Super job here, Alex. Everything is wonderfully clean sounding. You and Franco did a really cool chill track. Kind of has a bit of a George Benson vibe to it.
thanks. I really appreciate your comment. I can't say that my way of playing on this one was intentional, it just came up like this and I realized it was good at some point. I am not a regular session player.
I'm really glad you liked this piece - the short guitar fragments are from our earlier project with ferryterry. I decided to mix them into this new song - they add some really fine colour.
Thanks again, Alex
Hi. I love the first of these four tracks. A very cool melody coming in on the main beat from the guitar chord and a very charming little synth part.
Sitar there is also perfect. Lots of little things moving around and the bass underneath is solid too. This could play around on a loop for a long time and I would still like it. Some strings in there too. Lots of lovely keyboard touches and I wish I could play like that.
My only problem is with the drums. They just sit there not doing much and also don't sound very powerful. Like a loop except you have EZ so you can/should do more with them. Maybe try putting a stereo widener on them plus EQ to get a fuller, brighter sound. I know you make these tracks so quickly that you don't bother going back and adding details to your drums. I wish you would.
I hear these as four separate tracks but will return to say more about the others later.
For now, here is your new favourite cool, modern jazzy song. You're going to love it! Jazz band with DJ as lead player. Amazing piece of music.
Thank you for giving such a kind review and some interesting video. I love the sound they get. I really envy that possibility to record in the real recording studio.
I used to play a lot the acoustic piano when studying at conservatory in warsaw (graduated 2008, Im 30). All the current work Im doing now on looperman is entrely based on my former experiences as a classical trained kb player. I am working as a church organ restorer here in poland, not as a professional musician though.
Anyway I just discovered some great stuff like bebop 251 piano licks so this year I will take some time to internalize more 'jazz patterns' for sure. I think doing things in a proper way is some excellent way to go beyond of what I am actually performing here as a keyboard player. It is very limited - I am fooling around the DAW and just profiting from all that but I know there's really no shortcuts when comes to make good music...
I saw your latest forum thread and thought it was excellent - I just made 2 new tracks thinking about how to produce sounds corresponding with your music. I do not listen to rock and like so basically I might use the drums totally different. Anyway that's how I can possibly 'go creative' right this moment...
I listened to the other songs from Lund Quartet and found they play some kind of nu-jazz or something on the top of jazz, not the proper jazz at all but definitely I can feel the connection with that kind of music. There's just a little touch of 'soloing' and the overall jazz improvisational factor in their music, it is played very let's say very 'safe'.
I love some good lounge chill out music and this one is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum. Mr. wolf kind of covered all the musical aspects of the songs, but i wanna talk about how the first two made me feel. Ground Basse was a funky minimalistic song that really made me feel like I was on the beach in the middle of the sand watching the waves roll up on the shore. The Blues made me feel like I was in a classic jazz or blues bar in New York City, with a lot of grungy people in a grungy place. You really took me on a trip here with the first two tracks man, great job!
Whenever i hear your stuff i always think it's heaps better than the throw away crap that i put together and this track is no exception. Everything sounds smooth as silk and i'm digging those ethnic sting sounds and floaty pads. I'm thinking you and Nomad should do a collab as i think your styles would work well together.
Wow! A bonus track as well or is it just the second part of track one? Well whatever, it sounds slick and tripped out. There's plenty of sunshine in your music which is great because there aint a lot of sunshine round these parts at the moment. You play really well and it's always a pleasure to drop by and listen to your compositions.
Part three now and the beats got a bit heavier with some ace psychadelic sounds going on in the background. I'm wondering how you managed to make such a long track without losing quality. Audacity normally fills me up by the eleven minute mark.
Final track now and again a sweet combo of percussion and piano. I've never heard you do a bad track and i don't think i ever will.
Too good!
FR
You had me at the word "suite" ... I like the idea of several movements that belong together. Typical concept for progressive rock but why not export it to other genres as well?
Coming to the music...
