Following the debut artist album by Marco Bailey, Guy J’s second artist album and releases from label owner John Digweed himself (in the form of the “Structures” and “Bedrock 12” mix compilations), Bedrock now proudly presents the debut artist album from rising Greek star Stelios Vassiloudis, titled “It Is What It Is”.
“I had always tried to avoid making an album and it's safe to say I had (and still have) various preconceptions and notions about the process of making an album and also the qualities that constitute a successful and well-rounded album. The electronic music genre is wrought with sub-par, hastily produced collections of singles strung together in LP format as much as forward thinking artistic endeavours, so the prospect of making my own “statement” was (and is) always a very daunting prospect.” - Stelios Vassiloudis
Presented over two discs, the album commences with a beautiful cinematic soundscape on CD1, whereas CD2 allows Stelios to showcase his club sound, which develops from laidback deep house grooves right through to a more intense techier acidic vibe. With all the tracks blended and mixed together into a continuous play format to create the optimum listening experience, this is a fantastic release showcasing top quality, forward-thinking music and once again showing why Bedrock is one of the leading labels in the global electronic scene.
You may have already heard Stelios on Bedrock recently in his Wiretappeur guise (his collaboration with Florian Kruse and Nils Nurnberg) with the much-loved “Everybody Loves Ice Cream EP” whose deep house vibes and warm sounds are firm favourites of many acclaimed DJ's. Now, it’s time for him to shine in his own right.
CD1 is a relaxing journey through lush melodic swells, down-tempo grooves, experimental beats, subtle guitars and ambient interludes. Inspired in parts by the originality of the likes of Boards Of Canada, David Holmes and Massive Attack, this superb collection of beautiful instrumental and vocal tracks explores the possibilities and creative freedom afforded when music moves beyond the confines of the dancefloor.
As CD1 builds towards a finale, keyboards and strings give way to the stripped-back, slo-mo house of “Sunrise On The Avenue” which then morphs into the analogue squelch of “Tie Me Up”, Stelios sets the stage perfectly for what is the come on CD2 as the dancefloor beckons. If you like deeply groovy laid-back, vocal and instrumental house music with enough depth and variety to warrant many, many repeat plays before anything like over familiarity or boredom sets in, you’re in for a treat. This is house music that is sophisticated, subtle, filled with hip-wiggling percussion, intensity, throbbing and ebbing and flowing through the mix with supreme ease. It is the mark of a truly creative producer that by the time the final acidic flourish of “Repetition” dies away, “It Is What It Is” feels like a truly inspired journey to the heart, mind and soul of Stelios Vassiloudis.
All great albums have a secret story to tell when you scratch below the surface and “It Is What It Is” by Stelios Vassiloudis is a debut artist album that is more than a collection of great tracks. Across the two discs, it is a journey into the mind of a very talented musician, producer and DJ. If you are open to the emotions on display it will give you glimpses of his very heart and soul. It is an exceptionally exciting, bold and brave body of music that will stand the test of time beyond fickle trends and fashions.
“I’ve spent a year refining, rewriting, expanding and polishing the album into the two disc form it has today. In keeping with the popular paradigm, this experience has made the journey far more poignant and resounding than the end destination and has made me a better writer/producer. I guess that's what music has always been about for me-learning and evolving. A music professor at University once told me that: "the moment you start to feel complacent and accomplished, you're finished". My professor's words and my unwavering desire to attain (some measure of) perfection would have probably inspired and self perpetuated an endless cycle of writing, rewriting, editing and tweaking until the end of time! But, all good things must come to an end. A line must be drawn. In this light, I think the album title is self-explanatory. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it" - Stelios Vassiloudis
Stelios Vassiloudis - 'It is what it is' CD1 Album Sampler by Bedrock Records "> Stelios Vassiloudis - 'It is what it is' CD1 Album Sampler by Bedrock Records
Stelios Vassiloudis - 'It is what it is' CD2 Album Sampler by Bedrock Records "> Stelios Vassiloudis - 'It is what it is' CD2 Album Sampler by Bedrock Records
“I had always tried to avoid making an album and it's safe to say I had (and still have) various preconceptions and notions about the process of making an album and also the qualities that constitute a successful and well-rounded album. The electronic music genre is wrought with sub-par, hastily produced collections of singles strung together in LP format as much as forward thinking artistic endeavours, so the prospect of making my own “statement” was (and is) always a very daunting prospect.” - Stelios Vassiloudis
Presented over two discs, the album commences with a beautiful cinematic soundscape on CD1, whereas CD2 allows Stelios to showcase his club sound, which develops from laidback deep house grooves right through to a more intense techier acidic vibe. With all the tracks blended and mixed together into a continuous play format to create the optimum listening experience, this is a fantastic release showcasing top quality, forward-thinking music and once again showing why Bedrock is one of the leading labels in the global electronic scene.
