HJ (Hector Javier) Ayala is a free-jazz/experimental guitarist originally from Mexico who is now residing in Strasbourg, France. His new release is experimental in the most relaxed and mellow sense of the word. A truly enjoyable release, especially since not only does HJ have his own style, but he references artists such as John Scofield, John Abercrombie (may his name be eternal) and even John Fahey (also, memory eternal). Gorgeous but challenging material here.
Experimental Music
[Music] Jean Derome ~ Résistances
One of the wildest albums of the new year comes from Montreal composer Jean Derome. Even a quick look at the back of the CD, and one knows one is in for a treat: 20 performers on instruments ranging from tuned kalimbas to trombones. The tuning is to 60 Hz, the standard tuning of North American […]
via Jean Derome ~ Résistances — a closer listen
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[Music] A.M Ferrari Fradejas – Requiem No. 2
We’re treated to the year’s first Bandcamp surprise, thanks to our beloved friend A.M Ferrari Fradejas, currently based in Barcelona, Spain.
Despite its 13-minute length, the composition packs a lot of time changes, churning guitars, an eerie choral section reminding one of a solstice ritual melded with her trademark progressive/improvisational sound. I hope that either a full album is forthcoming soon, or that works in this style are further expanded upon.
Blissful!
[Music] Julian Cope – Supernatural Agencies
Welcome to 2018, and a very loud, Krautrock-inspired jazz-fusion track that would have fit nicely on Miles Davis’ ‘Dark Magus‘ period albums. Thank Julian Cope for this noisy groover.
[Music] King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Polygondwanaland
Australia’s King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard cross all sorts of genres so heavily that they are nearly impossible to categorize. The band move around easily in alternative music, psychedelic rock, prog, surf (not as weird as it sounds, to be honest) and garage rock.
This album is a freebie, and, as it turns out, one of their best works. Give it a listen and be converted.
[Music] Karolina Ossowska & Jeff Gburek – The Falls of Hyperion
The incredibly prolific Jeff Gburek, currently based in Poland and partnering with violinist Karolina Ossowska, put together their latest labor of love, and though I don’t normally engage in Top-Ten lists for year’s end, I think it fair to say that this release is his most beautifully crafted, most thoughtful and profound releases.
The album was recorded in Romania and Poland between September 2016 and October 2017. On top of the incredible range of instrumentation, there are many field recordings which give a life to each track that one rarely finds in experimental music.
Of particular interest are the spoken word portions of Track #4, Hyperions 4 (Lift Not The Painted Veil). From the notes left by Gburek and Ossowska, the first text is a piece written by Percy Bysshe Shelley bearing the same name. The second is a work penned by Gburek himself. Both are read with a warm but darkened tone which envelops the listener as much as the instrumentation does.
Easily one of 2018’s best releases, regardless of genre.
[Music] Foa-Hoka – Nevidomist`
Believe it or not, this particular album was my introduction to Ukrainian alternative music. It has managed to stay on my CD shelf for two decades, and it’s quite nice to have this wonderfully digitized so that I can refer to it at my leisure.
Though I think Foa-Hoka are defunct, bandleader Dmytro Kurovskiy is still quite active making music.
[Music] Z’ev – Live in Iceland
We lost another legend today.
Percussionist Stefan Weisser, known to his fans and colleagues as Z’ev, passed on today at the age of 66. He left a body of work so important in experimental music that I expect tributes to pour out for days (including this one from our pals in Lithuania, Radikaliai!).
This free download is a release Z’ev did in Iceland in 2004. It gives a nice taste of what he could do with percussion.
[Music] Various Artists – Ocean of Sound – The 3rd Annual Report Volumes I & II
Words fail to describe just how important Raffaele Pezzella’s contribution to dark ambient music is. He has singlehandedly curated compilations from artists as far away as Russia, Iceland, Iran and seemingly all points in-between while concentrating on his own venerable work. These two compilations house 229 tracks covering the best of the bleakest, blackest ambient available at the moment!
[Music] Audrey Fall – Mitau
Audrey Fall are a post-rock, post-metal quartet out of Riga, Latvia. They produce a fine, powerful music and should be making a lot of worthwhile noise in the near future.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 