Glacial Series by Karbidangeln Mit Aurica is a combination of creatively powerful beats and soothing vocals. All of the tracks in Glacial Series were written and produced by Berlin-based Aurica Kurtuschin, who also lent her beautiful voice to complete this collection.

Aurica’s netlabel Electrolyt describes the album tracks as, “the finest living room electronica with elements of synth pop, drone and industrial, as well as ambient, post-punk and experimental.”

If things were up to me, I wouldn’t have chosen to add the vocals because the purity of the music is already great entertainment. But then the vocals weren’t bad at all, in fact it created a whole new level of texture and emotions for the EP.

Karbidangeln Mit Aurica’s previous works were included in In This World and Hypotenuse, released on the Berlin elektro label Das Drehmoment.

There are seven tracks in this EP, all previously unreleased. My favorites are Raindrops and For Nothing. Raindrops is the perfect background music for my writing and research projects; its melody is light and meditative. For Nothing is melancholic and rather heavy, but at the same time beautiful and engaging. Aurica’s music is rather reserved but at the same time playful and forceful. Those who enjoy electronic ambient music will like Glacial Series. Download and give it a listen, it is certainly worth your time.

Related Links:
Electrolyt Official Website
Glacial Series on Archive.org

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Germany License..

It's Saturday night, and you're feeling a bit too adult to go out clubbing until dawn, but way too young to stay at home and do nothing.

Smooth Situations is the perfect kind of music for a weekend full of adventures and secrets - it has a laid-back groove that invites you into its mystery, without giving too much away. This is great news for people who like dance music, without necessarily wanting to dance all the time.

There's no denying that this 7-track offering - half EP, half album - sits exactly in the middle of the the genre that so typified netlabels during that early rush of 2005 and 2006.

These tracks are full of elements of lounge, dubstep, and even a bit of glitch here and there. Spoken and sung vocal samples abound, some not dissimilar to Burial's early work. There's even some remnants of trip-hop, and the result is a very relaxed, very grown-up dance groove that's perfect for driving to a friend's party.

The grooves are steady throughout the album, which is great for cohesion, but not so great when trying to pick a favourite track. Most of these netlabel releases make an effort to put the strongest tracks near the beginning, and I have to admit that "Kyoto Street Café" does stand out for me, with its record crackles and unapologetic synthy rhythms. But then again, I also dig the subtle funk of "Can You Hear It?", which happens to be the very last track. There's something about that jazzy bass that gets me every time.

I wouldn't go all-out and say that this is the sort of album you'd sit down to listen to specifically, but it's certainly great to put on while you're doing something else, and it's definitely perfect to set a mood of sensuality on a night where you plan on hanging out with friends over a few or more drinks. If you have access to a velvet sofa and a Tiffany lamp or two, all the better.

Related Links:
Schilli-San on Internet Archive
Schilli-San on last.fm
Schilli-San on Discogs

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 Germany License.

Just a short time ago The Lost Children netlabel and The Silent Ballet released their XIV installment of the compilation series. Now they are ready with number XV and they don't disappoint again.

The compilation contains 12 strong electronic, ambient, post-rock tracks - some even with a hint of metal. It's not really a relaxing album, but you will get a nice variety of moods - anything from laud drum filled Hiérophante to calm and airy Turn Tail.

From Press Release

As is becoming tradition around these parts, Volume 14 and 15 will be released in close proximity to one another. Each compilation continues the website’s commitment to spotlighting emerging musicians, featuring upcoming releases, and providing rare tracks from our favorite artists to our readers. Our focus is always on the international level, and we’ll never tire of searching for the next best thing in the most unusual of places. Our goal of a seven continent split is almost within our grasp, we’re just awaiting news of the first penguin-led post-rock group.

We’re also committed to our goal of providing quality music in a respectable format without charge. As one of life’s greatest pleasures, music should be freely available to all and resistant to commodification. As the Lost Children Netlabel looks ready to close in on its one hundredth release in 2010, we at The Silent Ballet are thankful that the label has stuck to its goals and continues to provide excellent music free of charge. Although it may seem like the music industry gets ragged on a lot, if there were more labels like Lost Children around, we think that the music climate would be a much more agreeable place for musicians.

A big thanks goes out to all the artists and labels who made this project possible. Relevant links can be found below; any support is greatly appreciated.

