Gel-Sol - IZ

Artist: Gel-Sol

Release: “IZ”

Release Date : May 2nd 2008

Record Label: Psychonavigation Records


A joint release between Psychonavigation and Canadian label Upstairs Recordings. Seattle based producer Gel-Sol presents his new album entitled "IZ," and in his own words ‘Is an all-ambient adventure I wrote for my niece Izabella, who was born early last year’. Gel-Sol aka Andrew Reichel, whose dichotomous sound spans from ambient soundscapes to complex, rhythmic electronica, creating a dynamic psychedelic universe with heavy emphasis on improvisation. His influences range from 70s prog and kraut rock to electronic and psychedelic.The album’s music showcases Gel-sol’s trademark melodic edge combined with sweeping Synth pads reminiscent of 90’s ambient albums from the likes of Pete Namlook & Global Communication….

For more information on Gel-Sol please visit http://www.gel-sol.com Edited April 20, 2008 by psycho

Buy it now also available http://cgi.ebay.ie/Gel-Sol-IZ-Ambient-Fax-...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

  psycho said:

Until our website get's updated we have advance copies for sale up on Ebay :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gel-Sol-IZ-Ambient-Fax...idZp1638Q2em122

 

A really moving, beautiful album. - Pete Lawrence, founder, Big Chill Festival

 

Stunning ambient album this - lovely. proper ambient. keep it up i say! - Ben Fragile [Fragile State]

The new gel-sol is headphone heaven really.. - Monty Chomley [big Chill reviewer]

 

Artist: Gel-Sol

 

Release: "IZ"

 

Release Date : May 2nd 2008

 

Record Label: Psychonavigation Records

 

 

A joint release between Psychonavigation and Canadian label Upstairs Recordings. Seattle based producer Gel-Sol presents his new album entitled "IZ," and in his own words 'Is an all-ambient adventure I wrote for my niece Izabella, who was born early last year'. Gel-Sol aka Andrew Reichel, whose dichotomous sound spans from ambient soundscapes to complex, rhythmic electronica, creating a dynamic psychedelic universe with heavy emphasis on improvisation. His influences range from 70s prog and kraut rock to electronic and psychedelic.The album's music showcases Gel-sol's trademark melodic edge combined with sweeping Synth pads reminiscent of 90's ambient albums from the likes of Pete Namlook & Global Communication….

 

For more information on Gel-Sol please visit http://www.gel-sol.com

The new album from Gel-Sol 'IZ' can be ordered directly from our website

http://www.psychonavigation.com/iz.html

 

 

 

Another review just in this week.

 

Gel-Sol 'IZ' Psychonavigation / Upstairs

 

Since the 2006 release of Andrew Reichel's critically acclaimed

'Unifactor' LP on Canada's Upstairs Recordings label, he's obviously

been a busy chap, writing and recording its follow-up, 'IZ'.

 

The time taken he's taken to construct this new piece of work has been

well worth it - this album doesn't disappoint. The opening title track

sets the prevailing ambience perfectly, rising slowly like a golden

eagle drifting on the air currents. This blends seamlessly into the

second track 'Mourning Wok'; a combination of classic ambient and edgy

shoegazer.

 

'As Far as the Eye Can See' slides into view, and this is the first

track on the album to contain steady dub rhythms; the bassline and

shimmering ambience collide gently, keeping my head nodding steadily. As

the bassline subsides we sink into 'Disco Bay'. This is Eno-esque

territory; reminiscent of a favourite comfy sofa, the pads enveloping

you like warm cotton wool.

 

Absolutely sublime.

 

Crashing waves mark the entrance of 'Bubble in the Sky', coming on like

a stoned Harold Budd with the added benefit of lush orchestration, spun

out with heavy reverbs and analogue synths, FX burbling and bubbling

away throughout. 'Secret Island' wafts in with a wonderfully melancholic

chord structure that literally makes the hairs on the back of my neck

tingle. This is music from the chasms; a mellow bassline underpinning

subtle choral arrangements.

