I was at that party and you should have seen the chick I was there with. A great night of mead and psychedelics, mixed with the most wonderful debaucheries in preparation for the morning battle with the evil enemy. May his head find rest upon my spear.
Hi John,
Your review actually reminds me of the album done by Test Dept. in the late 80's titled, "Gododdin" with the Welsh group Brith Gof. Gododdin was a Celtic poem which basically was the same as 300. A small group of Celts partying all night before doing their suicide attack against invaders outnumbering them 20:1. Strange how certain sounds can stir genetic memories, aye? Thanks for both the review and favorite. Means a lot my friend!
Reading through some of the reviews this track has garnered, I am taken by John Boutilier's notion of a "Sonic Safari". The idea of a hunt for new sounds and textures has a resonance with the search all of us on the Loop are engaged in! This track demonstrates that pursuit. May the quest continue...
Touche. For me the site's been really good in both identifying who my audience is and being validated in pursuing new sounds and context. Maybe the Grail for us is a yet undiscovered sample or loop! Cheers!
the litmus test for dance/trance for me is can i enjoy it and also do budget analysis at work at the same time. this passes the test for me. i appreciate the literary reference point, shiva and his cosmic dream. you should market mixes of your dance/trance stuff to internet radio stations.
critique - just keep finding ways to keep it cranking for longer periods of time. i know 5 minutes of composition is a lot! but this genre i think needs to go on and on an on. peace
Most of these tracks are streamed somewhat regularly on Mixposure radio these days, and it's a good way to get exposure, to be sure.
Funny you'd mention the length - actually I have a really hard time getting any of my stuff down under 10 minutes, and usually what I post here are the tracks that I've managed to get down to a "reasonable" time length. Thanks for the comment on this, as it's making me think that I should to EP mixes for these kinds of songs. Thanks for taking the time to review!
I'm almost rendered speechless by this song! Such beautiful sounds you've used to create this atmosphere! Very good recording of these sounds too! Like most of your tracks, this one put me into a trance! Wonderful work my friend! Faved for sure!
Back in the early-mid `90's I was in a band in Seattle called Spirit House that was part of the "Acoustic Trance" musical scene happening. It wasn't Trance music generically, but it would put you into a trance state. I guess we never really get away from our influences, do we?
I think I dig the bass in this one most of all - and that was the ground and subsequent launch for the rest of the piece. Thanks for the review and fave! Supreme compliment - thank you!
Nice one, Jamie - you've taught the wordsmith a new word. The paradiddles you're hearing are actually my translating the hand-drum approach to snares - body memory driven bass and rim slaps. Funny with the real musicians I've performed with, it's a word that has never come up. Really glad you enjoyed listening to this one. Cheers!
beautiful mix of water sounds, laughing (and crying?) baby, love the sound for the melody when it comes in - is it sitar? use of Indian modes? now I begin to understand the concept of fusion a bit more. now i hear some tabla? you really break up well the use of the water, the use of people laughing/playing - introducing more of it later in track. finally ending the piece with water sounds creates unity. i really connected with this work! congrats!
criticism - well - just to give - we can always do more with effects, with panning, with refining. i really liked this track bottom line.
I did two versions of this one, with the "instrumental" being the first go. When I did that one, I could hear the sounds I added to this version in my head the whole time. The instrument you hear as a sitar is actually an Indian santur, which is very similar to a zither or hammered dulcimer. But I've effected it to the point of turning it into something else here. The tabla here is me, and the only loops I used (that I didn't create) was one from planetjazzbass. The more I do this, the easier it is to create the sounds I'm actually looking for rather than find something someone else has made that's close. I get worried about it being a little too "solo" though, but here I think I've avoided that. The water is field recordings from here and Norway. Besides the baby and people laughing, there's a cat, a coyote, a train, and a local crow added to this. All have symbolic meaning for me, and needed expression here. Really glad you enjoyed this one. Will be by presently to check out your musical work. Thanks!
