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Moods & Occasions Section - The Chill Desk:

 
    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 11 Nov 2006, 12:15

    Moods & Occasions Section - The Chill Desk:

    Welcome to the Chill Desk:



    Go ahead and leave your queries or recommendations.

    Other Places:

    Chill Panel

    Secret Snacker & Accomplished Pen Thief At:
    Edited by Cylob on 1 May 2008, 13:27
    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 12 Nov 2006, 02:11
    This is one of my favorite chillout albums:



    Pause.

    The great thing about this album is that it really differentiates itself from other instrumental electronic albums. It has definite warmth compared to chillier electronic artists, probably because it uses acoustic instruments as often as electric ones. And instead of having everything float around in the ether, it all coalesces into a rich blend. Like sitting in front of a crackling fireplace.

    Key tracks:
    Glue of the World
    Parks
    Everything Is Alright

    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 19 Nov 2006, 22:21
    Kings of Convenience: Simon & Garfunkel revisited (Koc is much better)

  • Toots Thielemans, keepin' it real on harmonica.

    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 28 Nov 2006, 10:27
    La Maison De Mon Rêve
    Impossible to describe, you have to try. It's between country, folk, opera and playschool toys sounds


  • Pick o' the week

    Country Falls (2004)



    Husky Rescue is - or was at the time - essentially producer Marko Nyberg with varying vocalists - a piece of information that would lead you to assume that the result is one of these sampleresque affairs of one-goes-another-comes-each-track-sounds-different, think Conjure One, but that's not true at all - not least since the voices of these so aptly-named ladies (Reeta-Leena Korhola being perhaps my favourite; she has become a full member of the band by now and is present at all live shows) are quite similar in style and mood: sweet, a bit melancholy, sometimes, a bit drowsy, too-- opening track Sweet Little Kitten sounds a lot like the titular animal crossed with Black Box Recorder. The voice is there, but there is no point looking for the lyrical bile - it would be out of place, too, somehow. Sunset Drive stands proof for this, working entirely without wordsome lyrics, an "ahhh" here and there is absolutely enough - not least taking into account the gorgeous live rock'n'roll sound gradually working its way into the song, always one layer under the vocals, never venturing too close to noise or, well, rock, but definitely present; early Goldfrapp come to mind here. Summertime Cowboy, the album's most popular track through some wondrous turn of events, has something vaguely Asian to it, despite being sung in English - and it isn't the only one on here. I haven't yet figured out the exact mechanics of this, but there's something Eastern in the atmosphere, something that makes you think of short, pale, dark-haired people skimming through Italian travel brochures. It could be something about the keyboard sounds, they might be trying to be Asian string instruments from time to time; in any case they're unlike most other things I've heard in the huge, soft, pastel-coloured fields of chill-out lately. These wonderfully organic keyboards appear on almost every track, allowing quite a bit of kraut rock associations at their most atmospheric, which in other places (such as Mean Street), combined with the minimalistic vocalising, precise work of the proper string instruments and what may or may not be 'proper' brass, amounts to something almost jazzy - this is the sun rising after a night ruled by Portishead. To finish this review in the same namechecking style I wrote it - I'd recommend this music to fans of Zero 7 and early Air with an assortment of edges. Strange but true, the bite the album loses in lyrics it makes up for in sounds.

    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 1 Feb 2007, 12:25
    Copied from the Abstract Pop Desk:

    The Vessel (2003)



    This album's about 2,000 times better than their previous release, "Compassion". Now then, how to describe this somewhat strange sound...

    Pram go to India (will do nicely).

    If music had an aroma, this would smell of spices, a tropical sea breeze, waves crashing upon rocks, the long flowing hair of an asian girl running along the beach, a cocktail in one's hand. Yep, if only...

    Choice Cuts:
    Beauty
    Coming Back
    Beaten Dog

    Similar Albums:

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    Edited by Cylob on 2 Feb 2007, 09:35
    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 2 Feb 2007, 09:33
    Copied from the Easy Listening Desk (a nice find by schizodanny):

    La Variete (1982)



    For fans of bossa nova, an obscure treat from the early 80's. This would have been in circulation when Everything But The Girl were starting out. It makes me wonder if it influenced their sound (particularly "Eden").

    *consults AMG*

    Similar Albums:

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    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 3 Feb 2007, 19:03
    Some recomendations frome the Mighty Ninja Tune Desk

    If you're in a jazzy/groovy mood, sweet dreams are made of these:
    Man With a Movie Camera



    Another jazzy one close to the Cinematic Orchestra:
    Skalpel


    If you want to stay in bed all day long but keep on taping with your feet, here is some good blues:
    Biscuits for Breakfast

  • Cylob said:
    Copied from the Easy Listening Desk (a nice find by schizodanny):

    La Variete (1982)

    This would have been in circulation when Everything But The Girl were starting out. It makes me wonder if it influenced their sound (particularly "Eden").


    I may have the answer to that.

    Young Marble Giants, which is as you know Alison Statton's previous band before Weekend, is the major influence on Marine Girls, which is... ahem, Tracey Thorn's previous band before Everything But The Girl.

    In an ideal world, that should speak for itself, and Weekend would have surely influenced Everything But The Girl.

