6am
History
6am was my first album released under the name of Cold Sun, and the first time I'd made a decent ambient album. I'd made two ambient albums prior to this, Sunset Cove and Soundpaintings, back in the days before I started using VSTi synthesizers but they were incredibly weak and showed a total lack of understanding as to what Ambient music is.
6am was originally going to be a 3 track album using a 22min edit of this piece, however, one of the pieces written was more suitable for my next project, Antarctica, and after playing all 43 minutes of the piece, I decided to release it as is.
Up until that point, my music was based on CD sales which, at this point, was becoming counter-productive. Selling CDs required promotion, which required time and money I didn't have to invest. My best selling CD, Cold Sun (hence the original credit), had sold only 50 copies and all subsequent albums didn't sell even half that amount. My decision with 6am was to offer it to people as a free download, thus removing any apprehension towards buying a CD from an unsigned artist. After all, I'd rather my music be heard and enjoyed rather than make any money off it - it provides a greater satisfaction. My target was for the album to be downloaded just 50 times, to beat my previous record... a target it beat within a week! As of March 2006, I estimate it's been downloaded at least 750 times.
The album was originally released in April 2003.
The Music
The music depicts the outside world at 6am. Around that time of day, there's not much activity and people are slowly waking up and getting ready for work. Looking out of your window at this time shows the world bathed in the morning sunrise with a somewhat peaceful serenity shattered by the onslaught of rush hour.
CREDITS
Written, Produced and Performed by Simon Slator
Recorded at home, January 2003.
Instruments/VSTis used: (if my memory serves me well) Absynth, Pro-53, CrazyDiamond, Waldorf PPG, DX7
Good and pleasant background music. But as for its lenght I think it's excessive. If you heard the first ten minutes - you heard it all. If I wanted it to be so long I'd just play it in loop. Anyway I had a good time listening to it - thank you for sharing your music and not being a profit seeking bastard. I think that's the reason your music is so genial - it's uncontaminated with greed.
I love the way it's so calm and mellow with the music rising slowly (like anyone who gets up at that time in the morning!)
I've got nothing really negative to say as it really is lovely music, but I don't think it stands up quite as well as some of the albums that followed - it's a strong first attempt though and a great "cutting your teeth" composition.
It's at this point, with only "Ambientology" left to listen to, I can honestly say that you can't download just one of his soundscapes. If you enjoy one of them, you'll be back for more.
So pure... so fragile..thats the impression it makes...Early morning;beginning of day, these sounds go to ones deepest mind,I love it,thank you
a peaceful, thoughtful soundscape ventures calmly into the mindof the listener....
wonderful my friend
wlsn
(",
namaste
we are all one
I love this genre of music (cf Brian Eno et al) and Simon Slator is surely one of the finest proponents of this style. It's gossamer, purity is a sublime manifestation of this genre. Take a deep breath, relax... you'll either love it and descend and ascend with the musical bliss ...or it will drive you up the wall and will be nails down a blackboard!! As for me I just sit back and drown. Thank you Simon.
I've been looking for exatcly this kind of a soundscape for ages. It's great for when I'm meditating or as my going to sleep track. I run it through the day a few times as well. It fits with my laid back, calm, relaxed personality greatly.
I've heard all of Simon's works, even the 'prehistoric' stuff he made before he started using synthesizers. Natch, I had to come along, lend a hand and offer my two cents.
6am is sublime ambience. It's still, calm and surprisingly easy to listen and chill out to. He's made better, but it's a bloody good album nontheless.
Only thing is - it's no good for playing AT 6am! It's soothing music, but at that time in the morning, everyone's too depressed about having to go to work!
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