A month plus later I drop the review. Haste makes waste lol. I originally heard this one in the first order you suggested. Then in the second order. In my head it's still hard to kinda separate them down to single tracks. I guess that's a good thing as it being a triptych sonically. The first thing that caught me was the Bull Roarer. I have only ever heard this once before. Sad my expertise in ethnic or non westernized culture sounds is Crocodile Dundee. That sound instantly catches my ears. It comes through the mix clearly. Makes me wonder what it sounds like from the players position(360 degrees if Mick Dundee was right). The chants. Theres a huge rush feeling to it. It fuses with the tempo to create that ritualistic vibe. There's also some really cool dropouts of the music that just, when you hear it you kinda feel that rush coming back in. The percussion is awesome. It adds to the visualization alot. Stereo panning that creates that 'Im in the middle of this' feel. It's really something that my little mind can't really put into words to well lol. I've had the higher bitrate playing while I type this and I keep hearing things pop up here and there that are new. Wish I could type as fast as I can hear. It's an awesome piece separately, but becomes something really special when it's combined with it's other parts to make the whole. Now I have a long overdue review for Salook. Cheer's n0mad, and thanks for the higher quality versions. :D
Sorry for the delay in response here - I'm not sure how I didn't see this review! I actually have a friend in Seattle still that's got a fabulous bullroarer, and I used to "play" it whenever possible back when I lived up there. Actually took it to a live performance once and had management say "nix" to its use - they were worried that piece of wood might come loose from its leather strap and kill someone - lol. Right on. Dangerous art.
I agree totally with your reading that this really is a Triptych and not 3 individual tracks. As a whole, the "story" makes a lot of sense that's just not there when listening to each separately.
I'll be by shortly to check out your audio offerings. Thanks much for the review!
wow Dub always sounds so hypnotising if you ask me..
and you also used world's most annoying instrument (the bagpipes)
But still you succeed into making something nice out of it!
I really like this man! Especially the drums! :)
Yeah, I think we can get bad impressions of instruments by exposure to the wrong kinds of music. I did another one a while back with the accordion because I knew it had to have something outside of Polka or Lawrence Welk. Sure enough... I'm really partial to the drum work here, and learned more about Dub approach in doing this one. Thanks for the review!
One more time, I'm surprise how you manage to integrate so many different influences (cultural) into one liquid dub track. This crecendo is abso-freaking-lutely giving me hallucinations.
Anyway, yeah, I can imagine this with an alaap style vocal from some qawal, and trust me this stuff would fly off the shelves and be copied and distributed so many times you'd hear it every thursday at this local festival I like to visit from time to time.
Gotta take a camera there sometime, show you guys what I'm talking about.
Such brilliant distribution across the frequencies. It's so rich, and yet not overwhelming. I'm glad I played this one tonight, gonna dream of the dhol and a phat bassline and an 808kick sample!
You're one of the few who'll probably appreciate that there's no actual bassline in this! It's actually a bass tabla run through CamelCruch's Arsequake setting. I wondered if this one would resonate for you, as some of the sounds are as valid in Pakistan as they are in Scotland. Makes me thing we've got more in common than differences as we're led to believe. Thanks for the listen and review my friend!
What I love about your music is the rhythm.
What I love 2nd is the dialogue..
BRILLIANT USE of the drone. Omg I am stealing that.
I love it. I have always thought about ... well ... everything we talk about, and I absolutely agree with the visceral quality of the bagpipes and Irish work in general.
I coincide with the other comments that applaud the old and new being thrust together like flint.
Particularly what I enjoy a lot about this is the whole-tone drop and the groove of the under area of the mix.
I also particularly love the drums. haha... I always love your drum work. I need to steal your secrets.
Biggest complaint, and I only offer this to you humbly .. is that you are always on the verge of alienating the listener... Which for me? I absolutely cherish about you as a creator.
But I could see how... it would be lost upon people.
They wouldn't be able to feel it.
And you know what. Fuckthem lol. They don't deserve it.
Well done.
I am absolutely excited that you and Salook are thinking of doing another round.
Faved.
Downloaded. (from the e-mail)
Need to e-mail you.
My car got stolen and sold most of my possessions lol. Looong story.
PS, ... I don't want you to take this to heart, but ... I wanted to say to you, if you could somehow find a way to link your incredible way with centrifugal force and songwriting... I feel you could really blow some minds..
I do want to state for the record this is violent in all the right ways.
It reminds me of the best of hardcore and deathmetal from certain parallels.
I'm most curious about this one now in that people seem to either really like it or really dislike it. I'm actually guessing the latter is mostly the case, especially seeing who's listened and said nothing. I have had a couple of comments elsewhere about how "I've dropped the ball" with this one - lol. Personally think that working with Salook is about the best thing I could do about now - accessibility AND sonic weirdness - it doesn't get better than that!
