SeReN
Roland System 100
Andy B
Posts: 7,682
|
Post by SeReN on Sept 13, 2007 8:45:28 GMT
New compilation CD from Hypnos titled "Sounds of a Universe Overheard" track list as below and due for release in September Jonathan Block "The Language of Rocks" M. Peck "Somna" Freq. Magnet "Nitrous" Kirk Watson "Scarecrow" dreamSTATE "Ghost Nebula" Seren Ffordd " Strange Attractor" Dwight Ashley " Behold the Trampled Wheat" Justin Vanderberg "Infection" Igneous Flame "Pandora" Tau Ceti "Float" I've got a track on it
|
|
|
Post by esp on Sept 13, 2007 8:47:28 GMT
I've got a track on it congratulations which reminds me, any samples of your stuff available anywhere?
|
|
|
Post by hashtronaut on Sept 13, 2007 8:47:34 GMT
are you tau ceti ? ;D
|
|
SeReN
Roland System 100
Andy B
Posts: 7,682
|
Post by SeReN on Sept 13, 2007 8:53:44 GMT
I've got a track on it congratulations which reminds me, any samples of your stuff available anywhere? Not as yet - I am trying to set up a website but I am web building illiterate and my mate who is trying to help me is having a lot of health problems, so it's all got very delayed. Am hoping to get some MP3 samples as soon as I can get my sonar software up and running again following my recent move... There was a feature in Electroambientspace last year - August 2006 Artist Spotlight #2: Seren Ffordd This month’s second artist spotlight is on a name that I would imagine is unknown to most EAS readers. Seren Ffordd is the pseudonym for Andy Benford. His releases are on Oöphoi’s highly regarded hand crafted Italian labels Umbra and Penumbra. As is the case with most Umbra releases, these are beautifully if somewhat unconventionally packaged, with brilliant abstract paintings or graphic designs on larger-than-standard cards, with the CDRs slipped in a clear plastic envelope inside. The music is bright and airy. Andy sent me four of his titles; two of them are full-length works and two of them are CD singles, or EPs, or whatever you want to call them. As you’ll see in the reviews below, all are worth seeking out. Check out www.deeplistenings.it/ for ordering information about these and other titles. Seren Ffordd “A Melancholy Light” (Penumbra, 2005) 1 track, 23.32 mins Inspired by David Darling’s cello, Andy Benford explains that he intentionally used notes quite sparsely here, no more than three at a time. Gearheads will be glad to know that Andy listed exactly the equipment used. The music is subdued as the name implies, but not altogether sad. One can easily imagine this as the soundtrack to a dramatic film. All the elements are there, including a cohesive central musical theme, a strong emotional component, and an orchestral feel. At 23 minutes it is over too soon, but the journey is nice while it lasts. Seren Ffordd “Aurora” (Penumbra, 2005) 1 track, 23.02 mins Before discussing the music, I have to say how much I love the beautiful colors in the artwork, both on the CDR and the insert card. A brilliant, brighter-than-life rainbow beams down over trees on the front, and the CD itself is adorned in soft wonderful shades of blue and indigo, one of my favorite color combinations. It is a good pictorial representation of the ethereal music. Barely audible at first, a low drone fades in, then a lower note wavers ominously over that. The sound seems to vibrate the speakers even at low volume, but the vibration is inherent in the sound itself. This is deep dark stuff to begin with, but the disc does brighten as it goes. Slow washes of sound gently cascade over one another. Although the sound remains tinged with darkness throughout, there is enough light for you to see your way through. Darkly relaxing stuff. Seren Ffordd “Arhythmia” (Umbra, 2005) 1 track, 70.05 mins Interestingly with a title like Arhythmia, the artwork on the front of this one looks much like the inside of a heart valve, albeit softened in both texture and color. As for the music, hopefully it won’t give you any cardiac trouble. Darker and more experimental than his other discs, here Benford takes us into what he calls “an exploration of rhythms that can be heard and felt but not danced to.” Rumbling and churning sounds are joined by a steady rain in the background. Benford notes that the music is divided into five parts, although it plays as a single track. The movements are distinct and easily identifiable. The rain and rumbles fade away and are gone within 15 seconds of the start of part II, which takes a long slow descent to parts unknown. It plays like an infinite downward spiral, a rather creepy but cool effect. Unusual brushing sounds pan back and forth forming a unique percussive element. Its clear by this point that the disc is more sound collage than music in the conventional sense. Metallic bells ring out to start part III, and we breathe a sigh of relief as the ominous rumbling drones from part II gradually disappear. Though still quite stark and minimal, this part is bright and cheery by comparison. Part IV swirls similarly to part II, though in more of a holding pattern than a deep dive. I’d call it grey noise rather than white. This one plays like a blank canvas for your mind to imagine various subtleties that may or may not be there. The last part follows a similar pattern, creating another unique sound world to explore for the last 15 minutes before coming back to reality. Arhythmia is daring adventurous fun. Seren Ffordd “Floating” (Umbra, 2006) 1 track, 70.30 mins Not to be confused with the classic Klaus Schulze track of the same name, this 70-minute track is pure ambient. Those who think synths sound cold and calculating would do well to listen to this to correct that misperception. The sounds here are filled with warmth, depth, and nuance. Things develop quite slowly and deliberately. Melody is hinted at, as one might be able to say a note hanging in the air is a C or an F-sharp or whatever, but that’s as far as musical structure goes here. Completely devoid of rhythm, this truly is all about the floating. Though timbres are by and large bright and shimmering, the mood is somewhat subdued if not outright somber. Like Aurora, this disc has no liner notes whatsoever, so it is completely up to you to decide where your imagination will take you as you listen. I like that. This is a beautiful piece of music that will surely reward repeat listening to capture all the details. All reviews © 2006 Phil Derby / Electroambient Space. Any reprint in whole or in part must be appropriately credited. Thank you
|
|
|
Post by hashtronaut on Sept 13, 2007 9:01:27 GMT
good - man - you like david darling
|
|
SeReN
Roland System 100
Andy B
Posts: 7,682
|
Post by SeReN on Sept 13, 2007 9:10:08 GMT
good - man - you like david darling I have 'Cello' and 'Darkwood', brilliant, I just love the simplicity of the music.
