To attempt to smother the passions is vain, to control them difficult; besides, it is from energy, arising from passions or propensities, that all good, as well as all evil, arise. The business, then, will neither be to curb nor to crush, but to give a proper direction. This is to be done by good habits, when young, and a proper education, which cannot be obtained by individual exertion, without the assistance of government; an assistance that it is therefore bound to give.

The general tendency of wealth and power are to enervate people, to make them proud and indolent, and, after a certain time, they leave a country. Individuals have no means to counteract this tendency, unless the governing power of the country gives a general impulse to them, in cases where they can act, and acts itself, with care and attention, where individuals can do nothing.

- William Playfair, An Inquiry into the Permanent Causes of the Decline and Fall of Powerful and Wealthy Nations. Designed To Shew How The Prosperity Of The British Empire May Be Prolonged. (text)

From New Generation Series.

There is something analytical when I think of London. Bureaucratically analytical with echoes of 19th century empire. I want to capture that in music. Grand and steady, complex yet repeating, unlike Jazz. Or maybe I just want some excuse to post Aphex Twin again. So here is a list with drum machine beats and electronica, but no blues. Which always gives me the impression of London (Ministry of Sound type of house). The list has steady key but with wide tempo change. It’s not too harsh or loud, something like spreading out music pieces after putting it in IDM blender. Enjoy. Note: none of the songs except Aphex Twin is from the UK. so… hah.. take it as you want. It is my impression of London. Noteable: Maserati (Georgia based postrock group). Aphex Twin (classic). Lark Wiskey (from MdM mailbox. completely mysterious)

“New Generation. London at Sundown”

01. Aphex Twin – Yellow Calx
(Richard D. James Album, 1997)

02. Octopus Project – Beds (web)
(The House of Apples and Eyeballs, 2006)

03. Ida – Sundown
(Heart Like A River, 2005)

04. Josh Wink – Sixth Sense ft. Ursula Rucker (electronica disobedience mix)
(Scream Of Consciousness, 200)

05. Lark Wiskey – Your wish Is My Command (web)
(Amarelya, 2007)

06. Maserati – synchronicity iv (web)
(Inventions For The New Season, 2007)

07. The Stooges – Ann
(The Stooges, 1969)

see also: NG. Paris, Glabochito
image: brunoat