Downtempo Podcast 06 (.mp3)
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Twelve eclectic downtempo tracks, with a few guitars here and there and more vocals than in my previous podcasts.

Featured artists are: Briareus, Williamson, Yongen, Plunkett, Christophe Goze, Justin Bianco, Mister Fusty, Burning Babylon, Hoxman, _ghost, Budha Building, and Slot Car Racers.

Many thanks to all the artists who contacted me and shared their tracks—it's great to meet you. Please use the links to visit their web sites and learn more about them.

And also a huge THANK YOU once again to Magnatune, the Podshow Podsafe Music Network, and ccMixter for giving access to podcasters for this great music.

Artists: if you think your downtempo tracks will fit in one of my future podcasts, contact me.

Downtempo Podcast 07
AAC (enhanced, iTunes) version

This podcast kicks off with a great track from some artists known as "Evolve," who released an album called "Happy Hour in the Gene Pool." Check them out at iTunes or CDBaby and please support them by buying their music. Thank you, Evolve, for letting me put one of your tracks in this podcast!

Following Evolve comes nine more tracks from electronica artists who share their music online -- at sites like mono211.com, archive.org (the Internet Archive), and Jamendo.com -- using a Creative Commons license ("some rights reserved"). This means that it's OK to play their tracks online in their entirety as long as I'm not using it for commercial reasons. Please visit Creative Commons and learn about this organization if you care about the future of internet radio and podcasts and independent music in general....they're doing very important work in this area.

The tracks range from melodic, chilled grooves to soulful, remixed vocals, to a modern electronic-bossa feeling. Artists are as follows: Evolve, Aphilas, Sofia Rueda, Oveloe, JCRZ, Vate, Briareus, genox, and Disciples of Ageema.

And remember, I do answer your emails and I listen to your submissions, so contact me!

Downtempo Podcast 08

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As always, I'm exploring the web, looking for great downtempo, trip hop, and electro-jazzy tracks for these podcasts. And thanks to Andreas of XtraChill (another great podcast!), I've gotten to know two new artists — Electrix in Germany, and Zico in Poland —whom I've included in this episode.

This podcast starts out slow and chilled, gets a bit funky at times, and then picks up a few bpm near the end. I've returned back to some of my favorite artists again, too: Vate, genox, JCRZ, and the Warheads.

And two more artists from San Francisco are featured here: Karmacoda, a track that's available on archive.org..... and micropixie, a super-cool world citizen (Bombay, London, Paris, and SF) who has an album, "Alice in Stevie Wonderland," available through the iTunes store and on CDBaby.com. Please support her by buying her tracks or her album online!

And finally, I can't help but to listen in on what the remixers are doing at ccMixter....this episode of Expand Your Musical Horizons features a remixer who used DJ Vadim samples (with his permission, of course), and who goes alternately by the name of "Code" and "Mixro."

As always, thanks to the Podshow Podsafe Music Network, ccMixter, Creative Commons, and the artists who give me permission to promote their tracks.

Enjoy the ride!

Please check out my friends at the XtraChill podcast!

Downtempo Podcast 09 - the Eastern Europe/Russian Federation episode

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This episode focuses on the incredible talent of a few artists who live in Russia, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Poland...with a heavy emphasis on the ambient side of downtempo, and finishing with a hint of IDM. Featuring lush synths, sophisticated beats and orchestration, and some deliciously quiet moments, the featured artists on this podcast are: Cargo Cult (Slovakia), Koan (Russian Federation), Wade (Poland), Kadang (Russian Federation), Phundamental (Lithuania), Zico (Poland), Domased (Slovakia), Olo (Poland), and Modul (Russian Federation).

I'd like to thank Magnatune.com, Sun Station (netlabel), Jamendo.com, Phonocake (netlabel), Creative Commons, libre.org, and most importantly, the artists themselves for making this music available on the internet!

If you're a musician in the eastern parts of Europe and you'd like to be included in a future podcast, contact me....

Downtempo Podcast 10

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Who can resist the sophisticated eastern flavor of the opening track from Koan? If you're a fan of psy-ambient music, you probably already know them from compilations like "Floating Point" [Sofa Beats records], but thanks to netlabel Sun Station and to a Creative Commons license, they're here in this podcast for your listening pleasure.

Following Koan is the amazing Confused Man, also known as Dirk Beppelring, from Germany's netlabel Sofasound. Then...another track from Kadang, who was featured in my Eastern Europe podcast, and is back again.

Many thanks to Playup Music for contacting me on behalf of the Winston Giles Orchestra...I hope all of you enjoy their track ("Theme from Burning Winchesters") as much as I do. I first heard them on the XtraChill podcast. And thanks, too, to Redzone....amazing first and Second Life digital artists who have a track included here.

Following them is even more aural pleasure: Calm Be from Germany's Sofasound netlabel, Phundamental from the very cool Phonocake netlabel (thanks, Sven!), Sumergido from the Yuki Yaki netlabel, Aligning Minds from the Aerotone netlabel, and finally, Effect Unit (also known as Marcell Marias) —thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.

