Inspiration for music can come from a variety of places, and times. The littlest sound or setting can spark the greatest fire of musical creativity. To christen the first release of their new chill-out sub-label, Belgium-based Basic Moves looks to Sonmi451, and Dylan Thomas Hayes for a split EP, titled Gems Under the Horizon 1.

‘Up Goes The Green Flare’ could be interpreted in many different ways. The floating pads, flitting around the pops and squeaks evoke feelings of warm summer afternoons. A textured slow but sure march towards a relaxing evening. The horns doing their part in drawing time out to a crawl, adding to that urge to not do anything quickly. One of those tracks that immediately set a vibe. Surprisingly enough, according to Sonmi451 the track is based around a 1940’s era song chord. I wonder then, rather than a warm summer day, it’s the idea of hearing a by-gone era giving a nostalgic feel.

The second track, ‘Where The Light Begins’ continues the texture heavy approach. The slowly arpeggiating synths working their way through a slight fog of field recordings. Almost as if they’re lights in the distance, shining bright, off and on. Momentarily illuminating the scene ahead. Dylan Thomas Hayes cites a different Dylan Thomas’ 1947 poem, Do not go gentle into that good night as a source of inspiration. One can almost hear the resistance, to not just have a melody but the beat providing a push back against the darkness.

You can pick up ‘Gems Under The Horizon 1’, here along with the rest of the Basic Moves catalog. 

Dylan Thomas - Do not go gentle into that good night

“Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night