Various Artists - Electronica Unplugged 1 & 2
Electronica Unplugged from the Aerotone netlabel is described as “a collection of nearly acoustic tunes only influenced by electronica”. The key word is “nearly” as all of the tracks use electronic background or mild enhancement in some way. Nonetheless, acoustic instruments are center stage on this album of gentle melodies hovering in the areas of ambient, neo-folk, and new age.
All ten artists featured on the first compilation have something worthwhile to say. The starting track by Winterpark has a icy beauty to its sparse keyboard and soft cherubic chorale backing. Leander’s “Directions” offers a fragile vocal aided by guitar and ryhtmic glitches. Bersarin Quartett’s “St. Peterburg” is aptly titled as it evokes a Classical atmosphere at the beginning until the electronics phases in. The track has a feeling not unlike the chill of a Russian winter. “Dawn and Echoes” is a good introduction to Cantaloup”s masterful blending of electro-acoustic elements and voice. Akira Kosamura’s ” Drop” is the most minimalist of efforts with simple piano lines acompanied by water drop effects. The final track by Virculum is a gentle jazz excursion with a superlative bass solo. Other tracks by The Banjo Consorsium, Arturo en el Barco, Roll Film, Teamforest round out the compilation.
The second collection offers more of the beautiful same. Of the ten artists, only the Bersarin Quartett is a repeat. Again, they are all good but I especially like the contributions by Crepusculum, My First Trumpet, Sepia Hours, and Aoyoma. While these two albums may not be totally unplugged they still make for an enjoyable listen and a nice introduction to some promising artists.
Electronica Unplugged is available as a full album zip or separate tracks in 192kbps MP3. Electronica Unplugged 2 comes in 256kbps MP3.
