The Medeo Ensemble were a jazz-fusion band out of Almaty, Kazakhstan (then a part of the USSR). As far as I can tell, this is the only album they ever released, but it holds up nicely.
Instrumental
[Music] Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh / Garth Knox – All Soundings Are True
Garth Knox’s name is very familiar to me, as he was a member of the Arditti Quartet, whose interpretations of contemporary classical composers are flawless. Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh is a new name, as is the instrument he’s performing on, the hardanger d’amore.
[Music] The Durutti Column – Requiem For A Father
The Durutti Column provide a shimmering instrumental from 1980 as Father’s Day nears.
[Music] The Great Harry Hillman – Tilt
Thanks ever so much to my prog brother in Kazakhstan, Slava, for introducing me to this wonderful Swiss project, The Great Harry Hillman. Cuneiform Records have released another masterpiece!
[Music] Minute Bodies: The Intimate World Of F. Percy Smith
The Tindersticks have a new album for your perusal. Unfortunately, there is no way to imbed it yet. Check the link out here.
[Music] Robert Scott Thompson – Pale Blue Dot
Shame on me for not knowing so much about the work of Robert Scott Thompson. I had the pleasure of hearing his work via samples over on Soundcloud, but it wasn’t until recently that I thought to properly explore one of his albums. There’s nothing quite like hearing these pieces in their proper context.
It’s not fair to compare Thompson’s work to artists like Steve Roach or Robert Rich, both masters of their field, because there’s something quite bright about this. This isn’t ‘dark’ ambient, but a rather powerful, uplifting sort of music. There is a warm thread throughout the music, and after a few listens, the album really began to reverberate inside of me.
I’m very much looking forward to exploring more of his work.
[Music] Santiago Fradejas – Nila Taurica
Santiago Fradejas’ album came as quite a surprise, not only to me, but to him. He’s a friend to this blog, and in my estimation, is among the most important young composers of the 21st Century, as well as being one hell of a fine guitarist.
This new album came from an explosion of creativity which produced 11 songs of solo guitar tracks, manipulated into a type of horror-movie or noir soundtrack vibe (think the creepier moments of Bernard Herrmann, but with an electric guitar). This is going to be a treat for those of you who like the work of Keiji Haino’s solo endeavors, and even those who like avant-garde and experimental music like Nurse With Wound or Luc Ferrari.
[Music] Various Artists – The living strings I. (Exclusive musicformessier, Black Hill, Silent Island and whitecube single package)
Csarnogurszky István is a guitarist out of Hungary whose work simply leaves you in a state of floating mellowness. This release is a compilation of some of the projects he works on, under various guises.
[Music] Guy Segers – Apex
Guy Segers was a member of the Belgian Rock-In-Opposition outfit Univers Zero, as well as their predecessor, Necronomicon. If you check out his CV, you’ll see he’s worked with some of the greatest musicians in all of progressive rock and its offshoots.
Check out his Bandcamp site. He still releases music frequently, and offers title individually, rather than by album.
[Music] Nekropolis – Cultes des Goules
In honor of Peter Frohmader’s birthday, here’s a depressingly heavy slab of avant-prog by his rather amazing project, Nekropolis.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 