A massive debt of thanks goes to Radio Martiko, which has released a compilation I had always hoped would come out on vinyl and in digital formats. The Syliphone Recording Label was a Guinean government-sponsored record label active from 1967 to 1983 and one of Africa’s earliest post-colonial record companies. You can read about Continue Reading
Belgium
Pefkin – Unfurling
Pefkin have released an ethereal masterpiece. From their Bandcamp site: “On her fourth full-length for Morc, Gayle Brogan raises the bar once more. The familiar Pefkin elements are present: melodies that unfold patiently and graciously, with textures so vivid they feel almost tangible. Across six tracks, around forty minutes in Continue Reading
Red Stars Over Tokyo – The Burning Spiral
Those who assume techno music is cold should take a good listen to Red Stars Over Tokyo. This is warm, relaxed, and some of the most pleasant electronic music I’ve heard in a fair while. Perhaps it’s for the dancefloor, perhaps not, but you will feel a sense of contentment Continue Reading
Various Artists – taâlem: Homework – Year 9
Belgium’s taâlem Records is one of Belgium’s most venerable labels and one of the world’s best for experimental music in general. This is their ninth edition of tracks collected for the year, and this one has 71 pieces to go through.
Tuxedomoon – Desire (45th Anniversary Edition)
Currently, there is no track list available for this important release, but Tuxedomoon is reissuing their masterpiece, Desire, as a double LP, CD, and digital download. The release date is set for November 21, 2025, just before Thanksgiving. If you’re looking for an avant-garde Christmas gift for yourself, this might be the perfect Continue Reading
Cedrik Fermont – Es könnte der Anfang sein
Cedrik Fermont is a composer whose work I greatly admire. He has done remarkable work in documenting experimental music from underrepresented areas and is also an accomplished composer in his own right. This new album features two tracks: one recorded this year and the other in 2023. Both tracks utilize Continue Reading
Onsturicheit – Onsturicheit Live
Turntablism beautifully combines elements of musique concrète with abstract and illbient hip-hop. This album embodies a deeper, darker, and more experimental musical atmosphere. Belgian composer Onsturicheit is one of the newer practitioners of this genre, skillfully telling stories by mixing sounds in real time. This album is designed for deep listening, Continue Reading
COS – Pasiones
COS were an avant-progressive rock band from Belgium who were radically different from their contemporaries. From their Bandcamp site: “Pasiones is the fifth album by COS. It is a chamber opera which relates a story happening during the Spanish Civil War. The libretto tells the story of three soldiers coming Continue Reading
Christophe Bailleau O’Farrell – Locust bean gum
When I started listening to Christophe Bailleau O’Farrell’s latest EP, titled “Locust Bean Gum,” I was initially taken aback by the abrupt stops and transitions between songs. However, after reflecting on it, I began to feel that this music serves as a soundtrack for fleeting dreams. The band that comes to Continue Reading
Rodney Orpheus – Sun God
Rodney Orpheus is a name that I had long forgotten about, but I’m more than pleased to hear what he is up to! Decades ago, he fronted one of the most legendary EBM bands, the Cassandra Complex out of Belgium. They were pure hard dance music, and by the 1990’s, Continue Reading