Various Artists – Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up

Cult Cargo describe this incredible compilation of jazz, funk, salsa and other music far better than I could hope to: “The national dish of Belize is a diverse mixture of ingredients: pig’s tail, potatoes, plantains, bananas, boiled eggs, yams, and whole fish, thrown in a pot and stewed to perfection. Continue Reading

Claire Rousay – The Bloody Lady

As I wrap up my vacation in Los Angeles and prepare to head back home to Beijing, I thought I’d share the work of a Los Angeles-based composer who has intrigued me for a while now.  Claire Rousay (stylized claire rousay) is a local composer who works in the electroacoustic Continue Reading

Brooklyn Rider – The Wanderer: Live From Paliesius, Lithuania

Brooklyn Rider are one of America’s best contemporary classical music quartets and they simply don’t receive the exposure they so richly deserve.  In this album, the first six tracks are dedicated to modern composers like Osvaldo Golijov from Argentina and Gonzalo Grau, who hails from Venezuela.  Both come from a Continue Reading

Soft Machine – Høvikodden 1971

Canterbury jazz-rock legends Soft Machine need little introduction, but this release might.  This release comes from a Norwegian gig the band played, and though the master tapes aren’t absolutely pristine, the sound, for a live recording, is quite good. “Soft Machine’s two concerts at the Henie-Onstad Art Center near Oslo, Continue Reading

Matt Berry – Heard Noises

I thank my dear friend Hubert for pointing me to this disc.  Matt Berry is a new name for me, but this album, which combines psychedelic folk, Americana and elements of soundtrack music, is a pleasantly heavy listen.  This compares well with similar music which came out during the 1970s.  Continue Reading

Christophe Bailleau – Insight and Vision

Before I get to the promotional blurb on the website for Mahorka Records, I can give my thoughts on the album.  Christophe Bailleau’s Insight and Vision crosses so many genres that one would think, based on the description, that the music would be unlistenable.  Nothing could be further from the Continue Reading