Abul Mogard and Rafael Anton Irisarri, from Italy and Spain respectively, are two of the most outstanding ambient music composers going today. They collaborate here on a live work that sounds so atmospheric as to be nearly holy, especially since it was performed at a church in Utrecht.
Music
DOT – Alice
I’m normally not a fan of hip-hop as too much of the commercial variety is utter trash. However, the abstract part of the genre is producing some fine music like Germany’s DOT, brought to you by Annette Records. Besides the mellow hip-hop beats are some interludes that come across as Continue Reading
Passepartout Duo – Argot
My, this is a lovely release. Passepartout Duo manage to balance modern classical music with a minimal post-rock sound without the “rock” part. It’s exquisite listening, especially for those who like minimalist music. Think of Arvo Pärt collaborating with Sigur Rós, and this might give you an idea of what Continue Reading
Illumni Men’s Chorale and Glenn Miller, Basso Profundo – Music Of Russia
Chris is Born! We celebrate Orthodox Christmas by sharing the interpretations of Glenn Miller, a basso profundo for this holy day From the release’s Bandcamp site: “Glenn Miller, is known around the country for his unique Bass voice. He is Director of Music & Organist at Kirk in the Hills Continue Reading
Tigran Hamasyan – StandArt
It’s not exactly Christmas music (today is when our Armenian brothers in the faith celebrate theirs, and we celebrate ours tomorrow), but any opportunity to hear the music of the excellent Armenian-American pianist Tigran Hamasyan is a happy event. May you all enjoy your holy day!
Russian World Music Chart 2024 (Redacted)
We have an update from the Russian World Music Chart. Read below: Russian World Music Chart 2024 Making Russian folk music visible for the world In October 2021, Russia’s first world music chart, the Russian World Music Chart (RWMC), was launched. The purpose of RWMC is to attract the attention Continue Reading
Selen Gülün – Years
On this tenth album by Turkish pianist (and frequent visitor to Japan) Selen Gülün, she remains in fine form. She’s no stranger to our blog, and it’s been far too long since we had the pleasure of hearing modern jazz done right. From her Bandcamp site: “Selen Gülün’s tenth album, Continue Reading
Remembering China’s ‘Godfather of Jazz’
Read the original article by Cai Yiwen from Sixth Tone here. I occasionally run into some great articles on Chinese social media, mainly WeChat. If you aren’t afraid of being allegedly ‘bugged’ by the Chinese government (and you shouldn’t be, since the CIA go through your calls if you use Continue Reading
Luneta Freedom Jazz Collective – Mga matang pumipikit sa langit
Welcome to 2025! Our first release is from the brilliant Bulgarian experimental music label Mahorka, and their latest offering is phenomenal. The Luneta Freedom Jazz Collective are from Manila, Philippines, and this is a strangely elegant release. My favorite track of the album, Ang itak ng kamalayan – Isang Ritual, Continue Reading
So Ends 2024. Bring on 2025!
We wish all readers of Music You Need To Hear a happy and prosperous 2025. 2024 was, in some ways, a fine year but it was marked with some grave tragedies for us, especially with the loss of co-founder Steven Shore. We will continue to soldier on with the blog, Continue Reading