Solar Fields - Earthshine

[NEMO.BOFH]

Artist: Solar Fields

Album: Earthshine

Label: Ultimae Records

Catalog Nr: INR1CD026

 

Tracks:

 

1. Solar Fields - Summer (8:29)

2. Solar Fields - Kick Back (8:51)

3. Solar Fields - Black Arrow (10:00)

4. Solar Fields - Brainbow (11:20)

5. Solar Fields - Spectral Nation (12:00)

6. Solar Fields - Adjustment (9:47)

7. Solar Fields - February (9:40)

8. Solar Fields - Cruise (9:05)

 

This is the fifth album from Solar Fields, but this in not your usual Solar Fields album, this is TRANCE! I am not going to go into depth about the track, but rather talk about my feelings about this fine piece of work.

 

Being a fan of Solar Fields, I did not know what to expect, and I rarely listen to samples, cause they dont really tell you whats going on. I did for this album, and I was pretty disappointed to be honest. Not the first time around, but the second and third. Thank god for that, cause it made my more interested in what the final work would sound like. So what about the album?! Well at a first listen, I was at home, and just skimmed through, and it was OK, but then I decided to go out for a walk, give the album some time and listen to it while having my thoughts on the music, rather than sitting here discussing on the forum (haha).

 

For the psychedelic lover, this is NOTHING, dont even BOTHER if you dont like normal trance or progressive. IF you are into the latter though, you will be into this album. It is VERY atmospheric, very deep and very melodic! Has some acid as well! I came to the third track (Black Arrow) track, while walking and I had to stop and sit down, cause otherwise I would have danced RIGHT THERE on the street. The tracks are rather long, varying from eight and a half minutes to 12 minutes (the longest track). This give time for progression, and this is what this albums is ALL ABOUT. Its about constant changes, progression, melodies and sounscapes that suck you in like the black hole.

 

Track number five (Spectral Nation) it gets a bit rougher, and you can feel that the course is Changing a bit, and it makes you think about what is to come. Of course, track six (Adjustment) is again very much the upper tempo and driving, just as touched on in track number five (Spectral Nation), but this time a bit more atmosphere. So what started out to be more regular trance transforms into really good scando progg, but still keeps the Atmosphere of the previous tracks! As last track (Cruise) its more trancey again, more atmosphere than the previous 2 tracks, but dont think that it does not have drive!

 

I love each and every track on this album, its a true masterpiece, and should be rated as 10/10 from me. If it was 1993, this album would have been released on Eye-Q or MFS, that is how much quality this album has!

 

Now, go and get this one and enjoy the same trip as I just experienced!

[pawelek]

Ill be short in words. Dissapointing album...

[Jon Cocco]

Samples:

 

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=6978

 

http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/inr/inr1cd026.html

 

 

Psyshop says this is ambient. It isn't. I'd categorize this as Trance but even that isn't entirely accurate. It's more trance than ambient.

 

So far I like what I hear and will probably order this soon after my Goasia and Xenomorph 3 arrives.

[pr0fane]

How can anyone think this isn't trance?!? For me it's pretty much the definition of trance music in its purest form.

 

This is very nostalgic music for me, as it takes me right back to the glory days of Scandinavian morning trance, with acts like S>Range, Human Blue, 12 Moons and Matenda, and even the faster tracks work really well. Timeless, emotional music where you just grab on to a sound, close your eyes and float away...

 

It can be bought at Beatport.com by the way...

[NEMO.BOFH]

It does not Matter how I obtained this full version of the Album, and I didnt review the samples nor did I download it from some p2p source. Please get back to reviewing or PM me if you have questions. (I dont see the point of spamming this thread with questions regarding how or when I got this release). Can some mod please set the irrelevant posts invisible?

[healium]

Tsk tsk tsk Jon Cocco!

 

You've been reprimanded before for reviewing albums from samples, not by me, but by someone far grumpier - you may be in very big trouble this time... I hope for your sake the grumpy forum member doesn't get wind of this..

 

Let us all pray for Jon Cocco, that he not get punished too badly over this...

[Melancholyman]

Track 1 is a very nice intro track I low the slow bpm and atmospheres in it, track 2 is simply amazing! The melody that goes in background and is brought forward towards the end of the track makes me want to levitate..hehe Those are the only 2 tracks I've really dug into yet so can't say anything about the rest. But it's original for sure, and can't really say what genre this is, but it's good!

[Sawfly]

But it's original for sure, and can't really say what genre this is, but it's good!

