Produced, mixed, mastered, basic tracks, & design by Jim Combs
at Common Sound Studio, Decatur, GA between June 2013 & August 2015
Christian Birk – Modular Synthesizer (Track 5)
Jim Combs – Keyboards, Synthesizers, & Drum Machines (All tracks)
Tony Gerber – Guitars & EWI (Track 4)
Brian Good – EWI & Soprano Saxophone (Tracks 3, 5, 6, 9, & 10)
Greg Hurley – Guitars & Bass (Tracks 3, 5, 6, 9, & 10)
Josie Quick – Acoustic & Electric Violins (All tracks)
Paul Vnuk, Jr. – Drums, Percussion, Synthesizers, & Voice (Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 , & 10)
GBNF – KH & JW
Awards:
Zone Music Reporter nominee for Best Electronic Album of 2015.
Zone Music Reporter #84 Top 100 Recordings for 2015.
Zone Music Reporter Top 100 Airplay Charts: #65 for June 2016, #52 for April 2016, #70 for March 2016, #59 for February 2016, #41 for January 2016, #32 for December 2015, #25 for November 2015, #18 for October 2015, #17 for September 2015, and #49 debut for August 2015.
WXPN 88.5FM’s Star’s End Radio lists March of the Timeshifters as one of the Top 166 Significant Releases of 2015.
WYSO Alpha Rhythms lists March of the Timeshifters as one of the Best of 2015.
WMSE 91.7FM Instrumental Saturdays lists March of the Timeshifters as one of the Top 11 of 2015.
Airplay
March of the Timeshifters
KSBR 88.5FM The Morning Breeze show in Mission Viejo, CA played show in Black Hawk, CO played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on January 13, 2024 and January 28, 2023, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on January 8, 2023, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on July 10, 2022, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on April 24, 2022, “The Romance of Train Travel” on July 31, 2021, “The Heliosphere Is a Harsh Mistress” on March 14, 2021, “The Romance of Train Travel” on March 6, 2021, February 21, 2021, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on November 8, 2020, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on September 19, 2020, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on September 6, 2020, August 8, 2020 and May 31, 2020, “The Romance of Train Travel” on August 29.2020, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on May 23, 2020, May 16, 2020, and May 9, 2020, “The Heliosphere Is a Harsh Mistress” on March 21, 2020, “March of the Timeshifters” on February 23, 2020, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on February 15, 2020, February 2, 2020, January 25, 2020, and January 4, 2020, “March of the Timeshifters” on October 5, 2019, “The Heliosphere Is a Harsh Mistress” on September 21, 2019, September 15, 2019, and September 8, 2019. “Gypsy Moth Dance” on August 31, 2019, August 10, 2019, August 4, 2019 and August 3, 2019, “March of the Timeshifters” on August 25, 2019, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on July 27, 2019, July 21, 2019, and June 28, 2019, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on June 8, 2019, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on June 2, 2018, “March of the Timeshifters” on May 25, 2019, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on May 4, 2019, “March of the Timeshifters” on February 2, 2019, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on January 27, 2019 and January 13, 2019, “Cream and Variation” on December 29, 2018, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on October 6, 2018 and September 22, 2018, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on September 21, 2018, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on August 19, 2018, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on August 18, 2019, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on July 15, 2018 and May 5, 2018, “Gypsy Moth Dance” and “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on April 6, 2018, “March of the Timeshifters” on December 9, 2017, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on November 11, 2017, October 15, 2017, and September 30, 2017, “March of the Timeshifters” on September 23, 2017, September 2, 2017, June 24, 2017, June 4, 2017, May 27, 2017, May 20, 2017, May 14, 2017, May 7, 2017 and April 30, 2017, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on April 29, 2017, “March of the Timeshifters” on April 15, 2017, April 9, 2017, and April 8, 2017, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” and “March of the Timeshifters” on April 2, 2017, “March of the Timeshifters” on April 1, 2017, March 25, 2017, March 18, 2017, March 4, 2017, February 19, 2017, February 18, 2017, February 11, 2017, February 4, 2017, January 29, 2017, and January 28, 2017, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on January 22, 2017, “March of the Timeshifters” on January 15, 2017, January 7, 2017, January 1, 2017, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on December 31, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on October 16, 2016, September 11, 2016, August 20, 2016, July 3, 2016, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on July 2, 2016, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on June 26, 2016, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on June 25, 2016, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on June 19, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on June 18, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters”and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on June 12, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on May 29, 