Our first review on returning to Brno is a burner, naturally. Our friend, man of the world, and experimental music composer Jeff Gburek comes by these pages again with a droning masterpiece. This is not the ordinary drone you hear reviewed on these pages, though, truth be told, nothing I Continue Reading
Piano
Gideon Nxumalo – Gideon Plays
Gideon Plays is apparently seen as a holy grail of South African jazz collectors. Judging by the performance of pianist and maribist Gideon Nxumalo, this should be seen for what it is – a spiritual jazz masterpiece. The album swings and grinds through eight tracks of bopping good music. Matsuli Continue Reading
Roman Stolyar – Right Back from Bosnija
I’m delighted to share a piece from my old friend, the Siberian composer and multi-instrumentalist Roman Stolyar. This nearly 20-minute improvisation was recorded live on July 30, 2021 at the MMMESSS studio in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The piano-playing is quick, sharp, with each keystroke coming at you like waves of Continue Reading
Corciolli – Valse D’Adieu
The word seems to be burning at the moment. All around, there is misery, anger and a sense of hopelessness. One can either be consumed by it (and it’s been a battle not to be), or you can relax, listen to something calming, and get on with life. Corciolli is Continue Reading
Selen Gülün – TRE
I’ve been looking forward to hearing Selen Gülün’s latest release, and to say I’m not disappointed would be an understatement. I had spent the day listening to John Cage after lunching with my priest, and then this record came on. The first track, Ah, Tu Dici!, blended into Cage’s Three Continue Reading
Manne Skafvenstedt – Archway
This was a happy surprise. Manne Skafvenstedt is a Swedish pianist, composer and producer who works in the fields of jazz, ambient, electronics and sound design. His latest album, Archway, is a calming experience. There is a sort of sweetness to this music, where the listener actually feels good enjoying Continue Reading
Gleb Kolyadin – Gleb Kolyadin
Russian progressive rock band iamthemorning have been at the forefront of the symphonic rock scene for nearly a decade now, and a lot of the reason for the band’s success lies with their pianist, Gleb Kolyadin, whose composing style reminds me of a lot of bands from the 1970s with Continue Reading
Joseph Benzola – When You Get to Saturn, Make a Left.
I cannot think of any genre of music percussionist and composer Joseph Benzola doesn’t sound comfortable working in. There might be some bizarre concoction lying dormant in the underground somewhere, but it’s not worth wasting one’s time thinking much about. This collection puts together what sounds something similar to Balinese Continue Reading
Andrew Land – (Making Good) Defects
Andrew Land is a composer out of Birmingham, England whose work is simple and rhythmic, played in an elegant manner, without sounding simplistic. It’s minimalistic, so those of you who enjoy the works of Harold Budd, Philip Glass or even Hans-Joachim Roedelius may want to pass your time enjoying this Continue Reading
Music You Need To Hear Podcast – 5 Treasures – January 11, 2021
We will be featuring 5 tracks of the day every week. Our first foray includes the following tracks: 1. Ibibio Sound System – Joy (Idaresit) 2. 6Blocc – This Sound Is For The Underground (Hoodz Remix) 3. Dadamah – Brian’s Children 4. Alessandra Celletti – Sayyid Dance (Dedicated To Mrs. Gurdjieff) Continue Reading