David Darling – Prayer For Compassion
Cellist David Darling passed away on January 8, leaving an incredible body of work for ECM Records and other labels. Any of his ECM albums is a worthy listen, but I choose this one not only for the music, but…
Heckel & Jeckel – This War
Heckel and Jeckel have a couple of things going for them. First, I’m old enough to remember the rather funny cartoon bearing their name. Second, I really like early Black Sabbath, Big Black, and some of the better stoner rock…
The Tear Garden – You and Me and Rainbows
Just before Christmas, I got word that my friend, Jason “Fish” Harper, was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was a good man, a source of so much amazing music, and receptive to my very strange taste I had in…
Music You Need To Hear Podcast – 5 Treasures – January 11, 2021
We will be featuring 5 tracks of the day every week. Our first foray includes the following tracks: 1. Ibibio Sound System – Joy (Idaresit) 2. 6Blocc – This Sound Is For The Underground (Hoodz Remix) 3. Dadamah – Brian’s…
Various Artists – Silber Records: Droneuary 2021
Silber Records has released their wonderful Droneuary series to begin 2019 and 2020, and they are continuing the tradition in 2021. Though it is still early in the year, wait until mid-February to see this series completed. If you enjoy…
Trigger Cut – Rogo
Wow! Imagine a mangling together of Gang Of Four, early Wire, an angry Birthday Party and all that is good in post-punk, and you would have the bones to make Trigger Cut. The tracks are minimal, punchy, and full of…
Martin Chilton – Michel Petrucciani Overcame Enormous Odds To Become A World-Renowned Pianist
Martin Chilton at udiscovermusic.com writes on the difficult life and masterful playing of pianist Michel Petrucciani. A worthy read, which you can access here.
ZX ELECTRIC – Assortment 80-81
This release by ZX Electric took a bit of getting used to, but once I felt settled in, some rather pleasant memories washed over my mind. Mainly, I started thinking about the sound of cold wave, minimalist electronics, a lo-fi…
Marta Ren – Stop Look Listen (Deluxe Edition)
Porto, Portugal’s neo-soul queen Marta Ren has had her breakthrough album reissued with a couple of extra tracks! From her Bandcamp website: Record Kicks re-release Marta Ren’s legendary debut LP “Stop Look Listen” on ltd edition vinyl clear LP (500…
Male Choir of the Valaam Singing Culture Institute – Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord
To our new readers, we at Music You Need To Hear wish to honor Christmas on the Julian Calendar. We wish you a Merry Christmas, a hopeful 2021, and peace on Earth and in your hearts. Here is some music…









