Issue defining style

[mixopenta]

Hiya all,It's been awhile since my last post, but been busy in the cave of creation I wonder if anyone would be so kind as to help me define what style/genre this song is: Chillout, Acid jazz, or something else..?http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... stream=1As I'm having a great deal of problems getting the song right, I wonder if it's really in target for the Ambient/Chillout listing, and hence worth the effort.Nevermind the crappy performance and production. It proved to be extremely time consuming and quite a challenge to get the sound and performance where it needs to be, so before I start sorting that out, I'd first like to know if it's really in target for the listing. I'd hate to spend a lot of time perfecting and then it turns out to be completely out of target...The listing is:AMBIENT/DOWNTEMPO/CHILL OUT SONGS & INSTRUMENTALS a la Massive Attack, Tosca, Zero 7, Morcheeba, DJ Shadow, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Portishead, Thievery Corporation, etc. are wanted by an Austrian Production Co. for an upcoming CD compilation to be released in Europe via a Major Label. Their deal includes a 5 year non-exclusive license as well as mechanical royalties paid based on the number of CD units sold. Broadcast Quality needed [great-sounding home recording OK]. Please submit one to three songs per CD/online, include lyrics

[Casey H]

Quote:Hiya all,It's been awhile since my last post, but been busy in the cave of creation I wonder if anyone would be so kind as to help me define what style/genre this song is: Chillout, Acid jazz, or something else..?http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... stream=1As I'm having a great deal of problems getting the song right, I wonder if it's really in target for the Ambient/Chillout listing, and hence worth the effort.Nevermind the crappy performance and production. It proved to be extremely time consuming and quite a challenge to get the sound and performance where it needs to be, so before I start sorting that out, I'd first like to know if it's really in target for the listing. I'd hate to spend a lot of time perfecting and then it turns out to be completely out of target...The listing is:AMBIENT/DOWNTEMPO/CHILL OUT SONGS & INSTRUMENTALS a la Massive Attack, Tosca, Zero 7, Morcheeba, DJ Shadow, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Portishead, Thievery Corporation, etc. are wanted by an Austrian Production Co. for an upcoming CD compilation to be released in Europe via a Major Label. Their deal includes a 5 year non-exclusive license as well as mechanical royalties paid based on the number of CD units sold. Broadcast Quality needed [great-sounding home recording OK]. Please submit one to three songs per CD/online, include lyricsHi UAs always with a listing like this is it best to use a site with samples such as amazon.com or iTunes and keep switching back and forth between the samples and your track.So, go to a page like this:http://www.amazon.com/Mezzanine-Massive ... B000006045 and sample some Massive Attack. I think your track has potential to emulate something like "Exchange". So, done right, it could be on-target. The thing I noticed in most of the tracks by Massive Attack is a consistent drum beat, not as spaced out (in time, not drugs) as yours. You should open with the drum, not just the repetition of those 2 chords over and over. I almost stopped listening not realizing there was a nice theme to come and thinking all there was were those 2 chords over and over. I would get to the theme as fast as possible after a few bars of drums. You do need to add at least another chord or two to eliminate that constant repeat of those 2 chords. That doesn't mean you need a lot- just a little to break it up. Remember, it's your first 15 seconds that must grab them or "click". And lastly, production and performance have to be very good so I hope that once you get the idea down you can do that or work with someone who can help you do it.Good luck!HTH & JMHOWarmest, Casey

[mixopenta]

Thanks Casey!Excellent advice as usual! Actually I did have a go at checking out all the alas, except for Massive Attack as I've already listened to them quite a bit (I have some albums, among them Mezzanine Didn't think of this song though...Because of your valuable input I think I have a pretty clear view now of how to approach this track.Thanks again Casey, it's much appreciated!