Jordan Volz
The Silent Ballet
Barry Rogers
Lost Children Net Label

Tracklist

Track 1. Across Tundras: Rainmaker - Floodreaper
Old World Wanderer, 2010 Robotic Empire
website: www.acrosstundras.bigcartel.com
myspace: www.myspace.com/acrosstundras

Track 2. Kodiak: By the Sea
TBA, 2010 Denovali
website: www.denovali.com/kodiak
myspace: www.myspace.com/kodiakdoom

Track 3. Year of No Light: Hierophante
Ausserwelt, 2010 Conspiracy/Music Fear Satan
website: yearofnolight.free.fr
myspace: www.myspace.com/yearofnolight

Track 4. Aidan Baker: Turn Tail
Previously Unreleased, 2010 The Silent Ballet
website: www.aidanbaker.org
myspace: www.myspace.com/aidanbakermusic

Track 5. Rosetta: Rain Falling on a Factory Roof (Redux)
Previously Unreleased, 2010 The Silent Ballet
website: www.rosettaband.com
myspace: www.myspace.com/rosetta

Track 6. Svartbag: Construct/Morse
Previously Unreleased, 2010 The Silent Ballet
website: www.svartbag.dk
myspace: www.myspace.com/svartbag

Track 7. Vanessa Van Basten: L’uomo Che Comprava il Tempo
TBA, 2010 TBA
website: www.vanessavanbasten.com
myspace: www.myspace.com/vanessavanbasten

Track 8. No One Wished to Settle Hereafter: Scarce Christmas
Previously Unreleased, 2010 The Silent Ballet
website: www.myspace.com/nowtsh
myspace: www.myspace.com/nowtsh

Track 9. SardoniS: It Walks the Mountain
SardoniS, 2010 Meteor City
website: www.myspace.com/sardonis666
myspace: www.myspace.com/sardonis666

Track 10. Heirs: Mandril
Alchera, 2009 Denovali
website: www.heris.com.au
myspace: www.myspace.com/heirsmusic

Track 11. Equus: VIII
TBA, 2010 Get a Life!
website: www.myspace.com/eqsmusic
myspace: www.myspace.com/eqsmusic

Track 12. Hellas Mounds: Movement II
New Heaven/New Earth, 2010 Saw Her Ghost
website: hellasmounds.blogspot.com
myspace: www.myspace.com/hellasmounds

About the Artist
Clifford Harvey graciously contributed the artwork for Volume 15. Those interested in contacting Cliff for other projects can do so at charvey@wpi.edu.

Related Links:
The Silent Ballet Official Website
Lost Children on WordPress
Lost Children NetLabel on Facebook
The Silent Ballet Volume XV on Archive.org

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

2010 SXSW might be over already, but you can still get some good free music from many labels. Exponential Records, Ninja Tune, Stones Throw, Daly City, Creaked, Innovative Leisure, and Fake Four have put together a 19-track compilation for you enjoyment and made is available as a free download to everyone.

With tracks from all over the world and across many different genres everyone is destined to find something they will like.


From Exponential Records
For the past 2 years we have welcomed in the SXSW festivities by releasing free compilations of Exponential Records music. This year we are doing the same except we have invited some of our friends and respected labels to create a compilation that showcases a few of our upcoming projects. We proudly present Kadohadacho...music from Exponential, Ninja Tune, Stones Throw, Daly City, Creaked, Innovative Leisure, and Fake Four.

A little bit of Texas history for you...the name Texas comes from the Caddo Indian word Tejas which means allies and friends...which serves as the theme for this year's Spring compilation. To give credit back to the Caddo Indians we named the compilation Kadohadacho which means "True Chiefs"
The entire album is a free download so enjoy!

