The Russian (Tuvan) pop band Otyken do a stunning rendition of Psalm 50 (51 in the Masoretic text, more familiar to Protestants). Wonderfully done.
Russia
Absent Sunday – Love
Wow, this album is a tough one to pin down! Absent Sunday, from Moscow, Russia, sounds like a band that would have been comfortable resting between Canterbury bands like Gong and Soft Machine and more radical bands like Slapp Happy and Henry Cow, with a tinge of blues-rock. An intriguing Continue Reading
Enche Beldy (Энче Бельды) – Доо Дярини
We have yet another Nanai musician documenting his people’s music. We thank Дяриори (Jariori) Records for releasing this beautifully recorded album.
Aum! – Имя розы
Aum! is a project from Belarus, and though they normally sing in Belarusian, at least as I understand it, singer Ilya Pechinin felt compelled to sing in Russian for this release. The vibe on this album reminds me of a progressive folk version of the neofolk band Current 93. It Continue Reading
Surmachina – Море Наше Поле
Though most of what is marketed as ‘pagan’ music is merely a reconstruction based on a false history, this release feels different. It’s a mélange of hip-hop, electronic music, IDM, jazz, and elements of Russian traditional music.
Assembly of Honey – Аштамангала / Ashtamangala
There’s a gentle, Floyd-ian vibe to Assembly of Honey’s latest record. I gave it a listen on my day off, and it let my mind wander for a while. I have to say, the album was almost therapeutic.
Raisa Alekseevna Khodjer and Alexander Innokentievich Samar (Раиса Алексеевна Ходжер и Александр Иннокентьевич Самар) – Ненгниэ дичини
Two days of Nanai songs! This EP features singer Raisa Alekseevna Khodjer performing three tunes from the traditional Nanai catalog. The sound is as clear as can be, and Raisa’s voice is gentle and pleasant. Alexander Samar’s lower register pairs perfectly with Raisa’s voice. A charming EP.
Архивы Николая Батуновича Киле. “Нани” (Нанайцы) часть 1 & 2 (Nikolai Batunovich Kile’s Archives. “Nani” (Nanai) Parts 1 & 2))
The two releases shown above constitute a wonderful archive of ethnographic recordings of the Nanai people who populate parts of Russia’s Far East and Northeast China, where they are known as the Hezhen.
Белолуна (White Moon) – Песнь печали и радости
A pleasant surprise from Russia! Белолуна (White Moon) is a duo that produces electronic music tinged with folk elements (and God knows Russia has so many of those) along with motifs from local fairy tales. It’s unique music, sounding refreshingly modern but keeping its head swiveled towards the past. Recommended. Continue Reading
Vyacheslav Ganelin – On Stage…Backstage
If I recall correctly, Slava Ganelin and his Ganelin Trio were my first foray into Russian free improvisation. He’s still kicking, and apparently living in Israel these days. This album was recorded in 1982 by the legendary Leo Feigin of Leo Records, and it sounds wonderfully inventive.