2016, May 28, 2016, April 30, 2016, April 23, 2016, April 17, 2016 and April 16, 2016, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” and “March of the Timeshifters” on April 3, 2016, and “March of the Timeshifters” on April 2, 2016, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” and “March of the Timeshifters” on March 26, 2016 and March 6, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on February 27, 2016, January 31, 2016 and January 30, 2016, “Gypsy Moth Dance”, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” and “March of the Timeshifters” on January 24, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters”, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas”, and “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on January 17, 2015, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas”, “Cream and Variation”, “March of the Timeshifters”, and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on January 16, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters on January 9, 2016 and December 26, 2015, “The Romance of Train Travel” on December 12, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on December 6, 2015, December 5, 2015, and November 15, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on November 8, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” and “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on November 7, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on November 1, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 31, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on October 25, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 17, 2015, October 3, 2015 & September 20, 2015, “The Romance of Train Travel” and “March of the Timeshifters” on September 13, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on September 6, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on September 5, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters,” “Gypsy Moth Dance,” & “The Romance of Train Travel” on August 30, 2015. The Morning Breeze also played pre-release, rough mix versions of “March of the Timeshifters” on July 25, 2015, and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on July 25, 2015, July 19, 2015, and July 18, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on June 28, 2015, June 13, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on May 31, 2015, May 9, 2015, and May 3, 2015, and “The Romance of Train Travel on May 9, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on April 18, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on March 22, 2015, March 15, 2015, and March 8, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on March 28, 2015, March 15, 2015, and March 8, 2015, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on March 8, 2015, “Cream and Variation” on March 8, 2015, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on March 8, 2015, “The Romance of Train Travel” on March 8, 2015. The Late Night Lounge has also been playing the album including “March of the Timeshifters” on June 18, 2017, May 29, 2016, April 24, 2016, April 10, 2016 and March 27, 2016 and “Sensitive Chaos” on March 20, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on January 17, 2016 and January 3, 2016, December 20, 2015, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on December 6, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on November 29, 2015. March of the Timeshifters is #3 on Top 20 for March & February 2016, #1 on Top 20 for January 2016 & December 2015, #4 on Top 20 for October 2015, #2 on the Top 20 for September 2015, and #2 on the Top 20 for August 2015.
WYSO 91.3FM Alpha Rhythms in Yellow Springs, OH played “March of the Timeshifters” on July 16, 2023, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on February 19, 2017, “March of the Timeshifters” on December 27, 2015 as part of their Best of 2015 show, “March of the Timeshifters” on November 1, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on October 18, 2015 and October 4, 2015, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on September 27, 2015, and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on September 6, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #6 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
KBRP 96.1 FM The Luminous Chord show played “March of the Timeshifters” on August 18, 2022, February 23, 2022, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 31, 2021 and October 27, 2021.
WMSE 91.7FM’s Instrumental Saturdays with Mary Bartlein show in Milwaukee, WI played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on September 11, 2021, “March of the Timeshifters” on April 21, 2018, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on February 20, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters on January 16, 2016, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on December 5, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on November 28, 2015 and November 7, 2015, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on October 17, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on October 10, 2015, and “March of the Timeshifters” and “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on October 3, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters on their Top 11 of 2015, and at #12 on Top 20 for February 2016, #8 on Top 20 for January 2016, #10 on Top 20 for December 2015, #8 on the Top 20 for November 2015, #7 on Top 20 for October 2015.
