New release – Aqosto – Blurred Paints EP [TTRR004]
Posted by tipkin
Call it ultimate chillout. Call it ambient-hop. Call it dreamtronica or electromantica. We call it Aqosto. This is a nice way to introduce yourself - by busting out a 6-track EP full of mood, atmosphere so thick you could cut it with a knife (if it doesn't cut you first) and very nice beats. Blurred Paints may be a good name to describe the emotional palette of the EP - sorrow and deep thoughts are mixed with confusion and curiosity, but there is nothing blurry about music itself - it's crisp and refined, it's experimentation - oh, yes, - but based on thorough research - even if it's a research of the depths of your own soul (plus a considerable amount of talent). All in all - another fantastiс addition to the TTRR's catalog.
Listen/download here:
Or, if you prefer torrents - here.
New release – coldreavers – Blue Eyes [TTRR003]
Posted by tipkin
Well, not too many of you used the opportunity to preview the new coldreavers album when we played it on our Radio. I know, I know, it was Valentine's Day and you were too busy getting ready for romantic dinners or whathaveyou. Besides, it is better to hear our new release in good quality, not in measly 64 kBit/s streaming format. So, yeah, you did the right thing deciding to wait for an official release. Wait no more - the excellent full-length from coldreavers has arrived in its 11-track awesomeness. Blue Eyes include the 4 tracks from the Illusions EP released last month plus some original and some very original new works. The instrumental tracks are the core of the album - they create this chilling, almost unsettling atmosphere by deconstructing the trip-hop elements that we're so used to and placing samples in an uncomfortable environment where they have no other choice but adjust and start a new life. The overall sound of the album is very intense and overwhelming, so if you're looking for some easy listening - look somewhere else. If you want a true music experience however - give Blue Eyes a listen. Coldreavers joins creative forces with three very different but equally talented vocalists/songwriters (MMAIO, Stephan Kleinert of Botany Bay and LenaGrig) on three tracks of the album, and I liked those three tracks SO MUCH that I almost wish that this wasn't our label's release so I could write a raving review for it. But it is our label's release, so I say no more and give this baby into your hands. Be gentle.
Listen and download here (remember to just put "0" to "buy" the album for free, unless you're feeling extra generous 
):
What’s new at TTRR
Posted by tipkin
Not gonna talk about achievements of our little undertaking, even though there already are some, but am gonna share these exciting news. Trippin' The Rift Records welcomes two newcomers! Well, they kind of came in a package - buy one get one free sort of thing, but I'll take a deal like that any time!
First, a 5-piece collective JUZHIN from Moscow (Russia). A very serious and dedicated group of people, creating deep elaborate cinematic downtempo tracks. Purely instrumental (including live guitars) until recently, when vocalist Elena Platonova joined the project. I am yet to hear this new addition myself, but I must say - I'm very intrigued! I hope you are too, because JUZHIN's first maxi-EP (8 tracks!) is coming out at the end of this month. Visit them at the label page and on Facebook.
Here's a fine example of JUZHIN sound:
Juzhin - Don t Cry Ma Darling by Juzhin
And then like Jack in the Box appeared Aqosto - the solo project of JUZHIN's Alexey Terehov. Aqosto's sound is a unique combination of elements, structures and moods that may seem impossible to put together - he manages to create experimental tunes that are poetic and warm. And he came with a complete EP, which is pretty freakin' awesome and is scheduled to be released on February 22. Visit Aqosto at the label page or on Facebook.
Here's a little taste of upcoming EP:
Aqosto - Alison by Trippin' The Rift Records
Aaaand... Guess what I'm listening to at this very moment. A brand new LP from coldreavers, which comes out just in 3 (THREE!!!) days and is de-li-ci-o-us. And we have a little Valentine's Day surprise for you. We are going to treat you and your Valentines to an exclusive preview of the new album - it is going to be playing in its entirety on February 14 right here on Trippin' The Rift Radio. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for details.
All systems are go. Requesting permission to launch.