|
|
|
Post by esp on Sept 13, 2007 9:12:00 GMT
congratulations which reminds me, any samples of your stuff available anywhere? Not as yet - I am trying to set up a website but I am web building illiterate and my mate who is trying to help me is having a lot of health problems, so it's all got very delayed. Am hoping to get some MP3 samples as soon as I can get my sonar software up and running again following my recent move... www.virb.com could make a nice stop gap solution in the mean time
|
|
SeReN
Roland System 100
Andy B
Posts: 7,682
|
Post by SeReN on Sept 13, 2007 9:28:44 GMT
www.virb.com could make a nice stop gap solution in the mean time I don't surf at home much (especially on dial Up ) and the administrator controls at work are quite tight - so accessing and up/downloading is difficult. At some point, when things have settled a bit I'll need to look into this sort of solution.
|
|
Seeker
Arrick Modular
Stuart
Dun dun duuunnnn!!!
Posts: 15,337
|
Post by Seeker on Sept 13, 2007 9:57:52 GMT
good - man - you like david darling Wot he said ;D
|
|
SeReN
Roland System 100
Andy B
Posts: 7,682
|
Post by SeReN on Jan 17, 2008 19:41:36 GMT
Sounds of a universe overheard has been released.
I've listened to it all and there is a great range of ambient music on it including musical to deep space sounds and some experimental stuff too.
Available from Hypnos - and i have a few to sell as well, please let me know if you'd be interested in a copy
|
|
SequenceC
Polyfusion Modular
Kaptain Karma
Noise, glorious noise
Posts: 17,648
|
Post by SequenceC on Jan 17, 2008 20:09:20 GMT
Sounds of a universe overheard has been released. I've listened to it all and there is a great range of ambient music on it including musical to deep space sounds and some experimental stuff too. Available from Hypnos - and i have a few to sell as well, please let me know if you'd be interested in a copy I might be interested although not sure if there are samples?
|
|
|
Post by esp on Jan 17, 2008 20:14:19 GMT
Sounds of a universe overheard has been released. I've listened to it all and there is a great range of ambient music on it including musical to deep space sounds and some experimental stuff too. Available from Hypnos - and i have a few to sell as well, please let me know if you'd be interested in a copy save one for me, I'll get it when I get V&S
|
|
SeReN
Roland System 100
Andy B
Posts: 7,682
|
Post by SeReN on Jan 17, 2008 20:16:16 GMT
Sounds of a universe overheard has been released. I've listened to it all and there is a great range of ambient music on it including musical to deep space sounds and some experimental stuff too. Available from Hypnos - and i have a few to sell as well, please let me know if you'd be interested in a copy I might be interested although not sure if there are samples? Thanks Ben, www.hypnos.com for the samples. It's a very recent release so quite easy to locate
|
|
SeReN
Roland System 100
Andy B
Posts: 7,682
|
Post by SeReN on Jan 17, 2008 20:20:21 GMT
I forgot to say how much - £10 inbcluding p+p
|
|
SequenceC
Polyfusion Modular
Kaptain Karma
Noise, glorious noise
Posts: 17,648
|
Post by SequenceC on Jan 17, 2008 20:21:33 GMT
I might be interested although not sure if there are samples? Thanks Ben, www.hypnos.com for the samples. It's a very recent release so quite easy to locate thanks Andy sounds good, would like to get this, your piece from the sample sounds incredibly dark , fu.cking class
|
|