Surround Sound Music and Home Theater Headquarters

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Ranked #23,421 in Music, #846,734 overall

Surround Sound Music and Home Theater Surround, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Surround Sound visionaries. Their five-year mission: to explore strange new music, to seek out new artists and composers, to boldly go where no one has gone before.

SURROUND MUSIC AND TRIBAL ART 

Interesting surround sound DVD's tribal art and other fun stuff like motorcycle adventures and philosophy
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KOZMOS TOP 10 SURROUND SOUND MUSIC SELECTIONS 

Surround Music: Panning for Gold
By G. Koz Mraz

With the recent demise of Tower Records and waning DVD-A & SACD audio formats it seemed appropriate to revisit Surround Sound Music. Home Theater systems sales are exploding and besides watching movies in 5.1 home theater systems are the perfect place to experience surround music. Question? Did anyone actually compose any interesting original surround music in the 21st century? Exploring this new audio goldmine by surround panning for shimmering aural nuggets, digging down deep into sub bass LFE and tunneling all 6 speakers with explosive dynamic discrete audio placement! The answer is yes! (though some are re-mixes) and these are my top 10 contemporary, urban/electronica/dance DVD releases of this decade so far. If you like this type of music and purchase any of these titles I guarantee a fulfilling 5.1/6.1 Audio/Video experience. These innovative original music titles have embellished their DVD's with compelling full motion video, interviews, lyrics, interactive menus, multiple angles, easter eggs and some include a separate audio CD. These play on any Dolby Digital/DTS Home Theater system. Some are out of print but can be easily found on eBay, Amazon or CD Baby so turn up the volume and shake your bass!

# 10: MOVE Volume 1: Beats in Space - Pioneer Ent. DVD-V

This seminal 5.1 dance music DVD immediately launches into a nonstop surround sound roller coaster of extremely well produced and mixed material. A compilation of DJs and dance artists it's musically interesting and visually exciting. Entertaining time and time again MOVE is the first real surround project of this scope in the club music genre. This is a two DVD series, Beats in Space Vol. 1 and Shapes of Bass Vol. 2. Both are out of print but available on eBay.

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 & PCM 2.0 Stereo
Video: 10 full motion videos
Navigation: Creative interactive user friendly menus
Interviews: Jeffery Greene- Project Producer/artist
Bonus material: DJ mixing segment
Release date: 2000

KOZMOS SURROUND SOUND MUSIC # 9 

# 9: Underworld Live - Everything Everything - JBO LTD. DVD-V

This is a live concert DVD and really should be in a separate live concert top 10 but it exemplifies and truly captures this style of music. Underworld goes beyond the standard crowd ambience in the rears of your typical live concert DVD. This is a great mix of a great performance of a great electronic band. I must have watched this 50 times and still enjoy it, end of story. It's available at Amazon.

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ 2.0 PCM Stereo
Video: Widescreen 16:9 Full motion video with multiple angles
Navigation: Simple
Features: User programmable song sequences
Bonus material: Concert footage outtakes, 2 bonus tracks
DVDROM: Interactive text and keyboard vision mixer
Release Date: 2001

KOZMOS SURROUND SOUND MUSIC # 8 

# 8: Tipper - Surrounded - 5.1 Entertainment. Dual Disc DVD/CD

This is a Dual Disc, which has a DVD-Video on one side and a Stereo CD on the other side. The dual disc format was introduced in early 2004. This is down tempo ambient instrumental music. The spatial and discrete surround mixes are very well done coupled with creative video imagery. This was the first time I had encountered DVD launcher. This is an Internet based application (you need to put the disc in your computer DVD drive) that provides lyrics, photos, liner notes, links and other artistic embellishments. In this case downloadable Dolby surround headphone files! But, unfortunately it wouldn't let me register my disc so I was to have none of that!