Tracklist
1. Diego Bernal - A Long Second
From the album Besides on Exponential

2. Heliocentrics - Sirius B (Remix) ft. Vast Aire
Courtesy of Stones Throw

3. Robot Koch - Soundboy
From the album Aftershocks EP on Robots Don't Sleep

4. Poirier - Enemies ft. Face-T 2
From the album Run the Riddim on Ninja Tune

5. Oy - First Box Then Walk
From the album First Box Then Walk on Creaked

6. LAZER SWORD - Gucci Sweatshirt (LS RMX)
from the album Gucci Sweatshirt on Innovative Leisure

7. Jammer - Party Animal
From the forthcoming album on Big Dada Records Ninja Tune/Big Dada

8. Sutekh - The Glorious Day Has Dawned
from the album On Bach on Creaked

9. Shlohmo - Hot Boxing The Cockpit
from the album Shlomoshun Deluxe on Friends of Friends

10. Aether - Tomorrows Thief
from the forthcoming album on Exponential

11. Sole & The Skyrider Band - Mr. Insurgent
from the album Plastique on Fake Four

12. Deceptikon - Kinyoubi
from the album Mythology of the Metropolis on Daly City Records

13. Day of the Woman - Jennifer Hills
from the forthcoming album D.O.T.W. on Exponential

14. James Pants - Thin Moon
from the album Seven Seals on Stones Throw

15. Ernest Gonzales - Etchasketch Trees (Yppah Remix)
from the album Self Awakening EP on Friends of Friends

16. A.M. Architect - Ad Hoc
from the forthcoming album on Exponential

17. Mochipet - Moog Porn
from the album Baby Godzilla on Daly City Records

18. Mexicans With Gun - Me Gusto (Ghosts on Tape Remix)
from the album Me Gusto EP on Innovative Leisure

19.Cars & Trains - Asleep on a Train
from the album The Roots, The Leaves on Fake Four

Related Links:
Exponential Records
Ninja Tune
Stones Throw
Daly City
Creaked
Innovative Leisure
Fake Four

A touch of dark, industrial, melancholic and straight up rock music with a French twist. Pull My Daisy rose up from the remains of French band Lillian Gish and came to create a soundscape filled with rockish guitars, a 90s flair and easily likable tunes.

Yellow Cake & Velvet Crash is filled with dark noise rock, instrumental beats that makes you to listen from one track to the next without putting up much of a fight. It's easily likable especially if you still dream of the days when great angry 90s rock music filled the radio.

This 9 track album was originally released under Lillian Gish, but after disbanding the remaining members decided to release it under their new name Pull My Daisy.  The entire album is an eclectic mix of style from noise rock, to hints of electronic and alternative; each track is capable of standing by itself yet blends harmoniously with the others creating a cohesive full album.

The most notable electronica influenced tracks are tense: dirty and tense:tense, of which the former features a sample of a woman that sounds like she's being helplessly chased. It showcases that haunting and creepy feeling of a dark alley in the dead of the night.

On the other hand, of grace and favour#1 features Soundgarden era Chris Cornell- esque vocals with a tad more gruff. Norman Mailer (two things among an infinity of others) opens with a recording of a speech on Imperialism and tackles the 1492 cry against Imperialist society.

Unfortunately, suffering the same fate as their previous band, Pull My Daisy called it quits last December 2009, but you can enjoy their music by downloading it for free under a creative commons license.

Related Links:
Artist Info on Jamendo (French)
Pull My Daisy on Myspace
Pull My Daisy on Facebook

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

I'd heard a few newer tracks from No Hair on Head before downloading this older full-length album, and to be honest I was expecting straightforward club music.

But clearly this Spanish band has changed a lot since their debut effort, as Walking on Light bears little resemblance to what the group have done more recently.

Walking on Light is an album full of surprises. The heavy trip beats that kick off the first track, with the strangely fitting "my lips" sample, bear nearly no relation to what happens further down the tracklist. Styles range from lounge bossa-nova, to straight electronica, to pumping club tracks. There's even a bit of reggae feel in there, in small doses. I can certainly see that these musicians are children of the Spanish club scene, but they've done their best to make this album more electropop than Ibiza.

For the most part, the tracks are instrumental, with a few samples and vocal riffs here and there. The emphasis is on beats, and though the beat tends to shift quite dramatically from track to track (and sometimes even within tracks), the overall package is still quite danceable. Clearly there was some thought put into track order, as the energy level is cleverly controlled throughout the album. After the first few tracks, there's a break at the halfway point with "Fiesta en Bogotá" and "Sin Ti," which give a short interlude before kicking back into high gear with "Fashion Jungle," a track so new-wave retro you could send it back to 1981 and it would blend in seamlessly.

In short, I think this is a great collection for anyone who appreciates the differences in various flavours of dance music. If you're looking for a more predictable collection of dance tracks for your next party, No Hair on Head's second album is also available on Jamendo, and it'll give you all the danceability you could possibly ask for.

Related Links:
Acrerca's No Hair on Head on Jamendo
No Hair on Head on last.fm