an impressive array of percussion… I really dig the heavily vocoded ethno-chants… They are probably from some sample CD, but they are very nicely put together here… Sounds like a tune straight out of a Macao Café compilation… Sweet!
#06: Lideres Band – Secrets Of The Truth
The Lideres posse again – with a strange Engrish track title!? This choon relies more on electro bits than the previous ones, and as such it seems less organic and peaceful to me… That being said, this is still a pretty decent track… Journey-wise it also fit in; it’s just not among the best here…
#07: Kick Bong – Ballad
Franck Jousselin makes his last appearance here – with a ballad! Well, it’s not really a ballad – more like intergalactic space chill… We’re approaching the top of the mounting coz this is pretty damn chilled… Icy cold actually… Lazy beats, dubby vibes, static background pads and slow bongos… Pretty nice but not as good as the previous Kick Bong track…
#08: I.X.O.P. – Forever
Behind the cryptic name above is Themis Xafis from Thessaloniki, Greece and he also had a track on the 2003 Iboga Records compilation Floating Point 01… This is a very rich, mature track – despite its peaceful appearance it’s packed to the rim with all kinds of advanced chill FX… I’m sure a lot of work went into this… And that paid off – this is a wonderful track!
#09: Lideres Band feat. Bede – Duende
Here’s the third track from the Spanish downbeat collective… Again the electro-influences are evident, and this doesn’t seem as peaceful as I would have liked it to be… Parts of this are actually pretty eerie and grim… I guess we’ve come across a dark cave on the way to the top of the mountain… A decent track…
#10: Aes Dana – Bam
Ahh – Ultimae exec Vincent Villuis… Never fails to impress me with his highly atmospheric chill-out… This is a perfect composition of ambient soundscapes evolving into progressive downbeat… Impressive to say the least! Viva la Bam!
#11: Solar Fields – Good Times
Who better to follow Aes Dana than Solar Fields? Magnus Birgersson is another chill heavy weight, and I really like his artic chill style… This is more pure ambient turning into intelligent downbeat… Floating, drifting, soothing – and eventually head-bopping! Nice track to finish the journey…
So – how does this compare to the first Mountain High? Hard to say, but after some hardcore thinking I’ve come to the conclusion that this isn’t better – it’s equally good… There are some tracks here that don’t exactly rub me the right way – but then again, there are also a bunch of really awesome downbeat tracks… Also the cover art here is some of the most beautiful I’ve seen in a while…
This compilation works pretty well both with and without headphones… And journey-wise I find it pretty good and varied… Lots of cross-over material here, which is a good thing! All in all, this is a solid downbeat compilation… Perhaps not essential, but still pretty damn good! A safe buy for hardened chillers though… Enjoy!
Favourites: 1(!), 3, 4(!), 5(!), 8(!), 10(!), 11
DeathPosture
External links:
Candyflip Records: http://www.candyflip-records.com
Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/release/548510
Saiko Sounds: http://tinyurl.com/7ornx
TranceShop: http://tinyurl.com/dregb
Amboworld: http://tinyurl.com/8lxjy
Discobole: http://tinyurl.com/bd6jx
Psyshop: http://tinyurl.com/8p3wd
Wirikuta: http://tinyurl.com/8a2gd
Wakyo: http://tinyurl.com/cgm5q
Chaos: http://tinyurl.com/7l6b4
Cisco: http://tinyurl.com/8hc75
Juno: http://tinyurl.com/9h6f2
  On really romantic evenings of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion... |
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MARGHERITA
Master Margherita
Started Topics :
156
Posts :
1442
Posted : Nov 4, 2005 23:31
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Nice review death 
you dont like : Lideres Band – Duende (feat. Bede) ? for my taste is the more interesting track into the cd , very nice:.
best tracks :
1. Cell – The Gate
8. IX omega P – Forever
9. Lideres Band – Duende (feat. Bede)
10. Aes Dana – Bam
11. Solar Fields – Good Times
Peace 
http://mastermargherita.com |
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farmatar
Started Topics :
4
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29
Posted : Nov 6, 2005 00:56
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such a magical music
some beats
and total pleasure
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thinman242
Started Topics :
9
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78
Posted : Nov 7, 2005 12:15
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Great cd , great production .Lideres band is a surprise. Very good indeed.Fresh sounds and a level up from the previous mountain high. Recomended for all ears. |
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SofiaX
SofiaX
Started Topics :
22
Posts :
537
Posted : Nov 7, 2005 16:51
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Max Maxwell all the Euros!!!
