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VA - Left Coast Liquid Vol. 1 (Native State, 2005)
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furthur
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Sep 30, 2005 21:39
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VA – Left Coast Liquid Vol. 1
Label: Native State Records (Canada) NSCD002
Date: 20 September 2005
Track listing:
01. 08’59” Shulman – NN3
02. 07’26” Sympath – Pond Life
03. 07’56” Bluetech – Leaving Winter Behind
04. 05’31” Rena - Autumn
05. 05’49” Nalepa - Fresh
06. 07’38” Bluetech – Oleander (Phutureprimitive Symbiotic Remix)
07. 05’28” Shakatura – Baldocious Turp
08. 05’22” Shen - Stonehouse
09. 05’10” Desert Dwellers - Parabolic
10. 06’49” Adham Shaikh – The Garden
Label’s Statement:
Streaming into a richly textured exploration of global ambient realms, Native State Records debut compilation is a flowing sound environment lacing together oceanic soundscapes with reverberating, intricate rhythms and glitch-dipped melodies.
Imbedding laid back grooves with polysignature ambience, Left Coast Liquid Vol. 1 graces global chill-out with the polished digital aesthetic that defines the label.
Compiled by Evan Bluetech, this second release from Native State is an eclectic mix of new world music and atmospheric downtempo embodying the warm and spacious elements of the West Coast. Crystal clean production values meets the inspired spirit of the emerging musical imagination, making this sonic foray into the future an instant underground classic.
Review:
Let’s go through this song by sog first.
1. Yanic Shulman from Israel has been on the moniker since 2000, with 2 full-lengths under his belt, and joined two years ago by Omri Harpaz, another computer wizard, has given us this blissful song without a name. Here, we are engulfed in a very aquatic atmosphere right away. Sounds like children playing in an indoor pool, and slowly a melody breaks through like sun rays break through a sun roof. One can tell that the production is impeccable from the getgo. Extreme chillage material on this song without a name, as words are not fit to describe the emotions transmitted. Somewhat reminiscent of older ambient psychedelica, but with a brand new twist on it. Working with Ishq has definitely left an imprint on Shulman, raising the anticipation levels to new highs, as it takes a full 6 minutes for this one to fully break out of the beautiful nostalgic- but very happy-sounding intro. This one has everything, from flutes, to deep organic sounds, to out-of-this-world chanting. There is no way I am not dropping this in the chill space at this weekend’s party.
2. Sympath is a project I do not know much about other than it is a collaboration between Vancouver’s Noah Pred, aka Shen, and Native State’s label manager Naasko Wripple. An echo of a knife cutting through heavy fog opens this one with tribal percussion kicking in as the fog is dissipating. Very different from the previous song’s atmospheres, but blends in magnificently nevertheless. Definitely one to make you go from head-bopping to grooving on the dance-floor in those early dawn hours. As hypnotic as it can get without ever getting boring thanks to the slowly morphing layers around the driving percussion. Really great in all of its subtlety; hope to see more come out of this collaboration.
3. Evan Bluetech is a name on every chill lover’s lips these days, especially with a new album almost completed and due out on Aleph Zero. His sound is so distinct with the instrumental arrangements showcasing Evan’s musicianship. Leaving Winter Behind is perfect for an introspective moment atop a hill somewhere staring off into the distance listening to these perfectly blended sounds. Can’t really type anymore as I am carried away by a sonic wave bringing me into spring and revival. WOW
4. I am assuming that this is Rena Jones, the Bay Area string virtuoso for Candescent Orkestra and someone that has been gracing us with beautiful music ever since 97. Definitely sounds like her, superb cello playing combined with a relatively upbeat surrounding. Live instruments sound so good together with electronica, it is no surprise more and more people are giving us exactly this. Respect to Evan for choosing the order so well putting this after the previous piece, as we can still see some snow behind the dancer swaying in the wind to this highly danceable and yet very relaxing music.
