Xfm Dublin Playlist March 07

Solipsism: "Wax" [Electricity Flows In Squares] Herb
Robert Leiner: "Dream Or Reality" [Visions Of The Past] Apollo
Ceephax: "Tx Highway" [Ceephax Volume 1] Rephlex
Patscan: "Tiki Champer" [Muddled Up] Concrete Plastic
Atom Tm: "Get Down" [Son Of A Glitch] Rather Interesting
Jolly Music: "Daddy" [Jolly Music] Nature
Isolee: "Schrapnell" [WeAreMonster] Playhouse
System Exclusive: "Orange" [unrealeased] http://www.myspace.com/systex
Amen Orchestra: "Noan Ame 17" [17 Waves] Art-Tek
Christ: "Stained Century" [Blue Shift Emissions] Benbecula
Tetsu Inoue: "Smile" [World Receiver] Infraction
Pub: "Shattered" [Legless] Ampoule
Adrien75: "Highway One South" [Coastal Acces] Source Records (Germany)
Yard: "Canopy" [Northern Cedar] Concrete Plastic
Gate Zero: "Bright Reflection" [Black Dust] Fax
Stasis: "Inside" [Inspiration] Peacefrog

[B a s t a r d i z e] EP Out Now At Beatport

hello,

the new Kingbastard EP is now available at Beatport



Also available at a limited edition CD direct from the Herb CD Store



2007 is barely one month old, yet it is full steam ahead over at Herb Recordings. Along with Rubens' forthcoming debut, the "[Bastardize Ep]" by Kingbastard represents a busy start for the innovative Scottish label. This Ep is a quick-fix of frenzied beats, effervescent melodies and a lo-fi style production.

A number of tracks here, recall some of Richard D. James' acid-style sounds (especially those Anologue Bubblebath records). Opener "[Tripod]", for example, fearures a dirty melody and some mid-90's style beat production. Ending with a combination of vitriolic beats and a dark theme, ensures this Ep is off to an impressive start.

"[Boxclever]" is probably my favourite track here, it is certainly the most instant. Rapid beats are laced with a lethal melody, that proves to be an intoxicating blend. There is a fantastic middle section, where the beats merge into a triple drill style beat, that is both innovative and appeasing work.



"[Parenthesis]", meanwhile, is a large sounding number thats starts with hisses of static and computer bleeps. A beat soon pushes its way through the digital mass, along with some euphoric synths, that soon develops into a captivating tune.

As the name suggests, "[Data Rape Function Creep]" is a deranged track, thats uses a plethora of bit stream beats, dark drones and eerie sound clips. It vaguely recalls those industrial machine build-up's that Autechre are renowned for.

"[Goodbye Mr Bendigo]" surprisingly changes tact. While the 4 previous tracks are beat-laden and instantly gratifying, this one harks back to some of Kingbastard's work, on the "Run:>Ep". It is a sad sounding collage of cloudy sampled textures and melancholic synths. A perfect reference point here would be Radiohead's "Treefingers" from "Kid A". It's is not as instant, but repeated listens reveal a certain degree of emotion.

Thankfully, it is just a temporary moment and Kingbastard hasn't got all depressed on us. He is soon back with his signature buoyant beats and acidic melodies. The bizrrely titled, "[Got Milk_Duckstomping]", with its upbeat nature, works in perfect contrast to the sad synthscape of "[Goodbye Mr Bendigo]", and ends the Ep on an optimistic note.

The "Bastardize Ep" is a definite progression for Kingbastard. The beats are innovative and the melodies plentiful. There is some terrific work here, most notably "[Box Clever]", "[Goodbye Mr Bendigo]" and "[Data Rape Function Creep]". 2007 could very well be the year of the bastard!.

Boring Machines

Electricity Flows In Squares Out Now At i-Tunes

solipsism - Electricity Flows In Squares Cat. No. Herb0023





Herb Recordings is a label that is all about innovation, cutting edge programming, deft production and the exploration of fresh sounds in and around the electronica genre. It is important, therefore, that (Herb Owner) Craig Murphy, using his Solipsism guise, sets the standards and provides the benchmark for the rest of his stable to adhere to.

Starting of as a solo project, Solipsism has since evolved into a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Ed Drury, to the point that he is now a full-time member.

"Electricity Flows In Squares" is the 3rd Solipsism release and is an experiment of dance music that gets your brain thinking, rather than your feet moving. In other words, don't expect dumbed down beats and half-hearted synths, this one is for the purists. Right from the outset, on "Bad Circuit" it's apparent that there is something different about "Electricity Flows..". The melodies are light and float in the mix, while they are contrasted by precise beat work. "Bending Light" reinforces these sentiments and sees the duo create a mixture of a euphoric melody, overlapped with twinkling textures, with robotic drum patterns

However, it is on tracks such as "Glass Rod" and "Electricty Flows In Squares" that this combination strikes the perfect balance. The former uses 3 or 4 psychedelic melodies that float, overlap and merge together, evoking images of space. This is contrasted with a series of harsh, mechanistic programming. These conflicting styles shouldn't work, but Solipsism pull it off and it's impeccable. The title track, meanwhile, employs the crisp production techniques of Bola, but are equally as innovative in their own right. The machine-like precision is intact as the etheral synths swell around it.

