A perfectly sublime work by King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp to end the Easter festivities.
Contemporary Classical
[Music] Marimba Plus – Apocalypse (The 15th Anniversary Concert)
With all due thanks to my friend in Kazakhstan, Vyacheslav Popatov, who introduced me to the work of Marimba Plus, a Russian ethno-prog-jazz-fusion band whose work is currently blowing me away. You can hear more from the band at their Bandcamp page.
[Music] James Hill + Santiago Fradejas – Requiem
The Fradejas family is no stranger to this blog. Both Santiago and A.M. have had releases featured here. This one is yet another feast for the ears.
Santiago’s guitar compositions can be explosive at times, but this more subdued, but intense performance couples beautifully with the trumpeting of James Hill, a brand new name for me to explore. ECM Records, or a label of equal quality, really ought to consider re-releasing an album like this in the future.
[Music] – Jeff Gburek – The Thought That Comes Between (Works Based On Diverse Pianos 2017)
Jeff Gburek’s first release of the year isn’t quite finished yet, and to be honest, I hope it simply grows and mutates. For those of you who can appreciate minimalist piano performances in the manner of some of Arvo Pärt’s best works, this release comes highly recommended. For the best effect, consider using a good pair of headphones or a 5.1 surround sound system to hear how gorgeous the separation of sound is handled.
[Music/Film] Elektro Moskva
Elektro Moskva, directed by Elena Tikhonova & Dominik Spritzendorfer, shows the history of electronic music in Russia from the works of Léon Theremin to the ANS synthesizer used by such luminaries as Eduard Artemiev (famous for his soundtracks to the films of Andrei Tarkovsky) and beyond. I’m very much looking forward to seeing this when time permits.
[Music] Roberto Romero Molina – Escandinavia por Ala Delta
This must be a great week for Bandcamp. This release features a young Mexican composer called Roberto Romero Molina, whose work falls somewhere between electroacoustic music and something reminiscent of a sci-fi movie. A short, but brilliant, release.
[Music] Demi Broxa – Agnes Hvizdalek (voice) & Jakob Schneidewind (bass, electronics)
Agnes Hvizdalek & Jakob Schneidewind, who go by the group name Demi Broxa, are two experimental music artists working out of Vienna, Austria. This piece doesn’t seem to have a title to it, but it showcases how well both musicians blend in with each other.
[Music] Penguin Café – Cantorum
On a label like E’G Records, which featured some of the mightiest bands of the 1980s like Killing Joke, King Crimson and Brian Eno, The Penguin Café Orchestra were something of a charming anomaly. Sitting between classical, New Age music and avant-pop, they cut a singular path and made some absolutely beautiful recordings. After the death of leader Simon Jeffes, the band floated in and out of activity for a decade. It seems that Jeffes’ son, Arthur, is leading a new incarnation of the band, and a brand new recording is due shortly. You can order the new album, The Imperfect Sea, at their Bandcamp website..
[Music] John Cale – Fragments Of A Rainy Season (Reissue)
This must be John Cale day. His seminal live album, “Fragments Of A Rainy Season,” has been remastered, and apparently re-sequenced as well. Go to Domino Records’ website to read the full press release.
[Music] Olivier Messiaen – Fête des belles eaux (1937)
Olivier Messiaen was the giant of French contemporary classical music during the 20th Century, and drew his inspiration from things as disparate as Japanese ethnic music and his devotion to Roman Catholicism.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 