Saba Alizadeh is a sound artist, instrumentalist, and composer based in Tehran. In light of the ongoing bombings there, I pray for his safety and for all those suffering from violence around the world. Saba is a virtuoso on the kamancheh, a traditional Persian spike fiddle. The only person I have had Continue Reading
Germany
Jane in Ether – Oneiric
Jane In Ether is a trio composed of Miako Klein on recorders, Magda Mayas on piano, and Biliana Voutchkova on violin, who also utilizes her voice as an instrument. Their improvisational skills are remarkable, reminiscent at times of a more contemporary AMM or MEV. The sounds they create have an organic quality that swells and recedes Continue Reading
Barbora Xu – Olin Ennen
I regret missing this release from our friends at Nordic Notes! Barbora Xu is a Czech singer and multi-instrumentalist who explores local poetry, string instruments, and vocal techniques in her music. According to her official biography, “Her work is deeply inspired by nature, capturing the calmness, fragility, and softness found Continue Reading
JOHN 3:16 & EISENLAGER – De Lumière et d’Obscurité
This will be a tough one to review, I’m afraid. Mind you, it’s not about the music, which is stellar as our dear friend JOHN 3:16’s hellscapes never disappoint, nor the elegantly rhythmic grooves of EISENLAGER, who pairs magnificently well with Philippe Gerber’s lush compositions. This EP is more to Continue Reading
Fränder – Fränder II
Nordic Notes offer a sophomore album by the Swedish/Estonian troupe Fränder. What separates this album from traditional folk or “World Music” albums is the ease with which the band can mix not only Nordic and Baltic sounds but even music like rock & roll, progressive rock, and modern stylings. Any Continue Reading
Yelka – In A Rose Hat
From the band’s Bandcamp site: “A strikingly different take on contemporary America—YELKA’s In A Rose Hat offers an artistic perspective far removed from stadium rock or trap trends. It’s an intimate, almost cinematic interpretation that upends expectations. “Crawl into your hibernation, don’t wait for a new sensation…” the opening, ´Colors Continue Reading
OBUKHOVAUDIO – Sphärenlicht
Even down to the cover art (which looked like it would have been a fine one for a 1970’s period Klaus Schulze), it seems Obukhovaudio (a.k.a. Alexander Obukhov) has a knack for making an album that encapsulates the genre of electronic music, the Berlin School, that he loves dearly. Fine Continue Reading
Valerie Renay – Under The Oak
Though I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day much anymore (I will be a nomad for at least a few years more), that doesn’t mean I can’t drop a digital gift on you. Berlin-based singer Valerie Renay has released a fresh new single that is sensual vocally and lyrically, underpinned by dreamy Continue Reading
Holger Czukay / Die Angel & Zappi W. Diermaier – Gvoon: Version 1
As much as I loved the work of Can bassist Holger Czukay, there are a couple of his releases that I passed by. This one features die ANGEL, whom I have never heard of previously, and Faust drummer Zappi W. Diermaier. This sounds far less like Krautrock and more like Continue Reading
DOT – Alice
I’m normally not a fan of hip-hop as too much of the commercial variety is utter trash. However, the abstract part of the genre is producing some fine music like Germany’s DOT, brought to you by Annette Records. Besides the mellow hip-hop beats are some interludes that come across as Continue Reading