Some time ago I had reviewed the work of an ethno-folk-jazz band from Kostroma, Russia called Gralitsa, and I found them favorable. I have to say that I find this album at least as favorable, but it sounds like a totally different band. This sound is far more affected by Continue Reading
Rudy Carrera
IO – ∀LICE
I have a particularly strong attraction to Porto Alegre, Brazil. I have a few friends from there, one in particular who was a charmer, and it seems that everything from jazz to progressive rock seems to do well there. This is the breeding ground of IO, a visual artist, scenographer, Continue Reading
trajedesaliva – Ultratumba
It’s so nice to see new music come from Galicia, where my paternal ancestors hail from. trajedesaliva are from Vigo and seem to be influenced by dark ambient, ritual music and post-Industrial soundscapes, though it doesn’t try to overwhelm the listener. Something I really liked about this album is that Continue Reading
Alexei Aigui & Ensemble 4’33” – Alcohol
I have been a fan of Alexei Aigui’s ensemble work for at least 20 years now, going all the way back to his appearance on the excellent, though now defunct Russian label SoLyd (see the release here). He has become even more innovative, more progressive, and this latest album, Alcohol, Continue Reading
Štefanec feat. Legrand – Eternity
Perhaps a new genre of music has commenced with this release – that of monastery synth, rather than dungeon synth. Though there is little information available on either Štefanec or Legrand, Kalamine Records provides some notes via their Bandcamp site here: Štefanec and Legrand (Croatia) started their collaboration back in Continue Reading
Fairuz – El Massih Kaam
To our Eastern Orthodox friends, we wish you a blessed Pascha. Christ is Risen! To celebrate the day, we have the legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz singing the paschal greeting in Greek and Arabic.
[Youtube] Les Grandes Voix Bulgares – Chœr d’Hommes – Gospodi Pomilui
As we celebrate Holy Saturday, we offer this, perhaps my favorite liturgical chant, for you, the reader, courtesy of Les Grandes Voix Bulgares.
[Youtube] Sofia Gubaidulina – Sieben Worte for cello, bayan and strings
No reviews today, as I will be celebrating Easter weekend (for those who are confused, it is because most Eastern Orthodox celebrate Easter using the Julian Calendar) with my friends. To honor Good Friday, I offer to you Tatar-Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina’s magnum opus, Sieben Worte for cello, bayan and strings. Continue Reading
Jeff Gburek with Ilaria Boffa – Reifications // Minimal Animal // Reanimations
Another Akashic Records masterpiece. This imprint never fails for me. Jeff Gburek works with Italian composer, researcher and poet Ilaria Boffa to make a hazy, deeply psychedelic piece of musique concrète. The three works on this album are sonic storytelling, layering voice on voice, and is perhaps the best way Continue Reading
Khara (ХАРА) – Mandragora (Мандрагора)
Khara is an Old Slavonic word meaning “the smile of God.” Truly, God must have been smiling to allow such a weirdly joyful music to come together. Mandragora brings together a bardic style of rock & roll infused with traditional music from their native Khakassia, whose native inhabitants share a Continue Reading