Seance Centre Canada レコード& CD

Review: The latest release on Canada's Seance Centre label focuses on the work of long-serving Dutch experimentalist Michel Banabila, gathering together examples of his "excursions into otherworldly and imagined realms". The first record boasts tracks recorded between 1987 and 2017, shuffling between humid, percussion-led workouts, exotic ambience, dark and creepy soundscapes and sticky electronic/acoustic fusion. The second record (clips of which are not featured here) replicates the track list of the Rotterdam artist's 1983 album Marill, a sought-after, LSD-inspired trip into Brian Eno and David Byrne territory that remains one of the most thrillingly odd (but pleasingly beautiful) ambient albums of the period. In other words, it's an absolutely essential package.

Review: Third time around for Beverly Glenn-Copeland's superb 1986 LP Keyboard Fantasies, which Invisible City Editions reissued last year. Since copies of that pressing are hard to come back, this fresh reissue should be welcomed. Musically, it's something of a killer curio: a set that sees Copeland adding weary, folksy vocals to melodious, synthesizer-based backing tracks. Stylistically it's a little more diverse than that, sitting somewhere between art-rock, lo-fi synth-soul, '80s synth-wave and new age ambience. The looseness of the instrumentation and production is particularly alluring, as is the "home-made" feel of Glenn-Copeland's heart-aching songs.

Review: Canadian label Seance Center (run by former Invisible City Editions co-founder Brandon Hocura) presents an album by acupressure expert and electronic composer Sam McClellan. Music of the Five Elements is 'a work of perfectly tuned healing music', by way of minimalism, American primitive guitar and psychedelia. On the album, McClellan provides voice, synthesizer, guitar, bowed bass, piano, effects and Chinese flute: all played by himself. Of the album, McClellan himself stated that the optimum effect of the album is achieved if each side of the recording is played through in its entirety, without interruption. Moreover, it should be used as a meditational or body work tool, rather than entertainment, and will increase in effect over time. However, overplaying or improper use may eventually diminish its designed effect. Re-mixed and mastered from the original master reels.

Review: Seance Centre have put together this beautiful new limited edition package on hand-stamped 12" and it is a meditative escape of the highest order. 'Rust' opens up with shimmering pads and half-heard voices, scattered drum sounds and immersive ambient that is like waking up from a dream. 'Ah Bah Dee' then builds around an evolving synth melody with twinkling keys up top and 'Winterhaze' brings a warmer, more hopeful vibe with its whimsical flutes and gentle rhythm. Closing out the EP is 'Daylight Savings' with organic piano chords falling heavy on the heart.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight denting to the bottom left corner of the outer sleeve, product unopened and in perfect condition***


Four years after their last physical full-length outing, You'll Never Get To Heaven return with a brand-new album. Members Alice Hanson and Chuck Blazevic have wisely chosen not to dramatically alter their winning formula all to much, with blends soft-touch vocals with dreamy, effects-laden ambience, Stereolab style kraut-pop, lo-fi pop, minimalistic arrangements and tons of space echo and delay. It's a hugely alluring, fragile and gently mind-altering sound all told and one that stands up to repeat listens. It was apparently made at home during a particularly wintery period, and you can tell - it's as bright and picturesque as freshly settled snow and as invigorating as a fireside cuddle after a chilly winter walk.

Review: Four years after their last physical full-length outing, You'll Never Get To Heaven return with a brand-new album. Members Alice Hanson and Chuck Blazevic have wisely chosen not to dramatically alter their winning formula all to much, with blends soft-touch vocals with dreamy, effects-laden ambience, Stereolab style kraut-pop, lo-fi pop, minimalistic arrangements and tons of space echo and delay. It's a hugely alluring, fragile and gently mind-altering sound all told and one that stands up to repeat listens. It was apparently made at home during a particularly wintery period, and you can tell - it's as bright and picturesque as freshly settled snow and as invigorating as a fireside cuddle after a chilly winter walk.