As always, please give your support to independent musicians and netlabels!

Downtempo Podcast 11
The Germany Episode

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It's only logical. Germany is the center of some of the most innovative downtempo and electronic music on the planet. So it's about time Expand Your Musical Horizons did a podcast to showcase some of the best German artists and netlabels. And here to give some expert advice is Andreas Schneider of XtraChill.

It was hard to keep this podcast short, to just an hour, but you're in for a treat. Starting out is Undo Silence from Hamburg, followed by Confused Man, who releases his music on the netlabel Sofasound. Then Electrix is back with "Berlin Am Meer, " from his album "On the Rhodes." With track 4, you'll enjoy some trip-hop from another Sofasound artist, Calm Be, and then relax to a lovely world-fusion track from Ambrish, from Köln. Next is Cantaloup from Marburg, with a gentle, dreamy track from his album on Aerotone Records. Then we move from gentle to edgy with Dorntec, with a trip-hop/glitch-hop track from his album on Acedia Music, a netlabel. DJ Ax comes next, with an inventive electronic track that fuses classical with electronica.

Echofloat from Münster follows next, with a lovely chilled-out track that Andreas recommends. Then comes the ambient bliss of Spheric Lounge, an improvisational group that performs live from München. And finally we have alec troniq from Dresden, featuring a track he released with Phonocake records.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the eclectic mix...

Downtempo Podcast 12

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This episode features more great tracks from independent artists who release their music online. In addition, several remixers who share their work on ccMixter are featured here: remixers who go by the names of Spinmeister, Sawtooth, dsy, and cdk. These tracks are stunning: don't miss them!

If you've been enjoying some earlier episodes of Expand Your Musical Horizons, you'll see some familiar names: Confused Man and Mister Fusty.

Enjoy some artists who are new to this podcast: the soaring orchestral ambiance of Pipe Choir, the dreamy chillout of Madstyle, the pop-infused chill from Peacespeakers, the jazzy groove of Superbus, and the trip-hoppy beat of DS-ARt.

You'll also hear about now-familiar netlabels like Phonocake, mono211, and Sofasound, and you'll get introduced to another netlabel here: Sojus Records in Hungary.

Downtempo Podcast 13

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This podcast starts you out with some floating synths and an ambient beat, featuring Soundshifter from Germany. It takes you on a journey that's melodic, electronic, and relaxing, getting more ambient as it progresses. It ends with a sample of a live, improvisational tabla-infused performance of Fromuz, from Uzbekistan.

Featured artists, in order, include some of my favorites: Soundshifter, Superbus, JCRZ, Peacespeakers, Liquid Zen, Madstyle, Sonmi 451, and Fromuz. Enjoy the ride....

And support the artists whenever you can!

Special Interview with Pierre Baillot of The Maïdo Project
recorded in Paris, August 2007 — mp3
iTunes [AAC] version [right-click to download]

Pierre talks about his background as a jazz musician and creator of The Maïdo Project, the influence of ethnic music on the Paris scene, and the difficulties of getting recognition in a city known for its overwhelming arts scene. Includes five great tracks from the Maïdo Project.

You can learn more about the Maido Project at their MySpace website—check it out!

The Maido Project currently has two albums: "Electric Blue" and "Safran." You can buy their music at iTunes or at fnac. Please give them your support and buy their tracks.

Merci beaucoup à Pierre pour l'interview.

Downtempo Podcast 14

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MP3 version

Episode 14 of "Expand Your Musical Horizons" kicks off with an artist in Taiwan who goes by the name of MoShang. He's released an album called "Asian Variations (Various Artists Remixed by MoShang)," which, as the name implies, features MoShang remixes of a number of talented electronica artists.

Next, we move onto a nujazz/downtempo track from an ensemble known as Polifonia Visual. They're based in Tokyo, but released through a netlabel in Mexico called Konfort.

A couple of remixers from ccMixter are featured in this episode: cdk from Canada, and DJ Blue from the USA.

We've got more tracks from newly released albums, too: "Surrounder (club mix)" from the Grains of Sound release "Rays of Life, Volume 1 (downtempo)," which you can buy from their website; "Sunset Room" from the album "Nine Lucid Dreams" from Two Loons for Tea; and "Stegerwald" from Ambrish, which is one of the featured tracks on a new compilation from Chillom Records in India called "Azaad - E."

But that's not all. We've also got a track from Liquid Frame in Italy called "Ride Away (ambient mix)" and a great track from The Incognito Traveller (thanks for the recommendation, Bextravagant!) called "Chaleur," which is also released on the Konfort netlabel in Mexico.

