Sometimes you need some music purely for your mind instead of for your feet. Legowelt's Strange Life record label has been providing me with an excellent selection of moody synthesized soundscapes with their recent releases; the latest of which is the Mons Testaceum album by Heinrich Dressel (aka V-MR). Mons Testaceum is an artificial hill in Rome, made up of litter from the ancient Roman empire - most of which is broken pots, hence the name of the compilation series on V-MR's MinimalRome label. The Mons Testaceum album is a beatless soundtrack to somebodies adventures on and around the hill, detailed in Italian in the albums sleeve notes and in English here. The music itself is a dark and hypnotic mix of synthesizer leads, basslines and arpeggio's - including the use of a rare and expensive 80s Italian synthesizer, the Elka Synthex. Think Goblin or Zombi if you need a reference point, or just take a listen to the track below (one of the albums more melodic moments).

Download: Heinrich Dressel - The Dawn From The Top Of The Hill.mp3

Also recently released on Strange Life were the albums Computer Day by Smackos, and Stories From My Cold War by Franz Falkenhaus (both of which are actually by Legowelt). Like Mons Testaceum, they are themed albums with mostly beatless tracks and a heavy emphasis on synthesized atmospherics. Check out these sample tracks, two of my favourites, and visit the Strange Life blog for more information.

Download: Smackos - Telecom Mountain Computer.mp3

Download: Franz Falkenhaus - Clouds Over Riga.mp3

Order the Strange Life releases from Clone or Phear. You can also order direct from Legowelt, check out his website. I know it looks like the internet from about 10 years ago, but it's full of great info and plenty more sample tracks. Big thanks to Danny for providing the mp3's. Make sure you support this small independent label and purchase some of their music.

If you're in need of something more beat-driven, I recommend the new 12" on Clone Records featuring 3 deep and dirty acid house style tracks from Legowelt, Orgue Electronique and Gibson Fowler. Stream them in full from Boomkat who have the EP available on vinyl and mp3, as do Juno.