KUAC 89.9FM Nightlight radio show in Fairbanks, AK played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on February 7, 2021, “Gypsy Moth Dance” and “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on December 30, 2018, “March of the Timeshifters” on May 13, 2018, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on May 6, 2018, “March of the Timeshifters” on November 22, 2015, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on November 1, 2015, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” and “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on September 27, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” and “The Romance of Train Travel” on September 13, 2015, and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on September 6, 2015. March of the Timeshifters is at #13 on Top 20 for February 2016, #7 on the Top 20 for November 2015, #4 on Top 20 for October 2015, #2 on the Top 20 for September 2015, and #13 on the Top 20 for August 2015.
The Edge of Dreaming/RadioSpiral played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on February 8, 2020.
KUBU 96.5FM Beyond The Invisible show in Sacramento, CA played “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on July 13, 2019, June 20, 2019, February 15, 2019, May 25, 2018 and May 18, 2018, “March of the Timeshifters” on May 11, 2018, March of the Timeshifters” on May 4, 2018, and “Cream and Variation” on April 15, 2016, April 8, 2016, and April 1, 2016.
KCBX 90FM Beyond The Fringe in San Luis Obispo | 89.5 Santa Barbara | 91.7 Paso Robles to Salinas 90.9 Santa Ynez, Avila Beach, Cambria | 91.1 Cayucos | and 95.1 Lompoc played “The Romance of Train Travel” on May 9, 2017, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on May 24, 2016, “The Romance of Train Travel” on March 29, 2016 and “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on March 1, 2016, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on February 9, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on January 19, 2016, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on December 29, 2015, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on November 24, 2015, “The Romance of Train Travel” on November 3, 2015, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on October 13, 2015, and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on September 2, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #8 for March 2016, #20 for January 2016, #4 on Top 20 for December 2015, #11 on the Top 20 for November 2015, at #19 on Top 20 for October 2015, #4 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
Hypnagogue Podcast includes “The Romance of Train Travel” on the December 29, 2016 Episode 201 podacast, “Cream and Variation” on their November 17, 2016 Episode 198 podcast, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” in their October 8, 2015 edition.
WFIT 89.5FM Future Echoes radio show in Melbourne, FL played “The Romance of Train Travel” on June 19, 2016, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on June 5, 2016, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on May 22, 2016, “Cream and Variation” on May 15, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on May 1, 2016, and “The Heliosphere Is a Harsh Mistress” on April 24, 2016.
WWUH 91.3FM Underground Radio show in West Hartford, CT played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on June 20, 2016, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on June 12, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on June 5, 2016, “Gypsy Moth Dance” and “March of the Timeshifters” on May 14, 2016, and the Ambience show played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on May 8, 2016, “The Romance of Train Travel” and “March of the Timeshifters” on May 1, 2016, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas”, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress”, and “Cream and Variation” on April 17, 2016. March of the Timeshifters is #1 for April 2016.
HFM Radio 102.3FM Night Hawke show in Market Harborough, South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire, UK played “March of the Timeshifters”, “The Heliosphere Is A Harsh Mistress” on September 23, 2017, “The Romance of Train Travel” on May 14, 2016, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on October 24, 2015, and “The Romance of Train Travel” on October 11, 2015.
KKUP The Contemplation Connection lists March of the Timeshifters at #17 on Top 20 for April 2016, #16 on Top 20 for December 2015.
KRSC Spectral Voyages lists March of the Timeshifters at #8 on Top 20 for April 2016, #9 on Top 20 for January 2016, #5 on Top 20 for December 2015, #18 on the Top 20 for November 2015, at #9 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
WAWL Night In Light radio show in Chattanooga, TN played “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on February 16, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on January 20, 2016, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on November 17, 2015, “The Romance of Train Travel” on October 20, 2015, “The Romance of Train Travel,” “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas,” and “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on October 13, 2015, and “March of the Timeshifters” on October 6, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #20 on the Top 20 for November 2015, at #1 on Top 20 for October 2015.