Posted by tipkin
Here it is, my dear freinds, the BIG news. Our very own netlabel Trippin' The Rift Records is now alive and ready for new listeners and contirbuting artists. Why netlabel? Why not? Musicians should be busy doing what they do best - creating music. They shouldn't be bothered and distracted with such boring things as promotion and distribution. Those things should be left to other talentless individuals like myself. And here we are - Trippin' The Rift Records is ready to help anyone who just likes to write music and cares more about people listening to it and less about making money - at least for the time being all music released on TTRR is distributed for free and under Creative Commons license. Spread the news (please-please-please)! You can find us on Reverbnation, Last.fm and Soundcloud.
But enough technicalities - you cam find all the information on label's official page. We're here to talk about music and that's what we shall do.
I'm extremely proud to present TTRR's two shiny new releases. They are both 4-track EP's, which could hopefully serve as tasty appetizers and make you hungry for the future releases. I personally can't wait for the LP's to come out, and believe me, I'm not just saying it as a person directly involved. This is quality stuff, I promise. But you can just see for yourself - it's just 8 free tracks, won't take much of your time and none of your money.
Our very first release is from coldreavers, a prolific electronica producer from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. His music, even though not always (or hardly ever) fitting the conventional trip-hop standards, is pure trip-hop in its nature - the melodies slowly grow and develop, travelling the complicated path gracefully, with a rare combination of beauty and uneasiness - the element of darkness that is essential to trip-hop music. coldreavers has the ability to take a simple (even poppy) downtempo tune and by adding some subtle nuances transform it into a musical mini-thriller, where twists and turns never end, and the story is captivating. Illusions are a peek into an upcoming album, which, according to the artist himself, may or may not sound like the EP. I'm intrigued.
Listen and download here:
You can also get it on mininova, if you prefer torrents.
The second EP is from a mysterious project called Three Kinds Of Water. The only information that was revealed to me was that there are three of them and they are from Siberia. Well, I guess, tough weather and interruptions in electrical and plumbing services can be quite inspirational. Three Kinds Of Water take us to a trip around the world in the four tracks of the EP, craftily employing multi-lingual samples, but the world they present to us, although breathtakingly beautiful, is at the same time inexplicably eerie. Listening to the EP is like walking through a forest on another planet - you're enjoying the wonders of undiscovered nature but cannot shake off the feeling of being watched, not knowing if whoever is watching is going to become a friend or rip your head off. "Festival Spirit" is the crown jewel, already getting a good share of deserved attention online. Check those guys out, for all I know this might be the first and the last time we hear from them (even though I certainly hope that it's not the case).
Listen and download here:
Wish us luck, visit our pages, Like us and love us, or hate us, just don't ignore us, 'cause we're full of surprises, I guarantee that! Thank you in advance, we'll pay you back in good music!
100th
Posted by tipkin
Here it is, my dearest readers and listeners. The 100th post. A micro-anniversary in trippin' the rift's mini-history. I want to raise this glass of this fine Oatmeal Stout to all of you, who's been reading these posts (not always inspired and almost never grammatically correct, but always honest), listening to my tiny radio station, watching videos and even going as far as leaving comments. Appreciations all around. There is iTunes Almighty, there is a mega-community of Last.fm and yet there still is this blog and there are those exceptional (and very attractive, I'm sure) individuals who keep checking it out every once in a while. Thank you.
I wanted to make this post memorable. I could have made a compilation of my top 100 trip-hop tracks (hm... not a bad idea actually. How about a poll to pick top 100 trip-hop tracks ever?!), write a long boring "ass"-ey about history of trip-hop and "how Coldcut started it all" and how "Portishead, Tricky and Massive Attack made everyone care". But I'll save those novel ideas for the future anniversary posts. This very first one should be small and intimate, full of hope, love and good trips. And it kind of came out like that, despite its big topic.
How do you get people to listen to your Shoutcast radio? Right, play what they want to hear. Trip-hop fans want to hear "trip-hop" - the Wikipedia version of it. And that's a pretty solid version, but built around the same proven names and with a devastating "post-trip-hop" ending. Nothing about the future. It's all in the "post-". It all starts with Portishead and ends with Morcheeba. If you don't hear either of those or anything in-between, then it's "not trip-hop", and you can enjoy your shitty radio all by your lonesome. Well, how about that - I'm listening to Josh Furey's album Archaeology available at Bandcamp for "name your price (no minimum)" and it doesn't sound even a bit like a fuckin' past. It sounds like a good fuckin' trip-hop and it's CC-licensed and that means that I can play it on my radio. And I do. With pleasure. And apologies to all you guys who stopped listening after I went 100% CC-licensed and thank you for being with us for as long as you did, but kudos to ones who are listening now. There aren't many (like, right now it's 0 as in "zero"), but just yesterday afternoon two dudes (or gals) from USA, and one from Russia, Germany, Brazil, Czech Republic and Chile were listening to (and I'm sure lovin' the shit out of) Josh Furey's (Canada) songs. Or Botany Bay's (Germany). Or KARIZZA's (Ukraine). Or Veell's (Russia), who isn't even trip-hop, but kicks major ass anyway.
And that's the weirdness of it. Of the whole entertainment industry and us its consumers. We're still readily forking over 99¢ for a song (here in the US. Most of us do. I think...), but watching new Dexter episode on an illegal website without any hesitation or emotional discomfort. We're starting to realize that there's no actual need to pay for something when there's so much FREE SHIT out there. And that they apparently have no idea how to fight it. Or simply cannot fight it because how do you fight artists offering their music (ready for it?) for free? Willingly. Just so people (I bet you're not ready for this one quite yet) would listen to it. What's even scarier for them is the fact that people are often paying money for those artists' music even though they don't have to! Wrap your head around this one. I asked some of the people whom I interviewed or reviewed their music to shed some light on what the F is going on in the music industry today and what is poor little aspiring musician to do in all this craziness. Here's what they had to say.
What trip-hop?!
Posted by tipkin
Aaah... It's been a while since the last True Love Tuesday. And I'm sure all of us could use some love these days. It's a stormy day here in Chicagoalnd, tornado warning, "NON SECURE OBJECTS MAY BECOME AIRBORNE", says National Weather Service. Kinda makes me wanna become a non secure object... But let's not fly too far away from topic and listen to some fine music, shall we? What do I love today? I love when artists that aren't ever remotely associated with trip-hop (or even electronica) come out with a number that would not only sound appropriate on any trip-hop compilation, but may become its highlight. Here are some examples:
Indie wonder My Brightest Diamond could give any trip-hop vocalist a run for their money, and her music is slow, dark and atmospheric, but she wouldn't be caught dead with any trip-hop acts. Well, I'm probably exaggerating, but words used to describe her music usually include "indie rock", "cabaret" or even "opera", but never "trip-hop" or even a vague "folktronica". However, here's her beautiful "Gone Away", and just try to argue that this isn't trip-hop (I might just punch you in the nose, in celebration of True Love Tuesday):
My Brightest Diamond - "Gone Away"
Ru Trip Community – Imprints
Posted by tipkin
When I first found out about the project Ru Trip Community a few months ago, their first release Ru Trip Community Vol.1 made me curious. After listening to RTC's second compilation - Imprints, I felt a bit scared. While in Vol.1 an unknown creature by the name of "Russian trip-hop" was sharpening its claws and trying out it's little fangs, Imprints feature a beast that is able to rip anybody into desirable amount of pieces. Somebody would probably consider my rating of 8.5 a penal blasphemy (especially in comparison with the modest 6.5 for the new Tricky). Obviously, me and that somebody have very different rating criteria (thankfully, this blog belongs to me 
). The same somebody didn't like me calling RTC's leaders 'heroes'. Well, I'm gonna call them 'geniuses' to top it off, and let them blush with embarrassment. Because the idea for the compilation - first part - original songs, the second - remixes of those songs by the participating artists, - is ingenious. You can play around with Imprints however you like - you can listen all the originals first and then all the remixes, you can listen to an original and its remix back to back, or you can listen an original track by a band followed by the remix they did... Or you can do nothing of above and just kick back and listen and enjoy the whole thing. There's so much solid and exciting material on the compilation that I'm not even gonna waste my time talking about less liked tracks because a) they aren't too bad either, just, so to speak "not my cup of tea" and b) the much liked songs are the majority anyway. Remember in the review for Vol.1 I said that I'm not likely would want to seek out other music from most of the participants. The situation is directly opposite with Imprints - I would like to know better practically every artist on the compilation. KAVver.'s intense and inventive track "Dusty Spring" makes a very strong opening for the compilation, setting the bar pretty high, which, luckily, never really gets lower. "For My Brother" by coldreavers - an excellent instrumental composition (which I probably liked the most among the original tracks), which in a strange way combines uneasy and melancholic atmosphere with tremulant profoundness. KBC pres Mariachi in "Too Old Memoirs" lays heady saxophone on the impeccable downtempo beat, вБЕНЗИНЕестьОБЛАКА ("thereareCLOUDSinGASOLINE") with their "Cray Piano Experience" raises the question "what is trip-hop, really?" to which POLI.ANT gives a very comprehensive and conclusive answer with the sullen (in a good way) "Scrible Zero". Instrumental tracks are dominating on the compilation taking up about a half of the album (the second half is shared by the representatives of abstract hip-hop and female vocals, including Stemvelta with the excellent "Windowsight Scares Me" which I had the pleasure of listening before), and I personally find it a good aspect that helps breaking the language barrier. Which, sadly, makes projects like Поводки Нетерпения ("Leashes Of Impatience") hard to digest for a non-Russian speaking listener. Not that it lessens the quality of their work anyhow. "GSM" by Поводки Нетерпения is a wonderful song with every word occupying its designated spot (whatever that word means is another question), - vocals and melody are in inseparable harmony. And their remix of aforementioned "Scrible Zero" is an independent piece that is equal in quality to the original. This was, as you may have noticed, a smooth transition to the second part of the compilation, which I enjoyed just as much as the first. And sometimes even more. Some artists found very interesting ways to rework other people's material. Karizza performs a positively insane transformation of Melatonin's "Glory" (the original is pretty good as well, imbued with somewhat nostalgic atmosphere) and takes the top spot on my list of the album's favorite tracks. And their original song "Женщина декаданса" ("A Woman Of Decadence") gets a very cautious reworking from KBC pres Mariachi, which inserts a certain dose of sanity into the totally bonkers original (both things are good in their own way). Fetish Silence paints KAVver.'s "Dusty Spring" in morose tones, Pandub Bear bares the hidden tenderness of My Automata's "Давай убежим" ("Let's Run Away"), and they in their turn give "Too Old Memoirs" some gangster flavor.
It's impossible to reflect all the emotions, mention all the ups and downs in just one short review. Thankfully, the entire compilation (including a booklet with original artwork for every song) is available for free download from multiple sources. Download, listen, love it, hate it, share your opinions (with me as well!) and, please, support Ru Trip Community and its members as much as you can. The only thing that kinda worries me - the level of Imprints is so high that it's going to be difficult for the following release to live up to it. I guess we'll see.
You can download Ru Trip Community - Imprints here:
Mininova
FileFactory
ADrive
Last.fm Originals Remixes
R.I.Y.L. Red Snapper, Cujo, Baxter and good trip-hop
personal favs: Melatonin - "Glory" (Karizza remix), coldreavers - "For My Brother", POLI.ANT - "Scrible Zero"
tipkin's rating
Illy[u]zion (Kursk, Russia)
Posted by tipkin
![Illy[u]zion](http://trippintherift.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/illyuzion.jpg "illyuzion")
"My heart is in the rhythm of trip-hop and my voice is about to break..."
Illy[u]zion is a frighteningly young project (even though they have been around for a while performing hip-hop music). It may seem like a trip-hop incarnation of "teenage angst" - atmosphere of hopelessness, hysterical vocals, repeating theme of suicide, loneliness and lack of understanding. Irrepressible substance bulging out of yet unfinished form. However, one can see the sparks of intelligence in the dark environment of Illy[u]zion's music and chanting of suicide isn't a call to one but on the contrary, shows the readiness to fight. Search of depression is the incarnation of individualism and the best sign that Illy[u]zion have grown out of little pants of teenage anything and doesn't want to unite anybody under its flag, but waves that flag because it feels good. The project's frontman Sasha Stepanov (Саша Степанов) shares his words, thoughts and music.
Illy[u]zion
Illy[u]zion is a fusion of feelings and emotions into organic whole through music... I cannot reckon myself among genial individuals who do everything themselves, i.e. from creating the music to its embodiment in graphics... We are an organism - ill, sad, happy, lonely... I am merely the output channel of these feelings, I am a transmitter without tuners. I don't want to name names, give anyone any dues or blame anyone. This is music, and as sad as it it to realize even for me, - music of me... Impulsive, nervous, dirty, suffered to insanity, washed clean from the mass-media cliches.