Downtempo Podcast 15

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MP3 version (for everyone else)

Yay! More chilled-out tracks. This time we start out with a nice latin flavor -- a track from Flux & Vega, released on the Konfort netlabel. Then on to another latin-infused track -- this time from Calm Be, from the Sofasound netlabel. Then, another Sofasound artist: Andromeda Island. Don't ask me why I haven't played one of Thorsten Jungbluth's tracks before ...they're so great. Then, another one of my favorites is back: genox, with an "oldie but goodie." Following that is a Lithuanian artist named Kondencuotas Pienas, whose track, "Sidabrine Dykuma (apelsino kosmaras)" can be found on a complilation called "Red Planet Volume 2." You should check it out on the internet archive.

Then another one of my favorites: Steffan Coonan. Following that is another wonderful artist from the Konfort netlabel, Cri-Kong. And CDK is back with another sneaky, lo-fi remix called "That Sound." Following that comes Kirbi, from the Russian Federation, and we wrap things up with a longtime net artist from mono211.com: Mosaik.

Enjoy! The next episode I'll be swapping places with Andreas of XtraChill...so don't miss it!

Downtempo Podcast 16
Hosted by Andreas Schneider of "XtraChill" and "XtraChill Intensiv"

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Andreas Schneider and I switch places for this episode. Andreas hosts episode 16 of "Expand Your Musical Horizons," featuring artists he's played on "XtraChill" and that I haven't yet played. And I do the same....I host episode 13 of "XtraChill Intensiv" and feature 10 artists whose tracks were played on this podcast but were never played before on XtraChill.

Andreas starts out with a track from Subtronix, "Tron," and follows that with Musetta, from Italy, with "By My Side." Then he delights us with Anji Bee's ensemble, Lovespirals, and the track "Walk Away (Bitstream Dream Remix)." Following that is Egoscope from Germany with "Travelling."

Continuing with more artists who are new to Expand Your Musical Horizons, he introduces us to Caban, from Mexico, with "Cardenal 4," and warns us that you can only buy his albums in Mexico! So enjoy his music in this podcast. Next comes an XtraChill favorite, Frank Mackie, with "Dream Stereo," and another, Charlie North, with "Flying Home." But there's more: Mavro, with "Love Light," and StarKlounge from France, with "From Day to Day." And last, but definitely not least, is a track from Marcus Zelonka, "Destination Moon (featuring Darrin Campbell Huss)."

Thanks, Andreas!

If you're looking for me, I'm hosting an episode of XtraChill Intensiv for Andreas, which features some of the tracks you love, including The Maido Project, ASHWAN, The Svengali Project, CDK, Sumergido, Gum, Madstyle, Cargo Cult, Koan, and Peacespeakers — tracks featured in previous episodes. Download episode 13 from iTunes under "XtraChill Intensiv."

Downtempo 17 - San Francisco episode

downloads:
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MP3 (for everyone else)

It's about time I showcase some of the great downtempo, trip-hop, and psyambient artists in my own neighborhood, San Francisco.

Many thanks to the San Francisco artists and scenemakers who contributed to this episode: the amazing talented ledenhed, the scenemakers Sound Capsule (DF Tram and DJ Xan-X of ambi-sonic fame), PolyGroovers (who are also featured in a new compilation from Epiphyte Records, "Test Press SF 2007"), The Warheads, the mysterious DJ Delivery, the supercharged grooves of Alloy Trex (who should have an album, but don't!), the generous General Fuzz, the eurochilled sounds of Fuzzpod, the understated, elegantly trip-hopping Under, Karmacoda (apologies for playing the same track as in episode 8, but it's still great, isn't it?), and the fabulous Artemis.

Downtempo 18

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This episode features a few favorites and a few artists new to Expand Your Musical Horizons. We're starting out with Electrix, from Berlin, Germany, and a track called "Spicy Sand." Electrix is in the process of releasing his album "On the Rhodes" for sale online at venues like Musicload, and hopefully soon, iTunes, so please support him! Next, we have The Kirbi, from Russia, with "Fairy Tale," a track from a net release titled "The Trembling of the Turbid." Following that is "Paralelos" from Polifonia Visual in Japan—a track from their album released on the Konfort Records netlabel.

Track 4 introduces a San Francisco combo known as Cubik and Origami, with "The Real Estate," from their self-titled album (for sale on iTunes). Following that, another track from one of my favorite remixers, CDK (from Canada) with "October (in the end mix), featuring Calendar Girl."

Then: meet Melou, a group that began in Guatemala and has members from all over the world, but who now live in Barcelona, Spain. Their highly acclaimed track, "Sweet Love," is from their album "Communication."

Melou
"Sweet Love" (mp3)
from "Communication"
(Whatabout Music, LLC)

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Then comes a track called "Pendahl," from an artist named Shane Hendricks in the USA, who also goes by the name Sonic Deviant. This track is thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.

But there's more. Another great music ensemble from the San Francisco Bay Area makes their debut here: the popular Beats Antique, from Oakland, California, with their track "The Lantern." Following that is multi-talented Vate, from Mexico/Spain, with "Marimba." And finally, we introduce a German electronica artist named Matthias Springer, who released his EP, "Mechanik," on a German netlabel known as Gargan Records.