WXPN 88.5FM Star’s End radio show in Philadelphia, PA played “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on January 17, 2016, November 22, 2015 and September 19, 2015. March of the Timeshifters is listed as one of the Top 166 Significant Releases of 2015, and in the Top 20 for September 2015.
YLE Radio 1 Avaruusromua (Space Junk) Finnish Broadcasting Company radio played “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on January 10, 2016 and September 27, 2015.
Montana Public Radio/KUFM 89.1FM Oasis radio show in Missoula and the rest of Montana played “March of the Timeshifters” and “The Romance of Train Travel.” on January 3, 2016, and “March of the Timeshifters”, “Gypsy Moth Dance”, and “The Romance of Train Travel.” on October 4, 2015. March of the Timeshifters is at #5 on the Top 20 for November 2015, #4 on Top 20 for October 2015.
WWSP 90FM Ambient Aether show in Stevens Point, WI played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on January 3, 2016, “March of the Timeshifters” on December 27, 2015, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on December 13, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on November 29, 2015, “The Romance of Train Travel” on November 22, 2015, and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on November 8, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on November 1, 2015, “Cream and Variation” on October 11, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 4, 2015, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on September 27, 2015, “The Romance of Train Travel” on September 13, 2015, and “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on September 6, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at at #14 on Top 20 for January 2016, #14 on Top 20 for January 2016, #7 on Top 20 for December 2015, #6 on the Top 20 for November 2015, #2 on Top 20 for October 2015, #6 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
WDIY 88.1FM Galactic Travels show in Bethlehem, PA played “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on December 24, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on October 29, 2015, and “The Romance of Train Travel” on September 3, 2015. March of the Timeshifters is Top 20 for December 2015, Top 20 for November 2015, October 2015, and September 2015.
Stillstream.com Mystic Music lists March of the Timeshifters at #12 on their Top 20 for November 2015.
KTEP 88.5 FM Audiosyncracy show in El Paso, TX played “The Romance of Train Travel” on November 29, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 25, 2015, “March of the Timeshifters” on October 11, 2015, “Cream and Variation” on October 4, 2015, and “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on September 27, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #18 on the Top 20 for November 2015, at #11 on Top 20 for October 2015, #14 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
One World Music Radio added “March of the Timeshifters” to their Playlist 24 on September 23, 2015, and lists March of the Timeshifters at #92 on the Top 100 for November 2015.
CKUW 95.9 FM Shades of Classics show in Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA played “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” and “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on November 15, 2015, and “March of the Timeshifters” on November 8, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #17 on Top 20 for December 2015, #14 on the Top 20 for November 2015, at #7 on Top 20 for October 2015, #12 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
KMNO 91.7FM Sunday Solstice radio show in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii played my Sensitive Chaos “The Romance of Train Travel” on October 25, 2015, and “The Romance of Train Travel” on November 10, 2015, and “Cream and Variation” on The Academy of Errors show on October 6, 2015.
WHYR 96.9FM’s The Clearing radio show in Baton Rouge, LA played “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on April 21, 2018, “March of the Timeshifters” on November 7, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 31, 2015, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on October 10, 2015, and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 3, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #20 on the Top 20 for November 2015, at #7 on Top 20 for October 2015.
WMNR 88.1FM New Music Gallery radio show in Monroe, CT played “March of the Timeshifters,” “The Romance of Train Travel,” and “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on November 5, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #9 on the Top 20 for November 2015.
KCUR 89.3FM Night Tides radio show in Kansas City, MO played “March of the Timeshifters” on November 1, 2015, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on October 18, 2015, “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 11, 2015, “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on September 27, 2015, “The Romance of Train Travel” on September 20, 2015, and “Cream and Variation” on September 6, 2015.
Radio Despi 107.1 FM La Otra Orilla radio show in Barcelona, Spain played “March of the Timeshifters” and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 27, 2015.
