Chilled Vibrations: A Sonic Journey Through Modern Trip-Hop and Lo-Fi

ANKO's "Landing": A Sonic Journey Back to Trip-Hop's Golden Era

In the realm of chillout music, "Landing" by ANKO stands as a testament to the enduring allure of Trip-Hop and Lo-Fi beats, reminiscent of the genre's golden era in the 90s and early 2000s. Crafted by the Parisian duo Nicolas de Ferran and Antoine F. Martin, "Landing" embodies a modern production approach to beatmaking, infused with the spirit of abstract hip-hop. ANKO's journey began with a collaboration on music for primetime TV shows and documentaries, eventually evolving into an original project driven by a passion for creating. Their debut E.P., "Waved," released in March 2018, is a harmonious blend of electronic textures and acoustic warmth, drawing from diverse influences including hip-hop, classical music, and jazz. This track, in particular, is a prime example of ANKO's ability to weave oxymoronic elements into a sound that is both soothing and invigorating.

"Ascension" by Mark Ski: Elevating Beats to New Heights

"Ascension" serves as the lead track of Mark Ski's "Mountains," an album designed to musically narrate life's highs and lows through an exploration of Hip-Hop's instrumental sub-genres. This track offers an uptempo journey, heavily influenced by the likes of DJ Shadow, UNKLE, and RJD2, featuring a blend of break-centric beats, funk samples, and layered synth textures. Mark Ski, a prominent figure in the Northampton Hip-Hop scene, leverages his vast experience as a DJ, turntablist, and producer to craft a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. His work, celebrated in various prestigious platforms, embodies the essence of classic instrumental Hip-Hop while introducing contemporary elements, making "Ascension" a compelling addition to any chillout playlist.

"Eclectic" from Odelet: Blurring the Lines Between Genres

As a prelude to her much-anticipated album "Pisces Pie," Odelet's single "Eclectic" promises an amalgamation of genres that transcends traditional musical boundaries. Hailing from Detroit and now based on the west coast, Odelet's versatility as a singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist allows her to create an immersive auditory and visual experience. Her upcoming album, inspired by a love for old-school Hip-Hop and siren singers, is anticipated to be a homage to her diverse musical influences, ranging from Jazz to R&B. "Eclectic," as the name suggests, serves as a sneak peek into Odelet's experimental approach to music, blending her unique vocal style with classic Hip-Hop production elements. This track not only showcases Odelet's innovative spirit but also hints at the depth and variety listeners can expect from "Pisces Pie."

Palm Skin Productions takes a new approach in his latest release ‘Other Times’

Veering away from the conceptual basis of his debut track, his latest album features a collage of sounds

Palm Skin Productions is UK-based DJ, producer, and percussion beat-making musician, Simon Richmond. Having spent over ten years writing and producing music for other bands and artists, Richmond launched his solo career with his debut single in 2021, “This Sword Will Die.” Now, releasing Other Times, he sees it as a palette cleanser inspired by his work in the band, The Bays, who produce improvised electronic music. With a repertoire inspired by electro-funk and hip hop, as Palm Skin Productions, Richmond has allowed his conceptual and energetic approach to shine through.

palm skin productions

His debut track held tight to his layered and conceptual approach, as it was eleven minutes long and incorporated piano, drums, ambient sounds, and organic techno to enmesh endless hidden meanings in a complex story. Beyond his solo work, Richmond has created percussion for K-Creative, and collaborated with REM, The Art of Noise, Depeche Mode, and more, and been featured in performances around the world.

Now, his release of Other Times takes a non-conceptual approach, allowing him to bring together fragmented sounds and selected clips from archived and sessions and recordings. Forming a unified body of work from seemingly disparate sources, each song is made as a reference to his daily practice of swimming in the sea, as the titles allude to themes, and the music is composed to create an instrumental beat-tape.

See more from the artist:

Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram

Aqeel Aadam collaborates on downtempo, creating ‘Fault’

Together with contemporary artist Fossilize me, Aqeel Aadam delivers a detailed yet effortless EP

A neatly put together album of experimental downtempo, ‘Fault’ marks the coming together of two artists connected with the left field label Mystery Circles. Aqeel Aadam and Fossilize Me both released innovative debut albums in 2020, exploring separate paths into the sounds of ambient electronica. The pair shares an appreciation for expansive landscapes, layering together involved synthesizer work with percussive ambience. The overlap of interests between these two artists results in a collaboration which feels entirely natural.

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Our featured track from the album is the work of Aqeel Aadam, a New York based musician who started out with bedroom beats and whose progression is evident in ‘Nails Grow Back’. The release revels in creating a detailed soundscape composed of modulated beats and sweeping synthesizers which manage to avoid encroaching on the central melodies at play. Aadam endeavours to blend in influences from atmospheric hip-hop and post rock, bringing to life new sonic worlds. It’s an ambitious approach, and part of the cause behind the albums alternative but polished quality.

