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As Odysee celebrates its 30th anniversary, the label’s original founder Atila Kemal (T-Mirage) steps up to deliver this jaw-dropping E.P.
In 1994, Tilla was just 17 years old, and an integral part of the original St Albans collective that comprised Jim Baker & Phil Aslett (Source Direct) and Rupert Parkes (Photek), when he set up the Odysee imprint and released the first Source Direct record (Future London/Shimmer). With a follow-up release from Photek (Phaze 1/Try A Style) and a second from Source Direct, the profile of the label began to grow exponentially.
It was the 3 Mirage releases however that really put the label on the map. These tracks were engineered by Jim Baker but heavily co-produced by Tilla himself with a major focus on his keen ear for dark 70’s Noire samples and eerie abstract electronica pitted against soulful R&B vocals. In hindsight, the impact of this rather different soundscape on the Source Direct material that followed is unmistakable.
The A side track Dark Rhodes is a showcase of T-Mirage’s production skillsets. From the opening atmosphere of utter menace and spacious percussion, to the trademark call and response between the different breaks and speaker shaking subs; this track will take the listener straight back to that infamous dark 1995/6 sound that emerged from both the Odysee & Source Direct studios. What is particularly noticeable is the distinctive pairing of sets of samples to form unique sections within the piece, whilst maintaining the consistent rolling energy of the drums & bass. This was a clear stylistic trait the earlier tracks like Feel My Dreams, and is very much on display in Dark Rhodes; leaving us in no doubt that we are listening to the work of one of the OG St Albans Jungle masters!
One of the most important aspects of each Odysee release was to demonstrate versatility on the B side tunes. As a label that was an important part of the mid 90’s Atmospheric scene, it would be remiss not to revisit that style on this seminal E.P. The first of the two B-side tracks is the incredible Existence.
Everything about this piece is a pure distillation of Tilla’s musical style; from the intricacy of the break work and the depth of the subs, to the masterful dovetailing of the 70’s Noire and Jazz samples that build a cohesive arrangement drawing the listener deeper into the tune’s narrative- “A piece of music that’s just a pure expression.... A celebration of existence!” There is no need to re-invent the wheel, or to force groundbreaking new tricks when the strength of this classic sound is so overwhelmingly persuasive!
With the final track Flawless, Tilla delivers an absolute heart-breaker of a tune that rivals the very best of the original Odysee & SD B-sides. Misty-eyed pads and Jazzy rides launch the crisp rolling Think breaks. The deep melodic sub line and haunting guitar riffs draw the listener in, then hold the listener in suspense for a moment before dropping down in the body of the track. The gorgeous guitar motifs are paired with achingly gorgeous vocal ad-libs and avant-garde electronica, emerging orchestral flutters with that unmistakable 70’s Noire flavour. Once again it is
Tilla’s ear for those ‘special sounds’ that really sets this track apart, and as if that wasn’t enough, some 4 minutes down the track Flawless nonchalantly unveils another primary motif; well worthy in of itself of being the tracks centrepiece!
Absolutely stunning heritage-style Atmospheric Jungle at its finest!
Before the Odysee, there was the Iliad; a tale of the golden age of heroes and warriors.'
The idea behind the new Iliads series is to return to the sound of the golden age of Jungle/Drum & Bass, and more specifically the original ‘heroes’ of the Odysee label.
This second in the series pays homage to the unique sound of the Mirage releases. The influence of these releases on the SD sound that followed has often been overlooked, principally because it was assumed that the ‘Mirage’ moniker was simply another pseudonym for Source Direct, when in actual fact it was a lethal combination of the powerful engineering and arrangement skills of Jim Baker (Source Direct) and the sound selection and co-production of Odysee’s founder, Tilla Kemal (T-Mirage).
Face In The Shadows immediately opens with that slightly darker feel, with tracks like Feel My Dreams and Stonekiller in mind. The trademark SD style of break switches (aptly named ‘call & response) are immediately evident, although the Funky Mule gives the track its primary momentum. The sound selection is eerie, focusing on the 70’s Film-Noire, and deep Electro in line with Tilla’s particular preferences. The spoken word quotes are also unmistakably ‘Mirage-esque.’
Regenesis is a classic Odysee B-side track; lighter, more experimental and Jazzy in it’s feel. It showcases intricate and crisp rolling break work, and a beautifully refined selection of real stand- out musical quotes; from the sweet R&B-esque vocal ad-libs to the lush 70’s style sleaze of the Rhodes rolls. The interaction of these elements is the glue that holds this tune together.
