094/100 - "Pequênas Hiroshimas" by A Shelter In The Desert

"Pequênas Hiroshimas" by A Shelter In The Desert is a phenomenal EP, one where every single minute is used effectively to articulate their particular form of effervescent postrock.

Dynamics, melody, layers of sound, oomph... they are all provided by a very tight, muscular band. This is the kind of music you want on your music player when you need an adrenaline spike: powerful, moving, relentless; yet expressed with a quiet and graceful confidence.

I found this EP to be an utter delight, one that I will come back to time and again. It has earned a place on my iPhone.

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093/100 - Rand & Holland

Rand and Holland's self-titled album, released on A Guide To Saints, is an engaging listen, one that takes a number twists and turns as it projects its original narrative.

Each track has a different guitar-orientated sound ... from instrumental rock (the opening track, "Cobra") to a progressive drone-based opus (the final track, "Old Crow"). It is a strange and heady mix that takes a wee bit getting used to ... it confuses as much as it entertains ... but when you get it, when it all clicks in place, you will have some remarkably imaginative and unique music to appreciate.

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http://emporium.room40.org/products/549815-rand-and-holland-self-titled

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092/100 - "Such is our condition" by Dave Dorgan

I recently wrote the liner notes for Dave Dorgan's netlabel day release on Subterranean Tide - "Such is our condition". After listening to it repeatedly while on holiday I felt it apt to mention it here too.

Dorgan's album is the kind of multifaceted ambient electronica that I cannot get enough of. At times his soundscapes can be dark and mysterious, almost Lovecraftian in feel; other times they are open, broad, and filled with light; from the beginning to the end, Dorgan's quality control and craft is evident.

"Such is our condition" is utterly gorgeous and makes for a compelling listen.

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091/100 - "Aperture" by The Sound of Rescue

Downloading “Aperture" was one of my first priorities upon returning back from my holiday. Did it live up to the hype? Of course it did … surpassed it, in fact.

"Aperture" is a consistent collection of drone-infused instrumental postrock soundscapes that tick all my boxes: dynamics, melody, grit, graft ... The Sound Of Rescue know their craft.

"Aperture" is a reminder of just how good TSOR are: their tightness and their collective creative imagination are both evident. Their desire to evolve is also apparent.

All in ... a great album that, for me, has taken the edge of my return to normality.

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090/100 - "Torpor" by Good Weather For An Airstrike

Tom Honey is a musician whose music, under the pseudonym of Good Weather For An Airstrike, improves with every release. His latest - "Torpor" - is a wonderful slice of ambient-infused electronic postrock: an engaging cinematic experience with delicious beats, the euphoric use and emphasis on melodic piano, and layers upon layer of delightfully atmospheric synths.

With Honey it is all about the details, he takes what I've described above and throws in thoughtful vocal samples ("You're Slipping Away") or collaborates with artists such as Inachus ("Eio") to take a great piece and make it spectacular.

In short, "Topor" is spectacular.

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089/100 - Orbital’s “Blue Album”

I will forever associate Orbital’s music with flying, due to a failed attempt at listening to their track “Belfast” back in 2007. It was my first flight to that fair city and I wanted the song to accompany my arrival. Unfortunately, I was only able to listen to 34 seconds before the seatbelt sign came back on and I was asked to switch off my iPod.

Thankfully airplanes are more liberal, this means Orbital’s “Blue Album” is now inextricably linked to Venice, Italy; their distinct, vibrant, thoughtful yet quirky form electronica in delicious contrast to the city’s grandeur.

“You lot!”

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088/100 - "Rapture" by Tropics

The soulful electronica of Tropics is a like breath of fresh air on a warm, stuffy day. His album - "Rapture" - follows the path laid by artists such as the mighty Sade and sits comfortably on a playlist with her and another personal favourite, Rhye: sensual yet relaxed vocals that play affectionately with jazzy instrumentation to stir the imagination and create a chilled, uncluttered vibe to heal the soul.

