[ASTOR 014] Various - Astor Bell Anniversary 1

Various - Astor Bell Anniversary 1
Label: Astor Bell
Catalog#: ASTOR014
Format: 11 x File, MP3, 320 kbps
Country: Sweden
Released: 22 Jun 2010
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno, House, IDM, Experimental, Tech House, Ambient, Electro, Dub Techno, Minimal
Credits: Artwork By - Ulrika Hellberg
Photography - Paul Kokamägi
Notes: This release it the result of the Astor Bell 1st Anniversary Remix Project.

In February 2009 we pushed the big green GO button and publicly launched Astor Bell. During the first year we released 12 titles, all very near and dear to our hearts.
We wanted to mark our first anniversary with something really special and memorable. After kicking around a pile of ideas on what that might be we decided on loosening our grip and opening the gates into the Astor Bell brain.
The sum of our contributing artist's work is greater than the label name we put on it. And it is surely greater than two 30-somethings sitting behind computers making the files available to you. The broken beats, the down-sampled waves, the backwards bass and the organic subway samples accumulate like a snowball rolling down a ski slope into complete pieces of audio that dig themselves into the deeper parts of our being.
Our artists backtracked into their harddrives and extracted these singular moments and scattered them over the floor.
We asked you to put the pieces back together, and you did.
We received submissions reaching to all corners of the globe. We hand picked the absolute best. Please know that it was NOT an easy task. We thank you for all of your submissions.
Anniversary 1 : Astor Bell Remixes. Mission completed.

Tracklist:
1 Giuseppe - Back In Dark (B.A.X. Remix) 5:27
Remix - B.A.X.
2 Socket Science - Sidewinding (Giuseppe Remix) 8:09
Remix - Giuseppe
3 Bubble Shield - Speculation (Fenderchet Remix) 3:42
Remix - Fenderchet
4 Wunderblock - Act1 (Examine Remix) 6:18
Remix - Examine
5 Fabrizio Cacciamali - Kobalt Trees (Beyondbeyond Retouch) 4:32
Remix - Beyondbeyond
6 Fenderchet - Feelings And Thoughts (Lost In Thought Mix By Karma Influx) 6:58
Remix - Karma Influx
7 Bubble Shield - Speculation (Bright Lights Remix Feat. Mike Downey) 5:15
Remix - Bright Lights
Vocals - Mike Downey
8 Donny Karson - Def Leppard (Socket Science Remix) 7:49
Remix - Socket Science
9 Giuseppe - Back In Dark (Damolh33 Remix) 6:24
Remix - Damolh33
10 Bubble Shield - Speculation (Alfadeo Remix) 6:02
Remix - Alfadeo
11 Dan Brasco - For The Rich (Bubble Shield Remix) 2:24
Remix - Bubble Shield

dl full release
release page

[ASTOR 013] Socket Science - Ephedra

Socket Science - Ephedra
Label: Astor Bell
Catalog#: ASTOR013
Format: 3 x File, MP3, 320 kbps
Country: Sweden
Released: 24 May 2010
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno, Minimal, Tech House
Credits: Mastered By - Jens Eklund
Photography - Brock Davis
Notes: Recorded and produced at The Consulate in Stockholm, Sweden.


Compared to the more playful debut, Socket Science slows things down on the follow up Ephedra. Three dark, distorted and long jams that focus on the lower frequencies yet remain true to the core idea, being Robot Music with Soul.
It's easy to envision lined up drones doing their monotonic labour in dirty factories. However, these pieces of music also carry the reverberation of their children playing on the school yard across the street, as well as the moans and squeaks of the community elders in need of an oil tin refreshment. Everyone's invited, everyone plays a part.
And not to forget; all these influences and emotions are packed upon a quite steady and bouncy beat. Do your club a favor and spin it

Tracklist:
1 Ephedra 8:23
2 A Friend Of The Family 9:32
3 Silent Fight 6:26



dl ful release
release page
archive page
Creative Commons license: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0

