Hi all,
on Friday, January 10, my girlfriend gave birth to our first child,
a baby girl. Though it may sound trite, it really is the most
amazing experience. I mention this because my girfriend asked me to
dub a tape of suitable music to labour by, a task I was glad to
undertake. I assembled only one 90 min. tape. I could've done 2 or
3, but time did not permit. The possibility of making others
brought to mind the notion of asking my fellow IDMers (and
"Ambienters") what tracks they would select.
To guide you in your suggestions I ask you to remember the purpose
of the tape: to relax, to soothe, to remind one of the specialness
of the event it is intended to accompany. Also I have enclosed the
track listing of my tape:
Side A:
1. Orbital: Semi-Detached
This track just burbles along, developing one simple groove,
getting richer all the time. Spacey; open.
2. Kid Spatula: Cough
I am not averse to beats in my "Labour Ambient," but, as in this
track, I prefer them as counterpoint to other very lush or
melodious elements of a song. This tack features a soaring synth
pad (a horn of some kind) and the mellowest of Paradinas' distorto
beats.
3. F.S.o.L.: Smokin' Japanese Babe
Space jazz, but good space jazz.
4. New London School of Electronics: Georgia
Sweet little cowbell noises, a little squelchy 303 (I think).
Almost too acid but not quite. Labour's hard work, so a few grating
noises are not going to be very distracting.
5. Aphex Twin: Aberto Balsam
Oil drum beats, nifty "walking beats" (don't know how else to
describe it, to me they say "Andante") and that gorgeous,
melancholy, yearning melody.
6. Two Lone Swordsmen: Gang Sweep Shuffling
Militaristic titles aside there are two well suited TLS tracks on
this tape. This one features a nice shuffling snare, in a "Bug in
the Bassbin" style. It carries the listener gently forward. (When
you're in labour, going forward, making progress is important.)
7. Sabres of Paradise: Return of Carter
Trippy, slow beats and another soaring syntho-sax melody. It's got
a little of that "we-live-in-an-over-industrialized-society-on-the
-brink-of-collapse" style angst, but only enough to remind you how
damn nice the melody is.
Side B:
1. Fila Brazilia: Soft Music Under Stars
Sitar. What else to say?...
Alright, it builds beatifully, with a melody that's not so much a
tune as a mantra.
2. Two Lone Swordsmen: Enenmy Haze
That cool warbly guitar sample, and slow beats that seem to trip
heavily but gracefully over one another.
3. Aphex Twin: Goon Gumpos
Silly symphonic interlude, sounds like a summer morning.
4. Woob: Odonna
Those men with the deep voices, what are they worshipping? Music
from the bottom of the ocean, tailored for your soul.
5. Global Communication: 12:18 (Last track on 76:14)
Perfect ambient, there's more "adventurous" (a loaded adjective, I
know) music out there, but when people ask "What is ambient, and
why do you listen to it?" Here's the answer.
6. International People's Gang: Twisted
It fit in the remaining 2 minutes on the tape. It also goes rather
nicely with the end of the preceding track.
So, anyone have any suggestions?
thanks,
Matt/magic hands