The Examined Life - N0mad23

11th Jul 2010 01:58 - 16 years ago
Tags :
Fusion
2.60 MB
Description : Final Unmastered [Draft]

Conceptually this is about embracing both the highs and lows in life, realizing that each is impossible without the other, and the space in between is much richer than the level places without such experience. All loops and live playing are mine except one drum loop by planetjazzbass and the seriously effected santur melody which comes from the Deepest India sample pack. Bass/guitar loops made with DSK BassZ VSTi in a West African style.

Draft 2 - extended the length, and worked on creating the spaces for upcoming ambient additions. This "instrumental" version will probably undergo one more recording session before I attempt to master it.

Final Draft - took it back to under 3 minutes for a "radio version." Lots of tweaking (especially to the accent drums and melody track).

All comments, criticisms, and suggestions welcome.

Comments (19)

If you have time take a listen and give n0mad23 some feedback.

Itegrator
Itegrator 12th Feb 2014 17:19 - 12 years ago
YeahMan, Yng 'n Yang fe real! Love dis ya 1!

...and XXL-Thanx fe playing JahKnows track(s) on Loopradio!
...and Maximum Thanks fe your NICE comment on my profile!

...and : I did a song for John Olsen, soon after he passed to the "DUB-Side". I'm not sure, if uploaded it here on LoMa...if you're interested, I send you an mp3 of it on your mail, ok?!

So, Stay blessed and let's keep the link!
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied 13th Feb 2014 - 12 years ago
Glad you liked this one my friend. I agree - link between the Irea boyz to remain unbroken.

Thanks for your awesome contributions!
JohnBoutilier
JohnBoutilier 27th Apr 2011 21:36 - 15 years ago
If only my lows sounded as happy as the lows in this track, lol.

The track is just pure pleasure for the ears, my friend, well conceived and well executed.

Faved

John
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
Thanks my friend! The lows here were supposed to be "bitter-sweet" and hopefully I captured that. This track is for my project Music to have a Rebellion To, and I thought instead of just creating agitation music, it'd be clever to offer some "solution" tracks as well. Self-examination is an important step in social progress.
theHumps
theHumps 2nd Feb 2011 22:32 - 15 years ago
Thanks for sharing this gem, so darn cool. Your music always grounds me in some way. A virtual feast for my ears. Man, I'm on play three right now, soaking it in like a sponge. Nice bass and rhythm, powerful to say the least.

You never seem to amaze me when I listen to your music and I can certainly appreciate all that went into making this. Ableton is quite the toy, so much fun and creativity happens when using it.

Great track Sean, always a pleaure!
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
Ableton for me is really about doing it live. This one is no exception, and I always try to keep things under 10 or 12 track so that I can mix it all with my MIDI controller on the fly. What you hear is what I play - though recording samples of the instruments on hand requires a lot of assembling the elements first. I'd really love to be able to hit a club and perform this stuff live as it's recorded. Thanks for the listen and encouragement Wayne!
rei4real
rei4real 14th Sep 2010 09:50 - 16 years ago
you're the kind of musician I call "mind-musicians" ...
when I listen to your music it feels like a journey through your mind, and I can't imagine a more personal way to meet someone ...
that's why I love your music that much!!!

peace, rei
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
Birds of a feather, huh Rei? This one is a kind of "solution" track as I'm looking for healthy ways of rebelling against business as usual. I wanted it to be both happy, and a little bitter sweet because that's what life really is. Highs and lows and everything in between. Thanks for the encouragement and approval here. I'll be by shortly to check out your latest as well! Cheers.
alividlife
alividlife 14th Aug 2010 08:37 - 16 years ago
Funny.. I started playing without reading anything and it instantly reminded me of PlanetJazz but you.

I was also VERY pleased to hear some even newer melodic phrasing and arranging. Then I read dungbeatl heh. Definitely the happier side of things!

hehe, interesting. The examined life. I don't do that enough.
If I were too, I think I would probably be stuck around the black keys (sounds like Db major?) and those congos right at 2:25. :)

What was the nature of getting old? You told me that one time.. We are born and time takes forever, and then we get older and time seems to go at the speed of a blink of an eye.