Downtempo 19

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This episode features 10 artists new to this podcast series. It starts out with a "Cafe del Mar"-type vibe, with Solar Sound Network's "800 Jahre Dresden." Then we get a little more intense with Peresvet's "Sy(Part 2)," on the Vorbic netlabel. Following that is Mr. Moods, with "Sensuality," from his release on the Dirtybird Rexx netabel. Another artist from the Vorbic netlabel, Traum:Welt, offers the deeply electronic "And So Do I."

Moving into a little world fusion, we chill out to Samovar Tea Lounge (the same name as the tea lounge in San Francisco), with "Rumah Dunia." This comes from the label Beatpick in the UK, and you can buy it there. (Note: similar to Magnatune, 50% of the sale goes directly to the artist.)

Next comes Monophobic, another Dirtybird Rexx netlabel artist, followed by Lush Logic (more goodness from Beatpick), followed by a fun track, "The Land of the Midnight Sun," from the Slowdowns (Dirtybird Rexx). Then we go into a retro swing/beat-infused track, "Sweet Man Like Me," from Nils Hoffmann, on the Broque netlabel, and we wrap up with Granlab's "Abendläuten," from a compilation called "Spaetsommerkollection," also on broque.de.

It's been a fun episode of rich electronic grooves! See you next time...

Downtempo 20

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This episode starts off with a powerful track from Junoon, from Pakistan. They're a wildly popular electro-fusion ensemble in Southeast Asia. Their track is followed by Blue Tribe's "The Way of Sakayama" to stay in the electro/fusion mode.

Blue Tribe
"The Way of Sakayama" (mp3)
from "Deep Buddha"
(Ultraviolet Productions)

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Then we have a real treat...getting into a more jazzy/ambient headpspace with a track called "Dark City," a collobaration between two musicians from Lyon, France: Kenshirosahn and Salem Lab. Following that is a track from Solar Cycle's newly released album on Magnatune, called "Silver Lights." That's followed by San Francisco's Alloy Trex, who made their debut on this podcast in episode 17.

Then, everyone liked the Traumwelt track so much in episode 19 that I've included another track from the same Vorbic netlabel release here in this episode. That's followed by another Magnatune artist, Four Stones, with "Night is a Place." Then comes my favorite remixer, CDK, with another brilliant remix released on ccMixter.org: "Open Your Eyes (in the name of love)."

To continue expanding your musical horizons, we move on to Federleicht, an ambient artist on the Broque netlabel in Germany. And we wrap up this episode with a newly formed duo, Killer Bees Attack Tokyo, and their smoky, trip-hoppy track "Revolution Solution." Thanks for listening!

Downtempo 21

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This episode features some deep ambient tracks from Ultimae Records artists Solar Fields and Ghostfriend. Ultimae is an excellent label out of France that features deeply atmospheric, chilled-out soundscapes and beats and has a large libary of groundbreaking releases. Please check out their website, and to start appreciating Ultimae and their artists, I recommend buying one of the Fahrenheit series CDs.

We also have a knockout world-fusion track from longtime musician Jef Stott, who's signed a contract now with Six Degrees Records, but who's been making music for a long time with different groups, such as Stellamara.

And there's lots more music in this episode from independent artists that you should get to know. From Sweden, we have a lovely ambient track from Planet Boelex....affiliated for a long time now with Mono211.com. From Hungary, we have Béla Bánhegyi, with a lovely orchestral electronic soundscape. From Argentina, we have X-tralounge, with the lovely "Seashore." From the San Francisco Bay Area, we have a funky groove from Michael Dean, who is releasing an album in 2008.

We have two mystery artists: Sudaka, and Freifall, both of whom are giving their music away on music download sites but who don't seem to have websites so we can get to know them.

And finally, from Paris, we have a beautiful low-key track from one of our favorite artists, the Maido Project. (Be sure to listen to the interview with Pierre Baillot of the Maido Project in this podcast series if you enjoyed this track.)

Chill out and relax...

Downtempo 34

uploaded 15 September 2008

iTunes version (artwork, bookmarks, links)
MP3 version (everyone else)

Episode 34 is another stellar example of the finest in chilled out, ambient, downtempo grooves. Eleven artists around the world are featured in this episode, starting with ZeniX in Greece, with the track "Halazium," which was released in a compliation called "Breathe." Check out www.breathe-comp.com for more information.

Many of the artists heard in this episode haven't been in this podcast before, and they're all excellent. The following artists are new to "Expand Your Musical Horizons:" Mythematica, in the Czech Republic, Tracing Arcs in the UK, DJ Answer in Serbia, Rare in Hungary, Serphonic in Germany, Grapes and Neurowaxx in the USA, and Mere Mortals in Romania, which I must thank Ioda Promonet for supplying for this podcast. Here are the details:

Mere Mortals
"Etcetera" (mp3)
from "Sanctuary: A Shanti Mix From The Interchill Garden"
(Interchill Records)

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And two other great artists in this episode have appeared before here: Izmar, in Holland, who became known first through Mono211.com and Internet distribution of his work.

