Before I left to China in 2018, the last concert I caught was Iranian-Kurdish master Kayhan Kalhor along with Brooklyn Rider. As it turns out, their violinist, Johnny Gandelsman, was selling one of his albums on vinyl, which I duly purchased (and have nearly worn out). I’m pleased to say he Continue Reading
Downloads
The Secret Society of the Sonic Six – Out Of The Past EP
A decade or two ago, there were only four bands who I would bother to make the trek out from the suburbs to the ‘great’ metropolis that is Los Angeles: Farflung, Tunnelmental, The Flash Express and The Secret Society of the Sonic Six. Each were brilliant in their way, and Continue Reading
Steve Kilbey – Of Skins and Heart (Acoustic Sessions Vol.1)
I don’t think Steve Kilbey of The Church needs much of an introduction, but it’s been awhile since I’ve heart what he’s been up to. This album shows him playing an acoustic set based on The Church’s second-finest album, and the recordings are of sparse, but warm and stunning quality. Continue Reading
Odeya Nini – Ode
Los Angeles-based composer Odeya Nini is a marvel to listen to. She uses her voice and body to full effect as an instrument and composes profoundly interesting contemporary classical music, and whose works are radical enough to fit into musique concrète. If you enjoy the works of Meredith Monk or Continue Reading
Vartra – Basma
Our beloved friends at CPL-Music have submitted a bizarre and completely engrossing album of ethereal tribal music from Serbia in the form of Vartra. The band was founded in 2017 by Siniša Gavrić and sisters Ivana and Aleksandra Stošić. What makes the music so interesting is that it not only Continue Reading
Santiago Fradejas – Montages, Volume Two
What a joy it is when a friend releases a new album! Argentine composer (now residing in England) Santiago Fradejas offers an experimental music album composed on an 8-string electric guitar and loops, making a soundscape album that is, at times, Fripperesque. It’s dark, but not foreboding, and gently flows Continue Reading
Ragnar Ólafsson – Urðarþráður
I had the pleasure of meeting multi-instrumentalist Ragnar Ólafsson in Bulgaria when he was performing with the Icelandic post-rock group Árstíðir many years ago. Every now and again, I see his name pop up and I came across this gorgeously-sung single track he released in May of this year. From Continue Reading
Felix Laband – The Soft White Hand
Compost Records continues to please my ears, this time releasing the latest album of South African composer Felix Laband, who works somewhere in the center of a dance/experimental/collage triangle. The music is ever-evolving, never boring, and blessed with a pleasant beat.
Susana Seivane – Os Soños Que Volven
Galicia is a land of gaiteros and gaiteras, bagpipers of fine quality. Susana Seivane is one of the best of the newer generation, and she brings a raw, almost punk-like power to her performances. This album is a more subdued affair, but she plays so well that the more controlled Continue Reading
Hommy Sanz y Sus Jovenes de Puerto Rico – Jala Jala Mozambique
Homero “Hommy” Sanz was a percussionist and bandleader from Puerto Rico who produced albums full of guaguancó, bolero and boogaloo. The album is a fine example of what was tearing up Puerto Rican airwaves during the 1960s and 1970s. A killer set.