Cities of Foam - Last Man Standing [download]

Found this band on my iPod the other day. I had totally forgotten about them until it randomly came up. These guys are super mellow, I highly recommend you download the album for whenever you feel like chilling out and listening to some cool, ambient, jazzy tunes.

Cities of Foam - A Great Day for the Race (2006) [download] (in 320 goodness)

Tokimonsta - Bright Shadows [download]

Big ups to one of my favorite electronic labels around, Brainfeeder. It’s no surprise that they just won “Label of the Year” at the 2012 Gilles Peterson Worldwide Awards, they have some serious talent on their roster and continue to put out innovative and fresh beats. As a thank you to their fans, they just released a free 12-track sampler, which you can download below. This free sampler features tracks from Thundercat, Martyn, Samiyam, Tokimonsta, Jeremiah Jae, Taylor McFerrin, Teebs, Austin Peralta, Matthewdavid, Mono/Poly, Gaslamp Killer, and Lapalux. Check out these awesome LA Beats Scene artists and enjoy their heady, trip-hopped out electronica.

Brainfeeder Sampler 2012 - [download]

Mount Kimbie - Live at Deaf Institute Manchester 29.1.2010 [download]

Mount Kimbie is among my top three favorite new artists of 2011. Their sound is so unique and clean, and the British electronic duo have been making waves in the world of electronica. They were hands down my favorite act at Coachella, and this speaks volumes as I saw a myriad of amazing artists.

This live set at the Deaf Institute of Manchester (it isn’t really a institute for the deaf/hard of hearing I found out, its the name of a Cafe and Music Hall…) is for those who have listened to Mount Kimbie before. It is very experimental, super heady, and a very cool and thoughtful set. If you haven’t heard of Mount Kimbie before, I would recommend listening to something like “Before I Move Off” or “50 Mile View” first so you get a better picture of what these dudes are all about.

Mount Kimbie is makes tremendous use of space; their sound is very atmospheric and they create soundscapes that can take you to a different dimension.

I’ve talked a lot about them, so go listen to this set now (and only if you’re into more alternative electronic. This is not for the trance/house/mainstream dubstep lovers. Takes a different type of appreciation to enjoy it)

Emancipator - First Snow (Ooah Remix)

I feel like this track is titled perfectly. When I listen to this song and close my eyes, I can picture myself walking through an expansive forest during a first snow… with snow crunching beneath my feet, the cold send shivers down my spine.

One thing about Emancipator that I absolutely love - how natural feeling and sounding the music is. It is as if the music itself grew out of nature. It has such an organic feel, tempo, and vibe to it. It reminds me a lot of being at various Do-Lab events or creations, and it brings Burning Man to mind for some reason…although I have never been, I can totally imagine Emancipator dropping some epic sunrise sets over the playa.

This is definitely music that puts you in a state of trance. Once your brainwaves catch on to the beat and the flow, they will become entranced like the spinning flames of a poi-twirler. Put the album on and let your brain wander.

emancipator remixed [320] album (amazing) [download]

you are…important to a lot of people. you think about that. you are…important to a lot of people.  you think about that.

Bonobo - Terrapin (Sonorous Mix) [download]
This one takes the cake as the most relaxing and uplifting Bonobo remix that I have ever encountered. The song Terrapin is already relaxing as is, but this Sonorous Remix takes it to a whole new level. Along with the lyrical samples, this song can relax me even in my most stressed out moments. It almost makes me feel as if I am floating, and all my worries dissipate with the beauty of this thoughtful remix. I can listen to this song on repeat and feel like my weight has been lifted.

Especially when I am feeling down, the tiny sample reassures me of the value of being, and no matter what, I am important to a lot of people.

I’m going to think about that.

P.S. Bonobo - The Sweetness (Album) soon to come. Stay tuned.

and now for some Animal Magic .

Bonobo’s Animal Magic (2000) is simple, relaxing, and impressive. It is a great album for headphones, and awesome when you are in the mood to just chill out, meditate even fall asleep. A very thoughtful, creative album. The track Sleepy Seven has a beat that your brain can easily latch on to. It is dreamy, mesmerizing and hypnotic, and it will surely calm you down if you are feeling any stress. Animal Magic is imaginative, and I feel like it clearly showcases Bonobo’s superb talent in such an early album of his.

Some of the other standout tracks on the album are The Plug (featured in the previous post), **Terrapin (so soothing and relaxing, it can lull you to bed with its calming rhythm), and **Shadowtricks (the song actually sounds like its title - if you imagine shadow tricks… you can understand the meaning in the layers of the song.)

happy tuesday.

Bonobo - Sleepy Seven (mp3)

Bonobo - Animal Magic (zip) 

my favorite monkeyman - Bonobo (Live Sessions)

some pleasant evening music. very relaxing, heady, and Bonobo is one of my favorite DJ/producers out there. This track, The Plug is originally on Bonobo’s Animal Magic album (perhaps my favorite of his all) from 2000. An early album that shows such amazing talent from this British musician.

This version, however, is a cut off of the Live Sessions album, and it illustrates how beautiful his music sounds when played with a live band rather than being produced in a studio. Granted, the studio version is amazing, but with a live band it is absolutely SUPERB. Give it a listen, and if you enjoyed the track, grab the Live Sessions album here. I think you’ll enjoy it thoroughly.

Bonobo - The Plug (Live) (mp3)

Bonobo - Live Sessions (zip)