And we end with the incredible work of Aes Dana, who's released several epic, powerful, ambient-chill albums through his label, Ultimae. Please visit www.ultimae.com for more information on some of the amazing releases from this label.

Thank you to everyone who was in this episode!

Special Interview episode: Jake Paland of PFL

uploaded 21 October 2008

AAC file (includes artwork, links, and markers)

In London in October, 2008, I met with guitarist/electronica artist Jake Paland in a restaurant and we talked about his music as a solo artist and with PFL, as well as our observations about the music industry. Included are five tracks (three with PFL, two solo). Learn how Jake works with his music partner, Felix Wolter, to create PFL's music while they're living in separate countries.

Coming soon: another chilled-out mix!

Special Interview episode: Lazy Hammock (aka Lucie Burns)

uploaded 4 November 2008

AAC version (iTunes version, includes artwork and links)

Second interview in London. I chatted with musician and DJ Lucie Burns, also known as Lazy Hammock. We discuss her musical path--from childhood through singing on Afterlife's Simplicity 2000" release, to her solo work as Lazy Hammock.

She's also a DJ, and after this interview was finished, she started a gig on Tuesday nights from 8-9 p.m. on Tonic FM (internet) radio in France.

Stay tuned: you'll be hearing more from Lazy Hammock. Sony and other labels are picking up some of her tracks in their upcoming compilations. She also releases her music through Diventa in Germany. Lazy Hammock is working on a new album for the coming year, so stay tuned!

Downtempo 35

posted 10 November 2008

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There's plenty of orchestral chillout in this episode. You'll hear plenty of lush strings and synths and piano, with lovely chilled beats behind them. You'll even hear some lovely sounding spanish guitar.

We start out with a gorgeous track from DJ Answer in Serbia. You heard one of his tracks in episode 34. Then we pick up the pace with a jazzy track from Sunburn in Cyprus...one you'll be humming long after this podcast is over.

We've got three more artists from Jamendo in this episode: Strange Zero (from Greece), Feather Drug (from France), and PascaleB (also from France). You might find yourself dreaming happily to their music.

Two artists in this episode release their music on netlabels: the trip-hoppy Throwing Snow (Bulgaria) was on a Dusted Wax Kingdom compilation, and Bichi (Denmark) had his track on a compilation on a Spanish netlabel, Plataforma LTW.

Alex, a remixer from Belgium, put together the lovely instrumental track, "Improvisation on Friday" and put it on ccMixter.

Hol Baumann (France) is an artist from the Ultimae record label in France. Thank you to Hol and Vince and everyone at Ultimae for letting me include this track, one of my favorites from his album "Human." Ultimae is NOT a netlabel, so please go to your favorite music seller online and buy his music...or any of the artists on Ultimae.

And finally....Liquid Crystal (Russia) with his track, "Baja Mar." I found out about Liquid Crystal because he posted a note on Last.fm, and I found his MySpace website and begged him for a track. So thank you, Alex, for letting me share it here!

Downtempo 36

uploaded 27 November, 2008

AAC version (iTunes, graphics)

This episode starts off with some high-energy beats, thanks to Metricks & Gaiabeat.

Their opening track is followed by Bitter:Sweet, thanks to Ioda Promonet.

Bitter:Sweet
"Waking Up" (mp3)
from "Drama"
(Quango)

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Then we get into some serious trip-hop with Organic Despair, whom I found on Jamendo....and a nice, slightly mellower follow up from Suhov, with his track "Clear," released on Budabeats Records.

Sebteix, another Jamendo artist, changes the mood with some bossa-infused guitar, and then we shift gears again for some hip-hop with an orchestral background, in Crookram's "A Day in the Life."

Shifting back again into the purely instrumental and with some very laid-back beats, we follow up with one of my favorite artists, Cardamar, and his track "Final Scenery." Please check out his label's website, which features his own music as well as some other great artists, like Xerxes, and some excellent mixes you can listen to, as well.

Then we have a lovely track called "Eros," from Crackle Creations, followed by Sweeping Logic—who I discovered through Last.fm, and finally, Spiral into the Storm, with the title track from his album on Decibel Palace Records, "A Futile Veneer."

Downtempo 44

uploaded 17 May, 2009

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JRS of the San Francisco group The Warheads introduces this episode and offers the first track: "Kim," from the Warheads' album "Vrykolakas Bride," which you can download from their website. They've been making the scene for a few years and offering a lot of their music online (I first heard them in the groundbreaking podcast "Soilsound Chronicles" around 2005). This track has an easy, tabla beat that should get you in the right mood.

Pavel Fomitchov is one of the talented electronica artists who's contributed some of his music to the popular new "Tunguska Chillout Grooves" series out of Russian Federation. His track, "Kama Sutra," is in this episode.