Bravo Alex
Give us more music like this
Big bala boom
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v/a Hasta Las Patillas > Discovalley Records |
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CLAW
CLAW
Started Topics :
117
Posts :
2738
Posted : Nov 8, 2005 00:15
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Got this cd just today...
Im very happy about it cause the mountain high 1 was very good, this looks even better 
1st of all I'd like to start with the art.
Digipack is what i like in cds, and we a combination of a good design art, i like it even more 
Great cover
Now lets get to the point....
1. Cell - The Gate
Realy great track for start... Quality as usual from this project! Realy clean production minimalistic but great drum pattern... Realy liked the flute thing and the combination of the taplas....
Realy nice flow, great vibe and production at its best!
For sure a lay-back track that I enjoyed listening...
2. Max Maxwell & Tky - Twilight
New names for me. Good melodies and some nice vocals!!
I liked the synth work of this track, analogic kinda style... A 100 bpm track that moves u, gives the feeling of a faster track influenced from the drums...
Not too much 'game in it, but it flows... Melody-wise it provides good feeling...
Good work, wanna listen more from this act.
3. Kick Bong - Way of life
Realy nice intro... Great distorted 'dirty' bass sound...
It got my attention from the very start...
Melacholic melodies, making your to go back and remember different events of your life... At least this is how i felt it, which is good for me
A change to a kinda 4/4 beat gave to the track a nice vibe!
Very good for lay back and enjoy life  This a good 'way of life' mr bong 
Nice break at 4:10 with a sweet vocal with tremling vibe
It flows at that point, makes u move realy slowly and then again the 4/4 that tells u ok, now its time to move again and come back dont fly to high!!!!!
Great job mr...
4. Lideres Band - Close (Chill Mix Feat. Bede)
I was realy glad that i saw my friend rafael and his great skills being released by candy flip!
A nice track with the flute drives the move...
A nice 90 bpm track with the participation fo bede!
Its a track with many organs in it, i listen to some rhodes, some violins some flutes... Great!
It provides a chillfunk atmosphere!
Nice one my friend
5. Max Maxwell - Isha
This guy again! Flutes are a dominat organ in this VA... Good synths, along with the guitar like sound.
A nice phaser kinda like melody and a good driving flow... Nice bass, i liked it!
Indeed this guy makes some good chill
6. Lideres Band - Secrets of the Truth
Again the brazilian guy, Rafael
Nice syths, feeling analog!
Some piano rifs in between and more and more organs poping up during the build up, good i like!
Some dreamy sounds, and melodies that create the necesary atmosphere for.... well, everything hehe
Good one my friend keep the great work, Im realy impressed!!!
7. Kick Bong - Balad
This guy again during our climing to the mountain of chillnessss....
Nice wave-like patterns of droplike sounds...
Realy liked the delay work on some sounds...
4/4 beat for this track, again a vibe that always makes me move!
At leat move my head during listening, u know hehe 
Again a lady thowing some vowels
goood, makes the track sweet...
Good track but not as good as the previous one
8. I.X.O.P - Forever
I've been expecting the cd to listen to this track among the others... A greek project that i heard a lot about...
Nice flow at the begining giving a good 4/4 beat wise drive...
I liked at 2:50, a nice flute sound with some cutting edge...
It flows, it moves, gives the feeling that should gives!
Bravo my friends (etsi prepei )
I made a thought! I bouzouki sound coulf have been a suprise
Imagine that heheh
A well produced track by Themis...
Good one file!
9. Lideres Band - Duende (Feat. Bede)
Another track by this guy!!! U sure did some filling in this cd hehehe
Short track not the length we got used to.
It gets quick to the subject, realy great vive friend...
It can be used in a move, especially at a running scence
Nice nice my friend, i liked the way u use the different organs in your tracks...
Thats realy great! U make them interesting even more....
10. Aes Dana - Bam
Yep this is vincent at his atmospheric journeys...
This is what i like in this guys productions... Quality, and full of feelings!
Nice flowing intro, it brings u slowly slowy to the main point...