- The first part, the Ground Basse, works very well.
I like this syncopated keys "fighting" against the flowing bass. Only remark: I would raise a bit the level of the bass and if possible, use a more "grinding" sound.
- Second part, The Blues.
What can I say on the organ? really beautiful.
I like the sound and the light bluesy mood. Liked it.
Of course the piano is also good, but the organ is
my favorite (strange: I usually prefer the piano,
but I like too much what you played on the organ here).
Also the drum loop works very well.
- Third part, One Step Closer
Again, nice syncopated keys, but this time in an
almost "industrial" context (due to the drums).
Not so fond of the special fxs running in the background.
Again ... you know how to play these keys :-)
Liked a lot the solo going on.
Light and perfect for the atmosphere.
Special mention for the bass sound: I like it, few notes
but in the right place. Good.
- Fourth part, Nuclear Sunset
This is now something totally different.
Strange pads at the beginning (maybe the looping point
could use a better "cross fade" at 9:33)
Weird, but hey,
we are going for a nuclear sunset, arent we?
Around 10:30 the track really gets "chilly" with nice
pads and good work on the piano
(I would be curious to hear this piano line with an
echo... a huge echo set on 1/4 and lot of feedback...
not sure it would work, just curious).
Probably you could also make the ending a bit longer,
but I assume that at 12:07 you didn't want to extend it
too much.
So the final question: is this really a suite or are these 4 tracks assembled together?
Hard to say. I personally think they could work as single tracks but I see how you wanted to offer the listener a different experience by abutting them to form a single song.
And of course I also recognize common elements across the 4 parts: your keyboards playing could be seen as the fil-rouge that connects the various movement.
It's a bit feeble as link, but you are the boss and you decide what has to be done :-)
Final word: LIKED!
I am happy I decided to listen this.
Ciao, Domenico
PS: be ensured that the fact that you recently commented one of my tracks doesn't play any role in my post.
I am *always* looking for new music here, even if I have no "featured track" to promote. And I always try to be as honest as possible with my comments.
Thanks a lot Domenico for nice words. I appreciate that. Yes, there's a problem with the 'suite' label in here - honestly it is just my way to post more of my current work on looperman. Agreed, the tracks are different (and the last one stands out for sure). I think I have uploaded one better and much more consistent suite some time ago. The pieces were made almost in one take and shared the same sound image. Here it is just a compilation of my current work from last 2 weeks. Basically looperman it is a nice place for posting single tracks not the full albums.
I agree that the first 3 songs are quite similar combining the e piano playing with ezdrummer grooves. Nuclear song is based on the Am7FM7 progression from midisparkss snippet. I do not make any so called illustrative music and that nuclear title is from midisparks as well. I think I managed to blend loops much better and quite smoothly on my other tracks. Here I was looking for a proper chord progression from the midisparks audio so it is just a weird combination of an ambient and some strange jazzy piano chillout.
Actually Ive made already a song adding delay effect to the piano line, I know it may sound quite chilled or just interesting when played in a real time even. This is some nice concept.
I am happy you had a chance to listen to my current work. I enjoyed your track as well.
Thanks again for such a nice and detailed review! All the best to you, Alex
This may just be one of my favorites of your tracks! Everything is very nicely balanced and clear. The vocals are prominent and powerful. The drums have a nice relaxed vibe about them which really compliments the vocal parts, and also seems to have help you compose some very nice instrumental parts. Smooth and fresh, dig it! Fave!
thank you again for an interesting reply and such a nice comment on this one. I appreciate that.
This song is a very original combination of sounds from different looperman members: I started with the synth pad by devodale which was played on wavestation synth. Then I kept adding more stuff (as always) that I downloaded earlier to came up with some corresponding sounds/textures. I tapped these drums from the keyboard (funk drum kit from ezdrummer plugin). The rhodes piano improv line is mine too.
I do not have any recipe for making a good song. Each one is different. Truly I did not expect it will sound like this at the end!
