Various artists - Oxycanta

A deep floating compilation embodying the works of pioneers in the exploration of a new wave of electro ambient music. Oxycanta is an expression of spatial density with the constant presence of our natural environment at times in its organic recorded form, others transduced into atmospheric textures by advanced technologies. Its title derives from Crataegus Oxyacantha, commonly known as the Hawthorn, a tree whose leaves and berries are legendary for their heart-healing properties.

Compiled and mixed by Mahiane, aka Sunbeam, co-manager of Ultimae, label artist and deejay, Oxycanta presents various compositions gliding into each other with intangible.

Mastered by Huby Sea at Ginger Cross Hill studio.

Another stellar Ultimae compilation comes to a halt – and once again I’m filled with satisfaction as the journey comes to an end… This is another above-average chill-out compilation by the leading chill label. The Ultimae compilation formula doesn’t surprise much any longer – it’s pretty much the same structurally and flow-wise, but why change a winning formula when it’s *this* good?

There are no bad tracks here, and there’s only one track that I didn’t really dig – and a couple of tracks that took a while to get into… But it’s all good – literally! Especially the middle part of the compilation is extremely nice – and I keep dropping my jaw when listening to those gems. The quality level of the music continues in the artwork, and as usual we get a really slick, informative digipack with subtle artwork. All in all, a great package and a no-brainer purchase for the many members of the Ultimae Army… Fans of eclectic downbeat can also start, what will undoubtedly be, their life-long love affair with Ultimae here... Enjoy!

- DeathPosture

Tracklist

GHOSTFRIEND - Moist
SOLAR FIELDS - Detection (partially detected)
BETWEEN INTERVAL - Aerolith
AES DANA - Mineral Lights (Submerge edit)
CELL - Floating Retention
ASURA - Galaxies part 1
SYNC24 - Source
HYBRID LEISURELAND - Trampoline Hotel
SUBGARDENS - Listen to the flowers grow (Aes Dana rmx)
OMNIMOTION - Magic Tree

Where to get this CD:

Ultimae Webshop
Psyshop
Saiko Sounds
Beatspace

Various artists - Albedo

Albedo is a concept compilation where all tracks contribute to a single unified story.

On his first official mix release on Ultimae Records, Nova has selected a kaleidoscopic array of new panoramic tunes with a strong cinematic feeling and a common fil rouge that tells a story of light beams falling on Earth, reaching different corners of the planet, from natural lonely environments of forests, empty shores and arctic landscapes to more busy urban cyberspaces ending in an ethereal, tribal yet meditative sunset.Included in the compilation are established in-house artists such as Aes Dana, Solar Fields, Carbon Based Lifeforms, Hol Baumann and Sync24 alongside other well known and respected projects within the international ambient music realms : Ishq, Ochi Brothers, Vir Unis and Antonio Testa.

Also included is a very interesting newcomer, Between Interval and a track by Nova himself with the artistic supervision of label manager and producer Vincent Villuis (Aes Dana)These new ambient refractions are mastered by Huby Sea and wrapped in a 3 parts digipack CD including a 16 pages booklet.

The Sun goes up, the Sun goes down...

Albedo will suit anyone already into Ultimae's trademark sound - ambient atmospheres and light percussives that often intensify into restful trance beats. If you're enjoying this year's exploration of chillout environments, you won't find anything much better than this CD - Nova tells a compelling musical narrative.

- Paul, Morpheus Music

Tracklist

CARBON BASED LIFEFORMS - Digital Child
BETWEEN INTERVAL - Wishful Thinking
SOLAR FIELDS - Fiat Lux
ISHQ - Ra
OCHI BROTHERS - Silver Shore
NOVA featuring AES DANA - Kalaallit Nunaat
SYNC24 - Waiting
HOL BAUMANN - Human
AES DANA - Aftermath #8
VIR UNIS - Light Curve
ANTONIO TESTA - Sunset

Where to get this CD:

Ultimae webshop
Psyshop
Amboworld
Beatspace
Wirikuta
Chaos