Shamanic Technology - Doorways Out Now!

Hi everyone,

Just a quick message to let you know that the new album by Shamanic Technology, is now available from Boomkat and Shamanic Technology, is now available from Boomkat and



Textures range from the sinister to the playful, with dynamic twists and euphoric turns occurring on a track by track basis. A lively tapestry of electronic pulses, vacuums of nostalgic synths, intricately placed found sounds and contemporary beatwork, finds Shamanic Technology bracketed by luminaries including Plaid, Boards of Canada and Bola – with particular emphasis placed on the anthemic quality of the latter.

Yet “Doorways” is undoubtedly the work of Shamanic Technology, Hare is no mere copyist. There’s an invigorating edge threaded throughout this record, one which finds it blooming into all sorts of wonderful directions. Glowing with melody and glistening with creativity, this record isn’t just fresh. It’s Herb Fresh….

Tracklist

1. Rites Of Passage
2. Shamanic Technology (Floating in Ayahuasca)
3. Ode To The Machine
4. Strange Glass Feeling
5. Thought Bubble Experiment
6. Phonic Sky
7. Electronic Therapy
8. My Shadow Casting
9. Xtractions
10. mIrRoRs
11. Moments Of Reflection
12. Pathseeker
13. Toy Vision
14. Nostalgia

"Doorways passes muster with ease, its fourteen tracks consistently strong. There are no weak links at all – each cut has enough going on to maintain interest. Particularly good are “Electronic Therapy”, with its Boards of Canada-ish muted melody, the joyous “Pathseeker” and the fittingly titled closer, Nostalgia." Music, Musings & Miscellany

For interviews, photos, information etc. please contact info@herbrecordings.com

www.herbrecordings.com
www.myspace.com/shamanictechnology
www.myspace.com/herbrecordings

Rubens (Gump) – Mixed Herbs Vol. 3

Hi Everyone,

here's a new mix from Herb Recordings, by Gump from Rubens. It features some great tracks from our forthcoming releases, plus a couple of older ones.

Me But Perfect (7:48am) - Engine7
Bastardism - Solipsism
Tempertantrum (11:36am) - Engine7
Breaking Into Smile (Barked At By The Black Dog) - Rubens/The Black Dog
Strange Glass Feeling - Shamanic Technology
This Ocean Beach Is Ours - Mosca
Liquid Of Decision - Skytree
Parenthesis - Kingbastard
The Sycamore Of Ellicot City - Skytree
Thought Bubble Experiment - Shamanic Technology
Gotmilk - Kingbastard
Vertical Hold (live edit) - Rubens
You Won't - Zerova

Mixed Herbs Vol. 3 Download Link

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%