An important thing, I was listening a lot to the classical and jazz acoustic recordings of good quality earlier so that affects my current work. And basically this is my favourite 'area' which in my opinion brings great listening experiences. I can't say this on the loud electronic sequenced music but I might be wrong of course. Just a personal preference. I tried myself in producing a bit of electronic music on this site as well.
I think if I am just able to merge together the sounds that will share the same harmonics then it is always a great start.
I do not know what to say more about all this. I did not develop a theory, it is more an 'creative' practical approach of the moment.
I am happy you liked this track which is also a 'collective effort'. Thanks for your interest in my music. Best, Alex
Sorry man, I didn't mean to say that anything was actually missing in this song :-). While listening, I just heard a trumpet in my head doing a few stretched notes. Same goes for the female vocal. Maybe "jazzy" isn't the correct word, maybe "smoky" covers it better ;-).
But as it is, it is of course a great track. There is a reason I faved it.
thanks again. the idea of adding some more elements to this song is nice. I think there's much space for it but actually I am too busy at the moment with other things than revisiting or editing my older tracks. These last months since joining this site was an extremely creative time for me. I didn't expect that music like this will come up anyway but I think I will give the looperman a rest for some time.
Actually I do not make so called 'stylistic music', more let us say 'experimental'. The tracks are definitely worth listening. I think this is very close to your style. You might check them out if you have some time and simply want to.
For sure we can create some really good music together in the near future - I will write you a message. I think we have something in common regarding to the music and listening preferences. I am simply open-minded to any eventual collaboration with you.
Thank you again for some nice thoughts and I am happy you enjoyed this song. Best, Alex
hey alex, that's a delightfully smooth tune. love the way you're operating the rhodes and the percussions are very pertinent to the vibe.
also i think the point DrvanLansberg12 was making about a muted brass solo is really excellent and should be given a whirl. same about the female jazzy vocals, although those might be a bit harder to do on your own :D
great work my friend!
hi. thanks a lot! I am trying currently to get even more into a bepop and overall down-to-earth jazz improvised stuff. there's so much other things to care about for at the moment but I will try to produce more music like this soon anyway.
I can't make this one sound better.
thanks again doudei for some thoughts and inspiration. best, alex
Yeah! This is amazing. I love the vibe of this beautiful peace. It's subtile and powerful at the same time. During listening, I realized that this track is missing two items:
- a mellow muted trumpet playing along
- a Jazzy female vocalist that does a few verses, like a real song
If you somehow would be able to have these two added, it would be perfect!
actually I am in love in whatever music I am listening currently (at the moment lol) so I do not really understand you point. basically I do not understand at all. nothing is missing there. I can't play jazz. there's no even II V I progression here lol. I played dorian mode throughout. maybe some trumpeter or female vocalist could provide a bebop stuff and interesting variations. for sure. and maybe some day I will be abe to play jazz also.
I do not know what 'mixing' actually means - I am only trying to make some corresponding sounds. It is safe to say.
thanks again for nice words. I appreciate that, alex
Now, if someone asked me who this artist is without me knowing, I would swear it's Weather Report! They had this same type of vibe early on in their career.
Really good job on this one, even if I weren't a Weather Report fan.
That paulstretch is really interesting :D I use it in audacity a little. What a pleasant piece. Such wonderful things come from experimentation! Keep at it!
firstly I am sorry for such a delay in replying on this one! Basically this piece is all about the experimentation as I can't play jazz very properly so far (being clasically trained). That stretching-time software is very cool and can really transform very common sounds into something very unique (again: I am really much more into an abstract and experimental ambient than anything which is even that close to 'horror' and movie stuff).
Hi Alex,as I'm listening to this I have the images of the small church you restored the organ in,such a beautiful setting,quite sublime....it is no wonder that some of that architectural wonder has found it's way into your music,a fantastic ambient fusion of sounds,this would have a wide spectrum of appeal from cinema to chillout and not forgetting jazz aficionados!...Ferryterry hits just the right style to lift this to the next level as well...great work! cheers Dave :)
thanks a lot Dave. Yes, my playing and music are strongly influenced by my former experiences - that's for sure! I hope I will progress with my jazz(y) keyboard playing soon. I can do that by exploring the acoustic instruments - it is just a matter of time!
