If Neu! could be recast as a more bubbly summer band specializing in a lovely, driving motorik beat, this would be as close to an apt description I could make for my dear friend Heathertoes‘ latest album. It’s got funk, healthy groove, and it even touches a bit on Krautrock, Continue Reading
United Kingdom
Various Artists – Late Night Tales: Groove Armada, Vol. II
As their Bandcamp site states, “Late Night Tales invites the world’s best artists to delve deep into their music collections to create the ultimate ‘late night’ selection.” Groove Armada were one of electronic music’s biggest dance bands for years, and their tastes on this compilation are extremely broad, making their Continue Reading
Eddie Prévost & John Butcher – Unearthed
From the Cafe OTO website, including samples: “”Long-time collaborators and iconoclastic improvisers, drummer Eddie Prévost and saxophonist John Butcher, met at All Hallows Church, in High Laver, Essex in 2023, using the natural ambience of the space to capture these three improvisations, Prévost playing primarily on a drum kit and Continue Reading
The Durutti Column – Domo Arigato
To say this is a special album for me is an understatement. You can read why it is at my Substack page.
Tindersticks – PAST IMPERFECT: The Best of Tindersticks ’92 – ’21
The blog Hit The North has a perfect quote to sum up this Tindersticks compilation: “Most recent single Both Sides Of The Blade could even outdo Nick Cave in the hedonistic misery ballad stakes. Which is not a bad thing, surely, if you like your music as dark and rich as a glass Continue Reading
Various Artists – Music in Exile presents “Jutna”
From the label’s website: “Jutna” is the result of their time spent together, and an answer to that question. In the Wolof language of Senegal, the phrase ‘Jutna’ means “it is time”. Asked to expand on this, guitarist/vocalist Magou Samb stated — “Jutna means, it is time. Time to Continue Reading
Ian Hawgood – 朝 (Morning)
I stumbled across Ian Hawgood’s work some months ago, and I ended up quite enjoying it, mainly because of the soft, gentle, natural droning sounds he comes up with. It’s best to read about his methodology below. From his Bandcamp site: “During the first lockdown here in the UK, I Continue Reading
Dar Disku – Dar Disku
From the Dar Disku Bandcamp site: “The debut album from Bahraini-born, British-based musical duo Dar Disku is a celebration of their Arabic heritage and multicultural influences that melds golden age West Asian and North African sounds with a contemporary dance floor focus. Recorded between the UK, Algeria, Turkey and Tunisia, Continue Reading
Heathertoes – Ballagàrraidh
My dear brother in music, Heathertoes, has released a great album for rainy-day listening. Elements of dub, trip-hop, and a crunch, almost lo-fi electronic music aesthetic, spice up an album’s worth of brilliant ideas sketched into pleasant daytime listening.
Cousin Silas & James Hoehl – Searching For The Third Star
Cousin Silas is always good for a long, warm listen, but this album, done in collaboration with James Hoehl, feels more cinematic in scope. This is a haunting album, but it makes for truly fine listening. The neighbors will appreciate it, surely.