V/A Ear Pleasure (Chill Tribe Records)

[MattMan]

Finally! Chill Tribe Records' 3rd release is out - named "Ear Pleasure". Let's get things straight, first of all; what is an ear? It's a receptive organ in the human body. Allright, now what is "pleasure"?

Well, in this context it would be something like "the pleasing effects of excellent music". So, where do we turn in the search of this excellence of dilligently compiled music? Well, Chill Tribe Records has proven to be a more than reliable source for just this, and all the more reason to be excited for their most recent compilation. When I first saw the album cover, I had an inkling as to what I would experience for the next hour or so, as previous musical experiences with some of these artists have proven memorable. See, whenever I learn there is a new album released from Chill Tribe, there is

always few surprises and cliffhangers when it comes to artist lineup. Whatever reputation and fame might follow these names becomes irrelevant. The pleasuring of the ear this time around comes from the mixture of all these different songs into a general feel - a journey - a state of mind, if you get properly carried away. I'm happy to say this album is an expression of the rising trend of going away from the popular, yet more or less pure synthloops with conga drums in the background in straight as an arrow 4/4 rythms featuring "aah aah" vocals for nine minutes with a more or less random name slapped on it, calling it "psychilled dub" or some other extravagant made-up word. Ear Pleasure clearly features artists who've integrated other instruments and effects together with varied inspirations, to create impressively original sounding tracks, all in the name of downtempo and dub. This is one of the things that strike me the most after having listened through the album a few times. Ear Pleasure is more laid back and "nonchalant" than the previous two albums. It's the absolute perfect album to run through on an early saturady morning just having woke up and realizing the gravity of the weekend.. Zen Lemonade - Island of Forgotten Dreams hit the spot beautifully. And, if you're a bit of a tech geek like me, you'll find the technical properties to be fully intact when it comes to quality of recording, resolution, field of sound and effects, you name it. If you have floorstanding loudspeakers, you'll enjoy this album to its fullest.

 

Be sure to check this album out if you're into dub - Chill Tribe style!

[PKS]

Hi

Thanks for the review MattMan! Here is a review written by LE LOTUS BLEU:

 

V/A Ear Pleasure (Chill Tribe) 2007

 

Tracklist:

 

1.Beginning Of The End

ROBERT LEINER

 

2. Gengis Khan's Reverie

BLUE PLANET CORPORATION

 

3. Forgotten Souls

KRIS KYLVEN AND SYB-SONIC

 

4. The Himalaya

COSMOSIS

 

5. Nemo

DIGITAL MYSTERY TOUR

 

6. Quick and The Dead (Snake Thing Dub Rmx)

SLOT MACHINE

 

7. Inside

KIWA

 

8. Free Space

HIGHPERSONIC WHOMEN

 

9. Embrace

BLUETECH

 

10. Island Of Forgotten Dreams

ZEN LEMONADE

 

Third release & compilation delivered by Norwegian label Chill Tribe, this time PKS (the compiler) has decided to hit a big time according to the artists involved in this new project.

All the names are quite famous or are hiding celebrities from the first hour Trance-Goa scene; and when they're slightly less known like Kiwa or Highpersonic Whomen, they already benefits of a nice reputation among psytrance experts for their suomi genuine and quality production.

Furthermore the tradition of the artist presentation's booklet is maintained : through 8 pages you got lots of infos about all the artists present on Ear Pleasure as same as their photos. Let's mention too , the mastering done by the 4CN team (Tim Schuldt & Detlev Funder) & the design realised by Are Marmelade.

 

1> Robert Leiner (Sweden) - Beginning Of The End, you immediately feel the ambient-techno production past of the artist through his mischievous unpolished sound at the beginning. The track is melodic with a plethora of happy sounds & layers from which emanates an asiatic feeling due to the main use of short hit tones.

 

2> Blue Planet Corporation (Gabriel Masurel from France) - Gengis Khan's Reverie, proposes the most exotic Chill-Out side in Ear Pleasure, in the same dominant trend exploited in the previous Chill Tribe release 'Relaxed Journeys'. The tune is also noticeable by the different real instruments played which confers its richness : guitar by Glenn Ropars, congas & caxixi (?) by Julien Chambeyron, Sitar by Fredox & live drums by Gabriel himself.