Who cares it's fucking great :posford:

 

And yeah this kinda took me by surprise, I thought this would be rather average release for some reason, you know, I'll listen to this for a while but it'll never top his downtempo and ambient works but the weird part is that this is even better than those. From the few listens since yesterday it sounds like a solid 9/10 from me

[NEMO.BOFH]

Tsk tsk tsk Jon Cocco!

 

You've been reprimanded before for reviewing albums from samples, not by me, but by someone far grumpier - you may be in very big trouble this time... I hope for your sake the grumpy forum member doesn't get wind of this..

 

Let us all pray for Jon Cocco, that he not get punished too badly over this...

this has gotten NOTHING to do with grumpyness. This has to do with that you can simply not make a review of samples on the idderdebb. Its not fair to the artist, and its not fair to the people READING it, as it would give only HALF of the picture, maybe even less.

[Jon Cocco]

Kind people, my purpose was to post samples. I did not see them above. After reading a good music review I often want to hear the album right away. I look below for samples. I like Solar Fields and this new style came off as a refreshing style and surprise to me; I decided to add few words of excitment based on the samples. To say what sounds cool to the listener (the style/tracks, in short) doesn't mean he/she is reviewing samples. That wasn't my intent. I even shortened my post after initially quoting PSYSHOP to associate it to the respectful review section. Let's cut the chat. And the unnecessary posts. The PURPOSE was to ADD SAMPLES for all of you. My intent was compromised by my inability to be direct and to the point. I apologize for my weakness. I'm working on it.

 

I've just added the Saikosounds samples above. See below for short cut.

 

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=6978

 

 

There should be no reply to this.

[FrozenRealm]

*kick*!

 

Nemo, I totally agree with your impressions, except for the fact I was already impressed while listening it for the first time!

for me this sounds like one of the better (psy?)trance albums this year! really well made, allround and trancey like hell! I like it a lot especially the 5th track gave me goosebumps the first time around haha!

[Apai_Mau]

Great album. Love it

[amphiton]

After the first listen I got associations with Human Blue. Not that Magnus tries to be or copies Dag. Will give a few listens more.

 

...but imagine Solar Fields and Human Blue collaboration, wouldn't it be awesome?

[pawelek]

No, it woldn't be.

[amphiton]

No, it woldn't be.

Why?

[abasio]

Why?

Because he doesn't like solar fields. He said this was a disappointing album in his earlier post.

[amphiton]

Because he doesn't like solar fields. He said this was a disappointing album in his earlier post.

I know

 

I was trying to say that if he doesn't like this album that doesn't mean their collab would be bad.

[psygnus]

This album is really special for me.

Been waiting to listen to the whole first track since sonica 2006, when Magnus had played it in his live set.

So i clicked on the play button and let my self go back in to the 2006 Summer

Totally blown away!!!

This is the definition of a trance party track!Couldn't keep my self on my chair so i stood up and started raving!

And then came a Kick from the Back!!!Oh my god this man is crazy!...Still raving (amazing acid line and groove)

Then another hit from a Black Arrow comming from the '90s!I mean this is progression!

Brainbow, Spectral Nation & Adjustment : If you' ve listened to Solar Fields' ambient albums then you'll probably see that these tracks are like the opposite of what [Extended] was supposed to be. Instead of streching out tempo, he pushes ambience to a beating-grooving direction.Totally new stuff.

Months passed and we are on February. Nice time for psytrance! No words to describe this one...

Last but not least a beautifull morning Cruise to end this soul exploration. You may chill out after this one....

 

[9/10]

 

Peace.

[abasio]

Solar Fields

EarthShine

Ultimae

Nov 2007

 

Tracklist

 

1 Summer (8:31)

2 Kick Back (8:53)

3 Black Arrow (10:02)

4 Brainbow (11:22)

5 Spectral Nation (12:02)

6 Adjustment (9:49)

7 February (9:42)

8 Cruise (9:05)

 

2 years ago Solar Fields aka Magnus Birgersson released 2 albums at the same time Leaving Home and Extended & both albums in my ears were as close to perfect as I have ever heard since the heady days when I first discovered Goatrance with Project II Trance & my first experiences into ambient music with The Infinity Project - Mystical Experiences. So to recreate the same kind of awe as I felt when I first got into the scene was impressive. Those were ambient & almost beatless ambient. I compared them with mystical experiences & they held up well. So when I heard that Solar Fields would release an upbeat album I was amazed & I suddenly started thinking it could make me feel like those original goatrance days did. I know Magnus has the skills but will this style be as impressive as his ambient?

Well, lets take a look...