WESS 90.3FM Alternating Currents radio show in East Stroudsburg, PA played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on October 24, 2015, and “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on September 19, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #20 on Top 20 for October 2015, #19 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
WPRB 103.3 FM Music With Space radio show in Princeton, NJ played “The Romance of Train Travel on October 23, 2015, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” on October 2, 2015, “The “Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” on September 18,2015, and “Gypsy Moth Dance” on September 11, 2015.
WPNE 89.3FM/WHND 89.7FM At The Edge show in Green Bay/Sister Bay, WI, played “March of the Timeshifters” on October 19, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #18 on Top 20 for October 2015.
WVKR 91.3FM Secret Music show in Poughkeepsie, NY played “The Romance of Train Travel” on October 18, 2015, and “March of the Timeshifters” on October 11, 2015.Lists March of the Timeshifters at #13 on the Top 20 for October 2015.
Echoes (NPR syndicated radio show on 130 stations in the US) played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on their October 9, 2015 program “1540E.”
Echoes Online included “Gypsy Moth Dance” in their Wordless Echoes: Falling Leaves program released on October 6, 2015 and Wordless Echoes: Falling Leaves program released on September 25, 2015.
KOPR-db Our Place Radio lists March of the Timeshifters at #18 on Top 20 for October 2015, #17 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
Radio Cluj 95.6FM Forays of a Music Lover radio show in Napoca, Romania lists March of the Timeshifters at #12 on Top 20 October 2015.
Music Beyond Words in Denver, CO lists March of the Timeshifters at #20 on the Top 20 for November 2015, at #13 on Top 20 October 2015.
Radio SLOR Soon…Comes the Night in Rotterdam, Netherlands lists March of the Timeshifters is #19 on Top 20 for October 2015, #14 on the Top 20 for September 2015, and #9 on the Top 20 for August 2015.
KRSC InnerVisions lists March of the Timeshifters at #19 on Top 20 for December 2015.
WRBC Athan’s Journey lists March of the Timeshifters at #3 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
WVUD The Morning Fog lists March of the Timeshifters at #20 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
Radio Centre-Ville 102.3 FM Mumur du Son (Whisper Sound) radio show (dedicated to electronic music and its Berlin School derivatives) in Montreal, Canada features “March of the Timeshifters” on September 28, 2015.
WFCF 88.5FM “Wings” with Angel & Brian radio show in St. Augustine, FL played “Cream and Variation” on September 13, 2015 and September 6, 2015. Lists March of the Timeshifters at #18 on the Top 20 for September 2015.
KDNK 88.1 FM Carbondale, Glenwood 88.3 FM Aspen added March of the Timeshifters to their Sept 8 CMJ RPM report.
WMUH 88.1FM Thought Radio show in Allentown, PA played “Cream and Variation” on September 5, 2015. March of the Timeshifters is Top 10 for September 2015.
WMUH 88.1FM Afterglow show in Allentown, PA played “Gypsy Moth Dance” on September 3, 2015. March of the Timeshifters is Top 10 for September 2015.
Press
John Shanahan, Hypnagogue, January 8, 2016
The formula that creates the distinct sound of Sensitive Chaos has not changed drastically throughout Jim Combs’ musical career. Rather, it has continued to deepen and evolve through added players and a careful, constantly adjusted balance between snappy electronics and warm acoustics. March of the Timeshifters is front-loaded with talent: Brian Good (as always) on sax and electronic wind instrument (EWI); Josie Quick on violin; Greg Hurley and Tony Gerber on guitars, with Gerber also contributing EWI; Paul Vnuk Jr on synth and percusssion; and Christian Birk on synth. With those ingredients, you can only expect the outcome to be delicious, and it is.
