Written by: Jen Dan
The Canadian-Ukrainian dream-pop/ambient duo Ummagma has collaborated with several renowned veteran musicians in the past, including Malcolm Holmes of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Rudy Tambala of AR Kane, and Roman Kalitkin of Sounds of Sputnik.
For Ummagma, which is comprised of real-life couple and musical partners Shauna McLarnon (originally from Whitehorse, Yukon in Canada) and Ukrainian Alexander Kretov, working with other artists is a pleasure that yields captivating results. A prime example of this is legend Robin Guthrie’s (Cocteau Twins) brand new mix of Ummagma’s single “Lama.”
The original, uplifting pop-rock version of “Lama” starts out as an expansive vista of plush synth wash and percolating electronics that becomes more vivid and detailed with the addition of bright percussion, sharper electric guitar lines, a kicky beat, and McLarnon’s escalating vocal elevation.
Guthrie’s calmer spin tones down the rock sonics and lets the song drift on a vaporous cloud of gilded guitar chime, which he specifically created for this mix. He brings McLarnon’s pensively ethereal vocals to the forefront, shaping an even dreamier piece of reflective musing…
Find out more about Ummagma
https://www.facebook.com/ummagma
