Maja S. K. Ratkje – Corona Lockdown Concert For TUSK Festival 2020

Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje is perhaps the most important active composer in Norway’s experimental music scene.  The Trondheim native not only works with avant-garde music, but with contemporary classical, choral, experimental, electronic and even rock music. She provides a new release which clocks in about 30 minutes of vocal improvisation Continue Reading

Marcos Resende & Index – Marcos Resende & Index

This album is a sort of ‘holy grail’ for Brazilian jazz.  From Marcos Resende’s Bandcamp site: Beyond their highly sought after 1978 album Festa Para Um Novo Rei – home to the mystical jazz-funk classic ‘Vidigal’ and released on Philips’ iconic Musica Popular Brasileira Contemporanea series (MPBC) – little is Continue Reading

Lappländer & Ancylus – Veden Varaan

Lappländer & Ancylus are a project hailing from Finland.  According to their bio, both Janne Lappalainen (Lappländer) and Visa Uotila (Ancylus) have over two decades of history working in electronic music. This is quite a powerful listen.  It reminds me of mid-period Tangerine Dream under the cavernous influence of Steve Continue Reading

Various Artists – Dust-To-Digital Records: Excavated Shellac: An Alternate History of the World’s Music

This is a magnificent compilation of archival material. Dust-To-Digital has made a business out of release gorgeous archival recordings. Take for example the incredible collection called Music of Morocco, compiled by Paul Bowles. This collection will equal it. Music from South Africa, Japan, Algeria, Serbia, Colombia and all points in-between Continue Reading

Bolduchin – Shellac

It’s impressive to hear when those who work outside of music under normal circumstances bring their talents into music, especially of a dark ambient variety.  Giacomo Triglia, who works under the name Bolduchin, provides a bleak, yet very lively soundtracks to the horrible dreams we all have now and then.  Continue Reading

JARS (ДЖРС) – III

In parts sounding like the demos of an early Killing Joke album drifting almost into doom and death-metal territory, JARS (ДЖРС) are atypical for what people thing of as stoner rock.  They are comfortable playing in different styles, and their raw sound actually benefits the music tremendously. Brutal music, but Continue Reading

Ghost Rhythms – Imaginary Mountains

The French band Ghost Rhythms live up to their name.  The beats are pretty wild on this one. This release sets between avant-progressive, Canterbury, and some of the freakier excursions of late-period King Crimson.  Perhaps Samla Mammas Manna and their side-projects could also make good reference points. Very engaging listening, Continue Reading

Lorelle Meets The Obsolete – De Facto

I would never have come across Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, a Guadalajara, Mexico-based band without the help of my new friend, Ali, whose taste in music is absolutely impeccable.  There is something wonderfully retro about the band, who reference a lot of bands like the Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine, Continue Reading