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ 2.0 PCM Stereo
Video: Full motion video, Stop motion video, Computer graphics and stills
Navigation: Simple, unless you try DVD Launcher
Bonus Material: Speaker Placement and audio test
Release date: Dual Disc 2004

KOZMOS SURROUND SOUND MUSIC # 7 

# 7: Venice Underground - 5.1 Entertainment Dual Disc DVD/CD

Another Dual Disc, not so sure if this format is waxing or waning but the original music on this disc is fantastic. A crunch rock guitar edge with frenetic female vocals twisted in a synth laden sonic cyclone. This is the brainchild of Peter DiStefano from Porno for Pyros and is uniquely creative. Both of the 5.1 Entertainment discs start immediately when played. This is a really good idea for DVD players in the car so you don't need a video navigation menu to listen to the music. Peter also produced another good surround project called Rambient.

Audio: DTS/ Dolby Digital 5.1/ 2.0 PCM Stereo
Video: 2 Choices of full motion video
Navigation: A little clumsy
Interview: Peter DiStefano - Artist /Producer
Bonus Material: Speaker Placement and audio test
Release date: Dual Disc 2005

KOZMOS SURROUND SOUND MUSIC # 6 

#6: AWAKEN - Various Artists - 5.1 Entertainment DVD-Audio

Awaken is a compilation of Hip Hop, Rap and spoken word. It's produced by one of my former students, Jamie Munson AKA Poet Named Life. These are very groovy, melodic compositions with entertaining and adventurous surround mixes. I've always felt this genre of music ideal for the surround medium. Imagine a killer 5.1 mix booming in a maxed out car audio system. Awakens creative use of stills and graphics supply a very effective visual backdrop of urban graffiti and aerosol art throughout the DVD.

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 / 5.1 MLP/ 2.0 PCM Stereo
Video: Two choices of graphic
Navigation: Overly ambitious, meet the artists is very clumsy
Interviews: Multiple artist interviews
Bonus material: Several full motion music videos, Art gallery, 8 bonus music tracks, speaker set-up and test.
Release date: 2003

KOZMOS SURROUND SOUND MUSIC # 5 

# 5: Studio Voodoo - self titled - DTS Entertainment DVD-Audio

These are aggressive mixes of music actually composed in 6.1 surround. This DVD contains a 6.1/5.1/Stereo and binaural version in one format. Stylistically it's a melting pot of African tribal drumming, electronica, Flamenco dancers and Opera singers. Percussive, rhythmic and melodic every surround sound panning and mixing possibility occur on this disk! This disk rocks, but I'm a little biased. Also check out the second surround DVD-Video Fire & a Prayer www.studiovoodoomusic.com

Audio: 6.1 DTS-ES/ 5.1 MLP/ 2.0 PCM Stereo/ Binaural
Video: Graphic stills
Navigation: Artfully well organized
Interviews: Artist, musicians and mix engineer
Bonus material: Art gallery & graphic artist information
Easter Eggs: lower Right hand corner SV Logo is the binaural Mix
Release date: 2001

KOZMOZ SURROUND SOUND MUSIC # 4 

#4: BECK - Guero - Interscope Records DVD-Audio and CD

Returning to his production roots with the Dust Brothers Beck again extols the musical playfulness and honesty that is Beck. Recorded at The Boat in Silver Lake it originally incarnated in stereo and was remixed in surround by Elliot Scheiner. Personally I am friend and acquaintances with said such characters and know the curious possibilities of surround sound always BECKoned in the original recording sessions. The music, mixes and video are all compelling. The physical product is a 50-page book worthy of its own shelf space rich in Becks drawings, art, images and lyrics.

Audio: DVD-Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1 Stereo CD
Video: Full motion video
Navigation: Simple
Bonus material: Extensive photo gallery
Easter Eggs: There are 2 bonus videos in the main menu, click the color changing wavering blob in the upper right-hand corner.
Release Date: 2005

KOZMOS SURROUND MUSIC # 3 

#3: MALE or FEMALE - Primitive Reflections Twisted Sound - DVD-Video Released by Dance51.com

From the producers of Front 242 this is an edgy electronic mix of aggressive distorted guitar, house groves to open ambient soundscapes. The videos are extraordinary and though computer generated retain an amazing organic feel. The DVD features two entirely different playback modes, Play and Interactive Play. Theses are the most aggressive surround mixes of these 10 DVD's this is a no hold barred production in which drums and bass may explode from a discrete rear speaker at any moment. My only contention is with the overally bright EQ'd mix.

