• Music

    Jeff Gburek and A.J. Kaufmann – Jazzisthmus

    November 10, 2023 - By 

    Had I not known the previous (impressive) works of both Jeff Gburek and A.J. Kaufmann, I would have happily believed that this was a lost psychedelic music gem long forgotten about in a basement studio recorded during Soviet times.  While the tones are dulcet, you never really get a chance to get into a groove.  The music shapes and shifts, making you ever aware of its presence and demanding that you pay attention (particularly hard to do as I’m grading papers at the moment).  The introduction to the album at Ramble Records’ Bandcamp site is one of the most elegant…

  • Music

    Extremophiles – First Batch

    February 21, 2023 - By 

    Extremophiles are a duo made up of Jeff Gburek on synthesizer, percussion, effects, devices and John Palumbo on electro-acoustic drums, percussion, and more electronics.  I have to say this release blew me away, as it reminded be of a cross between the crunchy post-punk/Rock-In-Opposition vibe of This Heat’s early work and the more Industrial, less dance-oriented sound of Deutsch-Amerikanische Freundschaft (DAF).  The music is fresh, but it will bring back a lot of memories for those of us who remember such sounds.

  • Music

    Etron Fou Leloublan – Les Poumons Gonfl​é​s

    January 28, 2023 - By 

    Etron Fou Leloublan are (were?) an avant-guard rock band out of France whose main claim to fame was being one of the early bands who would end up forming the genre Rock In Opposition, a loosely-knit group of bands who opposed the business which refused to recognize their music, according to a Wikipedia article. This album was released some time between 1981 and 1982, had Fred Frith producing it, and it’s as skronky and noisy as one would expect.  For those of you who like a more free-jazz spirit to their prog rock, consider giving this a listen.