Dublab: Freeways

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 12, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Emperor Norton
• ASIN: B00005K9GU
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #479,736 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Sky Below - Languis

2. A Mashnote - Daedelus

3. Digital, Version 2.1 - Mia Doi Todd

4. If I Don't Return - Dntel

5. I'll See You In A Place With Lights - John Tejada

6. Is It Live? - Mannequin Lung

7. Soul Searchin' - Yesterday's New Quintet

8. Shen - Divine Styler

9. Don't Get Up Again - Damon Aaron

10. Seathrough Dolphin Smile - Nowhereman

11. Chord (Parts 1-2) - Ammoncontact

12. Death Zone Reflection - Skull Valley

13. Nawa - Adam Rudolph

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what we needed..., January 22, 2002

By 

Melanie Ward (Parker, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dublab: Freeways (Audio CD)

I agree with the fact that this album is experimental. Dublab was experimental when it set up shop some time ago and now that they've garnered themselves enough attention to warrant a release they've attempted to extract the best elements from their show and put it on a cd. In my opinion they've done their job. The first time you listen to this cd it washes over you gently. Some of this may be IDM but forget that genre shelving for a second and realize its experimental from the start, so while you might be able to categorize it in a way (IDM, hip hop, etc.) its still something in and of itself. And thats something rare these days.
How many electro-hip hop hybrids are there anyway?
To be brief, if you want to try something new... check this out.
Viva Emperor Norton.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Innovative, Fresh and Laid-Back, June 9, 2003

By 

Peter A. Carbonaro "Yes, THAT Peter Carbonaro." (Oceanside, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dublab: Freeways (Audio CD)

Over the nearly two years that it's been in existence, dublab has pursued a single-minded vision of spreading innovative electronic music around the world via internet broadcasts of DJ and live sets, featuring such renowned artists as Alex Gopher, Rae and Christian, Photek, and Jazzanova. However, on freeways, dublab takes a more subdued approach, focusing on innovative and emerging artists from the L.A. area. Though there are various styles represented here, all of them reflect a distinctly laid-back, organic vibe.

The opening track, Languis and Fer Chioca's "The Sky Below" sets the tone and pace for freeways. Combining sparse analog sounds with delicate acoustic guitar, it achieves a perfect blend of the electronic and organic, of machinelike precision with soulful, expressive undertones. There are refreshing bits of silence between the notes, a nice reminder that electronic music doesn't have to consist of a wall of sound. It's a warm, gentle composition that gives the listener plenty of room to breathe, and its easygoing ambience wouldn't be out of place on a Kreidler record.

There are other standouts as well. Daedelus' "Mashnote" continues more of the low-tech aesthetic, albeit with a more experimental edge, random bits of static rhythmically peeking out from under chiming, single-note melodies. There's a distinctly cinematic edge to MIA Doi Todd's "Digital, Version 2.1", which blends sultry stream-of-consciousness vocals with subterranean cello sounds. Hip-hop producer Divine Styler (MO Wax) gives us "Shen", a spoken-word/rap that drifts in and out of the mix over stop/start beats: it's almost conspiratorial in its subtlety. Skull Valley's "Death Zone Reflection" is a funky, sensual and mysterious, with an exotic vibe so thick so you can almost smell the opium.

In addition, there's representation given to experimental, downtempo, and jazz-flavored tracks as well, and these are solid efforts in their own right. Of course, not every track is a winner. Tracks by Mannequin Lung and Ammon Contact are, at best, nondescript and end before they can really go anywhere, and percussionist Adam Rudolph's track, "Nawa", comes across as percussive noodling. These, however, are in the minority, and freeways succeeds as a solid collection of up and coming talent who share a common musical aesthetic. In addition, it represents a risky (and commendable) move on the part of dublab -- instead of going for the sure thing and releasing a mix by one of the marquee artists they've had on their site, they've opted to give exposure to fresh new talent, in turn rewarding the listener with an highly enjoyable CD.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich, complex flavors that enhance over time, April 30, 2002

By 

Bret Ehlert - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dublab: Freeways (Audio CD)

If this album is experimental then the results are positive. An exploration at the frontiers of sound renders rich, complex flavors with a subtle beauty that enhances over time. The simple-minded should be skeptical. Those searching for vibrations that cross the borders of musical terrain should proceed.

Thank you, Labrats, for this curious insight into your visions of sound.