Thank you again for some very kind words! It is much appreciated. Alex
Thank you for some nice comment.
I really liked 'St. Etienne' solo performance by Zappa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo_CduB0sEg
I am familiar with 'Jazz from Hell' album also but I do not listen to that kind of music anymore.
It's just to let you know.
Best, Alex
on Joyful Magnification ft ferryterry by promenade2239
on Joyful Magnification ft ferryterry by promenade2239
Ciao,
M.
on Joyful Magnification ft ferryterry by promenade2239
on Joyful Magnification ft ferryterry by promenade2239
nice and simple easy to listening to good stuff.
Good job!
~Eighteen
on Joyful Magnification ft ferryterry by promenade2239
of work from both of you...
Moves real good, nice feel...
Peace...TG.
I'm really glad you liked this piece - the short guitar fragments are from our earlier project with ferryterry. I decided to mix them into this new song - they add some really fine colour.
Thanks again, Alex
on Joyful Magnification ft ferryterry by promenade2239
on Joyful Magnification ft ferryterry by promenade2239
Super played
great work!.
-Riest
on january by promenade2239
Sitar there is also perfect. Lots of little things moving around and the bass underneath is solid too. This could play around on a loop for a long time and I would still like it. Some strings in there too. Lots of lovely keyboard touches and I wish I could play like that.
My only problem is with the drums. They just sit there not doing much and also don't sound very powerful. Like a loop except you have EZ so you can/should do more with them. Maybe try putting a stereo widener on them plus EQ to get a fuller, brighter sound. I know you make these tracks so quickly that you don't bother going back and adding details to your drums. I wish you would.
I hear these as four separate tracks but will return to say more about the others later.
For now, here is your new favourite cool, modern jazzy song. You're going to love it! Jazz band with DJ as lead player. Amazing piece of music.
Lund Quartet - Sequoia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKmfiLB-03I
I used to play a lot the acoustic piano when studying at conservatory in warsaw (graduated 2008, Im 30). All the current work Im doing now on looperman is entrely based on my former experiences as a classical trained kb player. I am working as a church organ restorer here in poland, not as a professional musician though.
Anyway I just discovered some great stuff like bebop 251 piano licks so this year I will take some time to internalize more 'jazz patterns' for sure. I think doing things in a proper way is some excellent way to go beyond of what I am actually performing here as a keyboard player. It is very limited - I am fooling around the DAW and just profiting from all that but I know there's really no shortcuts when comes to make good music...
I saw your latest forum thread and thought it was excellent - I just made 2 new tracks thinking about how to produce sounds corresponding with your music. I do not listen to rock and like so basically I might use the drums totally different. Anyway that's how I can possibly 'go creative' right this moment...
I listened to the other songs from Lund Quartet and found they play some kind of nu-jazz or something on the top of jazz, not the proper jazz at all but definitely I can feel the connection with that kind of music. There's just a little touch of 'soloing' and the overall jazz improvisational factor in their music, it is played very let's say very 'safe'.
Here's some organ recordings I made earlier, just to let you know:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92jrrSfwWNM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SW8dbD5W-M
I was thinking about producing e-piano sounds that could fit your vision and maybe I will send you something useful in the near future.
I am happy you found this particular track interesting and thanks again for some very useful suggestions. It is much appreciated. Best to you, Alex.
on january by promenade2239
on january by promenade2239
Ciao,
M.
on january by promenade2239
on january by promenade2239
Wow! A bonus track as well or is it just the second part of track one? Well whatever, it sounds slick and tripped out. There's plenty of sunshine in your music which is great because there aint a lot of sunshine round these parts at the moment. You play really well and it's always a pleasure to drop by and listen to your compositions.
