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Ambient music mixes for a chaotic world
Episodes
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Another electronic gem from Erwin Broers. He has become my go to guy for berlin-school music and I'm totally here for it. I've said many times that I like hosting guest mixes from artists and listeners because I always discover new music. And this set is a perfect example - other than Ron Boots, every artist in this mix is new to me.
Here's what Erwin has to say about this mix:
"The theme this time is "Electronic Gems From The Lowlands", the lowlands being Belgium and the Netherlands. Both countries are neighbours of Germany, where Electronic Music took off in the early 1970s. It was therefore inevitable that many local progressive artists became fascinated by synthesizers and inspired by this new genre known as "Kosmische Musik" (cosmic music). Influence of Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze is obvious, but there's also a hint at prog rock and a few tracks come close to melodic synth pop similar to Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre."
Thanks for a great set, Erwin!
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
- 00:00:00 PeRu - Out Of Time (Constellations, 1981)
- 00:09:01 Pillion - Enigmas (Enigmas, 1980)
- 00:22:36 Par Example - Flarepath (Pharos, 1989)
- 00:31:57 Patrick Kosmos - Mindscapes part 1, 2nd movement (Mindscapes, 1987)
- 00:41:00 Johan Timman - Trip Into The Body (Trip Into The Body, 1981)
- 00:46:31 Walter Christian Rothe - Solitude (Solitude, 1982)
- 00:50:34 Ton Scherpenzeel - Heart Of The Universe (Heart Of The Universe, 1984)
- 00:58:02 Frank Van Bogaert - A Picture of You (Closer, 2004)
- 01:01:45 Ron Boots & John Kerr - Oceans Of Emotions (Offshore Islands, 1990)
- 01:15:11 end
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Another stellar guest mix comes our way with this excellent set from longtime listener, Daniel Hawkins. He reached with an idea for a mix and once I heard the theme I was all in. Daniel curated a playlist of tracks & I put them together to create this new mix.
Here's what Daniel has to say about Metallic Memories:
"So I've loved world music since before that term existed, and always had an inordinate fondness for the metallophones - gamelan, vibraphone, glockenspiel, Tibetan bowls - should we include tubular bells? Of course! I don't know if the kalimba and marimba are technically in the category, but they are in my mind. Wind chimes, tingshas, koshis, steel drum, handpan, gongs, avant-garde stuff done with trash cans and pipes - it's all good. This playlist leaves out a ton of music that Dave has covered over the years that is near and dear to me - but I wanted to do what he does so well - bring new artists to everyone's attention and still make a killer playlist. I'd thought for a looooong time about putting something together for Low Light Mixes and was so pleased with Dave's gracious response."
Thanks, Daniel, for this excellent collection of metallophone music!
Links to all the music used in this mix:
Ethereal Planes - Moonlit Passage
Brian Eno - 77 Million Paintings
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
- 00:00 Tom Green - Centre of your Circle (Music for Tai Chi 2012)
- 09:45 T. Raumschmiere - Grotznogg (T.Raumschmiere 2015)
- 13:45 Peter Bark - Bonfire (Astral Ecotone 2020)
- 18:12 Ethereal Planes - Moonlit Passage (Moonlit Passage single 2022)
- 25:55 Willebrant - Plateau(Into the Valley) (The Pilgrim 2021)
- 32:30 Snufmumriko - Skogar av tang (Havstrakt 2023)
- 39:45 Daniel Lentz - Lascaux (Missa Umbrarum 1991)
- 47:27 Brian Eno - 77 Million Paintings 1 (77 Million Paintings 2023)
- 53:08 end
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
I have continued my recent bingeing of berlin-school electronic music. Devouring old and new music. So I was very excited when guest mixer Erwin Broers reached with a new berlin-school mix. Woo hoo! It's all new music, some of Erwin's favorites from 2024. I was familiar with about half of the artists some it was great to discover new music.
