Pure Sounds of Michigan, a new project birthed from a collaboration between Pure Michigan and Detroit-based music company Assemble Sound, places the natural sounds of the state’s most beautiful locations into the hands of some of Michigan’s most innovative musicians.

Pure Michigan and Assemble Sound sent Michigan-based composers Blair French and Eddie Logix to collect high-quality field recordings of organic sounds in ten state parks. These sounds were then shared with ten additional Michigan-based composer/musicians to be explored, manipulated and expanded.

The result is a compilation of 10 ambient soundscapes showcasing the inherent musicality of the state’s natural landscape in dialogue with the state’s musicians. Gentle streams, waves, and birdcalls are among the variety of sonic elements that can be heard throughout the album that immediately transports listeners among the waterfalls, lakes, forests, and wildlife from Belle Isle Park to the Porcupine Mountains.

The result is a compilation of 10 ambient soundscapes showcasing the inherent musicality of the state’s natural landscape in dialogue with the state’s musicians. Gentle streams, waves, and birdcalls are among the variety of sonic elements that can be heard throughout the album that immediately transports listeners among the waterfalls, lakes, forests, and wildlife from Belle Isle Park to the Porcupine Mountains.

The project serves to take listeners on a contemplative and transformative sonic journey throughout the natural beauty of both peninsulas, and it may function additionally as a timely source of inspiration to seek out the physical roots the albums sounds during the summer months.

Featured Artists:

Blair French: A veteran producer of both dance and ambient music for over twenty years, Blair is well known for winning a “Best Original Score” from Cinema Eyes Honors in 2012 for his soundtrack for the acclaimed independent film “Detropia.” Acting as executive producer on this project, Blair handled all field recordings and mixing responsibilities, in addition to composing TheCedar and the Falls.

Eddie Logix: As an anchor in Detroit’s underground hip-hop, electronic and ambient scenes, Eddie was highly involved in this project from field recording to mastering. In addition to composing Lake of the Clouds, his work has been featured in countless commercials. He is currently preparing to release a debut full-length album with his dance music side-project “Mega Powers.”

Dave Graw: As the composer of Lighthouse at Sunrise, Dave is described as a curator of sound. Over the past 10 years, he’s poured considerable energy into collecting, assembling, building and mastering the perfect tools to craft evocative aural sculptures. The result of this intricate signal chain, he arranges, performs and records, with minimal or no overdubbing.

Todd Modes: Todd is a Detroit-based producer comfortable laying in the shadows while releasing mythic vinyl projects with labels like FIT Sounds, Golf Channel Recordings, M1 Sessions and Going Good Records. He has many side projects that have shown Modes compositions to be extremely diverse and imaginative. As shown on his composition of Island Drift, Todd’s passion for electronic music is centered on exploration and perfecting his unique sound.

Ahya Simone: A Detroit-based harpist, singer, artist and organizer, Ahya earned her degree from Wayne State University, where she was the principal harpist for the Wayne State University Wind Symphony. Beyond performing on The Cedar and The Falls, she has brought Detroit international exposure. Ahya’s versatile approach to harp and vocal artistry crossed the genres of classical, jazz and soul.

Windy & Carl: As composers of Forest Trails, Windy Weber and Carl Hultgren began writing music together in 1993. They have since released numerous LPs and singles with labels such as Kranky Records. Windy & Carl create imaginary film scores – music for the movies in your mind. These days, their time is split working on new music, walking their dogs and running Stormy Records – their 20 year old record store in Dearborn, Michigan

John Beltran: Composer of Childhood Memories, John was born in Lansing, Michigan and has been producing ambient electronic music since the early 90’s. He first built his street cred with his techno dance single “Aquatic” for Carl Craig’s label Retroactive in Detroit. In the mid-90’s he would move on to record two seminal records in the ambient techno scene: “Earth and Nightfall” and “Ten Days of Blue.”

Nuntheless: AKA Detroit drummer and producer Erik Washington composed City of Sand drawing upon his wide spectrum of genres to create atmospheric soul music that is grounded with a heavy, danceable backbeat. Working more like a composer, Nuntheless flexes his live instrumentation and producer chops on every project and often collaborates with fellow Detroit musicians.

Greater Alexander: Composer of Dark Sky Dunes, Michigan folk artist Greater Alexander was named Metro Detroit’s best songwriter by the city’s alt weekly. His original piano and guitar works have been featured in ads for Amazon, Jeep, and Dodge, as well as the Comedy Central series “Detroiters.” Alexander’s full-length release “Positive Love” was re-released on vinyl in Japan where it sold out.

Sterling Toles: Composer of Campfire Rituals, East-side-bred, Cass-Corridor-educated Detroiter, Sterling views himself as a healer using sound. Initially a rapper in hip hop groups, he transitioned into music production in 1997, and has since worked with the likes of Invincible, Boldy James and Finale. Sterling holds open space in his home studio for Detroit artists to experiment and was named a 2016 Kresge Artist Fellow.

Rafael Statin: On the Bass Flute in Campfire Rituals, Rafael hails from Detroit, attended Detroit School of Arts and began to seriously study jazz at age 15 with Detroit’s own Sax Master George Benson. He also studied and played with the Detroit Symphony Jazz Orchestra and is considered one of those rare young jazz instrumentalists who can combine great passion, intellectual discipline and a spiritual fire of creativity.

Waajeed: Hailing from Conant Gardens Detroit, Waajeed composed The Rock (Bridge to a New Day). His inventive and genre-defying career gained prominence when he formed hip hop’s Slum Village. Later, he created Bling47, a Motown inspired label which specialized in hip hop and soul. His current focus is expanding on Detroit’s electronic legacy on his DIRT TECH RECK label.

Pure Sounds of Michigan is now streaming on all major platforms.

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