Ariel Kalma: Music and Other Curiosities

Melbourne Xaphoon - latest video from May 28 2020

2020-05-28T17:25:00.001-07:00

Rue de la Gaite 70s - 1976-1979 archives

2017-11-18T22:38:00.000-08:00

Rue de la Gaite 70s

Ariel Kalma: “I was always curious. I learned how to record. I travelled to all kinds of countries and met gifted musicians playing all kinds of instruments. After learning how to ‘go inside’, I heard all strange sound effects and silences in my head… that meant lots of recordings! I kept copies in various formats and digitalised it all. This album was recorded… Rue de la Gaite, between 1976-1979 in Paris where I lived.

Brahim el Belkani from Marrakesh camped my living room/recording studio, and often played music Morrocan G’nawa style mixed with Indian style and jazzy improvisations - Loy Ehrlich was one of them and we recorded several sessions with other visiting friends I had met while traveling. “

Ariel Kalma: all compositions, cover art, remastered with the modern technical knowledge of Kamal Engel @ Art of Audio, Byron Bay..

Link to download: https://ariel-kalma.bandcamp.com/album/rue-de-la-gaite-70s

1. Rue de la Gaite, 6:45 (1979)

Babu : tablas, Loy Ehrlich : Farfisa Professional keyboard, Ariel Kalma : saxophone

2. Ravajaman, 4 :45 (1981)

Nand Kishor : tablas, Ariel Kalma : saxophone

3. Salam Paix Peace, 4 :57 (1976)

Loy Ehrlich: hajouj bass, Ariel Kalma: saz, vocals, saxophone, gong, sound effects

4. Harmony Om, 4 :41 ((1978)

Ariel Kalma: electric guitar, pedal harmonium, harmonic voice, ocean waves, effects.

5. Montparnasse Morocco: 4:13 (1976) (Not on LP)
Brahim el Belkani: djonkoloni hajouj bass, vocals, Loy Ehrlich: pedal harmonium, Ariel Kalma: percussion, qraqeb cymbals, harmonic vocals, sound effects

6. Sand And Wind, 21:43 (1976)
Brahim el Belkani: djonkoloni hajouj bass vocals, Loy Ehrlich: tablas – Ariel Kalma: flute, pedal harmonium, delay, sound effects

...speaking of traveling, here is a text that I wrote at that time...

Couleurs changeantes

D’un coin du monde a l’autre j’ai usé mes souliers

j’ai croise des regards, j’ai vaincu l’apparence,

échangé des sourires de paix, compris ou ignores.

Les étoiles, c’était mon chemin de l’errance,

et la lune rythmait les saisons de l’esprit:

… couleurs changeantes

Je cherche Dieu d’amour,

trop souvent j’ai trouvé Kali la destructrice.

Depuis Mindanao jusqu’aux Himalayas

de murmures humains vibrait le silence

chants de mort, Mantras ou maux d’amour:

… couleurs changeantes

Illusion du passe-futur, espérance

tu combats l’ignorance

l’étoile dit la profondeur

En changeantes couleurs

Je suis ne tant de fois

je voyage bien souvent en étant immobile

quelquefois riche, d’autres sage

j’ai souvent les fourmis dans les jambes

La ronde des visages aux fenêtres de l’âme

les Sages du chemin donnent la direction,

et l’ami d’un instant a qui tout est offert:

Compagnons de la découverte!

… Couleurs changeantes

Ariel Kalma, Kabul, 1974

Specials For Subscribers and Collaborations

2017-07-13T22:59:00.004-07:00

Good news for you, free music and collaborate with me if you wish...

Today I offer you:

1. Specials For Subscribers: https://ariel-kalma.bandcamp.com

I will give (free) one new track every 2 weeks for subscribers only until a new album is finished and for sale to the general public!

A great opportunity to get "new" music from my vast archives, as soon as it goes out of my studio. I recorded lots of music since the early 70's! Now I am sorting out my archives and will publish more and more compositions... plus new ones of course... plus bonus items from my back-catalog, subscriber-only specials etc...

