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viewing 1 To 6 of 6 items
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LP
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FLOAT 002LP
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Float presents the next release from drummer and composer Andrea Belfi following on from his 2017 debut album Ore. Strata is an organic evolution of the unique synthesis of hypnotizing drumming and ensnaring electronic patterns Belfi has become renowned for. Strata's inception is due to Belfi's playful experiments with Gnawa rhythms -- a music tradition from North Africa that draws from ancient African spiritual and religious songs -- with which Belfi created basic guide tracks that were later expanded upon. Strata's remit expanded from these core rhythmic ideas into a mini-LP, spread across six tracks spanning 25 minutes. The introductory track, "Shale", consists of melancholic synth counterpoint and soft drones. The title track "Strata" kicks in with suspenseful bleeps and restless hi-hats before pacey drums ramp up the tension toward explosive highpoints. "Fault", a short interlude, features more meditative moments. Notably, this track sees Belfi playing a self-built trimba, a triangular percussion ideated by legendary street musician Moondog. "Outcrop" is built around a pulsating electronic dub beat. The drop of a syncopated kick and mounting polyrhythms underpin the solemn "Ravine", before the album comes to a close with "Plateau", a driving and sinister conclusion that revisits elements of Strata and the trippy momentum of the Gnawa rhythms. The internal structure of Strata is fittingly built on layers of repetitions and variations across all tracks: "Shale", "Strata", "Fault", and "Plateau" share the same harmonic and melodic structure, while "Outcrop" and "Ravine" are both explorations of the traditional song formula. All tracks except for "Plateau" -- which can be understood as a techno remix of "Strata" -- were recorded as live studio takes incorporating the sound quality of the studio space. The album was recorded by Simon Goff at Vox Ton in Berlin and mixed by Rocco Marchi at Obst und Gemüse in Bologna. Capturing the impetus of Belfi's formidable live performances, Strata's skillfully builds up momentum to its explosive final release.
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FLOAT 003LP
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Float welcomes their second artist into the fold. UK electronic artist and Szun Waves band member Luke Abbott, presents a special ten-track album to celebrate Piano Day 2019 (March 29th) -- an international event series initiated by Nils Frahm which acts as a platform for piano-related projects. Music From The Edge Of An Island sees Abbott divert from his typically experimental electronic style to explore a more compositional approach centered around VST instruments. Rather than the usual themes of synthesis and improvisation, the album is led by piano motifs, structured around emotive melodies and sparkling arrangements. The record began as a part of a soundtrack commission by producer/actor Jessica Hynes for her film The Fight and ultimately became a fully-realized album. The film script had a coastal setting that created the record's thematic idea: "I had this idea about being on the edge of England, almost ready to fall off a cliff into the sea but keeping your balance on the edge." The idea of writing for the piano had been ruminating for some months as Abbott found himself spending an increasing amount of time playing on the instrument. Without a piano of his own though, he found a strangely enchanting way to fulfil his creative impulse. "I used to have an upright piano, but I'd given it away when I last moved house, so I ended up using a piano VST in the computer, which I actually really enjoyed. Writing the music became a bit of a weird fantasy process." The writing process was remarkably quick, resulting in simple yet inspired pieces that subtly blur the lines between MIDI computer music, and live performance. Music From The Edge Of An Island can be seen as a collection of gentle reveries that sway between the twilight hours, marked by moments of soft, contemplative ballads and more active and expansive motions. Opening track "Sea" begins with a mysterious piano waltz before unnerving synth drones take over. "Island" continues with piano triplet figures plus added orchestration of cello strokes and airy glass pads, before heading into the melancholic "Tree", bringing in more strings and added pathos heard in the restless piano motif. Quieter passages are contrasted with the Gamelan-esque "Moments" and the uplifting "On Rope", whilst more lyrical moments on the album can be found in tracks such as "Adjustment" and closing track "A Different Tree".
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FLOAT 003LTD-LP
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Limited blue vinyl version. Float welcomes their second artist into the fold. UK electronic artist and Szun Waves band member Luke Abbott, presents a special ten-track album to celebrate Piano Day 2019 (March 29th) -- an international event series initiated by Nils Frahm which acts as a platform for piano-related projects. Music From The Edge Of An Island sees Abbott divert from his typically experimental electronic style to explore a more compositional approach centered around VST instruments. Rather than the usual themes of synthesis and improvisation, the album is led by piano motifs, structured around emotive melodies and sparkling arrangements. The record began as a part of a soundtrack commission by producer/actor Jessica Hynes for her film The Fight and ultimately became a fully-realized album. The film script had a coastal setting that created the record's thematic idea: "I had this idea about being on the edge of England, almost ready to fall off a cliff into the sea but keeping your balance on the edge." The idea of writing for the piano had been ruminating for some months as Abbott found himself spending an increasing amount of time playing on the instrument. Without a piano of his own though, he found a strangely enchanting way to fulfil his creative impulse. "I used to have an upright piano, but I'd given it away when I last moved house, so I ended up using a piano VST in the computer, which I actually really enjoyed. Writing the music became a bit of a weird fantasy process." The writing process was remarkably quick, resulting in simple yet inspired pieces that subtly blur the lines between MIDI computer music, and live performance. Music From The Edge Of An Island can be seen as a collection of gentle reveries that sway between the twilight hours, marked by moments of soft, contemplative ballads and more active and expansive motions. Opening track "Sea" begins with a mysterious piano waltz before unnerving synth drones take over. "Island" continues with piano triplet figures plus added orchestration of cello strokes and airy glass pads, before heading into the melancholic "Tree", bringing in more strings and added pathos heard in the restless piano motif. Quieter passages are contrasted with the Gamelan-esque "Moments" and the uplifting "On Rope", whilst more lyrical moments on the album can be found in tracks such as "Adjustment" and closing track "A Different Tree".
