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Waterjuice "Melbaphonics" (Vaporvent) 12/2004
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BrettFromTibet
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jan 27, 2005 21:08
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Artist Name: Waterjuice
CD Title: “Melbaphonics”
Released by: Vaporvent Records, San Francisco, USA
Release Date: 12/2004
Available at: http://www.vaporvent.com
Review by: BrettFromTibet
Track List:
1. Low Room
2. New Goo – (120 bpm)
3. Something Else – (80 bpm)
4. Fresh Squeeze – (120 bpm)
5. Trip – (125 bpm)
6. Dubbly Bubbly
7. Steam –(120 bpm)
8. Green Shake –(67 bpm)
9. Surf or Sync – (104 bpm)
10. Launch
Review:
I really like the new Waterjuice CD, “Melbaphonics ”. It should show the rest of the world why they are one of the very top psychedelic downtempo acts in North America. This San Francisco-based duo stands out because they’ve pioneered a unique sound that is both epic, yet easily accessible to a wide cross-section of the underground: chillers, trancers, jam-band fans, and dancers.
Another thing going for Waterjuice, is their “live ”shows actually seem very live - much more like a concert than a laptop recital. It’s easy to watch how they tweak their instruments, manipulate sound, and get involved in each step of the creative process. Waterjuice consists of Sur Real and Raven - Raven is an electric guitarist with a boggling array of effects and pedals that can make both classic “guitar sounds ”, as well as cosmic trance tones. Sur Real works pads and synths, and I’ve seen him tap out new fat beats right in front of the audience. He also shakes a one-of-a-kind “MIDI Space suit ” that triggers sound via body motion. They play together well and can really whip-up the audience by jamming long and hard - like a futuristic, digital, psychedelic rock band .
This newest studio CD, “Melbaphonics”, smoothly cruises through a wide spectrum of chill, breakbeats, dub, psy-trance and trip hop. And it nails each of them spot-on. The disc plays very solidly – which is important to me, for picking or recommending a downtempo CD. My attention span for music can be short, but I’ve never really felt like skipping through any of the tracks on “Melbaphonics”. They’re all good.
Track 3, “Something Else ”, is really something else! This darkish psychedelic dub session has bass notes deeper than a fault-line ocean trench – and it sucks me into the subduction zone every time. The disc really starts to sparkle around Track 4, “Fresh Squeezed ”, a heady blast of invigorating, slow, skunky-funky psychedelic trance. Track 7, “Steam ”, rolls out the trance-groove even harder –steaming, sizzling and smoking too. Number 9, “Surf or Sync ”, is a spectacular rock-infused jam with Water-juicy guitar hooks and freshly bubbling synthesizers. The disc finishes with a funkadelic trip-hop groove called “Launch”, something I’d imagine hearing at a whacked-out Wednseday night warm-up party at Burning Man…
This disc goes great with a chilled-out smoke , or as a soundtrack for a sunny drive. Playing it out has shown that the faster tracks really WORK, and just ooze with accessibility and dance-floor magic.
To push the envelope of downtempo sound design, and travel the world on the strength of your music is an extremely competitive mission. But I’ll bet that Waterjuice has the fierce creativity, stage presence, classical musicianship and studio skills to stay ahead. I can wholeheartedly recommend their newest CD “Melbaphonics”. And I wouldn’t miss out on seeing or booking their live show. You will not be disappointed. |
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Quasga
Inactive User
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Posted : Jan 27, 2005 23:57
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Nice review. Looking to pick it up soon. 
Quasga
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intrees
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jan 28, 2005 20:45
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thanks for the review Brett. I really liked the sounds of the samples on their website.
I never really listen to their first CD, but this really sounds like a nice new step in a psychedelic direction.
credit card on standby! 
 - - It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice... - -
www.revolvemagazine.co.uk |
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Nelito
Started Topics :
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Posts :
188
Posted : Jan 28, 2005 23:00
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Great review Brett,just got my copie,even richest of the first and clasic HiDROPHONICS.totaly recomended.Invest on this one.is safe.Peace,MANNY |
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BrettFromTibet
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jan 28, 2005 23:28
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I enjoy this one much better for home listening than the 1st CD, Hydrophonics. This one is really stoney, really dubby, and funky.
i've listened to it straight-through probably 40 times since X-mas. Friends who don't even know about downtempo also think it's pretty good.
this 'compulsive listening factor' is what makes me feel comfortable reccomending a CD. |
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Drifting Along
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Posted : Jan 29, 2005 05:12
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I have to agree with all you guys. The first cd was really good, but this one.... hehehe. I was waiting for this cd to be released for a long time and they were always changing the release date...It was worth the wait. I recommend it for everyone.
It seems to me that the best psy chill being done at the moment is being produced in the U.S.. Androcell, Phuture Primitive, Waterjuice, Bluetech... am I forgetting someone??!! |
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sherlockalien
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jan 29, 2005 16:01
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" am I forgetting someone??!!"
shakatura |
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hyperion
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jan 30, 2005 01:57
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From where can we order this one ?
amboworld or psyshop??
Music may not take us to the Moon or let us live forever, but as we enter trough the doors it is opening before us, we find things far beyond our everyday experiences..
http://www.myspace.com/djhyperion |
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Nelito
Started Topics :
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188
Posted : Jan 30, 2005 02:26
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sir eel
Waterjuice
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62
Posted : Feb 1, 2005 06:46
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respect to the listeners
and thanks again brett for the review...you rock!
as for online distributor sales, please request loudly out your favorite online store....
while our first one certainly has some flavor, i can humbly say we have learned a lot over the past few years....
respect |
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furthur
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Feb 1, 2005 06:57
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A bit off topic.
Will Shiva Subcontractor really be repressed soon, and if yes, when?
Otherwise, I will stop holding my breath.
Load Universe into Cannon. Aim at Brain. Fire.
www.ganesha.ca |
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Alex Boshke
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 1, 2005 14:27
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I really liked both Waterjuice albums ! very good music! actually my favorite psychill CDs since long time!
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sir eel
Waterjuice
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Posted : Feb 1, 2005 20:01
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well further, shiva sub is still available, i have some here....
and thanks alex! was nice to meet you at the door of the transit....strange party, but in some starnge way the most psychedelic of the summer....(or maybe that was my friends waterbottle!!)
great to see ott, redseal, cpu, mekkanikka, inneraction, and x-dream all in one place!
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bluespectralmonkey
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 2, 2005 03:04
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yes its a great album.... thanks !
great review brett, you took the words way out of my mouth hehe
its a solid album, and while the last track initially gave me cringes, its been in my head all week and totally making my days less serious, which i need.
sir eel -- youll be happy to know that brad and i gave it a proper listen down at his new bobo gallery the other night, and i spun some tracks in a chillset there on sunday (my new chill weekly) im sure i will be hitting this one for a long time to come.
i also recommend shiva subcontractor as its even more chilled.
www.bluespectralmonkey.com
www.touchsamadhi.com
www.interchill.com
www.metacrew.com
www.nw-psy.com |
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Lucas Aly
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Feb 2, 2005 18:13
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You MUST have it! great album 
we are one. |
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