2. Collaborations: JW 2010 Kalma (click text)

I want to create with you!
Here is a short loop that I found in my archives, with my strong encouragements to use it to create your own mix. Then send me a link so I can listen? The best mixes will be included in a future album! If used commercially at your end, please mention: JW 2010 Kalma (c) Ariel Kalma

3. Free 'New Track': 1985 Kula Blackhole (click text)
Enjoy this gift from outer space to my inner space ...

In 1985 on Maui, living high up on the Haleakala mountain, I got very inspired by the island vibes, the night skies, and that special silence... I recorded this piece with a simple portable setup:
Yamaha PortaStudio keyboard,
Wasp minisynth and
Tascam 4track cassette recorder.
Remastered 2017 with effects.

Thanks, merci, gracias, obligado, danke, toda, grazzie, shukran, jeram je, etcete re

Ariel

Confidential - Never Mind - 1985 Kula Blackhole -

2017-06-22T20:11:00.001-07:00

Where was I? Lost in Time... Is it Spaced out? ...In?

Right now I finished the album 'Confidential' . Ama, my wife, told me I should write a blog about it, you know, talk stories... I also have to write about the other 3 albums being born out of my archives!... Never Mind - 1985 Kula Blackhole - Dream Stars

Confidential

Confidential Intimate Sax Off The Record

Recorded between 1981 and... not so long ago - in Maui, Hamburg, Paris, Montreal, Mullumbimby... lots of relax with smooth tender sax and simple arrangements, even a romantic flute ballad - listen here.

Never Mind

Never Mind Introspective Changes Perspective

Dark mysterious mixes towards a trance space inside. Also some humor because we need to lighten up if we want the light at the end of the tunnels of our minds! What we need is Strength and Courage - listen here.

1985 Kula Blackhole

1985 Kula Blackhole A long journey into space:

(pay what you want) in 1985 on Maui, living high up on the Haleakala mountain, I got very inspired by the island vibes, the night skies, and that special silence... this is a 20-min track.

Dream Stars

Dream Stars Voyage into Dreamtime.

Live recording (analog tapes) from 1977 at the Paris Planetarium where Ariel did a series of concerts, and remastered 2016. Listen

More archives coming soon, including some French and English poetry read into music.

Hugs and love,

Ariel

PS... a tip: Get all my new music plus 3 items from my back-catalog and subscriber-only specials

Ariel Kalma = FIVE New Albums from Archives !

2016-09-08T22:34:00.001-07:00

Analog tapes... the sound is so smooth...

I have the feeling I'm polishing pearls and make necklaces/albums... one after the other...
Between 1/4" tapes, cassette masters and DAT tapes, I have about 150 hours of music from the last 4 decades. Some tracks are ready, some need adjustments, others have to be remixed... digitalised all of them, then remastered, each with modern plugins with the technical help of Kamal Engel, Artofaudio.com.au.

See them all at ariel-kalma.com.

Sometimes a memory surface as to when I composed or recorded a piece. 'Slow Space Rumba' for example comes from a song composed near a fireplace when I was comforting a friend going through a break-up.
https://ariel-kalma.bandcamp.com/track/slow-space-rumba

Sometimes I fall into trance (even falling on my keyboard) because I designed strange left-right brain effects... that works!
https://ariel-kalma.bandcamp.com/track/rainbow-remix

In '1978 Delirium GRM', I laughed at my (then) attempts to create electro-acoustic compositions inspired by my time as assistant at the Musical Research Group (GRM) in Paris. Interesting mixes from that time!

https://ariel-kalma.bandcamp.com/track/bruissements

Or I recall the full version of a meaningful harmonium piece lasting 45 minutes during a full moon night in a remote church in France...
https://ariel-kalma.bandcamp.com/track/planet-air-full-version-2

Many times I travel through space and time because I am really, really inspired by the cosmic play around us.... so big... so I try to create big spaces...
https://ariel-kalma.bandcamp.com/track/ambient-robots-2

Now I have to go and start selecting new pearls for future albums... until zen, wishing you a great journey into the mystery of life...!

