The Hilliard Ensemble – Codex Speciálník

Your browser does not support iframes.    According to Wikipedia, “…the Speciálník Codex (CZ-HKm MS II.A.7) is a 15th-century speciálník (i.e. special songbook) originating from a monastery in the region of Prague.”  It is considered something of a ‘missing link’ between medieval and Renaissance music and it features several rather unknown Czech composers.  The Hilliard 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

Cecil Taylor & Tony Oxley – Being Astral And All Registers – Power Of Two

I’m not sure if one can rightly call this a free-improv classic, but it’s hard to find two musicians who gel together as well as Cecil Taylor and Tony Oxley do.  The piano playing is fierce and powerful, matched stroke-for-stroke by Oxley’s percussion and drumming.  A fine live disc.

[Podcast] Eno & Pop – Brian Eno talks about Forever And… LP, Collaborations & More – Radio Broadcast 26/10/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRivyhE3JvU&t=4s Because of work-related issues, there won’t be any reviews today, but instead, I offer, thanks to my friend Jeffrey Kinart, a nice discussion between Iggy Pop and Brian Eno about Eno’s new album, having his daughter sing on it, and doo-wop, among other subjects.

Santiago Fradejas – Montages, Volume Two

What a joy it is when a friend releases a new album!  Argentine composer (now residing in England) Santiago Fradejas offers an experimental music album composed on an 8-string electric guitar and loops, making a soundscape album that is, at times, Fripperesque.  It’s dark, but not foreboding, and gently flows Continue Reading

Brian Auger – Auger Incorporated

Brian Auger is the father of Acid Jazz and really needs no introduction, but his Bandcamp site provides a fine one anyway for those of you readers who haven’t had the pleasure of being introduced to the man: “Soul Bank Music announces a back catalogue deal with legendary musician and Continue Reading

Various Artists vs Chris Watson – Star Switch On

Once an Industrial music icon during his time performing in Cabaret Voltaire (pre-disco), Chris Watson now records natural sounds with such skill that he makes something that goes well beyond ‘ambient’ music.  As a tribute to his work, Touch Records commissioned several artists, including recently reposed ones like Philip Jeck Continue Reading

African Head Charge – Songs Of Praise

While browsing through about 40 TB of music files I’m uploading into my iBroadcast.com account, I came across an absolute plum of an album.  African Head Charge were one of the greatest bands on the legendary On-U Sound Records roster, and this heavy reggae/dub masterpiece, released in 1990, is consider Continue Reading