As NASA announce the discovery of earth-like planet Kepler-452b and New Horizons beams photos back of Pluto, we felt it was time to indulge in a spacey, new age theme for the latest Tape Transmissions. Think arps, dreamy pads, reverb, effects and cosmic synth noodles. A couple of tape labels get quite a bit of love here, the excellent Constellation Tatsu from Oakland, California and Extreme Ultimate from the UK—do check their back catalogues for more fine music. When it comes to space and music, there’s a lot to choose from so this is just a small selection, new and old, for your listening pleasure!
Pulse Emitter :: Equinox (Constellation Tatsu)
If we are doing cosmic, it’s only fair that Portland’s Daryl Groetsch gets a mention. With multiple releases under his belt you are spoilt for choice here. Arp and synth led melodics fire crystalline shards of audio around the canopy of your space ship as you slowly drift into stasis in preparation for a long journey to distant worlds…
Deathcount in Silicone Valley :: Acheron (Extreme Ultimate)
Epic “otherworldly dreaminess” from London based experimentalist Andrew Nixon. Owing much to Vangelis, Carpenter and Jarre, this will appeal to fans of all three. There’s even a track titled “Habitual Arp Worship” which is packed with synthetic explosions and a delicious pulsing beauty of an arp. As one Bandcamp user comments, “It’s like listening to the soundtrack of lost Cronenburgh film”—it is perhaps more spooked than spaced but still well worth an exploration.
András :: Overworld (Self Release)
Super chilled “synthesizer and drum machine themes for contemporary dance.” Some proper new age leanings here. There’s even some kind of pan pipe preset on “Janine’s Theme.” And steel drums. Yet somehow this all hangs together in a rather beguiling manner. Then there’s the excellent retro dance floor bleep of “Rachel’s Theme (Fire)” and the arp explorations of “Sun Sign Aries.” A lovely release from Melbourne, Australia.
Portopia ’81 :: Jet Stream (Constellation Tatsu)
Spacey arps glide across gorgeous floaty pads and proggy interstellar leads and effects. Subtle percussion hangs in the background, vocoders make not unwelcome appearances. The overall feeling is one of blissful gentle bouncing across the Kuiper belt. Marvellous stuff.
Fragments of Space Hex :: Fragments of Space Hex (Extreme Ultimate)
Excellent no holds barred deep space synth explorations. The kind of music you’d expect to hear awakening from a many light year cryogenic sleep, rubbing your eyes as you peer through your ship’s porthole onto new, fertile lands. Bathe in the vibrant luminescence of “Rendlesham,” gaze wide eyed across the gently rolling 14 minute closer “I’m Talking To You (dub)” as you prepare to step forward into a new world…
Dang Olsen Dream Tape :: Just Roll (Constellation Tatsu)
Pensive explorations across the surface of a distant planet. Shimmering gaseous clouds veil the land as distant supernovae explosions silently light up the horizon. Another cracking release from the Constellation Tatsu stable.
Upper Astral :: Journey to the Edge of the Universe (Valley of the Sun)
A 1983 release on Californian label, Valley of the Sun who had a specialism in cassette only long form new age music. This particular release was inspired by the Voyager I and II space probes and contains two twenty plus minute tracks of proper out there deep space synth exploration. The tape is impossible to find but numerous blogs have archived downloads up for grabs. I discovered this release via this blog.