Hugs and love,

Ariel

PS... a tip: Get all my new music plus 3 items from my back-catalog and subscriber-only specials

2016-04-05T03:52:00.001-07:00

#ConcertSalon II - ambient electronica poetry with Ariel Kalma & Dr Greg.

I love this new montage mixing analog synthesisers with my (Ariel's) set up! We thought the session would be including the other member of Hypnolia, an electro-synth from Murwillumbah, but he was sick.... so Dr Greg came alone.

I went a bit further with the audio mixes, the video montage and effects. Steep learning curve! Progressing into video tech is rewarding to me!

What do you thing about this episode? write a comment, subscribe, pass on the news...

Merci beaucoup, thanks a lot!

#ConcertSalon II - ambient electronica poetry with Ariel Kalma & Dr Greg.

#ConcertSalon Happening!

2016-03-17T20:02:00.000-07:00

#ConcertSalon is alive and well.

#ConcertSalon 1 is online: Click here

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel - thank you :-)

#ConcertSalon 2 is in the making.

For now we have Hypnolia confirmed. A duo Space Music band from Brisbane. They also work with synths, loops, beats and add Live goodies and electric guitar to their mixes... They'll play some, I'll play some, We'll play some... sounds promising!

I have an amazing array of tools to play with - multiplying possibilities to record good quality audio and videos ! (and lots of buttons to tweak )

In the pic (left) is only a recorder as a music instrument, but there are many more unseen ones...

#ConcertSalon is alive and well. I wish #ConcertSalon was really Live.

So I could instantly share what inspires me in terms of lights, sounds, instruments, resonances, meanings, poetry, senses ... and absences...

Meanwhile I do 'almost Live'. That means Time gets shorter between MY Inspiration and YOUR Inspiration at Internet's end.... soon superposing into OUR Inspiration though the 101 Monkeys Law.

I am only half-joking in fact. How do you think I can keep being Inspired most of the Time? ... Because I tap into a pool of semi-conscious (or sub) states of various Ecstatic States Of Development (ESTOD) where I find the Infinitely Renewable Nutrients to Inspiration (IRNI). I actually wish to tap into the fully-conscious state very soon...

A bientot!

Oh, if you still did not see #ConcertSalon 1 then click here.
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel - thank you :-)

ConcertSalon Creates The Moment

2016-03-01T03:21:00.000-08:00

OK, yes, the great idea of a 'World Tour' crossed my inner-mind-pathway. I even did a trial run last year, playing 6 concerts across the US and Vancouver... interesting music, good meetings but hard on Body and Soul!

Back home I looked for venues to continue sharing my new sounds and old archives, but its too complicated; venues are expensive and need to be planned much in advance. I wanted a simple, available, affordable, easy way... Live Streaming seemed a great option but I need Broadband unavailable yet here...

During the 70's in Paris I sometimes participated in what was called 'Salons' where well-to-do philanthropists, or art lovers, opened their living rooms to artists, poets, musicians, performers to create 'happenings' by mixing genres, people, artforms... So I transformed my studio, created a space and included inspiring lights & effects, and #ConcertSalon was born... voila! Now I record, film, invite other participants and upload #ConcertSalon on my Youtube channel.

... see the first result https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZqNb-hnHgY

Margot Anand was visiting and decided to read a poem translated from the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra while I played background music...

Aaron Wales was a wwoofer at our place, and I invited him to sing a true song of his and play the didgeridoo. Meanwhile, his partner Ila helped me setting up the video part, the room, the lights... I felt lucky... synchronicity (almost normal nowadays)...

This first #ConcertSalon is not perfect, nevertheless it has a 'good vibe' atmosphere. I had some annoying sound issues partly due to such a different adaptation of my studio, and it is ... complicated ... but I will get there!

I'll tell you when the next #ConcertSalon is ready!

Cheers,

Ariel

www.ariel-kalma.com

2016-01-18T22:12:00.003-08:00

Interfrequence - Moving tracks for an imaginary film.

