This episode of Spaceman's Transmissions features a compilation from the label 130701 (which is an imprint of FAT CAT RECORDS). 130701 is known for it's stellar post-classical offerings, and this compilation is an amazing addition to every enthusiast that craves to build the perfect bridge between a thinking man's ambient and organic post-classical tapestries. I've already managed to use some of the music from this release on my last mix session WHEN NIGHT MEETS LIGHT. I have been putting a lot of mileage on this release with no signs of slowing down.
ELEVEN INTO FIFTEEN hosts an extraordinary roster of artists that each have a unique vision within the universe that encompasses post-classical. While the most familiar composer is Max Richter (whose song ON THE NATURE OF DAYLIGHT is very well known), the newer artists all develop a remarkably strong presence on the release. With this compilation, we usher in artists such as Jóhann Jóhannsson, Resina, Ian Craig Williams, and Hauschka to name a few. Each track develops to capture the range of emotive color and builds every subsequent journey to coincide with the following track. To say that the release is consistent in its development is an understatement. Hats off to the curator of this release for realizing that track order is one of the most vital aspects in nailing the intended vibe of any release. In considering this essential element, we are rewarded with a journey that feels as though it is a soundtrack to one of the best films you've never seen.
I was graciously blessed recently with an amazingly well put together album by the SEREIN label based in Wales and I got to spend a good amount of time taking in the music presented on this release. Happily, there are some familiar faces to Spaceman's Transmissions (Olan Mill, Brambles, The Inventors Of Aircraft). But what has really gotten me into this release was the joy (!) of discovering fresh new faces that have breathed color and light into a compilation that is destined to be my absolute favorite release of 2016. And I SHOUT this fact from the highest rooftop with confidence and conviction!
It goes without saying that anytime a label releases a compilation, they do so with the intent that they display the music that represents their vision. Many times, however, compilations use the tactic of featuring a strong intro but far too often veer off course for lack of inventiveness and emotive flow. The success of compilations need to effectively pull the listener into a new world without merely surviving on the names of their artist roster. Far too often, it seems that compilations can leave one cold (excepting, in my opinion, the latter FUTURESEQUENCE releases) with meandering and an unfocused experimentation that lead nowhere.
Today we're honoring those precious moments that exists between sleeping and waking. This tiny sensation might seem unimportant, but it is a very delicately balanced phenomena that requires your investment. The mission here is to usher in the day and to wind the gears of your waking mind, while allowing a passage that melds the sleeping and waking, as well as night to day. Spaceman's Transmissions is dedicated to providing the optimal amount of aural care that is required so as to not disrupt a good mental flow that is required to set the listeners up for success.
During this session, we will move within tapestries of solace and bliss. This will simulate those moments between sleeping and waking and your reentry into the waking world will be a smooth journey. Or your money back.
Let's prepare for a journey into the deep realm of summer by celebrating the solstice (which was, by the way, the 21st of June). It was officially the longest day of the year and the midway point in summer. This means that, unfortunately, the days will begin to get shorter. Knowing this, I've toiled in developing a colorful scene to ease you into the remaining warm months, aware of the importance of aligning and balancing your conscious thoughts within your subconscious mind. Every step was taken to assure that your entry into a mental overhaul is optimal.
Summer is by far my favorite time of the year. It brings and energy and renewal that I've been yearning for a very long time. Even with things not completely going my way, Mother Earth has a way of shining a light upon the turmoil that may exist and depletes my anguish. If there is one small tribute that I can muster, it's this. I celebrate my joy through music during this season that rewards me with cool things like fishing, throwing a Frisbee, riding bike, and flying kites.
//re..*(reboot)
::%5pac3
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**reb00t transm1ss1on**
Hello, fellow space travelers. The mental space pod is still in need of extreme re-calibration and its navigation system was recalled. We had wandered off course to various destinations that were setbacks in our initial mission, but were necessary to insuring that future explorations would be warranted and successful. We have now set on a course to break through the atmosphere and gravity that binds us to earthly turmoil and terrible things called responsibilities. With our new course underway, Spaceman's Transmissions seeks to circumvent any unnecessary diversions brought on by various hindrances. This is a temporary journey, but one that was required due to the extremely inspiring colors that had drifted into focus.
Greetings. If this posting title seems a bit apocalyptic (or cryptic), well, it kind of is. I've done a lot of deep thinking over the last few months and I've decided that it's time to send the spaceman home and end the mission. It's been a fun journey, and the experience of creating mixes and meeting people has been unreal. I have to say, that I really only set out to make a few mixes, maybe have a blog for about a year at the most, and move on. It turned out to be a bit more than that, and the time and effort that I put into making it (somewhat) successful has been very overwhelming at times. I really enjoy making the mixes, finding the tunes within my library, listening, working on the site, and so on and so forth. It was kind of a test to see if I even had an aptitude to do such a thing (many, many thanks to Dave Michuda for getting me up and running due to the endless inquiries). Still not sure if I have the aptitude for it all, but I really enjoyed it.