(ASTOR 012) Audioteka - Just So Simple

Audioteka - Just So Simple
Label: Astor Bell
Catalog#: ASTOR012
Format: File, MP3, 320 kbps
Country: Sweden
Released: 29 Jan 2010
Genre: Electronic
Style: Tech House, Deep House
Recorded in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

When gazing upon your world map, it might strike you as spectacular how the sounds of the Berlin underground can trickle all the way to Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Taking into consideration our knowledge of the modern, network- connected planet, it is of course not the same sensation. Still, one can't avoid wondering if the massive amount of land in between hasn't given flavor to the ones and zeros streaming through the pipelines in order to reconnect as digital audio in the other end.

When playing out Just So Simple, focusing your ears beyond the sharp synthetic beats and the dark deep bass, you can't escape the echoes of unending Siberian pine forests, sparkling rivers, majestic ice-covered mountain ranges and abandoned Soviet era concrete cities. Audioteka plugged their laptops into the leftover equipment of a Cosmonaut space station and streamed the output through a state of the art night club speaker system. This is a recording from the other end of the neighbouring plains. Aimed straight for your heart. Open it up.

Tracklist:
1. Simple Feelings
2. Simple Colors

dl full release
release page

(ASTOR 011) Dan Brasco - Sick Family

Dan Brasco - Sick Family
Label: Astor Bell
Catalog#: ASTOR011
Format: File, MP3, 320 kbps
Country: Sweden
Released: 07 Dec 2009
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno, Minimal
Cover photo original by: Paul Kokamägi

Number two in Dan Brasco's triplet of concept EP:s is yet another elegant synthesizer journey. Over a steady beat the different melodies play around and together they create a dreamy atmospheric experience. Dark yet playful with just the right amount of retro feel added to it.
If you're into labeling life, than maybe slomo minimal trance would do it. However we recommend you to leave the analysis behind on this one, and just enjoy the ride. Or dance the night away for that matter.


Tracklist:
1 Trouble With Dad 7:46
2 Talking To Mom 5:07

dl full release
release page

(ASTOR 010) Fabrizio Cacciamali - Kobalt Trees

Fabrizio Cacciamali - Kobalt Trees
Label: Astor Bell
Catalog#: ASTOR010
Format: File, MP3, 320 kbps
Country: Sweden
Released: 14 Sep 2009
Genre: Electronic
Style: IDM, Electro, Ambient
Notes: Recorded and produced in Milan, Italy.

There's a fine line between melody and experimentation in which Fabrizio Cacciamali rides. His ability to mesh pretty chord progressions with beat up circuit boards and atmospheric haze is a sought-after sound and skill. We'll be the first to say he's living it, not just copying it.

This is a stunning collection of digital dabbles grounded in repetition and expanded upon in manipulation. The listener is taken to the exact fraction of time in which the machines fail. Everyone and everything, reset to presets.

We are bound to devices and intangible connections. We leave a residual dust in our wake. Fabrizio Cacciamali focuses his microscope and extracts the tone.

You live in the city but you're surrounded by Kobalt Trees.

Tracklisting:
1 Kobalt Trees (5:17)
2 Autumn Days (2:44)
3 Derelict (3:38)
4 Caustic Bijoux (2:21)
5 Askel (2:11)
6 A Walk Through The Hills (4:10)

Download Full Release
Last.FM

(ASTOR 009) Giuseppe - Lamu

Giuseppe - Lamu
Label: Astor Bell
Catalog#: ASTOR009
Format: File, MP3, 320 kbps
Country: Sweden
Released: 08 Jul 2009
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno, Minimal
Cover art by: Christoffer Ring

The sophomore release from our techno whizzkid raises the Astor Bell standards even higher. Like a younger and more playful disciple of Gui Boratto or Sascha Funke, Giuseppe is bound to knock out kosher minimal techno lovers as well as those who value pop melody perfection.

This EP is a dreamy lightweight production that sweeps you away, yet keeps that foot stomping to the steady beat. Leaving the most obvious electro influences from the debut 12'' behind, Giuseppe now focuses slightly more on soaring synths and an airier atmosphere, while keeping his trademark percussion and chime combo. Oh this is beautiful!

