Sokar is from Ukraine and produces hip-hop music with a strong ethnic flavor. You’d be forgiven for forgetting this is actually a hip-hop album unless you were focusing solely on the beat. This is quite good!
Bandcamp Radio: October 23, 2026 – Fabio Frizzi
Italian soundtrack composer Fabio Frizzi, best known in America for his soundtracks to Zombi 2 and City of the Living Dead, is featured today on Bandcamp’s metal show, even though his work leans more toward progressive rock. Still, it’s such a pleasure to hear that he is very much active these days at the age Continue Reading
Raisa Alekseevna Khodjer and Alexander Innokentievich Samar (Раиса Алексеевна Ходжер и Александр Иннокентьевич Самар) – Ненгниэ дичини
Two days of Nanai songs! This EP features singer Raisa Alekseevna Khodjer performing three tunes from the traditional Nanai catalog. The sound is as clear as can be, and Raisa’s voice is gentle and pleasant. Alexander Samar’s lower register pairs perfectly with Raisa’s voice. A charming EP.
Архивы Николая Батуновича Киле. “Нани” (Нанайцы) часть 1 & 2 (Nikolai Batunovich Kile’s Archives. “Nani” (Nanai) Parts 1 & 2))
The two releases shown above constitute a wonderful archive of ethnographic recordings of the Nanai people who populate parts of Russia’s Far East and Northeast China, where they are known as the Hezhen.
Белолуна (White Moon) – Песнь печали и радости
A pleasant surprise from Russia! Белолуна (White Moon) is a duo that produces electronic music tinged with folk elements (and God knows Russia has so many of those) along with motifs from local fairy tales. It’s unique music, sounding refreshingly modern but keeping its head swiveled towards the past. Recommended. Continue Reading
Vyacheslav Ganelin – On Stage…Backstage
If I recall correctly, Slava Ganelin and his Ganelin Trio were my first foray into Russian free improvisation. He’s still kicking, and apparently living in Israel these days. This album was recorded in 1982 by the legendary Leo Feigin of Leo Records, and it sounds wonderfully inventive.
5 Underground British Bands John Peel Wouldn’t Let Die!
No review today, thanks to feeling sick from a flu bug going around the city at the moment. I leave you with a cool video on how five underground bands owed their careers to the legendary radio DJ John Peel, who championed so many incredible bands over the years.
Helado Negro – The Last Sound On Earth
From Helado Negro’s Bandcamp site: “Initially inspired by the question – what will the last sound I hear before I die will be? – the EP unfolds as a collection of songs embedded with ominous, often frenetic energy. This unease is amplified by Lange’s heavy use of electronics, echo and Continue Reading
Jeff Gburek (Mental Health Food Store) – Irama II (Gitana)
Jeff Gburek’s latest single sees him returning to a more hallucinogenic, pulsating style of music. This track gave my speakers the workout they’ve been longing for for a while now. Excellent.
Klaus Schulze & Lisa Gerrard – Dziękuję Bardzo – Vielen Dank
I can’t think of too many pairings better than ethereal music’s leading chanteuse, Lisa Gerrard, working with the Kosmische Music / Berlin School master Klaus Schulze. This is as good as you can imagine. The album is a three-CD set that was recorded live, meshing Gerrard’s hypnotic vocals with Schulze’s Continue Reading