I'll let Erwin tell you about the mix:
- 00:00:00 Paul Ellis & Per Thomhav - Orpheus (Orpheus)
- 00:06:11 Perge - La Roue (La Roue)
- 00:11:21 Gert Emmens - Elektra Part 1 (Elektra 25th Anniversary Edition)
- 00:18:38 Filtercafé - Kaltwasserhahn (106)
- 00:32:00 Cosmic Ground - Area 24 Part 4 (Area 24)
- 00:37:02 Thom Brennan - Othadiegra Part 5 (Othadiegra)
- 00:43:51 Pyramid Peak - Aquamarine (Kontinuum)
- 00:51:13 Robert Schroeder - Observer (Observer)
- 00:58:57 Erik Wöllo - Forever River (Solastalgia)
- 01:06:42 MoonSatellite - Motion Part 3 (Motions Of Ethereal Lunar)
- 01:15:00 Awenson - Van Halen (Faith)
- 01:25:58 Paul Ellis & Pabellón Sintético - Synonymous (Veiled Portraits)
- 01:31:31 Sequentia Legenda - Crystal Of Light (Galactic Crystals)
- 01:41:40 Gert Emmens & Ron Boots - Lost In Dephts Of Desolation (Lost In Depths Of Desolation)
- 01:56:09 end
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
We have a special treat for this mix - an upbeat collection with an ambient house music vibe. I have a folder on my hard drive that is labeled "gentle house music." It contains tracks that have a definite 4-on-the-floor style but aren't hardcore, fill-the-dance-floor tunes. Something like Kiasmos. I have avoided making a mix of these tune because, truthfully, I suck at beat matching. I don't use professional software that would do it for me and I don't have quite the musical ear to pull it off on my own, at least for an entire mix.
That's where Johan Kisro and Petter Lindhagen come to the rescue. Johan and Peter record as Dött ljus and they have a new EP coming out on February 5th called Bottna. You can find it here - https://slowcraft.bandcamp.com/album/bottna The EP is on Slowcraft Records which says "the irrepressible energy of their hybrid electronica finds itself subtly grounded in a tenderly ambient melancholy."
I was immediately taken by the vibe of the new EP so I was over the moon when Johan suggested doing a mix for LLM. Perfect! I've always wanted a mix that sounds like this.
Here's what Johan says about this collection of tracks:
"This mix is a collection of songs we love—some of which may have influenced our upcoming EP, Bottna (out February 5th via Slowcraft Records). Bottna is a refuge, a place where anything can become something, where color breaks through the cracks in the pavement, hidden from the intensifying hum of a world unraveling. The songs exist at the intersection of rhythm and droning textures, and we wanted this mix to follow that same path—from fragments to flourish."
Thanks to Johan and Peter for curating this excellent mix.
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
- 00:00 Kejser audiovisual - EMO TREE 3.0, pt.1 (EMO TREE 3.0 2024)
- 00:46 Bonnie Beecher - Come Wander with me (1964)
- 02:21 Dött ljus - Förr (Bottna 2025)
- 07:06 The XX - VCR (Four Tet Remix) (2010)
- 15:22 Sofia Kourtesis - Vajkoczy (Madres 2023)
- 19:14 Radiohead - Everything in its Right Place (Gigamesh Remix 3.0) (2024)
- 23:40 Menke - Nattskärran (Christian Löffler Remix) (2018)
- 26:56 Kelly Lee Owens - Dreamstate (Dreamstate 2024)
- 32:16 Colin Stetson - All the days I’ve missed you (ILAIJ I)
- (New History Warfare Vol 2: Judges 2011)
- 33:09 Brian McBride - Prelude (When the Detail Lost its Freedom 2005)
- 34:46 Fred again…, Delilah Montegun - Delilah (pull me out of this)
- (Actual Life 3 [January 1 - September 9 2022] 2022)
- 38:50 Caribou - Honey (Honey 2024)
- 43:13 Abul Mogard - Half Light of Dawn (Circular Forms 2015)
- 49:20 Donnie & Joe Emerson - Baby (Dreamin’ Wild 1979)
- 52:48 Dött ljus - Bottna (Bottna 2025)
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
I've said many times that I love guest mixes. And I especially love getting mixes from artists that I've been listening to for years. Such is the case with this new set from Robert Farrugia.
I have several of Robert's albums and I always look forward to checking out his new material. Well, now he's got some new material definitely worth checking out. His new album is called "Natura Maltija - Official Soundtrack" and it just came out last week. You can find it here - https://robertfarrugia.bandcamp.com/album/natura-maltija-official-soundtrack
To celebrate the release of this new album Robert put together a wonderful ambient mix for us. Here is what he says about it:
"This mix features a selection of tracks from recent Ambient, Neoclassical, and Electronica releases, curated by Robert Farrugia. Centered around my latest album, 'Natura Maltija - Official Soundtrack,' the mix also includes tracks from friends and collaborators."