    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 6 Feb 2007, 08:00
    Copied from the Jazz Desk:

    The Mask (2000)



    Another fine release on Blue Note. It's like stepping into a smokey bar on Maddison Avenue.

    A chillout album of choice.

    Choice Cuts:
    Sweet Mercy
    Arroyo
    The Dawn

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    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 6 Feb 2007, 09:03
    absolutely, i recommend also Bending New Corners, more hip-hop, but still kicking ass

    Edited by a deleted user on 21 Feb 2007, 12:54
    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 8 Feb 2007, 07:21

    Pick de le Week

    Selection of João and Astrud Gilberto


    Wonderful voices of the Gilberto family on a samba rhythm... mmmmh. Is it summer already?

    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 11 Feb 2007, 14:08
    Summer's only a state of mind. :)

    Copied from the Drum 'N' Bass Desk:

    True Colours (2002)



    Another classic on Hospital Records. They're certainly not in need of treatment.

    Remember When
    True Colours
    Make It Tonight

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    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 14 Feb 2007, 13:05
    Copied from the CCO Desk:

    Magic Radios (2002)



    This is one of the better albums I've heard in the last week. So what is it? Generically, I have absolutely no idea. If there was no constant (the percussion) it'd be free-improvisation. If the tracks were longer and there was more guitar, it'd be post-rock. If there were more electronics it'd be indietronica (you get the picture).

    What holds the album together is its ambience. It's a warm, comforting sound with plenty of things happening (hell, there's even a flute in the mix).

    An ambient fireworks display...

    Choice Cuts:
    Take My Light
    Crispy Leaves Underfoot
    3000 Miles

    Similar Albums:

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    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 20 Feb 2007, 11:56

    Back to Mine - a personal collection for after hour groovin'

    Almost as all the Back to Mine collection is a pure chillin' compilation (Ultra Records Label). For information, Back to Mine Albums are compilation made by (great) artists such as Tricky, Lamb, Cal Cox, Everything but the girl...
    Here are my favorites:

    Back to Mine


    Back to Mine


    Back to Mine


    Back to Mine


    and many more...
    Back to Mine website

    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 21 Feb 2007, 12:55
    From the almighty Jazz Desk:

    Ferris_Bueller said:
    Miles Davis - In a Silent Way (1969)



    A perfect album to chill out too.


    Definitely agreed

    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 24 Feb 2007, 11:03

    From the Jazz desk (again)

    It's Snowing on My Piano


    The pianist of the awsome duo Sidsel Endresen & Bugge Wesseltoft, They are wonderful together, they are wonderful by themselves. Just like cheese and wine :)
    It's a very (very very) good chilling album.

    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 24 Feb 2007, 11:44
    Weekly Picks Bookmarked

    Thanks to all those who left recommendations (in other words, LeFrenchy). :)

    Secret Snacker & Accomplished Pen Thief At:
    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 26 Feb 2007, 14:32
    Copied from the Morr Music Desk:

    MM062CD:
    Electric President (2006)



    A poptastic affair, rather like The Go Find on happy pills. Plenty of acoustic guitar, the slapping of tambourines, sounds that sparkle and shine, thick layers of melody that shroud you like a warm blanket.

    Uplifting or Chill? Just maybe, both at once.

    Choice Cuts:
    Good Morning, Hypocrite
    Insomnia
    Snow On Dead Neighborhoods

    Secret Snacker & Accomplished Pen Thief At:
  • In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country

    I'm sure we're counting EPs, right? It is certainly my favourite work by Mike & Marcus. Far more digestible in a small, perfectly formed dose, in contrast to the occasional overindulgences on their LPs, most notable The Campfire Headphase.

    Perfectly sequenced electronica music. :)

    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 26 Feb 2007, 17:06
    That's one great EP (Twoism as well).

    I totally agree, their LPs are overweilding and could potentially be cut in half. :)

    Welcome aboard BTW. :)

    Secret Snacker & Accomplished Pen Thief At:
    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 1 Mar 2007, 11:10

    Pick de le Week

    Mezzanine

    Genre: electro/downtempo/chill etc..
    Get this album, steal this album, kill for this album.

    To me, this album is Massive Attack's jewel, one of the best albums I own. Angel is heading proudly my Overall Top Tracks. Perfect rhythms, perfect voices, perfect mastering, the energy comes drop by drop (teardrop!) and finally hits you like the Niagara Falls. I put it in the chill desk because this music usually helps me make dreams and fall asleep, since I'm a guy who sleeps and dreams rarely, I guess it's its right place.

    • Cylob said...
    • User
    • 5 Mar 2007, 08:35
    Amazing album that. I'd say "Inertia Creeps" is my fave, but it's only by a whisker.

    From the Ninja Tune Desk:

    Sweet Jones (2003)



    A sweet acid jazz album with all the Malibu Beach trimmings. Playing this on a grey english day (in suburban hell) just doesn't seem right.

    Choice Cuts:
    The Woodworm
    Code 3
    Pound Stretcher

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    • [Deleted user] said...
    • User
    • 5 Mar 2007, 11:11
    aaaaah 9 lazy 9 that's the kind of vibes i like! :)
    And it's a Ninja album! dont hesitate: steal it!

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