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EXTREMELY
SAD NEWS
Electronic music pioneer
Michael Garrison passed away on March 24, 2004. Michael had
been recording electronic music since 1978 when he released
his first album, In the Regions of Sunreturn.
Coincidentally, it was my first purchase (on LP) of "pure"
EM music in the sequencer style. I am personally stunned by
the news he is dead as I just spoke with Michael back in the
fall of 2003 when I ordered the CD version of In the
Regions... (now titled In the Regions of Sunreturn
and Beyond). The world will sorely miss Michael who,
besides being an artist (still actively recording, too) also
ran an independent mail order music business, specializing
in EM. If you never heard his music, you're missed something
special. Michael's music will continue to be available at
his
site. A memorial
page is up here.
My thanks to Ron and Kees at Groove for publicizing these
details via their newsletter.
- Spiralight Records is
fast becoming one of the best ambient and
chill-out/electronica labels out there [per Wind
and Wire's Bill Binkelman]. Here's news of their
latest release: Spiralight proudly announces the release
of Ambienism Volume One, a compilation by various
well known North American ambient artists. Listen to
sound clips and order the CD securely online at
our
website. Also on
the horizon is Richard Bone's new release, The Reality
Temples. (a new Richard Bone album?....OH YEAH! Bring
it ON!!!)
- Here's news of a new
Craig Padilla recording from Spotted
Peccary:
Genesis. Per the press release: "Creation-inspired
electronic ambiences woven from new synthesis forms and
vintage analog instrumentation (ala...Tangerine Dream,
Ash Ra Tempel, Pete Namlook). Electronic music that is
timeless and current, bold and subtle, melodic and
ambient. A must for any electronic music
fan."
- Also new from Padilla is
a collaboration with synthesist Paul Ellis. This one is
on Groove
Unltd.: "Echo
System: Composed and recorded with famous
Northwestern Electronic Music Master, Paul Ellis, this
landmark recording reveals itself in stunning emotional
complexity. Collaborations by artists at this level
frequently produces [sic] amazing results, but
this disc achieves a pinnacle of quality that makes it
stand out in relation to other masterworks of electronic
musical expression. These hypnotic, spacey sequences and
mysterious melodies create an awesome "cinematic
experience"!
- Acoustic guitarist Peter
Janson is putting the finishing touches on his next
recording. Stay tuned or go to his
website for more
info.
- From the enigmatic duo,
Austere, comes this bit of info: "Back in February, we
were happy to announce the release of Dark Duck Records'
The Drone Download Project MP3 CD - Year 1, an MP3
CD containing 198Kbs files of almost 8 hours of drone
music, masterminded by Stephen Phillips, one of the
contributors and the originator of the Drone Download
Project. The CD features two Austere guitar-only drone
tracks: "Diapason," a 12-minute track which was featured
in the first year series, and an unreleased bonus 18
minute track, "Whainer." It is currently available
through Dark
Duck Records.
This is a fine collection of ambient drone music
featuring the likes of Stephen Phillips, Abstract Audio
Systems, Numina, and many many others."
- Novabeats is an ambient
artist collective and here is some news from them:
"Novabeats returns with new record. First CD on the way -
Novabeats has been on extended hiatus while they have
been working on their first CD as a collective, which has
now been finished. Release is scheduled for June; 72
minutes with 14 tracks from Kathie Talbot, Cavestar,
Swirl, MJ Project, Koi, Surface 10, RealKuhl, Constant
Flux, The Mighty One, Mr. Soon, and Subversive Element.
Check this
site for updates
on this collection of creative new directions in beats,
jazz and exotica."
- Galactic Anthems (Glenn
Adams) has announced his new recording: "Intricate rhythm
structures, ethereal harmonies, tribal grooves and deep
space drones are just part of Abstract Circuitry,
the second release of electronic ambient artist Galactic
Anthems. Created by composer Glenn Adams, the follow-up
disc to the first Galactic Anthems CD continues the
eclectic blend of combining unusual sounds, textures and
moods into a cohesive listening experience. Check out
where to purchase it at the artist's
site.
- "The new Bokor
Assortment EP is now online at http://www.archive.org
for free download. These are 04 tracks recorded between
1998-2002 finding Bokor at a creative cross roads with
sounds ranging from harsh noise bursts, ambient
atmospheric disturbances to oceanic field recordings.
Complete with artwork. Download it now!" (Zac
Keiller.)
ARTISTS:
Please email
me
with album titles and info if you want your latest release
mentioned in this column.
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