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.
Russia
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.
TARKOVSKY 5CD BOXSET 2026 – PROMO VIDEO
Cold Spring Records has released a landmark collection of the soundtracks to Andrei Tarkovsky’s most important films. Eduard Artemyev’s work is prominently featured, and the collection looks sublime! Buy it here: https://coldspring.bandcamp.com/album/tarkovsky-csr366bx
Compassionizer – The Faithful of the Land
The band Compassionizer is the experimental/chamber/avant-prog project created by Ivan Rozmainsky of Roz Vitalis. Though I generally love most forms of progressive rock music, bands influenced by Rock-In-Opposition and avant-progressive are my favorites, and Ivan and company do a sterling job at making this album sound profoundly deep, whimsical, and Continue Reading
Various Artists – The Abkhaz Of Caucasus
From the Shango Records Bandcamp site: “Waking up in the middle of the night, feeling the gentle touch of moss on your bare skin and overwhelmed by the eery yet calming atmosphere of unknown surroundings and civilizations. This is a location no one ever goes to, only exceptional people, a Continue Reading
Roz Vitalis – Live at Garkundel 2024
Roz Vitalis is one of Russia’s best-known progressive rock bands. Their work has a King Crimson-esque feel, and even though this album was recorded live, the sound is clear and meaty.
Alexei Borisov + Vyacheslav Ismagilov – Harem Secret Pastimes
Russian composer Alexei Borisov joins forces with Uzbek composer Vyacheslav Ismagilov (now based in Russia) for a release that is part electroacoustic/experimental masterpiece and part travelogue. From the release’s Bandcamp site: “Alexei Borisov and Vyacheslav Ismagilov join forces once again to create Harem Secret Pastimes, an album sonically inspired by this tale while Continue Reading
Phurpa – Ita Zor
Though perhaps Tibetan in sound, Phurpa is a Russian band that produces Tibetan overtone singing. Quite deep listening.