Astralasia
This is Astralasia (Mel, Buaka, Sam and Swordfish) in a sea of Whirly balloons. They are one of the leading artists on the global trance scene and yet are relatively unknown in mainstream clubland. They are old friends of Whirl-Y-Gig and form the backbone of the Magick Eye record label. Founded by Marc Swordfish, Astralasia's style of trance music has changed over the years, from the early days of rock fused with ambient dance, through to the full on stomping, near-pychedelic trance of the The Seven Pointed Star. White Bird again moved Astralasia into new teritory with a greater vocal content in much of the material, although keeping with the hard trance vibe. This was followed by a long three year silence in which no new material was released, with only handful of live appearances. In 2001, Astralasia's tenth long player, titled 'Somewhere Something', was released on Transient Records. Another long silence ensued ... and then, when we were least expecting it ... Astralasia ran 'Away with the Fairies'. New double CD out May 2006.
Singles:
12": Rhythm of Life/Celestial Ocean
[EYET 2]
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Released 1991 on Magick Eye Records. This is one of the earliest releases from Astralasia and was released only on 12". 'Celestial Ocean' is an excellent track and was originally released under the name of 'Rehash' on a white label 12" [EYET 3], which has 'Realise Your Purpose' on the B side. 'Rhythm of Life' on the other hand, is a little messy and isn't really that good. Both tracks have been reworked and feature on the recent The Space Between remix album.
12": Rehash/Realise Your Purpose
[EYET 3]
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Promo release 1991 on Magick Eye Records. The original version of Celestial Ocean was first released as this 12" white label with the title 'Rehash', which also contains the original version of Realise Your Purpose on the B side. The only thing I don't understand is that if this was released before Celestial Ocean (Catalogue number EYET 2) , then how come this 12" is catalogue number EYET3? Confused? I am!
Single: Univera Zekt
[EYET 11, EYECD 11]
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Released 1993 on Magick Eye Records. I love this single - very early, ambient Astralasia. Well worth getting. There's also a t-shirt still available with this design on it.
Single: Mad
[EYET 9, EYECD 9]
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Released 1993 on Magick Eye Records. Very experimental techno from the early Astralasia. I wouldn't recomend this single unless you are a completionist!
Single: Sul-E-Stomp
[EYET 16R, EYECD 16]
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Released 1994 on Magick Eye Records. Original mxies released 1992. *Laughs* This single, along with 'Hashishin' is probably the soul reason that I got into Whirl-Y-Gig type dance music. The first Womad festival I went to, back in '94, which also happened to be my very first Whirl-Y-Gig experience, changed the way I thought about music in a very big way. For the first time ever I felt no inhibitions to leap around a dance floor and really let go....and that's what I did to 'Sul-E-Stomp'! I left the festival with this track stuck in my mind and was intent on seeking it out - the rest is history!
Sul-E-Stomp is actually a collaboration between Astralasia and the Suns Of Arqa. The must on this single is the incredibly folky Whirly mix (by Monkey Pilot). An amazing track that will always be a favourite. Some of the other mixes are a bit ravey for my liking featuring dated sounding samples that make me cringe - but what the hell!
Note that the 12" of this re-released single features only tracks 3 and 4 of the above listing.
Single: Hashishin
[EYET 12, EYECD 12]
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Released 1994 on Magick Eye Records. What can I say???? The Whirl-Y-Gig anthem from the mid 90's is 'Hashishin' - as the lyrics say, it's a "better place" and it certainly is. The other two tracks on this CD are very ambient. Look out also for the remix of 'Hashishin' on the compilation album The Space Between. The track is called 'To a Better Place' and is a stomping remix of what is already a brilliant track.
The 12" of 'Hashishin' has an exclusive track titled 'Anastasia' on the B side, which is more upbeat than the exclusive tracks on the CD.
Single: Realise Your Purpose
[EYET 18, EYECD 18]
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Released 1994 on Magick Eye Records. Kind of a political message in this track - another favourite of mine, with all of the mixes hitting the mark. Note that the 12" only features tracks 2, 4 and 5 of the above listing.
Single: Mother Durga
[EYET 19, EYECD 19]
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Released 1995 on Magick Eye Records. Taken from the 'Axis Mundi' album, 'Mother Durga' marks the end or an era for Astralasia. It's a bit poppy for my liking, but its ok. 'Magic Fly' is a remix of a track by Marouani, and as the track suggests, it flies!
Single: Nomad EP
[EYET 22, EYECD 22]
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Released 1995 on Magick Eye Records. This was the first EP to show the signs of the new Astralasia. It was released to coincide with Astralasia's live performance at the Reading WOMAD '95 Festival where they performed three of the four tracks on this EP. Its much harder than anything previously released by Astralasia and probably shocked a few people (!).....but its fast and its good!
Single: High Planes Drifter
[EYET 23, EYECD 23]
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Released 1996 on Magick Eye Records. This E.P is storming! It contains the excellent 'Kalki's Coming' which is a real favourite of mine at the moment. 'Rhythm of the Afterlife' is a re-working of the first single ever from Astralasia titled 'Rhythm of Life'. It's re-worked in the same style as the tracks found on the recent 'The Space Between' album. This just leaves 'Platform 8', which is fast 'n' furious stompin stuff.
