Tag: China

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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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Various Artists – Old Heaven Books: 地​方​，​音​乐​与​实​践 Vol​.​1 Region, Music, and Practice Vol​.​1

A compilation of new music out of avant-garde China.  From the Old Heaven Books Bandcamp site:

“A creative collaboration of producer Tu Fei and artist Liu Qingyuan. Event organization by Tu Fei, artwork for promotion and production by Liu Qingyuan. Event programs include talks, screenings, forums, workshops, musicians’ commission creation and live performance, recording, publishing, and many more.

Admiring tradition and exploring the future, the duo’s goal is to bring music to various places, from village to city, from square to factory, from bookstore to family altar, from theater to village hall, and from gallery to drying field…”

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Li Jianhong (李劍鴻 ) & Wen Zhiyong (文智湧) & Deng Boyu (鄧博宇) – 歲​寒​三​友 Les Trois Amis de l’Hiver

I remember the Beijing lockups very well, as I lived in the city during the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.  Some residents in Beijing, including the trio of Li Jianhong, Wen Zhiyong and Deng Boyu, made incredibly good use of the time and recorded an album of music combining free improvisation, electronics and ancient instruments such as gudi (bone flute) and trumpet.  A sonically stunning album.

Respect to WV Sorcerer Productions (巫唱片), who continue to release quality Chinese new music.

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Zhaoze – The Life of a Dayfly | 蜉​生​记

I suppose one can call this post-rock with Chinese characteristics.  Zhaoze are a progressive rock/post-rock band out of Guangzhou, China, and this is the first I’ve heard of them.  Their sound is mellow, almost dramatic in a TV-theme way, yet the music, though soothing, is also engaging, especially after about the 5 minute mark, where guitars begin to shimmer.

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Various Artists – 紫​氣​東​來 Purple Haze From East Vol​.​1

French label WV Sorcerer Productions 巫唱片 offers a pretty amazing collection of Chinese psychedelic rock bands, some still active, some gone, but all make pretty powerful listening.

From the label’s Bandcamp site:

“集中國各地十個迷幻搖滾樂隊和實驗音樂人的優秀作品，曲目總時長超過兩小時，展現中國地下獨立音樂新風景，帶你徜徉於虛實之境間。

Featuring the selected works of ten psychedelic bands and experimental musicians from all over China, including veteran musicians and new names, with a total length of over two hours. This compilation presents a new landscape of Chinese underground music, a journey through the realm of reality and imaginary.”

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Backspace – Human Nature Architecture

It’s bands like this that the blog was initially made for.  Finding a Krautrock band who mix in surf and psychedelic rock coming out of China is a magnificent thing.  Backspace are one of the more brilliant bands to come out of the Middle Kingdom in some time, and I say this as one who is a fan of so many incredible bands popping up everywhere there.  The way they mix these sounds, along with good, punchy, clear production make this instrumental gem an instant favorite.  If it’s released on Maybe Mars Records, it’s a sure sign of quality.

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Sergey Kuryokhin (谢尔盖·古廖金) – Divine Madness (天赋的疯狂)

First, a disclaimer: I am posting this review with the understanding that Leo Records has licensed this astounding collection covering the career of the late enfant terrible of Russia’s then-thriving avant-garde music community, Sergey Kuryokhin, to Old Heaven Books Records in Shenzhen, China.  If this is so, it’s wonderful to know that Sergey’s reach will continue to grow almost three decades after his passing.  Collaborators on this box set include Igor Butman, Sergei Belichenko, Valentina Ponomareva and Boris Grebenshchikov among others.  I’m excited to see Old Heaven Books continue to branch out.

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Abadir – Mutate

SVBKVLT is a label based in Shanghai, China who have an international outlook.  A perfect example is this band, the Egyptian artist Abadir, who works in the field of experimental electronic music and glitch.