 

3>Kris Kylven (from Finland) - Forgotten Souls, keeps going a bit on the exotic vibe, oriental to be more precize, with the use of some vocals, mixed with preponderant electronic chill parts though. At 3'36 the impress is to enter one story of 'The 1001 nights's Tales' with a typic fairy sound.

 

4>Cosmosis (Bill Halsey from UK) - The Himalaya, takes us in a journey for climbing The Himalaya with propelling guitar riffs & ascendant lysergic layers, the tune benefits also of some oriental vocals for supporting you in your task. Like this, the vision of the Himalaya doesn't appear anymore as an unclearable obstacle.

 

5>Digital Mystery Tour (Stephane Holweck from France) – Nemo, submarine atmosphere mixed with bed ocean's exploration feelings are developed here. What is he looking for? That's a mystery, but one thing is certain, his research is meticulous & peaceful, all done in good harmony with the local population. Nemo is progressing slowly through the seas with a climatic Chill sound scape on deep & muffled Jazzy down tempo , which is mainly kept up by wind instruments. Nemo seems to have finished his day, a likeable one will start tomorrow.

 

6>Slot Machine (Nick Taylor, Sean Candy & Melaine Knight from Australia) - Quick And The Dead (Snake and Thing Dub rmx), the tune is highly eclectic mixing Pink Floyd floating riffs alike for the start, sweet dub linking all along, short nervous, nervous electric riffs (but not heavy) plus some background vocals for the punk touch. So, even if its more experimental side fits well in the compilation, nevertheless i consider this tune aside from the rest of the cd. The result is not enough relaxing, chilling for me & more focused on a weird hybrid style; so it never really managed to catch my brain, will sound better for specialists in crossover styles.

 

 

7>Kiwa (Markku Louhio, Matti Elsinen from Finland) – Inside, let us fly on a mid tempo funky structure, astonishingly integrating some flute part. Only Suomi people seem able to produce (or talented & crazy enough to tempt it) unexpected working & effective combinations like these. Once you're caught by the flow, it plentifully takes you : those who are talking the less about it , are the ones who are listening it the more !

 

8>Highpersonic Whomen (Tommi Sirkiä, Markku Louhio from Finland) – Free Space, deliver a Dub-Jazzy Down tempo tune with some brass gimmicks in the background supported by a broken beat, the whole thing is constantly embellished with somme little sounds such as soft bleeps & kinda maracas imitating little birdies singing. The sound coloration & content are early springtime: fresh & very animated.

 

9>Bluetech (Evan Marc from USA) – Embrace, proposes a more intimist & melancholic atmosphere in morning tones. It's funny, there's a feeling which reminds me some old adventure-action video games music, especially when near the end of the game before the final meeting with your main enemy; you were generally crossing empty & desolated places.

 

10>Zen Lemonade (Gus Till, Super Cozi From Bali) - Island Of Forgotten Dreams, is based on a sweet vibraphone's melody accompanied with ethereal layers. The atmosphere is very sweet & subtle also sensual with some murmur in the background; an incitement to the bliss and/or the mediation.

 

Climaxs: 1,5,7,8,10

Favourites:2,3,4,9

 

A new compilation from Chill Tribe, a new strong selection which is more audacious and experimental on some tracks, with also more chill diversity all along; and once again a new recommendation for Chill Tribe with Ear Pleasure.

[DeathPosture]

V/A – Ear Pleasure

 

 

Cover: front + back

 

Artist: Various

Title: Ear Pleasure

Format: CD (jewel case)

Label: Chill Tribe Records (Norway)

Cat. #: CTRCD03

Distribution: Arabesque

Date: March 2007

 

Track listing:

 

01. 07’32” Robert Leiner – Beginning Of The End

02. 07’34” Blue Planet Corporation – Gengis Khan Reverie

03. 12’08” Kris Kylven & Sub-Sonic – Forgotten Souls

04. 06’59” Cosmosis – The Himalaya

05. 06’03” Digital Mystery Tour - Nemo

06. 06’34” Slot Machine – Quick And The Dead (Snake Thing Dub Remix)

07. 06’59” Kiwa - Inside

08. 06’51” Highpersonic Whomen – Free Space

09. 06’12” Bluetech - Embrace

10. 07’47” Zen Lemonade – Island Of Forgotten Dreams

 

.m3u-playlist: http://tinyurl.com/ys82jz (all tracks!)

