MattandtheJays' Ambience

June 3, 2019

Takashi Kokubo (小久保隆) - Solar Wind ～ Mystery Of Aurora ～ (太陽風～オーロラの神秘～)

Takashi Kokubo (小久保隆) - Solar Wind ～ Mystery Of Aurora

1. White Ambient

Night swirls and mixes with a charming breeze as they both meander their respective paths. Light hearted mischief sprinkles from above encouraging fox to tease middle aged men on their way home, walking by the field of tall grass.

Atop the hill, a view spanning downward and outward of perky swaying grass blades in the blue of 8pm mid spring followed by endless oceans, reflecting moon and stars; double cosmos. The water is calm, rivaled only by the placid sky. Small stars twinkle, winkle, wink for the people below.

Fire flies hover on the slope just out of reach above the grass. Spring Peepers provide a thin background chorus, somewhat mimicking the starlight above.

White Ambient has a long, slow form that repeats a bunch, key changes, repeats on that, then goes back to original key. Takashi Kokubo likes to create intricate soundscape swirls and shift them entirely.

The A section is as follows:

||: C maj 7 | C maj 7 | C maj 7 | C maj 7 |

|B-11 | B-11 | B7 | B7 |

|E - | E - | E - | E - |

|Bb maj7 (#11) | Bb maj7 (#11) | G7 | G7 :||

Lots of cool stuff going on here. The intro echo sparkle riff plays G, D, F, E, D, C, D, B G. Pretty cool how Kokubo outlines G7 (G D F) over the opening C maj 7 chord. At the end of that riff he outlines G maj arpeggio (D B G). Neat stuff. The emphasis in the melody is G major, even though the harmony is C major 7. Thumbs up (n.n)b !

Over the C major chord there’s a wind instrument riff that trills around with B, C, B G and let’s that ring out for a while.

During the B-11 chord (Could be Bsus4), some riff emphasizes A and E notes, which then resolve down to D# for the B7 chord.

C major 7 comes up again and Kokubo plays some cool voicing that sounds like world map theme in Legend of Mana.

E- chord time, some vague descending 3rds riff happening briefly.

Super cool half step resolve to Eb major 7. There’s a melody in here playing G, F, Eb, F, G, Bb A G. Nails the G right when the chord changes to G maj /B (I think that’s what that is, hard to pin point it, very misty).

More voice leading, B in the bass goes down to Bb and resolves to Bb major 7 chord. There’s a brief Lydian melody here that, similar to the previous chord change, resolves down into G 7.

And that’s the form! After this wondrous summer breeze passes by a few times, star wash fades out on the G7 and BOOM, he shifts the entire form up a whole step. Instead of starting on C major 7, song starts on D major 7. Big dramatic key change, and the higher key changes the timbre of the full piece, some chords stand out a little better/differently.

After a few repeats in D major, song shifts back down to original C major. This happens a few times, finally White Ambient fades out on G7.

2. Solar Wind

The middle aged man, lost in day dream gazing out at the sea – star divide, awakens and realizes he’s late for dinner; his wife waiting for him. With a lighthearted heightened pace, he continues his way home.

The blue of night conforms to black, visibility is low and blurry; the blurry distant amber apartment lights crisp in the air the nearer they become. Crystals of clarity solidify and evaporate here and there in the air.

Lots of repeating in Solar Wind. Got some fast walking paced guitar bumping here. Form is as follows:

|| D7sus | D7sus | D7sus | D7sus |

|C7sus | C7sus |C7sus |C7sus ||

This bit repeats for the entirety of Solar Wind. The D7sus voicing uses notes like D, A, B, G, B ,C , and sometimes E. This pattern shifts up and down accordingly to fit the other sus chords.

Some choir/synth pad sounds creep up throughout, and all the various leads and percussive parts emphasis the sussy notesl the 4ths and 13ths. Prolly this song is a little more contained since the previous one was such a wild adventure.

3. Catalyst

All is silent in the depths of night. Every conscious being is asleep. The earth slowly inhales and exhales, subtle winds flow down empty streets, weaving between trees, scattering the occasional leaf.

A fantasy triumphs briefly in the dreams of children accompanied by innocent talking in sleep and shifting in bed.

Cooling, restful darkness envelopes all in her womb. Like a plant gathering sunlight to grow, everything is in a state of inactivity, of filtering away clutter and brain moosh, of emptying the mind to renew itself for tomorrow.

Catalyst, maybe named for that intense end section, is a fiery humid final excursion in the Solar Wind soundfield. The form:

|| G maj add 9 | D-9 | F maj7 (#11) | C maj 7 |

| G maj add 9 | D-9 | F maj7 (#11) | C maj 7 ||

||G maj 7 | G maj 7 | G maj 7 | G maj 7 |

| C- | C- | F#- | F# - |

|E maj 7/G# | E maj7/G# | F# - |F# - ||

Then repeats from the top. But this time when it reached the end, goes to :

||C- |C- | F#- | F#- |

|C maj 7/E | C maj7/E | F#7 | F#7 ||

Please excuse if my repetitions are off. Trippy song form, lots of arid vibes happening in that minor chord section, some super wonky changes. What a scorcher to end it on!

