Yoichi Kamimura, a Japanese composer, teams up with Finnish musician Olli Aarni for a release on mappa, a Slovak record label. From mappa’s Bandcamp site: “Water can retain or wash away memory; flowing or freezing. It gives life and shapes earth, while frozen imprints of an ancient past are waiting Continue Reading
Music
Hiroshi Wada & His Mahina Stars – Yoru No Komori Uta (1964)
No review today due to having some foot problems, but I will leave you with a tune by Hiroshi Wada & His Mahina Stars. Hiroshi was a Japanese bandleader who worked with Hawaiian music. I came across him on accident thanks to Facebook and the lounge band Pink Martini, and Continue Reading
BJNilsen – True than Nature
BJ Nilsen is a Swedish composer based in Amsterdam, and has long been one of the true treasures of labels such as Touch and Ideologic Organ. His latest album, from 2025, combines sumptuous field recordings with soft drones. This is wonderfully organic-sounding.
George Christian – IMPROVISTOSURTOSCIRCUITOS
I enjoy the improvisational guitar playing of George Christian, but this release takes a different direction. It feels less like a complete improvisational album and more like demo tapes from a band inspired by the Velvet Underground. There are psychedelic elements throughout, giving it a primal quality.
Alio Die – The Fairy Tale Theater
Alio Die, Italy’s renowned creator of ambient music, presents his latest album. This release is far more lush and vibrant than expected.
The Secret Society of the Sonic Six – Pickup EP
The Secret Society of the Sonic Six was one of Los Angeles’ greatest bands. They were something like a jitter-funk version of Tuxedomoon and early Yello with the foundation of a hip B-movie soundtrack vibe. They were stunning onstage, and I really do hope that they start playing again.
Mulatu Astatke – Mulatu Plays Mulatu
Today is a joyful day because I finally get to listen to an album I’ve been eagerly anticipating for months. The Ethiopian musical genius Mulatu Astatke has released a new album featuring 11 tracks, showcasing the distinctive instrumentation that defines his unique sound. From his Bandcamp site: “Mulatu Plays Mulatu realises Continue Reading
Antonio Russek, Raúl Pavón, Roberto Morales, Vicente Rojo Cama – Música Electroacústica Mexicana
Although the price for the download is somewhat steep at around $40, the single track by Antonio Russek included in this compilation, released by Aurora Central Records, is an excellent example of Mexican electroacoustic music—a genre that often flies under the radar and doesn’t receive much attention.
BlindººCoyote – Improv in Minor/Major 7th Clusters
Our dear friend Drem Bruinsma, currently performing under the name BlindººCoyote, has released a single track of improvisations. This piece features abstract music infused with glitch-hop influences. It evokes the nostalgic feel of the Made To Measure albums from the 1980s, bringing back some fond memories.
Various Artists – Petroglyph Music: The September Equinox 2025
Petroglyph Records is a microlabel from Norway, run by musician and composer Øystein Q. Jørgensen. This compilation celebrates the summer equinox and features some of my old favorites, including Ilir Lluka, Wilfried Hanrath, Michael Brueckner, Ian Craig, and Mimmo D’Ippolito, among other outstanding artists.