I’m used to expecting amazing things from composer and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Gburek, and certainly so when he pairs with violinist Karolina Ossowska, but this is a shockingly good album even with such expectations. The album has four compositions which are about as gentle and pleasing as anything I’ve heard in Continue Reading
United States
Bana Haffar – Genera – Live at AB Salon, Brussels
Touch Records has introduced so many experimental recording composers to the world in its 40 years of existence that it’s hard to keep up with them. This latest release by Saudi-American composer Bana Haffar immediately spins a web for you to get tied into her shimmering compositions. Found sounds and Continue Reading
Extremophiles – First Batch
Extremophiles are a duo made up of Jeff Gburek on synthesizer, percussion, effects, devices and John Palumbo on electro-acoustic drums, percussion, and more electronics. I have to say this release blew me away, as it reminded be of a cross between the crunchy post-punk/Rock-In-Opposition vibe of This Heat’s early work Continue Reading
Hakki Obadia – Master Musician Plays Middle East Classics: Iraqi-American Violinist & Composer, 1958-72
Hakki Obadia was a New York-based violinist of Iraqi Jewish extraction. The ever-wonderful Canary Records presents a 25-track collection of wonderfully remastered tracks Obadia did for various labels. The music is a reminder of what Baghdad must have been like a century ago.
Various Artists – One Part Dog, Nine Parts Cat ~ The Beginnings of Burt Bacharach
Legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach passed away yesterday at the age of 94, leaving behind countless pop hits covered by singers both major and minor. British label Moochin’ About have collected a 146-track compilation covering his earlier material, and it features artists like Dick Van Dyke, Cliff Richard, and perhaps his Continue Reading
Robert Scott Thompson – Night and Day
Our friend Robert Scott Thompson offers a gorgeously minimal take on the Berlin School of Electronic music, something the doctor ordered for today. RST is usually on-point with his long-form compositions, but this one sits perfectly in my ears today. Well done.
1414E08 vs The Last American Poet – Necronomicon
Harold Bertram, a sound designer out of Germany who works under the name 1414E08 collaborates with The Last American Poet, Shane Beck. Shane’s calming voice and choice of subject matter, the infamous American horror-meister H. P. Lovecraft are expertly couched by Bertram’s horror-drone soundtrack. Remarkable.
Bruce Licher – Tape Excavation (Special Expanded Edition)
Bruce Licher is an icon in the art-punk/post-punk/post-Industrial music scene. He was a member if the seminal band Savage Republic, runs Independent Projects Records and Independent Projects Press for his graphic design work. Though we’re a bit early to the party, so to speak, Bruce will be reissuing an album Continue Reading
Awalom Gebremariam – Desdes
Awalom Gebremariam was a singer from Eritrea who completed this gem of a record in 2007 in the United States. From his Bandcamp site: “Awalom completed Desdes in 2007, not long before he departed Eritrea. Because Awalom left after the recording he never received any money for cassette and CD Continue Reading
Joseph Benzola & Dave Seidel – Fairyland
Drummer and percussionist Joseph Benzola is amazing at his craft, but composer Dave Seidel adds to Joe’s playing by stretching the sounds without distorting their energy.