The Darkness Within is the final track of the E.P. and it is the arrangement of samples that really emulates the ‘Mirage’ sound. Tilla & Jim were very particular about grouping sounds to work with & answer each other in each section of a tune. Samples were often sourced from obscure Film OST’s or rare electro albums which had sample diggers scratching their heads for many years! This track is dubbed out deeper, with a punching & rolling Soulpride features as the hero break and a repetitive deep chord stab forming the foundation of the tune.
Look out for the final instalment Volume III, where we will be focusing on the dystopian Jazz sound of the Hokusai releases!
IMPERIAL EP
We figured it was time for some d&b again, we had a few tracks lying around for a while that we wanted to finish and put out and we had 2 collabs that went well together. We wanted to call it the "Tryhard EP", cause all the tracks were so full on. Then Nik & Karol (khomatech) started on the artwork, and couldn't really come up with anything cool with that name, so we decided 'Imperial' was a better name. The artwork took about a week to make. We are very proud of this EP.
IMPERIAL
Phace came out to Groningen again, as he tends to do, to do music. We started this one without working on the main groove first, Florian had brought this awesome chord progression. We made the intro and progression from it, which is quite different musically from our normal stuff. Then we went a bit theatrical with the music, I guess we kind of surprised ourselves with the intensity of the drop. But it was refreshing to do. And it's been going down rather well in our sets.
TRYHARD
This is an older track that has had quite a few incarnations. It used to be called "lomp", which translates to crude, or blunt. We had it lying around unfinished for a long time, and a certain youtube set rip was getting a lot of love, so we figured we'd finish it. Changed the mix, added a rollout section, etc. One of the inspirations for this track is Bad Company - Dogfight, such a sick tune.
DUSTUP
Our friends The Upbeats came down to Groningen amidst one of their Europe tours and we hung out, got in the studio, found an old unused bass riff, used it in the buildup, recorded all of us going 'HA' and 'ZU', worked on drum fills for a long time, temporarily called the tune 'Pumpers', jumped around in the studio and voila! "Dust Up" was born.
CONTAINMENT
This track has had many faces as well. It started as a bit of a Kemal tribute and and an attempt to do as many things with synths as possible, like the main drums for example (FM8). Along the way it became a journey back into the dark spacious sound of the early 2000's era of D&B.
Comes in standard full colour Vision Recordings repress sleeve.
Following on from the Bewildered 2018 Remix/Re-master E.P., respected 90’s D&B imprint Odysee Recordings presents its 2nd release in this series; a digital re-master and remix of No Tomorrow. Originally released in 1995 (ODY05), this track featured on the second E.P. under the ‘Mirage’ moniker; a collaboration between Jim Baker (Source Direct) and Odysee’s founder Tilla Kemal (T-Mirage).
The original is a timeless and well-loved classic from the golden era of the mid 90’s ‘Intelligent D&B movement’. It displays Jim’s celebrated skills as both a producer and an arranger to their full; building an emotive and haunting piece around two contrasting motifs. The trademark Source Direct breakbeat work is in play on this track as it switches between Clive Stubberfield and Lyn Collins; the curling drums providing the perfect framework for Tilla’s abstract sample selection to really breath and flow.
Andy Odysee’s modern remix retains all the original samples and references both the original break selection and the shape of the original arrangement. This modern D&B version then injects a turbo-charged energy into the piece with a huge undulating sub, aggressive techno-styled chord stabs and pounding kick & snare that thrust this track into the 21st century. The haunting sweetness of the piece is by no means lost, but the melodies are now presented over a framework designed with modern D&B dance floors firmly in mind.
After A 20-year Hiatus, Respected 90's D&b Imprint Odysee Recordings Launches Its Return With A Digital Re-master And Remix Of Bewildered. Originally Released In 1995 (ody04), This Track Featured On The First E.p. Under The 'mirage' Moniker, A Collaboration Between Jim Baker (source Direct) And Odysee's Founder Tilla Kemal (t-mirage).
The Original Is A Classic Example Of Mid-90's 'intelligent' Drum & Bass, From Its Warm Bed Of Strings And Sweet Vocal Ad-libs, To Its Crisp And Curling Drum Programming And Deep Subs. This Track Clearly Demonstrates An Exquisite Blend Of Jim's Celebrated Production Style With Tilla's Keen Instinct For Placement Of Abstract Soundscapes, Which Was Instrumental In The Development Of The Source Direct Sound.
On The Other Side Is A Modern D&b Take Engineered By Andy Odysee. This Remix Manages To Successfully Tread That Fine Line Between Faithfully Preserving The Vibe And Flavour Of The Original, Whilst Simultaneously Lifting The Tempo And The Potency Of Both The Drum Programming And Bass-line Work In Line With The Modern D&b Sound. Andy References Much Of The Original Break Work, Sample Selection And Arrangement, But The Undulating Sub Punctuated By Torn Synth Falls, And The Punchy Kick & Snare Give The Track Its Modern Twist.
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