Steve Brand – Trust and Remember [AOREP006]

Steve Brand“Trust and Remember” is a 24 minute ambient soundscape woven from keyboard, voice and processed guitar sounds, created at The Treehouse by Steve Brand in May of 2013, exclusively for the AlterOrbe Woomh Series. Thanks to Ran Kilrian for his interest and support and to all the artists of the AlteraOrbe label.

The track “Trust and Remember” began as a phrase that I’ve heard in my mind over and over again for years. This phrase would come up in times of apparent uncertainty, change and upheaval. I would often ask this soundless voice…trust what? Remember what? Even though I could not rationally understand the words, I felt their power and relevance in my gut. I knew without question that they constituted a powerful answer to everything I am and was experiencing.

My current understanding of this mindful directive is this… For me, trusting in this sense means knowing that even though I may not be able to see what’s ahead, even if it seems unlikely or uncertain that a way or means is going to present itself, there always has been a path in the past, so why shouldn’t there be one waiting and forming for me at this time…and the next time and the next. It also means trusting my own creativity, integrity, sovereignty and native abilities, my own sense of timing and appropriateness. More simply, trusting that I will know what to do when it’s most needed in the most appropriate way.

Trusting that “making it up as I go along” is a legitimate way of being in the world, although we are often taught otherwise. Remembering, the second half of this phrase, has also become a powerful concept for me. Not so much remembering facts or past events, although those can also be powerful tools. Remembering, in this context, is less a mental process and more in the realm of feeling. Remembering how it felt to be innocent, trusting, seated in my own power, my own passion, and what it felt like to bring these into effect I my life, without worry or fear. How did that feel? What was the result? How can I create or access that feeling for myself now? I often “get” these sorts of phrases running through my mind like a leader at the bottom of a news screen. I have learned to trust and remember them…by heart.

All music composed, performed, recorded and mixed by Steve Brand, 2013. Mastered by Steve Brand.

Tools: analogic & digital synthesizers and electric guitar.

Cover art layout by Ran Kirlian, pictures by Steve Brand.
Released June 29, 2013

Thanks to Ran Kirlian at AlteraOrbe for his support and interest.

Track list
1. Trust And Remember 24:08
Total time: 24:08

Available at Bandcamp

Vauxia Errante – Cryogenia [AOREP009]

Vauxia ErranteComposed, performed and recorded by Vauxia Errante, June – November 2014

Released December 28, 2014

Tools: Antonio Blanca’s Dron-E, M-RGT PsyGEN & Ambitron and treated field recordings
Additional effects and samples by Ran Kirlian

Mastered by Ran Kirlian at The Blue_Room, November 2014
Cover art pictures by Joxan Ruiz, layout by Ran Kirlian

Track list
1. Cryogenia 24:53
Total time: 24:53

Available at Bandcamp

Vauxia Errante – La Création du Monde [AOREP003]

Vauxia ErranteLa Création du Monde is a dark-ambient long form track by Vauxia Errante full of delicated details and intrincated textures conforming a mesmerizing exploration of sonic realms. This is the 3th volume in the Woomh EP series by Altera Orbe artists.

All music composed, performed, recorded and mixed by Vauxia Errante in 2012 and mastered by Ran Kirlian at The Blue_Room in 2013.

Sound sources includes Sonic Forest, field recordings, samplers and synthesizers.

Cover artwork by Ran Kirlian.

Track list
1.-La Création du Monde
22:38

Complete set: 22:38

Available at Bandcamp

Vauxia Errante – Primigenia [AOR0015]

PrimigeniaPrimigenia is the new album by Vauxia Errante, a journey far beyond his previous full lenght masterwork Cambrian Spirits. Primigenia explores a much darker and organic side of Vauxia’s music with a high pressence of drones, experimental sounds and slow evolutions in search of a deep meditative state on the listener. This new album presents 5 sonic explorations full of complex textures, drifting soundworlds and highly processed field recordings forming a dense atmosphere between alien landscapes and underground flavours. The album, recorded during 2012 and 2013, features Ran Kirlian on synths and voices on two tracks as well as on mixing and mastering. Cover art and pictures also by Ran Kirlian.

His creative process combines electronics, voices, lo-fi noises and field recordings in a highly deconstructive research. Darkness, cavernous and underground are words that comes to mind after listening to Vauxia Errante textures and sonic experiments.