5. Anyone that likes M-Audio products should feel at least some gratitude to Steve Nalepa, one of their software developpers, if I am not mistaken. Don’t know his music much, but recall seeing collaborations with Bill Laswell, so disappointment is unlikely here. Rebirth is in full swing here with moisture dropping off of newly-formed leaves, as the dew softly tickles our toes. A more IDM’ish piece here as the crackling and slight clicking flirts with the natural overtones. Nice to see “psychedelic” labels not being afraid of new sounds. A great interlude letting us collect our thoughts, or not, as we wish.
6. A remix of one West Coast masterpiece by another West Coast master. It is not unexpected to see the new king of dark chill choose this highly ominous song and make it even more menacing. As amazing as the original was, this is even better in my book. A nigthtime forest piece to be heard on a surround sound system. Here, the authors are hinting at synaesthesia and I am almost able to smell the fragrant music, but with such a name, I dare not taste the sounds, keeping my distance, witnessing the different sense-inducing elements of the song play in harmony. Majestic proof of darkness’ ability to soothe.
7. Bay Area’s Galen Butler has been releasing ethereal pieces since at least as far back as four years ago. Here, we wander into some slightly dubbier territory, reminding us that before building, we must shatter. In fact, it sounds like the process is much more simultaneous than we think. Furthermore, the process we observe here just might end up in a very steamy manner. Evan definitely wanted to cover all fronts with this compilation, blending not only genres, but sentiments as well, going from such nighttime, even forbidding if I may, material as the previous to such warm (even hot) sunny material on this one.
8. Another one by our very own Shen, making good use of deep driving percussion to offset the poppish melodies (I mean poppish in the best possible sense of the word). It feels as if though this song was not acting on my sensory apparatus, but directly on the inner organs, the drones hooking themselves into me. However with sounds this good, I do not mind them staying in me forever. It is hard to describe the impressions this can cause, do yourself a favour: listen to it.
9. If this is the same person that we used to know as Malamorph from Santa Fe, then I am very curious,as he has very experimental stuff, and already has a full-length entitled Biodiversity. If I had to stick this into a genre, I would call it experimental lounge (maybe ILM). I am sure that I have never heard this before (at least not in this life), but it sounds very familiar. Amani Friend, the main person behind this project, is very good at creating welcoming soundscapes, showing us that Desert Dwellers have a range wider that the most expansive desert. Very psychedelic in that pleasant kind of way opening up the inner child that is in us all.
10. And finally, a piece very different from Adham’s usual recent repertoire. A pioneer from BC producing music for well over a decade now and turning any open-air experience into a fairy tale experience, as I can attest to after this past summer. His next african beats infused album will be something essential too. Lets take a walk through his Garden. And what a mysterious and enchanting garden it is. It is best to lie down though and look at the cloud-filled sky, as this slow piece is the perfect companion to such an activity. Worthy of the best Ultimae compilations. Couldn’t have asked for a better closer.
What a voyage…
Not only is the music amazing, the flow is really great (and I am very hard to please in this department). It would be a huge understatement to say that there are no weak parts in this whole. In fact, each and every song here is very capable of bringing a tear to one’s eye.
This here is proves once again how strong the chill/ambient heritage of North America is, as all songs but one are by North American (specifically Left Coast) producers.
Even if some names might sound unfamiliar to some of us, none here are newcomers. Hope this will set an example fof the other labels to start looking outside the box for interesting material.
If you like to visit landscapes you have never imagined before, listen to this.
If you like to create new worlds, listen to this.
If you are a fan of inventive, original, unusual and inspired music that can take you through realms of moods, listen to this.
A strong 9.5 out of 10 from me (and just for the record, I have never given a 10, this is as close as it has gotten in a long long time).
Favourites: 1(!!!!), 2(!!), 3(!!!!),4(!!!),5(!!!),6(!!!!!),7(!!!),8(!!!!),9(!!),10(!!!).