You may have already heard Stelios on Bedrock recently in his Wiretappeur guise (his collaboration with Florian Kruse and Nils Nurnberg) with the much-loved “Everybody Loves Ice Cream EP” whose deep house vibes and warm sounds are firm favourites of many acclaimed DJ's. Now, it’s time for him to shine in his own right.
CD1 is a relaxing journey through lush melodic swells, down-tempo grooves, experimental beats, subtle guitars and ambient interludes. Inspired in parts by the originality of the likes of Boards Of Canada, David Holmes and Massive Attack, this superb collection of beautiful instrumental and vocal tracks explores the possibilities and creative freedom afforded when music moves beyond the confines of the dancefloor.
As CD1 builds towards a finale, keyboards and strings give way to the stripped-back, slo-mo house of “Sunrise On The Avenue” which then morphs into the analogue squelch of “Tie Me Up”, Stelios sets the stage perfectly for what is the come on CD2 as the dancefloor beckons. If you like deeply groovy laid-back, vocal and instrumental house music with enough depth and variety to warrant many, many repeat plays before anything like over familiarity or boredom sets in, you’re in for a treat. This is house music that is sophisticated, subtle, filled with hip-wiggling percussion, intensity, throbbing and ebbing and flowing through the mix with supreme ease. It is the mark of a truly creative producer that by the time the final acidic flourish of “Repetition” dies away, “It Is What It Is” feels like a truly inspired journey to the heart, mind and soul of Stelios Vassiloudis.
All great albums have a secret story to tell when you scratch below the surface and “It Is What It Is” by Stelios Vassiloudis is a debut artist album that is more than a collection of great tracks. Across the two discs, it is a journey into the mind of a very talented musician, producer and DJ. If you are open to the emotions on display it will give you glimpses of his very heart and soul. It is an exceptionally exciting, bold and brave body of music that will stand the test of time beyond fickle trends and fashions.
“I’ve spent a year refining, rewriting, expanding and polishing the album into the two disc form it has today. In keeping with the popular paradigm, this experience has made the journey far more poignant and resounding than the end destination and has made me a better writer/producer. I guess that's what music has always been about for me-learning and evolving. A music professor at University once told me that: "the moment you start to feel complacent and accomplished, you're finished". My professor's words and my unwavering desire to attain (some measure of) perfection would have probably inspired and self perpetuated an endless cycle of writing, rewriting, editing and tweaking until the end of time! But, all good things must come to an end. A line must be drawn. In this light, I think the album title is self-explanatory. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it" - Stelios Vassiloudis
Stelios Vassiloudis - 'It is what it is' CD1 Album Sampler by Bedrock Records "> Stelios Vassiloudis - 'It is what it is' CD1 Album Sampler by Bedrock Records
Stelios Vassiloudis - 'It is what it is' CD2 Album Sampler by Bedrock Records "> Stelios Vassiloudis - 'It is what it is' CD2 Album Sampler by Bedrock Records
CD1
01. In Tandem
02. Entropy
03. Who You Are
04. I Burn Like
05. Reshape and Reform
06. Your Other Left
07. Clarity
08. Walk Away
09. The View From Here
10. The Highline
11. Sunrise On The Avenue
12. Tie Me Up
CD2
01. Small Hours
02. Green In Blue
03. Isolation
04. My Leaking Vein
05. Feed
06. Blister
07. Reaching
08. Nowhere
09. The Z
10. Toujours
11. Repetition
01. In Tandem
02. Entropy
03. Who You Are
04. I Burn Like
05. Reshape and Reform
06. Your Other Left
07. Clarity
08. Walk Away
09. The View From Here
10. The Highline
11. Sunrise On The Avenue
12. Tie Me Up
CD2
01. Small Hours
02. Green In Blue
03. Isolation
04. My Leaking Vein
05. Feed
06. Blister
07. Reaching
08. Nowhere
09. The Z
10. Toujours
11. Repetition
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