This is could easily become the soundtrack to that very sacred, special place for you: music for lying entangled in the arms of your lover or for when you return to your favourite beach after a notable absence.

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087/100 - “Black Sands” by Bonobo

There is a scene in “High Fidelity” where Rob puts on The Beta Band in his record shop and claims he’ll sell fives copies.

This afternoon I fell in love with an album playing in Fopp. The title track to “Black Sands” by Bonobo was playing and I was overcome by the languid jazzy vibe, especially the lilting clarinet. I picked up the album on vinyl there and then.

The rest of the album follows in a similar vein: delicious downtempo soundscapes enriched with jazzy instrumentation and a soulful touch.

Nothing beats a record shop for perfect moments like this.

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086/100 - Fifty Shades of Grey Classical Album

I am annoyed. Today I picked up the Classical Music tie-in to “Fifty Shades of Grey” for 50p. It is a magical selection of known and not-so-well known (to me) orchestral and choral tracks - it has, for example, the Flower Duet that was famously co-opted by British Airways. Debussy, Verdi, Pachelbel, and Chopin all feature. It is wonderfully sequenced.

That’s why I am annoyed: this wonderful compilation is intrinsically linked to something contemptible. I know I can withstand the associations but I doubt others will, which makes me mad: such beauty brought low by poor fiction.

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085/100 - “Crooked we stand" by 18 Seconds

I've spoken of my love for instrumental rock music before, there is something inside me that finds solace in the noisy bluster of dynamics and structure.

18 Seconds’ form of instrumental rock music, as presented on his latest album "Crooked we stand", takes in a number of influences: post-rock and shoegazing dream pop both come readily to mind, as do instrumental bands like El Ten Eleven … but what makes “Crooked we stand" stand out is care that has been poured into it. The passion is evident from when the first note begins until the last is but a memory.

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084/100 - "Age of Anxiety" by Rodney Cromwell

Sometimes an album just clicks. You put it on and after a few seconds you know it feels right. That was my initial reaction when I put on "Age of Anxiety" by Rodney Cromwell for the first time.

Cromwell's quirky, indie-synth Casio-pop expression could as easily be from a long, lost album from the early 80s as it is from a brand new, bleeding edge recording on Happy Robots. Vibrant and engaging, these timeless electric daydreams have a beguiling quality which, in concert with their upbeat rhythms, make for the perfect Monday-morning accompaniment for the work commute.

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083/100 - "Bones" by Son Lux

The latest album from Son Lux - "Bones" - is their first as a trio: working with Ian Chang on drums and Rafiq Bhatia on guitar, Ryan Lott, the man behind Son Lux, has created new soundscapes that take his vivid, technicolor take on vocal-infused electronica to the next level.

"Bones" is a wall-of-sound unlike any other ... except Son Lux, of course. Lott, Chang & Bhatia have managed to maintain the uniqueness of Son Lux’s sound whilst simultaneously expanding its reach: it feels wider, broader, fresher, a true progression from previous album but with trusted familiarity; I can't get enough.

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082/100 - "Selective Sync Conflict" by Taggart & Andre LaFosse

Andre LaFosse is one of my favourite guitarists so when I heard of his latest project, in collaboration with Taggart aka award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Ross Garren, I was intrigued. 

"Selective Sync Conflict" features the combined talents of Garren and LaFosse as expressed in quirky ambient sounds, future jazz, abstract downtempo glitchiness, emotive melodies and the odd bluesy guitar flourish. 

This is a truly imaginative release that rewards the attentive listener with some remarkable sonic sculptures: tracks that are expressive, vibrant and varied; I found "Selective Sync Conflict" to be most gratifying, a pleasure from start to finish.

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081/100 - LateNightTales - The Cinematic Orchestra

I've spoken before about the Late Night Tales compilation series and whilst I've come to realise that they aren't all for me, the Cinematic Orchestra’s mix from 2010 presses all my buttons!