Mystical Sun has a download on his website of a free remix of a track from his first release ("Deeperworlds," for sale on iTunes), called "7 Generations (Earth Day '09 mix)." For those of you who've followed Mystical Sun for awhile, enjoy. And for those of you who don't yet know his music....welcome.

(DJ) Maiia is from Moscow and I first heard one of her wonderful mixes on the super-chilled eilo web radio station in Bulgaria. So I had to pursue her and get one of her tracks in this podcast. "Changing Me" is an unreleased track by Maiia.

Per Lichtman sells his music through SoundClick. Imagine my delight when I heard "Oil." So I asked him if I could play it here. Please visit his MySpace page or hear him in SoundClick and support his music.

Suhov is a Hungarian artist who distributes his trip hop, hip hop, and other inspired works on the 'net. The link I put in the podcast might not work for everyone and I apologize, so go to his MySpace page to get to his downloads.

Das Kraftfuttermischwerk is a German ensemble who have some of their music on net releases online, including this one., "Blüte Seines Lebens," from the Thinner netlabel in Berlin.

Ben Othman and Serakina have both been on Expand Your Musical Horizons before, and they both distribute their gorgeous music through Jamendo.com. Please visit their websites to learn more about them and listen to their music.

Stay chilled, have a cool drink, and see you soon...there's more goodies to come very soon!

Downtempo 45

uploaded 25 May, 2009

AAC version (iTunes, with graphics)

This episode is packed with downtempo-to-midtempo goodies—mostly shorter tracks—to get you feeling energized, yet relaxed, for summer.

We start with an introduction and a brand-new track from Adriana Kaegi, former "Mama Coconut" of Kid Creole and the Coconuts, who's just released a new solo album, "TAG," which you can buy from iTunes. This track, "Ooh-La-La," has such a great bossa/lounge feel to it that it's followed with a couple of brazilian-flavored tracks: Maïdo Project's "Vem Ca (electro version)" and Pipo Pegoraro's "Butiquim."

Then we swing over to ccMixter, where we hear a lovely, chilled remix of Trifonic's "Lies." This is followed by Divasonic's "Processing...Luv," from her album "Changing Wind," which is guaranteed to keep you in a good mood. (This album is for sale on iTunes and Amazon.)

Sunburn in Cyprus just sent a pleasurable Elektrohandel remix of "In the Sunshine," so this track seemed perfect to include in this episode. This is followed by Argonika's "Do You Hear," a track that will make you want to sing along after a couple of listens. It's from the latest netlabel release from Tunguska Chillout Grooves (Lilith, volume 3), which you can download from Jamendo.com and other online sites.

Lucrecia presents the poignant track "Like Being Home," from the Spanish netlabel Superssonica's compilation, "Music for a .net Generation." This track is followed with a slightly edgier track from Lavinia Jones, "Ne-On," which you can find on Jamendo.

Black Era, who releases their music on Jamendo and through their netlabel in Italy, A Quiet Bump, is back again for your listening pleasure. They've just released a new album ("Third Eye Guerilla"), to high praise. In episode #43, you heard one of the tracks from that new release. This one, however, "My Little Replica," is from their previous album, "...then...."

Der Reisende is next, with a track from his release on the Austrian netlabel, Laridae. The track is "Stella Idlavi," from his album "Die BlendendenLichter dieser Stadt." And finally, March Rosetta wraps up this episode with "Moving Centre," from the Breathe 03 compilation from www.breathe-comp.com.

Here's another track from Adriana Kaegi's album (TAG) for you to enjoy:

Downtempo 46

uploaded 08 June 2009

AAC download (iTunes, with links and images)

Hi chillers. It's another month, and time to listen to more music. This episode is filled with tracks you'll enjoy, both new and older.

We start out with San Francisco's Karmacoda (thanks to B for the introduction), with a track from their EP "Ultraviolet Live," called "Make Like Mine." Buy it from iTunes or Amazon. Karmacoda has several albums that you can buy online, and if you're in San Francisco, check out their live performance listings so you can catch their great, trip-hoppy performances in person.

Then, thanks to Ioda Promonet, we've got a trip-hoppy groove from Balkan Fanatik called "Elment az én rózsám (Zoohacker folk tronic remix)," which is on a compilation called "Mokka Lounge 3."

Balkan Fanatik
"Elment az én rózsám" (mp3)
from "Mokka Lounge 3"
(Karmatronic Sound Mgmt, LLC)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
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More On This Album

Also, thanks to Chill-ist in Turkey, for letting me play "Pleasure," which you can buy as an mp3 from their album on Amazon.

Jamendo artists once again are well represented here: the funky rumba of Syntharmony, the soulful Moroccan remix by Mr. Khalid, and the dreamy chill from Nait and from Antony Raijekov. In addition, we have tracks from netlabel releases on Budabeats, Laridae, Pueblo Nuevo, and Dusted Wax Kingdom, represented by artists M.W.D., Beitegeuze, Francisco Pinto, and Merlune & Daakoon, respectively.