 

Review:

 

Floatation device…

 

Norway’s leading downtempo outlet, Chill Tribe Records, is out with its 3rd compilation. As always, the roster of artists boosts a very impressive line-up of well-established and legendary artists… Label boss PKS has scoured the scene once again and has come up with what looks like the third consecutive chill dream-team… Time for another ambient excursion.

 

Let me take you thru the tracks…

 

#01: Robert Leiner – Beginning Of The End

The journey begins with a track by none other than The Source Experience himself. Legendary Swedish producer Robert Leiner has been in the game longer than anyone remembers and several of his compositions have risen to classic status… This track is a trademark piece of Leiner downtempo music with a distinct liquid flow, dreamy percussion and subtle floating pads… Extremely well-produced, but somehow it’s a little too cluttered to be a stand-out track here. It’s wholesome wallpaper though.

 

#02: Blue Planet Corporation – Gengis Khan Reverie

Frenchman Gabriel Masurel has become a Chill Tribe regular with stunning, genre-bending contributions on all three compilations – including this mean little chill-beast. This is stretching the definition of ambient with its murky, psychedelic nature… I really like the acid-bits and the high-pitched drilling FX… Something we don’t get very often in downbeat music, but it totally works wonders here… A lovely piece of electronica!

 

#03: Kris Kylven & Sub-Sonic – Forgotten Souls

On the next track Kris Kylven (UX/Syb Unity Nettwerk) is joined by one of his many alter-egos, namely Syb-Sonic. Scizophrenia? Anyway, this legendary producer has released a ton of fine music in different styles, and here’s another interesting take on downbeat. Drenched in subtle tribal beats and ethno-chants, this is maximal psychedelic downbeat with a digital edge… Really lush, potent stuff here… I can’t wait for the full album coming soon on Chill Tribe. Bring it on!

 

#04: Cosmosis – The Himalaya

And here’s another living legend. None other than Bilbo Bagginz (Bill Halsey) aka. Cosmosis. Bill has a gazillion releases under his belt and he’s one of my all time fav’e UK producers… He is most well-known for his full-on goa/psytrance tracks, but he has also impressed with his lovely, yet scarce chill-out productions… This track here is a gargantuan one – of epic proportions… Dubby and beautifully orchestrated downbeat stuff with a ton of uplifting melodies… Skazi killed my fondness of guitars in electronic music a long time ago, but when a track as beautiful as this turns up, I cannot help by fall in love all over again… The Arab vocals fit perfectly and they are the icing on the cake. Best track thus far.

 

#05: Digital Mystery Tour – Nemo

D.M.T. is the downbeat/ambient moniker for Total Eclipse founding member Stephane Holweck. On previous tracks and on both albums (Digital Mystery Tour/Twisted 2000 + D.M.T. Express/Sofa Beats 2005) Holweck was joined by several other musicians, but this track he made on his own. What we get here is the fastest tune thus far – upbeat electronica with lots of analogue synths and digital percussion. A nifty little tune that would mix perfectly with Jaydee’s timeless classic Plastic Dreams… Nice without being overly fantastic.

 

#06: Slot Machine – Quick And The Dead (Snake Thing Dub Remix)

Time for a little surprise. Slot Machine from Australia has some pretty prominent members, including old-schoolers Sean Candy (A.B. Didgeridoo Oblivion) and Nick Taylor (Snake Thing, Taiyo, Prana, Blissed). And now they’re releasing eclectic indie-electronic crossover stuff. Who would have thought? Anyway, what we get here is hybrid stuff fusing dub, trance and indie rock + emo punk… The result is a very unique, albeit odd cocktail of music… And no matter how interesting it might be, I fail to see its relevance on this compilation. At least right here in the middle. Sure it has some interesting moments, but it clashes too much with the rest of the tracks.

 

#07: Kiwa – Inside

Kiwa is one of the few non-Suomisoundi sounding acts from Finland. I’ve always liked Markku Louhio and Matti Elsinen’s versatile take on progressive trance… They always manage to incorporate surprising twists and turns, and this track is no exception… We’ve moved away from chill now, and we’re somewhere in between progressive trance, Japanese pop and future jazz… Totally freestyle, but with enough bite to keep me interested… A sweet piece of hybrid trance that should suit most open-minded listeners.

 

#08: Highpersonic Whomen – Free Space

The next act is also from Finland – and Markku Louhio from the above-mentioned Kiwa recently joined the Highpersonic Whomen project together with founder Tommi Sirkiä (Haltya). On this track we stay in the progressive trance lane – though with a massive twist… This is deep and pounding dub with various trancy elements + breakz + the odd instrument thrown in here and there for good measure… Sauna drum and bass really. Pretty nice.

