The world of improvisational music lost one of its biggest icons a couple of days ago. Barre Phillips, a bassist known for his being adaptable to any style, passed away on December 28. He worked with legends like Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Bley, Archie Shepp, Peter Brötzmann (whom we also lost Continue Reading
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Nick Sudnick – Opera of the Sixth Hour
Zga bandleader Nick Sudnick has been busy composing his Opera of the Hours series, and this installation might be his most creative yet. It has the passion of Rock-In-Opposition with a touch of Frank Zappa’s general weirdness. This is in keeping with what I remember of the old Soviet avant-garde Continue Reading
Various Artists – Glitterbeat Records: Taa! Our Language May Be Dying, But Our Voices Remain
From Glitterbeat Records’ Bandcamp site: “Volume #11 of our acclaimed Hidden Musics series. The Taa language in Botswana possesses 112 sounds, the most of any language in the world. In contrast, English has approximately 44 sounds, Italian 32. But there are only around 2,500 Taa speakers remaining and the language Continue Reading
Science Noodles – Soothe Me
From an article in TimeOut Magazine: “Science Noodles is a self-described “Hong Kong-Taiwan mixed baby” that formed in the most 21st century way possible. While on a trip to Taiwan, vocalist/guitarist Yuet matched with vocalist Qing on Tinder, and the two bonded over their mutual love for Taiwanese indie band, Continue Reading
Jeff Gburek – Heliopathy
As the calendar winds down for 2024, we still have a few more treasures to share. This one comes from Jeff Gburek, who should need no introduction to regular readers here. On this release, it comes out courtesy of Post Orientalism Music from Berlin, Germany. From the release’s Bandcamp site: Continue Reading
Fathomage – The Doxologion Codex
I never thought the dungeon synth genre would produce excellent Orthodox Christian music, but he we are. Fathomage are from Australia, and they produce a music that, though generally electronic, incorporate Eastern Orthodox doxology, Celtic Christian themes and fine folkish instrumentation.
Hawkestrel – Hawkestrel Presents Pre-Med – Old Habits Die Hard
This was a very pleasant surprise to run into. Former Hawkwind alumni gathered to make this record, and the sounds is as sharp as it was in the 1970s. Space rock is alive and well.
Swakopmund Acapella – Rainfalls
Swakopmund Acapella hail from Namibia in Southern Africa, and offer some utterly sublime choral arrangements. A very pleasant surprise, this one.
Attilio Zanchi – Mingus Portrait
In July, we featured a remix release by Attilio Zanchi which the stunningly good Right Tempo Records released, but now, we have the absolute pleasure to point you to the original from the man himself. From the release’s Bandcamp page: “”If I have to make one last record, now that Continue Reading
Crazy Compass – High Day
Our dear friends at Meticulous Midgets in Russia offer a new compilation, concentrating this time on women and poetry. Post-industrial music and soundscapes are blended with the spoken word, and the listening is incredible despite that dark, somewhat oppressive vibe of the music herein.