VA - Shade Rather Than Light: Anthology Three (2024)

Back in March 2022, See Blue Audio released its second compilation, 'Shade Rather Than Light: Anthology | Two', covering the second 15 releases, which was preceded by 'Shade Rather Than Light: Anthology | One' covering the first 15 almost exactly a year earlier. Both featured one track from each release to represent the full spectrum of music on the label alongside an exclusive new track and continuous DJ mix. As we enter 2024, the third 15 releases are similarly presented on 'Shade Rather Than Light: Anthology | Three' accompanied by the previously unreleased 'Old Father Time' by Mink Freud as the sixteenth track on the forty-eighth release on See Blue Audio.

New artists on the label during this period include Kuma, Lyli J, NRV, Tanti Aglaia and D-Fried, and there were several albums and longform tracks as See Blue Audio ventured into other musical territories and formats. This period also marked the label's first physical releases with cassette versions of albums by f5point6, Kuma, Rhombus Index and Simon McCorry's 'I the Storm', which has become the most acclaimed and supported release on See Blue Audio so far. Rhombus Index's 'Kernel Phase' is also notable as it featured a collection of remixes from other artists on the label, including Sulk Rooms and Fragile X.

Following several good reviews in Electronic Sound, 2023 ended with a label profile in the magazine, an indication surely that See Blue Audio has established itself as a firm presence on the international ambient and electronic music scenes.

The music released in 2023 was of a more experimental natural – Tanti Aglaia, D-Fried and Simon McCorry – but complemented and contrasted by the folk sensitivities of Lyli J, pastoral electronica from Rhombus Index, Bagaski's synthesizer atmospherics and the futuristic beats of Night Sky Pulse. All are fully represented on 'Shade Rather Than Light: Anthology | Three', with the brooding 'Old Father Time' providing a reminder of the singular musical vision of Mink Freud.

Fragile X created the continuous DJ mix for the first two compilations, but for the third instalment DJ SpaceTerrapin is at the controls. As a champion of experimental and eccentric music across time with his 'It Came From Enclosure Three' and other radio shows, he was a natural choice to capture the more abstract and ambient side of See Blue Audio. With a musical kaleidoscope that embraces kosmische and exotica as well as the latest electronica, he has used this special sensibility to tease and twist new sounds and dimensions out of the label’s recent catalogue.

SpaceTerrapin's mix is a cosmic odyssey through ever shifting time, space and mood. 90 minutes long and perfectly encapsulating the essence of See Blue Audio, this is a wonderfully immersive musical dreamscape… take a breath and dive right in.

The closing of the third cycle of See Blue Audio is now complete and the fourth will continue in 2024.

‘Onsen’ and ‘Message from a Distant Future’ mastered by Thomas Ragsdale.

‘The Spirit of the Young Poets’ and ‘Old Father Time’ mastered by Simon McCorry.