Single: Alien Love Song
[EYET 27, EYECD 27]
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Released 1996 on Magick Eye Records. This featured as the opening track of their recent live performances and what a kicking intro to a live set! The Out There mix is only a short stomping affair, which incorporates those old favourite samples from Hashishin. The W.H.O.L.E. mix is, as the title suggests, the long version of this track - but where have the Hasishin samples gone????? Still, is a great track. Salt Tank provide a brilliant mix, which gets the thumbs up from me and the award of best mix of this track. This leaves the extremely ambient Soundtrack, which sounds like the Astralasia of old. A superb single.
Single: Special World
[EYET 35, EYET 35R, EYECD 35]
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Released 1998 on Magick Eye Records. This is the first release from the new album 'White Bird'. Following in line with the previous album, 'The Seven Pointed Star', this single is very psychedelic trance orientated, although the Stole My Stash version of this track has very familiar elements that remind me of tracks like Ecuador by Sash.
Single: Seven Pointed Star
[EYET 31, EYECD 31]
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Released 1997 on Magick Eye Records. The latest single from Astralasia which is the title track of their recent album and has been released to coincide with their live tour of the UK. The original mix is still the best version; a full on stomping hard trancathon with big acidic build-ups and floaty vocals. Again, Salt Tank provide a remix (The Prophecy) which is a down tempo drum and bass little number - nothing special really. Black Hole provide the Excursion remix, which is as fast (if not faster!) and follows the same format as the original, with a few additional squelchy samples thrown in for good measure; all in all not a bad remix. Black Hole are the latest signing to the Magick Eye record label. Watch out for them in the near future! Nelson Dilation / Euphonic provide the Seven Pointed Sitar remix which is ambient compared to the original mix. Sitars and tabla's lead the introduction into a 70's style funk/drum and bass driven track. Quite interesting, but not really my cup of tea. This leaves Astralasia's Astral Dub which is seven minutes of typical swirling ambient oldie Astralasia.
Single: One Fine Day
[EYET 37, EYECD 37, EYECD 37R]
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Released 1998 on Magick Eye Records. Sublime vocals from Mel in one of the stronger tracks from the White Bird album. The original mix is quite a chilled affair, whilst the remixes vary in style from house in Wayne G's excellent HEAVENly Vocal Mix, dark trance from Black Hole and mellow tripped out beats by Swordfish in the Tripped Up Full Skank Mix. Don't miss this one.
Single: Snowman
[EYET 38, EYECD 38]
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Released 1998 on Magick Eye Records. A seasonal release from Astralasia, featuring vocals from guest rapper Mr Chu on 'Snowman'. Its difficult to keep a straight face with this type of rapping, and Mels vocals sound like the Spice Girls have contributed to the track - arh! It's a pretty weak affair, playing on the same theme as 'Special World'. The remix of 'Your Calling' is average, the original mix of which features on the album White Bird.
Albums
12": The Politics Of Ecstasy
[EYELP 2, EYECDLP 2]
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Released 1992 on Magick Eye Records. 'The Politics Of Ecstasy' is Astralasia's first album. It's very ambient, but contains the two classic tracks 'Realise your Purpose' and 'Fantasize to Realise', which are two oldie favourites of mine. The rest of the album is pretty spacey.
CD: Astralasia - The Politics of Ecstasy
[EYECD 2]
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Released 1992 on Magick Eye Records. The CD version of the 'The Politics Of Ecstasy' adds two very ambient tracks over the vinyl version: 'The Deep' and 'Strange Celestial Dream'. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
Album: Pitched Up at the Edge of Reality
[EYELP 4, EYECDLP 4]
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Released 1993 on Magick Eye Records. This album is great! It features some great tracks, some of which are really eastern sounding. 'Twilight World' is the backbone of the Astralasia
remix of the track 'Govinda's Dream' by Suns of Arqa - great stuff! Definitely worth getting hold of this album if you can.
The limited edition 12" which is pretty rare comes with the vinyl version of the album. It features a wonderful track called 'A.N.D.E', very long and very ambient, but very moving and powerful too. It reminds me a little of the intro to 'Mystical Belief' which features on the Axis Mundi album. On the sleeve of this 12" is a message from Swordfish :
To achieve the best results from this recording I suggest that you listen on your own in a safe environment and separate yourself from normal reality (if not already). Unplug the phone, draw the curtains and light a candle and incense stick. Partake of any meditatory tools that you usually use and settle down in your most comfortable listening position
Safe Journey to all travellers......One Love, Swordfish.
Album: Whatever Happened to Utopia
[EYELP 5, EYECDLP 5, EYEMCLP 5]
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Released 1994 on Magick Eye Records. This was the first Astralasia album I ever owned (on tape!). Its all very ambient and spacey - going to bed type music, or just get stoned to it and chill out.