 

We dive deeper still on 'Raneboze', a mysterious track which sounds like

it's been recorded deep underground in a cavernous space, chords left to

hang in space. The penultimate track 'Orca' slithers around in the

darkness, gradually fading away to nothingness.

 

And then we're rising again, awakening to meet 'Your Day in the Sun'

where an optimistic chord structure brings us back into the light and

beyond.

 

There are a mountain of influences here, ranging from Spacemen 3 and the

Cocteau Twins, through to the very best ambient electronica albums that

you care to mention. Gel Sol has adapted and fine tuned these influences

to create an genuine aural trip that in my opinion is up there with some

of the best atmospheric chillout I've ever heard.

 

Check it out.

 

Bruce Bickerton (Alucidnation)

 

 

 

 

  psycho said:

Buy it now also available http://cgi.ebay.ie/Gel-Sol-IZ-Ambient-Fax-...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

  psycho said:

Until our website get's updated we have advance copies for sale up on Ebay :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gel-Sol-IZ-Ambient-Fax...idZp1638Q2em122

 

A really moving, beautiful album. - Pete Lawrence, founder, Big Chill Festival

 

Stunning ambient album this - lovely. proper ambient. keep it up i say! - Ben Fragile [Fragile State]

The new gel-sol is headphone heaven really.. - Monty Chomley [big Chill reviewer]

 

Artist: Gel-Sol

 

Release: "IZ"

 

Release Date : May 2nd 2008

 

Record Label: Psychonavigation Records

 

 

A joint release between Psychonavigation and Canadian label Upstairs Recordings. Seattle based producer Gel-Sol presents his new album entitled "IZ," and in his own words 'Is an all-ambient adventure I wrote for my niece Izabella, who was born early last year'. Gel-Sol aka Andrew Reichel, whose dichotomous sound spans from ambient soundscapes to complex, rhythmic electronica, creating a dynamic psychedelic universe with heavy emphasis on improvisation. His influences range from 70s prog and kraut rock to electronic and psychedelic.The album's music showcases Gel-sol's trademark melodic edge combined with sweeping Synth pads reminiscent of 90's ambient albums from the likes of Pete Namlook & Global Communication….

 

For more information on Gel-Sol please visit http://www.gel-sol.com

The review is taken from Ireland's national newspaper The Star

 

Gel-Sol IZ

Psychonavigation / Upstairs

 

2FM star Keith Downey's Psychonavigation label joins Canadian imprint Upstairs to release the masterful IZ. Imagine Tom Middleton doing a psychedelic krautrock album and you're halfway there.

The Star Newspaper (The Scene)

 

 

Gel-Sol 'IZ' is available to buy now from http://www.psychonavigation.com/iz.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  psycho said:

The new album from Gel-Sol 'IZ' can be ordered directly from our website

http://www.psychonavigation.com/iz.html

 

 

 

Another review just in this week.

 

Gel-Sol 'IZ' Psychonavigation / Upstairs

 

Since the 2006 release of Andrew Reichel's critically acclaimed

'Unifactor' LP on Canada's Upstairs Recordings label, he's obviously

been a busy chap, writing and recording its follow-up, 'IZ'.

 

The time taken he's taken to construct this new piece of work has been

well worth it - this album doesn't disappoint. The opening title track

sets the prevailing ambience perfectly, rising slowly like a golden

eagle drifting on the air currents. This blends seamlessly into the

second track 'Mourning Wok'; a combination of classic ambient and edgy

shoegazer.

 

'As Far as the Eye Can See' slides into view, and this is the first

track on the album to contain steady dub rhythms; the bassline and

shimmering ambience collide gently, keeping my head nodding steadily. As

the bassline subsides we sink into 'Disco Bay'. This is Eno-esque

territory; reminiscent of a favourite comfy sofa, the pads enveloping

you like warm cotton wool.

 

Absolutely sublime.

 

Crashing waves mark the entrance of 'Bubble in the Sky', coming on like

a stoned Harold Budd with the added benefit of lush orchestration, spun

out with heavy reverbs and analogue synths, FX burbling and bubbling

away throughout. 'Secret Island' wafts in with a wonderfully melancholic

chord structure that literally makes the hairs on the back of my neck

tingle. This is music from the chasms; a mellow bassline underpinning

subtle choral arrangements.

