This latest release from our friends at Mahorka Records, featuring the Belgium-based Christophe Bailleau O’Farrell, is going to date me a bit by using this reference. This is less experimental and more avant-garde, reminding me of the legendary Made To Measure series that featured such luminaries as Tuxedomoon, Hector Zazou, Continue Reading
Experimental
Attila Gyárfás, Bálint Bolcsó – TABBIS
From Attila Gyárfás’ Bandcamp site: “TABBIS is an hommage to Mihály Babits, one of the most influential Hungarian poets of the first half of the 20th century. We chose nine of his poems that resonated with us the most and we used them as sources of inspiration while recording the Continue Reading
Sun Ra – East Two + 7
From the Sun Ra Bandcamp site: “EAST TWO + 7 comprises previously unreleased tracks from one of Sun Ra’s most productive periods: 1972–73. Those two hectic years saw Sun Ra recording numerous albums, staging concerts, teaching at Berkeley, acting in and composing the score for a full-length movie, embarking on Continue Reading
E.N.D. – Null
Null is the debut release from E.N.D., who I will assume is from Brazil, particularly Porto Alegre, as the project is associated with my dear friends at M I S T, one of a myriad of boutique record labels specializing in experimental, dark ambient, drone and post-industrial music. This release, Continue Reading
Jawhinge – WeirdWired
Our dear friend and noise colleague Ivo from Mahorka Records introduces us to the project Jawhinge from Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The sound is post-industrial, but the jungle and ragga elements, along with tape samples that remind me of 1980s EBM, make this an absolute keeper. Sadly, I’m on the road, but once I’m home, Continue Reading
Nik Masoo – XUÁN 玄
I have to give my respects to composer Nik Masoo for crossing two genres that I never figured would be bridged successfully – Chinese opera and noise. The cacophony of this release is almost cathartic, and a pleasantly aggressive energy undergirds the percussion. This turned out to be a fascinating Continue Reading
Chalupáři – Jak Se Do Lesa Volá, Tak Se z Lesa Ozývá
A huge thanks to my dear brother, Hubert Heathertoes, for introducing me to this gem from Chalupáři, the Czech outfit that delivers something truly special. It’s noisy, yes—but in the most immersive, profoundly atmospheric way. This is an excellent test record for your speakers, yet if you give it time, Continue Reading
Sergey Kuryokhin – Some Combinations Of Fingers And Passion
I will forever praise Leo Feigin, the courageous figure who introduced me to new post-Soviet music. My first purchase from his renowned Leo Records was the album that introduced me to Sergey Kuryokhin, Russia’s most radical pianist and multi-instrumentalist. Kuryokhin impressed musicians traveling there and later collaborated with several Americans, Continue Reading
Hochiwah / Cimetière de l’Est – Split
As much as I love the term ‘experimental music’ as a catch-all, it is wholly inappropriate for something this weird yet this accessible. I cannot say anything about Cimetière de l’Est, but I had the pleasure of hearing several works by Hochiwah, and the first two bands that came to mind were Continue Reading
Jeff Gburek + Eryk Nowacki – Small Fires
Yet another sublime release by fellow expatriate Jeff Gburek: “Our title Small Fires derives from the practice among certain Indigenous American people of making small fires periodically, often enough to prevent the build-up of fallen wood that could fuel large forest fires. It is also said that one makes a Continue Reading