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Amoeba Split – Second Split

Of all the scenes I’ve always felt was neglected in prog, it was the Canterbury scene.  That sub-genre which gave us Soft Machine, Caravan, National Health, Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers is of course big with specialist fans, but as the years have passed, it seems fewer and fewer listeners are hearing that wonderful sound.  Thankfully, there is Amoeba Split, a Canterbury-inspired band who hail from my ancient paternal homeland of Galicia in Northern Spain.

The band mix jazz fusion and progressive rock expertly, and the sound is so authentic that I had to remember the release date of this album (originally pressed in 2020).  What really makes this album a keeper is the brass arrangements, which remind me of bands like National Health.  Amazing.

Thanks to Rafa Dorado of áMARXE Records who advised me to listen to this.  I’m indebted to him for the experience.

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Maud the Moth + trajedesaliva – Bordando el manto terrestre

trajedesaliva, our friends from Galicia, Spain, have released a new album in partnership with Maud the Moth, a new artist I presume is also from the area.  This has to be their tightest work, combining the most stellar elements of early, more harshly ‘industrial’ Current 93 with a more ethereal streak where fans of Dead Can Dance can feel comfortable.  Spoken word, wordless vocals and bewitching soundscapes make for a stunning album.

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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 atmosphere does her music a service.

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Beat Love Oracle – Turning The Table

Our friends at áMARXE Records out of Galicia in Spain have released a really heavy album influenced by Canterbury Music, Zappa and jazz-rock in general.  There are so many twists and turns in Beat Love Oracle‘s album that it’s one I’d have trouble finding words to describe, so it is best to listen to the music directly and be amazed.

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trajedesaliva – Mima Blanca

My friends from trajedesaliva gifted me one of their older albums recently, and as I had some spare time to listen today, I indulged in Mima Blanca.

It took me a moment to figure out what this reminded me of, but then it dawned on me – several incredibly good influences, or they’re on the same wavelength

If you’re a fan of Tuxedomoon (especially the solo projects by Steven Brown or Blaine L. Reininger), Daniel Schell & Karo, or some of the projects on the Made To Measure series of albums on Crammed Discs, you’ll find a quirky experimental experience with this disc.

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trajedesaliva – Ultratumba

It’s so nice to see new music come from Galicia, where my paternal ancestors hail from. trajedesaliva are from Vigo and seem to be influenced by dark ambient, ritual music and post-Industrial soundscapes, though it doesn’t try to overwhelm the listener. Something I really liked about this album is that it sounds, in parts, like 1970s Kosmische Musik (think of Tangerine Dream in their 70s prime), which makes this unique among darkwave or dark ambient bands.