n0mad23

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.

Hi Estefano - sorry about the delay in a reply, and I'm feeling like I'm falling behind in duties. Really glad you dig this version, as it's what I had in mind all along since the concept. It's a real challenge blending "natural" sounds with music, but when it works it's really worthwhile. Thanks much for the encouragement and review!

This track and "When Hipps" were the first two satisfying bits I did. Cleaned up in Ableton later really helped, but the core is there. I don't think I actually would have gone any further with this stuff if I hadn't liked this one so much. Glad you finally got to hear it!

This review inspired me to layout a playlist of the current project, and it feels like it's happening! In the larger context, this song really works well. I'm really glad you dig this one, as it's certainly one of the more subversive grooves!

Thank you. It's a tricky thing, the merging of non-musical sounds into a musical piece but worth the attempt. I think it's the 4th track I've done now trying this blend, and I learn something new every time. The song itself lends itself to the sounds of water because of elements (esp. cymbals) that are already creating these themes. Glad you enjoyed it!

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!

Hi Dave - it's true, finding field recordings not filled with the sounds of internal combustion engines or the sounds of industry are bloody hard to find! The ebb and low of the cymbals work well with the waves kissing the beach, don't they - perpetual motion indeed and fueled by the Sun and Moon. Musically, I'm a bit more keen on my other version, but pleased that this "ambient" mix worked. Thanks for listening and giving such a marvelous review.

It does tease out the optimistic happy emotional places, doesn't it? As I've been playing with the other version trying to finalize it, I'm quite surprised about how intense the percussion is in this one. However, the bass and melodies completely change the feeling, and jack it straight into those happy places. The field recordings seem to add polish to this, and make it even happier somehow. If you listen carefully at the beginning, when the bass drum joins in, you can hear a coyote singing to a train whistle, too, but in this context doesn't feel the least bit ominous. Still trying to consciously figure out why this stuff works! Thanks for the encouragement my friend.

I've got a think with the water, too - but for me it's the oceans and seas. Finally come to grips with the fact that I'm a Puget Sound boy, and feel like I'm home when my nostrils fill with the scent of hydrogen sulfide. I think that our bodies are largely composed of water is the other key. Thanks for both the review and the favorite - I'm feeling really flattered by this.

I haven't thought about Hawkwind in ages! Thanks for the link, and I can really see why this one reminds you of that! Personally I think this quest for originality is rather silly, as there are only so many interesting rhythms and melodies possible (mathematically). The key then is doing something that works for you as the artist. If any one else digs it, it's frosting on the cake. Thanks for the listen!

I'd just been thinking about you, so the timing is perfect. I put both coyote and raven calls in this one to represent the "voices" of our local Trickster archetypes. Maybe I should put in a disclaimer - sounds from n0mad23's examined life? Thanks for the listen and review!

It's the splashing and baby giggling, isn't it? It's hard to stay blue when a baby's giggling like that! A few months ago, alividlife was on a quest trying to encourage everyone to tell a story with music - and the approach here took that into account. I think diving into the waters of life are fully worth all the risks. Cheers. And thank you for the favorite! Huge compliment, my friend!

Hi adam76 - it did come out cleaner than I originally thought. I recorded this last night, but felt unsatisfied so let it sit while I slept. It sounded a lot better to me this morning, so I thought I'd post it. I'm feeling pretty good about this version, and am glad you dig it. Makes me feel like I'm on the right track. Cheers.

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!

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.

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!

No wonder I like that trumpet sample so much! It's based on Calypso music! That's probably exactly why the trumpet lent itself to this kind of manipulation, too. Glad you love this one, as I do too! Thanks for the review ShojoBeast!

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.

Sorry for the tardiness in response. Got totally sidetracked in my latest creation(s)! This one is still not quite right for me, but nearly there. I know what you mean about not being able to put a finger on why this works, but it does doesn't it? Some kind of subdued unbridled joy floating around in it or something. I think alividlife's "unconditional love" might be it, but what an abstract thing! Lol. Too bad there's not a Mystery genre, as this might fit the bill. Sure is cool monitoring our parallel development, isn't it mate? We can both pat ourselves on the back on how we've progressed in the last year. Cheers!

Thanks zappo! I think it's heading in the right direction!

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!)

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!

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.

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!