I have always enjoyed the sense of play that runs through any Sensitive Chaos release. It always sounds like Combs and a few friends have gotten together for a good musical time and we get to sit in on it. Much of that feel is carried in Combs’ own light and angular synth work. He favors chime-like tones and squishy notes with a nice analog bounce to them. As they carve their right-angle patterns, they contrast perfectly with the smoother arcs of the other instruments. Quick shines on “Gypsy Moth Dance,” slipping through Combs’ spattering synth droplets. She takes the front mid-track, and delivers on the title’s promise with fire, flair, and drama. She lays down more beauty on “Cream and Variations,” whipping upward-curling spirals into the air like laughter. As always, Good’s sax winds like a silk ribbon through the proceedings. Listen to the way “The Romance of Train Travel” builds-rising up out an almost-ambient hush, each player dovetailing into place to deepen the sound. The subtle chugging is a nice touch that carries throughout. When Good rolls in and Quick starts playing off him, it’s bound to make you smile.
In my head I know that each person may have laid down their sections for this piece at different times, but the vibe of thing lets me imagine that everyone’s gathered at the studio to jam and this is what comes out. It has that much of an honest, of-the-moment sense to it. A highlight of the release. Deep immersion comes courtesy of the Floyd-like and magnificently titled “The Heliosphere Is A Harsh Mistress.” Vnuk lays down Nick Mason drum lines over a dreamy wash of synth and EWI. Between this and the quiet closer, “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas,” we leave the uptempo world behind and just coast into the shiny void.
I admit, quite unabashedly, that I make happy sounds when a new Sensitive Chaos release finds my mailbox. March of the Timeshifters is Jim Combs and company at the top of their game. The album is beautiful from start to finish, pulls every gorgeous thing it can out of what is clearly a near-magical chemistry between players, and is loaded with all kinds of feel-good moments. Put it on, turn it up, let it ride. Sensitive Chaos at its best.
Sylvain Lupari, Guts of Darkness, October 3, 2015
Dans cet univers des longues structures improvises et inacheves du Berlin School ou de ces rythmes polyphass trs mathmatiques de l’re numrique ainsi que de ces longues odysses cosmiques ou encore de leurs penchants ambiants, la musique de Sensitive Chaos arrive se loger entre nos oreilles avec une facilit dconcertante pour le genre. Pour un peu que nous aimions la musique, le style aux saveurs trs clectiques et aussi trs thr de l’univers de Jim Combs est comme une dose de rconciliation dans cette qute de domestication de tous ces genres. Entre du jazz et du classique champtre, de l’aprs pop et du folk ambiant, la musique de Sensitive Chaos vogue ici entre des parfums de Broekhuis, Keller & Schnwlder, pour le ct tribal lectroacoustique et surtout pour les caresses de Josie Quick au violon, et de Osamu Kitajima, pour ces approches de blues cosmiques aussi sensuel que trs thr.
Une rose sonique imbib de dlicats woosh et de wiish chatouillent nos oreilles en ouverture de la pice-titre. Une ligne de squences basses s’extirpent de ces particules irises. Bien que semi-vives, ses pulsations, jumeles de discrets effets de percussions genre Tablas, sculptent une structure de rythme lent, comme un Berlin School ambiant, qui pouse merveille les longues marches des mes solitaires dont les pieds lourds peinent gravir les dunes des sables. Des effets lectroniques et d’autres de rverbrations, ainsi que des brises de voix discrtes, ornent cette lente procession o les oscillations sculptent un genre de blues tsigane qu’un violon caresse de ses larmes lyriques, poussant continuellement “March of the Timeshifters” vers un crescendo trs orchestral nuanc par un savoureux effet de lento. L’effet est aussi cinmatographique que trs onirique. Le violon crache des coups secs aussi intenses que dramatiques et qui pouse la gradation d’une structure qui dvoilera une douce violente avec de dlicats effets de saccades. Et que serait l’univers de Sensitive Chaos sans ses carillons qui tintent avec autant d’harmonies?
