MeFi Music

I am one of those people who, when I listen to a remix of any given track, set the bar really high and I'm pretty much hoping for a total transformation of the song into another creature, so to speak. That is exactly what happened with this recreation of Ummagma 'Kiev' when put in the hands of master Swedish remixer Copycat. I hope you enjoy the result just as much.
posted by Brodyaga on Jan 17, 2016 - 2 comments

When a meeting of cultures occurs in a musical setting, something 'unordinary' may possibly occur. But when this meeting involves two awesome creators, it may even be extraordinary. Here Japan meets Ukraine and Canada, as celebrated Red Bull artist Haioka creates his own version of Ummagma 'Kiev'. Enjoy!
posted by Brodyaga on Dec 9, 2015 - 2 comments

Music seems to 'feel' so much better when you sit back and just listen to music, without thinking about the pigeon-holes that have been slapped on a song or even your own temptation to categorize it into this or that genre. This is something I've always believed but recently it occurred that the same goes for the song-writing process. Much better to feel free of genre-related limitations. This Ummagma track was one such track that was written free of the need to pigeon-hole. [more inside]
posted by Brodyaga on Aug 30, 2015 - 1 comment

I think the term remix is a big put off for many people and, if measuring according to the number of remixes out there that are just so standard dance-floor filler, it's understandable why there is such a stigma attached to this word. But there are moments of light shooting through when a producer or gifted musician manage to 'reconstruct' a song rather than just 'remix' it. Likely that's where the term 'rework' has started to become used more and more often.... to set them apart. Whatever you want to call it - here is one such track that differs significantly from the original in all it's stunning rework/remix glory. Kudos to Japanese producer Shintaro Haioka for this gift to Ummagma.
posted by Brodyaga on Mar 17, 2015 - 0 comments

OK - not exactly a sing-along and not exactly the kind of song you can imagine a sing-along happening to, but there is something to be said for the harmony established between two voices in a song, even if they are not singing in tandem. This is, indeed, one of those songs where I think that kind of love-in has been achieved, at least sonically.
posted by Brodyaga on Nov 12, 2014 - 1 comment

Sonic Youth has been a big influence on many modern-day bands and Ummagma is definitely one of them, as is evident from one listen to "Back to You". The hazy gazey sounds here build into a kind of intentional dreamscape. [more inside]
posted by Brodyaga on Jul 26, 2014 - 2 comments

I recall watching John Waters movies in my teenage years and always thinking, THIS is the soundtrack to not only my but millions of people's teenage years. Well, this song is the soundtrack to a peaceful blissful moment, based on the moment when it was created, every time I hear it. Hope you will also enjoy.
posted by Brodyaga on Jun 19, 2014 - 3 comments

Fusion confusion. The meshing of musical genres found in this Ummagma track represent a fusion, reflecting the confusion that is so commonplace nowadays in this world - simply absurd and rising. Hence the name Upsurd.
posted by Brodyaga on Jun 10, 2014 - 1 comment

I think many people are innately inventive and many are even thrifty. When you combine the two elements with a worthy musical piece, it's amazing how many different kinds of incarnations that you can dream up for it, taking on a life of its own, so to speak. But when you start comparing one remix against another, sometimes lines tend to blur and it becomes more challenging to distinguish what has been taken from the original version and what has been newly added. It's at that point that I always end up returning to the original. This 'Lama' is that original track - a point of reference now and especially at the time it was written.
posted by Brodyaga on May 5, 2014 - 1 comment

Synthpop, Electronica, Indietronica, Electro bliss by the earful and here for the taking. Although it will be a while until this track will be published on any official release, you might enjoy this sneak preview.
posted by Brodyaga on Mar 31, 2014 - 3 comments

Sometimes a song's strength lies in its lyrics or in the nuances of the vocalist's delivery and tembre… Sometimes the instrumentation speaks volumes all on its own. This is one of those times… This is Ummagma. [more inside]
posted by Brodyaga on Mar 28, 2014 - 1 comment

Love generates love generates love. Beautiful Moment seems to capture an element worthy of such progeneration. Harmony, peace, smooth dreaming and a swirl of energy-filled ethereal waves. [more inside]
posted by Brodyaga on Mar 20, 2014 - 3 comments

There is such a thing as light-imbued melancholy. This song shows that @Ummagma is among a cozy handful of bands nowadays who seem to thrive on achieving that combination. You can find Ummagma here too. [more inside]
posted by Brodyaga on Dec 17, 2013 - 3 comments

Peter Gabriel meets Daniel Lanois and Chicane. Here in this song, I'd say that Ummagma comes closest to having a Peter Gabriel moment. Somewhere in between his Sledgehammer and Passion phase. Fortunately, the other elements making this track unique kick into play and it's hard to put your finger on anything else. So just listen instead...
posted by Brodyaga on Apr 24, 2013 - 0 comments

Whispy male vocals and plenty of air for dream-weaving delicately frame this ethereal song. While "Photographer" is one of Ummagma's more melancholy songs, it's far from depressing. This one stands in the light. Features male vocals by Alexx Kretov (Ukraine).
posted by Brodyaga on Apr 20, 2013 - 0 comments

A little Mezzanine-era Massive Attack and Stereo MCs blend with something more ethereal - throw in both male and female vocals… and then some more depth that is indescribable in words. So says me. :) Titled "Upsurd" because a little absurdity can also have an upwards drive to it. Right?
posted by Brodyaga on Apr 10, 2013 - 3 comments