Finally! Electronic music recognized!

[Steve@3dai]

In the latest Speaker Specialist, there is a well thought out review of Boards of Canada's new album, Geogaddi.

They have been around for a while now, finally getting the press they deserve. There are a lot of VERY talented eletronic artists out there that are not getting the attention they deserve, because most people are not open to new types of music.

Oh well, more for me :)

- Steve

[joe logston]

im into new age, space, and ambient music there are a lot of real good musical artist out there that no one ever heard of.

try this mp3 streaming radio station

http:www.somafm.com/

click on grovesaled

and chill out

[jeberhart]

Check out Giles Reaves' "Sea of Glass" from a few years back. Great CD.

[Micah Cohen]

Yeah, ya know I took a chance on that one. Sometimes it's dangerous to open the floodgates to outside input when you're doing a corporate newspaper. So much can go or be wrong. But John was pretty good about that review, and I wanted more in the paper than the stuff that just us middle-aged white guys listen to. I wanted something new, something exciting, something from YOU GUYS. Outside-the-building material.

Please continue to post examples of this cool music here. In fact, can I get you to follow the "review style" of the newspaper (and of the previous "demo material" thread) and give the title, artist, label # and track numbers of "demo-quality" material on the CDs, along with your ideas about why that track sounds so good or why it is a workout for your speakers -- what does it sound like on your RT800s, etc.?

The more pointed info we get here, the better this thread, and this forum, will be. I want to know exactly what you think and why. And then, I want to go buy the CD!

MC

[Steve@3dai]

Will do Micah.

In fact, in issue 4, I wrote the Home Theater Convergence article. I'm famous!! :)

I'm assuming there is no "age limit" to how old a disc can be since it seems like all that was in the Speaker Specialist was 70s and earlier ;)

- Steven

[Micah Cohen]

Yeah, Steve, thanks for that article, too. That was cool.

See, most of the stuff we listen to here -- Matt even -- is old stuff. I need, and I think our customers deserve, new blood. No question that the old stuff Matt listens to is unequalled for his purposes, evaluating speakers and such, but I'm sure there is newer audiophile stuff out there, stuff engineered to make your speakers jump up and dance around the room. We just don't know about it because the most recent thing in my personal CD collection is... Skid Row's "SLAVE TO THE GRIND." In other words... I'm stuck in 1989. Matt and Paul are stuck in 1979. Justin's stuck somewhere, like yesterday, but I can't get him to stand still long enough to give me a review of something he likes.

Make this thread into a "demo list" of cool audiophile quality electronica, and then we'll be getting someplace.

You'll note also that I used some of the entries on that DVD Demo thread in the new issue, DVD reviews with "go-to" demo tracks from some of you guys. Do the same thing here.

Information is good.

MC

[Micah Cohen]

It frustrates the crap out of me that it is so difficult to break the "demo habit." How many audio shows have you been to wherein EVERY booth is demoing THE FIFTH ELEMENT or now the pod race from TPM? There are other great demos out there, it's our job here to find them.

Break the old demo habit!

MC

[phuz]

Some stuff to check out: (I'm not much of a writer, so no reviews from me)

Kruder and Dorfmeister - The K&D Sessions (this one gets five stars from me)

Govinda - Any of the albums (electronica mixed with asian/middle eastern sounds)

Anything on the Naked Music label.

Amberdelic Space (number 1) - 4 disk compilation of spacy, trip hop, downtempo, and ambient electronica. You can find it online for relatively cheap. ($20 US for all 4 CDS)

I'll post more once I get home.

[Micah Cohen]

HEY! I recognize those things! I think Lauren knows about that K&D thing. And I might even have that "Amberdelic" 4-disc set at home, I'll have to check. That's cool! I want Lauren's roomie to burn me a copy of that K&D stuff!

I wish you guys would do the "Track 4 sounds great because..." thing. I'll wait!

MC

[phuz]

Originally posted by Micah

I wish you guys would do the "Track 4 sounds great because..." thing. I'll wait!

MC

I can do that when I have some time. I tend to not keep up with track nunmbers etc (old bad habit) - so when I get a chance to go through my stuff I'll write a bit more. :)

Oh yeah, how can I get on the mailing list for the speaker specialist?

[Steve@3dai]

Ohhhh... the K&D sessions... drooooool.....

Absolute favorite track: Disc 1 Track 10

Lamb - Trans Fatty Acid

Why I absolutely love this track:

First off, the vocals are amazing on this track. They do some really cool reverb to her voice which makes it sound like it's a live set. In fact, the whole track has that effect. Also, there is some slight background "bar chatter" noise that can be heard when really listening.

The cowbell and open hats really get that mid to upper range to sing. The organs get the mid to lower range to stand out, and of coarse, the fantastic fingered bass line. There is also some very interesting electronic loops and worbles here and there to make sure you stay interested in the song. And the almost random sax riffs sometimes catch you off gaurd.

Overall, this track is a great showoff because of...

1. The range of instruments, it not only has electronica elements, but a very heavy jazz and hip-hop influence that definately makes the song a delight to listen to.

2. Lambs' singer totally rocks. She almost has that Portishead "grit" but is smoother and more like a lullaby.

Oh yes Micah, you asked for it, I'll give it to ya ;)

- Steven

[Micah Cohen]

COOL!

I gotta get this K&D thing.

MC

[gidrah]

Hey cabin-boy Micah. Trying to be a pirate? Borrow it. If you like it buy it. You can copy top 10 to your hearts content, but these musicians are scraping by and deserve their due. Even if it is only about 30%.

I'm sorry, but with the death of Napster and a new CDR, I'm just in the midst of a personal dilema.

[Steve@3dai]

I think that was his intention, Micah doesn't seem to be the pirate type.

When I tell people I have over 25gigs of MP3s, they think I am a pirate. When I let them know I have 350+ CDs, they quiet down :)

- Steven

[Micah Cohen]

Yeah really. I have over 400 CDs. Expensive ones. Imports. Dammit. I can copy a couple here and there. Especially ones I don't want to pay for. There. I said it.

Like you never taped an LP.

Musicians want anything from me, they know where to find me.

MC

[joe logston]

heres a web site for space music,

http://www.ampcast.com/music/10992/artist.php

you can click on and listen mp3 streaming 56k or 128k

[gidrah]

I know you're not a pirate! Not that there's anything wrong with that (Seinfeld). I've got many recordings. CD to 8-track. Stuff I've recorded, gifts to me, gifts yet to be sent.

Sorry fo the tangent. Back to the music. I'm learning good stuff.

[Micah Cohen]

Yeah, me too. Lauren got her roomie to burn the K&D stuff for me, I'm listening to it right now! It's very very cool. I am trancing out!

MC

[phuz]

Trancing out???? bahahahahahaha I hope that you don't think that K&D is trance! :)

[Micah Cohen]

It's sort of trancy. It's hypnotic. I'm sort of relaxed. I mean, it's not pounding beat electronica. It's sort of mellow and trancy.

The only thing I don't like about it are the cuts with the rapping on it. I freaking hate that. I'm skipping right over them.

MC

[phuz]

I agree somewhat, but it's only about 2 tracks right? They may grow on you if you listen to the CD(s) all the way through a couple of times. I do hope you got the songs in order because they flow quite well together. I'm not big on 'rap' either, but I do dig hip-hop and I'm really big on beats. The way the tracks/vibe of the album flows is nice.

There is a lot more out there too. :) Check out www.groovetech.com - you can listen to just about everything before you buy it. Beware, they sell a lot of vinyl so make sure you select CD's if you want CD's.