Brooklyn Rider are one of America’s best contemporary classical music quartets and they simply don’t receive the exposure they so richly deserve. In this album, the first six tracks are dedicated to modern composers like Osvaldo Golijov from Argentina and Gonzalo Grau, who hails from Venezuela. Both come from a Continue Reading
United States
Matt Berry – Heard Noises
I thank my dear friend Hubert for pointing me to this disc. Matt Berry is a new name for me, but this album, which combines psychedelic folk, Americana and elements of soundtrack music, is a pleasantly heavy listen. This compares well with similar music which came out during the 1970s. Continue Reading
Lea Bertucci – Hold Music
Rather beautiful for drone, this one. Lea Bertucci is a composer based in New York and on this recording offered by Dinzu Artefacts (fellow Los Angelinos whom I hope are safe), she offers music that is meant to be infinite. From the label’s Bandcamp site: “Hold Music is a pair Continue Reading
Illumni Men’s Chorale and Glenn Miller, Basso Profundo – Music Of Russia
Chris is Born! We celebrate Orthodox Christmas by sharing the interpretations of Glenn Miller, a basso profundo for this holy day From the release’s Bandcamp site: “Glenn Miller, is known around the country for his unique Bass voice. He is Director of Music & Organist at Kirk in the Hills Continue Reading
Tigran Hamasyan – StandArt
It’s not exactly Christmas music (today is when our Armenian brothers in the faith celebrate theirs, and we celebrate ours tomorrow), but any opportunity to hear the music of the excellent Armenian-American pianist Tigran Hamasyan is a happy event. May you all enjoy your holy day!
Barre Phillips – Ahoy!
The world of improvisational music lost one of its biggest icons a couple of days ago. Barre Phillips, a bassist known for his being adaptable to any style, passed away on December 28. He worked with legends like Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Bley, Archie Shepp, Peter Brötzmann (whom we also lost Continue Reading
Lisa Bella Donna – Afterimages
Lisa Bella Donna is a composer and performer whose release, Afterimages, is a rich tapestry of moogs, loops, drone and a tip of the cap to the Berlin School made famous by Tangerine Dream. A touch lo-fi, but I enjoy the overall effect.
JOHN 3:16 – Terror
Forgive the long delay in posting great albums, kids. Appendicitis has a way of slowing things down, but the scribe is on the mend. Our great friend JOHN3:16 offers a thunderous single. Terror, appropriately named, has the tribal fury of bands like Savage Republic but with even more bone-shaking depth. Continue Reading
Ancient My Enemy – Ancient My Enemy
Once upon a time, there was an astounding good band based in Los Angeles called Pressurehed. They were utterly phenomenal to watch live, and were kings of the “20-minute psychedelic jam,” so to speak. Members would form the equally brilliant Farflung, whom I had the privilege of working with briefly Continue Reading
Ezra Sturm & Ernesto Diaz-Infante – Live at Day of Noise
This is the second time I get to present the father-son due of Ezra Sturm and the consistently wonderful Ernesto Diaz-Infante. In this live improvisation, I get to hear more of a space rock sound. There is a sci-fi element to the music, which makes the performance that much more Continue Reading