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Den Kozlov "Digital Shamanism"
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Top level
Music reviews
Chill out/ambient reviews
Optica Records is back with more chilled tunes, this time by a guy from Russia named Den Kozlov, now based in London, UK. With this album, you also get a bonus CD with live recordings from St. Cyprien Church in London.
Den Kozlov "Digital Shamanism" Optica Records 2004 (OPTICD04)
1. Atman Imagination
2. The Look At You
3. Time Is Nothing
4. Tear Of Thought
5. Lonelyness
6. Digital Shaman
7. Heartbeat In Front Of Unknown
8. Imaginery Paradise
9. Emotional Resonance
10. Freedom From Knowledge
Well, this artist is new to me, and probably to most other people. Quite rare with a double debut like this, but interesting. The first track on this album is also my favourite track here. A floating track, with both tribal drums and jazzy lounge vibes. Lounge music is the right word to describe the music we get on this album. Easy listening for the clubbers who doesn’t go too deep when it comes to chill out music. This first track will probably sound refreshing on Sunday after hours, when the party is over, you are sitting on a cafe with a coffee, trying to remeber what actaully happened... Track 2 goes the electro direction, with some kind of atmospheric melodies. Relaxed electro rhythms and easy digestible melodies playing above. Track 3 follows the electro beat too, but here we also get some female vocals. In my ears, the vocals in this track sounds a bit weak, and for sure a bit simple. A track that might fit better on a commercial Ibiza chill compilation or something like that. Track 4 has a relaxed down tempo dubby beat. The female vocal is in this one too. Well, I have allready mentioned what I think of these vocals... Definately not my cup of tea.
Track 5 has a more dramatic vibe, with quite dark, floating soundscapes. It works quite well in the beginning, but then nothing more happens, so all together the track becomes quite boring. Track 6 brings us into a jazzy vibe, with funky trumpet sounds etc. We also get some playful rhythms. Again, it starts quite good with some interesting ideas, but there it kind of stops. The rest of the track sounds sort of repetive. Track 7 has a stronger electro beat with a bit rougher breaks. A melody sneaks in above, and it can sound quite relaxing, but this is the kind of chill out track you can listen to one or two times, and you are fed up... Track 8 starts very relaxing, with some nature sounds, like birds singing etc. This is another favourite on this album. Here he has made a really beautiful melody and mixed it with these totally relaxing nature sounds. Well done! Track 9 goes a bit deeper. Here we are talking about pure, floating ambient. Kind of dramatic vibe. Something for those who want their chill out almost without beats at all. The last track on this album goes a bit more uptempo, but still in a chilled vibe. Here he has tried to be a bit more experimental, with weirder sounds and more variation. Still, it doesn’t reach up to a high standard. If you wait a little after the last track, you also get a hidden track. This is also a floating ambient track, which is quite beautiful.
You will find a couple of okay tracks on this album, but I don’t think it was necessary with an album yet. This is quite easy digestible chill out music that might fit well into some trendy cafes and coffee shops, but personally I like it a bit deeper than this.
PK (shivapks@hotmail.com)
