Those who assume techno music is cold should take a good listen to Red Stars Over Tokyo. This is warm, relaxed, and some of the most pleasant electronic music I’ve heard in a fair while. Perhaps it’s for the dancefloor, perhaps not, but you will feel a sense of contentment Continue Reading
Music
Various Artists – Artoffact Records 2025 Sampler
Artoffact Records, Canada’s premier electronic music record label, looks to have had a banner year in terms of releases. Still, the only recognizable name I see is Rhys Fulber, best known for his work with Front Line Assembly and Delerium. Still, it sounds like this kind of music is in Continue Reading
Various Artists – SWP Records: Zambush, Volumes 1 & 2
We start 2026 with two charming compilations from Zambia documenting the Zamrock hits from the 1970s and 1980s. Though artists are not listed on the releases’ respective Bandcamp pages, you can see an artist list on Discogs for Volume 1 and Volume 2 by clicking the links. The music has Continue Reading
Urbanator feat. Urszula Dudziak – Papaya Dance (Remix Party)
Michał Urbaniak has passed away today at the age of 82. His work covered everything from jazz and fusion to disco-style numbers like this ditty he recorded with scat singer Urszula Dudziak, which became a worldwide hit. Not exactly happy Christmas news, I’m afraid. Farewell, Michał.
Hikari Honda – Japanese Folk 1
This will be the last post of 2025. I’ve had a long year, and the burnout is nasty, so expect a flood in 2026. I had the pleasure of being introduced to the music of Hikari Honda, a Japanese folk singer (oh, hell, yes, they still exist!) who is based Continue Reading
Jeff Gburek – Sound Travels in Babadag (Romania)
As the year comes to a close, we receive a gift of field recordings by Jeff Gburek from one of his recent trips to Romania. It’s one of those releases where you can simply close your eyes and briefly forget you’re in the city.
Dou Wei (窦唯) – Black Dream (黑梦)
Thanks to my student Ben back in Beijing for turning me on to Dou Wei, whose work is inspired by ancient Chinese text as well as New Wave and post-punk music.
Aidan Baker with Felipe Salazar – At Komma
From Aidan’s Bandcamp site: Five track album (one streaming sample) recorded live at Komma in Esslingen, Germany in February 2014. Live sound and mastering by Ralv Milberg, released on limited CD by Tokyo Jupiter Records.
The Cult Of Dom Keller – The Cult Of Dom Keller
If you pine for the days of the legendary Spacemen 3, perhaps The Cult Of Dom Keller might be your fix.
Sababa 5 & Anton – Forgive – Прости
From Batov Records’ Bandcamp site: “Sababa 5 are back once again on our exclusive Middle Eastern Grooves series with another double-sided 7” titled ‘Forgive – Прости (Prosti)’: a funky release featuring the voice and lyrics of Anton Koliadko. ‘Forgive’ opens with a simple, vintage-sounding, syncopated hook led by the bass, Continue Reading