|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2CD
|
|
SEQ 001-2CD
|
Echospace present the secondary edition of Variant's Sequential Sleep, a beautiful complement to the original, but at the same time, entirely unique. Taking the foundation and elements of [Volume One] (SEQ 001CD, 2016) and stripping it back into the ether; dubbed out and treated from reel-to-reel tape creating an almost vaporous atmosphere all of its own - deep, organic and mystical. Utilizing a combination of purely analog mixing, a variety of field recording methods and dubbing it in real time - hands on the controls, no edits, no computer, just the ghostly harmonics and shivery bi-products you would come to expect of obsolete vintage electronics. The analog warmth has never sounded so sweet, mixed at antique modulation in Ann Arbor. Double CD housed in a beautiful retro matte finished eco wallet with UV coat.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
VORTEX 005CD
|
Variant is a solo project of Stephen Hitchell, who is one half of the massively influential Echospace project with DeepChord's Rod Modell. Their landmark 2007 album The Coldest Season on the celebrated Modern Love imprint was named album of the year in over 40 different magazines around the world and was listed as one of "The Best Albums Of The Decade" in Resident Advisor. The Detroit/Chicago duo also record under a variety of monikers (cv313, DeepChord presents Echospace, Intrusion, and Phase90), but Hitchell uses the Variant project to release his more long-form ambient dub and ambient techno recordings. Variant's albums invoke various celestial phenomena ranging from comets to stars to the aurora borealis. The cosmic preoccupation plays out in the music too, which ranges from warm analog space ambient infused with field recordings to more rhythmically active synthesizer loops and drones. On this edition (Element Five) he closes in on nearly 70 minutes of celestial magic; spellbinding and enchanting, this is a soundtrack for dreams. This dives deep into analog exploration, taking footnotes while pushing sonic boundaries to the future. This is the realm of sonic mysticism, a place where one can breathe, pray, love, and drift away into the ether. Cloud-surfing an electric wave of vibrational pulses in slow motion, flotation of the soul. The newly inspired elements of this series bridge the gap between modular movements of the '70s and the reflective atmospherics of dream sphere. Cosmic sonic therapy. The sound simply floats around you while drifting thru the vortex.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
VORTEX 007CD
|
Variant is a solo project of Stephen Hitchell, who is one half of the massively influential Echospace project with DeepChord's Rod Modell. Their landmark 2007 album The Coldest Season on the celebrated Modern Love imprint was named album of the year in over 40 different magazines around the world and was listed as one of "The Best Albums Of The Decade" in Resident Advisor. The Detroit/Chicago duo also record under a variety of monikers (cv313, DeepChord presents Echospace, Intrusion, and Phase90), but Hitchell uses the Variant project to release his more long-form ambient dub and ambient techno recordings. Variant's albums invoke various celestial phenomena ranging from comets to stars to the aurora borealis. The cosmic preoccupation plays out in the music too, which ranges from warm analog space ambient infused with field recordings to more rhythmically active synthesizer loops and drones. In the final edition of the Vortexual series, the sound comes full circle. Exploring the impressions of the mind. Feeling empowered, you, the traveler, can come to a deep appreciation for all that is comforting and pure. Openness in this atmospheric world is as important for the listener as for the creator. All perceptions in this domain run through filters that are neither bias nor unbiased, but music simply inspired by natural rhythms and looping patterns of the heartfelt step selection of synthesis in this analog dream. Realm of thought opens the gates to multiple avenues of groove control in these nearly 60 minutes of celestial magic; spellbinding and enchanting, this is a soundtrack for dreams. Printed retro matte finished CD sleeve with chrome sticker (housed in resealable poly sleeve).
