Presenting ... all​|​is​|​bright_2020 (waag_COM005)

When I spoke out loud about my love for the all|is|calm series that Brad used to curate over on his netlabel, FreeFloating, and wondered if we could revive it ... needless-to-say I didn't expect the response I've received: 17 wonderfully diverse tracks that really work together and, for the most part, bring something meditative for this time of the year.

Yes, some of the artists didn't take the direction I gave them of "not too out there" ... but do I care? Not one bit. The music on this, the fifth weareallghosts compilation, is simply delightful and I am rather overwhelmed, if truth be told.

From the fantastic opener from Tim Kays that references rocket launches to the minimal piece from Kevin Buckland, we have a very varied selection of predominately ambient music. The overall theme is downbeat and melodic with some excellent pieces from Allen Pitts, Cousin Silas, George L Smyth, and Pat Pik.

We also have some more atmospheric and abstract pieces from Pendro, Jaime Munárriz, Puppy Bordiga, and Autonomaton that bring something special and really up the interesting level.

Thomas Jackson Park makes a welcome return to waag with one of his generative pieces that acts as an intriguing prelude to his upcoming release on waag in the new year.

There are more sequenced, electronic pieces from Brian Talgo, James Lowe, Ramón Sánchez, and EISENLAGER in the mix too ... all bringing a sense of the upbeat and the euphoric to the compilation.

Lastly, we have a late addition from Jon Johnson that is crazy brilliant in the way all the best Christmas songs are.

All of this combines to make nearly 2 hours of truly exceptional electronic music ... and I thank all the artists for their work!

I also extend my thanks to Cousin Silas for his help with sound levels and sequencing of the compilation.

I would like to give something back with this compilation ... so all monies received will be donated to charity. As such, this compilation will not be available on Archive.

- Thomas

Weareallghosts · all​|​is​|​bright_2020 (waag_COM005)

Presenting ... The Changing Of The Seasons (waag_rel144) by George L Smyth

Each season has its own personality, some with aspects both loved and abhorred. However, these seasons do not start and end at specified times, but fold into one another, at times with fits and starts. We start awaiting a season to begin, then experience the season, and finally we feel it slip away.

The Changing of the Seasons is a set of four pieces, each representing a season, and each piece having three parts - awaiting the season, the season, and following the season. Each of the twelve segments offers its own theme, its own representation of the time of year, as it relentlessly moves through our lives.

While each of the four pieces can be played in any sequence, or alone, the recommendation is to start with Spring and end with Winter, like a year waking up and moving through to the point where it again falls asleep, restarting the cycle.

- George

On what is a miserable winter's day, I am proud to release the latest album from George L Smyth, entitled "The Changing Of The Seasons (waag_rel144)".

This is an album that could so easily be the soundtrack to a film ... it features engaging orchestration and scoring, and an effervescent expression that really helps to convey the nuances of the four seasons.

I find this album to be utterly captivating and have had it on repeat as well as interspersed with other modern classical work. I personally think it sits nicely with the work of Max Richter and Leonard Roseman; and makes me dream of the sounds Smyth could make with access to a full orchestra.

This is not Smyth's first release with weareallghosts, his album "Winterfylleth" remains a fave for this time of year and "The Changing Of The Seasons" is definitely cut from the same cloth: warm, accessible modern classical music with a minimalist edge and a romantic tinge.

I really hope you enjoy this album as much as I have and will, no doubt, continue to do over the years.

As before, my thanks goes to the wonderful waag community for their generous support.

- Thomas