::From: Astralwerks@cyberden.com (Astralwerks)
Excursions In Ambience
The Third Dimension (ASW 6119)
The exploration of spirituality through technology continues
As the name suggests, this is the third installment in the Excursions In
Ambience series. It's said that three is the charm, but that will be for you
to decide. Previous Excursions have focused primarily on the burgeoning
electronic music world. With The Third Dimension we made a conscious effort
to bring together artist from that field as well as those from more of a rock
background. Listening to these tracks as they arrived was a thrill as we
realized that the scope of music explored on The Third Dimension was going to
be very wide. All the tracks but Air and Aphex Twin are previously unreleased
(and those two are not available in the U.S.) while the track's by Seefeel
and Spectrum are remixes and have never before been released.
Ambient pioneers of The Third Dimension
Spacetime Continuum - San Francisco's STC (a.k.a. Jonah Sharp) first came to
the attention of electronic music fans and psychedelic heads alike with the
Astralwerk's album Alien Dreamtime recorded with Terence McKenna. STC has
released an EP on his own Reflective label. as well as collaborating on
albums with Peter Namlook and Bill Laswell. Spacetime Continuum's debut
(solo) album, Sea Biscuit, will be released on Astralwerks this fall.
Grain - Grain is one Jimmy Johnson, who resides in Los Angeles. He first came
to our attention when he sent a CD (!) demo to us after meeting an
Astralwerks representative at The Orb's show in L.A. Grain also has
contributed a track to Moonshine's United State Of Ambience collection.
Seefeel - This critically-lauded London fourpiece band's innovative use of
guitar, sampling technology and electronics have inspired names like Eno,
Fripp, The Orb and My Bloody Valentine to be said in the next breath. The
original version of "Charlotte's Mouth" can be found on Seefeel's debut
album, Quique (Too Pure/Astralwerks). An album called Polyfusia, which
compiles two earlier EPs, will released this summer.
Spectrum - Spectrum is the name used by Pete Kember, a.k.a. Sonic Boom, for
his solo material. The body of work generated by Kember's first band,
Spacemen 3, was a launching point for many of today's ambient musicians. We
thought it would only be appropriate to include this remix of a track found
on Spectrum's album Soul Kiss.
Air - Air is one of the many names used by Germany's (if not this universe's)
foremost ambient musicians, Pete Namlook. His Fax label is one of the most
proficient and constantly evolving labels working in the electronic/ambient
sphere. "Trip #2" track is taken from the Air II album.
Divination - Bill Laswell has been involved with so many kinds of music, both
as a bass player and also as a producer/engineer it's almost mind-boggling.
But, it shouldn't be surprising that Laswell has a deep appreciation for
ambient music as he plays on Brian Eno's On Land album. Divination is
Laswell's floating ambient group which have released two albums on his own
Subharmonic label. This stellar nugget of ambient-dub was recorded specially
for this album.
Future Sound Of London - FSOL produced the first ambient "hit" with their now
classic "Papua New Guinea" in 1991. Since then, they've released a
groundbreaking album under the name of Amorphous Androgynous and most
recently the post-ambient double CD masterpiece Lifeforms.
Steve Fisk - A curious selection, to some, for an ambient compilation as
Steve Fisk may be best known for his producer/engineer work with the likes of
Nirvana, Screaming Trees and Beat Happening. But those familiar with his
Steinski-esque remixes of songs by Soundgarden and Afghan Whigs may
understand. Those familiar with his keyboard playing with the drone-guitar
instrumental group Pell Mell may understand. Those familiar with the music
bed's created for the album Prison by spoken word artist Jesse Bernstein may
understand. Those familiar with his Prince meets On-U-Sound System work on
records by Pigeonhead may understand. Those familiar with the solo mind-fuck
collage music found on his three solo albums will certainly understand.
Listen to "Express God" and you'll understand too.
Mike Kandel - Mike is the man behind the progressive Exist Dance label,
recently relocated from Los Angeles to Lopez Island, WA. Under the name
Tranquility Bass, Mike's track "Mya Yadana" opened up the first Excursions
In Ambience. He has since found much success with Tranquility Bass as last
year's single "Cantamilla" was an international underground smash. "Slow
Boat To China" is a dark and mysterious trip into the underbelly of ambient
music.
Aphex Twin - You know, Richard D. James. Genius. "19" is only available on
the vinyl version of Selected Ambient Works II.
Coming soon: Steve Fisk - "Express God" (ASW 6118) with remixes by Mike
Kandel
For more information contact:
Astralwerks: Brian Long & Reese Pursell
Radio: Chuck Panossian & John Perrone
Retail: Amanda Pearl, Bruce Wheeler & Jim Mendonis
114 W. 26th St., 11th Fl..
New York, NY 10001
212-989-2929/9791 (fax)
e-mail: astralwerks@cyberden.com
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