I can think of few record labels who so lovingly press their vinyl reissues like WewantSounds does. We’re thrilled to announce that they have republished Yadokari, a sublime work by Meiko Kaji, perhaps most well-known in America as one of Quentin Tarantino’s musical muses, but who wowed Japanese audiences with Continue Reading
Psychedelic Folk
Ghost – Temple Stone
In honor of my first trip to Japan, I am pleased to present you with my favorite psych album from the country. Ghost was a collective led by multi-instrumentalist Masaki Batoh. This particular album is dripping with psychedelic folk references, bringing an eerie vibe to what would have been known Continue Reading
Matt Berry – Heard Noises
I thank my dear friend Hubert for pointing me to this disc. Matt Berry is a new name for me, but this album, which combines psychedelic folk, Americana and elements of soundtrack music, is a pleasantly heavy listen. This compares well with similar music which came out during the 1970s. Continue Reading
巴亚宛 Bayawan – 麦盖提刀郎木卡姆乐队 Mekit Dolan Muqam Group
巴亚宛 Bayawan are heavy psychedelic muqam music from Xinjiang. From Old Heaven Books’ Bandcamp site: “”Bayawan” is the common name for Muqam music used by the Dolan people. Bayawan, or Dolan Muqam, is a unique form of folk music and one of the most important cultural heritages of the Uyghurs Continue Reading
Ulaan Passerine – Dawn
Ulaan Passerine is one of many aliases used by Los Angeles-based guitarist Steven R. Smith. This latest album is a shimmery walk into guitar instrumental territory. Smith produces an elegant kind of instrumental music that would sit well with both post-rock fans and those into a more mellow psychedelic vibe. Continue Reading
black (w)hole – something new, something old
This has to be one of the cooler psychedelic folk albums I’ve heard in a while. There’s something Balkan in black (w)hole’s music structure, where I can imagine the Incredible String Band jamming with old Greek or North Macedonian shepherds in the hills. Brilliant.
Various Artists – Old Heaven Books: 地方，音乐与实践 Vol.1 Region, Music, and Practice Vol.1
A compilation of new music out of avant-garde China. From the Old Heaven Books Bandcamp site: “A creative collaboration of producer Tu Fei and artist Liu Qingyuan. Event organization by Tu Fei, artwork for promotion and production by Liu Qingyuan. Event programs include talks, screenings, forums, workshops, musicians’ commission creation Continue Reading
Steve Von Till – A Life Unto Itself
Many, many years ago I was a fan of the sludge-metal band Neurosis, who first came to my attention with a booming cover of Joy Division’s classic, Day Of The Lords. What I didn’t know until a week ago is that their guitarist, Steve Von Till released a gothic-Americana album Continue Reading
Atman – Personal Forest
Our dear friends at the Lollipoppe Shoppe have released a freakily good album out of 1990s Poland. From the label’s Bandcamp site: “Atman was an eco-activist collective, that released tape-only pastoral dwelling jams in the fine Polish-Jazz tradition… Hamered dulcimer and exotically tuned 12-string guitars among basket-loads of unknown sounds, Continue Reading
Richard Dawson – The Ruby Cord
Richard Dawson’s latest album is a fascinating listen. It mixes vocals that could fit in well with English folk, psychedelic rock, prog and AOR music, while being musically underpinned by something that could almost pass for freak folk at times, while falling back now and again on progressive rock structures. Continue Reading