Through Worlds & Centuries brings together musicians who are taking up the mantle of ambient techno, carrying on the audio experiments started in the 90s and reaching new conclusions. For a newcomer to Distant Worlds, as an introduction to the label this record is perfect. For a fan of deep immersive electronic music, this record is perfect.
Distant Worlds has somewhat got things back to front with its latest release. Instead of putting out a compilation at its inception the UK imprint made a bold statement with EPs from individual artists like John Shima and Mihail P. Through Worlds & Centuries brings together some of these past musicians while bringing new names to the roster.
Finally, and that is a heavily heaved “Finally,” Tagwell Woods is back releasing. The Londoner has been quiet since his excellent 12”s for W.T. Records and Holland’s Photic Fields with this new track following in the audio footsteps of those first records. Loops of acid dipped keys are tamed by soulful strings in the elegance of “Bench on the Hill.” A cinematic quality permeates the piece as elements are parred back to their essence in this wonderfully expansive and immerse piece. Castel is the newest name of the quartet. Following a recent release on Greece’s Echovolt, the Melbourne based musician arrives with the dreamy broken beats of “Silverline.” A generous intro cascading chords gives way to skittering percussion as the lines between armchair abstraction and warehouse anthem are blurred. Mihail P, a staple of Distant Worlds, opens the flip and picks up where Castel left off. “At The World’s End” sways to on astral winds, a gentle melody, lapped by drums, is veiled in glowing strings in a simply timeless track. The ridiculously prolific Jimmy Billingham closes the collection. Recording under his HOLOVR moniker, “Expanded State of Consciousness” is the offering. An assemblage of kicks, xylophonic noodling and spoken samples twirl in this open ended live jam with Billingham allowing sounds to flow.
Through Worlds & Centuries brings together musicians who are taking up the mantle of ambient techno, carrying on the audio experiments started in the 90s and reaching new conclusions. For a newcomer to Distant Worlds, as an introduction to the label this record is perfect. For a fan of deep immersive electronic music, this record is perfect.
Through Worlds & Centuries is available on Distant Worlds.