Album: Axis Mundi
[MEYLP 9, MEYCD 9, MEYMC 9]
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Released 1995 on Magick Eye Records. The last album to feature the old Astralasia. A very majestic opening with 'Mystical Belief', the rest of the album being quiet ambient. 'Khalahari' is also worth a mention, which is a wicked, long build up tribal sort of thing.
Album: Astralogy
[MEYCD10]
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Released 1995 on Magick Eye Records. This is an interesting compilation of some of Astralasia's earlier single releases, many of which are now unavailable.
Album: The Space Between
[MEYCD 14 MEYMC 14]
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Released 1996 on Magick Eye Records. 'The Space Between', is an excellent compilation of reworkings, rather than remixes, of Astralasia's finest and most well known material, most of which featured on the compilation album 'Astrology'. 'Afterlife' is a breakbeat version of the early 'Rhythm of Life', and 'Sul-E-Stomp' being transformed into the nutty drum and bass Sully's Trip. Apple of Durga's Eye is a housey version of 'Mother Durga' (a bit naff), whilst Madam converts the bizarre techno single 'Mad' into a more listenable trancey number. 'Realise Your Purpose' gets a similar trancey make-over in the form of Fantasize to realise. 'Hasishin', the Whirl-Y-Gig anthem, gets a ten minute laid-back, but still stomping, rehash in the form of To a better place, leaving a very ambient version of 'Celestial Ocean' to tie up the album. Well worth getting if you are an Astralasia fan!
Album: The Seven Pointed Star
[MEYCD 18 MEYMC 18]
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Released 1996 on Magick Eye Records. This is the first album to feature new material reflecting their change in style of trance towards the realms of psychedelia. Old Astralasia fans may not like this new material, but the younger generation certainly do, as proved by the crowd at this years WOMAD festival. And at the Whirl-Y-Gig (Nov '96) they played as part of their UK tour - the set they played was the best I've heard of them yet. Blinding. So, what about the new album. Well, its split into two halves, the first kicking off with a series of excellent hard tracks. The later half of the album returns to the more ambient style of Astralasia old. Its quite a contrast, but one which works well, preventing the album becoming repetitive.
Album: White Bird
[MEYCD22, MEYLP22]
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Released 1998 on Magick Eye Records. The whole style of the album is a step aside from everything else that Astralasia have released to date, where the majority of the tracks contain far more vocal content than any of their other material. This is definitely a move towards more commercialised dance music. Worth a listen.
Album: Something Somewhere
[UK: TRANR634CD / US: TSN7634-2]
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Released 11/01 on Transient Records. 'Something Somewhere' is Astralasia's tenth album and their first release for three years. Whilst maintaining a commercial element, as found in their 'White Bird' album, they still sound like the Astralasia of old (which is probably something to do with the equipment used to produce this music). In terms of an album its a bit of a pic 'n mix of anthemic trance ('The Sea' - their best track to date?), vocal trance stompers such as 'Prophecy of Life' and 'Fantasize Realise', and Astralasia's slightly off the wall ambience such as 'Come Inside'. Whilst Astralasia will probably never be fashionable, its good to know that after 10 years they can still deliver the goods.
Album: Away With The Fairies
[TECD089]
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Track Listing:Disc: 1
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Released 5/06 on Talking Elephant. Astralasia are back in style, with a new double CD, new live line-up, and a new sound.
Over fifteen years have passed since we were first pitched up at the edge of reality with Swordfish and co. In that time the dance scene has evolved and revolved. Now in the mid naughties Astralasia prove that, as we always believed, they are well and truly away with the fairies.
Other Info:
Astralasia's 11th album (I think! I've lost count) titled 'Away With the Fairies' is due for release May 2006. This was preceeded by a awesome live gig on the Whirl-Y-Gig stage at Synery on April 28th 2006, where they revealed a new live line-up and a new psy-trance sound.
Astralasia have a fantastic track out on the Whirl-Y-Gig double CD compilation, Whirl-Y-Waves Vol.2 - Global Grooves. It's called 'The Sea' and is taken from the latest album 'Something Somewhere'. This exclusive Whirl-Y-Gig mix is slightly different to the album version and, in my opinion, is their best track to date and not to be missed (Oct/2000).
Many tracks by Astralasia and from the other artists on Magick Eye Records are now available to download from Liquid Audio.
The older albums will be getting a re-release on Magick Eye Records in the near future.
Those reading this in the USA, the latest albums have been released on the Hypnotic Label thru Cleopatra Records.
The original stomping Monkey-Pilot remix of Hashishin features on Whirl-Y-Gig's compilation album Whirl-Y-Waves
A very ambient track from Astralasia features on The Chakra Journey, the second compilation album from Return to the Source.
And Finally (!) .... Astralasia contribute a storming, tribally, bouncy track to the Ambient Amazon compilation. They also feature on Trip to the Andes, which is the second title in the series of compilation albums from Tumi Dance. This second track is more drum 'n bass than the one on Ambient Amazon.
For further information on Astralasia see their official the web site, or contact :
Other Magick Eye artists:
- UVX
- Spiralhead
- Children of Dub
- The Magick Eye compilation album Visitation