Bass is telling us to get ready for this journey into the deep and unknow world of sounds and emotions...
I enjoy the way that this guy uses the equipments and the sounds... Structure is a familiar phenomenon os most of the trax by this guy... Well structured with a story kinda like flow...
One of my favorites in this cd...
realy liked the break at 4:30.... I enjoy such creativities... Makes the listening a lot more interesting and enjoyable!!!
Well done ones more vincent
I realy enjoyed listening to this track! Made me pay good attention to the way it is build and structured...
A great job
11. Solar Fields - Good Times
Another act this time from the deep forest of sweeden... Nice wave textures with a good atmosphere...
Some synth patterns made an intro!
A cool way of building up... I liked the vocals that i listen in the background...
A track that gives me the feeling that Im in a cave listening to the great work that a ' reverb' is doing
Ambientish track with a chaotic vibe...
The last track for the compilation and it gives the great feeling that a magical journey has been passed after listening to the whole cd and came to a finish with this piece...
An ejoyable track that travels you to an unknown world full of layers & layers of sounds...
A very good job by Alex & stratos the ppl behind Candy flip records...
Thanx for this journey guys, till next time,
keep the good work bringing some quality music to the ppl
P.S My revew has been written during listen, so excuse me for writting so much • Noize Conspiracy Records •
http://soundcloud.com/c-l-a-w
https://www.facebook.com/CLAW.cy |
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SofiaX
SofiaX
Started Topics :
22
Posts :
537
Posted : Nov 8, 2005 19:22
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Quote:
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On 2005-11-08 00:15, CHP wrote:
Great cover
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Yeap !Cover is prefect!!
Made by Votanos is my good friend George from Thesaloniki.
Photo is agreek mountain Smolikas
Boom
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v/a Hasta Las patillas >> Discovalley Records
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PKS
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
75
Posts :
490
Posted : Nov 9, 2005 13:41
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Candyflip Records in Greece releases mostly progressive trance, but also some chilled releases. Here they are out with the second chapter in their Mountain High series, which takes us into an ambient/dub journey by known and unknown artists.
Mountain High 2 (Candyflip Records) 2005 (CFCD16)
1. Cell – The Gate
2. Max Maxwell & TKY – Twilight
3. Kick Bong – Way Of Life
4. Linderes Band – Close (Chill Mix Feat. Bede)
5. Max Maxwell – Isha
6. Linderes Band – Secrets Of The Truth
7. Kick Bong – Ballad
8. I.X.O.P. – Forever
9. Lineres Band – Duende (Feat. Bede)
10. Aes Dana – Bam
11. Solar Fields – Good Times
This compilation has a really nice opening by Cell (Alexandre Scheffer) from France. He has released several really strong tracks this year, and here he delivers one of his best tracks so far. Chilled tribal vibe with a wonderful melody coming in after a while. Track 2 by Max Maxwell is allready released three (!!!) times before, such as on Com.Pact and Zulu Lounge. It’s a pretty nice track, but I just can’t see why release it a third time when there is so much good chill out music out there. Track 3 is a new track by Kick Bong, who released his debut album (A Cup Of Tea) on Ultra Vista this year. Loungy easy listening chill with a very organic vibe. Track 4, 6 and 9 is made by a Brazilian group called Linderes Band. They haven’t released much before, but here we get surprisingly three (!!) tracks by them. They follow the loungy easy listening style too. Easy digestible chill prefect for a cafe, but pretty nice tracks anyway. Track 5 is another one by Max Maxwell, also this one disappointingly released before on his album Continuous Play. Track 6 is another one by King Bong again, here with some nature sounds and mystic, dubby vibes. Track 8 is by a fresh new name from Greece, I.X.O.P. Pretty nice down tempo track, totally chilling. The last two tracks are from the Ultimae family, Aes Dana and Solar Fields. Aes Dana gives us his typical style of deep, spacey ambient with down tempo beats. One of my favourite tracks on this compilation. Solar Fields finishes the compilation with a really floating, beautiful ambient track.
In my opinion, the first chapter of Mountain High was slightly better than this. Some of the tracks become a little bit too café chill for my taste, and I was a bit dissappointed to find tracks allready released. But, you also get some really nice tracks here, such as Cell, Aes Dana and Solar Fields.