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FLOAT 001CD
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Andrea Belfi (born 1979) is an international respected electroacoustic musician and composer. He began playing drums at the age of 14. He studied art in Milan, before becoming involved in experimental music and since 2002 he's been in collaboration with a wide range of artists, currently residing in Berlin, Germany. His new album Ore is released on the new UK record label Float which was founded by Sofia Ilyas, who was previously the label manager at Erased Tapes Records. The new label exists parallel to Float PR, the London based agency dedicated to the promotion of unique artists and projects, and Andrea Belfi is the first signing. Titled Ore, the album places the drums as its centerpiece, while textures are embellished and mutated through electronic manipulations and dark, eerie sonic details. Over the years, Belfi has built a sound-world that artfully combines a modest drum set-up with an equally concise electronics component. He has searched long to produce and refine the acoustic timbres of his music, but has now reached a certain point of fulfilment, courtesy of his Saari drum-kit from Finland. Melded seamlessly with the acoustic elements are a Nord modular and sampler. On Ore, Belfi attains a masterful synthesis of these two sonic realms. Belfi has gained a reputation for his energetic and charismatic performances, both as a solo musician and within numerous collaborations. 2016 saw him tour with Nonkeen, the German three-piece band headed by Nils Frahm. Belfi became an instant highlight following a sold-out gig at London's Barbican Centre, lighting the stage with an impressive and explosive drum solo that became one of the most memorable moments from the evening. "When I started the record I really wanted to find something very direct. I was looking for something very raw, something sonically and acoustically complex. The title Ore actually was suggested by my wife. I had to look up the meaning and loved the concept -- something raw that you can extract, and the refinement into a precious material. It's a very simple metaphor but there's a lot there, you can just put that word out and you don't have to explain too much. You give an input to the listener, and just leave it to the imagination." Mixed by Francesco Donadello; Mastered by Nils Frahm.
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FLOAT 001LP
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LP version with download code. Andrea Belfi (born 1979) is an international respected electroacoustic musician and composer. He began playing drums at the age of 14. He studied art in Milan, before becoming involved in experimental music and since 2002 he's been in collaboration with a wide range of artists, currently residing in Berlin, Germany. His new album Ore is released on the new UK record label Float which was founded by Sofia Ilyas, who was previously the label manager at Erased Tapes Records. The new label exists parallel to Float PR, the London based agency dedicated to the promotion of unique artists and projects, and Andrea Belfi is the first signing. Titled Ore, the album places the drums as its centerpiece, while textures are embellished and mutated through electronic manipulations and dark, eerie sonic details. Over the years, Belfi has built a sound-world that artfully combines a modest drum set-up with an equally concise electronics component. He has searched long to produce and refine the acoustic timbres of his music, but has now reached a certain point of fulfilment, courtesy of his Saari drum-kit from Finland. Melded seamlessly with the acoustic elements are a Nord modular and sampler. On Ore, Belfi attains a masterful synthesis of these two sonic realms. Belfi has gained a reputation for his energetic and charismatic performances, both as a solo musician and within numerous collaborations. 2016 saw him tour with Nonkeen, the German three-piece band headed by Nils Frahm. Belfi became an instant highlight following a sold-out gig at London's Barbican Centre, lighting the stage with an impressive and explosive drum solo that became one of the most memorable moments from the evening. "When I started the record I really wanted to find something very direct. I was looking for something very raw, something sonically and acoustically complex. The title Ore actually was suggested by my wife. I had to look up the meaning and loved the concept -- something raw that you can extract, and the refinement into a precious material. It's a very simple metaphor but there's a lot there, you can just put that word out and you don't have to explain too much. You give an input to the listener, and just leave it to the imagination." Mixed by Francesco Donadello; Mastered by Nils Frahm.
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FLOAT 001LTD-LP
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LP version. Red vinyl version with download code; Exclusively made for independent record stores. Andrea Belfi (born 1979) is an international respected electroacoustic musician and composer. He began playing drums at the age of 14. He studied art in Milan, before becoming involved in experimental music and since 2002 he's been in collaboration with a wide range of artists, currently residing in Berlin, Germany. His new album Ore is released on the new UK record label Float which was founded by Sofia Ilyas, who was previously the label manager at Erased Tapes Records. The new label exists parallel to Float PR, the London based agency dedicated to the promotion of unique artists and projects, and Andrea Belfi is the first signing. Titled Ore, the album places the drums as its centerpiece, while textures are embellished and mutated through electronic manipulations and dark, eerie sonic details. Over the years, Belfi has built a sound-world that artfully combines a modest drum set-up with an equally concise electronics component. He has searched long to produce and refine the acoustic timbres of his music, but has now reached a certain point of fulfilment, courtesy of his Saari drum-kit from Finland. Melded seamlessly with the acoustic elements are a Nord modular and sampler. On Ore, Belfi attains a masterful synthesis of these two sonic realms. Belfi has gained a reputation for his energetic and charismatic performances, both as a solo musician and within numerous collaborations. 2016 saw him tour with Nonkeen, the German three-piece band headed by Nils Frahm. Belfi became an instant highlight following a sold-out gig at London's Barbican Centre, lighting the stage with an impressive and explosive drum solo that became one of the most memorable moments from the evening. "When I started the record I really wanted to find something very direct. I was looking for something very raw, something sonically and acoustically complex. The title Ore actually was suggested by my wife. I had to look up the meaning and loved the concept -- something raw that you can extract, and the refinement into a precious material. It's a very simple metaphor but there's a lot there, you can just put that word out and you don't have to explain too much. You give an input to the listener, and just leave it to the imagination." Mixed by Francesco Donadello; Mastered by Nils Frahm.
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