Guitarist and soundtrack composer Bruno Battisti D’Amario was a major contributor and “first guitar” for the legendary Ennio Morricone, and with this album of library and lounge music, it highlights D’Amaro’s ability to mix funk, blues and even touches of psychedelic rock into a brilliant mix. Truly incredible mood music. Thanks to SONOR Music Editions for re-releasing this gem.
Our friend Sonologyst (Raffaele Pezzalla) has released his first project of 2023, and it’s a deep listen, taking the existence of electrons as its subject matter. From his Bandcamp site: “As the theory of the atom, quantum mechanics is perhaps the most successful theory in the history of science. It enables physicists, chemists, and technicians to calculate and predict the outcome of a vast number of experiments and to create new and advanced technology based on the insight into the behaviour of atomic objects. But it is also a theory that challenges our imagination. It seems to violate some fundamental…
Our dear friends at Eighth Tower Records never cease to surprise us with their choices for topics. This compilation, featuring the legendary Rapoon along with a slew of new artists, is dedicated to the novel that launched the career of Bram Stoker and make vampires alluring among the public well before movies exploded their importance in the public consciousness. From the release’s website: To celebrate this modern myth Eighth Tower has called musicians from various countries and asked them their musical interpretation of the Dracula myth. Either gloomy soundscapes or electroacoustic compositions, all the pieces are inspired by chapters, scenes,…
This is a weird little gem. The three tracks on this album point not only to La Compagnia Digitale’s roots as an Italian progressive rock band, but there are even elements of the Berlin School which would make Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream proud. Think of this as a more Krautrock-infused Goblin.
Eighth Tower Records never disappoints! Each compilation they put out is so well put-together that the themes fit the subject material perfectly! This one is, of course, no exception. It is a paean to H. P. Lovecraft, perhaps America’s foremost horror and science-fiction writers. At least to my taste, Lovecraft is second only to Edgar Allan Poe. The comp features artists like Kirlian Camera, Gerstein and T.A.C., so rest assured that the quality is exceptional.
Our dear friend Raffaelle Pellezza has curated another masterful compilation of dark ambient music focused on the British writer J. G. Ballard. From the release’s Bandcamp site: “In April 2009, J. G. Ballard died at the age of 78. By the end of his life he was recognized as one of the greatest British writers of the latter half of the twentieth century. The acclaim his work has garnered stems from its unsettling ability to describe the present in collision with near but unexpected futures. His narratives operate according to the temporalities of car crashes, epidemics, and physiological shocks. The…
I would have expected an album like this to come from England, the Netherlands or even somewhere in the Scandinavian realm, but to think that such a wonderfully played (and sung – in English!) album comes from Verona, Italy, of all places, shows that Galaverna are true students of such amazing bands as Tudor Lodge, The Trees or Kebnekajse. This is progressive folk which looks back fondly to the masters of the genre and builds on their work.
Within the next few weeks, I will conduct an interview with pianist Alessandra Celletti, a dear friend and one of Italy’s most colorful musicians. This one is her latest, and its centerpiece is based on the Lemhi Shoshone teenager who not only led the American explorers Lewis & Clarke in their exploration of the Louisiana Territory but also became a symbol of women’s suffrage in the United States.
Italy’s Record Kicks has been releasing crime-funk, hip garage rock, deep soul, afro and boogaloo hits for 15 years so the label will be offering, as of May 15th, a compilation of some of their finest moments. Bands on this killer comp include The Tibbs, Calibro 35 and our favorite neo-soul diva, Martha Ren.
Our dear friend Raffaele Pezzella is not only a label empresario of note, whose works are featured here frequently due to the incredibly high quality – he is also an amazing composer. Interdimensional is bleak and heavy, with heavy drones throughout. If you like artists like Lustmord, this will appeal to you.