PKS
More reviews at:
http://www.trance.net
CHILL TRIBE
CTRCD01 QUALITY RELAXATION
CTRCD02 RELAXED JOURNEYS
CTRCD03 EAR PLEASURE
CTRCD04 WOMBATMUSIC - Shameful Silence
CTRCD05 POLYPLOID - Grow Your Own
CTRCD06 IAN ION - Gringo Locomotion
CTRCD07 SUNKINGS - Before We Die |
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Alex Candy
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 10, 2005 13:03
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2 tracks were previously released (not by our label) out of the 11 tracks,
"Twilight" was released twice (not three times)...when it was signed I did not know that it was going to be released for the second time....and as for the "isha" track, it has been released on max maxwell's album..a release available mainly in new zealand and the majority of the people have never had or listened to his album...so it is almost as if it was unreleased...
we have made 4 chill-out releases so far : V.A.- Mountain High, Healer album "Higher Grounds", Kukan Dub Lagan album "Life is Nice" and now V.A.- Mountain High 2....and only two tracks featured have been released before......
But the most important thing for me when compiling Mountain High 2 was not : released or unreleased tracks - or big artist names vs unknown artists (so what?) - or the number of tracks per artist on the comp. - but rather the flow between the tracks and the overall feeling and emotions conveyed to the listener
i can accept critisism but i don't agree that the style is loungey in any way in this cd (you can argue this on the next project i am working on right now)...if you find any cafes playing such music...then, pls tell me where, i would love to hear such music...maybe mountain cafes ?
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PKS
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
75
Posts :
490
Posted : Nov 10, 2005 18:14
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Hello Alex
Here is my answer to your reply:
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Alex Candy wrote:
"Twilight" was released twice (not three times)...when it was signed I did not know that it was going to be released for the second time....
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Wrong. It IS released three times before (four including this release!!!):
V/A Loop Select 2
http://www.discogs.com/release/179468
V/A Mar Y Tierra
http://www.discogs.com/release/387409
V/A Unwind
http://www.discogs.com/release/509198
How bad communication is it possible to have with the artist? As a compiler myself, this is the FIRST thing I check (offcourse!!)
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and as for the "isha" track, it has been released on max maxwell's album..a release available mainly in new zealand and the majority of the people have never had or listened to his album...so it is almost as if it was unreleased...
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I don't agree with that. Around the world today, most people order music through internet. People don't care if it's released on the other side of the globe...
Quote:
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i can accept critisism but i don't agree that the style is loungey in any way in this cd (you can argue this on the next project i am working on right now)...if you find any cafes playing such music...then, pls tell me where, i would love to hear such music...maybe mountain cafes ?
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That it is loungy doesn't necessarely mean it is negative... And yes, I can tell you. Check out some cafés at Ibiza, or even here in Oslo, Norway, you will hear such music... On the other hand, they play everything from Backroom Beats compilations to Cafe De Mar on those places...
I can say it again, I really enjoyed several of these tracks, but some of them is not my cup of tea. I also like to inform people when tracks are allready released elsewhere, because I think they deserve to know... I didn't mention the cover art, it is beautiful by the way.
PKS
CHILL TRIBE
CTRCD01 QUALITY RELAXATION
CTRCD02 RELAXED JOURNEYS
CTRCD03 EAR PLEASURE
CTRCD04 WOMBATMUSIC - Shameful Silence
CTRCD05 POLYPLOID - Grow Your Own
CTRCD06 IAN ION - Gringo Locomotion
CTRCD07 SUNKINGS - Before We Die |
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Alex Candy
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Nov 11, 2005 15:03
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hi PKS
well i did not know that the track was released 3 times, when i had signed the track, it was already released only once..maybe i was a bit late releasing it..!
quote :
How bad communication is it possible to have with the artist? As a compiler myself, this is the FIRST thing I check (offcourse!!)
Well maybe you are a better manager and compiler than me...and do a better job all around..??..and maybe your review is not a listeners' review but a new label managers' review ??
An ordinary listener would probably just listen to the cd from beginning to end and not focus so much on "other" things..and i never said that all tracks were unreleased, did not hide anything...anywayzzz..no problemo
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PKS
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
75
Posts :
490
Posted : Nov 11, 2005 15:18
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Quote:
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Well maybe you are a better manager and compiler than me...and do a better job all around..??..and maybe your review is not a listeners' review but a new label managers' review ??