This download includes 3 additional wallpaper art (1920x1200px)

Track list
1.-Anailoria
17:19
2.-Cysefin
12:51
3.-Katara (with Ran Kirlian)
9:16
4.-Soraixtal
12:34
5.-Eidotalamia (with Ran Kirlian)
23:05

Complete set: 75:05

Available at Bandcamp

Isidro Castro – Flight Paths Vol 1 [AOR0014]

Isidro CastroFlight Paths Vol 1 represents the first volume of an awesome trilogy full of space soundworlds and complex sequences in a impressive demostration of natural creativity. Fans of Tangerine Dream, Redshift and Steve Roach’s Empetus & Stormwarning styles will be highly pleased with this great album.

In words of Isidro: «Flightpath is a serie of volumes whose thought stems from the great enthusiasm and admiration that I feel for the aviation and air navigation. To all those heroes who achieved and made possible the mythological dream of Icarus. From Wright brothers and all those who participated in this great odyssey to reach the big space adventure from legendary Muroc Air Base, the former Base Edwards, whose sacrifice is come until our days… Here is my small but significant musical contribution to the exemplary feat.

For all lovers of this great dream come true…»

Track list
1.-Departure
16:39
2.-Transmission in the Sky
28:23
3.-Suspended Motion Part.1
9:48
4.-Drawing in the Sky
22:05
5.-Flightpath
24:15
6.-Arrival (Approach)

13:39

Complete set: 114:49

Landru – Rust [AOREP004]

RustRust consists of three previously unpublished tracks based on minimal evolving cinematic pads. Simplicity is the main nexus of this album as all pads were recorded lively using just a couple of digital synthesizers and sonic backgrounds based on field recordings.

All music were composed, performed, recorded and mixed by Landru at Talus IV Studio, Madrid, during 2006-2007 and Atavachron Studio, Barcelona, during 2012. The album has been mastered in Atavachron Studios during 2012.

Pictures, layout and cover art are also provided by Landru.

Released September 25, 2014

Track list
1. First Movement 4:54
2. Second Movement 5:47
3. Third Movement 7:31

Available at Bandcamp

Joxan Ruiz – Nostromo Diaries [AOREP002]

NOSTROMO_DIARIESNostromo Diaries is a cinematic trip, a gothic nightmare to grip your subconscious, through a horror movie with experimental tones and humming voices
Overtones and space winds are mixed in equal amounts, in the southern constellation of Reticulum
Creaking noises are often heard in the spaceship…
¿How long is 35 Light Years?

(EOT)
-out.*

All music composed, performed, recorded and mixed by Joxan Ruiz between 2011 and 2012. Mixed The Blue_Room and mastered by Ran Kirlian in 2012. Sound sources includes analog and digital synthesizers.

Cover art design by Ran Kirlian, pictures by Joxan Ruiz.

Note: no astronauts were damaged during the recording of this album.

Track list
1.-Part I – Zeta I
7:05
2.-Part II – Zeta II
8:47
3.-Part III – 35LY
4:22

Complete set: 20:14

Joxan Ruiz – Blue Radiance [AOREP005]

BLUE_RADIANCEBlue Radiance is created specifically as a tone meditation, enhancing the living space as sonic incense

Over the course of the continuous 22-minute piece, the flowing soundscapes on the light field, propel the mood to a mesmerizing state

Spiraling melodic sequences, and floating majestic textures with thematic contributions, describe this living-breathing soundscape

An enveloping experience of vast beauty and mystery

Graceful and full of movement

What can Blue do for you ?

All music composed, performed, recorded and mixed by Joxan Ruiz between 2012 and 2013. Mastered by Ran Kirlian in 2013. Sound sources includes Anasazi flutes and digital synthesizers.

Cover art design by Ran Kirlian, pictures by Joxan Ruiz.

Track list
1.-Part I – Blue Radiance
22:53

Complete set: 22:53

Joxan Ruiz – Space Between [AOR0019]

Joxan Ruiz Space Between is a continuous kaleidoscope of visionary power. It sounds as if it emanates from deep desert places in a realm from the near future.

The pieces are built upon a blend of deep ambient characteristics, looping, textures and harmonics mixed with subtle and hovering. The tracks follow a zen-like flow, through exotic flutes, bringing the listener’s attention down to a distinct stillness.

Space Between is a heady mixture of sounds, alternating between hues both beautifully light and magnetically dark.

