• Music

    Heckel & Jeckel – This War

    January 13, 2021 - By 

    Heckel and Jeckel have a couple of things going for them.  First, I’m old enough to remember the rather funny cartoon bearing their name.  Second, I really like early Black Sabbath, Big Black, and some of the better stoner rock bands coming down the line these days.  These guys do well making something powerful by blending these elements together.  I’m impressed. The link on Heckel and Jeckel’s name leads to Pogo Records’ Bandcamp site.  The label releases some creative music.  Give them a good exploring.

  • Music

    Various Artists – Silber Records: Droneuary 2021

    January 11, 2021 - By 

    Silber Records has released their wonderful Droneuary series to begin 2019 and 2020, and they are continuing the tradition in 2021.  Though it is still early in the year, wait until mid-February to see this series completed. If you enjoy drone, dark ambient and experimental music, this comp will keep you busy for a while.  Respect to Silber Records for continuing this tradition.

  • Music

    Trigger Cut – Rogo

    January 10, 2021 - By 

    Wow!  Imagine a mangling together of Gang Of Four, early Wire, an angry Birthday Party and all that is good in post-punk, and you would have the bones to make Trigger Cut. The tracks are minimal, punchy, and full of distorted angst.  I’ll have to hear the rest of this album, but you can indulge in four tracks of brutal music right now. I point you to my favorite track, Solid State.  Enjoy!

  • Music

    ZX ELECTRIC – Assortment 80​-​81

    January 9, 2021 - By 

    This release by ZX Electric took a bit of getting used to, but once I felt settled in, some rather pleasant memories washed over my mind.  Mainly, I started thinking about the sound of cold wave, minimalist electronics, a lo-fi aesthetic, broken, heavily manipulated vocals, and the aura of 1980s cassette tapes which this album seems to reference quite well.  I’m looking forward to hearing more from this project.

  • Music

    Marta Ren – Stop Look Listen (Deluxe Edition)

    January 8, 2021 - By 

    Porto, Portugal’s neo-soul queen Marta Ren has had her breakthrough album reissued with a couple of extra tracks!  From her Bandcamp website: Record Kicks re-release Marta Ren’s legendary debut LP “Stop Look Listen” on ltd edition vinyl clear LP (500 copies worldwide). By popular demand Milan label Record Kicks announce the reissue of 2016 Marta Ren & The Groovelvets seminal debut album “Stop, Look Listen” on limited edition clear vinyl LP and digital deluxe version on February 26. The digital deluxe version includes 2 bonus tracks, the previously unreleased track “Hit Me” and “Summer’s Gone” that was previously released on…

  • Music

    Erkin Sadykov & Abdugheni Abdurusul – Secret of the world. Archival recordings of Uyghur music from Kyrgyzstan

    January 6, 2021 - By 

    There is little information available on Uyghur musicians Erkin Sadykov (vocal, dutar) and Abdugheni Abdurusul (tambur), but the quality of these recordings show a warm, sensitive interpretation of music we’re watching disintegrate before our eyes.  Thankfully, Kyrgyzstan allows their Uyghur minority to live and protect their traditions in peace.

  • Music

    Ángel Ontalva – Roads to Sunrise Cities

    January 5, 2021 - By 

    Ángel Ontalva is something like a paisano to me; a fellow of Spanish descent who spends an extraordinary time in Russia, and who has integrated himself into local scenes across the country.  Guitarist Ontalva has released a single which is a mellow pastiche of progressive rock, world music and jazz.  As this is a free track, and of high quality, it’s worth your time to explore.

  • Music

    The Claudia Quintet +1 with Kurt Elling & Theo Bleckmann – What Is The Beautiful?

    January 3, 2021 - By 

    Cuneiform Records offers a very generous program where a release from their back catalog is offered for $5 ($7 for a double album release), and they don’t skimp on the quality of these releases. Drummer John Hollenbeck’s The Claudia Quintet released this disc in 2011, and as a Rock-In-Opposition / Avant-Progressive / Spoken Word release, it holds together beautifully.  Collaborating on this album are Kurt Elling, one of America’s finest jazz vocalists, and Theo Bleckmann, one of Germany’s finest singers. From the Cuneiform Bandcamp site: For their sixth album, What Is The Beautiful?, The Claudia Quintet brings together the acclaimed…

  • Music

    Julien Bigorgne – Monades

    January 2, 2021 - By 

    Julien Bigorgne is a flautist working out of Paris, France, who also happens to be an oud player. The music on this album is filmic, a soundtrack to a non-existent film. The music walks the line between soundtrack compositions of Yann Tiersen, jazz and world music (such a nebulous term, but until I find a better one, I’m stuck using it). One can also hear dabs of the music of French national treasures like Erik Satie and Claude Debussy. The album is unique, relaxing, easy to listen to and flow with.