MixEtc.

It's not very often that I review music in the instrumental / ambient / downtempo vein, but the musical contributions of MixEtc. are too beautiful to ignore. MixEtc. is the name that Mr. Mark Broere goes by, and he is one who is determined to make sure that his music gets heard. Being musically schizophrenic myself, I've always enjoyed mellower artists like Acoustic Alchemy or, more recently M83 and Mark's music is similar to those artists in that he prefers to make magical soundscapes and ethereal atmospheres his final output, as opposed to the more common usage of simple melody and lyrical expression. I have many friends who refer to this style of music as "elevator music." I'm sorry, but if you limit this kind of thing to the background of the elevator or as a minor hum while having your mouth drilled at the dentist, than you are missing out. These songs are steeped in depth and emotion and if you concentrate on what you're listening to, it just might move you to tears. I think my favourite example of this is "Sending Thoughts To You", which is a collaboration with Italian electronica artist All About Max. Mark is from Niagara Falls, and I would love to have this song playing in my ipod early one Sunday morning while overlooking the Falls, before the tourists swing by. The song has me going through a wave of nostalgia, reminiscing about the many people I've cared for through the years. This is outstanding since this song is, as I mentioned, an instrumental. There is no vocal or lyrical coercion, but it's only the instrumentation that conjures up these memories for me. Listen for yourself, you'll see what I mean.

Downloads:
Sending Thoughts To You mp3
For You mp3

There are more songs to download on Public Broadcasting.ca
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