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    <title>Akaten</title>
    <link>http://virb.com/akaten</link>
    <description><![CDATA[Being as thick as two short planks mostly "so this is where my profile should go!" Which doesn't bode well for my exams coming up...

Finishing off college in the evenings, hoping to go to uni (international relations etc), and while I'm there produce, mix music for fun, hear where it takes me and some journalism antics, hope I can do a little freelance. Guess I'm a free spirited kind of person, the steady job isn't for me in the long run I feel, gotta persist of course till I put things together the way I want em. 

Basically my outlook is as follows, if you enjoy doing/learning about something why would you want to do it for a living, when it is living;

"...everybody said 'You're a cool guy but a weird dude.' People say I'm really out there. I think sometimes you really need to be out there because 'out there' is where they are coming to."

The Electrifying Mojo.]]></description>
    <generator>Virb 2.0 (@akaten)</generator>
    <language>en</language>
    <item>
      <title>akvgs9</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/akaten/photos/1210065</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://virb.com/akaten/photos/1210065"><img src="http://g.virbcdn.com/i/resize_575x575/Image-76160-331828-akvgs9.jpg" /></a>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:19:18 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/akaten/photos/1210065</guid>
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      <title>Reviewing Alton Miller - Souls Like Mine (R2)</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/269771</link>
      <description><![CDATA[What is immediately apparent is the influence that 'broken' beat has had in the progression of his sound. Nowhere is this his catching the bugz more apparent than on the title song, "Souls Like Mine" which at times sounds as if it could have been a demo discovered from the Dego & Kaidi vaults. A catchy mid-tempo number whereupon drum snares scatter and regroup over incessant keys stabs while Alton croons (yes croons! lol) a calling card for his fellow righteous spirits. Such influences are also obvious on lead single Possibilities, but to a lesser degree (and mixed success). However with the vocals from Belgian newcomer Lady Linn show great promise and the track would've benefited from a reworked production. Regardless she's certainly a singer to look out for in the future.

It is at the centre of the album that Alton really gets to the heart of the matter, kicking off in style with the rootsy Afro rhythms on "Knowledge of the Pygmies" which pair effortlessly with his considerable experience producing house music. Better still is "Long Time Comin'" blessed with the considerable presence from Nonie gospel calling to the glory of God and Nature, pairing well with Alton Miller's conga drumming prowess; certainly when the hints of a dutty bass line filter into the fray, you might be prepared to reaffirm your faith. Or conver for that matter! This strong form is continues into the twisted funk of "Don't Close Your Eyes" in which songstress Angelique keeps your eyes and ears firmly committed to the sound. It's also certain to go down well with fans of the Dollis originated sound. Souls Like Mine is definitely an album in which Alton Miller has to his considerable credit, only chosen a handful of guests who all offer a substantial contribution to his record.

And for the most part it is his record, and a noteworthy one at that with Alton Miller at the helm matching his vocals with the soothing 'Find A Way' while possible hints of Loose Ends' output emerge on 'Time is On Our Side' to impressive effect. Perhaps the album could've benefited from a nip and tuck, especially during the final third where momentum is lost compared to the previous heights. It may have been preferable to end on a high with Beautiful Brown People, a twisted conga assisted number with fellow Detroit resident Malik Alston contributing an emotive flute solos, true motor city soul, and a more fitting swansong. The final three tracks will be more familiar ot followers of his musical career, the beatdown of After the Rain being noteworthy but feel out of place on the album, perhaps an seperate EP would've been preferable. Despite some misgivings, overall I consider it to be a successful work, one which displays Alton Miller trying out new things, and at its best taking onboard varied influences and creating a strong sound of its very own. An album that is not perfect by any means, but certainly an album worthy of your time and hopefully something he can build upon in future.

Tracklist 
Between The Middle 8:01
Possibilities 6:24
Souls Like Mine 4:08
Knowledge Of The Pygmies 6:27
Long Time Comin' 6:24
Don't Close Your Eyes 5:10
Find A Way 4:29
Time Is On Our Side 4:40
Beautiful Brown People 5:45
After The Rain 7:00
Malakou 6:32
Inside Out 9:12

Available to buy from juno @ http://www.juno.co.uk/ppps/products/267599-01.htm&highlight=alton%20miller]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 13 Oct 2007 13:16:24 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/269771</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Positive Feedback Selection.</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/221258</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ok I put this together around the 2nd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (couple weeks back) reading how the city of New Orleans and its people are trying to cope with the aftermath, an uneven recovery, many have returned but with little help, while plenty are still living in temporary accomadation, how crime has doubled in the last two years...sadly my meagre record collection is lacking in New Orleans records, so I went for a differant route, track titles (Brilliant Flood - beauty of nature even when its destructive) vocals that suit my mood about the event, and the effect it has had on people.