 

1. Summer

We start off with the transition from Leaving Home to EarthShine with an ambient intro leading into a slower than the rest 120BPM. The intro is promising with lush drippy sounds on bamboo & Himalayan sounding cords. When the synths lead into a tribal rhythm before the beats you can feel a sense of potential & when the beat finally kicks in on 3 minutes it's a nice steady beat, not too prominent that it dominates the whole track but obviously not subtle. This beat fits in well with Solar Fields style of spacey ambience & gives it a boost. This the kind of track I wish all progressive psy could be like. It has soul, depth & a lot of interesting sounds & melody too. The basslines are very subtle but make this, although slow, a track you could easily dance to. The melody progresses slightly but noticeably & it's just a shame it has to end.

 

2. Kick Back

Straight in with the beat & straight in with little melodic runs which sound, I have to say, magical. Some of the best melody I've heard in ages & the fact that each time it comes in it's so short & then goes, it feels like I'm being teased. I sit here waiting for it to come in next. I'm so busy waiting that I miss, the synths starting but when I finally hear them & the bassline I am once again in awe. This is really how psy at this pace should sound. Beautifully spacey with a lot of space for the sounds to breath. The steady 4-4 is not oppressive which is such a relief as I was worried that a too heavy kick would be the downfall of this album but Magnus in my eyes is a genius when it comes to music & he's produced a bloody brilliant track here. When the melody morphs into a what reminds me of an old school trance (not psy) classic but yet not, I feel a sense of nostalgia while being so happy with the state of modern music. The atmosphere created in the final run sees this track move so incredibly deep I almost weep with joy. This, without a doubt must be one of the best tracks released this year, in any genre.

 

3. Black Arrow

Atmospheric again with spacey whooshing sounds and another beat, which is a bit faster again at 138BPM. Again though, the kick is not oppressive and doesn't take over the track. Rather the beat works with the rest of the music to give it energy. By this point all my fears that the pace would kill Solar Fields' music have been killed & I'm really now enjoying this piece of up beat ambient. That is the only way I can think to describe this. Take away the beat & you'd probably have a really good ambient track but amazingly the beat added just manages to create an atmosphere of racing through hyperspace as mathematical equations rush by you at light speed. About 5 and a half minutes in the kick becomes a little stronger & threatens to take over but some nice tribal sub beats lie nicely & as the bassline becomes more involved the kick fades back to what it was before & we are treated to an oscillating sound like a mind being teleported through the ether to an alien world far away with a massive sound system & a festival of epic proportions where they are playing this & every race in the galaxy that is beautiful enough to have discovered music has gathered to enjoy this cacophony of joyous sound. Right at the end, there are again some old school trance influences in the final synth line. Very Very Nice.

 

4. Brainbow

The intro has little short stabs of acid bombarding the now crippled defenses of my cynicism. I have to admit that now I am in love with this music & want to have it's babies. As the beat kicks in I feel a small drop in my appreciation but when that melody comes in I just want to fall to the floor in joy. It's difficult to describe just how this melody sounds but it feels like it is covering me. All around me is a beautiful fog of music representing this music. It hums & chimes & rings & echoes through the smoke rings of my inner being & far out into the ether of the universe. When it leaves I feel the darkness with the light acid sounds lighting up the black sky. The melody creeps back in however with the re:emergence of the beat I had not noticed for the last few minutes. The times with the melody are almost orgasmic & those times when it's not there leave you waiting for it, wanting it, desiring it to enter your mind again & bring you the light & the colour that has been missing from your life.

Am I getting across just how good this melody is? It is a pretty simple melody but damn it's infectious & if it was a woman I think I would already have proposed. The bassline in the final part of the track is a nice driving one & fits round the melody while the spacey goodness of all the other sounds just blow my mind deep into the wondrous hyperspace of music created by Solar Fields. Mind Blowing!!

 

5. Spectral Nation

We are greeted right from the start by a beautiful melody that sounds like it's coming out of an Asian mist. Think like you are sat in the early morning in China, your porch overlooks a lake & the dawn mist is creeping up off the lake into your house. When the beat kicks in, it's a fast beat but manages not to spoil the atmosphere created. Instead it just seems to make the house disappear, to become lost in the smoke. The beat & the bassline intertwine perfectly with the misty ambience of the rest of the music. The only other thing to say about this is that at over twelve minutes there was the possibility of this track becoming boring, but even though the atmosphere & the sounds stay the same. The track manages to stay interesting throughout. Very surreal music for dreaming on rainy days. The melodious sounds to end just feel like my brainwaves are being sent into the outer reaches of space by listening to this.

 

6. Adjustment

Right into a steady kicking beat again with ethereal sounds floating hither & thither. The spacey feeling that has permeated this whole album so far seems to be reaching a pinnacle. I've talked about journeys through hyperspace before but this track seems to be just that. Imagine if you would, the light created by a star wars' craft making that jump into hyperspace & you get the feeling of the ambient noise surrounding this track. Add to that the kick of the drum & you get the speeding feeling as the sounds rush by you.

