Kiev maybe the epicenter of massive civil unrest at the moment, but it is also the name of Ummagma's new release, and ultimately a message of hope. The two-time Alternative Eurovision winners rise above the decay and mayhem encountered in Ukraine to embrace diversity and beauty, while taking their music in new directions. Despite heavy turmoil in Ukraine, Ummagma look forward to a brighter future for Eastern Europe. In
"Kiev", this Canadian-Ukrainian team celebrates their freedoms, exploring the root of today's problems to create beauty in the face of hostility. The outcome shows that what is the end for one person may be the start for another. Even more importantly, it shows that beauty can blossom even in the midst of ugliness.
This album, released by German boutique label Emerald & Doreen Recordings, is an impressive package featuring the original track 'Kiev' plus 9 remixes from 9 fantastic artists from as many countries, celebrating the splendour of the original composition in their own unique styles.
One of these remixers is José Luis Quezada Seguel, better known as Statickman, who is an indie dance, electro and nu-disco music producer based in Santiago, Chile who has preserved the beauty of Ummagma's 'Kiev' whilst creating his own stunning soundscape. "With remixes, I let it flow from the voices or the melody of the original track" He explains. "I always try to run from original ideas and deliver new visions of their starting point." Statickman defines his creative output as a journey through time in which he connects to modern music from a retro viewpoint, describing it as "the truest style of science fiction".
For over 13 years, Statickman has been experimenting and translating his ideas by following in the best traditions of masters such as Giorgio Moroder, Yaz (Yazoo), Erasure, Kraftwerk, Patrick Cowley, Visage, Depeche Mode, and Jean Michel Jarre, with musical styles spanning from the 70s to the 90s. He strives to take his audiences along with him on his musical journeys. "Disco, electro, synth wave, some times with cyber punk touch, these are always gradual starting very dainty, trying to recreate an atmosphere full of good vibes and gradually come up till get a cruise speed that allows the audience to trip anywhere."
Since 2012, Statickman has been extraordinarily prolific, releasing music through 8 different record labels, including Emerald & Doreen Recordings. This includes 2 LPs, 10 EPs and many remixes, the most notable one being for legendary nu-disco electro pioneer Alexander Robotnick.
Ummagma began in Moscow in 2003 and have been living between Canada (the Yukon) and Ukraine since then, finally releasing two LPs (
Ummagma & Antigravity) simultaneously in 2012. More recently, they released the single Rotation and
Lama LP on Emerald & Doreen Recordings. Ummagma has had a full-page feature in Rolling Stone Russia, has won Alternative Eurovision competitions for 2 years in a row (Amazing Radio & Pure 107.8 FM), and received 4 awards at the 2013 & 2014 Independent Music Video Awards. Ummagma has also caught the attention of Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) and Malcolm Holmes (OMD), who have remixed tracks for spring 2015 release on UK label Ear to Ear Records.
Emerald & Doreen Recordings is a German boutique record label for futuristic indie & electronica music, curated by dedicated audiophile music makers and lovers. Their flats are full of vinyl: indie, disco, italo, hip hop, synth wave, house, psychedelica, electro, and space music. In their own words "Emerald & Doreen releases good songs and works by fantastic remixers. Genres do not matter, only the awe-inspiring factor counts".
promo girl // 02/02/2015