Recommended.
s
  Load Universe into Cannon. Aim at Brain. Fire.
www.ganesha.ca |
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Pavel
Moderator
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Posted : Sep 30, 2005 23:34
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furthur
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Oct 1, 2005 03:39
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by Yanic I meant Yaniv (the c and v are right next to each other, sorry)
Load Universe into Cannon. Aim at Brain. Fire.
www.ganesha.ca |
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hip
Shuma
Started Topics :
12
Posts :
404
Posted : Oct 2, 2005 20:59
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Yes, a truly beutiful music on this cd.
Its really hard to point out a track, especially after furthur described them so well. But still, Bluetech and Rena are my favourites.
For sure a milestone in chillout/downtempo area.
Finally.
ps 2 furthur - Rena is Rena Jones indeed, and this track is taken from her album "transmigration".
I would also reccomend this album to everyone, you just won't believe your ears when you hear it. 
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Morpheus Music
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Oct 14, 2005 10:22
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Morpheus Music's review is here:
STYLE
Liquid clear downtempo electronica alternating between lush melodic pieces and sparse, spacious beat driven tracks. Atmospheric introductions build into intricate arrangements around bright digital beats where the snares and hats are crisp, the basses and kicks intestinal. Harmonic developments are generally unhurried, with less cycling arpeggios than some of the other current chill output - emphasis is instead on development of ambient moods and engrossing percussion. Shulman's colourful opener although rhythmic, is beatless for much of its length, twinkling and constantly changing; Bluetech's 'Leaving Winter Behind' has a classical elegance with wistful piano and vivid synth work; Rena's 'Autumn' features some beautiful cello playing - serene and absorbing over a contrastingly fresh programmed groove.
MOOD
Cool and oceanic with a very polished interface. Left Coast Liquid Vol. 1 is certainly a downtempo album but it maintains an energetic, emotive edge throughout its length. The clarity of the mix and originality of the ambient effects alongside graceful, nimble compositional structures create a mood of contemporary elegance, delicate and flickering one moment flowing and rich the next.
ARTWORK
An organic psychedelic aesthetic permeates the packaging of Left Coast - graphic spirals and sparkles overlay anemone fronds and fragile ripples of water - all tinted pale blue against an infinite blackness. The booklet is a three-panel foldout that carries its lush imagery on the outside and all the text on the inside. We have a full-page statement on 'Left Coast Liquid Polyculture' and a poetic offering entitled 'Life Craft'. The final panel contains track info with full credits and website details.
OVERALL
This compilation coming from Evan Bluetech's Native State Records explores 'global ambient realms' through 'glitch dipped melodies' and 'polysignature soundscapes' aimed at embodying the warm and spacious elements of the West Coast. This is certainly one of 2005's best collections in my opinion - worth owning for Phutureprimitive's remix of Bluetech's 'Oleander' alone. This track reminds of all that I love about Phutureprimitive's confident, sleek, prowling style. Nevertheless, this whole CD flows nicely, maintaining the high grade from start to finish.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS ALBUM
Anyone familiar with Bluetech's field of PsiDM and exotic chillout will be surely be pleased with this album. If you enjoy instrumental electronic music that focuses on atmosphere whilst providing moving beats and cutting edge effects - Left Coast Liquid Vol 1 must be worth a listen.
The original review (along with sample tracks to listen to)is here:
http://www.morpheusmusic.co.uk/html/reviews19.htm#leftcoast
Cheers
Paul
MORPHEUS MUSIC
www.morpheusmusic.co.uk
ELECTRONIC MUSIC MALL
http://www.electronicmusicmall.com |
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Bluetech
Bluetech
Started Topics :
28
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147
Posted : Oct 23, 2005 08:31
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Nice reviews, thanks guys! |
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Nathan
IsraTrance Senior Member
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Posted : Oct 23, 2005 10:33
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shulman! Just this name can sell the album without any promotion.
don't know the other artist but I will give it a chance 
-=The Meaning Of Life Is To Give Life A Meaning= |
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