Links to all the music used in this mix:
- https://zakedrone.bandcamp.com/album/certain-path
- https://alily.bandcamp.com/album/saru-l-qamar
- https://robertfarrugia.bandcamp.com/album/natura-maltija-official-soundtrack
- https://alily.bandcamp.com/album/psalm018-virgin-stoner-works-2001-2004
- https://jogginghouse.bandcamp.com/album/softie
- https://pioulard.bandcamp.com/album/op-448-adagio-hallucination-archive-2
- https://thegreenkingdom.bandcamp.com/album/ether-hymns
- https://rhubiqs.bandcamp.com/album/aegis-of-silence
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
- 00:00 Joachim Spieth & Warmth - Spectral (Fragments 2025)
- 06:34 zakè, From Overseas, City of Dawn - Certain Path (Certain Path 2024)
- 11:03 A Lily - Kemn Nixtieq Li Qed (Saru l-Qamar 2024)
- 14:41 Robert Farrugia - Bufula (Natura Maltija 2025)
- 16:50 A Lily - Solar Systems (Virgin Stoner: Works 2001-2004 2024)
- 20:29 Robert Farrugia - Qabru (Natura Maltija 2025)
- 26:39 Robert Farrugia - Qarnita (Natura Maltija 2025)
- 31:38 Jogging House - State (Softie 2024)
- 37:57 Benoît Pioulard - Op. 448, Adagio (Hallucination Archive 2024)
- 44:12 The Green Kingdom - Sunsetgradient (Ether Hymns 2024)
- 48:05 rhubiqs - Hope’s Canvas (Aegis of Silence 2024)
Friday Jan 03, 2025
Friday Jan 03, 2025
What a great way to start off the new year! Jumping right in with this excellent mix from friend of the show, Andy McNeill. Andy records as Maple Mountain Sunburst and he released a wonderful album last year - https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatic He also did a guest mix for us last year which you can find here - Mixcloud & Low Light Mixes Blog.
My favorite discovery in this mix is the third track, "My Dog's Eyes" by Zammuto. I am blown away each time I hear it. One of my favorite track of 2024 is also included in the mix - Andy's own "Pop-a-matic." So good! The rest of the mix a great as well.
Here's what Andy says about his latest creation:
"Cycles, patterns and joy in repetition. I’ll paraphrase redditer Waves_of_awesome who said strongly repetitive music has the ability to transport the listener to a meditative state. “… repeating passages echo like a mantra, almost hypnotizing you”. It’s a fundamental yet unpremeditated element in my musical endeavours.
A lot of different genres represented here — not really intentionally, I just wanted to include some favourites and influential tracks. But wait where’s O Superman? It’s Gonna Rain? I guess we’ll have to do a part two. I hope you all enjoy the journey." - Andy
>>>Links to all the music used in this mix<<<
- https://open.spotify.com/album/6eUPFGpUKBafZKPpif4i1f?si=PJ4A6c8DR5WHr2z80vb_Ew
- https://philipglass.com/recordings/aguas_da_amazonia/
- https://zammuto.bandcamp.com/album/veryone
- https://mississippirecords.bandcamp.com/album/furaha-wenye-gita
- https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatic
- https://books.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-a-french-elevator-and-other-oddities
- https://crammed-discs.bandcamp.com/album/congotronics-2-buzznrumble-from-the-urbnjungle
- https://juanamolina.bandcamp.com/album/tres-cosas
- https://open.spotify.com/track/7jOnhe335cbTJyTiZoPkxg?si=6b8e76be504245d4
- https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/the-maple-mountain-sunburst-triolian-orchestra
- https://open.spotify.com/track/65niHA7Rhd3oboXFpJ2Ah9?si=5c0b329838dc46ef
- https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatic
- https://open.spotify.com/track/7hRG2HYhxsffbK2Iz2zlex?si=cff26a4af10c43e8
- https://open.spotify.com/track/6maBIgAWIxANaZlftqeYUA?si=2e50a4e857aa4487
- https://open.spotify.com/track/2q0WFOsFc7Gd9cujpPmZMC?si=a674dbcee6cf4337
Thanks Andy, for creating this most excellent mix.