Phenomenal! Great move in getting Nauda for the recitement...perfectly tasteful and gives the track a theatre feel...great use of the effects on the vox also....awesome mix Sean always admire how you speak about creative ideas and put them into action....listening to you speak about the whole idea and concept of this piece then hearing it come to form like this is mindblowing!
Saving my nerves for the post-edited version, scarily good.
Thanks so much for inadvertently sending this one down the appropriate path! Truly pipes are the secret ingredient in the TechnoShamanistic evocation of rEvolution. So much so, that I can't even imagine this one anymore without them. Probably musical and cultural heresy, but timely. Thanks again!
Man, you keep out doing yourself, and I didn't think it was possible, ha! This is great, the bagpipes and the drums along with the incredible percussion and Nuada's vocals really make a statement. The intro was great and things only got better from there.
Had to listen to this a few times to let it all soak in. Trying to seperate sounds, lots going on but it's a great piece. Where did you get the bagpipe sounds? Ableton? This is big sounding, really fills a room, way to go guys!
Sometimes I think I probably workshop my stuff too much here, but then I get guys like Nuada and Salook giving me email feedback and I know better! Bagpipe samples were a gift, and I've got two identical tracks - one straight and the other running through modulators and a gate. The stuff that sounds like strings is samples of just a canter run through a gate, and then manipulated heavily with effects and volume knobs on my APC40. Man, I love that MIDI controller! Glad you like this one!
the vocals are really nice. And its got a great fusion of Scottish bagpipes and middle eastern drums. Really nicely arranged, a pleasure to listen to, as always :)
Thanks Ste. It feels like I'm on a personal Fusion challenge to see if seemingly disparate traditions can come together and dance up something entirely new. Great fun. Glad it's got your approval.
Incorporating some 1950's Morocco field recordings into the next version to bring more human vocal presence into the mix. I could hear the poetry in my head after the first draft, and I'm really thankful that Nuada agreed to record and send me his reading. Even better, he actually read the intro 3 times with different presentation and so I was able to lift lines from each. This one is a beast, but certainly worth being dragged along behind as it races towards completion! Thanks again.
I could not hit the favorite button fast enough on this one. Great vox by Nuada...really compliments the rest of the track. This one has a traditional feel, but I think it needs to. I have Celtic roots as well, and this one feels almost tribal to me, and stirs something deep in my soul...
The best thing one can ask of music is for it to inspire emotion, and this one does that as good as any song I've heard in a long, long while.
My hat is off to all involved, but especially you, Sean. This one is a masterpiece. When you are satisfied with the final product, I would love a copy :)
The pipes are one of the most emotionally charged instruments I've ever encountered. I'm sure my family is really glad I've never picked them up, as they're even nastier to learn than the fiddle! At least for those surrounding the learner. It's getting closer all the time to completion, and you're on the top of the list for a copy. Thanks much Bear!
[This and previous reviews are to Draft 1 and pre-vocal additions]
Those bagpipes are awesome! I love the parts where the music degrades into rhythmic experimentation! With this song I think you could coax any hesitant group into rebellion! Like others have said, this is very psychedelic! Love the soundscape! You put so much feeling into your tracks, I'm very impressed! Faved for sure!
Been discussing TechnoShamanism with Salook a lot, and I'm coming to the conclusion that Psychedelic music ties directly into the tradition (as it's being invented - lol). Still got some ideas to try to incorporate into this, and get the impression from the reviews that I'm on the right path here! Thanks!
It's a strange sound and a real challenge to try to bring into a different vibe. It all started with the percussion, and making pipes work with the beat was a real challenge. Thanks for the encouragement!
Many elements, sounds busy and full, this is typical for you!
I have honestly say that you surprised me with Scottish melody,
I like that,great work n0mad track sounds very good!
Cannot believe it's taking this long to find this one. Sweet ambient work here. I love how you manipulate samples into ambient works of art. Very dark to me. I really like how this track somehow keeps a tempo through chaos. Very cool.
That tempo is why I still scratch my head and wonder if it's really Ambient. It's hard for this to play and not grab my attention, but then maybe it's always that way for the "creator" of a work. I think this one works so well because its creation really was an evolution - the first draft inspiring alividlife to send some things, and that inspiring dungbeatl/simmerdown to lay down some base. Each time I'd rework what they'd sent based on the internal evolution. One of the coolest projects I've worked on to date. Really glad you like this one!
wow this track really got my hairs standing to attention...being a scot i feel a certain afinity with the pipes as i grew up next door virtually to the local pipe band practice hut and always watched them and listened to them :). amazing mixture of beats and fx . Mindblowing stuff bud excellent
Cheers! I've been wondering lately if the pipes don't resonate for some of us on the genetic level. Though I'm 4 generations away from Scotland (thought have visited), the sound of well played pipes always either a) make my eyes well over, or b) creates and urge to find my cutlass and start whacking on some oppressors. A powerful sound indeed. Glad you enjoyed this one, and welcome to the site cousin.