S’ils ferment la marche de “March of the Timeshifters”, ils ouvrent aussi les portes de “Gypsy Moth Dance” qui dcouvre une belle structure de rythme arque sur des pulsations basses, qui rsonnent comme un gros tuba baryton, des accords de clavier et des gazouillis de synthtiseurs qui se chamaillent sur une figure de rythme lgrement bondissante. Le lien avec les dernires musiques de Broekhuis, Keller & Schnwlder, dans la srie Repelen, n’aura jamais t aussi vident qu’ici. Notamment lorsque la structure s’emballe avec une approche festive o le violon de Josie Quick est roi des ambiances d’un rythme trs vivant, trs enjou et aussi trs Folk.
“The Romance of Train Travel” est un beau titre qui exploite une approche plus ambiante avec un zest de….. Goodspel. Les lignes de synth tressaillent comme des sanglots sur une structure qui tangue sur les coups des percussions sobres. J’entends mme une petite mlodie squence qui halte sur cette fine approche un brin stroboscopique. On dirait mme que la guitare pleure et que ses larmes de cristal chantent avec cet archet qui danse sur les cordes du violon, alors que le saxophone gare un air de fte plutt mlancolique. Les saveurs qui se mlangent dans ce titre en font un truc assez unique. J’ai ador!
“Cream and Variation” est une belle ritournelle qui va vous manger le fond de l’oreille. C’est un genre de comptine pour enfant dbutant avec un piano qui tend les accords d’une mlodie minimaliste obsdante dans les gargouilles d’une ligne de basse qui palpite comme un gros monstre. L’ambiance est trs intimiste, on dirait une mlodie joue dans une chambre par un orchestre de chambre, o tous les lments s’additionnent; synth siffloteur, violon pleureur, brises de l’EWI et murmures de berceuses obscures afin de crer l’organigramme parfait pour apaiser le plus turbulent des chrubins. La finale, arrose de percussions claniques et de chants aux fragrances Africaines, a veille en moi le dsir de rcouter The Songs of Distant Earth par Mike Oldfield.
“The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” offre un rythme pesant, divin qui me fait penser ce blues cosmique de Osamu Kitajima dans The Source (Heavensen). C’est moins acoustique et plus sensuel mais tout autant onirique, il y a beaucoup de similitudes entre ce titre et la pice-titre, et les ambiances sont rcupres dans le voyage astral de “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas”, un beau titre ambiant nourri de particules soniques o une savoureuse ligne de basse fini par ramper et nourrir l’essence des percussions avec un rythme qui se libre dans une structure prs du free jazz. L’album conclut avec 4 versions, dites pour radio, des meilleurs moments de ‘March of the Timeshifters’. Sauf qu’on a oubli “Cream and Variation” et “The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress”. Oui!
Un solide album qui redfinie les frontires de l’clectisme sonique. C’est comme tre la Nouvelle-Orlans, un soir de mardi gras, couter du Jazz, du Folk, de la musique de chambre et de la M sur les berges des bayous.
Sylvain Lupari, Synth&Sequences, September 19, 2015
Different tones, different moods and different beats, the music in March of the Timeshifters is a superb blend of eclectism where we just can’t deny how good it is
In this universe of long improvised and unfinished structures of the Berlin School or these very mathematical polyphase rhythms of the digital era as well as these long cosmic odysseys or still their ambient tendencies, the music of Sensitive Chaos manages to find its way between our ears with a disconcerting ease for the genre. For little that we like music, the style with very eclectic flavors and also very ethereal of Jim Combs’ universe is like a dose of reconciliation in this quest of taming of all these genres. Between Jazz and pastoral classic, post-pop or ambient folk, the music of Sensitive Chaos navigates here between perfumes of Broekhuis, Keller & Schonwalder, for the electroacoustic tribal side and especially for Josie Quick’s caresses in the violin, and of Osamu Kitajima, for these surrounding areas of cosmic blues as well sensual than very ethereal.