 

We dive deeper still on 'Raneboze', a mysterious track which sounds like

it's been recorded deep underground in a cavernous space, chords left to

hang in space. The penultimate track 'Orca' slithers around in the

darkness, gradually fading away to nothingness.

 

And then we're rising again, awakening to meet 'Your Day in the Sun'

where an optimistic chord structure brings us back into the light and

beyond.

 

There are a mountain of influences here, ranging from Spacemen 3 and the

Cocteau Twins, through to the very best ambient electronica albums that

you care to mention. Gel Sol has adapted and fine tuned these influences

to create an genuine aural trip that in my opinion is up there with some

of the best atmospheric chillout I've ever heard.

 

Check it out.

 

Bruce Bickerton (Alucidnation)

 

 

 

 

  psycho said:

Buy it now also available http://cgi.ebay.ie/Gel-Sol-IZ-Ambient-Fax-...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

  psycho said:

Until our website get's updated we have advance copies for sale up on Ebay :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gel-Sol-IZ-Ambient-Fax...idZp1638Q2em122

 

A really moving, beautiful album. - Pete Lawrence, founder, Big Chill Festival

 

Stunning ambient album this - lovely. proper ambient. keep it up i say! - Ben Fragile [Fragile State]

The new gel-sol is headphone heaven really.. - Monty Chomley [big Chill reviewer]

 

Artist: Gel-Sol

 

Release: "IZ"

 

Release Date : May 2nd 2008

 

Record Label: Psychonavigation Records

 

 

A joint release between Psychonavigation and Canadian label Upstairs Recordings. Seattle based producer Gel-Sol presents his new album entitled "IZ," and in his own words 'Is an all-ambient adventure I wrote for my niece Izabella, who was born early last year'. Gel-Sol aka Andrew Reichel, whose dichotomous sound spans from ambient soundscapes to complex, rhythmic electronica, creating a dynamic psychedelic universe with heavy emphasis on improvisation. His influences range from 70s prog and kraut rock to electronic and psychedelic.The album's music showcases Gel-sol's trademark melodic edge combined with sweeping Synth pads reminiscent of 90's ambient albums from the likes of Pete Namlook & Global Communication….

 

For more information on Gel-Sol please visit http://www.gel-sol.com

http://www.textura.org/reviews/gelsol.htm

 

Gel-Sol: IZ

Psychonavigation / Upstairs Recordings

 

Seattle-based Andrew Reichel (aka Gel-Sol) created IZ as an “all-ambient adventure” for his recently-born niece Izabella, so it doesn't greatly surprise that the hour-long collection is often becalmed and meditative in spirit, qualities enhanced by its uninterrupted flow. It's far from aural pabulum, however, as Reichel extends the album's stylistic template to include psychedelic krautrock episodes and sweeping panoramas reminiscent of early-‘90s ambient electronica. Throughout the journey, speaking voices and field samples (city traffic and sirens, children's laughter, waves breaking, thunderstorms) rise to the surface of Reichel's synth-heavy settings. IZ largely opts for slow and tranquil unfurl, with the insistent bass pulse in “As Far As Eye Can See” providing a rare instance of forward thrust. The ebb and flow in “Mourning Wok” is both beatific and epic while “Iz” and “Bubble in the Sky” present immersive shimmer and symphonic sweep respectively. “Your Day in the Sun” exudes the peacefulness that sets in as a child drifts off to sleep, heartened by the echo of the mother's “I love you,” but the most beautiful moment arrives with “Secret Island” where placid tones and angelic voices draw the listener into their paradisiacal grip. Elsewhere, the billowing streams and whooshes in “Disko Bay” are so free of grit and grime, they call to mind the equally “clean” tone of ‘70s synthesizer albums, while the suitably grandiose “Orca” sometimes sounds like a veritable Tangerine Dream homage in its buildup of bass synthesizer propulsion and galaxial tones.

 

July 2008