For the last 20 years, UK's ambient dub legend BANCO DE GAIA has been fusing modern trance and downtempo techno beats with huge dollops of Tibetan, Eastern and Arabic and other transcontinental rhythms.
Led by mastermind Toby Marks, its continually evolving, globally-inspired electronica has been propelling the masses to dance all over the world. And on September 22, 2009, Banco de Gaia will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with the release of the double-disc set, Memories Dreams Reflections on Disco Gecko Recordings (distributed in the U.S. by Super D). Two West Coast dates have been announced and a full U.S. tour is currently being planned.
Banco de Gaia's music crosses genres, sometimes layering rock, reggae, and trance textures on top of exotic and indigenous melodies, creating an aural tapestry that is both mesmerizingly hypnotic and instantly accessible.
Disc One of the two disc set consists of cover versions of Pink Floyd ("Echoes"), Hawkwind ("Spirit of the Age") and King Crimson ("Starless"), and reworkings of early songs, while the second CD contains live tracks recorded over the last two decades. Memories Dreams Reflection is a retrospective of sorts that doesn't quite look back at its history as it looks through its legacy.
From the airy reggae rhythms of 1992's "Tempra" ("Always one of my favourite early tunes"), to the expansive atmospherics of 1992's "Terra Om" ("I always rather liked the obvious Pink Floyd influence in the synth playing."), to the ready for the midnight dance floor beat of "Soufie (Now That's What I Call 2009)" ("The original was very ambient/downtempo so this version... goes for a very cheesy euro-trance style for a bit of fun."), the originals from the first disc are a diverse sampling of the epic tracks for which Banco de Gaia is known.
The live tracks of disc two are culled from its legendary performances, including "China", "Celestine" and its big dance hit "Last Train to Lhasa".
Well-known and celebrated for its dynamic and hypnotic live shows, Banco de Gaia will be embarking across the Atlantic for a pair of dates on the West Coast:
August 14
Social Hollywood
Los Angeles, CA
August 15
Beloved Festival
Tidewater, OR
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