A sonic dew soaked with delicate woosh and of wiish tickle our ears at the opening of the title-track. A line of bass sequences extricates itself from these iridescent particles. Although it’s semi-lively, its pulsations, coupled with discreet effects of kind of Tablas percussions, sculpt a structure of slow rhythm, like a minimalist ambient Berlin School, which adopts marvelously the long march of solitary souls of which the heavy feet have difficulty in climbing the dunes of sands. Electronic effects and others of reverberations, as well as breezes of discreet voices, decorate this slow procession where the oscillations create a kind of gypsy blues that a violin caresses of its lyrical tears, pushing constantly “March of the Timeshifters” towards a very orchestral crescendo nuanced by a delicious effect of lento. As usual, everything is very minimalist. The members of Sensitive Chaos add their personal keys, increasing a dynamic music which gains in power and emotions as time flies by. And that would be the universe of Sensitive Chaos without its carillons which clink with so many harmonies?
If they lead “March of the Timeshifters” to its final, they also open the doors of “Gypsy Moth Dance” which reveals a beautiful structure of rhythm arched on bass pulsations, which resound like a big baritone tuba, keyboard keys and the chirpings of synthesizers which bicker on a pattern of rhythm slightly hopping. The link with the last music of Broekhuis, Keller & Schonwalder, in the Repelen series, will never have been so obvious as here. In particular when the structure is carried away by a festive approach where Josie Quick’s violin is king of ambiences of a rhythm very lively, very cheerful and so very folk.
“The Romance of Train Travel” is a beautiful track which exploits a more ambient approach with a zest of….. Goodspel. The synth lines quiver such as sobs on a structure which sways on the knocks of sober percussions. I even hear a small sequenced melody which is panting on this fine approach a bit stroboscopic. One would say that the guitar is crying and that its crystal tears sing with this bow which dances on the strings of the violin, while the saxophone mislays a rather melancholic festive air. The flavors which mix in this piece of music make of it a rather unique thing to hear. I have adored right on the spot.
As the next one! “Cream and Variation” is a beautiful minimalist ritornello which is going to eat the deep of your ear. It’s a kind of bed song for child, starting with a piano which spreads the chords of an obsessive minimalist melody in the gargoyles of a bass line which pounds such as a big monster. The mood is very intimist, one would say a melody played in a room by a chamber orchestra, where all the elements add up; whistling synth, weeping violin, breezes of EWI and the murmurs of dark lullabies are creating the perfect setting in order to calm the most turbulent of the cherubs. The final, watered of clanic percussions and of chants with African fragrances, has awakened in me the desire to listen again to The Songs of Distant Earth by Mike Oldfield.
“The Heliosphere is a Harsh Mistress” offers a growing heavy and a divine rhythm which reminds me of this cosmic blues that Osamu Kitajima gave us with his sublime and seraphic The Source and mainly the track Heavensen. It’s less acoustic and more sensual but just as much oniric, there are many similarities between this track and the opening one, and the suave moods of Kitajima’s ode are much more present in “Voyager Surfs the Interstellar Seas” which is a nice ambient track fed by a lot of sonic particles where a delicious bass lines ends by crawling and feeding the essence of the percussions with a rhythm which releases itself in a structure near free jazz.
The album concludes with 4 versions, edited for radio, of the best moments in March of the Timeshifters. Yes! A solid album which redefined the borders of the sound eclecticism. It’s like being in New Orleans, on an evening of Mardi Gras, listening to some Jazz, Folk, and to some chamber music on the banks of the bayous.
Jeff Clark, Stomp and Stammer, September 7, 2015
Jim Combs’ ongoing instrumental concern, Sensitive Chaos, benefits greatly from the participation of Josie Quick on the new album March of the Timeshifters, as her violin brings a welcome warmth and depth to the title track and “Gypsy Moth Dance,” in particular. Soprano saxophonist Brian Good lends a nice solo to “The Romance of Train Travel,” as well. Not entirely ambient, not entirely “new age,” not entirely electronic, Combs’ outfit encompasses all of those elements and more for a project that is both lovely and challenging without being stubbornly offputting.31