Up the Royals

No I’m not talking about a Championship football club from Berkshire. Instead, I’m referring to an Italian electronica group from Genova, Italy. Why? Because their latest album ‘Dying in Time’ is immense, and I’ve had a non-stop ear hammering week listening to nothing else. And, looking back i cant believe i haven’t even mentioned them on the blog before now… It’s about time to share the love with everyone Reading.

port-royal manage to touch on just about every aspect of music that gets me excited. The kind that transfers you from wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, to wherever you like. It’s glitchy and melodic, haunting and atmospheric, loud and delicate. There are nine minute journeys, twisting and turning into different sounds. Changing but always the same. Full on assaults to your ear drums that you can help but turn up extremely loud.

M83, Schnauss, Portishead, Boards of Canada. All, yet none of the above. Dare i say it, but a big reason for my love of port-royal may be the enormous pads, synths and sequencing in some of the tracks, reminiscent of 90’s trance, such as the Three Drives, Bedrock and Michael Woods remix era.

Granted, not everyone will be a fan of port-royal for these very reasons. You can’t really put you’re finger on it. But then that’s why i love it.

Here’s the stand out track from ‘Dying In Time’ – Balding Generation (Losing Hair as we Lose Hope). For those of you that do know me…my favouritism to this track has nothing to do with my ever thinning top!

port-royal – Balding Generation (Losing Hair as we Hope)

If that blew you away and you want a taste of Port Royal’s more ambient side, check out this video of Hermitage 3 (Dedo remix).

You can purchase ‘Dying in Time’ from the n5music website. I would recommend getting the hard copy featuring some nice artwork by Tim Ingham of Winterlight.

Become a fan of port-royal on Facebook

I C An awesome line-up.

Ulrich Schnauss. Kirsty Hawkshaw. Chapterhouse. Air Formation.

Yes it’s tomorrow. All of the above, live at the ICA, London Thursday 26th. Unfortunately it’s sold out, but if you’re coming, i will see you at the front.

If not, then enjoy these… and I wish you were there…

Chapterhouse – Pearl (1991)

Air Formation – Cold Morning (2007)

Johannes Schmoelling – Icewalk (Ulrich Schnauss mix) (2000)

Orbital (Halcyon On+On) (1992)

Yes i may have cheated with the Orbital track and yes Kirtsy Hawkshaw may be singing backwards, but her voice made that tune….

Dextro

Dextro is Scottish born Ewan Mackenzie. Neatly balanced ambient, with shoegaze, folk and post-rock influences, upon first listening it’s easy to begin comparisons with fellow Scottish IDM legends Boards of Canada. But, as The Milk Factory quoted back in 2006 when describing ‘Consequence Music’, that wouldn’t be fair:

“Although the press release makes a passing comparison with fellow Scots Boards Of Canada, this actually doesn’t do Mackenzie much favours. Sure, the beats are lethargic, the soundscapes are languorous and the melodies finely crafted, but Dextro’s compositions have something of a perverse streak running through. Behind the soft brushes of analogue synths crawl darker and more disturbing tones and textures. An accomplished drummer and percussionist, who also officiates as part of experimental metal act Snowblood, Mackenzie injects elements of live drums throughout this record, giving his compositions more texture and body.”

Dextro has just released a 45 minute live recording from his November set at Lab30 Festival Germany. Download it. A dark yet dreamy composition, with live percussion and drum beats. Perfect for late night listening.

Dig deeper. Download more live sets and tracks from Dextro’s website.

Dextro – Distance

Dextro – Atman

Dextro – Hearts & Minds

Header image taken from Dextro’s album artwork for his latest album ‘Winded’

The Album Leaf

Look out for the Album Leaf’s new album, due to be released February 2nd on Subpop, ‘A Chrous of Storytellers’ is said to be their best yet. And with Sigur Ros member Birgir Jón Birgisson on mixing duties again, I’m sold.

A Chorus of Storytellers:
1. “Perro”
2. “Blank Pages”
3. “There Is a Wind”
4. “Within Dreams”
5. “Falling from the Sun”
6. “Stand Still”
7. “Summer Fog”
8. “Until the Last”
9. “We Are”
10. “Almost There”
11. “Tied Knots”

Here’s two of their best taken from the 2006 album ‘In a safe place‘ and an interview with founder Jimmy LaValle.

Over The Pond

If you like Over The Pond, check out isolatedmix2.

Another Day

Album Leaf Interview

Rhubarb Remix face-off

A classic track by Aphex Twin and one of the most loved ambient tracks out there. Evident purely by the number of DJ’s/producers who have chosen to create their own remixes, fueled by the love of the track, and offered them free to download and share.

Well, to save you doing the digging i have put the best i have found in this post and would love to find out which one is your favourite.

Have a listen, visit the artists website to download the original (free!) and then cast your vote. If you have never heard the original, (shame on you!) then listen here.

Addled Edit
Ryan Cavanagh who is half of producing duo Worst Friends, DJ’s as Slowhands, and produces as Addled, adds some sharp techny synths, a snippet of break, delicate symbols, and still manages to keep it as dreamy as the original.
View the original source on the ISO50 Blog.
Aphex Twin – Rhubarb (Addled’s edit) by astrangelyisolatedplace

Wisp Remix
Wisp takes Rhubarb to the next level and adds a dream drum and bass layer. Beautiful beats. View the original source and download on Wisp’s site.
Aphex Twin – Rhubarb (Wisp Remix) by astrangelyisolatedplace

James Devane Acoustic Version
The original is simplicity at its finest. Now listen to this. View the original source and download on the James Devane website
Aphex Twin – Rhubarb (James Devane Acoustic Version) by astrangelyisolatedplace

Child Remix
Taking elements of James Devane’s acoustic version, adding a hint of minimal, sweeping strings and still maintaining a downtempo feel. View the original source and download on the Child website
Aphex Twin – Rhubarb (Child Deep Techno Remix) by astrangelyisolatedplace

Now get voting!