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
- 00:00 Chapterhouse/Global Communication - Gamma Phase edit (Pentamerous Metamorphosis 1993)
- 05:01 Uakti - Japura River (Philip Glass) (Aguas da Amazonia 1999)
- 09:51 Zammuto - My Dog’s Eyes (Veryone 2016)
- 12:50 George Mukabi - Kuoa Utaoa (Furaha Wenye Gita 2017)
- 15:38 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Pop-a-matic (Ecstatic 2024
- 19:37 The Books - Cello Song ft. José González (Music For A French Elevator… 2013)
- 23:28 Sobanza Mimanisa - Kiwembo (edit) (Congotronics 2 2005)
- 27:15 Juana Molina - Salvese Quien Pueda (Tres Cosas 2004)
- 32:41 Christina Pluhar and L’Arpeggiata - Ciaconna (Youtube)
- 36:40. Maple Mountain Sunburst - Age of Steam (MMSTO 2010)
- 39:52 Faust - Lauft… (aka Giggy Smile) (Faust IV 1973)
- 43:06 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Without Fear (Ecstatic 2024)
- 47:51 Seefeel - Climactic Phase 3 (edit) (Quique 1993)
- 53:38 Soft Machine - We Did It Again (Soft Machine 1968)
- 55:50 Air - Universal Traveler (Talkie Walkie 2004)
- 60:09 Maple Mountain Sunburst Triolian Orchestra - The Ruby Yacht (MMSTO 2010)
- 62:25 Leo Kottke - Doorbell (My Father’s Face 1989)
- 67:24 end
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Here's what Erwin says about this fantastic mix:
"I was in my teens when I got in touch with Electronic Music by means of well-known artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk and Vangelis. Searching for more similar music in the local library, I came across an LP with on its sleeve just a mysterious picture of a huge radio telescope. The album was Robert Schroeder's "Galaxie Cygnus-A" ! Liner notes on the back of the sleeve explained that the music was commissioned by the Austrian Broadcasting Service (ÖRF) and performed live at the 1982 ARS Electronica Festival in Linz, Austria. The idea behind the project consisted of capturing sound waves coming from the Cygnus-A galaxy with the help of the Effelsberg 100 meter radio telescope, the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world at that time. Schroeder used those sound waves as basis and inspiration, and created a magical soundtrack for stargazing and floating in outer space. Needless to say, I was blown away by this album, and from then on I fanatically sought out other releases on the Innovative Communication label, which - by the way - was founded in 1978 by the late Klaus Schulze, one of the godfathers of Electronic Music.
To honour my memory of that exciting period, I chose to start this label retrospective with the first two tracks of this special album - including some of the white noise straight from space ! The mix is rather heterogeneous and gives a good impression of the kind of EM that was published on IC in its heydays, ie. the 80s. From the early 90s the label quickly became more commercial edging towards mellow new age and average electro-acoustic instrumental fusion (aka NAM)."
Thanks, Erwin, for this trip back in time.
Cheers!
T R A C K L I S T :
- 00:00 Robert Schroeder - Galaxie Cygnus-A Part 1 & 2 (Galaxie Cygnus-A, 1982)
12:08 Klaus Schulze - Silent Running (excerpt) (Trancefer, 1981)
19:26 Peak - Nightmist (Ebondàzzar, 1982)
25:30 P'Cock - The Prophet (The Prophet, 1980)
31:15 Peter Seiler - Serengeti (Sensitive Touch, 1987)
36:00 Mind Over Matter - Paradise: 1st. Movement: Being One (Air) (The Colours Of Life, 1988)
42:09 G.E.N.E. - Taste Of Dawn (Life Is A Melody, 1988)
47:42 Software - Syn-Code-Z: 1st. Movement: Code-Ocean (Syn-Code, 1987)
53:45 Patrick Kosmos - Airgasm (Cosmic Resonance, 1991)
63:16 end
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
I fell in love with the music of Andy McNeill, who records as Maple Mountain Sunburst, back in 2010 with the release of the album The Maple Mountain Sunburst Triolian Orchestra. Combining a wide variety of instrumentation, electronics, loops and samples to create a unique album and listening experience. The album was one of my favorites of 2010.
When I found out that, after a long hiatus, there was new album this year, I was totally hyped. The new recording, Ecstatic, is everything I'd hoped for. Described by Andy as “Instrumental electronic ambient with loops and chopped samples, old keyboards, guitars, and found voices. The vibe is heartwarming, blissed-out, and euphoric; a balm for turbulent times.” You can find the album here - https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatic
I was so excited by the new music that I asked Andy to create a mix. He graciously agreed and created multiple mixes. So awesome! This is the first one and it is excellent. I can't stop listening to it.
Here's what Andy says abut this mix:
"I could say this playlist is about transcendence and something about the physical and spiritual journeys we might take to get there. Or I could just say these are tracks that bring me joy. Some old favourites, some new. I’ve tried to weave my own material through here in a desperate but determined effort to rise to the level of wonder and beauty in these artists’ work."
