“Utsura-Utsura” is a japanese expression indicating the ‘fluctuation between alert wakefulness and a state of half-sleep’. Or at least: I was told that it means something like that…can anyone confirm this? True or not, this is exactly what this hour-long mix is about: between being awake and half asleep. Sigur Rós, Arve Henriksen and Helios may be your grip to reality in this somewhat abstract, sometimes hallucinatory sound. --- originally published on Ambientblog ---

Utsura – Utsura (mix)

A series of (more or less) cinematic mixes/collages published on Ambientblog.net. Non-stop layered immersion created from fragments and samples of ambient/electronic/experimental (and related) music.

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My 2-hour contribution to the fifth edition of the 8-hour Winter Solstice broadcast on Concertzender Nederland.



For this fifth Winter Solstice mix, I chose fragments (most of them heavily edited) that are all more or less in the same key. In the first hour all tracks are in B-minor, in the second hour the tracks are in F-minor (first half) and A-minor (closing half). These chords define the overall atmosphere: from 'solitary, melancholic' to 'obscure, funereal', and finally 'tender, soothing'. At least, that's what the theory says. In the end, it's the listener that associates his emotions with the soundscapes. But one thing is clear: these two hours definitely fit the darkest and longest of nights.



For a detailed tracklisting and more info (including a surround version), visit: https://www.ambientblog.net/blog/?p=30221

Winter Solstice 5

Could this be ‘the saddest mix of all time’? I don’t think so myself, I would rather call it melancholic – in a pleasant way. But it’s a fact that all of these tracks are in D minor (Dm), which is said to be ‘the saddest chord’:“The D minor chord (often written as Dm) is a chord that evokes a sense of melancholy and contemplation on the negative side of situations. Like many other minor chords, Dm can create a heavy, serious atmosphere — and sometimes even creates an almost otherworldly sense of drama.”



For a detailed tracklisting and more info (including a surround version), visit: https://www.ambientblog.net/blog/?p=28862

In Praise of the Saddest Chord

This is my contribution to the fourth ambient night on Concertzender Nederland, which is traditionally scheduled on or around midwinter solstice. It was broadcast from 5:00-7:00 AM on December 25,  and closed the 8-hour night.



As in all of my (Ambientblog) mixes, Winter Solstice 4 is a collage created from (short) fragments - hence the extended tracklist below. This time, I used a different method of selecting tracks: I chose only tracks in the key of C.  (Or, to be honest: the tracks that my software told me were in C - I have no absolute hearing).  It's quite a hallucinating two-hour trip to dive deep into. I hope you enjoy listening! And of course: feedback is always appreciated.



For a detailed track listing, visit https://www.ambientblog.net/blog/2022-12/winter-solstice-4-in-c-mix/

Winter Solstice 4: “In C”

Most (if not all) previous Ambientblog mixes always had some dark moments in them, they are never 'just' relaxing. You can only feel release if you also felt tension. This time, I wanted to avoid the darkness and create a 'lighter mood mix'. Not of the 'Ibiza Chillout Lounge' kind, but one that can be played in the background and is still exciting enough to listen to. I hope I succeeded, but of course, you're the one to decide about that!With two hours, Cloudwatching is longer than usual. Only a few tracks are included in their full length, but most are heavily edited or even just short fragments. Also, they are often overlayed, so you'll hear the music in a different context. The extensive playlist below may help you track down the original in their full-length versions. I really hope you'll enjoy watching these -imaginary- clouds!



For a detailed tracklisting, visit https://www.ambientblog.net/blog/2022-10/cloudwatching-mix/

Cloudwatching

Apart from its opening sample - 'It is time to stop seeing. It is time to stop speaking. It is time to listen', from David Cronenberg's Crimes Of the Future - this mix has no central theme or story. It's up to you, the listener to take the time to listen and go with the flow. Let your fantasy tell you the story. And, after you did, I'd love to hear what you heard. 



Tracklist



Start time Sample Length Artist - TitleAlbum - Year - Label



00:00 01:12 David Cronenberg - Time To Listen (Sample)Crimes Of The Future, 202200:04 03:35 Dronny Darko & Protou - Sin EaterLiberty: Compilation Of Experimental Music From Ukraine, 2022, Flaming Pines02:28 02:42 William St. Hugh - Voice Of The DolphinsDominion, 2022, self-released04:31 02:16 Tapani Rinne & Teho Majamaki - Lucid DreamOn The Border, 2022, Signature Dark06:13 02:36 Ivan Cebrian & Victor Cerdan- Enemigo IntimoInside // Outside, 2022, Oigovisiones06:40 02:30 Park Jiha - At DawnThe Gleam, 2022, Glitterbeat08:49 02:39 Benedicte Maurseth - EidfyrderHárr, 2022, Hubro10:47 03:51 Bill Fontana - Imaginary Sonic VisionsMSCTY Expo Unknown Pleasures Zone, 2022, MSCTY Editions12:40 02:18 Alva Noto - Odradek (for Jhonn Balance)For, 2006, Line13:31 01:50 Jacek & Ewa Doroszenko - Night MasqueBodyfulness, 2022, Audiobulb Records14:17 02:27 Higher Intelligence Agency - The Black PatchSong Of The Machine, 2022, self-released15:58 02:50 Siddhartha Barnhoorn - Final AscensionOut There, Oceans Of Time, vol. 1, 2022, self-released18:27 02:24 Mike Lazarev - All That RemainsWhen You Are, 2022, Slowcraft Recordings20:27 03:17 Orghanon - Dronework VDroneworks I-V, 2022, St.An.Da22:13 03:27 Aleksi Myllykoski ft Wimme - Composition VI: Inherently Destructive ContaminationSt. Virus, 2021, Signature Dark24:37 04:13 Peter Phippen, Rahbi Crawford, Invar Lunde Jr. - AndromedaGalaxies, 2022, Projekt Records28:46 02:30 Jóhann Jóhansson & Echo Collective - Shell12 Conversations With Thilo Heinzmann, 2019, Deutsche Grammophon29:46 05:29 Maggi Payne - Distant ThunderArctic Winds, 2010, Innova Recordings33:08 03:07 Leo Kupper - Litanea 1987Complete Electronic & Voices Works 1961-1987, 2022, Sub Rosa36:22 04:35 Monty Adkins - Remote CommunionRemote Communion, 2020, Cronica38:56 01:28 Laurie Anderson & Kronos Quartet - Thunder Continues In The AfternoonLandfall, 2018, Nonesuch40:11 04:35 Cell - Passive Control Part 1Onwards System, 2022, Ultimae Records43:27 03:59 Alphaxone & Protou - Sub SignalStardust, 2017, Cryo Chamber45:51 03:03 Wil Bolton & Francis Gri - The Ripples TheoryImaginary Tales, 2022, Krysalisound47:54 02:11 Xqui - NarratorPieces Part 2, 2022, Somewherecold Records48:45 03:57 Michel Banabila - AlienationMonochromes, 2022, Tapu Records52:21 00:55 Stuart A. Staples - FluidsMusic For Claire Denis' High Life, 2019, Lucky Dog52:31 01:13 Helge Sten - Quad 2Monochromes, 2014, Bôlt52:45 02:29 Dean Hurley - Girl Appears /Black SmokeAnthology Resource Vol. I: △△, 2017, Sacred Bones Records54:00 01:55 I Wound - To Wind, Wound, WoundHomework Year 1, Taâlem54:52 05:07 Francois Robin & Mathias Delplanque - Le PuitsL'Ombre De La Bête, 2022, Parenthèses Record

Utsura – Utsura (mix)

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