In that middle G major 7 stretch, melody is something like , G, F#, E, D, C ,B , B, C, D, E , B, descending for that first bit, then ascending. Then it follows the same pattern but starts on the B note. Later when this section repeats it’s accompanied by a harmonizing line in 3rds. Kokubo likes his internal structures.

At the end, we get another star wash fade out and we are left with a brief Aurora Borealis as the Solar Wind pulls in tide.

April 22, 2019

William Basinski - Watermusic II

Basinski @ discogs.com

Official Webpage

Arpeggiatic Pacific currents turquoise blend into sky and descent through the fresh water ocean. Like glass ripples up above impossible to distinguish layers of atmosphere from the liquid purity; peacefully partially submerged partially floating. Delving into drinkable, breathable water.

Sun rays penetrate through fluid curtains. 3D 1990’s Final Fantasy death aquatic burial. Ancient wisdom saturate all encompassing currents and streams. Totally lose sense of body, sheer density and soothing of the water dissolves physical and ego boundaries and we become a gelatinous unity.

Undulate through cross current pockets of velvet fuzz feeling subtle warmth like a kitten laying in the sun.

Flow somewhat deeper somewhat more still where light shies. Bodiless, ambiguous form transperse experiencing cool and warm simultaneously. Sensations cease to be put into words, formless unity grows and we become part of all. Divided and peacefully overtaken by water, our cells now solution with the entirety of existence via water. Such as all colors of light spectrum combined become white, so do all experiences combine into spiritual wordlessness and cosmic All.

In between collective experiential existence, more feelings specific to your ego briefly emerge and pass like roaring rapids. The time spent with old friends, two, five, maybe ten years ago. Where you were then versus where you are now. Every life you’ve touched or influenced. Every bit of interconnectedness: Close friends spent time with daily, shop clerks you were friendly with but never knew on a deeper level (a smile can mean a lot). The countless anonymous strangers you passed on the street, the unknown people who’ve overheard your inane conversations with friends, how even our clothing affects the people we experience day to day but never directly interact with. The lettuce, tomatoes, chicken, cereal, clothing, entertainment goods, the people behind the scenes who make that happen. The farmer in Mexico who grew that tomato for you to eat. He’s middle aged now, knows how to use all sorts of complicated farming tools and machines. He has a wife and children he’s supporting. Probably got a significant spot in his community. But he was young once, growing up and getting an education, helping his parents in any way he could. An entire infinitely complex story behind that one person who brought you the tomato. Within our egos we are bound by the web of interconnectivity. These experiences wash over us like the Pacific currents. Then, dissolve again into the egoless white light prismatic combination of the cosmic All.

The water becomes more still yet and we nearly motionlessly drift amidst this breathable, drinkable, heavy comfortable fresh water oceanic liquid.

Slight ascension at a leisurely speed, like we are exiting the life stream. Bodily feeling gradually returns, our physical outlines solidify once more, vague feeling of warmth present. Pleasant steady upward drift. Light becomes stronger and the surface of the water is within eye sight. Distinction between divide of ocean/sky becomes visible. Turquoise blues, pastel blues, liquid curtains.

Tonally the piece centers around C major. There’s a super low bass note of C humming in the background that seems to meander between C and A. It’s hard to hear it clearly, there’s just a low presence that jellies itself between those two notes.

One of the main riffs is a sustained A, B, down to G. Then repeats as A, B, up to E. This is sometimes doubled in a super high octave.

Another main wave is a quickly descending sloshy arpeggio. It’s very transparent, very fast, and the notes blur together really well so it’s hard to tell exactly what’s going on. I think the notes are something like B, A, E, A, all descending. This theme pans between both ears and fades in and out throughout.

Less active parts I’ve noticed are a sustained E note, a subtle E to F trill, and another trill of A to B, this one very high pitched.

I’m sure there’s more to this song than these few parts. The way it’s mixed is so gelatinous and difficult to discern. Super cool stuff =)

April 9, 2019

Chihei Hatakeyama – Mirror

Official webpage

1. Ferrum

Alka-seltzer currents in a vast diamond ocean, colors separated blend smear through each other. Aqua greens through tourmalines, brisk blues through lavender hues. The ocean is a countless number of living creatures celebrating life in dance. Each particle exists of itself but also as the whole. So as each speck of ocean is a conscious being, it has a collective consciousness which belongs to all the ocean.

Micro bead of liquid life thrashed upwards from aqueous projection soars in the air tumbling in slow motion, the universe’s code reflected on its surface. Light + water = blue prints for all that exists. And then innocent drop catches onto bird mid flight, rides its feathers and goes onward to another world. Water droplet absorbs into bird’s skin, now they are one. Transformation, interconnectivity, interdependence.

