Once upon a time, there was an astounding good band based in Los Angeles called Pressurehed. They were utterly phenomenal to watch live, and were kings of the “20-minute psychedelic jam,” so to speak. Members would form the equally brilliant Farflung, whom I had the privilege of working with briefly Continue Reading
New York
Bipolar Explorer – Dream Together
Bipolar Explorer are a two-person band out of New York. I came across this one online and was pleasantly surprised that there are still bands doing dream pop and mixing it with a feel that touches on genres like neofolk and lo-fi indie music.
Omar Ahmad – Inheritance
Judging by the sole track available from AKP Recordings artist, the Brooklyn-based Palestinian-American Omar Ahmad, this album should be considered one of those albums you listen to at 3 a.m. in order to relax and be at one with God. The chilled out atmosphere of the track Lapses is shimmering, Continue Reading
Johnny Gandelsman – This Is America – An Anthology 2020-2021
Before I left to China in 2018, the last concert I caught was Iranian-Kurdish master Kayhan Kalhor along with Brooklyn Rider. As it turns out, their violinist, Johnny Gandelsman, was selling one of his albums on vinyl, which I duly purchased (and have nearly worn out). I’m pleased to say he Continue Reading
Hommy Sanz y Sus Jovenes de Puerto Rico – Jala Jala Mozambique
Homero “Hommy” Sanz was a percussionist and bandleader from Puerto Rico who produced albums full of guaguancó, bolero and boogaloo. The album is a fine example of what was tearing up Puerto Rican airwaves during the 1960s and 1970s. A killer set.
Various Artists – Shaytoon Records: Sounds from the Iranian Ultraverse
Shaytoon Records has released a compilation introducing some of the finest minimal techno coming out of Iran these days. The label is based in New York, but the bands come, more or less, from the motherland, though America’s Persian diaspora is well-represented. The beats are rather icy and cold, reminding Continue Reading
Allegra Krieger – Precious Thing
It’s very rare for me to review a folk album that doesn’t involve an element of rock in it, but this is something special. Allegra Krieger is a singer-songwriter based out of New York, and the songs on her album especially Precious Thing, are some of the most gentle ballads Continue Reading
Zeena Parkins, Mette Rasmussen, Ryan Sawyer – Glass Triangle
Relative Pitch Records is making a great case for becoming a favorite label of mine. There are so many great releases covering the best of improvisational and free music that I’ll probably go broke trying to purchase all of them. It’s fitting to make my first review that of avant-harpist Continue Reading