Artist: Solar fields
Title: [Extended]
Released: October, 2005
Tracklist
1.Air Song (8 am version)
2.No Answer
3.Station 5
4.Winter Sun
5.Combinations
6.A place to think
7.Detection (Far and Extended)
Hmm... How does one attack an album such as this? First of all I need to point out a coupple of things. Now this guy is releasing two albums at the same time. This one(Which is not the "proper" album) and "Leaving home". I have no idea how many records this guy sells, but I wanted to digest his stuff one album at the time - so I decided to get this one first as it's an album limited to only 1000 copies. This means it's a collectors item - so get it while you can!
As allways ultimae delivers quality. The packaging, the smell(!) of the cover(is that a coincidence? does every cover smell like this? You'll know what I'm talking about if it does...) and ofcourse the music.. It's all just marvelous! Over the last few days this album has been playing pretty much non-stop from my stereo, and I actually get rather annoyed and upset if annyone manages to pop in something elese or turn it off. describing this thing track-by-track is quite useless - But If annyone's interested I'll still have a go.... So let's take a dive into this universe and find out why I like it so much!
01: Air Song
When I listen to this album I get the feeling of traveling through space. It's a rather different journey, though, as we begin at the far reaches of the universe - travelling slowly towrds the earth. We begin this journey with "Air song", a very warm experience. It's mostly beatless floating with lots of healing bass. There are hints of piano and other instruments as well. The atmospheres are extremely beautiful and there is a lot of emotion in here. Clocking in at over 16 minutes the track never hurries, but takes it's time while it slowly morphes through space. If this doesn't get you in to that soft, mellow mood - Nothing will.
02: No Answer
We continue drifting through space, still slowly, but steadily approaching earth. There are hints of humanity and life here - a distant female voice. It also feels organic in other ways. Appart from the shifting soundscapes there are a lot of noises bubbeling in the background. The first six minutes of the track have a rather dark feeling, but we step in to the light and accelerate to hyperspped(Thats VERY relative, ofcourse...) when the trippiest breakbeats I've heard in a long time kick in.
03: Station 5
If you're not lost by now there must be something seriously wrong with you. Seek professional help, and do so quickley! "Station 5" is a place to catch your breath and interact with some alien lifeforms. The everchanging, haunting soundscapes are built on top of eachother. Layer upon layer, theres no telling how deep it really goes - I discover new things in here all the time. Again there is a beat present in much of this track that just adds to the intensity and general feeling.
04: Winter Sun
We're now closing in on our solar-system and if we focus really hard we can see our own sun in the distant. It looks cold, though - surrounded by storms of all sorts and the black, empty void of space.
Various sounds enters the scene now and then, adding some content to the story. A meteor sweeps by. A rock crashes in to a planet. You know the rest of the journey will be intense as well, so buckle up!
05: Combinations
"Combinations is again a very long track, just over 16 minutes. It's very clear now that we're approaching familiar territory. A ticking clock makes us aware that time is everpresent. The voices of human beings can also be heard in the distance. The sounds shift all the time and all the various "blips", "blops" and "klicks" gives me the sense of passing througs the atmospheres of the different planets.
06:A Place to Think
Approaching our final destination we land on the moon to observe the blue planet from above. This is a very meditative track, as the title suggests. Very quiet, very stripped down and very beautiful...
07: Detection ( Far and extended)
With this final track, we plant our feet firmly on the ground again. To our suprise we land in the middle of the swedish city Göteborg. We stumble around, pretty amazed that we managed to reach this weird place. All the cars, all the people, the planes flying around over our heads. It all seems so random, but still makes perfect sense, just like this album does.
Final Remarks:
Solar Fields has managed to produce something pretty damn special here. I haven't heard "leaving home" yet, and I think I need some more time with this one before I buy it. If it proves to be as good as this(which judging by other peoples reactions so far it seems to be) I'll be absolutely stunned! I mean - this is quality, it's about as close to perfection as it's possible to come in this genre. In a very short time this album has managed to get a very special place in my heart, and I'm pretty sure this will turn out to be one of those monumental albums for me - one of those very few albums that will stand out and last for years. You shouldn't be without it. Really!
get it here:
Ultimae
Saikosounds
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