Lol.. I can't believe it man.. You are a powerful force in this world. This music is you.
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
I actually have absolutely no idea what key this is in - lol. It all came out of the bassline, something I was playing around with in experimenting with DSK BassZ and transposing it to more in the range of an acoustic guitar. I deliberately set out to do something melodic and happy, with a slight vibe of melancholy behind it. What I'm most please with though, is that the sonic interpretation is so close to what I'd conceptualized. I think I'll be doing more of the downtempo melodic stuff!
mrE
mrE 9th Aug 2010 17:28 - 16 years ago
excellent track seanster.suddenly im in a far away place.this is like some audial cannabis.wonderful exploration of the spectrum of human emotions.
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
I think after finding the concept, getting the ingredients together was a whole lot easier this time. Mix 1 part joyous bass with 1 part steady beat and 1 part dubby drums. Sprinkle slightly melancholy melody filtered 3x though psychedelic filters. Render slowly with Live. I do think I did tease out the spectrum of emotions here, and I'm glad you can hear that. Thanks!
DeadPixel
DeadPixel 1st Aug 2010 04:55 - 16 years ago
whoa, I'm glad I just clicked on this! I don't know how I could criticize this in any way either! Excellent job at layering and mastering everything.
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
It's cool that the periphery can ride the shirt-tails of the mainstream and acceptable, isn't it? It's a weird track, but seems familiar in ways that you can't quite put a finger to. So glad you dig it my man!
ChrissG
ChrissG 31st Jul 2010 11:04 - 16 years ago
This is an unusual turn of events, I could swear that this is not carring a heavy weight like most of your masterpieces. This has a lighter melodic feel to my ears. I think you have found your biting point n0mad. I say this from a mere onlookers perspective. To me you have found the gateway between moulding your creativity and the aspects of music allowing me to listen at any moment and enjoy. The percussion in this is brilliant by the way. Some of your best work, if i may say so. Please do keep up this type of creativity.
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
I had another member tell me in a PM that when he saw this track he thought, "oh no, n0mad's gone soft on us," but then said he was wrong after listening. Accessibility is the key, isn't it? How to do and share what we love in a way that others truly enjoy as well. I think the one I did before this (I don't think you've heard yet) titled, "The Joy in Little Things" really marks a "happier" more melodic approach for me. I look forward to email discussions with you on this, as my current project has as much to do with pointing out what's wrong with the world as it does with offering other solutions. I can promise you'll hear more of this kind of music from me in the days to come! Cheers, and welcome back!
Mosaic
Mosaic 26th Jul 2010 10:40 - 16 years ago
Hey Sean

Hey had to come and listen to this version after hearing the Jump in the waters mix, have to say that this is a good version too, but I think of the 2 I like the remix, maybe the water and the little child, good tribal beat here, still to me has a little India sound about it with the synths and fx's used, mate as I said before I am in AWE of what you acheive in your tunes, always a pleasure to hear your talent in progress, another fav'd piece from you my friend...Peace and massive respect...Estefano...
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
I think most people prefer the "jumping into the waters" version. I'm planning on using this one as the first song on my next album and the "waters" one as the final song, which I think will be great in "closing the circle." I think with this last round of music I'm really moving towards more melodic work, but with that signature n0mad23 sound. I'm really curious as to where this is all going! Cheers my friend.
StephenPotter
StephenPotter 17th Jul 2010 08:32 - 16 years ago
The drumloop and sound choice at the start were great. And I like that sitar-ish synth/sound that comes in at 0:35. This definatley has a sort of African style to it- I'm geussing thats because of the drums. The bass guitar is also really good.

I'm really impressed with this song, I like what you've done with all the sounds, too many for me to count :P

Ste :)
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
Hey Ste! I'm quite pleased with the percussion here, and learned a lot about bridging a Dub aesthetic with a more traditional one. No African drums were abused in this recording, but I think my childhood influence does shine through. I guess that's what happens when exposed to W. African drums at an impressionable age! The sitar like sound is an Indian/Persian instrument called a santur that's a bit like a hammered dulcimer but I've manipulated the sound to nearly beyond recognition. I'm really pleased you hear a sitar like sound behind it as that's basically what I was going for - at least the impression of that sound. More hybrid fusion to be sure. Thanks for the kind words here!
Salook
Salook 14th Jul 2010 19:48 - 16 years ago
[This and previous reviews are for Draft #2]

Oh yes, very melodic piece of fusion, this has some great depth and the percussion is tough, definite sense of equilibrium even if you feel you haven't achieved it yet... its there.
Had to hit this up twice, second listen i can here more sounds starting to tease out, alot of things happening here, another mix of traditions only you can pull off. looking forward to the final draft though this sounds complete.

Nice one.
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
Yup, now the ambient mix is done, I'm going back to this one. It's a thick one, and surprising to me how distinct things sound where they should, and seem to slide one out of the other in other cases. Very curious. I guess I'm heading down a melodic path lately, and must say it feels right. Can't wait to see what happens next! Cheers brother Salook!
ShojoBeast
ShojoBeast 14th Jul 2010 07:57 - 16 years ago
Niko Bay! In Super Mario Sunshine. It reminds me of that place. And Venice, at a table for two over looking the sea. A nice view...
Well, I love it!