Yeah what would a rebellion music project be without bagpipes, amazing how you have fused the past with the present here...the sonic movements and the way they make you dance is new....almost like following the piper up the hill twirling and spinning on the way up...very Psychedelic and makes you want to look upto the sky and embrace life....very powerful track man can't wait for you to finish this piece.
Too many buttons and knobs - lol. I'm really tempted to tease out more of the psychedelia with the next version, especially in the gated set of canters. Something about the sounds swirling around together that's really magical to me. Thanks so much for your assistance with this one - having you on the editorial staff is a profound joy. Let's start thinking collab again.
this reminds me of some of the tracks I heard whilst waiting for the levellers to take to the stage in their early years.. some nice ideas and the soundscape works really well with that scots warpipes sound..loving the idea behind this track...nice ...keep 'em coming brother
Hev Numberjack - don't think I've ever heard of the Levelers, but if they were piping this kind of stuff in before sets I think I would have really dug them. My family's of the Clan Calhoun so it's about time I brought the sounds of pipes to bear in the music! Glad you liked this one! Cheers.
I'm glad I caught this one when I did. This track definitely has it going on. I'm always hopeful for a rebellion of good against evil. With so much going on these days it would be nice to see more people living as free individual persons. It may never happen in our time, but one of these days people will wake up from their sleep and slumber and realize that they too have the power to rise above the tyranny of big government. This track in some way exemplifies that very notion of rebellion. The bagpipe sets very nicely with in this track and seems to trumpet to the masses that victory is obtainable. Your drum playing is impeccable and you've outdone yourself again with this one. I can't wait to hear the next draft. I think that having that poem recitation at the intro would work well. Keep it up Nomad!
I used to do political protests when I was in my 20's. After participating in some acts of civil disobedience I realized why those in control prefer protests. Preaching to the choir may feel good, but it changes nothing. Acts of rebellion in populist contexts are food for the soul, and leave one with the sense that it is possible to change things. I'm delighted you hear the optimism behind the pipes. That's an element I wasn't sure would work, but your review makes me think it's even more successful than I'd hoped. Power to the People, brother!
I should be able to achieve more separation between the sounds when I finish it up - this draft hasn't even gone through any EQ yet, so I'm optimistic about the final quality. It's a challenge to use so much sound and keep it from becoming muddy. Glad you enjoyed the listen. Thanks.
Very much a scottish type of sound about this one, with the bagpipes, nice beat, has a very relaxing sound about this piece, nice fx/synths, clarity and the arangement of the mix is great,this one could just as easy go under chillout, have to say a very very enjoyable listen, excellent work on this one matey...fav'd...Peace n Respect my friend...Estefano....PS First to review of your piece's :-)
I wondered who'd hear this version first - must admit it's a pleasure that it was you! For me, it's the sounds of bagpipes and sitars that jack instantly into my emotions. Very powerful sounds. It's quite a challenge working them into this context, but must admit I'm having a blast with it. Thanks for the encouragement my friend! Cheers.
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
I like the track.
Faved
John
Your review actually reminds me of the album done by Test Dept. in the late 80's titled, "Gododdin" with the Welsh group Brith Gof. Gododdin was a Celtic poem which basically was the same as 300. A small group of Celts partying all night before doing their suicide attack against invaders outnumbering them 20:1. Strange how certain sounds can stir genetic memories, aye? Thanks for both the review and favorite. Means a lot my friend!
on Digital Aboriginalism - Osmosis and the Veil by n0mad23
Jamie.
on reCycling - Incandescent Shivaism by n0mad23
critique - just keep finding ways to keep it cranking for longer periods of time. i know 5 minutes of composition is a lot! but this genre i think needs to go on and on an on. peace
Funny you'd mention the length - actually I have a really hard time getting any of my stuff down under 10 minutes, and usually what I post here are the tracks that I've managed to get down to a "reasonable" time length. Thanks for the comment on this, as it's making me think that I should to EP mixes for these kinds of songs. Thanks for taking the time to review!
on The Examined Life - Jumping into the Waters mix by n0mad23
I think I dig the bass in this one most of all - and that was the ground and subsequent launch for the rest of the piece. Thanks for the review and fave! Supreme compliment - thank you!
on reCycling - Incandescent Shivaism by n0mad23
Jamie.
on The Examined Life - Jumping into the Waters mix by n0mad23
criticism - well - just to give - we can always do more with effects, with panning, with refining. i really liked this track bottom line.
midisparks
on Digital Aboriginalism - Osmosis and the Veil by n0mad23
I agree totally with your reading that this really is a Triptych and not 3 individual tracks. As a whole, the "story" makes a lot of sense that's just not there when listening to each separately.
