My first day in Tbilisi was quite an adventure, but things are finally coming together. Since I don’t have a stereo system at home yet, I decided to explore some digital radio stations. I discovered an Italian station called Radio Samarcanda, which plays a wide range of music, from Jimi Continue Reading
Music
Scattered Purgatory ( 破地獄) – Sua-Hiam-Zun (山險峻)
Today marks my last post from Beijing, as I will be flying out this evening to set up shop in Tbilisi, Georgia. On this occasion, I am excited to introduce my readers to Scattered Purgatory, a band I believe I featured on my old blog, A Miscellany of Tasteful Music. Continue Reading
Ehsan Saboohi – Politics-Aesthetics No. VI: Eight Short Stories Vol. 3
Ehsan Saboohi’s latest release is a continuation of his Politics-Aesthetics series. From his Bandcamp site: “Ehsan Saboohi, composer and theorist of Post-Orientalism music, presents the sixth installment in his Politics-Aesthetics series: Eight Short Stories. In this project, Saboohi engages with literature in its broadest sense—encompassing theatrical texts and short prose—as Continue Reading
Various Artists – sirr-ecords: Noli Me Legere … To Maurice Blanchot
The venerable record label sirr-ecords from Portugal offer a collection of electroacoustic, musique-concrète, and microsound artists honoring the French philosopher Maurice Blanchot. From the label’s Bandcamp site: “With Brandon Labelle/Maria Nilsson, Toshiya Tsunoda, Julien Ottavi, Steve Roden, Paulo Raposo, Christof Migone and Stephen Vitiello. “Maurice Blanchot (1907-2003) is one of Continue Reading
Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin – SPIN
Swiss pianist and bandleader Nik Bärtsch has one of the best bodies of work in the modern jazz field going today. From his Bandcamp site: “SPIN shows the phase in which the band is now: looking back and forward at the same time. The RONIN rhythm culture based on pattern, cycle Continue Reading
Vinylogue – Poly Ritmo: Crate Digging Across Continents
Discogs.com is one of the few websites legally accessible in China for those passionate about collecting vinyl. Their blog, Vinylogue, offers great inspiration for digging through record stores around the world—after all, there are plenty of untapped stores right here in China. This edition features musicologist and promoter Poly Ritmo Continue Reading
Li Song / Zhao Cong / Zhu Wenbo – Tangerine and the Invisible
Though I will be leaving China in a week from yesterday, I will not stop exploring what the country has to offer musically. From traditional and pop music to jazz, classical and avant-garde, there’s something for every taste here, and it’s generally done quite well. From the Ftarri Bandcamp site: Continue Reading
Various Artists – Institute For Alien Research: Circles
The Institute for Alien Research is a record label based in Bath, England, known for consistently releasing intriguing experimental and electroacoustic compilations while showcasing many new artists. This is their latest release.
Fred Elias with Buddy Sarkissian & his Mecca Four – Soul of the East: New England Near Eastern Dance Instrumentals ca. 1960
The story of Syro-Lebanese violinist Fred Elias reads almost like a movie script, and we have Ian Nagoski from Canary Records to thank for bringing his story to light. The music itself is energetic and percussion-heavy, with Elias skillfully playing his violin to a lively 9/8 rhythm. It’s the kind Continue Reading
Cuélebre – Oinos
Cuélebre is a band that creates a sound blending world music, folk, medieval music, and a hint of progressive rock with darkwave influences. Their name is derived from a mythical dragon in Asturian culture, which has Celtic roots. This music will appeal to fans of Dead Can Dance, Qntal, Sopor Continue Reading