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo CD
Video: 26 Full motion video
Navigation: Interactive play is challenging
Bonus material: the interactive play lets the user navigate through a dark world finding hidden content
Easter Eggs: There are easter eggs in interactive play mode
Release date: 2004

KOZMOS SURROUND SOUND MUSIC # 2 

#2: TINO VISION - State of the Art Audio Visual Surround Sound Experience. DVD-Video Released by Tino Corp

This is a compilation DVD loaded with interesting content and experimental features. The 5.1 speaker test alone is the most creative speaker set-up ever done on DVD. The 5.1 ambient effects are completely unique. Several videos have multiple video angles in this case meaning 2 different computer animated videos. The music style is often called Jungle. Its high tempo drum and bass dance club music. Definitely one of the most adventurous and interesting club music projects to date.

Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital and 2.0 stereo
Video: Full motion video and Live Video
Navigation: Very creative and simple
Bonus material: Extensive live video with multiple angles
Tino in 5.1 even more amazing 5.1 mixes
4 Ambient Effect in 5.1 (stunning in their simplicity)
Trailers
Release Date: 2005

KOZMOS # 1 SURROUND SOUND MUSIC DVD 

#1: Surround Music DVD of this Century! 1 GIANT LEAP
DVD-Video released by Palm pictures.

This is the definitive music/video/art/philosophical documusical surround sound music experience of the decade so far. Sweeping in scope and depth this project was stewarded by music titan Chris Blackwell, founder of Island records. Containing extensive interviews, exquisite music compositions, full-length music videos, and multiple viewing modes. Two British composers traveled the globe for a year recording and playing with a stellar array of international musicians. They then weave and layer these performances into a rich sonic tapestry. Cleverly constructed for a variety audio/video experiences. I have often muted the center channel and turn off the screen for fantastic MUSIC ONLY listening. When you purchase this buy two, you will inevitably want to share it but not give yours away. It will remain contemporary and meaningful for decades and is a standard by which few music projects ever achieve.

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
Video: Full Motion Video - Multilingual sub-titles
Navigation: First time use is confusing only because of its depth. Once understood it's brilliant.
Interviews: In depth artist, musician, writer, philosopher, poet, shaman
Bonus material: Explore Mode takes you to other continents, cities and trip the light fantastic.
The explore feature in set-up function which will appear on screen, when clicked viewer even delves deeper into the subject at hand
Juke Box allows the user to arrange the sequence of the 9 chapters
2 music video singles
A formidable and informative 40-page booklet
Easter Eggs: I am sure something is in there
Release date: 2001 inner-Space Odyssey

Re-cap of My top 10 contemporary, urban/electronic Music DVD releases of this decade so far. Enjoy. Please email me with any of your suggestions or comments studiovoodoo@charter.net

1. 1 Giant Leap
2. Tino Vision
3. Male or Female
4. Beck - Guero
5. Studio Voodoo - Self titled
6. Awaken -Various Artists
7. Venice Underground
8. Tipper - Surrounded
9. Underworld - Live
10. Move Vol. 1- Shapes of Bass

VoodooMama's got me witched 

This is the coolest Voodoo art on the planet check her out!

New Group Discussion 

Lensmaster

Voodoorider wrote...

Voodoomama is a mystical chanteuse whose spell weaves deep into your soul. You can find more about her at www.mysticvoodoo.com

ReplyPosted November 19, 2008

Willy NY.
Lensmaster

Willy NY. wrote

Cool but tell me more about Voodoo Mama

ReplyPosted March 10, 2007

R.Wilson
Lensmaster

R.Wilson wrote

Very nice review, I didnt know half of these existed! You are right about 1 Giant Leap.

ReplyPosted March 10, 2007

Surround Sound/ Home Theater 

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by Voodoorider

Koz Mraz is an educator, composer, writer and self proclaimed surround sound pioneer.

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