I'll be by shortly to check out your audio offerings. Thanks much for the review!
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
and you also used world's most annoying instrument (the bagpipes)
But still you succeed into making something nice out of it!
I really like this man! Especially the drums! :)
Respect to Nuada for the vocals as well!
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
Anyway, yeah, I can imagine this with an alaap style vocal from some qawal, and trust me this stuff would fly off the shelves and be copied and distributed so many times you'd hear it every thursday at this local festival I like to visit from time to time.
Gotta take a camera there sometime, show you guys what I'm talking about.
Such brilliant distribution across the frequencies. It's so rich, and yet not overwhelming. I'm glad I played this one tonight, gonna dream of the dhol and a phat bassline and an 808kick sample!
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
What I love 2nd is the dialogue..
BRILLIANT USE of the drone. Omg I am stealing that.
I love it. I have always thought about ... well ... everything we talk about, and I absolutely agree with the visceral quality of the bagpipes and Irish work in general.
I coincide with the other comments that applaud the old and new being thrust together like flint.
Particularly what I enjoy a lot about this is the whole-tone drop and the groove of the under area of the mix.
I also particularly love the drums. haha... I always love your drum work. I need to steal your secrets.
Biggest complaint, and I only offer this to you humbly .. is that you are always on the verge of alienating the listener... Which for me? I absolutely cherish about you as a creator.
But I could see how... it would be lost upon people.
They wouldn't be able to feel it.
And you know what. Fuckthem lol. They don't deserve it.
Well done.
I am absolutely excited that you and Salook are thinking of doing another round.
Faved.
Downloaded. (from the e-mail)
Need to e-mail you.
My car got stolen and sold most of my possessions lol. Looong story.
PS, ... I don't want you to take this to heart, but ... I wanted to say to you, if you could somehow find a way to link your incredible way with centrifugal force and songwriting... I feel you could really blow some minds..
I do want to state for the record this is violent in all the right ways.
It reminds me of the best of hardcore and deathmetal from certain parallels.
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
Phenomenal! Great move in getting Nauda for the recitement...perfectly tasteful and gives the track a theatre feel...great use of the effects on the vox also....awesome mix Sean always admire how you speak about creative ideas and put them into action....listening to you speak about the whole idea and concept of this piece then hearing it come to form like this is mindblowing!
Saving my nerves for the post-edited version, scarily good.
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
Had to listen to this a few times to let it all soak in. Trying to seperate sounds, lots going on but it's a great piece. Where did you get the bagpipe sounds? Ableton? This is big sounding, really fills a room, way to go guys!
Wayne
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
Great Job N0mad!
Ste :D
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
The best thing one can ask of music is for it to inspire emotion, and this one does that as good as any song I've heard in a long, long while.
My hat is off to all involved, but especially you, Sean. This one is a masterpiece. When you are satisfied with the final product, I would love a copy :)
Bear
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
Those bagpipes are awesome! I love the parts where the music degrades into rhythmic experimentation! With this song I think you could coax any hesitant group into rebellion! Like others have said, this is very psychedelic! Love the soundscape! You put so much feeling into your tracks, I'm very impressed! Faved for sure!
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
Keep it up, my friend.
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
I have honestly say that you surprised me with Scottish melody,
I like that,great work n0mad track sounds very good!
Much respect
Alen
on rEvolution 3 - Forming Solid Bodies in Water by n0mad23
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
:):)
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
_C-DUB_
on Dancing with the Carnival Rebellion feat Nuada by n0mad23
Very much a scottish type of sound about this one, with the bagpipes, nice beat, has a very relaxing sound about this piece, nice fx/synths, clarity and the arangement of the mix is great,this one could just as easy go under chillout, have to say a very very enjoyable listen, excellent work on this one matey...fav'd...Peace n Respect my friend...Estefano....PS First to review of your piece's :-)