http://www.bigchill.net/reviews.html Latest Reviews en-uk Copyright 2006 Chillfest Ltd. Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:29:02 GMT http://www.bigchill.net/images/mainpics/panelectriccp_main.jpg http://www.bigchill.net/reviews.html Regular followers of things Big Chill will be familiar with Pan Electric through their tune 'Rising Slowly' which kicked off Pete Lawrence's 'Take Me Home' compilation. [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2352/panelectricconsciouspilot.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2352/panelectricconsciouspilot.html rui@bigchill.net Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:00:00 GMT Everyone likes being in love. It's just one of those things. It's instinctive, there's no way of avoiding it. However not everyone likes songs about being in love. Maybe they're too cheesy, or too miserable, or, well, just a bit unrealistic. [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2330/lourhodesbloom.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2330/lourhodesbloom.html rui@bigchill.net Wed, 10 Oct 2007 01:00:00 GMT When music journalist Will Ashon approached Ninja Tune's label boss Pete Quicke in 1997, and suggested running a hip hop label alongside Ninja, he probably thought that giving exposure to some of the more pioneering hip hop acts would be an interesting experiment. [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2325/welldeeptenyearsofbigdadarecordings.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2325/welldeeptenyearsofbigdadarecordings.html rui@bigchill.net Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:00:00 GMT Psychonavigation, based in Ireland, is a label that is making more and more of a noise these days (albeit a highly experimental ambient soothing one). Home of the Electric Penguins and David Bickley, their latest release is from Enrico Coniglio, a guitar player and composer based in Venice. ‘AREAVIRUS topofonie vol.1’ is a glitch-cum-ambient-cum-jazz album apparently inspired by the ambience of Venice lagoon. Although it bears little overall similarity to another Venice, that of Christian Fennesz, there seem to be similar techniques of sound capture and looping at work; but the tunes here share equal prominence with the sculpted sounds. This is a disc populated by evocative noises and languid melodies, occasionally propelled by glitchy percussion which gently erupts like ripples on water. Acoustic instruments play a larger role than in most records of this type, notably piano (especially on the wonderful ‘Lav(a)sciuga’ and Alpen Tower) trumpet and clarinet, which makes for a warmer sound. The piano on the latter track is played by Hans Rodelius, who recently released a collection of pieces on this label, and this piece is strongly reminiscent of Brian Eno and Steve Hillage’s most laidback seventies work. Another standout is W&J theme, with the sublime trumpet of Arve Henriksen (of the Christian Wallumrod Ensemble, amongst others) intertwining with Coniglio’s guitar. [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2319/areavirustopofonievol1.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2319/areavirustopofonievol1.html rui@bigchill.net Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:00:00 GMT Originally hooking up during the live tour for the NuYorican Soul project, Louie Vega and Luisito Quintero eventually went on to cement their musical talents with the Elements of Life project. It was during this time that Vega decided that he wanted to bring Quintero’s talents to the forefront of the music with Quintero as the lead player. This was the stunning album, released in 2006 that eventually led to where we are now, Percussion Madness Revisited, with Louie Vega giving everything the once over with his immense production skills. [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2317/louievegapresentspercussionmadnessrevisitedluisitoquintero.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2317/louievegapresentspercussionmadnessrevisitedluisitoquintero.html rui@bigchill.net Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:00:00 GMT Good reviews should really be about the thing being reviewed and not the reviewer. Reviewers rattling on about themselves too much is a bit tedious, and lacks imagination. So of course I'm now going to jump headlong into the lack of imagination pool, and immerse me (and unfortunately you) in it whilst being self indulgent and waffling on about myself, and how listening to "Memories from a fading room" has had a strange effect on me. [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2276/futureloopfoundationmemoriesfromafadingroom.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2276/futureloopfoundationmemoriesfromafadingroom.html rui@bigchill.net Mon, 23 Jul 2007 01:00:00 GMT Showcasing a new album due for release later this summer, Future Loop Foundation (aka Berlin-based Yorkshireman Mark Barrott) drops a limited edition 12 inch single (in a few weeks) and a digital download. [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2163/futureloopfoundationtheseaandthesky.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2163/futureloopfoundationtheseaandthesky.html rui@bigchill.net Wed, 06 Jun 2007 01:00:00 GMT So hands up if you've heard of Roedelius? [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2063/roedeliussnapshotssidesteps.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2063/roedeliussnapshotssidesteps.html rui@bigchill.net Thu, 10 May 2007 01:00:00 GMT About two years ago I reviewed Gel-Sol’s first album, 1104, on these pages. It was love at first listen for me, and for most others who heard it. On that album Gel-Sol (aka Seattle based Andrew Reichel) combined elements of prog, dub, ambient and electronica with a considerable talent for production. He also released another album that year as part of 302 Acid who played a number of gigs, including an appearance at the Big Chill. So far so good, all systems go. It was em:t who released both albums, but sadly that label went to the big pressing plant in the sky (for the second time) about a year ago, leaving the follow-up, Unifactor, languishing on Reichel’s hard drive. Thankfully the Canadian label Upstairs Recordings have come to the rescue and given Unifactor a home. Which is good news, because it’s a great record. [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2064/gelsolunifactor.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2064/gelsolunifactor.html rui@bigchill.net Thu, 10 May 2007 01:00:00 GMT The title track is essentially an instrumental rerub of Jankel's 80s classic 'Glad To Know You' - a Paradise Garage anthem. An uptempo reggae groove, with layer upon layer of funky-assed keys. The 80s heritage shines through in the some of the synth sounds, but that groove just doesn't let up. Gentle anthem material that you'll definitely be hearing out this summer. [more...] http://www.bigchill.net/story/2058/chazjankeltoowooladykong3000000synths.html http://www.bigchill.net/story/2058/chazjankeltoowooladykong3000000synths.html rui@bigchill.net Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:00:00 GMT