• Music

    Azymuth – Carnival (Original Full-Length Unedited Mix)

    April 10, 2024 - By 

    Brazil’s finest fusion band return with a reworking of their legendary hit! From the promo pack: Celebrating 30 years of Far Out Recordings, Azymuth’s biggest club track from their groundbreaking 1979 album Light As A Feather is reissued on 12” vinyl, in its full length unedited form. When it was originally released, Azymuth’s disco fusion worldwide hit “Jazz Carnival” stayed in the UK top twenty for eight straight weeks. It was used as the theme music for national broadcasts in Italy and even made it onto Top Of The Pops in the UK. Since then the track has become a…

  • Music

    Khruangbin – A La Sala

    April 9, 2024 - By 

    There is almost nothing I can add to the lore of Khruangbin except to say that, despite me occasionally talking about albums which are fine for nighttime listening, this one belongs to the sunrise.  It has the feeling of an album you would play after an intense night out on the town, and coming down from the high of people around way too many people for too long.  From their Bandcamp site: “The title makes it clear. A La Sala (“To the Room” in Spanish), the fourth studio album by Khruangbin, is an exercise in returning in order to go…

  • Music

    Ernesto Diaz-Infante – Amor Celestial

    April 8, 2024 - By 

    Amor Celestial is the latest album by Bay Area guitar improviser Ernesto Diaz-Infante, release on Rambutan Records out of New York.  The album reminds me of waves gently crashing into the rock of the Pacific Coastline, ebbing and flowing as clouds of feedback surround each bend of the strings.  From the release’s Bandcamp site: “San Francisco-based Ernesto Diaz-Infante brings his complete mastery and open exploration of the electric guitar to Tape Drift. It’s an honor to present this deeply focused and heavy work from someone who has dedicated so many years to fearless sonic experimentation and improvisation. The cover art…

  • Music

    Tomotsugu Nakamura – Moon Under Current

    April 7, 2024 - By 

    I’m new to both the work of Tomotsugu Nakamura and the label he released this album on, Teinei Records out of Japan.  Moon Under Current is a gorgeously minimal piece of electronic ambient, perhaps a better name for the genre than merely ‘ambient’.  I really like the lullaby-ish nature of the music.

  • Music

    Senyawa – Istana (Live)

    April 6, 2024 - By 

    Today is a workday for us in Beijing, so there is no review today, but I did want to point you to an Indonesian band called Senyawa, who is featured on Rafaelle Pezzella’s incredible Unexplained Sounds Group‘s digipak retrospective called the Far East Music Collection.  It is a reissue of three seminal compilations covering experimental music from China, Indonesia and the Far East in general.  The set looks gorgeous, and Senyawa‘s contribution is mind-blowing.

  • Music

    Pyroclastic – Enter Temple of Shiva Exit Tomb of Parvati

    April 5, 2024 - By 

    Pyroclaster is an old friend of mine, and he has a a new album that harkens back to old-school EBM and Industrial dance.  From his Bandcamp site: “Taking on a different approach in Electronic genres Pyroclastic steers the machine driven music gears towards the Eastern Tribal elements. Combining Eastern Tribal instrumentation along with their traditional rhythms of Indian & Arabic roots with your favorite blend of Rhythmic Noise. Pyroclastic has long been influenced by artists like Muslimgauze, Nurse with wound, This Morn’ Omina, and Goa Trance of the 90’s – early 2000’s to bring this collection of it’s own version…

  • Music

    Anglachel – A Light that Shines so Bright

    April 4, 2024 - By 

    The first thought I saw with this lovely cover art from Greek composer Anglachel was, “good boi!”  It’s a heartbreakingly charming bit of cover art, but the main story is the music.  It’s dungeon synth, but perhaps a little meatier than what I am used to hearing.  The production value is quite nice.  The story about the release is recorded below: “The purpose of this EP is to provide assistance in organizations helping stray animals in Greece. For that reason ALL earnings will be donated to such organizations. The donation will take place on the 8th of May, so contributions…

  • Music

    RKS Trio – Live at Bab-Ilo

    April 1, 2024 - By 

    Thanks to the ever-consistent Muteant Records for bringing this album to my attention!  I’m familiar with both Michel Kristof and Makoto Sato’s work, as both as masters in the improv world, but Quentin Rollet is a new name for me.  His sax playing and sound manipulation are expertly underpinned by the aforementioned Kristof and Sato, making this a bouncy and adventurous listen. Quentin Rollet : sopranino and alto saxes, Korg Monotron Delay, iPhone, SmarFaust App Michel Kristof : electric guitard, Sfx, cowbells Makoto Sato : drums

  • Music

    Found Object – every silver lining

    March 30, 2024 - By 

    Well done, Found Object!  The tracks on this album remind me of some of best synth-pop bands I grew up with in the 1980s.  Though Tangerine Dream is referenced as an influence, I hear something different – Kraftwerk, Blancmange, a more instrumental Depeche Mode or Soft Cell seem to be popping up as influences as I listen through.  Really, a joyful album.