Tracklisting:
1 Lazymeek (7:10)
2 Back In Dark (6:34)
3 Lamu (8:06)
4 From Going To Going (6:16)

Download Full Release

(ASTOR 008) Fenderchet - The Sleep EP

Fenderchet - The Sleep EP
Label: Astor Bell
Cat#: ASTOR008
Rerlease Date: 12 June 2009
Genre: Electronic
Style: IDM, Abbient, Pop, Glitch
All the songs written and produced by Jose Juan Silva.
Produced, Tracked and recorded in Falcon, Venezuela, 2009.
Cover photo by: Paul Kokamägi

So often do we go to bed, wake up (repeat) that we rarely stop to realize the adventure that our bodies and minds take us on each and every day. This dreamy 6-song EP successfully sets a soundtrack to this daily journey and takes into consideration that each and every time we put our heads on our pillows the outcome can be drastically different.

Fenderchet puts these abstract happenings into audio form with nods to Boards of Canada, Tycho and Aphex Twin's ambient works. Never beating the same drum twice, new sounds and ideas are constantly introduced, expanded upon and gently tucked away with each section of every song.

Falcon, Venezuela seems like a billion miles away from Stockholm, Sweden. Because it is. What Fenderchet has done with these songs is transcend distance and time. He's banked on honesty and emotion and, without a doubt, succeeded.

Tracklisting:
1. The Dinner
2. Good Night
3. An Honest Reflexion
4. The Most Beautiful Dream (Pica Pica Jazz Beach)
5. Feelings And Thoughts
6. The Wake up



Download Full Rlease

(ASTOR 007) Dan Brasco - Two-tier Society

Dan Brasco - Two-tier Society
Label: Astor Bell
Catalog#: ASTOR007
Format: File, MP3, 320 kbps
Country: Sweden
Released: 27 May 2009
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno, IDM, Minimal

This is the first release out in a series of concept EP:s from Dan Brasco. It's a melodic piece of minimal techno that takes the listener on a floating journey through hypnotic landscapes. Soothing for the soul, but catchy enough get some fingers snapping.

Both tracks are built on small variations on a melodic theme. The opener, For the Poor, is leaning towards the light side of life, adding a dose of sunshine pop feel to the strict beat. Simple in that exquisite way that takes a genious to compose.

While Foor the Rich bears more than a passing resemblance to its predecessor, it also explores slightly darker territories. Crank up the bass on this one. But even though it's deeper and beats harder, it'll leave you in a dreamy, nearly weightless state.

Tracklisting:
1 For The Poor (4:59)
2 For The Rich (6:23)

Download

Cover photo by: Paul Kokamägi

(ASTOR 006) Wunderblock - Act! 2009

Wunderblock- Act!
Label: Astor Bell
Cat#: ASTOR006
Released: May 7, 2009
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno, Minimal

Act! is the first release from new Moscow act Wunderblock. The members are however no new kids on this block, but rather three experienced gentlemen bringing their skills and influences together to create something quite extraordinary!

This five track EP is high quality minimal techno flaunting innovative thinking and inspiration. Very club friendly, but also airy and at times lightweight in its production, due to layers of percussive rhythm patterns. The combination of samplers, synthesizers and real life instruments adds up to something organic and playful. Opening in an upbeat manner and rounding off more dubby, this release covers a large spectrum of emotions. One moment you're floating through filmic soundscapes, the next you're tap-dancing. An original and outstanding piece of music!

Tracklisting:
1. Act 1
2. Act 2
3. Octopussy
4. Cleo
5. Act 3 (Where Is Da Baas?!)

Download

Recorded at Principi Di Musica in Moscow, Russia 2008-2009.
Produced by Wunderblock (Igor Ivanov, Michael Teploff & Vladimir Kochenov).
Contact: info@astorbell.com
(c) 2009 Wunderblock & Astor Bell