El Ten Eleven – El Ten Eleven

by stan · January 17, 2020

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

instrumental melodic post rock – duo or trio playing simple music of tight compositions, sentimental and melodic

Moods

It's like an extended instrumental emo jam, an accessible entry into post-rock

Thoughts

enjoyable if you like that sound, reminds me of something else I can't quite put my finger on (know that's not helpful, it's the sentimental side of the sound). Accessible as a bridge record for those starting into post rock given the quick melodies and agile drumming. Guitar lines are almost robot like in their sequences, simple scales that give a familiar and immediate sound.

Is it the kind of record you need to hear before you die? Not at all but it's got some memorable tracks that would work well on mood playlists.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/El-Ten-Eleven-El-Ten-Eleven/release/720464

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_TV076UGUs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBTUAHGpQqE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFCRMonf7lI

Spotify

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El Ten Eleven – El Ten Eleven

Description: Album Review of El Ten Eleven – El Ten Eleven

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Thomas Fehlmann – Lowflow

by stan · September 24, 2019

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

bassy dub minimal electro

Moods

A slight euphoric buzz graces these minimal dub tracks / a quiet glee while pregaming for a night-out in Berlin

Thoughts

these productions are super crisp and rich, no surprise from Thomas Fehlmann. Little textural flourishes everywhere elevate this from standard minimal mood techno to a well crafted album. It has a heavy dub influence with enough bass to give it a pleasant bump throughout, sounds very much like the orb.

Quiet and stoned, it takes it's time.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Thomas-Fehlmann-Lowflow/release/338329

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHxJJPmTiTs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1iqD389dss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTBCjJTN2M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLryCyusjOQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJFXhinVu8k

Spotify

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Thomas Fehlmann – Lowflow

Description: Album Review of Thomas Fehlmann – Lowflow

Written by: stan
Rating: 4 out of 5

Takashi Wada – Meguro

by stan · April 19, 2019

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Ambient influenced electro with an ethereal vibe and pleasant instrumentation (percussive, acoustic guitar, keys)

Moods

A pleasant feeling provoked by a place I've only imagined

Thoughts

Floats around with an OK pleasantness on the first couple of tracks. Breaks into a rhythmic part on 28° C that really appeals. Other tracks hit all the right notes but I'd compare this to drinking Japanese whiskey: I want something more than perfect. Didn't really do it for me.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Takashi-Wada-Meguro/release/292056

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjCVDE8eb5c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4oUw8lpMtg

Spotify

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Takashi Wada – Meguro

Description: Album Review of Takashi Wada – Meguro

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day

by stan · October 29, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
Acoustic folk

Moods

Shepherd’s pie

Thoughts
Some nice instrumentation with a good use of strings but this is just far too pleasant for me

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Vashti-Bunyan-Just-Another-Diamond-Day/release/711475

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-KISPvIM7Y

Spotify

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Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day

Description: Album Review of Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Anna Domino – East And West

by stan · October 4, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
Barebones 80s pop

Moods

Introspective stroll in Williamsburg. Black T-shirt on.

Thoughts
There’s an enjoyable genuineness to this music which is strange as her singing is so nonchalant at times. Instrumentation features a band playing almost like they’re trying to replicate a synth/drum machine setup. I like the worldly percussion and strings on tracks like ‘repeat’.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Anna-Domino-East-And-West/release/1926235

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify

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Anna Domino – East And West

Description: Album Review of Anna Domino – East And West

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Gene Harris – Instant Party

by stan · August 1, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?
Light groovy jazz

Thoughts
Great playing is on display here but I didn’t find anything that memorable. This would work well as jazzy daytime background music.

More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Gene-Harris-Instant-Party/release/6358953

Listen!
Spotify

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Gene Harris – Instant Party

Description: Album Review of Gene Harris – Instant Party

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Roy Ayers – Virgin Ubiquity (Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981)

by stan · July 6, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?

Roy Ayers signature funk jazz constructed with pop/r&b vocalists.

Thoughts

I’m not intimately familiar with his catalog but this veers to the lighter side as an r&b album. I found the singers lacking in personality but roys funk is in full effect. I like the instrumental tracks like green and gold featuring a solo vibraphone.

Nothing special, he’s got better stuff.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Roy-Ayers-Virgin-Ubiquity-Unreleased-Recordings-1976-1981/release/245053

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify