music to chill-out to

quote:

Originally posted by trane:

Fred, would you have asked those questions if you hadn't recorded for Windham Hill?

Fair question. Absolutely, I would still feel the same even if had never recorded for Windham Hill. Like I said, as with every other label, they've released some good music and some not-so-good music, regardless of my WH releases.

Some of my favorite WH recordings are by Mark Isham (especially his brilliant Vapor Drawings), David Torn, Phil Aaberg, Michael Hedges, Alex DeGrassi, and Mitchel Forman. Others, too.

Then there's Iain Matthews' (ex-Fairport Convention) wonderful album of songs by Jules Shear, Walking A Changing Line (which, in full disclosure, I contributed to with arrangements, playing, and composition of one introductory piece ... but I'd feel the same even if I hadn't contributed).

But my favorite Windham Hill albums by far, in fact, two of my favorite albums of all-time, are both by Paul McCandless: Heresay and Premonition, the latter of which I also contributed to but would absolutely feel the same even if I hadn't.

quote:

Also, what do you call the style of music you play?

I'm of two minds on this question. The bottom line is, I really don't care what my music is called as long as people dig it. I'm not much for categories, and am very interested in genre blurring, so the labels don't mean much to me other than a quick and superficial way to refer to various flavors.

On the other hand, I'd like to think that the umbrella of jazz, or of new age, or whatever, is big enough to cover the wide diversity of music bearing even the slightest resemblance.

To my ear, my music has elements of classical, jazz, folk, rock, pop, new age, and of music from other cultures. If someone considers my music jazz, fine. If someone doesn't consider it jazz, fine. If they do, or don't, consider it new age, fine. As long as they dig it, what does it matter what it's called?

All best,
Fred

If I want to listen to chill-out music I put on Lawnmower Deth to clear the room. When that's done & I'm left on my own, I put on Brian Eno - Music For Films, Music For Airports, Apollo or Plateux Of Mirror with Harold Budd

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:

Fred, actually I own one of your old record. Can't remember the label, and yes. I would categorise it as a *pansy sissy* music. But I like it.

I still don't really understand what "pansy sissy music" is, but if you liked my previous "pansy sissy music" you might also enjoy my more recent "pansy sissy music" right here on the Naim label.

Which raises the question: Since my music is "pansy sissy music," and I've released albums on the Naim label, is it therefore a label whose records one would likewise hate to admit owning? Further, is Naim audio gear optimized for listening to "pansy sissy music"?

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by Derek Wright:
At the risk of being accused of sucking up to Fred - I will nominate "Dreamhouse"

Thanks, Derek, I appreciate it very much. And I don't consider it sucking up at all ... merely the level-headed, factual reporting of a highly intelligent, extremely astute listener.

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
Fred's music is excellent IMHO - and I wouldn't describe it as chill-out music - it draws you in and demands attention, which is what I want music to do.

Thanks very much, ROTF, I'm grateful for your kind words.

Actually, there are some individual tracks of mine which could be considered chill-out music, at least in a superficial sense. In fact, two of them, Time and the River and That Fall, were released on Windham Hill Chill, volumes 1 & 2, respectively.

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:
I still don't really understand what "pansy sissy music" is, but if you liked my previous "pansy sissy music" you might also enjoy my more recent "pansy sissy music" right here on the Naim label.

lol.
I am glad you are taking it in a good spirit.
It was not meant to be disparaging.

It could have been worse, you know. You could have released your record from a MA recording which I categorise it as an intellectual snobish pansy sissy music.

I have been told that most of the music I listen to runs the gamut of bad to worse.

quote:

Which raises the question: Since my music is "pansy sissy music," and I've released albums on the Naim label, is it therefore a label whose records one would likewise hate to admit owning?

I am only familiar with your music via that one record with a harp on it. I liked it enough to keep the record.
Not sure if the Naim releases are pansy sissy music or not. I haven't heard it.

quote:

Further, is Naim audio gear optimized for listening to "pansy sissy music"?

Naim gear is optimised for all music.
Pansy or not.

interesting repartee kuma and fred have developed ....

i would agree naim is good not for just pansy stuff - it's good for ac-dc right to zztop. just listening to chopin's nocturnes, which is kinduv pans, but it sounded good too.

Can't believe no one's mentioned Biosphere yet....
Subtrata (1 and 2), Dropsonde, Cirque, Phatashnik to name a few.....

...or Susumu Yokota.....
Sakura is one of his best, if not the best chill out album, but Distant Sounds of Summer and Symbol are up there too!

But there's also, looking at my collection, and one's that haven't been mentioned yet....
Morcheeba - Who can you Trust, and Big Calm are more downbeat.
Lissa Gerrard - The Mirror Pool, Duality, and the Whale Rider Soundtrack.
Kate Bush - Aerial - I prefer disc 2....
Primal Screams Screamadelica - for a select few tracks.....

And finally but my no means least.......Global Communication - 76:14 being one of the best!!

Cheers,
Ali

I think a lot of you are confusing chillout/ambient with Folk. Where for instance does Joni Mitchell come into the Chillout Arena?

For some ambient I would be looking at the following:

Bent, The Everlasting Blink.
Fila Brazillia, Old Codes new Chaos.
Dub Tractor, More Or Less Mono.
Susumu Yokota, Grinning Cat.

Flamenco Chill


(think that's the cover)


Cafe del Mar - Aria


First heard it in Riad in Marakech - very tranquil and romantic

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
I think a lot of you are confusing chillout/ambient with Folk. Where for instance does Joni Mitchell come into the Chillout Arena?

For some ambient I would be looking at the following:

Bent, The Everlasting Blink.
Fila Brazillia, Old Codes new Chaos.
Dub Tractor, More Or Less Mono.
Susumu Yokota, Grinning Cat.

Gary

I feel any music that's relaxing can be classed as chill-out music, I find Improv-Jazz very relaxing at times.



Dean....

Its not part of the genra though. Improv-Jazz for the rest of the population could not be seen as chillout. I like to chill out to Frank Zappa of an evening, there is no way I would suggesting that is part of the chill out or ambient genra.

The new cinematic orchestra I could not get on with.

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
I like to chill out to Frank Zappa of an evening.

Interesting - and they thought it couldn't happen here, who could imagine you could chill out to Frank Zappa.

Variation on lyrics from Frank's first single, which Katie Boyle voted a miss on Juke-Box-Jury: she was right

fishki - I took "chill-out" to mean ambient. If you're looking for relaxing music in general, I highly recommend both Kings of Convenience CDs:

Quiet is the New Loud

Riot on an Empty Street

The latter has the edge, IMHO.

KoC are a Norwegian duo - the music is gentle acoustic rock, reminiscent, on occasion of Simon & Garfunkel. It sounds simple at first but there's more going on - both musically and lyrically - than meets the eye, which means that the albums have staying power.

I must say the title of this thread is

"Music to chill-out to"

Not

"Whats the best Chill-out Music"

Maybe the OP can enlighten us to the meaning of this statement


And to me chill-out Music is not even a genre .

I took the title to mean what music do we "chill-out" to so my suggestion that you can "chill-out" to any music including Megadeth, Peter Brotzmann Octet, Model 500, London Elektricity, Jazkammer is valid I feel.



Dean........Always "chilled-out" whatever I'm listening to.

Try this!

quote:

Originally posted by Graeme Hutton:


Try this!

Oh Yes!

quote:

Originally posted by fidelio:
just listening to chopin's nocturnes, which is kinduv pans, but it sounded good too.

Chopin's Nocturnes is less sissy sounding if played by Polini.

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:

quote:

Originally posted by fidelio:
just listening to chopin's nocturnes, which is kinduv pans, but it sounded good too.

Chopin's Nocturnes is less sissy sounding if played by Polini.

LOLOLOL !!!

quote:

fishki - I took "chill-out" to mean ambient. If you're looking for relaxing music in general, I highly recommend both Kings of Convenience CDs:

and

quote:

I took the title to mean what music do we "chill-out" to so my suggestion that you can "chill-out" to any music including Megadeth, Peter Brotzmann Octet, Model 500, London Elektricity, Jazkammer is valid I feel.

sure, whatever floats your boat - i'm open ended. i personally like beats, dub, funky down-tempo grooves, drones, tinkles, somber- whatever massages and activates your brain in a goatee stroking kind of way.....sit back with a cocktail and float the night away.

PACE

has somebody already mentioned eno's "music for airports"?

I usually end up listening to either:



Global Communication - 76:14

or

Nightmares on Wax - Smokers Delight

for ambient stuff have a look at this or have a listen to Ultima Thule.

Steve

Fans of Bebel Gilberto might want to check this out:


Around the City - Eliane Elias




Elias is a masterful pianist and singer from Brazil; imagine a classic, hip, subtle Brazilian singer who plays piano like Herbie Hancock. For those who only know her stellar piano work, this is a departure, wonderful nonetheless. And still offers some great piano. The fast bubbling techno version of Bob Marley's Jammin' is fresh and new.

I'd also suggest:


Dreamer




as well as this:


Kissed By Nature




If you can't chill out to these albums, then you are severely chill-challenged.

All best,
Fred

When coming home from uni in Glasgow back to Ayr on the bus I always used to go to sleep to Napalm Death........always garuanteed that no-one would sit next to me!!!

Ryan