Part three now and the beats got a bit heavier with some ace psychadelic sounds going on in the background. I'm wondering how you managed to make such a long track without losing quality. Audacity normally fills me up by the eleven minute mark.
Final track now and again a sweet combo of percussion and piano. I've never heard you do a bad track and i don't think i ever will.
Too good!
FR
on january by promenade2239
Coming to the music...
- The first part, the Ground Basse, works very well.
I like this syncopated keys "fighting" against the flowing bass. Only remark: I would raise a bit the level of the bass and if possible, use a more "grinding" sound.
- Second part, The Blues.
What can I say on the organ? really beautiful.
I like the sound and the light bluesy mood. Liked it.
Of course the piano is also good, but the organ is
my favorite (strange: I usually prefer the piano,
but I like too much what you played on the organ here).
Also the drum loop works very well.
- Third part, One Step Closer
Again, nice syncopated keys, but this time in an
almost "industrial" context (due to the drums).
Not so fond of the special fxs running in the background.
Again ... you know how to play these keys :-)
Liked a lot the solo going on.
Light and perfect for the atmosphere.
Special mention for the bass sound: I like it, few notes
but in the right place. Good.
- Fourth part, Nuclear Sunset
This is now something totally different.
Strange pads at the beginning (maybe the looping point
could use a better "cross fade" at 9:33)
Weird, but hey,
we are going for a nuclear sunset, arent we?
Around 10:30 the track really gets "chilly" with nice
pads and good work on the piano
(I would be curious to hear this piano line with an
echo... a huge echo set on 1/4 and lot of feedback...
not sure it would work, just curious).
Probably you could also make the ending a bit longer,
but I assume that at 12:07 you didn't want to extend it
too much.
So the final question: is this really a suite or are these 4 tracks assembled together?
Hard to say. I personally think they could work as single tracks but I see how you wanted to offer the listener a different experience by abutting them to form a single song.
And of course I also recognize common elements across the 4 parts: your keyboards playing could be seen as the fil-rouge that connects the various movement.
It's a bit feeble as link, but you are the boss and you decide what has to be done :-)
Final word: LIKED!
I am happy I decided to listen this.
Ciao, Domenico
PS: be ensured that the fact that you recently commented one of my tracks doesn't play any role in my post.
I am *always* looking for new music here, even if I have no "featured track" to promote. And I always try to be as honest as possible with my comments.
I agree that the first 3 songs are quite similar combining the e piano playing with ezdrummer grooves. Nuclear song is based on the Am7FM7 progression from midisparkss snippet. I do not make any so called illustrative music and that nuclear title is from midisparks as well. I think I managed to blend loops much better and quite smoothly on my other tracks. Here I was looking for a proper chord progression from the midisparks audio so it is just a weird combination of an ambient and some strange jazzy piano chillout.
Actually Ive made already a song adding delay effect to the piano line, I know it may sound quite chilled or just interesting when played in a real time even. This is some nice concept.
I am happy you had a chance to listen to my current work. I enjoyed your track as well.
Thanks again for such a nice and detailed review! All the best to you, Alex
on No Mans Land ft Janis71 by promenade2239
This song is a very original combination of sounds from different looperman members: I started with the synth pad by devodale which was played on wavestation synth. Then I kept adding more stuff (as always) that I downloaded earlier to came up with some corresponding sounds/textures. I tapped these drums from the keyboard (funk drum kit from ezdrummer plugin). The rhodes piano improv line is mine too.
I do not have any recipe for making a good song. Each one is different. Truly I did not expect it will sound like this at the end!
An important thing, I was listening a lot to the classical and jazz acoustic recordings of good quality earlier so that affects my current work. And basically this is my favourite 'area' which in my opinion brings great listening experiences. I can't say this on the loud electronic sequenced music but I might be wrong of course. Just a personal preference. I tried myself in producing a bit of electronic music on this site as well.
I think if I am just able to merge together the sounds that will share the same harmonics then it is always a great start.