Here links to all the music used in the mix:
- https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatic
- https://open.spotify.com/track/0yK8sWD6cfrc7pGfaPIcZH?si=b6d1f12acad04c44
- https://open.spotify.com/track/2u00DQoxKIsaI0bGpZ4pZ7?si=0f59590912b64ef1
- https://open.spotify.com/track/0Di008winU6Jn2wz7RBtSa?si=e67b5b93d4764368
- https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatic
- https://juanamolina.bandcamp.com/track/quie-n-2
- https://zammuto.bandcamp.com/track/tonight-well-go-for-a-ride
- https://sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com/track/everything-that-rises
- https://maplemountainsunburst.bandcamp.com/album/ecstatic
- https://open.spotify.com/track/2QL6VUSna6Te2VhyZ9AeFn?si=30ae04def6764ede
- https://radiohead.bandcamp.com/track/pyramid-song-1
- https://open.spotify.com/track/5GO0qzKdvndy7g9r0iKEDz?si=883c63881ad84ecc
- https://open.spotify.com/track/2Mug919daYq40cgwzNhgbY?si=77878dbe0e394788
- https://open.spotify.com/track/6nDzGTp2IvrtEEEgCTInMX?si=349ebcab620e4acb
- https://open.spotify.com/track/6N0Ts6humF8CHQSk7qqxZM?si=de5de47f5fae4f8c
Thanks, Andy, for your hard work on this set.
- 00:00 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Waters Of Forgetfulness (Ecstatic 2024)
- 05:24 Santo & Johnny - Sleepwalk (Presenting Santo & Johnny 1959)
- 07:43 Lemon Jelly - Ramblin’ Man (edit) (Lost Horizons 2002)
- 13:45 The Percy Faith Strings - Out Of This World (Bouquet of Love 1962)
- 17:46 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Murmuration Awe (Ecstatic 2024)
- 20:34 Juana Molina -¿Quién? (Segundo 2000)
- 23:04 Nick Zammuto - Tonight We’ll Go For A Ride (We The Animals 2018)
- 25:14 Sufjan Stevens - Everything That Rises (Javelin 2023)
- 30:10 Maple Mountain Sunburst - Dream Fuel (Ecstatic 2024)
- 34:56 Michael Nyman - Drowning By Number 3 (Drowning by Numbers 1988)
- 38:24 Radiohead - Pyramid Song (Amnesiac 2001)
- 43:07 Cocteau Twins - Otterley (Treasure 1984)
- 46:53 Michael Brook - Midday (Hybrid 1985)
- 52:18 Brian Eno - Spider and I(Before and After Science 1977)
- 55:55 Bill Frisell - Half a Million (Is That You? 1990)
- 59:00 end
Friday Sep 27, 2024
Friday Sep 27, 2024
This mix is another great example of why I enjoy guest mixes so much. This collection of tunes starts off rather noisy, hence the title. It's a style of music that I don't go to very often. But it's very cool to hear in this mix.
Our guest this time is Ethan Helfrich, who records under the name Black Brunswicker. They have a new album out called "Been Around Here Before" and you can find it here:
https://blackbrunswicker.bandcamp.com/album/been-around-here-before
Here's what Ethan says about the mix:
"This is a collection of some music that I've been listening to recently, as well as some old favourites. Having spent 2 months in the US this past summer visiting family and traveling for gigs, I spent a lot of time on the road. It brought me back to music I used to play on my daily commute, when my days were soundtracked by the incessant humming of Chicago's highways (listen to "I Think This Heat is Getting to My Head" off my new album for the reference). While most of this isn’t what people might consider ambient — and I don’t really listen to ambient music much anymore — it’s instrumental guitar music that shares a similar feeling. It transports you to different worlds and headspaces or, at the very least, keeps you company on your morning drive."
Thanks, Ethan, for the trip this mix takes us on.
Cheers!
T R A CK L I S T :
- 00:00 Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Fire at Static Valley (G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END! 2021)
- 05:44 Russian Circles - Ghost on High (Blood Year 2019)
- 07:55 Wolves In The Throne Room - Dia Artio (Two Hunters 2007)
- 13:25 Sleep - The Sciences (The Sciences 2018)
- 16:10 Grouper - I Saw A Ray (A I A: Dream Loss 2011)
- 20:20 Black Brunswicker - Down at the Creek (Been Around Here Before 2024)
- 23:25 William Tyler - Highway Anxiety (Modern Country 2016)
- 32:20 Jack Rose - Miss May's Place (Dr. Ragtime & His Pals 2008)
- 34:53 John Fahey - America(Re-Recorded Version) (Death Chants, Breakdowns And Military Waltzes 1964)
- 39:48 Black Brunswicker - The Cave (Been Around Here Before 2024)
- 43:27 Fripp & Eno - Evening Star (Evening Star 1975)
- 50:45 Bobby Lee - Walking with Trees(Live) (Cosmic Country Revue Live at PDV 2023)
- 54:41 end
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
