The Fire-writing, 1953 by J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973). From The Morgan Library & Museum’s exhibition “Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth.”
Month: April 2019
[Film] Gina Lollobrigida photographed by Leo Fuchs
Gina Lollobrigida photographed by Leo Fuchs, 1960. Check out the Italian poster of The Servant here
[Music] Various Artists – Welcome To The Occupation, A Reverence to R.E.M
The Blog That Celebrates Itself continues to release the finest covers compilations in a shoegaze style. This time, the band getting the royal treatment is R.E.M., who haven’t sounded this good since about 1990.
[Music] Siti & The Band – Fusing the Roots
Tanzania, as a whole, has amazing musical diversity. Siti & The Band hail from Zanzibar, and you can hear the deep Arabic influence in their music. From their Bandcamp website:
Zanzibar, the mystic island and home to world renowned musicians Siti Binti Saad and Bi Kidude as well as the Festival Sauti za Busara and Zanzibar International Film Festival, is proud to have born new voices to carry on the cultural legacy and mystic connected with this island:Siti & The Band – a unique live experience, fusing traditional Taarab instruments, melodies and rhythms with western influences, are releasing their album “Fusing the Roots” early next year and are looking forward to tour in EA to present a very special musical experience!
“Fusing the Roots” is recorded evidence of the timelessness of Zanzibar’s traditional and contemporary music. The high quality recording, empowering lyrics and unique musical compositions of the album have beautifully entangled contemporary rhythms with Zanzibar’s most loved classical genre.
“I have been watching them play over the last several months and their progress is stunning. Siti and the Band are a group of musicians who know what they are doing and who are doing it well. Remembering the past and facing the present without fear is the only way tradition can remain vibrant. The music of Siti and the Band puts this idea into action.” Adrian Podgorny, Director Dhow Music Academy
“A wonderful performance and amazing experience: especially to hear this accomplished musicians and great arrangements in Fumba where Siti Binti Saad was born almost 150 years ago and we are building a new town now, is something I didn’t expect to happen”
Tobias Dietzold, COO Fumba Town Development, Zanzibar
[Music] Zan Hoffmann & Hubert Heathertoes – The Facets of Serendipitous Occurence (Boiro Saga)
Hubert Heathertoes collaborates with one of the most prolific figures in the history of experimental music, Zan Hoffman. The collaboration bears wonderful fruit, combining musique concrète, plunderphonics (reminiscent of Negativland), pops, scratches, clicks, and an unnerving feel to these compositions. These two compliment each other well.
[Music] Brant Bjork – Jacoozi
I have no problem admitting that I am a fan of stoner rock, desert rock and other neo-psychedelic and metal-related genres of music. Among the best bands out there in the beginning of said genres was Kyuss. The band’s drummer and multi-instrumentalist Brant Bjork has gone on to make some of desert surf’s most brilliant albums. This one was birthed by a trip to Joshua Tree, California, where he panned a project he was working on and went back to improvising drums. After jamming and getting the sound he wanted, he simply layered and layered until this masterpiece was carved out. Not at all what I was expecting, this is a great record to simply groove to.
[Music] Ciro Berenguer – El Mar De Junio
One of Eilian Records’ finest releases to date, Argentine-born, Barcelona-based composer Ciro Berenguer releases a very ambient guitar album.
From Eilian’s Bandcamp page:
Ciro Berenguer is a guitarist and composer from Argentina who has lived for many years in Barcelona, Spain. He likes both traditional and nontraditional ways of playing the guitar: processing the sound through many electronic devices or playing just the guitar alone. Two facets of his playing expressed in a handful of albums and collaborations, from standard guitar music to a more experimental and improvised way of making sounds, enjoying both approaches.
[Music] Ed Carlsen – The Journey Tapes (Deluxe Edition)
I grew up with piano music in my home because my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother (a violinist by trade) were fond of the instrument. I would grow up hearing piano music, dated a pianist in Italy for a brief and stormy moment, and even here in China, I’m surrounded by it.
It pleases me to no end that piano music continues to be revolutionary.
Montreal’s Moderna Records is at the forefront of putting out the best of cinematic, minimalist piano music, and Ed Carlsen’s music has proven to be my current favorite of their bunch. For those familiar with Yann Tiersen’s music, Ed’s compositions will feel familiar. These are wispy, thought-provoking pieces which make you want to break out the blanket and coffee and sit by the window on a chilly day.
[Music] Various Artists – An Anthology of Chinese Experimental Music 1992-2008
Dajuin Yao, Dickson Dee and Xper Xr. are the only familiar artists to me on this compilation of avant-garde music from the Sinosphere. Sub Rosa Records outdoes itself with the marvelous (and quite long) compilation.
[Music] JOHN 3:16 – Elyon
JOHN 3:16 are the braintrust of Philippe Gerber, whose dark, post-Industrial Music soundscapes are among a handful of releases I can comfortably read Holy Writ and Apologetics to. There is something, dare I say, holy, about the quality of his work. The label he runs, Alrealon Musique, are consistently putting out heavy material. My friend here is worth a follow on all projects.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 