I do not know what to say more about all this. I did not develop a theory, it is more an 'creative' practical approach of the moment.
I am happy you liked this track which is also a 'collective effort'. Thanks for your interest in my music. Best, Alex
on Realm Ft Oceanically by promenade2239
Sorry man, I didn't mean to say that anything was actually missing in this song :-). While listening, I just heard a trumpet in my head doing a few stretched notes. Same goes for the female vocal. Maybe "jazzy" isn't the correct word, maybe "smoky" covers it better ;-).
But as it is, it is of course a great track. There is a reason I faved it.
Best, Doc
Here are my last chillout productions:
http://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/162752
http://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/162313
'Orbit Retro Trancer' and 'Zen Motion'.
Actually I do not make so called 'stylistic music', more let us say 'experimental'. The tracks are definitely worth listening. I think this is very close to your style. You might check them out if you have some time and simply want to.
For sure we can create some really good music together in the near future - I will write you a message. I think we have something in common regarding to the music and listening preferences. I am simply open-minded to any eventual collaboration with you.
Thank you again for some nice thoughts and I am happy you enjoyed this song. Best, Alex
on Realm Ft Oceanically by promenade2239
also i think the point DrvanLansberg12 was making about a muted brass solo is really excellent and should be given a whirl. same about the female jazzy vocals, although those might be a bit harder to do on your own :D
great work my friend!
I can't make this one sound better.
thanks again doudei for some thoughts and inspiration. best, alex
on Realm Ft Oceanically by promenade2239
- a mellow muted trumpet playing along
- a Jazzy female vocalist that does a few verses, like a real song
If you somehow would be able to have these two added, it would be perfect!
And of course I love the Rhodes :-).
actually I am in love in whatever music I am listening currently (at the moment lol) so I do not really understand you point. basically I do not understand at all. nothing is missing there. I can't play jazz. there's no even II V I progression here lol. I played dorian mode throughout. maybe some trumpeter or female vocalist could provide a bebop stuff and interesting variations. for sure. and maybe some day I will be abe to play jazz also.
I do not know what 'mixing' actually means - I am only trying to make some corresponding sounds. It is safe to say.
thanks again for nice words. I appreciate that, alex
on surreal ambiences ft DanceDemagogue by promenade2239
on All our fears ft PJB FutureAnalysis Ferryterry by promenade2239
Really good job on this one, even if I weren't a Weather Report fan.
Ciao,
M.
it's good that you mentioned Wheather Report again. There's a great amount of music from 70's and 80's I really like and still find it inspiring.
Yes, your continuous mentioning of WR was a bit repetitive but I don't mind.
Just enjoy the music.
Thanks again for your comment, Alex
on All our fears ft PJB FutureAnalysis Ferryterry by promenade2239
on All our fears ft PJB FutureAnalysis Ferryterry by promenade2239
firstly I am sorry for such a delay in replying on this one! Basically this piece is all about the experimentation as I can't play jazz very properly so far (being clasically trained). That stretching-time software is very cool and can really transform very common sounds into something very unique (again: I am really much more into an abstract and experimental ambient than anything which is even that close to 'horror' and movie stuff).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qNsz6ZagA
Few weeks ago I managed to do quite weird record from the place where I live http://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/166164
I will be experimenting with field recording soon but my vision on ambient is much more abstract I guess... always focused on the sound itself. LOL
Thanks a lot for your comment,
Alex/Aleksander
on All our fears ft PJB FutureAnalysis Ferryterry by promenade2239
Thank you again for some very kind words! It is much appreciated. Alex
on All our fears ft PJB FutureAnalysis Ferryterry by promenade2239
I really like this groove and mix...
Peace...TG.
on All our fears ft PJB FutureAnalysis Ferryterry by promenade2239
on Samsara ft ferryterry by promenade2239
I really liked 'St. Etienne' solo performance by Zappa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo_CduB0sEg
I am familiar with 'Jazz from Hell' album also but I do not listen to that kind of music anymore.
It's just to let you know.
Best, Alex