I don't want to get into the history of our founding and developing... It's all banal and usual there. Unusual was the path we chose - underground (romance of decadence, revolutionary fight). What you hear now is me and Kirill, it's my words and my pain with his music... We're waiting for Artem, for one ought not forget their roots. Hardcore, insanity, it's all our own, like coffee and cigarettes... Inspiration and motivation are people around us, they did influence our work quite strongly; as well as music of established people - Dolphin, Рабы лампы ("Slaves Of The Lamp") (the lyrics by Lyosha Perminov (Леша Перминов) in particular); writers - Cormac McCarthy, Маяковский (Mayakovsky), R. Matheson... Graphics - Zdzisław Beksiński...
Whom
Our listener is different. I can't say for certain. In my opinion it's a person who had lost and who is looking: for sincerity, dirty depression, absence of snivel, but at the same time is wanting to think about their feelings, give names to their fears...
Butterflies
Butterfly is my soul in a psychedelic cocktail of bloody bruises... You are in the cage too, aren't you?
(Русский) CherryVata – Где!?
Posted by blond
sorry, this entry is only available in Русский.
Rekevin (Moscow, Russia)
Posted by blond
"The realization that you somehow affect a person with your music makes you question the reality of what is happening"
Allow me to introduce my deeply beloved collective, my Top 1 and lifelong playlist in Russian trip-hop, guys who keep creating beautiful and moving work, even though in not perfect conditions, a band from Moscow Rekevin! Ksenia Zotova (Ксения Зотова, vocals) and Igor Levitsky (Игорь Левицкий, guitars, effects) agreed to answer some questions for trippin' the rift.
blond - Tell us the story of the band's formation?
Igor - In short, the band was founded by two people, and the rest drew themselves up through the internet. At that, all the acquaintances were accompanied by some absolutely mystical co-incidents. For instance, Lyoha (Alexey Kochetkov), our bassist, after listening to Rekevin posted an ad on the internet that he is looking for a trip-hop band. And here I am writing to him calling to a rehearsal. Almost like in the movie Rock Star!
b. - As what genre would you classify your music?
I. - It isn't really our job. 'Coffee shop music' is one of the latest definitions, the author of which we'll try not to disappoint with our next record. But in general let it be the mysterious word 'downtempo'.
b. - What does music mean in your life?
I. - Self-expression, I'd say. If there is a need, you have to do it.
b. - Is there a leader in Rekevin, an organizer, or a person to whose opinion everyone listens to?
I. - You just actually described three different members of the collective. So, yes, there is.
b. - What music do you listen to? Where does the band get its inspiration from?
I. - Various! Very! I have in my player now the last release by Filter, a fan mix of Johnny Lang and the new album by Noize MC. But one can get the inspiration from anywhere, it doesn't have to be related to discs. Just remember how McCartney wrote Yesterday.
b. - How are the lyrics being born? Is it hard to write in English? I love the song "Feed Her"; is there a life story behind it?
Ksenia - No, it's a lot easier to write in English, the language is softer, more fluid, the words are shorter. I honestly don't remember what is "Feed Her" based on, where does it take its roots from. I think I was mad at some guy and wrote this song. How it's connected, I don't remember.
Language
Pages
Trip With Me
New and Upcoming
Links
- …aquietbump
- Abracadabra Recordings
- Bandcamp
- Chillout Scene
- CUNTROLL RECORDS
- Deftune
- Dusted Wax Kingdom
- GOOD NETLABELS
- Humanworkshop
- Jamendo
- Lagunamuch Records
- Last. fm
- Liminal RECS
- Ru Trip Community
- Sethmol Recordings
- TACHYON netlabel
- THE FRONT ROW CHICAGO
- The Trip Hop Blog
- Trip Hop Music
- Trip-Hop HQ
- TTRR
- Electrocircle.ru
Views
Tag Cloud
ADs
SPIROS KOUFOS
Phil Brammer
Ross
tipkin
http://4ydostereo.blogspot.com/