Had to improvise, so while it is mainly Detroit and New York artists, I wanted to try and shed light on the various 'sides' of Detroit, and have Brooklyn, and just to the north New Jersey artists heard side by side for a change...an idea of the importance of location, and the people involved in making music being something I hope to learn more about in time. 

Its not a mix of anything just a few pieces (most of them short) that I like, and I hope you do too.

Aka10 - Positive Feedback Selection.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ghmwu5
Snowblow - Cardboard Box (Mobile)
John Beltran - Brilliant Flood (Exceptional/Milan)
Arthur Russell - Treehouse (Audika)
Brian Eno & David Byrne - Regiment (Virgin)
Jeff Mills - 14 Dreams (Axis)
Green Pickles feat Billy Lo and Marcellus Pittman - Feedback (Sound Signature)
Dr Who Dat feat Rocque Wun - Way U Move Me (Label Who?)
Kan Kick - Break of Dawn (Ramp)
Ta Raach - Make It/U Can Fly (Earth Angel)
MF Grimm - Masterbuilder (Day by Day)
Pattie Blingh & The Akebulan 5* - Maafa: Transatlantic Dementia (Ramp)
PG Six - Considering the Lateness of the Hour (Amish)

*Georgia Ann Muldrow in disguise, her Olesi album begins with a piece entitled New Orleans.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:24:28 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/221258</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Akaten bringing the Manpowered Sampling!</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/84295</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Had it pointed out to me that there is already a japanese band named Akaten in existence, a side project from the Acid Mothers Temple or something, with four albums already, had to post this english (engrish?) profile I found;

"Formed by TSUYAMA Atsushi and YOSHIDA Tatsuya in 1995 with the motto of "irresponsibleness" and "perfunctoriness." They easily free themselves from the spell of the traditional seriousness of the art. Using daily commodities like scissors, toothbrush, zipper, camera, and plastic bottle as percussions, and shouting their brand names over and over as the "songs," the show is performed under the concept of low cost and maximum sound effect. They simulate the wild bird songs and sumo live broadcasting; manpowered sampling, so to speak. AKATEN is the experimental convenience store punk band that provides the sound images of cheap and simple daily lives."

You know I'm gonna hear them out, for real that blurb sells it to me, crazy antics. Guess I gotta think of a new alias, shame the whole Akaten (Failing Student) outlook seemed pretty apt for me :( . Back to revision!

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:02:39 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/84295</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Chiaroscuro Lighting</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/8479</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanks for putting me onto this site Bopstar, here's a quote you may or may not like (btw will have to grab a copy of your Restless Soul stuff, strong vibes). 
-----------------------------------
"To realise the power of light and what it can do to the mind of the audience, visualize the following little scene. The room is dark. A stromg streak of light sneaks in from under the hall under the door. The sound of steps is heard. The shadows of two feet divide the light streak. A brief silence follows. There is suspense in the air. Who is it? What is going to happen? Is he going to ring the bell? Or just insert the key and try to come in? 

Another heavier shadow appears and blocks the light entirely. A dim hissing sound is heard, and as the shadow leaves, we see in the dim light a paper slip onto the carpet. The steps are heard again...This time they leave. A strong light appears once more and illuminates the note on the floor. We read it asthe steps fade out in the distance;

'It is ten o'clock. Please turn off your radio. The Manager.'"

- Cinematographer John Alton.
---------------------------------------

Love it! :D]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:58:23 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/8479</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Back Alley Spaceboy</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/8478</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This is simply a page to post a few things here and there that interest me, and perhaps you, fellow music lovers, people with nothing better to do even in some small way I hope this makes you slightly less bored. Socialising online? Get some fresh air, after you say whats up @_@.

Peace.

- Akaten]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:50:04 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/akaten/posts/text/8478</guid>
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