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
VORTEX 006CD
|
Variant is a solo project of Stephen Hitchell, who is one half of the massively influential Echospace project with DeepChord's Rod Modell. Their landmark 2007 album The Coldest Season on the celebrated Modern Love imprint was named album of the year in over 40 different magazines around the world and was listed as one of "The Best Albums Of The Decade" in Resident Advisor. The Detroit/Chicago duo also record under a variety of monikers (cv313, DeepChord presents Echospace, Intrusion, and Phase90), but Hitchell uses the Variant project to release his more long-form ambient dub and ambient techno recordings. Variant's albums invoke various celestial phenomena ranging from comets to stars to the aurora borealis. The cosmic preoccupation plays out in the music too, which ranges from warm analog space ambient infused with field recordings to more rhythmically active synthesizer loops and drones. This edition of the Vortexual series celebrates the journey that was once traveled alone into one that is uplifting. Dynamic analog and digital sounds inspired the vision for a new holographic world. Rays of light engulf the traveler, and what was once imagined as submission is now met with forwardness upon the hope for tranquility. Symphony of sounds and colors materialize brightly as sensations are heightened in lieu of warmth. The mind's horizon is one that wants to be shared and celebrated for this shape-shifting soundscape is the essence. Restraint is forgotten, and rebelliousness is forgiven, and emotions roam freely. The vortex traveled brightens, and you become the vibrational wave. The illusion reveals the nature of this reality, and the awakening is relief that lives on. Nearly 60 minutes of celestial magic, spellbinding and enchanting, this is a soundtrack for dreams. Printed retro matte finished CD sleeve with chrome sticker (housed in resealable poly sleeve).
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
2CD
|
|
SEQ 001CD
|
Sequential Sleep is an ambient two-part CD release made for dreaming, a sonic travelogue set in multiple locations within a winter forest. Everything in its natural environment is magnified with a 7:1 field recorder that captures the purest form of nature. Utilizing newly developed forms of FM, granular, and modular synthesis allowed this project to unravel in totally unexpected ways, like a visitor on foreign lands. Harmonic, angelic sequences continuously ebb and flow, slowly moving, like the tides meeting an estuary. Slowly evolving electric currents fluctuate in their purest essence, possessing the closest reach toward a pure analog sound experience. The interchange and combination of field recordings and spectrum of sounds via various 16-step sequences becomes alive, taking on an organic yet expansive and three-dimensional sound design that is out of this world. In the space-time continuum, every sound travels back down to earth within the spatial expanse, where recordings take on their own natural life in paradisiac existence. Based on the Sufi teachings of sound-arpeggiation and vibration, this music's vibrational pull of oscillating frequencies is founded on chord repetition, so too like chants that heal and allow the mind to reach meditative states. These immersive zones are the platform for a pure, rejuvenating, aqueous, trance-like experience of endless possibilities. Freely flowing and comforted, just as a mother's womb, the unconscious mind embraces all. These are songs that warmly envelop, soothe, and heal the soul. Nearly 2.5 hours long, both sonic journeys are adaptations of the other and the essence of the vision. And its sequences are steps into a dream, the steps into enchantment. Behind and beyond these recordings lies the inspiration of its mysticism: "When we pay attention to nature's music we find that every thing on the earth contributes to its harmony. The trees joyously wave their branches in rhythm with the wind; the sound of the sea, the murmuring of the breeze, the whistling of the wind through rocks, hills and mountains; the flash of the lightning, and the crash of the thunder, the harmony of the sun and moon, the movements of the stars and planets, the blooming of the flower, the fading of the leaf, the regular alternation of morning, evening, noon, and night, all reveal to the seer the music of nature." --The Mysticism of Sound and Music. The opium of openness by which all that dream, in wakefulness, or in sleep become one in the same dream. . . .
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
ECHOSPACE AIR2
|
Stephen Hitchell (Intrusion, cv313) delivers a serious treat for his legion of devoted followers with the next logical step in the Echospace saga leading to this release exploring sublime ambient electronics in a textured, analog style. As Variant, Hitchell delves into his most expansive and inspiring palette, layering materials onto his canvas with a widescreen scope and an emotionally-affected, cinematic intent that makes this a deeply engrossing listen. Made for an obviously specific time and place, "The Setting Sun" marks a shift in Hitchell's work, sounding more like Oren Ambarchi or Keith Fullerton Whitman than any of the more familiar names his work has been associated with in the past. Incorporating resonant pianos, hazily thrummed guitars and swelling organs with rippling waves of curling analog distortion, this is surely one of the most outstanding pieces in his catalog. "As Time Stood Still" features a deeply-padded flow of ebbing atmospherics, lapping every intangible surface of the womb-like sub-bass-bubble that Hitchell creates with a concoction of vintage analog hardware and reel-to-reel recording techniques. All taken together, The Setting Sun sounds like the slow inhalation and exhalation of deep, meditative breathing, or like rain falling from a grey sky. This is a hugely involving listen that will appeal to followers of Tim Hecker AND Basic Channel, or Vladislav Delay AND Oren Ambarchi.
|
|
|
|