 

#09: Bluetech – Embrace

US-based producer Evan Marc has always been the master of melancholy, icy ambient – and I don’t think anyone is ever in doubt when they listen to a Bluetech tune… The bittersweet, emotional melancholia has fast become Evan’s trademark… I’ve often been torn between utter boredom and utter ecstasy when reviewing Bluetech’s music – some of his stuff is excellent and some of his stuff is too pale for my taste. This track is somewhere in the middle. I like the melodies here, but there’s also a certain sense of blandness here that I cannot seem to get past. A decent track.

 

#10: Zen Lemonade – Island Of Forgotten Dreams

To finish things off, PKS has dusted off Gus Till and Super Cozi (Yukimi Yonezawa) aka. Zen Lemonade. Everything I’ve heard from this couple has been ace, and this ambient tune is pretty lush too… It’s the last track, so things have come to a halt and what we get here is dreamy, floating, beatless ambient…Deeply atmospheric and smile-inducing… The sampled children-sounds are a fun addition and generally I like this tune. Squeeze your karma!

 

Yup, Chill Tribe Records did it again and released a really lovely compilation. It doesn’t quite reach the awesomeness-level of Quality Relaxation or Relaxed Journeys, but it still has a handful of really excellent tracks… I’m pretty old-school, so the general flow in a compilation is important to me – and I think the flow is off here… I’d much rather start with the chilled tracks and then raise the tempo – instead of this CD which peaks in the middle. But since it’s not a mix, I guess I can’t really complain.

 

Once again I’m impressed by the work that PKS has put into this. Not only has he (once again) managed to scour the scene and has handpicked another batch of legendary artists, but he has also made a very informative booklet. The lovely artwork by Are Marmelade is in the usual high-quality Chill Tribe style. All in all a pretty nice compilation. Not the best from Chill Tribe, but lovely nonetheless. Recommended to both veteran chillers and crossover pioneers. Enjoy.

 

Favourites: 2(!), 3, 4(!!), 7, 10

 

DeathPosture

 

External links:

Chill Tribe Records: http://www.chilltriberecords.com

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/release/838797

Saiko Sounds: http://tinyurl.com/2hq4xr

Beatspace: http://tinyurl.com/2zm9ts

Psyshop: http://tinyurl.com/2fu3tt

Juno: http://tinyurl.com/23hkjf

[PKS]

Thanks for the good writing as usual Martin!!!

 

Much appreciated!!!

[seraph]

Uh, the tracklisting and artist list looks great ! I am looking forward to this...

 

Blue Planet, Cosmosis, Robert Leiner, Kris Kylven, Digital Mystrery Tour, Zen Lemonade....all amazing producers, here making ambient... yummy.

[SeaFeel]

Great lineup, good cover, nice tunes...generally is verry good release!

I like the sound from Chilltribe...

My rating 8/10

[abasio]

Various Artists

Ear Pleasure

Chill Tribe Records

2007

 

Tracklist

 

1. Robert Leiner - Beginning Of The End (7:32)

2. Blue Planet Corporation - Gengis Khan's Reverie (7:34)

3. Kris Kylven & Syb-Sonic - Forgotten Souls (12:08)

4. Cosmosis - The Himalaya (6:59)

5. Digital Mystery Tour - Nemo (6:03)

6. Slot Machine - Quick And The Dead (Snake Thing Dub Remix) (6:34)

7. Kiwa - Inside (6:59)

8. Highpersonic Whomen - Free Space (6:51)

9. Bluetech - Embrace (6:12)

10. Zen Lemonade - Island Of Forgotten Dreams (7:47)

 

Chill Tribe Records, the Oslo based ambient/chill label headed up by PKS! This is the 3rd compilation compiled by PKS & like Quality Relaxation & Relaxed Journeys the tracklist oozes class. With artists like Blue Planet Corporation, Cosmosis, Digital Mystery Tour, Kiwa, Bluetech & Zen Lemonade, it's hard not to get excited. But how does the music compare to the excitement experienced while waiting for it?

