Browse by Label: OKTAF (GERMANY)

Artist:	MARSEN JULES
Title:	Yara Remastered
Label:	OKTAF (GERMANY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	OKTAF 001CD

The new label Oktaf is a platform for music in the realm of ambient, neo-classical and modern jazz. Marsen Jules presents one of his most important albums to-date -- a work of warm, shimmering ambient soundscapes, originally released on the Autoplate label in 2004, now available on CD for the first time and completely remastered. The Dortmund-based musician has been pushing the boundaries between ambient and neo-classical with his releases on City Centre Offices as well as with his contributions to the renowned Pop Ambient series on Kompakt for quite some time now. His music casts a delicate warmth that combines both digital and analog elements to create a sound that has inspired many artists over the years. With a completely reworked and remastered version, Marsen Jules fulfills his wish to release this gem from the back-catalog of the internet-label Thinner so that it will get the attention it deserves. On his follow-up to 2003's Lazy Sunday Funerals, Marsen Jules continues to work on his vision of blending otherworldly strings with fragile ambient sounds. The resulting compositions are reminiscent of the deep, atmospheric sounds of the Pop Ambient compilations, but in their minimalistic approach also pay respect to experimental composers such as Steve Reich and Eric Satie. The source material for Yara was the recording of a band from the circle of Marsen Jules' friends. After listening to it repeatedly, the background noises of the concert that were recorded accidently became more and more important for him: the tuning of an instrument, the opening of a beer can, the laughter of someone from the audience -- emotional moments that transcend the music itself and capture the very atmosphere of the concert. These acoustic fragments were afterwards digitally re-edited in the sense of musique concrète and then put together again to create a texture of elegant ambient sounds. The result is a highly personal sonic web of modulated loops and permanent tempo variations that have influenced many musicians in their creative output. The re-mastered version now impresses with an even richer, more complex sound than the original. In addition, U.S. designer Noah McDonald provided the cover artwork. Includes two bonus tracks not included on the original release. Limited to 500 copies only.

Artist:	MARSEN JULES
Title:	Nostalgia
Label:	OKTAF (GERMANY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	OKTAF 003CD

In 2005, Marsen Jules won over the hearts of many ambient enthusiasts with his CD debut Herbstlaub (CCO 023LP), released on the prestigious Berlin electronica imprint City Centre Offices. By that time, it was mainly Wolfgang Voigt and his famous Gas project who was associated with elegiac variations of orchestral sound fragments. Soon after its release, Herbstlaub helped to shape the sound of many aspiring artists such as Rafael Anton Irisarri and Deaf Center and was considered to be a kind of blueprint for the now-popular neo classics genre. With Nostalgia, Marsen Jules now delivers the eagerly-awaited follow- up to Herbstlaub, six years after its initial release. The eight tracks on the CD all have a strong taste of yearning and melancholia that picks things up where Jules left them in 2005. Even more than before, orchestral elements are now the center of the elegiac sound tableaus. These fragments allow the willing listener to get a small, but nevertheless intense glimpse into the unique sonic array that Marsen Jules is capable of creating. Desire, rebellion and mortality are the three central motifs that are explored over the course of the 43-minute running time. The opener "A Moment of Grace" transports the listener deeply into the musical universe of Marsen Jules by marrying fragile strings with sparse electronic elements. With its dramatic strings, the title track "Nostalgia" oscillates between stasis and motion, between rebellion and resignation. With "Shadow/Waltz" and "Endless Whisper Of The Old Brigade," Marsen Jules explores the darker side of his sonic continuum by painting ethereal, droning ambient soundscapes. After two dark and distorted tracks, the album finds its way back to its dreamier side with "Sweet Sweet Longing" and "Kunderas Dream." Finally, Marsen Jules releases the listener into a better, more peaceful world with the hauntingly beautiful "Sleep My Brother, Sleep." With his spherical compositions, Nostalgia offers the perfect soundtrack for windy spring nights for everybody interested in ambient, electronica and modern classical music.

Artist:	VA
Title:	Lost In The Humming Air: Music Inspired By Harold Budd
Label:	OKTAF (GERMANY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	OKTAF 004CD

There are not many artists who have had such an important influence on today's ambient music as the outstanding piano player and composer, Harold Budd. Albums like his classical Pavilion Of Dreams or his collaborations with Brian Eno like The Pearl are well-known to many electronic and ambient musicians of the last several decades. Martin Juhls (aka Marsen Jules) and Rafael Anton Irisarri (aka The Sight Below) have often talked about the influence that Harold Budd's music has had on them, and how much respect and admiration they have for him and his work. Out of this came the idea of paying respect to Budd in some way, to give something back to him. Lost In The Humming Air is the result of this thought in the form of a musical tribute, and it is Oktaf's honor to release this in the 50th year of Mr. Budd's career as a composer. The label invited some of their favorite artists to contribute a song that, in some way, resembled the music of Harold Budd or channeled the influence he has had on them as musicians. Hence, Lost In The Humming Air is a special selection of 13 modern ambient pieces from illustrious contributors such as Mokira, Taylor Deupree, Deaf Center, Christopher Willits, Biosphere, Porn Sword Tobacco and Bvdub. While all of the tracks offer a unique perspective on how the now-classical sounds of Harold's music have been an influence in one way or the other, they still manage to maintain a sound that is closely connected to each individual musician. Deaf Center contributed the dark and moody "Plateau," which was originally the opening track of a rare live performance from the duo in 2009. Xela made an exception of not participating in compilation projects anymore with his sublime home-listening piece "The Only Rose," which resembles his earlier work for labels such as Neo Ouija and City Centre Offices. For the first time ever, Brock Van Wey has collaborated with his mother Criss Van Wey, who played the piano for their heartbreaking elegy "My Father, My Friend." We hope that, by releasing this record, we can give something back to Harold Budd and maybe also help a younger generation of ambient aficionados to discover the beauty of his timeless music. Liner notes included. All artists who contributed in this release donated their tracks. The profit of this CD will go to a charity project chosen by Harold Budd. Other artists include: Loscil, Martin Fuhs and Andrew Thomas.

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