Shojo
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
I love that you love it! Thanks for all you valuable input as I created this one. Do you have any new one's you'll be soon posting? Sure hope so.
bmw2000uk
bmw2000uk 14th Jul 2010 07:54 - 16 years ago
Love the sounds, interesting concept, in my culture its called the Ying Yang theory, the balance of everything. Everything has an opposite.

Nice easy listening.

Peace...
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
Yeah, definitely a Yin-Yang song, and I think because of the wax/wane qualities here, it replicates the Tao in that each element eventually becomes the opposite. I'm sticking with Fusion currently as it is, but wonder if it might not be more appropriate under Chillout? Thanks for the listen and review!
JWilson
JWilson 14th Jul 2010 00:44 - 16 years ago
This is really unique. Love the African drum mix. Has an ambient feel, yet energetic.
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
I'm glad someone else hears the African sensibilities in the drums here, as that's what I was going for. I think between the percussion and strings it's both down-tempo and upbeat at the same time. That's something I'm really pleased with here! Thanks much for the listen and review.
zappo
zappo 12th Jul 2010 09:27 - 16 years ago
Well recorded and mixed exelent work.

zappo
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
Thanks zappo! I think it's heading in the right direction!
Alen9R
Alen9R 11th Jul 2010 17:17 - 16 years ago
This time I read Description:)

Very nice fusion,It is interesting how much a lot of elements heard in track!I feel you have worked on this track least a month, sounds very complicated,from the excellent drums to nice chilling indian vibe!
As I said a lot of elements, but excellent and well arranged sounds!
Can not wait to hear next draft!

Great work!
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
For a musical artist who finds classical symphonies to be too full, I certainly tend to go thick - lol. The individual elements took a long time to find and "create" here, but the composition itself came together surprisingly fast. I'm glad I made this version, as it's allowed me to really "listen" to hear where it wants to go. Thank you kindly for the review! (my all time favorite review is still the one you deleted!)
minette
minette 11th Jul 2010 12:37 - 16 years ago
your tracks always sound like they're from another planet. so so beautiful, and i really adore the indian touches in there. cannot wait to hear draft II, III, etc. :)

The Examined Life is also such a great title... it immediately sketches this image in the mind of open fields and industrial landscpaes... opposites, yet harmoniously drawn together.

i think once you add in the ambient sounds it's going to sound even more awesome. love it!
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
I was thinking about interior landscapes behind this, and love that it can be brought out into physical ones as well. Thanks for that! It's about the union of opposites, and how "something else" is also created in the process. One plus one leads to the birth of the third.

I'm going for "the river of life" as an ambient motif now. Naturally, streams and rivers are too full of white noise to work, so I'm using gentle surf instead which emphasizes the wax and wane metaphor. I suspect I'll really need to distinct versions of this one before I'm done, to satisfy the two directions it really wants to go. Thanks so much for the review, Minette. I'm so pleased you like this!
jfw
jfw 11th Jul 2010 08:40 - 16 years ago
A true fusion of influences here, tinged with your usual penchant for ethnic sensibilities. I love the African guitar motif running throughout ( those guys really know how to do upbeat even when playing a slow acoustic riff like this). I'm also getting some North African and Indian subcontinent vibes in this. Nice percussion track underpinning it in a supportive way and not overpowering the whole thing.
This is great stuff and for me a new fave of yours - nice work Sean!
Cheers, Jamie.
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
What you hear as guitar I think is the DSK BassZ VSTi which I pushed up an octave (or two?) for doing this one. I'm glad you hear it too, as it was the launching inspiration point of this one. It's got West African Ambiance dripping from the strings, and I think you've nailed the upbeat aspect (hadn't considered that consciously). I'm going to post how I did the accent drums in the "Dub Logbook" thread as I'm really please with how they came out, especially in conjunction with the bass drum lines happening. Really glad you enjoyed this one Jamie, it's a compliment greater than you imagine. Thank you.
yeshintae
yeshintae 11th Jul 2010 03:24 - 16 years ago
EXCELLENT VIBE to this joint!
Those drums really flushed out the track
Imma liking where you going with this
I LUV the way you captured the essence of
the highs and lows with that melody
Imma stay tuned for an update

I would fav this but me phone
just won't LET ME!
imma have to fav it on me laptop later
^.^

Much Respect from LA
n0mad23
n0mad23 replied Unknown - 2028 years ago
You must have come back on the laptop! Huge compliment in faving this one, especially since it's still draft #1. Wow. I get the feeling there's tremendous potential in this track, and your enthusiasm makes me think I'm heading in the right direction. Thank you much!

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