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Kink Gong 2017 – Uyghur In Moyu Southern Xinjiang China

I don’t know much about Kink Gong, though maybe they have some relations with the legendary Sublime Frequencies record label, but I do like that they’re busy releasing some amazing music from neglected parts of the world.  This installment comes from Xinjang, in the news for all the wrong reasons, yet a fascinating culture worth delving into.  The music shares much in common with fellow Central Asian Turkic groups like the Kazakhs or Uzbeks, but also carries some elements of Mongolian, Persian, and of course, Chinese music.

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Farhot – Nowroz 1401

Farhot is a musician based in Germany who also happens to run the rather incredible Kabul Fire record label.  This release is in honor of the Persian New Year (Nowroz) 1401.  From his Bandcamp site:

“In celebration of the Persianate new year usually taking place on March 21st Afghan-German producer artist Farhot announces his follow up project “Nowroz 1401” which translates into “New Year 1401” – the number marking the year according to the solar calendar which is used in countries like Afghanistan and Iran. While Nowroz is being celebrated in several additional regions like Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan or Kirgizstan and partly also in Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Georgia and Turkey – this 3-Track EP pays tribute to Afghan contemporary artists like singer-songwriter Calid, London based Elaha Saroor and rapper Khan all while referencing the golden era of Afghan psychedelic pop most prominently represented by Ahmad Zahir samples – and with that marking this special release as a contribution to preserving Afghan culture and tradition while Afghanistan’s recent brutal occupation by the Taliban continue to threaten and erase Afghan artistic tradition. Further “Nowroz 1401” was born out of the urgent feeling to uphold and celebrate an essential tradition of Persianate cultures so that the following generations of diaspora children don’t lose access to their cultural heritage while not being able to live or visit their countries of origin, where such holidays are institutionalized and therefore experienced as a community festivity.”

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Kara Jackson – Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love?

Kara Jackson certainly knows how to leave a strong impression!  If you can imagine Nick Drake’s guitar being willed to Nina Simone with a touch of the spirit of David Bowie (see the track brain for reference), then you have this incredibly powerful album.  I had no idea what to expect when I saw the cover art, but this is one of those albums I’m very happy to have taken a chance on, as the listening was rewarding.

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Groove Paradise – 欲望

I have to say that I know next to nothing about vaporwave and the history of the scene.  Most of what I’ve heard is, to put it mildly, awful.  However, Groove Paradise, a Spanish artist, left me with a more positive view of the genre.  The music sounds like something you would hear on 1980’s mainstream radio, with AOR, funk and soul influences, only underwater.  I was a teenager during the 80’s, so hearing the music left me with a very pleasant sense of nostalgia.  If this is truly representative of vaporwave, then then album is done well.

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Harold Land – Damisi

The ever-magnificent Wewantsounds have produced another vinyl masterpiece! They have released, for the first time, Harold Land’s classic LP ‘Damisi,’ recorded in Los Angeles for Bob Shad’s Mainstream Records and released in 1972. It’s a superb mix of Funk and modal Jazz and the vinyl edition features newly remastered audio and a 2-page insert including new liner notes by Kevin Le Gendre.

For more information on the release, click here to see the promo sheet.  You can click here to purchase the album on the label’s Bandcamp site.  It’s due out on May 26, 2023, so pre-order now.

 

 

 

 

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Mark Stewart – VS

The indie world lost a giant on April 21st with the passing of Mark Stewart.  In his honor, I share a compilation album featuring the crème de la crème of alternative, industrial, reggae and dub music coming out in full force to remix and cut up Stewart’s works.  Featured on this compilation are Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, K.K. Null, Stephen Mallinder and Eric Random among others.  From the release’s Bandcamp site:

“VS. is a unique collaborative project helmed by Mark Stewart, a vocalist, producer and songwriter who’s been an anarchic, pioneering figure on the frontiers of Post-Punk, Industrial, Avant-Dub and Electronic music since the Punk era. Each track is a forcible mash-up that pits Stewart against an artist either who originated, propagated and/or currently upholds the incendiary aesthetic, cultural and socio-political intentions of that era including members of Cabaret Voltaire, Consolidated, Pan Sonic and the MINUTEMEN along with the late Lee Perry, Adrian Sherwood and KK Null among others. This music is meant to resonate with, “The raw stardust in your bones – the ancient heat in your blood.””

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The Mossad – Paradrone

Our friend The Mossad has released Paradorone, a two-track drone opus with such an overwhelming feel of foreboding that you it will envelop your spirit in some way.  I recommend hearing this over a decent pair of headphones because you will really feel every tick, pulse and movement from these works.