It's not all accuracy and precision, though, "Flying" is a hovering ambient passage, that shimmers with a warm, analogue soul, while "Plug Me In" comes across like an updated version of the "A Clockwork Orange" main theme.

"Electricity Flows In Squares" has an nostaligic feel to it, advancing on the themes explored by artists such as Bola, Autechre and Bochum Welt. The pristine melodies posses a real other-worldly quality and are perfectly contrasted by the accomplished, mechanistcic programming. It is an engaging listen that begs for an emotional response.

Boring Machines


enjoy the fresh herb!

Rubens CD Out Not At Norman Records

hello,

you can now order the new rubens album from Norman Records

cheers
herb

U.S Release Date For Rubens CD

Hello,

The U.S release date for the Rubens CD is 13th Of April 2007. People in the U.S.A can pre-order the album now from

Ear/Rational

cheers
herb

Boring Machines Top 10 Of 2007

Boring Machines


1. Tobias Lilja : "Time Is On My Side" (n5md)

2. Slow Dancing Society : "The Sound of Lights When Dim" (Hidden Shoal Recordings)

3. Romance of Young Tigers : Self-titled Ep (Self-Released)

4. Solipsism : "Electricity Flows In Squares" (Herb Recordings)

5. Explosions In The Sky : "All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone" (Temporary Residence)

6. Wes Willenbring : "Somewhere Someone Else" (Hidden Shoal Recordings)

7. SubtractiveLAD : "No Man's Land" (n5md)

8. Sankt Otten : "Wir Koennen ja Freunde Bleiben" (Hidden Shoal Recordings)

9. ((Konntinet)) : "... If Anything Should Happen" (Self-Released)

10. Rubens : "Carnivalesque" (Herb Recordings)

Shamanic Technology Review

Boring Machines

Having described the music of Shamanic Technolgy on these pages as "brilliant anthemic and euphoric electronic music", "Doorways" is an album that I have been anticipating for some time now. A mix up of some sorts at the Herb HQ meant it was delayed for a good few months. But it is now out there and the overall signs are good, it has been worth the wait.

For the uninitiated, Shamanic Technology is the work of Bournemouth based producer Chris Hare and the project was designed to allow him to break free from the shackles of dj'ing in the UK club scene. "Doorways" is his answer to those rigid club rules and is an album in a similar head-nodding vein to labelmates Rubens, only it is presented in a much darker manner.

The crystal clear production and crips beatwork immediately sets this album apart and is testament to the 2 years it took Hare to write and record. Recording as Shamanic Technology has allowed Hare to breathe and develop a largely distinctive sound. Of course, everyone has their influences and "Doorways" vaguely recalls the likes of Plaid, Boards of Canada and even a bit of Amon Tobin.

There is a sense that a lot of thought has went into this album in terms of making a unique sound, with Hare expanding on the template outlined by the aforementioned artists. Psychedlic melodies collide with broken (but clear) beatwork and frequent spoken word samples that gives this album a dynamic aura. More often than not, "Doorways" sounds fantastic.

Last December Herb Recordings donated an mp3 of "Electronic Therapy" to this site for people to sample the mood of the album. It was an excellent choice because it is indicative of Shamanic Technology's overall sound. One of the more accesible numbers, back in December I described it as a track full of "satisfying and snappy beats and urgent synths" and I stand by this statement. It also reinforces the anthemic quality of Hare's music.

"Pathseeker" shows Shamanic Technology in a different light and is more playful in nature. Basing the track around a hazy, floating melody, the meticulous programming provides a perfect backdrop. The crackling beatwork of "mIrRoRs" further enhances Hare's reputation of adept producer, while listening through headphones reveals several subtle enhancements that may go unnoticed on first listen. "Toy Vision", meanwhile, features a twisted toybox melody that soon mutates into a segment of synth bubble melodies and elastic beats. The simple but full-bodied sound quality helps to propel this ambitious number forward.

"Doorways" is a distinctive statement form Shamanic Technology. Amid the gifted production style, clear-cut beats, interesting vocal samples and darkened melodies, a huge amount of ideas are bursting to get out. At times it's playful, elsewhere it's trippy and others it's downright evil sounding. But the overall ambition ensures that "Doorways" remains an eventful experience and it serves to stretch electronica into some uncharted territories.

Rating - 80%

solipsism - Free EP

solipsism have made an ep available for free download, that's inventively titled "Free EP" It's basically some of the tracks that were recorded while they were working on the electricity flows in squares ep that never made the final release.

 

Download 01. Fragments

Download 02. This Is Our Tree and We're Not Getting Out Of It

Download 03. I Believe In You

Download 04. Distant Shores

Download Free EP Artwork

Herb Digital

Herb Digital is the new section of the website and the new branch of Herb Recordings that will be dealing exclusively with digital releases. When Herb started in January 2006, we launched with great aplomb in the digital market and after a very successful first year, we decided to continue our policy of giving new and emerging artists their chance in this market. Many of our digital release will also go out on other formats, namely CD and vinyl. However, we feel that the rapid growth of the digital market is the ideal platform now for giving new material it's first break, as well as giving established artists the opportunity to join the revolution.

If you are an artist interested in joining Herb Digital then please email us at

info AT herbrecordings DOT com

We will not be dealing with enquiries through myspace, forums etc. so please just contact us directly about it.

cheers
herb