German composer Wolfgang Gsell passed away in 2017 at the age of 61, but he left an amazing body of work that could be favorably compared to electronic music from Germany, especially the Berlin School which produced acts like Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream. He was also a collaborator with Continue Reading
Germany
David Rothenberg & Bernhard Wöstheinrich – Adaptations
I bought this album quite a while ago, but never had the chance to sit with it properly until this week. It’s a well-done mix of clarinet and experimental electronic music composed by David Rothenberg and Bernhard Wöstheinrich, taking their cues from some famous authors, including my personal favorite, Jorge Continue Reading
Roedelius – Archive Essence 1973-1978
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.
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