Interfrequence by Ariel Kalma

A rarity no more!

In 1980 a friend recommended I place an album of shorter tracks in a library for film and TV. Until then I had played long droney tracks to space out, so it was a bit of a challenge which I gladly accepted. I focused on this for more than a month, squeezing the creative juices until I had evocative pieces. What kept me inspired was the 'Image In': what does a track evoke when you hear it? A memory? A feeling? A dream? A desire?

So I chose themes and composed around an idea or an evocative title like 'Oasis', 'Promenade', 'Merry Forest', 'Source Fraiche' (fresh spring), 'Round You Go' (for a repetitive ditti), etc...

I was disappointed by the library who did not really promote the album, and therefore the lack of interest in using it for films. Ah, well, I had a life to passionately live and many other interests, so I left it as it was for 25 years. Around 2005 I noticed the growing interest in this music and the rarity of existing LPs in circulation. Finally I got a decent digital copy which I could remaster in 2015, and here it is, reborn out of oblivion!

2016-01-18T20:18:00.000-08:00

Musique Pour le Reve et l’Amour 2016 - Timeless Ambient Space Music - Bon Voyage!

Musique Pour le Reve et l’Amour by Ariel Kalma

Ah, I had ups and downs with this recording! Because I was a perfectionist (still am but less intense). At first I did not want to publish it due to the quality of the recording, but a number of people 'went on a trip' when they heard it and did not bother. So I made a cassette in France, followed by one in Canada... Time passed and I remastered from cassette in 2006, but still was not satisfied with the sound. Then in 2015, I got all my 1/4" masters from a storage in Paris (lots of tapes!). I bought several tape recorders and digitized about 250 hours of archives, including Music pour le reve et l'amour, which I could filter and fine tune at the remastering phase... Now I am finally happy!

Here is the story:

Paris, 1979: In my roof apartment, I had a 'drone music' set-up playing continuously: 2 stacked keyboards, a Leslie rotating speaker, phaser, wah wah and Flanger pedals, a spring reverb box, a small mixing table, a Revox G36 1/4" tape recorder, a Neumann microphone...

I tuned my voice and instruments with sound layers, echoes, modified drum machines... I would often enter a meditative state, a trance of some kind... The UV lights and red lamp helped also create a vast universe where I would float for hours, interrupted only for food, the rare phone ringing or some friend dropping by to say hi, join my music or chat. I went out mainly at night as the big city sounds were harsh to my fine-tuned ears.

'Musique Pour le Reve et l'Amour' and 'Music for Dream and Love' were recorded on two occasions when I remembered to press the 'Record' button on my Revox. Actually it was during ‘Rainbow Transmission’ experiments when I tried to communicate with a friend having a 'cosmic initiation' (awareness of the vastness of space around us)... So the music captures a bit of what I felt. I never sung so high... I mostly had my eyes closed, and it is recorded in one pass, no overdub... something happened beyond me then!

That is why I wish you what the the subtitle says 'Timeless Ambient Space Music - Bon Voyage!'

Celebrate End Of Year - Ariel Kalma 30% Off Digital Catalog!

2015-12-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

Hi girls,

(I decided to call everyone girls to change the habit of addressing all groups as 'guys'... what about the ladies?)

So it is that time of the year where we all give something to someone. I have music to give... not completely free (I still need presents for family)... but hey, 30% is not bad hey?

To take advantage of this, go to https://ariel-kalma.bandcamp.com/music and when you are ready to pay,enter code:

arielkalma2015

30% off

anything

from Dec 10, 2015

to Jan 10, 2016

Wishing you a great time with your girls :-)

With love from Ariel!

2015-12-06T19:56:00.005-08:00

7 December 2015

About Meditation in the Forest:

I have always found bird songs to be inspiring. They have rhythms, melodies, and repetitive patterns… that’s how I like my music too!

Back in the 70’s I experimented a lot with bird songs. I recorded ‘Osmose’, an LP mixing Borneo’s rainforest with my compositions. This album still resonates, actually even more so today for an unknown reason. Maybe our urban lifestyle gives us the need to connect with nature?