A trip to your mind…

All music composed, performed and produced by Joxan Ruiz, 2012-2013

Mixed & mastered by Ran Kirlian at The Blue_Room, 2013

Track list

1.- SeteBos
2.- 168 SiBylla
3.- 665 SaBine
4.- 964 SuBamara
5.- 995 SternBerga
6.- 1124 StrooBantia
7.- Space Between

12:25
5:34
7:20
21:13
7:53
10:13
10:25


Total time: 75:03

Joxan Ruiz – Gaze [AOR0011]

Joxan Ruiz GazeRecorded between 2011 and 2012, Gaze has the intention to transmit sound of colors, where the most important thing is linked to fantasy. The Gaze is a process where the object makes the subject look, keeping the breath in mind, joining the inner and outer realm as the invisible energy of spirit.

Gaze is made of hypnotic drones and loops, melodies and memories, using digital synthesizers and processed riffs, in a sonic experience of meditation and stillness.

Gaze represents the first ambient album of Joxan Ruiz on Altera Orbe. A more than welcomed incursion into ambient genres that was mixed by Ran Kirlian at The Blue_Room and mastered by Max Corbacho in 2012.

Track list
1.-Blue Light
6:54
2.-Gaze
8:44
3.-Afterglow
4:52
4.-Ocean Vibration
7:28
5.-Zero Point

6:47
6.-Virtual Darkness
4:30
7.-Finding the Way
3:48
8.-Painting Bubbles
2:48
9.-Hypnos
6:28
10.-Sirenis
10:34
11.-Alpha
9:59
12.-
Gone from Here.

2:00

Complete set: 74:47

Review by Richard Gürtler

Spanish label Altera Orbe, run by Ran Kirlian and Landru, keeps on growing, with «Gaze» they introduce a brand new name on their roster, Joxan Ruiz from Madrid. «Gaze» is Joxan’s debut work, although he has already appeared in 2011 on Jamendo’s download release by Skaven entitled «Divine Intervention», where Joxan appears as guest on didgeridoo and singing bowls.

The album launches with «Blue Light», sublimely drifting and sorrowfully cascading primordial soundscape. «Gaze», the title track, meanders towards the sky high realms, with gradual expansions into more massive and intense dronewalls, and backed here and there by hazed cybernetic infusions. «Afterglow» moves in its orbit quite monotonously, along with few more dramatic, but vague intrusions. Beautifully tranquil waves of «Ocean Vibration» are masterfully bridged with gentle cyber grooves and soothing coastal recordings. In the second half distant gauzy tribal beats join this deeply mesmerizing sonic experience, magnífico!!! «Zero Point» enters into more meditative terrains with quietly minimal texture. «Virtual Darkness» unfolds straightly with mysterious drones, enriched by distinctive electro pulses. Both, the darker and the cyber-tech substances are perfectly synapsed into a whole new listening sensibility.

Certainly one of the highlights introducing Joxan Ruiz at the top of his artistry!!! The next piece, «Finding The Way», effectively merges the ancient and the modern in slightly discordant way. «Painting Bubbles», one of the shortest tracks on «Gaze», clocking to nearly 3 minutes, is sculpted with minimal warm washes and serenely tinkling sounds evoking upcoming Christmas season. «Hypnos» dives deeply into shadowy subterranean domains, where slow mind-bending drones are spiced by assorted spooky low resonating rumbles and swirls and high-pitched spiraling soars, accomplishing a genuinely trance-inducing atmosphere. Cavernous rumbles lead «Sirenis», the longest composition getting over 10 and half minutes, which flows on minimal, meditative waves coupled also with various crystalline tinkles. Another deeply primordial focused soundscape. «Alpha» immediately returns into monotonous and monstrous drone scenario, again blended with assorted distant noises and sharper cyber-electro-organics. The drones graciously glide throughout and expand into hugely immense panoramas, ranging from more intense and cinematic to more sublime and relieving. Another standout piece, a pure, 10-minute sonic bliss!!! 2 minute long outro «Gone From Here» is sculpted with expressive solo piano.

A fairly colorful and distinctive debut by this Spaniard and a perfect addition to Altera Orbe’s portfolio. Fellow countrymen Ran Kirlian and Max Corbacho are responsible for the mixing and mastering duties. If you like a wealthy mixture of mysterious dronescaping and few hypnotic cyber-tech escapades, you will enjoy «Gaze»!!! Joxan Ruiz has a quite big collection of flutes and as a member The International Native American and World Flute Association, I am sure he has a lot to offer within the fusion of ancient flutes and electronic sound design.

Richard Gürtler (Dec 09, 2012, Bratislava, Slovakia)