CD Review: Ireesh Lal's 'Ethnotronica'

Ireesh Lal
Ethnotronica
Self-Release

Ireesh Lal is an innovative electro-fusion musician with a knack for South Asian influences, jazz infused concoctions, and electronic music that is deliciously wrapped around a world music core. The six-song EP contains lush electronic blurbs, atmospheric washes, bubbly dance elements, and punchy trumpet sounds. The diverse instrumentation and song palettes are immensely addictive and enjoyable. The programmed grooves, trip-hop percussion, and contemporary beats elicit favorable responses from all who listen or move to the music. The pulsating sounds ebb-and-flow with such ease and adventure that nothing is the same here. There are hints of 1960's and 70's spy film scores, too. At any rate, Ireesh produces a beautiful recording with cover art inspired by the sounds of the album. This is a great project that is a must-have this year. ~ Matthew Forss

Digital Music Review: Broken Quote's 'Foreshadowing Sunlight'

Broken Quote
Foreshadowing Sunlight EP
Self-Release

Houston, TX-based and cosmically-driven, Broken Quote (AKA David Schrier), infiltrates the downtempo world with an experimental, electro-acoustic, and trip-hop recording of aural delight. The swishy electronics, sparkling tones, eerie sounds, and cosmic array of noises make all of the songs stand out. The instrumental, electro-funk and rock tune, "Glass Ceiling," contains an effervescent mix of downtempo chills, intergalactic noises, and radiant keyboard tones that are equally happy in a dance club or outer space. "Sparks Water The Seeds" is nothing more than a solo steel pan medley that is slow and meditative, but definitely appropriate for the rest of the album. "Mispronounce" is another slower tune, but it is more of an electro-acoustic song that includes David's whisper-like vocalizations ideal for trip-hop or downtempo music. "Late Night Ocean" includes electronic blips, industrial noises, and atmospheric washes with a trip-hop percussion sequence and sparkling noises with steel pan, keyboard, and laser-like electronica for a truly intergalactic ride. "Ghost Crowd" is a vocal tune with deep bass sounds, electronica embellishments, and a pensive beat that is entrancing and delicious. All in all, David produces a fine release that is a little bit over twenty-minutes. The album is only a download release at this time. It is highly recommended for trip-hop and downtempo fans. ~ Matthew Forss
 

CD Review: diNMachine's 'Dance To Reason'

diNMachine
Dance To Reason
Self-Release

The electronic trip-hop concoctions of New York's diNMachine are industrial, innovative, instrumental, and ingenious. The gritty sounds are edgy and punchy with some degree of jazz and new age elements. The experimental and avant-garde sounds are mostly instrumental with a few voices added for greater musical affect. The frenzied sounds of "Lpse" are upbeat and experimental. There are elements of chiptune or videogame-type musical backing that is very electronic and trippy. The blurby sounds of "Fifth Bass" incorporate a bit of swishy percussion and cascading, electronic melodies that soar into a unique echelon of aural existence. In fact, the entire album excels with performance, composition, and creativity. Think of Lamb, Action Figure Party, and Gino Foti partying it up and you get Dance To Reason. Check out a video here: http://vimeo.com/84809265 ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Lauren Edman's 'It's Always The Quiet One'

Lauren Edman
It's Always The Quiet One
Self-Release

The alternative pop and trip-hop ramblings of an innovative performer, Lauren Edman, bring us an excellent mix of quirky, electronic-driven songs that resemble some of the music in the trip-hop or alternative genres--with the likes of Tori Amos, The Cardigans, and Imogen Heap. However, Lauren makes the music her own by throwing in a mix of other instruments, including flutes, banjo, piano, percussion, and keyboard accompaniment for a more diverse sound. Lauren sings more than most alt-trip-hop musicians, which is not a negative. In fact, Lauren's vocals are pretty good throughout. The poetic, but upbeat "Sweet Girl" is a perfect caricature of a Cardigans repertoire. "Charge" is a more spacious trip-hop song with lush vocals and an electronic ambiance. "This Is It" is more alt-folk than trip-hop. "Wasting" contains a trip-hop beat that shimmers with electronic sounds from a range of sources. Lauren's style is reminiscent of Lolo, Endless Blue, and Portishead. As a former quiet one myself, I have no problem applauding this new release and sharing it with everyone I do and don't know. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Christiane D's 'Obliquity Of The Ecliptic'

Christiane D
Obliquity Of The Ecliptic
Self-Release

The urban beats of Pennsylvanian-writer, poet, and singer, Christiane D, is anything but boring. In this case, Obliquity Of The Ecliptic tramples the genres electronica, funk, hip-hop, avant-garde, pop, and experimental music by defying logic and perceived notions of musicianship. Elements of trip-hop and down-tempo delights slow some of the music to a steady pace that is as reflective as it is engaging. A variety of eerie, quirky, and noisy sounds that are indescribable are scattered throughout the album. Anyone with an interest in Bjork, experimental electronica, and genre-bending pop and rock music will love Christiane D's different form of musical expression. The thirteen tracks showcase diverse vocals, dark melodies, and spacey adornments that are ideal for relaxing, dancing, and meditation. This is post-industrial, neo-art rock/chill music at its best. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Look To The Sky For Brazil's Ceu

Ceu

Vagarosa

Six Degrees

The lounge jazz rhythms of Brazil's Ceu is poignantly captured on her latest release, Vagarosa. The album's titled, which is translated as "leisurely", is a perfect summarization of the musical style. Ceu's songs incorporate a slight trip-hop beat, electronic undertones, bossa-nova, and 1960's psychedelica. The lounge and trip-hop rhythms are particularly evident on "Grains De Beaute" and "Ponteiro". In fact, these abovementioned tracks are closely aligned with some of the music of similar groups, such as Zero 7, Air, and Hooverphonic. Ceu's crystalline vocals shine bright and fly high throughout. Interestingly, Ceu's Portuguese name means "sky" or "heaven", which appropriately represents the far-reaching capabilities of her music. In effect, Ceu's songs seem to emanate from an otherworldly source, as they are the most beautiful sounds you will ever hear on Earth. Next time you are in the mood for a slow or leisurely journey, remember to let Ceu be your guide. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ersatzmusika...Songs Memorable

Ersatzmusika

Songs Unrecantable

Asphalt-Tango

The slightly psychedelic, avant-garde, post-Soviet roots music of Ersatzmusika is more uncategorizable than unrecantable. The rather languid English vocals possess a slightly Russio-Germanic undertone, as the band members are Russian-born, but sought refuge in Germany. Some of the songs are energetic, while others are more subdued with hints of Gypsy, folk, and pop leanings. Yet, the entire album contains a darker musical tone that amazingly does not disengage listeners, but make them lean in. The instruments used are fairly usual, including guitar, drums, bass, cello, synthesizer and harmonica. Of course, it's a matter of how they are used in order to understand how the music of Ersatzmusika came to be. The slower, instrumental moments remind one of a downbeat or trip hop band like Zero 7 or Air. Despite unsuccessful categorization, Songs Unrecantable is still one of my favorite albums of 2009...bar none.~ Matthew Forss