 

1. Robert Leiner - Beginning Of The End

We start the compilation with a nice patient track. It takes two & a half minutes for the melody to materlialise but when it does it's a nice relaxed one not trying to do too much. The beats start off a little uneven but straightens out as the melody floats around it. Not a spectacular track by any stretch of the imagination but a nice pleasant relaxed feeling flows through it. The best part is the wet sounding drums that have a nice mat sound.

 

2. Blue Planet Corporation - Gengis Khan's Reverie

Blue Planet Corporation, a name that has gone down in the annals of psychedelic history (at least in my mind) back with another chilled out track filled with nice dubby textures, spacey ambience & weird Mongolian samples. The sitar (not played very musically) adds an ass backwards, middle of nowhere eastern feel to the music & really sets this track up as a glitchy dubby experimental rather than musical ambient track. It's decent enough but lacks the journey element I expected from both the artist & the track title.

 

3. Kris Kylven & Syb-Sonic - Forgotten Souls

A nice long ambient intro manages to build an atmosphere reminiscent of a jungle cruise. When the beats come in they are slow tribal beats & adds to the atmosphere of sailing down a river in the deep dark jungles of Peru not knowing what might be lying in wait on the banks or under the boat. The best track thus far on the album & when the vocals come in, adding to the atmosphere being built magnificently I really feel we're onto a winner here. The melody that follows isn't so fitting with the mood of the piece but is pleasant & doesn't distract anything either. At 12 minutes long it has time to weave a story & we are left with a very nice journey track.

 

4. Cosmosis - The Himalaya

One of the most well known names in the scene, Cosmosis has made that name with music that started getting way out ideas but also music that you could listen to and enjoy many times over. Layers of psychedelic sounds & always with a nice melody to top it off. This track is the best track I've heard from Billy recently. It does exactly what it says of the tin with a really backwater mountain settlement feel. The vocals might be called cheesy by some, ethnic sounding chanting breaking into cries of psychedelico does verge on cheesiness but just manages to stay on the happy side of the line. Nice stuff.

 

5. Digital Mystery Tour - Nemo

Getting a bit harder now as DMT add a bigger kick to their music. The music underneath the kick is really impressive. Nice little melodic sounds, funky synths & some drones that move almost melodically. It takes a bit of work to focus on that though as the kick does tend to dominate a little bit too much

 

6. Slot Machine - Quick And The Dead (Snake Thing Dub Remix)

This is a very funky track that seems heavily rock influenced. Now, usually when I hear a rock influenced electronic track or an electronic remix of a rock track it just sounds really bad. This however manages to use the rock elements in an electronic structure so that it ends up sounding fresh & new instead of hackneyed imitation shite. The guitars fit, the beat seems right & the whole feel of it works for me.

 

7. Kiwa - Inside

Another funky track here, this time in a break beat guise. It starts off quite boring & I think the quality level has slipped somewhat but the groove comes in after a minute or so & the bassline really really works when it drops down in tone. The flute melody is interestingly used, verging on quirky but pleasant & musical enough to stand up on repeat listens. Nice stuff after the first minute.

 

8. Highpersonic Whomen - Free Space

Another strong beat follows a spoken sample you can make out if you really focus or not if you don't. Groovy jazzy elements make it sound quite loungey but the pace of the track is halfway between downbeat & progressive trance giving it more of a dirty dancefloor feel. I can picture the sexy people grinding away to this. Not a particular stand up but it's nice & varied from the rest of the tracks.

 

9. Bluetech - Embrace

Bluetech (Evan Bartholomew) has been carving out a name for himself with his own brand of cold yet emotional music. Deep melodic music with a melancholic touch. This track is pure bluetech. The melody paints an image of bright shining blue in my mind, the beats fit around it perfectly. I'm looking forward to a new Bluetech album & recently I've been enjoying Evan's more ambient releases.

While being unmistakably Bluetech, this track similar yet different from the music he has delivered us before. If I was to compare I'd say it sounds more like his Sines & Singularities album than anything else.

 

10. Zen Lemonade - Island of Forgotten Dreams

We finish up with Gus Till & Super Cozi dealing us a dose of chilled out summer goodness from the beaches of Bali. A really warm track with the gentle sound of lapping waves coming in at times. A light melody and half heard voices give this an edge of evening. imagine sitting on the beach on Bali Island, watching the sunset. Around you there is no one else but a short distance away there are other sun worshipers taking in the scene as you are. A lovely way to round off the day.

