Shpongle
 

This could've gone under the music suggestions forum as well, but perhaps it's better off here...

Shpongle is a "band" that mixes electronic dance/trance/ambient music with traditional instruments and ethnic/eastern (surprise, surprise) influence. They are two guys: Simon Posford (perhaps best known by the name Hallucinogen) and Ronald "Raja Ram" Rothfield (flutist/etc., once a member of the prog. group Quintessence).

It's music that should appeal to at least many Ozric fans.

http://www.shpongle.org/index.php?menu=shpongle

http://www.shpongle.org/index.php?menu=music


-Methem

Re: Shpongle
 

Methem sent me this link last week. Although I'm not generally into this sort of thing, there were some very interesting musical ideas here. There's a lot of song samples on the site, and it's a good listen.

This band could open the door to a lot of different things.

Am I the only person who likes Ozrics for the fusion element? I think they're one of the best instrumental band I've ever heard. the "space" and "noodling" aspect never appealed to me.

Re: Shpongle
 

I don't actually listen to them for that aspect either.

It's mainly the ethnic influences, the flute, Ed's guitar, and some of the psychedelia going on in general that does it for me. Something like that... So yes, obviously that's largely the fusion element you're talking about...


-Methem

Re: Shpongle
 

For me, this is just another downtempo electronic music project in the vein of Enigma/Deep Forest. The only difference is that they come from the "Goa" scene(that speedy, indian-influenced trance music). Not that they're bad, but I heard too much of that kind of music already.

Just my two cents, don't burn my house down!:(

--Hawksun

Re: Shpongle
 

It's not necessarily always music: sometimes it seems to be just chaotic energy masquerading as some sort of music. :) Some people love that stuff. Some others don't understand it at all.

This reminds me of when I listened to a radio program years ago, a program that plays electronic dance music, often quite monotonous sounding material: long mixes, and so on. The DJ started that particular show by saying that it was again that time of week when (while she's playing some sufficiently repetitive piece) some anxious (old?) people call the studio, asking whether everything is all right, checking that nothing bad has happened to DJ.


-Methem

Re: Shpongle
 

For those who thought the music by Shpongle was at least somewhat interesting, here are a couple of albums by other artists that might also contain something of interest:

Iqizeh by Banco de Gaia:
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/d...se.asp?id=5894

http://www.planetdogrecords.com/bancobiog.html

Labyrinth by Juno Reactor:
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/d...se.asp?id=4396

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juno_Reactor


-Methem

Re: Shpongle
 

I also strongly recommend Bible of dreams by the same artist. Both albums are excellent.

Re: Shpongle
 

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/d...ase.asp?id=194
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/s...?artist_id=110

... for some more samples.


-Methem

Juno Reactor, Watkins
 

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Watkins :

"Watkins also wrote and produced Traci Lords' solo album."

Wonder if that should be a considered a plus. :rolleyes2


-Methem

Re: Juno Reactor, Watkins
 

That's negative on so many levels that it's wrong. :D

Re: Shpongle
 

Shpongle would actually fit in here on the playlist quite well...at least some of the tunes. Great live act. Seen 'em three times.

Re: Shpongle
 

Sounds neat.

Here are some related photos: Raja Ram 30+ years ago, and then some more current material:

http://www.ibiblio.org/mal/MO/philm/quintessence/
http://www.isratrance.com/www/party_...s.php?p_id=134

(While I certainly like diversity and interesting people, I frankly think those awwwfully colourful clothes and other things look a bit silly. :))


-Methem