Emerge – Ataurean

This is the first release on Chris Coco’s label DSPPR from Ataurean. The EP features four tracks of downtempo chilled vibes with rolling synth arpeggios, guitars, mandolin, piano and lush pads.

Atuarean says:

‘I’ve tried to combine different genres/styles into something that you can hopefully shut your eyes and get lost in!

Here are some clips of recent interviews to give you a little view into Ataurean’s world:

Can you tell us where are you from / how you got into music?
I’m from the Black Isle in the north of Scotland but now live in Edinburgh. I started playing the violin in primary 4 and then the guitar and mandolin and have always been writing tunes whether in bands or lately on my own in the studio.

Who have been your main inspirations? And how have they affected your sound?
My sound has been inspired by the likes of Boards of Canada and Orbital. plus the chill out scene in Ibiza – Pikes, Café del Mar, Hostal la Torre etc.

What was the first thing that attracted you to the world of electronic music?
The band I was playing in split up and I really enjoyed the studio aspect of recording so I decided to start my own set up so I could continue to write and record music using digital replacements for the other band members!

Do you remember an album that has changed everything?
Boards of Canada’s ‘Music Has the Right to Children’ & Chemical Brothers, Dig You Own Hole started me off on my electronic music journey.

What’s the one bit of kit or software you’ll never get rid of?
The obvious piece of software to keep would have to be Ableton. Other than that, it would be my 72 telecaster custom where all my tunes start off. 

EP released March 11, 2022 via Bandcamp

Chris Coco – CaliforniAmbient

Beautiful new release from Chris Coco today – ‘CaliforniAmbient‘ is a dreamy beatless remix of ‘California White Sage‘ from his superb recent album ‘Jamu‘ out with a suitably transcendent video. Chris says it’s ‘a breathy ambient piece perfect for contemplation, meditation or yoga’ – we say; leave it on repeat and prepare for an out of body experience, sublime…

Released November 17, 2021 – via Bandcamp – here or via player above.

Jamu – Chris Coco

Lovely new album release from Chris Coco, file under ambient / deep listening / jazz / cosmic / balearic. Perfectly timed for the return of the sun, slow burning deepness that’ll reward some time and repeated listens, get it at Bandcamp link above and get your best headphones ready for a treat…

‘This is a new album project called Jamu. It is the second collection from Chris Coco inspired by the magical island of Bali, following on from the 2017 album Return To Good Karma. The title is the name of a drink made of local herbs sold by street vendors that is good for health and vitality. I hope we have created a musical version of that healthy juice with our particular variety of ingredients.

This project was made in collaboration with a close group of musician friends. Each person played their part separately on the simple original grooves and soundscapes, inspired by the rhythm or what the last player or singer had laid down. We built a ‘live’ sound without ever playing together. After that I used the live parts to edit and process to eventually create the finished work.’

Released March 5, 2021

New Mixtape for Dartmouth Arms / Disappearing Dining Club

It was an honour to be invited to create a mixtape for the lovely crew at the Dartmouth Arms / Disappearing Dining Club, as they’ve previously shared mixes from some top selectors like Ray Mang, Phil Cooper, Moonboots, Chris Coco, Pete Gooding, Phil Mison and their excellent residents Neil Thornton and Stuart Langley. Their taste in music is matched the quality of their venue and the hospitality they offer, all top quality from the vintage Celestion soundsystem to the stylish modern cooking, get along if you get the chance. It’s two hours of super chilled, beautiful music, enjoy…

Tracklist…

1. The Soft Rain Falls – Chris Coco

2. Starlight Lullaby – Los Days

3. Sunset Village – Beverly Glenn Copeland

4. The Eighth Wave – Suzanne Ciani

5. Pleasure Joy & Happiness – Eddie Chacon

6.Un Vida Llarga I Tranquila – Joan Bibiloni

7. Pharoah – RAS

8.Give the Light Back to the Night – Plastic Fantastic (Feat. Sally Rodgers)

9. Noche de San Juan – George Solar & Chris Coco

10. Liquid Deep – Dreamcast

11. King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown – Braces Tower Dub

12. Patchouli – James Bright

13.Starseeds  – Seahawks

14. Reclaim Landscape – Clandestino Beach Version – OOFT

15. Citations – Mildlife

16. Honey Rooftops – Blair French

17. The Advisory Circle – Sundial

18.Pharaohs – Tears for Fears

19.Conversational – Domenic Leone

20.Cafe del Mar – Frank Fischer

21. Tinseltown in the Rain – The Blur Nile

22. Regnantem Sempiterna – Jan Garbarek & the Hilliard Ensemble

23. After the Storm – Greg Foat

Leonidas & Hobbes, ‘Aranath’ EP

Leonidas & Hobbes make a timely return with ‘Aranath EP, 3 years after ‘Web Of Intrigue’ (from 3rd EP Rags Of Time) was voted No1 in Bill Brewster’s 2017 DJ History poll.  Delivering a follow-up to many people’s 2017 summer anthem has been something of a protracted process, not least due to Covid and the 400 miles between us.  

A cracking package that is being launched as a Kickstarter project with loads of lovely merch and extras to enjoy, get behind it here.

Aranath features the hugely talented multi-instrumentalist Riad Abji and his virtuoso cello & tanpura raga, which inspired us to create 4 mixes, combining Riad’s eastern lament with classic house and ambient techno. The release is complemented by the tropical flavours of ‘Into It’ and ‘Out Of It’. The previously unreleased ambient mix of ‘Web of Intrigue’ (digital-only bonus track) from ‘Rags of Time’ rounds off what can certainly be described as a ‘deep’ release.

The sleeve art was inspired by an Indian painting from the 19th Century and created over the course of many obsessive evenings at the height of lockdown (as was some of the audio). Needless to say, the whole project has helped to keep us both sane through these crazy months.

A limited edition vinyl record will be pressed up, featuring our signature in the run-out groove/dead wax, in a full colour sleeve with 3mm spine, shrink-wrapped (PLUS download code, including 3 bonus tracks – NB This includes an 8 min ‘Edit’ of ‘Aranath’ (Original Mix).

Noche De San Juan – George Solar & Chris Coco

This is what happens when two original Balearic heads meet up in the name of dub, sunsets & left field Ibiza.

A playful, almost innocent reggae riddim with a jazzy saudade twist, created in just a few summer nights on the axis of goodness linking up central London and the hills of Ibiza’s very own San Juan.

It is believed that on the night of summer solstice (aka “Noche de San Juan”), paranormal events are more likely to occur… as in this shortest night of the year, humans make contact with pagan gods by jumping over huge bonfires. A local Spanish tradition welcoming the summer, always related to fire & water.

Chris Coco and George Solar transformed those Ibicenco vibes into sound this year, with a little help from members of the infamous Ibiza based Dubtropical Allstars band. The beginning of something beautiful indeed – thanks to the music & fire gods. Version galore, play it some more!

Released October 2, 2020