(Soft Phase #08) Mosaik “Leandi”

Original Sound Version [29/11/2009]:

Do you remember that we wrote about the lush and incredible co-lab between Planet Boelex and Lisa’s Antenna last year? If you don’t then I can tell you that we fancied it very much. Very much indeed. The relatively new netlabel Soft Phase has continued to churn out quite a few impressive releases, the last featuring the Swedish demomusic guru Mosaik, with an EP titled Leandi.

Unlike the strong focus on rhythm which is very prominent in electronic music, Mosaik is all about emphasis on melodiousness and soft, dreamy textures. If you’ve been listening to one too many a’ pumping house beat lately, this can be your antidote. There is always a very personal touch to Mosaik’s recordings, and this is no exception. He seems to have the rare ability to let his songs evolve in a way which creates an enormous sense of replay value. You might find yourself just like me, pushing repeat and listening to the songs all over again, just one more time.

The man himself explains that this is his most sincere and straightforward production in a long time. The artist’s own fatherhood and the warmth he obviously feels for his son gently shines trough. To quote John Paul Young: “Love is in the air.” Experimentalism and the more abstract landscapes of ambient take a back seat and the songs make strong references to what is known as demostyle. The music flows like water down a gentle stream until it finishes: leaving you and the atmosphere behind with a sense of encouraging warmth.

All the tracks are instrumental, and although it would be exiting to hear what Mosaik and a talented vocalist could pull of, the lack thereof does not detract in any way from the quality and strength of this work. He has gotten help from fellow producers though with the ever so lovely Planet Boelex and Niklas Nummelin, collaborating with Mosaik on one track each.

If I had to pick my favorite track, it’d be the title track, “Leandi.” It has a sense of optimism embedded in its melody which is very uplifting. It is very well balanced and the percussive elements only seem to underline the general movement of the song’s melody. Also the arpeggio-ridden hymn, “melo,” oozes of ethereal quality and seems to evoke a sense of unlimited possibility and freedom. And this my friends is something which this world should do well to cherish.

With just an ounce of the world famous Scandinavian trait of melancholia; just a little bit, the songs also somehow have more then one emotion going at the same time. High quality is seemingly a trademark of Mosaik, and there’s not a single song here that disappoints. So what are you waiting for? This one is both free and favored by OSV. A download should therefore be as imminent as sunrise on a cloud-free morning.

(Soft Phase #06) HALO XVI “The Sixteenth Hour”

Rockerilla magazine / Mirco Salvadori [September 2009 issue]

“The Daydreaming started under the wings of Laverna netlabel and became reality in this new HALO XVI’s work, published by the good old Planet Boelex nordic netlabel Soft Phase.

Hidden under the HALO XVI moniker is GianPaolo Diacci, a venenetian musician who’s always riding the innovative soundwave. In this work, though, he received some help from sound alchemist Giorgio Ricci, with whom he once shared the same band (the alas disbanded RAN); and from the trumpet player Massimo Berizzi, with a touch that’s a mix between the sublime and the subliminal. A musical touch able to expand his instrument’s notes, transforming them in something else of obscure nature. Sixteen hours spread over ten tracks of a wonderful interstellar travel to the borders of sonic obscurity.” 8/10 [translated from italian]

(Soft Phase #01) Planet Boelex & Lisa’s antenna “Little World”

Morpheus Music [10.10.2008]:

Style : “Blissful electronic downtempo with dreamy female vocals. This is a delightful album of warm, translucent digital soundscaping carried on glitch touched beats – serene washes and air filled pads form misty veils that enshroud lazy piano and synth melody with an effect that reminds me of sunshine dispersing the dawn chill. The music lingers in low key gentleness, builds into waves of tranquillity, sighs of intensity that breath in tandem with singer Lisa’s wistful voice. It’s a little like Planet Boelex have strung together a suite of the most beautiful interludes – those idle moments from the spaces in between – then built these naturally into complete forms in themselves. The vocals are equally effective – poignant, whispery, breathy – mostly delivered softly, occasionally lifting heaven high – intimate themes that neither dominate the music nor submerge too deep. The rhythm section is among the most serenely euphoric I’ve heard anywhere – uncluttered programmed beats that nudge the music forward, unfurling bass forms masterfully intertwined.”

Artwork : “Since this is a freely downloadable album you might expect little visual material, yet here is a full set of accompanying artwork – and you know what – this too is of a very high quality. Photographic imagery, little line drawings and painted textures interact with printed fonts and handwritten script in a fashion that calls to mind the more attractive aspects of personal scrap booking. The front cover features a misty landscape photograph where distant trees have softened into a single hue, reflected in a lake, little reeds dotting the foreground. The rear cover holds a shot of the wires and rods of T.V. aerials on a rooftop black against a grey sky. A grey painted panel to the left holds track titles and a note from Lisa to Ossi – the eyes of the artists bookending this section. Within, more lush, hazy scenery surrounded by eclectic pictorial details – a dark snail, curling twigs, a windswept couple on a plane of battleship grey, a bird on a roof, an abandoned bag. Very little information clutters the impact of the artwork – website details and titles.”

Overall : “Planet Boelex has been around since 2004 as an electronic music project originating from Finland. Ossi is a self taught musician who began his musical experiments using computer-based “tracker” programmes. He has to date released a series of albums and EPs via such notable netlables as Monotonik, Ogredung, and Kahvi Collective – all freely downloadable under the Creative Commons licensing system. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that this guy’s music is in any way inferior in quality to the expensive CDs that you have paid for to put on your shelves – Little World continues to demonstrate that Planet Boelex is a world class project, delivering material second to none. Little World is a six track EP released through the new netlabel Soft Phase. If Soft Phase can continue this high standard they will certainly be a label to watch.”

Original Sound Version [29/08/2008]:

“Planet Boelex is one of my favorite electronic artists, and the craziest thing is that he releases his music for free online. Needless to say, he’s one of the reasons I’m not a musician… how can you compete with such a talented artist who isn’t even getting paid to write this amazing stuff?

Anyway, he’s teamed up with vocalist Lisa’s antenna to bring listeners Little World, a majestic, 30-minute journey into layered atmospheres and enchanting vocals. Need a reference? Think Björk, but I have to admit that my bias for Planet Boelex leads me to say this is even better than the international electronic artist I just named. What’s even more, this release is the first from a new netlabel called Soft Phase, so it looks like they’re off to a great start!

Hit the jump for a brief description of the six tracks that you can download for free;
“Are You There” starts things off with typical Planet Boelex ambience that’s heavy on bass, standing in contrast to Lisa’s antenna’s high-pitched, otherworldy vocals. The steady pitch of Lisa’s antenna’s voice in both “Angels” and “Fall” combine with rich piano chords to give a contemporary jazz/soul feel. Did I mention the production values here are absolutely amazing? They could be selling this music.

The melancholy “Walk ahead” comes next, with subdued vocals and a mischievous string/piano backing that lends an almost 007 feel. About half way through the strings explode, and the addition of snappy percussion and a thick bass give the track a sort of cool elegance. “Outlet,” my favorite track on the album, takes on a pop edge with deliberate vocal phrases with lots of pauses, allowing the music to shine through, and have I mentioned I like Planet Boelex’s music? Dreamy yet groovin’, it plods along at a walking pace, allowing listeners to soak up the soundwaves. “Fill me up” ends the album with a lot of reverb, giving the track a spacey, dreamlike feel that eases listeners into silence after the album is over.

So, what are you waiting for? This is some great mood-setting electronic music. Little World is available for free on the Soft Phase netlabel, so head over and check it out.”