I did feel the need to connect with nature after being born and raised in Paris, France. There was so little of it in the city! Now I live near a forest where birds are ever present, so I hear a variety of calls every day! And I sometimes exercise my ears to learn and play along, and when I find a good accompaniment I record.

I named this album ‘Meditation in the Forest’ because these tracks inspire me to go inside and contemplate the beauty of nature.

Listen here: http://ariel-kalma.com/meditation-in-the-forest.htm

See the video on Youtube (whole album):

About the video:

Each track has its own flavour. I used photos taken from the forest around me and mixed them with various videos of skies that I also took along the years (I love clouds).
> In track 4 ‘Promenade en Foret’, I have used a magical light-show of the LED bulbs, featured at the Googleplex headquarter in Mountain View (with permission from the creator, of course). A beautiful mandala of light! > In ‘Floating Escape’, I have used (with permission) some NASA photos of our universe, mixed later with an animated cover of mine. > On ‘Birds Softly Calling’, I made two animated abstracts with amazing interacting colors.

What do you think (or not think if you could relax and let go of the mind) ?

Does this help you to sleep?
Does this inspire you to go into nature?
To take a walk in the forest?
To listen more attentively to bird songs?

Share your experience please, I would love some feedback.

Thank you!

Ariel Kalma

2015-10-28T22:00:00.002-07:00

October 29 2015

OK, I have to admit I made a mistake, but I listened and finally renamed the album ‘Work In Progress 2015’ to ‘Reallusions’… and the cover is Reallusionally nice, isn’t it?

Try looking at it by moving your eyes closer and further apart and you’ll see what I mean! The music is basically the same, I just renamed two titles, that’s it!

The other important album I wanted to talk about is ‘Meditation in the Forest’:

I always wanted to record another album with birds, like in my 1978 ‘Osmose’ LP. Now that I live near a forest with many birds around, it has become easy! Some of them sing so beautifully that I composed around their melodies. Listen here an example

Tuning and playing music with the birds sends me into a trance. I could play for hours, feeling always different as the environment varies around me. What do you feel when you hear these birds? And with the music? Drop me a line?

If you want to review one of my albums and we chose to publish it on my website, I will send you a special gift.

Talk to you soon, and keep well,

Ariel

YEAH! Here is my brand-new blog!

2015-10-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

Upon request of a growing number of fans (which delights me to no end), I have started writing a blog to share what I'm up to.

Work In Progress 2015

What was new this year for me? Everything! In January, I decided I would play home concerts via Internet streaming. But then I was asked to do some concerts in the USA during summer (as I was anyway visiting our son living in California). So, I researched and bought new portable equipment. The learning curve was steep (months and months of preparation), but the rewards are big!

I can now lay simultaneous layers of sounds, play my instruments and have it recorded all at once! Each time I find a good combination of sounds I record the semi-improvised session based on previous (sometimes ancient) compositions of mine. I have recorded lots of pieces! I assembled some of the best ones in a new album named ‘Work In Progress 2015'. You can also download tracks and the full album from iTunes.

Again, I want to emphasize, what I call Synchronous Simultaneity, where Equipment and Player resonate, like at the end of “Sons Du Vide”. Actually my work mainly consist of tuning animate and inanimate … then Inspiration flows. Am I too esoteric? It actually is simple…. resonance is everywhere… once 2 systems resonate, it is like a space opens up… like being in love… like a cat purring…

Oh, and if you are curious how the concerts in the US went, read some comments by people who write better than I do.

If you like what I do and want to receive my new tracks for great prices (!) you can subscribe here.

Also, you can subscribe to my Youtube channel and you will automatically be informed of new videos with new tracks.

Coming soon:
LP vinyls, Downloads and CDs of ‘Interfrequence’ and ‘Musique pour le reve et l’amour’….. I will tell you when…..

Till then…
A bientot, biz schpaeter, grazzie mille, bis bald, toda raba, techekul ederum, domo aligato, shukran, gracias, obrigado…

Ariel