Though the birthday was absolutely dour, I managed to cheer myself up with a release of experiments done by Hans-Joachim Roedelius, the beloved magus of ambient music. These were sketches, apparently, that he would record, analyze, and then turn into new ideas. Comfortable listening.
Germany
Various Artists – Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 1 – Compiled by Fred und Luna
Our friends at Compost Records are about to release a compilation of what one can legitimately call modern Krautrock. Some of the bands on this album include Kosmischer Läufer, Fred und Luna (who put this gem together) and Pyrolator (whose track is available for listening) and thirteen other projects. It’s Continue Reading
Various Artists – Glücklich VI – Compiled by Rainer Trüby
From his days as a member of the seminal A Forest Mighty Black to collaborations with the who’s who of downtempo music (think Kruder & Dorfmeister, Jazzanova and so many others, Rainer Trüby has been of Trip-Hop’s finest tastemakers. We can celebrate today that after 20 years, there is a Continue Reading
Shane Beck & Michael Brückner – Extended Sigh
There’s little I can add to my dear friend, the Last American Poet, Shane Beck, and heir to the Berlin-School throne, Michael Brückner, so I will let the gentlemen speak for themselves. You can read further at this release’s Bandcamp site: In what turned out to be a spontaneous burst Continue Reading
Axel Dörner – Brixia
German trumpeter Axel Dörner recorded this interesting one-track album 13th of March 2022 in Brescia, Italy, mixing electronics with a very ethereal trumpet sound.
Farhot – Nowroz 1401
Farhot is a musician based in Germany who also happens to run the rather incredible Kabul Fire record label. This release is in honor of the Persian New Year (Nowroz) 1401. From his Bandcamp site: “In celebration of the Persianate new year usually taking place on March 21st Afghan-German producer Continue Reading
Fred und Luna – Im Fünfminutentakt
Fred und Luna have just dropped one of the most enjoyable albums of the year so far. If you are a fan of Krautrock or motorik beat (think Neu!), you’re going to absolutely love this disc. These two mannequins are no dummies!
Atman – Personal Forest
Our dear friends at the Lollipoppe Shoppe have released a freakily good album out of 1990s Poland. From the label’s Bandcamp site: “Atman was an eco-activist collective, that released tape-only pastoral dwelling jams in the fine Polish-Jazz tradition… Hamered dulcimer and exotically tuned 12-string guitars among basket-loads of unknown sounds, Continue Reading
1414E08 vs The Last American Poet – Necronomicon
Harold Bertram, a sound designer out of Germany who works under the name 1414E08 collaborates with The Last American Poet, Shane Beck. Shane’s calming voice and choice of subject matter, the infamous American horror-meister H. P. Lovecraft are expertly couched by Bertram’s horror-drone soundtrack. Remarkable.
Grup Doğuş – Grup Doğuş’tan Aranjmanlar
Don’t let the cover fool you – Grup Doğuş produce great Andalou music! The band hails from Germany but have Turkish roots, and bring the wild sound of Anatolian Rock and meld it to surf music, psychedelic rock and Hammond organ vibes.