I have not had the pleasure of hearing Oval, Markus Popp’s microsound project, in ages. It’s good to see Markus still releasing glitchy music.
Oval – Now / Never / Whenever Vol.8
Hatis Noit – Aura
Compared to the human voice, everything else is mimicry. Hatis Noit is an Japanese artist working out of London whose experimental vocal works compare favorably to artists like Laurie Anderson and the ever-wonderful Anna Homler. It’s a strangely soothing listen.
James Chance – Designed To Kill (R.I.P.)
Today we honor the passing of James Chance. He was 71.
Tidiane Thiam – Africa Yontii
From Tidiane Thiam‘s Bandcamp site:
“Hailing from the sleepy fishing Senegalese fishing town of Podor, home of the great Baaba Maal, Thiam taught himself guitar by playing along to late-night radio broadcasts of Manding music. He soon developed his style, often reworking Pulaar folk themes into his compositions. On Africa Yontii, Thiam’s third album for Sahel Sounds, he teamed up with hip-hop beat maker Ndiaye Moctar from studio M.N. Records to provide accompaniment, integrating unexpected elements such as field recordings and electronic sounds”
Gunesh – Гунеш
Gunesh were from Turkmenistan and had one of the greatest drummers and percussionists to ever beat the skins in Rishad Shafi, who passed on a few years ago. This holds itself admirably compared to western fusion bands. Worth your time!
Ambient Folklore – Bestiary
The Bulgarian band Ambient Folklore have a new album out, and it surpasses any neofolk/dark-folk album I’ve heard over the past two years. The sounds on this record are heavy and foreboding, made more so by very prominent hurdy-gurdy expertly played by Petar Delchev. It sounds as if mid-period Death In June discovered Balkan music and incorporated local instruments into their sound, but with better recording production. A gorgeous album.
Undone – Indeed
Three brilliant musicians, Ronit Bergman, Dorian Jovanović and Filip Mitrov, combine to make heavy neo-psychedelic music with a gritty edge to it. A peach of a release.
Various Artists – Touch: Isolation
Touch Records introduced many experimental and post-industrial music fans to some of the most crucial artists of the past 40 years or so. This compilation originally came as 28 single tracks which were available via subscription only, but since that option was shut down, the label thankfully compiled these tracks into one album.
Los Robbins – La maravilla musical de Honduras
Spain’s legendary Munster Records introduces the world outside of Central America to Los Robbins! From the Bandcamp site:
“Los Robbins revolutionized the Central America music scene with their mix of rocksteady, ballad, flamenco and surf music. Ten songs recorded between 1967 and 1970, reissued for the first time.”
Scott Lawler – Somewhere in Time (Reinterpreted)
I don’t remember Somewhere in Time as being a classic movie, but the film was enjoyable and starred Christopher Reeve (of Superman fame) and Jane Seymour. It’s fun to hear a much darker take of the soundtrack coming from composer Scott Lawler. This would have made the film a much more emotionally gloomy affair.