Jazz, soul, and electronica are all really well represented on this mix. Hearing Terry Callier, Shuggie Otis, Thom Yorke, Björk and Imogen Heap in the same mix is phenomenal but then throw in Steve Reich, Sébastien Tellier and the mighty Cinematic Orchestra themselves and you have one awesome mix.

What I love with these compilations is their sequencing, as a listener you get a near perfect listening experience.

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080/100 - "William Barber" by Spheruleus and Friends

"William Barber" by Spheruleus and Friends, released on Hibernate references an old, scratchy wax cylinder recording and celebrates the spirit of creative thought and expression found there.

Isnaj Dui, Antonymes, Fraser McGowan (Caught in the Wake Forever), Christoph Berg (Field Rotation) and Hibernate boss Jonathan Lees join Spheruleus on his journey to capture something of that old Headmaster's spirit and, in doing so, they create a wonderfully melancholic selection of ambience that gives a nod and a wink to modern classical expression.

“William Barber" is an electroacoustic delight, an engaging celebration that gives new meaning to the phrase “found sound”.

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079/100 - "A Beautiful Mind" soundtrack by James Horner

I was saddened to hear of the passing of James Horner, the composer whose music has underpinned many of my favourite films, including The Wrath of Khan.

One particular favourite is Horner's soundtrack to "A Beautiful Mind". It is a genuine pleasure: an orchestral masterpiece with some deliciously abstract vocal arangements and a focus on atmosphere. I picked it up on CD years ago in a bargain bin somewhere local. I recognised Horner’s name and gave it a punt. I was not disappointed.

Horner has left his mark on the world. His creativity will touch lives for years to come.

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078/100 - "The Common Silence" by Lee Chapman

"The Common Silence" by Lee Chapman cements the reputation of Eilean Rec. as a purveyor of the most excellent ambient soundscapes.

Chapman has excelled himself with this vibrant, engaging and well rounded release. His ability to combine tranquil field recordings with equally sublime electronics is a delight that brings the height of summer to the listener ... regardless of the season they themselves are listening in. He also does mysterious very well, feeding the mind of the listener as well as their ears.

Chapman is a skilled sound-sculptor and, with ease, demonstrates that there is nothing common about this release.

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077/100 - "Be Life" by Anne Garner on Hannes Kretzer's Unperceived Records

"Be Life" by Anne Garner on Hannes Kretzer's Unperceived Records is an extraordinary release: think Julee Cruise from Twin Peaks and you'll get an idea of Garner's dreamy vocals. Pair her exceptional delivery with some delightfully downtempo electronics, music that is gently infused with a modern classical aesthetic, and you'll get the gist.

I still mourn the loss of Trish Keenan from Broadcast, it pains me to listen to their music - such talent gone way too soon. Anne Garner's truly exquisite music, whilst in no way as quirky, does something positive to fill the void left by Keenan's untimely passing.

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076/100 - "Ancient Ocean" by Scott Lawlor and The Gateless Gate

I am in a fortunate position: I get to release music that I want to hear. Case in point is the recent collaboration between Scott Lawlor, and one half of The Gateless Gate, Allister Thompson; I consider the album they created - "Ancient Ocean" - to be an outstanding entry in the canon of both my netlabel and ambient music as a whole.

"Ancient Ocean" is deeply atmospheric and wildly progressive. Both parties shine: Lawlor's drones form an expressive backdrop for Thompson to let go on his guitar. As a fan of ambient and progressive music, this is a dream come true

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075/100 - "Analysis" by Craün

"Analysis" by Craün from Hush Hush is an interesting proposition: seven artefacts of approximately three to four minutes each that explore the ambient genre. Each artefact is different with some tracks darker that others but all of them have one impressive attribute: their conciseness. Each artefact says so much in the time allotted: waves of synths interplay with the subtle sound of field recordings to convey a sense of the immediate.

And when "Analysis" moves from drone to the more soulful ambient techno on Artefact 5.0 the expression remains the same: a consistent sense of now ... and I like that.

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