 

 

In conclusion then, PKS has proved again that he really has an ear for picking out some of the best music the psy chill scene has to offer and that he knows how to compile an interesting, varied compilation that manages to flow pretty well. It doesn't quite reach the heady heights of Quality Relaxation but it's a CD that should be in your collection if you like well produced, varied, often freestyle chill with a touch of world for as the compilation progresses I get a feel from many of the tracks that they are set in different parts of th e globe. It's a nice feeling binding the tracks together into an album rather than just a collection of tracks.

[psytones]

Chill tribe Records came as a surprise to the relaxed trippers in 2005 when they/he (PKS) released the very first CTR release. People got their eyes and ears open to his compiling skills and had wet dreams about the artists being involved. This is the third release in his pleasurable VA series and this time he topped himself with names known from the earlier Goa-Trance days and other acts that had managed to build a steady reputation as serious trippers with musical skills worthy of the respect they gained. Here we are about to dive inside a new chapter of Chilladelic sounds from all over the globe with mature beats to woggle your cradle and creative sounds to tickle your aural organ.

 

V/A - Ear Pleasure (Chill Tribe Records) 2007 (CTRCD03)

 

 

01 Robert Leiner - Beginning Of The End 7:32

02 Blue Planet Corporation - Gengis Khan's Reverie 7:34

03 Kris Kylven & Syb-Sonic - Forgotten Souls 12:08

04 Cosmosis - The Himalaya 6:59

05 Digital Mystery Tour - Nemo 6:03

06 Slot Machine - Quick And The Dead (Snake Thing Dub Remix) 6:34

07 Kiwa - Inside 6:59

08 Highpersonic Whomen - Free Space 6:51

09 Bluetech - Embrace 6:12

10 Zen Lemonade - Island Of Forgotten Dreams 7:47

 

Some track by track words:

 

01. From silence sneaks a musical piece with sounds crumbling up your ear passage to inner drum of reflection in dedication. The beats quietly build around static frequencies with background sounds and voices to be raised into delightful elements of pleasurable sounds and subsonic echo of a dubby bass with strange summer breeze.

 

02. Playful sounds blimps while strings of comfort and expectations jumps in the lap of a leftfielders tune where the build strongly and firmly gets toward a dub realm of escalating sounds and humming shamans with sitars and squinty effects . The vibe and feel is as strange as one can expect from experimental ChillOut delivered by a set of acoustic audio freaks with chillums.

 

03. Ambience of space revived by dreamcatchers sets the mood with mountain callings of the Great Spirit playing didgeridoo. The setting is nature filled with a lot of nice details (like all of the tracks represented in this VA). As the bassline kicks in I get a feeling of masters at work, its bleep dives deliciously inside my ears and the visions are getting fat while tribal elements surrounds my being of light and comfort. What a beautiful melody, the universal travels in this one is mighty and euphoric with chanting voices raising the spiritual level. Beautiful work like this leaves me feeling blissful and competent yet eager to reach even higher levels of consciousness because this is inspirational and divine for you and me to be and see hidden worlds of forgotten magic.

 

04. Swaying wind from the Himalayan peaks caresses a void as the deep dubass with chanting prayers fills the air with their blessing of love to be and feel. A beautiful blues guitar joins the play with melodic strings to stroke your chakras from where Gods rest and watch while feeling sort of amused and pleasant by our humanitarian sanity. I’m very much a fan and an appreciator of Cosmosis’ work of delightful layers and acid lines that sets a perfect trance to your meditational aspect. This track is beautiful in all its vision and belief, but I have some problems connecting to the crying man chanting his beautiful love and devotion.

 

05. Feelings are getting more wired, the elevator to stars and cosmic relations gets a massive dance boom of tribal filled gardens and volcanic depth. The melody is lurking and strangeness as the track evolves with space and drum. The feel and vibe isn’t exactly what I crave but it works well enough. This is defiantly music for the Serengeti with mystical creatures roaming around like festive jumpers of time.

 

06. Funks the word, dub’s the bass and levitation is the effect. A beautiful layer with heightened blues play gets a powerful addition from a woman’s voice that seems to truly raise the level in dedicated musicality. This is for me one of the highlights as this funk is groovy and heavy like slick slot machines ready to dingding’sing you into vivid colours of emotional delight. These feelings for me are bliss, and defiantly not piss.