The tracks contributed to ‘Fault’ by Fossilize provide a curious and effective contrast to Aadam’s less percussive inclusions. The outcome is an excellent balance between two perspectives operating within the same field, and an album with a gratifying narrative.

Hear more from Aqeel Aadam
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Hear more from Fossilize Me
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Check out the label - Mystery Circles
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Home-grown in New York: Astral Bird’s ‘K2000’

Mixed by Will Owen Bennet Mastered by Nicholas Di Lorenzo

When artists spend time picking through samples, aligning up beat tracks, and getting in touch with sound that inspires them, that energy electrifies their work. Real experience and emotion makes real music, and the warmth that resonates through the beats created by Astral Bird forms a link between you and the people behind the project.

Kicking off as a high school duo in New York, Benn Gabriner and Jake Brussel Faria have been piecing together singles which string together gems of innovation. Their approach to the sound they’re collaborating often changes, the mood in their tracks shifts around to hit on different vibes, and it’s apparent that the two are searching for different techniques to mess around with and try out. There’s no discoordination in the end product though. Bars of synthwave link together with found sound, glitch and jazz-hop. There’s an overall atmosphere of mellow lo-fi house, but always with an original flavour.

Gabriner and Faria are now divided by distance and based in LA and Brooklyn respectively, with a fairly sporadic release rate. On this occasion however, we’re presented with a solo effort from Gabriner as he releases ‘K2000’ under the Astral Bird moniker. The New York inspired soul is still there.

Grab the track over on Bandcamp or stream it on Spotify.

Hear more from Astral Bird
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Abstract Breaks from the Jungles of Switzerland

DR004 - Dser - Arithmetic Progression Stream / Download / Vinyl: http://dser.diffract.ch/ Insects and reptiles: http://vivariumdemeyrin.ch/ https://lemanreptiles.ch/ Connect with Dser: https://soundcloud.com/dser https://mixcloud.com/dser https://facebook.com/dser.deer https://instagram.com/dser.dser Follow Diffract Records: https://diffractrecords.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/diffractrecords https://facebook.com/diffractrecords https://instagram.com/diffractrecords https://twitter.com/diffractrecords video by ea @ diffract records

Born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland and a self proclaimed ‘Junglist’ since day one, it didn’t take long for Dser to find himself behind the decks and in the studio mixing and chopping up some his own breakbeat creations. After buying his first pair of decks in early 2000 he quickly became a resident at Geneva’s famed “Le Zoo” (L'Usine) club and became the driving force behind the regular “Back to Jungle” event series, hosting scene heavyweights like Dillinja, Fabio & Grooverider and Nicky Blackmarket.

But it wasn’t until 2019, when his slower paced, abstract break-driven side productions caught the attention of Swiss electronic label Diffract Records. The label was naturally attracted to this rought-cut and spontaneous sound and worked together with Dser to release his 6 track album ‘Arithmetic Progression’ which dropped just last month both digitally and on 12” vinyl.

Utilizing a variety of old-skool analog samplers and instruments, the album brings with it certain notes of nostalgia akin to early Bonobo, Ninjatune and Mowax productions. From the crunchy drums of the opening track ‘Earth from Space’ to the jungle jazz rhythms of ‘Rise Up’ the album serves as a diverse and varied breakbeat buffet destined to swoon even the most hardcore of amen addicts.

Grab Arithmetic Progression over on the Diffract Records Bandcamp and stay up to date with Dser below.

Dser
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Diffract Records
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Serenity now with London's Sleepless

From 'Serene' Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/3LXOBHjYDBfZ7miS7Jg9gX?si=a2batCFWQtqmU18PZK_IFg Bandcamp https://sleeplessbeats.bandcamp.com Guitar on 'Process' performed by Rax Behéshti. Artwork @sleepsparrow

The classic downtempo, acid jazz sound is alive and thriving throughout Sleepless's 4th album, Serene.

While there isn't much info to be found on the man behind the beats, the music speaks for itself. It harks back to a simple time of bass heavy, laid back bobbers, with crisp snare snaps and the odd jazzy instrumental. I've been missing music like this. Sleepless recalls genre pioneers like DJ Cam, Dilla, Amon Tobin and more.

Serene, which dropped late last week is Sleepless's fourth album in five years. Each of his releases provide the lo-fi vibes which drew many of us into acid jazz and instrumental hip hop from the beginning. Serene, as an album is a pleasure. It's filled with smokey, back room sizzlers to help us fade into the night and early morning risers to bring us back. In our hard pounding, technological, unrelenting world, a little serenity is necessary to keep sane amidst the daily madness.

Stand outs from the 16 track album include 'Process' which features guitar work from Rax Beheshti, 'Don't Forget' which features smooth muted horns and the dreamy 'Where You At?'.

Don’t sleep on this release, go grab Serene on Bandcamp now.

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