Check out my re-release of the original, all electric mountain dulcimer version of the song Shapeshifter by Scott Cole. A better recorded, more polished version can be found on Cole & Coffman’s debut album of the same name (https://colecoffman.bandcamp.com/)
https://scottcolemusic.bandcamp.com/track/shapeshifter
Album Review of Beyond Earth – Bowed Dronescapes by Scott Cole
By Candice Michelle August 30, 2017
Scott Cole is a versatile composer whose prior releases have spanned ambient, acoustic and world fusion styles of music. On his latest album, titled Beyond Earth – Bowed Dronescapes, Cole creates droning atmospheric passages among six compositions utilizing NS Design Electric-Upright bass, 4-string bass, French and German grip bows, and sound processing.
The opening piece, “Bass Drone One – Earth Force”, commences with deeply oscillating tones and darkly thick textures that seemingly resonate from the earth’s very core amid swirling, overarching timbres. “Bass Drone Two – Soft Light” ensues with eerie metallic wind effects comprised of lower and mid-range tones, which seemingly evoke blackening clouds signaling an approaching storm as they move slowly across a barren landscape. “Bass Drone Three – Da Vortex” follows with a stationary hum as I’m reminded of intense summer heat and mirages in the distance. My favorite piece on the album is “Bass Drone Four – Dark Energy Drift”, which elicits a foreboding nocturnal essence. Conveying observation of the night sky, chattering textures backlight a fixed drone as slithering timbres stream intermittently overhead. “Bass Drone Five – Polyphemus” seemingly mimics that of boiling hot magma, effectively bringing-to-mind volcanic lava and rock formations. Concluding the album is perhaps the darkest piece, “Bass Drone Six – Thunderbird Flight”, which imparts an industrial and machinery-like environment with its low engine rumble.
Vividly geological, Beyond Earth – Bowed Dronescapes is an intensely grounding sonic immersion. Essentially one of the better drone albums I’ve heard, the music is intrinsically dark but not inaccessibly so, yet will likely appeal to a niche audience of listeners who enjoy minimal, ominous soundscapes! ~Candice Michelle
Listen and purchase at Bandcamphttps://scottcolemusic.bandcamp.com/releases
Shapeshifter is the collaborative release by Scott Cole and Matthew Coffman, who create an intriguing blend of music that ranges from experimental ambient to acoustic, avant-garde and instrumental world fusion. Comprised of thirteen compositions, the album features an eclectic variety of instruments played by the duo, which include mountain dulcimers, bass, electric and acoustic guitar, synthesizer, keyboard, sitar, flute, reed instruments, didgeridoo, ukulele, cajon, melodica, guitarron, resonator, udu, and other percussion.
“Arc” opens the album with oscillating pulses, immediately reminding me of Steve Reich’s seminal Music for 18 Musicians recording. Sitar, percussion and bass guitar soon join the ensemble to form a minimally melodic and experimental world fusion soundscape that’s not too unlike the ‘fourth world’ music of Jon Hassell. “Strength Will Come” ensues with nocturnal calls and droning, earthy sounds. One of the most intriguing pieces on the album, it progresses into a rhythmic pattern of spinning strings and atmospheric textures, seemingly flowing organically along an improvisational and unpredictable path. Following next is “Emerging”, a more discernably melodic piece that begins with the peaceful sound of ocean waves and gentle acoustic guitar, which are soon accompanied by reed instruments and percussion. The duo also lends an interesting twist to the popularly rendered song, “Scarborough Fair”, which opens with dreamy synthesizers and prominent bass guitar. Flute and reed instruments provide the lead melody among oscillating effects and a pulsating rhythm, curiously bringing to mind that of sailing away at sea while simply allowing the currents to guide their own course. Supported by guitar, synthesizer and subtle percussion, “Calm H2O” is another highlight characterized by lovely liquid bell tones, which not only perfectly conveys the water element, but also reminds me a bit of Balinese music. Closing out the album is “View of the Valley”, an upbeat tune with a rumbling-type rhythm that features didgeridoo and electric guitar. A likewise particularly intriguing piece, it seemingly blends indigenous Australian and Irish music with hints of psychedelic rock.