Creative Commons pioneers, like ccMixter.org and Magnatune also have artists in this episode: Solace has a belly dancing track, "Nataraja," from their "Valdana" album on Magnatune, and remixer short_hopper has a sweet little fusion remix, just 1:30 in length, that he uploaded to ccMixter.

Enjoy the sun, if you have it, and bring this podcast with you! Here's the link to subscribe in iTunes, if you haven't already.

Downtempo 47

uploaded 22 June 2009

Download the AAC file (iTunes, contains graphics and links)

Intro from Eamonn Flynn of Under

We kick off this episode with an anatomically perfect downtempo track from San Francisco's Under. It's from their new album, "More Pleasant Grey," and it should send you to Amazon or iTunes to buy their album for yourself.

But just to keep you on your toes, things suddenly get mildly edgy with an indietronica track from Bangguru in Portugal: "Andology." Then, back to official downtempo, with Alejandro Rubio's "Proyecto F." This track is followed by Sonic Mystery in Slovenia -- thank you for contacting me! They are sound designers Dejan Bucalo and Urška Rakovec, who've worked for impressive clients around the world and also share their music on Jamendo.com.

Then, we can enjoy to the techno/fusion soundscapes of Per Lichtman, whom you first heard in episode #44. Per has just released a high-energy single, "Escalation," with some impressive remixes, including one from world-renowned house artist Andy Hunter. You'll find these tracks for sale on indietorrent.org.

We've got some other artists who are new to this podcast from different netlabels: Q-Daelic in Germany (from Stigae) and Auto Pilot in the U.K. (from Broque), and two others who release their music through the Internet archives: Leon Somov in Lithuania, and Psychedelicious in Germany.

If you don't know the Umma Project in Colombia, you'll get to know this artist now. His track, "Oceania," is for sale on iTunes.

And we conclude with a lovely track from Germany's Frisch Moritz -- whom I hope will release an album or sign with a netlabel soon.

Enjoy this episode, and send me a note with your feedback!
Cary

Downtempo 48

uploaded 8 July 2009

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This episode is full of trip-hop, soulful grooviness. Starting with an introduction from Guillaume of the popular trip hop ensemble, SHINE, we launch into SHINE's opening track ("Soulful Music") from their album "The Common Station," which you can buy from iTunes, Amazon, and other online sellers. Every track on this album is enjoyable from beginning to end, so I highly recommend that you buy it. Guillaume informs us that they're working on a new album with Terry Reid that should come out later this year. Can't wait!

The beats and grooves continue throughout. There's quite a few Jamendo artists in this episode: Screenatorium, from France, with "Addiction," Wasaru, also from France, with "Old Story," Chill Carrier, from Germany, with "Me and My Rocket," and Shyam Monk, from India, with a memorable and enchanting world groove called "Orphan's Song," that will leave you thinking "how can I hear more from this guy??" It's that good.

The netlabels have solid representation here, as well. The artist Lost Soul Refuge is here with a track from his new release on the Dusted Wax Kingdom netlabel, called "Black Orchid." PinocChio SP from Germany shares a track called "Last Days," released on a compilation on the Konsum netlabel in Germany. Phour Trakk has a totally chilled groove called "Running on Karma," and there's a soulful, sample mashup from Ate One that sounds like Archie Bell and the Drells have arrived in the 21st century, both from the Id.eology netlabel in Germany.

Three more independent artists have tracks in this podcast, and you're sure to enjoy all of them: Di Evantile (also known as Oleg Somov), from Kazakhstan included "Storm," which has some nice breaks in it. (Di Evantile also has several albums for sale on CD Baby, iTunes, and more.) Leon Somov from Lithuania has the Brazilian flavored "Mano (Arclab and Nearth, the Parentheses remix)" with Jazzu. And there's yet another track from the prolific and wonderfully trip hoppy Suhov in Hungary: "Tinilányok Alma."

Enjoy the music. And please support these artists and netlabels by buying ...or licensing ...their music and spreading the word about them: turn it up and let it be heard!

Downtempo 49

uploaded 21 July 2009

AAC file (iTunes, with graphics and links)

Starting with some heavy beats from Suhov, this episode combines some powerful trip hop and vocals with some ambient beats and downtempo grooves, and ends with a midtempo track.

Let's look at some of these tracks. Merge of Equals is the latest artist to emerge with an album from SINE Records in Germany. The album, "Intoxicating," releases on 24 July and you'll be able to buy it from the usual suspects (iTunes, Amazon, and Beatport, for example). I hope you enjoy this track, "Hoshi No Namida," just one of many good tracks on this album.

Celeste Lear joins us with "In the Middle," from her first album, "The Echo Inside." Celeste has two albums for sale on iTunes and through CDBaby, and she's an integral part of Digital Bliss: with Divasonic, she co-produces compilations of women electronica artists. As you might imagine, I like this a lot. Celeste and Divasonic are going to do a special episode of "Expand Your Musical Horizons" in a couple of months.