I've been fortunate to have the honor of once again presenting a session by one of my favorite storytellers: SILAS. Silas returns with a beautifully weaved mix of subtle bliss and dark melancholy. I'm honored that Silas keeps in good contact with me and has been churning out a plethora of epic mixes. Rather than to mentally coast through any sessions that Silas creates, I choose to ingest his pure musical vision completely undeterred by outside influences. Mixes like his are the reason I spent a lot on headphones, and between that small universe that exists in my mind, he unfolds a story of beauty and wonder on a grandiose scale. When he presents music to me with enthusiasm, I believe that his inspiration is sincere. TEULU is one such mix that came to me from Silas, and I'm confident that you will be taken in by its intense orchestration and development just as I am.
There are so many ideas and theories about what truly happens to your soul when we depart Mother Earth. Is our mortal body a vessel that carries the soul, steered by our intuition and desires? Or are we just empty shells, only to be recycled back to the Earth? I have my thoughts and beliefs, as does anyone. Life is about pondering, discovering, and experiencing. Like anyone else, I strive to radiate good intentions by trying to live a selfless life that is inspirational. In doing so, my wish is that as my soul ascends, it will be accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack; one that represents the elation that I experienced in my life balanced with the melancholy of departure. I would like reflect on my life in a satisfyingly content manner during the ordeal, both good and bad.
The intention of this mix is for it to be used figuratively. If a dark cloud casts a shadow over your world, the music presented here will guide you above and beyond. Do not allow the gravity of turmoil and negativity weigh you down. The set here is intentionally a bit cinematic and deep, and I hope that your soul ascends higher and higher as you take in warm colors and the sonic aura that envelopes your soul.
Greetings from the ethereal universe and welcome to Spaceman's Transmissions. It's known that I spend a bit of my listening time on Mixcloud, and it's extremely gratifying when I get positive feedback. I often try to return favor, but checking out all sorts of mixes (as much as my ear and brain will allow), and hearing positive comments from those that create magic is the highest form of praise. I save what I can in a my NEW STUFF TO REVIEW folder and pay if a visit first and foremost. Needless to say, it's very overwhelming and ambitious.
I had gotten the opportunity to come across a mix entitled THE JOURNEY OF A PAPER BOAT from listener MICHAEL GAIDA and was completely floored by the sonic offerings. I took it in as an early morning session to get my head right, and it pretty much did the trick (very well). I asked Michael if I could host this on Spaceman's Transmission (so that everyone could take in the vibe) and he was happy to oblige. Michael has built up such a deep, subtle mix that will take you in and give you a soothing mental de-fragmentation. His balance of colorful melodic drone and harmonic soundscapes is perfect. This is easily one mix that will put you 1 1/2 hours into the future with a clear mental tapestry. I find Michael's music choices and sessions to be very, very inspirational. I asked Michael to shed some light on himself, and while humble about it all, he provided some great insight to his mastery of the sublime.
Michael Gaida was born in 1966 ("....yes, i broke the "wall of 40"...") in Dusseldorf, Germany. His initial love for electronic music cam in the late 90's beginning with Liquid Drum & Bass artists such as LTJ Bukem & MC Conrad, Tayla, Blu Mar Ten, PFM, as well as other artists from the Good Looking Records Family. This turned him onto his future fav's Dave Seaman and Nick Warren at Global Underground.
Quite a while back, I learned about a very interesting little machine entitled the AMBIENT ADDITION, which was a thesis from an MIT student named Noah Vawter The purpose of the machine was to transform everyday sounds into musical notes. He had made the valid point that with the whole 'i' revolution (iTunes, iPod, iPad, etc.), the 'i' represented isolation. I actually downloaded the whole thesis, and gave it a very good bit of my attention. For some reason, there have been no other sort of things like this, and it seems that this idea turned out to be nothing more than just an idea. Granted, there are a few apps that I have on my (old) iPhone, like the INCEPTION app as well as RJDJ (if you have an iPhone, I highly suggest these; I believe that RJDJ is no longer a functioning app, but I could be wrong). We can't escape the noise, but maybe we can take in what is there and process the good bits through our minds to keep us grounded.
Another mention that I have to make is of a book called HEPCAT. I've read this to my kids for years. I'm fascinated by this story of how a jazz cat learns to hear each sounds of the city as separate musical entities, until his mind creates the symphony of each noise, not unlike seeing separate colors and forming a picture. I'm not kidding when I tell that I've taken the story of this book to heart. Obviously, we all have. I'm not at all alone in being fascinated and creating and purchasing music that lives and breathes field recordings.
