Guest Psylent Buddhi Posted October 21, 2001 Share Posted October 21, 2001 I pretty much agree with Bomble. Only I think this compilation is a lot better than Twisted's Backroom Beats. All the tracks are well chosen, and highlights include Ott's "Escape From Tulse Hill", Jairamji's "Elephant Waltz" and Drift's Infusion. L.S.D. does it again! Well done! /Psylent Buddhi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomble Posted October 21, 2001 Share Posted October 21, 2001 I would agree that it's better than Backroom beats in so far as the tunes are more consistently good - I was more drawing comparison to the style chosen rather than to the absolute quality... sorry if I didn't make myself clear.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomble Posted October 22, 2001 Author Share Posted October 22, 2001 V/A - Mana Medicine Artist: Various Title: Mana Medicine Label: Dragonfly Date: 2001 Track listing: 01. 09'05" Jairamji : Elephant Waltz 02. 06'21" Zen Lemonade : Ashanti 03. 05'19" Angel Tears : Ishka 04. 07'28" Ott : Escape From Tulse Hill 05. 07'09" Tripswitch : Shamanic Tea 06. 07'46" Grey : Beard Aushadhi 07. 05'59" Noodreem : Cosmic Jam 08. 08'01" Drift : Infusion 09. 10'09" Lisa Walker : Orcadrift (Turtle Dub Rmx) 10. 05'16" Angel Tears : D'Marot Malach Review: Every now and then someone makes an album out of a compilation. I'm sure you have all experienced what I mean - it's as if all the artists sat down around a campfire, looked up at the stars and went away to the studio with the same inspiration. I suspect what this actually boils down to is that the compiler had a very clear idea of what sort of sound to create. In any case, Mana Medicine is an example of a compilation held together by common threads. And what a beautiful tapestry it is too ! The theme throughout is sophisticated, gentle hooks placed carefully in a soundscape of natural rhythms and earthy ethnic sounds. This is neither the mindbending psychoactive style of say Shpongle, nor the deeply mystical style of the Yeti albums or Padmasana/Makyo but more in the freestyle spirit of Twisted's Backroom Beats. Very very compelling stuff. The Jairamji track opens with forest atmosphere and develops with a delicacy and warmth that anyone who heard them in their previous guise as Swivel Pigeon would recognise. The tune grows to a splendid culmination of guitars and breaks - yum! Zen Lemonade immediately take the rhythms deep and clear - the kind of tune you find yourself swaying to when you're sitting in the chillspace. Angel Tears (aka Seb Taylor aka Shakta/Digitalis/Somaton) opens with strings and a toe-thumping bassline leading to a sublime vocal line and loose Hispanic guitar. Is this man one of the most versatile producers in Britain today ? I'd say so ! Ott's tune is - if I have to choose one - a highlight. Dub filled, deep, intricate, tuneful and oh so cool! Plus plenty of psychedelic noising to fire up the cortex - this is really a joyful journey from start to end. Tripswitch take us into far off realms with a tribal bassline and a very catchy electronic melody spiced with Indian vocals. Greybeard (cowritten by the compiler, Humphrey, and Lawrence) pull out a gem of highly unusual sounds and rich samples carried on a spacey bass. The tune evolves in its own time and is nicely elevated by some really tasty guitar playing and, of course, our old friend Terence. Noodreem continue the organic tribal feel set down before them, and add a light-hearted and well placed electronic melody. Drift (aka Adham Shaikh from Ekko) delivers a typically laid-back blissful tune. It doesn't have quite the emotive power of his 'Arc en ciel', but it's still great to get more of his tunes out in the open. Lisa Walker's addition is also delivered in a totally laid back position - piano and other classical instruments sneak in wonderfully. Angel Tears finishes with another guitar jam and their quintessential floating vocals. Rich in emotion, skilled and just generally lovely - a perfect sensual ending. I know I've probably said far too much about this album already, and of course the best thing to do is to just buy the thing and find out for yourself, but Mana Medicine just goes on to confirm L.S.D's position as one of the leading downtempo labels. And showing that there are a lot of artists out there who know how to do this kind of thing when they are given an outlet. 8/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted October 22, 2001 Share Posted October 22, 2001 Great soothing chill out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flying Kundalini Posted October 22, 2001 Share Posted October 22, 2001 agree totally with the aboves - very soothing collection of quality ambient tuneage..:-) for me the highlights are Zen Lemonade, Angel Tears and Ott. As good as Backroom Beats, no better no worse.. 8/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest [Anonymous] Posted October 22, 2001 Share Posted October 22, 2001 Mana is actually the name of mind expanding food used in the Bibel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest [Anonymous] Posted October 22, 2001 Share Posted October 22, 2001 VERY NICE COMP.. standout tracks are Zen Lemonade, Angel Tears and OTT.. 8/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest [Anonymous] Posted November 17, 2001 Share Posted November 17, 2001 mana means state of mind. spanned by thougts, ideas, vertuality. the state that can phisically and possibly make your body float in air or control the whole universe. Mana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soem aeld Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 this CD is VERY good! I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest irie[at]marijuana[dot]com Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 yummy... It gave me a damn good trip some weeks ago... BUY IT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest andreas[at]happyhippie[dot]com Posted March 10, 2002 Share Posted March 10, 2002 Really a lovely chill-out album. Feels a bit softer than Dr Alex voyage. Great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest -Shroom- Posted May 28, 2002 Share Posted May 28, 2002 Angel Tears track "D'maot Malach" is one of the beautiful tracks ever created. it took my breath away... it still does everytime i hear it... oh my...not enough words to describe this masterpiece. As for the rest of the comp, great. Very creative, emotional compilation. 9/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TiMMY Posted June 2, 2002 Share Posted June 2, 2002 Angel Tears are Momi Ochaion and Seb Taylor, they have 3 full albums (great stuff). and great comp enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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