STM 054 - Biosphere

“Secret Thirteen Mix 054” is a meticulously curated, emotionally resonant music compilation that seamlessly weaves together 16 original vinyl records by influential artists like Throbbing Gristle, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Bill Nelson, The Human League, Pyrolator, and other unforgettable talents. In 1992, the author of this mix listened to the works of Pete Namlook (1960-2012) for the first time, and it reminded him of electronic music from around 1979-1981. This music served as an inspiration for the author, leading to this attempt to create a similar atmosphere to that found in Namlook’s albums.

The author of the mix, Biosphere, is Geir Jenssen (b. 1962), a Norwegian musician, sound recordist, and active mountaineer who lives and works in Tromsø, 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Over more than two decades, Jenssen has released a significant catalog of ambient electronic music on labels such as Touch, Origo Sound, Apollo, and his own imprint, Biophon Records. Jenssen doesn't need an extended introduction—everyone has already heard of his works (such as “Substrata” or “Patashnik”) and likely follows his musical path.

“Secret Thirteen Mix 054” is a cohesively touching musical selection that envelops the listener in a pleasant sense of nostalgia. A deft balance of mystery and emotional tension reveals high-quality, long-lasting works of exceptional inventiveness, not only within the bounds of ambient but also in industrial and experimental music. The undulating atmospheres, memorable resilient melodies, and carefully crafted rhythms—born from the mastery of hardware and composition—form the foundation of this selection. Compelling, melancholic creations confirm that the fundamental concept of this recording is the sublimity of nature and its ongoing struggle with harmony, death, and paradoxes. The development of the selection is smooth and calm; the chosen works are played almost in full length, creating an exposition-like experience that allows ample time for the absorption of each track and space for interpretation. Unexpected variations in electric piano chords and occasional old synthesizer entries are interwoven with professional, wide-ranging melodies, which are submerged in a sustained, kaleidoscopic, skillfully modulated sound space. All these elements contribute to a cinematic feeling and a unique vitality within this selection. Progressively sweeping pad layers and emphatic, sometimes meditative instrumental arrangements evolve into a dramatic, penetrating three-dimensional texture that carefully balances light and heavy musical tones. The final richness is derived from subtly artificial acoustics, repetitive variable musical fragments, and diverse rustles, all of which are immersed in minimalistic sonic tension and lower, slightly distorted audio patterns. Light crackles from old, priceless vinyl provide a subtle spacious effect, adding warmth to the experience.

“Secret Thirteen Mix 054” is like Robert Motherwell's modernist painting “Personage, with Yellow Ochre and White,” where intuitively saturated and striking brushstrokes create a complex allusion to existentialism through the artist's deliberately constructive expression. This rare and exclusive mix is a true masterpiece, fully embodying the author's philosophy on sensitivity, inner peace, and his deep musical knowledge and ideology, offering a profound and complete musical experience.