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Dear Alex
That is not what I meant. I don't think I'm a better compiler or anything. You should know that... I have written reviews for many years, and I include information like that in most of my reviews. Just check older reviews on www.trance.net and you will see. Offcousre my review is a "listeners review". I'm sorry if you were offended by my information about that, but that's just my way of writing, and I have always done that, no matter who released it. Anyway, I enjoyed a lot of the compilation, and I wrote that. Focus on that instead, and keep doing the great work Alex. I just don't understand how you can be upset just because I write some extra information... As a record collector, I like it when people add that kind of information in their reviews... Looking forward to more chilled releases from Candyflip by the way!
CHILL TRIBE
CTRCD01 QUALITY RELAXATION
CTRCD02 RELAXED JOURNEYS
CTRCD03 EAR PLEASURE
CTRCD04 WOMBATMUSIC - Shameful Silence
CTRCD05 POLYPLOID - Grow Your Own
CTRCD06 IAN ION - Gringo Locomotion
CTRCD07 SUNKINGS - Before We Die |
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Alex Candy
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
51
Posts :
381
Posted : Nov 14, 2005 12:51
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me iz not upset we just seem to define music genres differently and focus on different things when listening...no problemo!
Since u mentioned future releases- the next compilation project i am working on now : V.A.- Free in Style .....will be "freestyle" in terms of music....fusion of many different styles...very much different than anything Candyflip has previously released...with a very strong presence of non-european artists (for the first time) especially from australia but also from japan, new zealand and usa.
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blueOrb
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
100
Posts :
1698
Posted : Nov 14, 2005 14:04
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Morpheus Music
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
94
Posts :
165
Posted : Nov 16, 2005 13:07
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Morpheus Music Review
STYLE
A collection of meditative chillout with plenty of dreamy psychedelia and global sounds. Opening with the wafting flutes, hand drums and subtle electronic of Cell - this CD maintains a tranquil pace throughout. Downtempo grooves and liquid synths are the order of the day, ethnic voices and sharp effects sitting among warm pianos and pulsing basslines. Arpeggios are not dominant, more melodic elements carrying many of the tracks with layers that thicken, overlap and drop away little by little. There are a number of pieces with guitar lines interwoven with the synth work and, naturally, the odd voice wave painted in here and there.
MOOD
Introspective chill with exotic overtones - ethnic samples hinting at places far away. Most tracks are of a light relaxing nature, but there are moments of shadow - Kick Bong notably introducing a darker tone, moody and earthier than the rest. Ethereal and atmospheric in places, Solar Fields, for example creates a deeply ambient sound painting where rippling arps and echoing piano float above a serene. Aes Dana leads into what is probably the most steady piece of trance on the album with scratches and washes alongside some trademark sounds that will be familiar to fans of Memory Shell.
ARTWORK
As with Mountain High 1, this is an attractive digipack with sharp graphics. Smolikas Mountain snuggles under mists of distance and translucent graphic bands whilst the green seahorse design from volume one stretches across the spine. Track titles are on the rear cover and in expanded form within. More scenic photography adorns the inner faces of the package - blue grey in contrast to the lime green of the title text and seahorse details.
OVERALL
A worthy follow-up to its predecessor, Mountain High 2 is once more compiled by Alex Candy of Candyflip Records. Drawn together over a period of a year and a half, artists from France, Spain, Brazil, New Zealand, Greece and Sweden present a united vision of blissful tranquillity. Unlike the original collection, three artists here take up seven of the eleven tracks - Max Maxwell, Kick Bong and Lideres Band. New Greek act I.X.O.P (percussionist Themis Xafis' project) represent the new blood whilst Aes Dana, Cell and Solar Fields add to the familiar names drawn together.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS ALBUM
If you enjoyed Mountain High 1 - this album will surely be a welcome addition to your collection. If you enjoy downbeat electronica with worldly colour give this one a listen.
For the original review and some sound clips visit us here:
http://www.morpheusmusic.co.uk/html/reviews22.htm#mountain2
Paul
MORPHEUS MUSIC
www.morpheusmusic.co.uk
ELECTRONIC MUSIC MALL
http://www.electronicmusicmall.com |
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