Soft Machine – Høvikodden 1971

Canterbury jazz-rock legends Soft Machine need little introduction, but this release might.  This release comes from a Norwegian gig the band played, and though the master tapes aren’t absolutely pristine, the sound, for a live recording, is quite good. “Soft Machine’s two concerts at the Henie-Onstad Art Center near Oslo, Continue Reading

Christophe Bailleau – Insight and Vision

Before I get to the promotional blurb on the website for Mahorka Records, I can give my thoughts on the album.  Christophe Bailleau’s Insight and Vision crosses so many genres that one would think, based on the description, that the music would be unlistenable.  Nothing could be further from the Continue Reading

Al-Qasar – Uncovered

What an astounding follow-up!  We had the pleasure of reviewing Al-Qasar’s work in 2022, but this sophomore release (at least as far as we know) is a compilation of covers including Depeche Mode’s seminal classic Personal Jesus.  From the band’s Bandcamp site: “With this second full length, Al-Qasar consolidate their Continue Reading

Cocoon – You’ve Arrived

For those of you old enough to remember the seminal French cold-wave band Clair Obscur, this album relates.  From Cocoon’s Bandcamp site: “Cocoon is Christophe Demarthe’s project. It continues Clair Obscur’s attempt to shift the frameworks of performance and reception, using the means of electronic music, video and performance.”

Steve Beresford – Dancing the Lines – Gatefold sleeve and 2p Insert (Black Vinyl)

Our friends at Wewantsounds have dug deep for this one, and of course, they have found gold.  This album, available from the label as a vinyl-only release, sits in a strange apex of electronic music, soul, pop, jazz and the avant-garde, which is the first genre I would have associated Continue Reading

Thierry Zaboitzeff – LUVOS migrations – EP

Legendary former Art Zoyd composer and multi-instrumentalist Thierry Zaboitzeff has a new EP.  From his Bandcamp site: “LUVOS migrations is the original soundtrack of the dance film by Editta Braun and Menie Weissbacher, AT 2022. Vision of the future or images from a parallel universe? In breathtaking natural sceneries, automated Continue Reading