B12 - Time Tourist (1995, UK) Ambient Techno

This is a gem of an album that I got from the fantastic Acrocosm Blog. Slick and dreamy techno with a real spacey vibe. Some of the songs are significantly more intense and frenetic but the vibe is still maintained. Highly recommended chill out music.

Track List:

VOID/Comm	5:49
Infinite Lites (Primitives Mix)	5:21
Cymetry	5:58
Gimp	7:21
DB5	1:42

Phettt	5:52
Epilion	7:08
Scriptures	6:58
The Silicon Garden (Flymocut)	3:29
Radiophonic Workshop	6:20

Download Here: (B12 - Time Tourist, 192kbps)

Banda Black Rio - Maria Fumaca (1977, Brazil) Latin Funk

Man those are some happy/blazed motherfuckers on that album cover right there. And why not I say, I love the vibe you get out of this, it's got that busy party-time atmosphere characteristic of Latin music but it also gets into some serious emotionally deep grooves and booty shaking rhythms. I heard 2 tracks from this late one night on the radio driving home after a rough night and ever since it has owned my soul. This will make you happy - get it.

Tracklist:

1		Maria Fumaca	2:22
2		Na Baixa Do Sapateiro	3:02
3		Mr. Funky Samba	3:36
4		Caminho Da Roca	2:57
5		Metalurgica	2:30
6		Baiao	3:26
7		Casa Forte	2:22
8		Leblon Via Vaz Lobo	3:02
9		Urubu Malandro	2:28
10		Junia	3:39

Download Here: (Banda Black Rio - Maria Fumaca, 192kbps)

Voivod - Nothingface (1989, Canada) Progressive Thrash Metal

This is my favourite release from these Canadian technophobes. Nothingface is much more prog than thrash and is something of a transition album between these two approaches. This different approach allows the nuances and thematic statements of the band to become much more apparent to the listener probably largely due to better production.

There is something a bit intangible that I really like about the instrumentation on this album. The very distinct grinding and machine like - yet strangely melodic - guitar of the late 'Piggy' D'amour really comes to the fore here thanks to the vastly improved production values. The interplay between the guitar and the technical yet deadly efficient and light on fills approach of the drums just works so damn well and is offset nicely by some thick riffy bass. Vocals are a bit take it or leave it though and the lyrics are a bit too sci-fi cheese sometimes but it still makes a lot of sense given context

This is really an essential album from the Voivod catalogue and the cover of Pink Floyd's 'astronomy domine' is pretty special really and ranks up there with Coroner's Purple Haze cover on the I didn't expect that from a thrash band scale. Dig it.

Tracklist:

The Unknown Knows	5:53
Nothingface	4:14
Astronomy Domine	5:26
Missing Sequences	5:42
X-Ray Mirror	4:27
Inner Combustion	3:46
Pre-Ignition	5:10
Into My Hypercube	5:02
Sub-Effect	4:29

Download Here: (Voivod - Nothingface, 192kbps)

Darkspace - Dark Space I (2003, Switzerland) Ambient Black Metal

I'll start off by saying that 'Ambient' is a relative term but I'm sure you can tell already from that album cover that this is going to be as grim and sparse as fuck. Conceptually this album has been executed near flawlessly, the premise of this band is essentially 'black metal in space' and that's pretty much where it takes you. The traditional black metal formula has been augmented by dreamy synth pads, electronic drums and sci-fi samples which adds a unique vibe to their sound especially with the synths. What really invokes the stark images of deep space in this recording though are the monolothic tides of punishing guitar, it's one dissonant chord change after another with little respite to be had - there is no one to help you in outer space.

This one is an acquired taste and you really need to be in the mood for a bit of gloom - the experience is rewarding if you're up to it.

NOTE: for some reason megaupload refused to upload this album no matter how many times I tried so I had to settle for rapdidshare instead.

Track Listing (check out those amazing song titles):

1		Dark 1.1	7:51
2		Dark 1.2	11:53
3		Dark 1.3	11:37
4		Dark 1.4	10:03
5		Dark 1.5	13:32
6		Dark 1.6	10:20
7		Dark 1.7	10:55

Download Here: (Darkspace - Dark Space I, V0)