Of all the album so far this probably my least favourite track as the kick is allowed somewhat to take over. It's a bit too prominent & therefore detracts from my enjoyment a little bit. It doesn't completely oppress the music though & I can appreciate the rest of the music but I just with the beat was a little more refined than it is. Nice little sub beats permeate towards the end but after a while they too are drowned out by the kick drum.

 

7. February

A bass driven opening with another ultra trippy spacey sound oscillating through it. The hints at melody in the beginning plus the sudden bursts of volume seem at first a little strange but they really manage to build suspense. The beats were already there but they still manage to kick (back) in after a few minutes, like you are noticing them for the first time. The clear crisp sound of the beats & the ambient synths the whoosh through the background & the faster synths that create a melody in the mid section are top notch as are the forest fairy tale sounds that make up the ending. Still I can't help feeling that this track is lacking something to give it that feeling of brilliance experienced earlier in the album. It's a good track but just not up to the standards set earlier in this album. Close but no cigar!

 

8. Cruise

A sublime ambient drone with a touch of melody in the background makes me feel everytime like this is going to be an ambient outro but as the beats trip in, that feeling drips away & is finally broken when the heavy bass stabs in & the beat, which now seems to have the foot eased off the pedal kicks in. The sound is back to the best heard on the album with the old school trance influences again. The synth build ups & the rave like break down putting me in the mood for some huge outdoor party 12 years ago but the melody rooting me right into 2007. Imagine a melodious rave track minus the cheesy cartoon sample plus modern production & you have this cruise. Bloody brilliant it is, the build ups are actually tense while being relaxing. Like waiting for something you really want while experiencing the next best thing. Sitting on a bean back waiting for someone to pass you the joint type stuff. This manages to sneak in the energy. You wait for a drop & suddenly it has just gone nuts without you realising it. A nice ending.

 

 

Well, this is some damn good trance right here. Magnus Birgersson has managed to fuse his wonderful ambient sound with a trancey beat. He has also managed to make the beat not take over the tracks so you can still appreciate the music that goes along with it. All the sounds, the beat, the bass, the melody, the synths all seem to fit nicely. Only 2 tracks, adjustment & february are disappointing but when I say disappointing it is only in relation to this album. Both are very good tracks standing alone but they just don't reach the heady heights of the other 6 beauties on display here.

 

So while not a perfect album & not coming quite as close to perfect as his two releases in 2005, this is a damn good album & one of my favourite up beat albums in 2007

[Trance2MoveU]

Great review Abasio as usual. I was as excited as anybody when this album was announced. This is most assuredly trance but here is my experience. The first 4 songs were awesome and I knew this was getting added to my playlist. But the 2nd half of the album lost me. The tracks were insanely long and I didn't feel there was enough variation to keep me interested. It was just a progressive beat and no melody change for 5-6 minutes at a time. I kept saying, well the next one will be better. But it wasn't. For me this was a perfect example of a CD that blows you away right out of the gate, but then loses steam from the middle on.

 

I will give it some repeated listens to make sure my ears weren't extra waxy of course, as I really want to love this album.

 

Mdk

[abasio]

Great review Abasio as usual. I was as excited as anybody when this album was announced. This is most assuredly trance but here is my experience. The first 4 songs were awesome and I knew this was getting added to my playlist. But the 2nd half of the album lost me. The tracks were insanely long and I didn't feel there was enough variation to keep me interested. It was just a progressive beat and no melody change for 5-6 minutes at a time. I kept saying, well the next one will be better. But it wasn't. For me this was a perfect example of a CD that blows you away right out of the gate, but then loses steam from the middle on.

 

I will give it some repeated listens to make sure my ears weren't extra waxy of course, as I really want to love this album.

 

Mdk

at first I felt that way after just the 1st 2 tracks but then the next three unfolded gloriously, I'm still not blown away by tracks 6 & 7 as they don't quite have the same brilliance as the 1st 5 tracks but the last track is a treat

This one did take a bit of effort to understand like most ultimae releases

[Ban jhankri]

the first track is amazing :posford:

[Sawfly]

The album of the year for me no doubt, I'll update my score to 9.5/10

[Pandemonium]

Beutiful music and artwork as usual from Ultimae. My only complaint would be that this time there isnt a book insert inside like there usually is

[abasio]

Beutiful music and artwork as usual from Ultimae. My only complaint would be that this time there isnt a book insert inside like there usually is

There was none in Oxycanta : Winter Blooms either, but I was not too upset, the music on both CDs is top drawer stuff