Swath of birds silently seated on saline throne.

2. May 15, 2010

Ambiguous water decanting from the sky.

3. Splith

Venerable monks candle glown Om in dimly lit cavernous architecture. Browned stone, deep darkness. Effervescent children playing outdoors atop chilled snow dusted mountain. Resounding character from each chant meld into universal being, swirled like a spiritual ice cream.

The sound, palpable as hot butter opens the oversized monastery door. Children continue playing. The cumulative chant travels down the mountain, wraps around the trees, passes by the small animals, and onto the road, far, far away. What tiny echo remains from the projection spills into the streets of a 3^rd world country. Homeless parents and children bundled up, run down shacks for living. The Buddhist Om surrounds them and subtly offers a glimpse of hope. The people of the town receive blessing.

4. October 3, 2009

Ancient woman sweeps her stone front steps. Tall grass and trees shroud her home. She sees the town below in ordinary routine.

5. Renitency

Children sitting on the dock of a small stream after school. Inscrutable object floats downwards, and ominous feeling from it. They spare a moment for its attention, then continue on their elementary conversation. Object floats past view and the thought is no more.

6. July 4, 2008

Cat exploring the outdoors; nooks and crannies around the property. Small urban inlets.

7. Alchemy

A breeze from off shore welcomes itself to the town. Spiraling to playfully shove off a woman’s straw hat, and providing relief for the over exerted working man in overalls. Tide of the sky. It blusters through 2^nd story clothes lines, offers a boost to the bike rider peddling goods. Gusts a fleeting memory, then passes it by, to a reminiscent young man.

It climbs the snow strewn mountains, upwards through the trees and passed the small animals. It wisps by the children playing atop, then through the oversized monastery doors. It extinguishes the candles inside the temple. Then the chanting stops. A minute passes and the monks step outside the door. They laugh wholeheartedly.

March 21, 2019

Takashi Kokubo - Oasis of the Wind II ~ A Story of Forest and Water ~

1. Awakening of the Forest

Crisp crickles and crystal callings, the forest stretches, sighs, and opens its eyes. Groggy and genki, pure morning light filters through the canopy. Gentle sun softly encourages microcosms of life by warming the ground. Total peace, Complete harmony; this is the forest of all being. From here is derived the gelatinous ambiguous ethereal form of consciousness that wiggles itself unendingly, only perceived by some. From here, this vegetative portal, new beings transform from death to spirited life and every moment is a divine celebration.

Flora sways to and fro in dance, water sings in endless harmonies, the air breathes melody.

Harmonically this song is straight forward. It’s a vamp between Db major 13 and Gb major 13 for the entire 18 some minutes. Various melodic themes are subtly introduced, each theme focusing on a specific note grouping. The following themes I could identify:

-“Main theme”, the metallic chime sound is C, Db, C, Ab, Eb, Ab, F.

-Bass theme for Db major is Db, Ab, Bb, Db and then sometimes down to a lower Db.

-Bass theme for Gb major is lower Gb, higher Gb, Db, Eb, Bb.

-Oboe sound theme is C, Db, Eb, C, Ab, Bb, over the Gb major chord usually.

-Marimba theme something like Eb, Db, C, Db, possibly harmonized in 4ths or 5ths. There’s a lot more happening in this theme than I was able to decipher.

-Various half step trills either creating a major 7^th or lydian effect.

In summary, each theme is sensitive to chosen notes, following strictly to either their exact melodic idea or if departing, not adding too many note variations.

2. Memory of Summer

Suspended in the lilting air, transparent indigo nearly palpable thoughts, dreams, and memories whisper.

This track is divided into 3 sections, ABA. The first section (A Section) is comprised of a bass riff going between G sus or G major type of thing, then after a while to an F major type of thing:

-G D A D, G D A D, G D C D, G D B D.

-F C A E, F C A E, F C G E, F C G E.

These two chords bop around a while. What also stands out the most is the synth pad which seems to be playing a descending harmony, starting on high G note, then descending F#, E, and finally D. I think it’s voiced as follows:

-B E G, A D F#, G C E, F# A D. These are all triad shapes happening over top of the G bass.

After this G and F section, the song takes a break, then returns with the same ideas transposed down a whole step, F and Eb. As far as I could tell, everything is played the same just shifted down. This is the 2^nd (B) section. After a little bit of time here the song goes back home to the A section before winding down.

3. Distant Blue Star

In space, surveying the entirety of the universe. Kaleidoscope of sacred geometry and cosmic entities.

The final track lulls us to peace with a I, V, I, IV chord progression in Db major. Db major, Ab dom 13, Db major, Gb major. All themes are very ambiguous, but I caught some emphasis on the 13^th scale degree over the Ab7, so that was cool =).

There are the echoed marimbas half step trilling, airy almost non-existent synth pads that transcend the 4^th dimension, and various living wind breathes invigorating the atmosphere.