Fusing contemporary and world instrumental music throughout, Shapeshifterpossesses a certain bohemian essence; one that seems to paint visual collages of nature and its cycles, the ebb and flow of the tides, and blossoming and dying of flowers. Characteristically minimal and seemingly improvisational in its approach, Shapeshifter is a genre-defying album that is worth checking out, especially, for fans of Steve Reich, Jon Hassell and Al Gromer Khan! ~Candice Michelle
https://scottcolemusic.bandcamp.com/track/dayspring
released September 7, 2017
scottcolemusic.com
https://scottcolemusic.bandcamp.com/track/strength-to-the-weary
Simple song pairing my mountain dulcimer with my fretless piccolo bass.
Dedicated to a friend.
Inspired by: Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Beyond Earth is a recording of epic, resonant dronescapes inspired by imagined journeyings from our small blue world to the farthest reaches of interstellar space.
This recording is a significantly expanded reissue of Scott Cole’s 2017 independent release Beyond Earth: Bowed Dronescapes.
It includes sixteen minutes worth of new material in the form of three previously-unheard bonus tracks that are exclusive to Ultima Thule.
released February 13, 2018
Recording, production and mastering by Scott Cole
Concept and design by George Cruickshank
Superlative ambient and atmospheric music from across the ages and around the world.
Ultima Thule Ambient Media is an associated project of the Ultima Thule Ambient Music Show, heard on Australian public radio since 1989.
I’m honored to have some tracks included from my album “Beyond Earth-Bowed Dronescapes” alongside the great Juta Takahashi‘s latest release “Albion”. Take a listen to Ultima Thule Ambient Music Podcast, #1992.
Ultima Thule Ambient podcast #1992
Beyond Earth-Bowed Dronescapes by Scott Cole
https://scottcolemusic.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-earth-bowed-dronescapes
Album Review of Beyond Earth – Bowed Dronescapes by Scott Cole
By Candice Michelle August 30, 2017
Scott Cole is a versatile composer whose prior releases have spanned ambient, acoustic and world fusion styles of music. On his latest album, titled Beyond Earth – Bowed Dronescapes, Cole creates droning atmospheric passages among six compositions utilizing NS Design Electric-Upright bass, 4-string bass, French and German grip bows, and sound processing.
The opening piece, “Bass Drone One – Earth Force”, commences with deeply oscillating tones and darkly thick textures that seemingly resonate from the earth’s very core amid swirling, overarching timbres. “Bass Drone Two – Soft Light” ensues with eerie metallic wind effects comprised of lower and mid-range tones, which seemingly evoke blackening clouds signaling an approaching storm as they move slowly across a barren landscape. “Bass Drone Three – Da Vortex” follows with a stationary hum as I’m reminded of intense summer heat and mirages in the distance. My favorite piece on the album is “Bass Drone Four – Dark Energy Drift”, which elicits a foreboding nocturnal essence. Conveying observation of the night sky, chattering textures backlight a fixed drone as slithering timbres stream intermittently overhead. “Bass Drone Five – Polyphemus” seemingly mimics that of boiling hot magma, effectively bringing-to-mind volcanic lava and rock formations. Concluding the album is perhaps the darkest piece, “Bass Drone Six – Thunderbird Flight”, which imparts an industrial and machinery-like environment with its low engine rumble.
Vividly geological, Beyond Earth – Bowed Dronescapes is an intensely grounding sonic immersion. Essentially one of the better drone albums I’ve heard, the music is intrinsically dark but not inaccessibly so, yet will likely appeal to a niche audience of listeners who enjoy minimal, ominous soundscapes! ~Candice Michelle
Listen and purchase at Bandcamphttps://scottcolemusic.bandcamp.com/releases
All, if you haven’t checked Sounds of the Dawn out yet, it’s well worth your time and attentive listening. Mostly features new age, “ambient” artists from the 1970s through the 90s. They also feature contemporary artists as well. There are so many amazing artists they feature (both well known and, more often, lesser known) and they have a super deep catalog of music to call from.
An absolutely brilliant ambient music show featuring artists from “across the ages and around the world”. I’ve listened to this show for years and have discovered so many great artists. Please check out this amazing show and podcast.
Excerpt from their website: “Ultima Thule is the longest running programme of its type in Australia, and is firmly established as one of the country’s foremost alternative music programmes, enthralling audiences with a unique, entrancing melange of ambient and atmospheric music from around the world and across the ages – all drawn from a private library comprising some 6000 recordings.”
Scott Cole Music 