Ultimae Records is a record label and music publisher based in Lyon, France.
Set up at the beginning of the new millennium, Ultimae explores the spectrum that electronic ambient music has to offer with occasional incursions in uptempo territory.
Was originally set up as Infinium Records which changed its name to Ultimae circa 2001.
it's now july of 2022. in reading the comments below, i guess i've always thought that ultimae records was hit and miss. yes, their production quality is always excellent. but even from the beginning, they've had a lot of releases that i didn't like. let me first run down the releases from the past that i really like: the first three albums from carbon based lifeforms (original versions), of course. solar fields releases that i enjoyed were 'reflective frequencies,' 'blue moon station,' and 'movements.' his releases 'leaving home' and 'earthshine' i did not care for. i like the circular releases and i like 'comfortable void' by sync24. i also like the connect.ohm release. but there are some newer ones too that i like as well. those include scann-tec's 'unyt', eskostatic's release, erot's release and martin nonstatic's 'treeline' is really well done. i know everyone won't agree with my choices, but i guess my point is that for me, the label has always been hit and miss. i don't necessarily think they've lost it. even aes dana's 'ink' is the first one by him that i think is a mature work. so don't give up completely on the label. they're still putting out some great releases in my opinion.
Ultimae used to be a great label, but they haven't released anything great for a few years now, so maybe they've lost their touch. In the past few years they've transitioned towards releasing generic, soft, characterless ambient music. Strangely, this stuff is popular with a lot of people, but I can't see it appealing to the audience that fell in love 10 years ago with Solar Fields, Aes Dana and Carbon Based Lifeforms.
Solar Fields was their brightest star. He produced the most music of the highest quality. Carbon Based Lifeforms produced 3 great albums for Ultimae. Early Aes Dana and Asura were great too. I don't know if they had some kind of falling out or over what, but some of these artists have left the label. Perhaps that's how/why they lost their magic.
Anyone noticed there's no INRE 13 ?? is that superstition?
(just for the sake of information, for those not knowing, the "INRE" code for Ultimae releases was kept from the previous name Infinium Records. btw My Farenheit 1 album is an Infinium Recs release)
Sometimes I find myself having this weird thought that "although an excellent sound, ultimae somehow has a generic "each album is the same sound, sound"".
But then I actually go back and listen to something and am completely blown, or rather, drifted away into spiraling thoughts of musical wonder.
I believe my original impressions were due to my immaturity of electronic music in general. I now attempt to create my own music and while this has managed to help me appreciate some genres/artists less, it has most defenatly helped me appreciate every bar of every ultimae release thus far.
Put it this way.. being broke brings me to piracy.. but I'm already a member of there newsletter and can not wait for the day I can afford to just click "purchase" with 100% glee upon each email.
No other label has struck me with this feeling except for somnia records.. I beleive its due to not only the beautiful intellectual rythms and space, but also the gut feeling of supporting real people that somehow seem "good" in all ways.
I think Ultimae Records is still going strong in many ways. With artists like Solar Fields and Aes Dana that still keeps releasing albums that just are getting better and better I can't yet see any stop for this label.
Not only the music makes the label an outpost of soft, experimental electronica, but the decision of still releasing the material on CD, as not many labels actually do that nowadays. And the Digipak format brings that extra touch of freshness when you listen to the music, while exploring the cover and booklet.
Also the different collections, for example Solar Fields' five first albums and six compilations of The Fahrenheit Project, is a great way for newcoming fans to get hold of a whole collection in an easy way.
So far, Ultimae is doing just the right thing.
Ultimae Records music is pretty much unlike anything else out there. Acts like Solar Fields, Carbon Based Lifeforms and Aes Dana are clearly in a league of their own when it comes creating downtempo chill music. Space, technology and nature all seem to co-exist in their sound and there hasn't been a release on the label that has ever let me down. They always go with a digipak when releasing their music, which normally I hate, but with such beautiful and interesting artwork... I guess I can't complain. I hope these guys are around for a very, very long time.
I reckon for many psy-ambient lovers Ultimae fastly became the #1 label to look out for. For obvious reasons. Their releases, whether full length artist albums or compilations, never fail to deliver and the presentation in beautifully designed digipacks is always an experience in itself. Hell, I'm inclined to wear white gloves when I handle the albums, but that probably would be taking it TOO far ...
Add to this second to none friendly service when purchasing from their webshop. What more can a music groupie ask for? It's a lifelong addiction once you're hooked :o)
And for those who want to kickstart their Ultimae collection, check out their so-called Panoramic pack.
patina
July 18, 2022