We have yet another Nanai musician documenting his people’s music. We thank Дяриори (Jariori) Records for releasing this beautifully recorded album.
Folk
Úzgin Űver – Ausklang
The venerable record label Lollipoppe Shoppe has released what is the final stop on Úzgin Űver’s long, strange trip. Included in this live session (in studio, without an audience) are acoustic renditions of older material with no post-production editing. The album brings together new acoustic interpretations of compositions from different Continue Reading
Haruomi Hosono – Yours Sincerely
From Harry Hosono’s Bandcamp site: “Haruomi Hosono, the pioneering Japanese musician, producer, composer, and founding member of Yellow Magic Orchestra and Happy End, has “found his voice in a late career renaissance,” writes The Wire. His five-decade legacy continues to grow and attract new fans, and has been cited by Continue Reading
Yewari – Yewari
Bashir Khatsouk hails from Nartan in Russia’s historical region of Circassia. The music on this disc blends traditional music with a touch of neofolk. This will certainly appeal to those who enjoy Caucasian music and bands like Current 93.
Shogun’s Castle – The Sacred Creed of Devotion and Purpose
From Shogun’s Castle’s Bandcamp site: “”The Sacred Creed of Devotion and Purpose” is a third installment of Shogun’s Castle, a Japanese folk-synth album based on Koto & warrior drums, dedicated to the 10-fold path of sacred and forgotten virtues. Like its predecessors, this work also draws inspiration from the old Continue Reading
RIHA – V
The seminal blog A Closer Listen introduces us to a treasure of a Georgian composer, Rati Oniani (RIHA). It’s a magically weird amalgam of metal, Svan folk, and baroque music. The absolute diamonds one can find in this city never cease to amaze me. You can read the article here: https://acloserlisten.substack.com/p/v
Adela Mede – Ne Lépj a Virágra
Stunningly good vocal work here. From Adela Mede’s Bandcamp site: “Composed and recorded during the last 18 months in Bratislava, Slovakia – a city where three countries meet, where the East and the West collide – ‘Ne Lépj a Virárga’ translates to “don’t step on the flower”. Its themes – Continue Reading
Caamaño & Ameixeiras – Quitar o Aire
This album by Caamaño & Ameixeiras is a pleasant surprise from the pater patriae, so to speak. It’s traditional music from the region of Galicia in Spain, heavily inspired by Celtic mythology. Though the instrumentation is basic for this sort of music (accordion, violin), there’s an intangible spark to the Continue Reading
Mari Kalkun – Ilmamõtsan
Attached are three mini-reviews for one of Estonia’s finest mixes of traditional and alternative music: “”Kalkun’s singing is at the heart of things; joyous and lamenting by turns, but always poised and melodious, her poeticism apparent even without translation. A magical creation.” – The Guardian “Gorgeously intimate record. There’s nothing Continue Reading
John Townley – Round Swamp Road
John Townley is a new name to me, but our dear friends at Lollipoppe Shoppe have come up with a gem that balances blues, folk, psych, and a relaxed style in a rather charming way. This has an authentic sound, for sure.