echoes of a silent ocean

I have waited so very long to do a tribute to the one entity that I admire more than anything in the world: the ocean. I was born in a beach town, and have never stopped being in awe at the power, beauty, and intensity of the ocean. It can be soothing and tranquil entity just as easily as it can be a cold, dark killer. For this reason, the seas have a rightful warrant to our respect. With this mix, I was fortunate in a few ways to have found some truly great music and have so many textures that I believe encompass the scope of the ocean. The music here reflects everything that the ocean represents to me from still, deep colors to its turbulent and dark contrasts. First and foremost, though, I need to give a huge thanks to ADRIEN SIFRE ('Fotografik33' on Flickr) for graciously allowing me to use his photo 'Wharf Variation 6' for this episode. The photo was very inspirational in helping me to create the perfect vibe to accompany it. You can find more of his amazing photos HERE (thanks, Adrien!).

sight becomes sound

It's pretty obvious that one thing that attracts us to music is that it's a marker for events in our lives. How many times have we heard a song from the past and been transported the that particular time and place that brands a moment to the music? There's no better way to recreate the sense of experiences than from music that surrounds particular events, so that we can recall and relive these special periods again and again. And film makers know this. They create the anxiety, elation, pride, and so on that envelopes character's actions.
With this offering, I've chosen to create a mix of offerings from films. A lot of times, I'll really tune into the music in a film, and make it a point to search the music out. I have a lot of soundtracks, and I do listen to them quite often. I didn't put a lot of things on this that I would have liked, as I tried to stick with a particular format. Some of my favorites soundtracks that didn't make the cut are Devdas, Purple Rain (I have every Prince album!), The Truth About Charlie, Sprout, Oceans Eleven or Twelve, A.I., A Beautiful Mind, Amelie, Hair, etc., and so on. I purposely tried to steer clear (as well as I could) from the very dark and orchestral heavy soundtrack music that exists more prominently, and chose pieces that ebbed and flowed with organic transitions.

above, beyond

Welcome to another episode of Spaceman's Transmissions. For this venture, we will set your thought-spacepod up nicely for your cosmic exploration. Delve into your innermost mind capsule for a bit, clear out the thought obstacles that hinder you, and project into a state of enduring peace. This mix is optimized for absolute relaxation and can be used in a number of ways. Mostly, it is to be used for sailing past the clouds, beyond the exosphere, and into the deep void. Using starlight as a beacon is permitted. However, do not be distracted by unnecessary influences such as random useless thoughts of anything but your creative flow. As you drift among the cosmos, reflect upon the beauty that life offers, and celebrate that. Upon reentry, your focus will be calibrated and thoughts will be aligned with purpose and motivation.

I purposely tried to mix it up with many diverse styles of music. A bit of ambient, a dash of shoegaze, and a smattering of ethnic colors. For me, and hopefully for you, it kept things a bit interesting. I've got some great guest mixes lined up, and this mix was inspired by those around me that are creating some amazing things. Once again, I'm revising the format of the track listing to make it easier on the eyes (and I promise, at least for quite a while, this will be my last revision).

daydreams at nightfall

For me, the saddest time is not winter, but the approach of fall. I don't hate the fall season. I love it! But knowing that summer and the vibe it has brought is withering into a memory is a hard pill to swallow. In summer, I'm invincible; I am reborn with every hot burst of sun, thriving to gather the energy of every new day, leaving little or no wasted moments in my wake. Every summer day is a new awakening, brought about by the renewed anticipation of Mother Earth's sun-song upon us. Get the point? I freakin' LOVE summer so much that it pains me to see it dissolve.

The first thing that I notice is a shortened day. Just a few days ago (and it's been a while since I've actually realized this and posted this narrative), I was fully aware that it was dark at 8 o'clock in the evening (edit: at this time, even sooner). Already. Sadness is upon me. Next, the leaves shed new colors and die, and the sky will be overcast with impending change. But all good things must end.

beyond our sphere

[DOWNLOAD BEYOND OUR SPHERE] [ITUNES]

TRACK LISTING

• “Saturn Rocket” http://www.sounddogs.com/results.asp?CategoryID=1005&SubcategoryID=75&Type=1 (Start Time: 0:00)

• “Spanish Pinewood” by Gordon Hempton from Earth’s Morning Song (Miramar), Released January 24, 1995 (Start Time: 0:25)

• “Liftoff” http://www.nasa.gov/connect/sounds/ (Start Time: 0:40)

• “Afar” by Harold Budd from Serpent/Abandoned Cities (All Saints UK), Released January 1, 2003 (Start Time: 1:08)

• “Space Walk (Excerpt)” by Lemon Jelly from Lost Horizons (XL Recordings), Released October 7, 2002 (Start Time: 3:27)

• “The Sun” by Windy & Carl from Consciousness (Kranky), Released March 18, 2001 (Start Time: 3:33)

• “Rocket Taking Off and Landing” http://www.sounddogs.com/results.asp?CategoryID=1005&SubcategoryID=75&Type=1 (Start Time: 6:51)

• “Creation Du Monde” by Vangelis from L’Apocalypse Des Animaux (Polydor), Released 1973 (Start Time: 7:14)

• “The Ghost Ship (Excerpt)” by Aloof Proof from Piano Text (Infraction Records), Released 1994 (Start Time: 17:06)

• “The Stars, Like Dust…” by Jonn Serrie from The Stargazer’s Journey (New World Music), Released August 19, 2003 (Start Time: 37:48)

• “That’s One Small Step” http://www.nasa.gov/connect/sounds/ (Start Time: 52:56)

• “Rocket Taking Off and Landing (In Reverse)” http://www.sounddogs.com/results.asp?CategoryID=1005&SubcategoryID=75&Type=1 (Start Time: 53:04)

reflection

[DOWNLOAD REFLECTION] [ITUNES]

TRACK LISTING

• "Ignacio" by Vangelis from Ignacio/Entends-Tu Les Chiens Aboyer (Egg/Barclay) Released 1975 (Start Time: 0:00)

• "10 12 18" by Global Communication from 76:14 (Dedicated/BMG Records/Arista/Legacy/SME) Released June 1994 (Start Time: 4:10)

• "Requiem For Dying Mothers Part 1" by Stars Of The Lid from (Kranky) Released October 29, 2001 (Start Time: 16:15)

• "Always With You" by Paul Avgerinos from Words Touch (Round Sky Music) Released November 21, 2001 (Start Time: 22:52)

• "Kobresia" by Biosphere from Substrata (Touch UK) Released January 1, 2004 (Start Time: 34:33)

• "Thunderstorm" By Unknown from Unknown (Start Time 41:14)

• "Memories Of Green" by Vangelis from the Blade Runner Soundtrack (Atlantic/Wea) Released June 21, 1994 (Start Time: 42:55)