Unfortunately, the Canadian band Bloemfontein is no longer active, as they appear to be on a permanent hiatus. Still, the band produced several albums of excellent post-rock music—not the metal variety, but rather the atmospheric instrumental style that I personally prefer much more.
Instrumental
João Victor Barroso – Mais Pesado é o Céu
Mais Pesado é o Céu is a soundtrack composed by Brazilian guitarist João Victor Barroso. Although I haven’t seen the film, it seems to be dark and reflective, as the strings create an atmospheric and haunting quality.
elliot. – Informant
We are excited to introduce you to a talented musician named elliot. He is the son of the legendary Bill Nelson, known for his work with Bebop Deluxe and Red Noise. elliot skillfully wields his guitar, showcasing his father’s musical influence. However, he also draws inspiration from various sources, incorporating Continue Reading
Flo Rosset – Intra
An intriguing release by French musician Flo Rosset, who combines electronica, hip-hop and percussive beat into the sort of techno I wish more artists in the genre aspired to. An intelligent release, musically.
Departure Street – Phantom Sightings
Thanks to Allan Kimmel for sending me this incredibly mellow record. Departure Street offers a sound that blends elements of shoegaze with a lo-fi take on post-rock and even shows hints of the legendary German Krautrock band Popol Vuh. It makes for a perfect morning album.
Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru – Church of Kidane Mehret
Though the recording leaves much to be desired, this private press recording of Ethiopian pianist Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru is so gorgeously played that the music moves. Augmented by a few extra tracks not found on the original pressing, Mississippi Records does wonders in bringing these tapes to life. Her Continue Reading
Susan Alcorn – And I Await the Resurrection of the Pedal Steel Guitar
Susan Alcorn passed away in January of this year, leaving a gaping hole in the improv community. I believe it was Ian Nagoski of Canary Records who enlightened me to this recording being available, and it is gorgeously recorded. The pedal steel guitar is played sublimely by Alcorn, who uses Continue Reading
Jeff Gburek – Madhuwanti
Madhuwanti is a collection of guitar instrumentals played sublimely by Jeff Gburek. The title name itself comes from Hindustani music and can read about further here. The playing is as honey-like as the title implies. How, you ask? Let the good man explain further at his Bandcamp site: “Madhu means Continue Reading
Maria Teriaeva – Sayan – Savoie
“Maria Teriaeva is a Siberian-born, Paris-based musician and composer. She uses the Buchla modular synthesizer as a framework for her music combining it with acoustic instruments and voice,” so says her bio on Bandcamp. She has become quite a revelation to me, as her music is some of the must Continue Reading
Loren Connors & David Grubbs – Evening Air
What an absolutely sublime record performed by two legends, released on one of the best labels in operation today. From Room40’s Bandcamp site: “Evening Air is the result Loren Connors and David Grubbs’s first trip to the recording studio in the two decades since their first duo album, Arborvitae (Häpna). Continue Reading