 

07. Strong techno dub for the groovy ones, creative effects for the drowsy clowns. It’s a pleasure to ear the strong and immense tracks by people with musical gifts. Quality is evident as the (again) blues guitar with crunchy sounds and funky melodies strikes your headspace of a creative race. The flute touch is truly pleasant and swings the hoolahoops into a rotating fresco without the waterbus fundamentalism.

 

08. There is no free space and we are all waiting for some sort of contact. Funky groove is still strongly present as PKS, the compiler and record label boss has been building the mood and setting us up for an upraised chillization dancing behind staggering beats and dubby civilizational distress. For me this is quality music straight through, but I got some problems really enjoying its vibe because of personal taste and feel of groove.

 

09. Abstract journeys of selfish liberation, beautiful tingling strings swing their emotional tears around a wide open eye of non-judgementalism. Or so it can seem. Bluetech is a talented soul with his own divine dub of soft play and technological landscapes. One can argue that if you’ve heard one Bluetech tune you’ve sort of heard them all, and this is defiantly no exception. I embrace the blips and beeps coming out of Bluetech’s imagination and emotional being, though I’m sure I’ve heard this beautiful track many many times before with minor variations. Still, it’s good Bluetech sounds that I think we all love and adore to some degree of agreement.

 

10. A baby is born into a world of hope and endless possibilities, we all hold the key to realize that heaven is here, right now – never far away. There is no reason to not smile when the sun hits your face and there is no reason to not giggle when water splashes on to your body. There is so much beauty in this world of ours, all of us, animals and plants, humans and rocks. Our compassion, our gift to love and care for each other is something to remember and practice, and there is hope in a smile and knowledge in a beautiful aliening eye. Care for your mother like a mother cares for her child. Care for a child like a mother cares for you, deep inside. Heaven in your thoughts, divinity in your hopes – When will we all realize that we are already here, surrounded by bliss of our mother Gaia’s warm and safe womb. I would like to remind us all; don't pick the scabs or you will never heal.

 

 

Recommendations: Dub is the word with experimental and psychedelic atmospheres for ants to crawl and giants to listen and create. Some of the tracks sort of seems to have been built around a theme and doesn’t really lead anywhere except to a pleasure of receiving sonic vibrations to the ear and beyond. I have owned this release since it was released in 2007 (It’s now end of 2009) and it took me time and growth to truly appreciate and understand the music presented inside Chill Tribe Records Ear Pleasure. I knew when I first got and listened to this VA that I was in possession of something utterly creative, psychedelic and funky. I respected and liked some of the contributions on it, but I for some reason couldn’t manage to really flow with it as the vibe is and was sort of experimental and dubby, sort of strange I think.

 

I see now clearer then before that this is music made by highly creative musicians with years of musical experience and that it is compiled by a person who has a lot of inner respect and love for what he transmits out to the listeners. Unfortunately I’ve never had the opportunity to hear a DJ-set by PKS, but as I’ve said before in a previous review of one of his releases, I would trust my trip-experience in his magic any day or night. I am extremely happy to own this release and it’s a proud feeling to see so many great and respected names on the track list. Only thing missing in my book is an Altitudes track (Which was presented on both previous VA’s), and a Norwegian contribution..

 

As always the VA's released by Chill Tribe Records is with a booklet filled with goodies like words about the artists and pictures of their beings. The artwork by Marmelade is beautiful and thought lingering as usual and PKS' skills in giving you a ride through sonic visions and beautiful revisions is as masterful as one could hope for. And it’s worth a mention that the mastering is done by Tim Schults and Detlev Funder @ 4CN Studios, Germany.

 

I guess I would like to sum this review up with a couple of key words: Sophisticated in dub, experimentalism in groove, funk and trip factor in jazzy atmospheres. It’s ChillOut for mature listeners wanting something else then light and easy accessible down-tempo music with trance flow.

 

Favorite Tracks: 1(!), 2, 3(!!), 4, 5, 6(!!), 7(!), 8, 9(!), 10(!!)

 

 

Where to buy and other links:

CTR-home: http://chilltriberecords.com

CTR-Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/label/Chill+Tribe+Records

CTR-MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chilltriberecords

Psyshop.com: http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/ctr/ctr1cd003.html

Saikosounds: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=6393

Play.com: http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/3356804/Ear-Pleasure/Product.html

Beatspace: http://beatspace.com/dettagli/dettaglio.asp?id=3332

Juno.co.uk: http://beatspace.com/dettagli/dettaglio.asp?id=3332

More relaxed reviews: http://www.myspace.com/psytonesmusic