The Warheads are back with yet another smooth track from their arsenal of great music. JRS tells me that they stopped naming their tracks, so this one is simply titled "06" and it's from their album "Telstar 18," which you can download from their website.

Elon, an Armenian singer who lives now in the USA, is featured here (courtesy of Ioda Promonet) with "Armenian Girl," from his album "Temptation," which is for sale on iTunes and other online sites.

Elon

Buy at iTunes Music Store
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Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Arthur Loves Plastic, a prolific and talented artist in Washington D.C., is back with "Bring in the Night," from her newest album, "King Shag," which you can also buy from iTunes. Arthur Loves Plastic was in an early episode of this podcast back in 2006, and it's good to have her back.

I'm happy to say that we're also featuring a track from Master Margherita, from his new album "Hippies with Gadgets," which you can buy from him directly through his website. The track is called "Koto." Master Margherita makes a lot of amazing music, both as a DJ and music compiler, and as a performer. Please take notice of his own podcasts. Thank you, Margherita, for your inspiration!

The Zengineers are featured here with a slightly older track "Les rites de passage," from their album "Mental Maps for Large Territories," on the id.eology netlabel in Germany. Phour Trakk, whose track "Spirit Cave" comes up next, is part of the Zengineers lineup.

Guitoud is new to this podcast, but I like his music a lot...this track, "Long & Far," is from his release "I & I" on the wonderful Fresh Poulp netlabel in France.

Music Inside, from Canada, has a track here called "Pic du Midi," which you can buy along with their album from Magnatune.com or some other online sites. Music Inside is made up of two talented and highly accomplished musicians ...listen to the podcast announcements at the end to find out more.

And finally, the midtempo track comes from Arthur Oskan vs. Spiral into the Storm...it's called "Sun Squall," and it's from their "New York City People" EP, which you can buy from iTunes. Thanks to Decibel Palace for this one. (Note: I mistakenly announced in the original version of theshow that this was released through Electronic Eel Records, which is incorrect.)

That's it...keep enjoying your summer and...of course...stay chilled.

Downtempo 50

uploaded 08 August 2009

AAC version (iTunes, iPod, with graphics)

It's a milestone -- episode #50 -- with 13 horizon-expanding tracks. Let's put on our headphones and celebrate together...

Andreas Schneider of the XtraChill podcast in Germany joins us to introduce the first track, which he chose just for us: Adult Only's "Overlove." Find it on Jamendo.

After the sophisticated chill of Adult Only, we get into some electro fusion: enjoy Tikki Masala (from Belgium) and Metastaz (from France), with "Maha Devi Shamboo" and "Resistance." From there we move into some trip-hoppy beats: Motown Junkie's "Farlopa Satanica," Jószomszéd's gorgeous, soulful "Csak az olvassa," from their new album "Az ajtó," Degiheugi's eclectically epic "Mes nuits tziganes," Geigermeister's "Slow Groove," and Flow Inc's delicately heavy "Lost and Found," from his EP, "Controlled Variables."

Then, with a nod to earlier episodes of this podcast, we include a track from Germany's Calm Be: "Again" -- another classic gem from the Sofasound netlabel, which presented a gold mine of brilliant music circa 2005, but has not been updating its site for awhile.

The last three tracks are some of the many goodies of Jamendo.com: Maya de Luna, with the electro-chanson track "Les ondes de survie," Pavel Fomitchov, with "Erotic Dream," from the wonderful Tunguska Chillout compilation series, and Brazil's Kaparao, with "Ybytyrama," a lovely, soaring track that will leave you feeling really good.

Thanks for listening ... it's wonderful to have 50 episodes online for you to enjoy. Please send me an email to let me know what you enjoy, or what you'd like to hear on future episodes. See you next time!

Downtempo 51

uploaded 23 August 2009

AAC version (iTunes, graphics, links)

Atiim Chenzira opens a "Can of Wormz" for us in this episode by introducing this track about the "push and pull of relationships," which he recorded with Divasonic. You can buy this track at a number of online sites, but we recommend that you use bandcamp. To continue with the theme of relationships, this track is followed by Screenatorium's "What if," Weather Pending's "Pieces" (from their debut album, "And How!"), Phour Trakk's lo-fi "World Behind Your Eyes," and Sel-P's soulful "By My Side."

From there, things get instrumental, with Alka's "Blueberry," NiM's "Telephone Call" (which was on Fresh-Poulp's "Octopus One" compilation), "Collaboration," from -Maze- (on Jamendo.com), Lost Soul Refuge's "Banshee" (from his album on Dusted Wax), a couple of dub tracks: Para's "Component" (from the netlabel "A Quiet Bump" in Italy) and ManintheAttic's "Aztarna" (on the Disboot netlabel in Spain), and concludes with a soaring track from Soundsache in Germany, "Demons and Devils."

September 2009

NOTE: I've moved all these playlists to a blog, which will make the new podcasts easier to find and everything more fun to read.

Episode #52, the newest episode, is on the NEW blog with a tracklisting and a link.

September 7, 2009