Last night, I had the pleasure of viewing a performance by Norwegian vocalist/composer Maja Ratkje, something I’ve wanted to do for well over ten years, though my schedule never seemed to allow this to happen. It was even more of a wonderful experience than I expected, but as I don’t think anyone took video of the performance, I am happy to share a similar performance from 2013.
Instrumental
[Music] Santiago Fradejas – Sketches For Sarah, Vol. 2
I had the pleasure of reviewing Mrs. Fradejas a couple of days ago, and now it’s time to review Mr. Fradejas! Santiago’s new release sits in an equally unique point on the music reference chart. One can find something akin to post-Industrial noise, a brutalist interpretation of contemporary classical music, improvisation in the fine European-American free jazz tradition, and avant-progressive rock which labels like Cuneiform Records champion. Another masterpiece by one of the best young composers operating in Europe today.
[Music] Shoom – Tried To Sing But Couldn’t
Thirteen years ago, I was given an opportunity to work with Shoom, an Israeli band whose sound nestles comfortably within the realm of Mediterranean ethnocore, avant-rock and ethno-rock, a term I’ve not heard in quite some time, but which seems appropriate for this band.
Lots of percussion and guitars flow quite nicely with a duduk making melodies on top. Definitely worth a listen to this album, as well as their back catalog.
[Music] Toshiko Yonekawa – The Cherry Blossoms (Sakura Sakura)
Here is some classical music featuring the koto, composed by Toshiko Yonekawa from Japan.
[Music] Mary Halvorson & Noël Akchoté – Mary Halvorson & Noël Akchoté
I have to admit that I’ve been waiting for such a release to come about for a while now. Noël Akchoté, perhaps the most prolofic guitarist working in improvisational music today (and maintaining astoundingly high quality throughout each release) pairs with NYC-based Mary Halvorson, a guitarist I have only become acquainted with this past year. This is a purely improvised duet, with no rehearsals, recorded in Belgium this year.
For those who already collect the work of Noël Akchoté, this will be another treasure to add to your collection. As for Mary’s work, this is a fine introduction, which makes me want to delve into her solo work.
[Music] Zakir Hussain – The Great Indian Desert
Zakir Hussain is one of India’s national treasures. The tabla player is featured here providing a wonderful beat for this tune.
[Music] Toots Thielemans – Estate
Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, Baron Thielemans, known to millions of fans as ‘Toots‘, passed away yesterday at the age of 94. If you were ever a fan of Sesame Street as a child, you already know his work, as the whistling you hear is his, uncredited.
Rest in peace, Toots.
[Music] Orkiestra Ósmego Dnia – Dlaczego wschodni wiatr niesie mróz
I’m not sure if Orkiestra Ósmego Dnia (Orchestra of the Eighth Day) would qualify as a world music band, an experimental project, or an improv group, but leader Jan A. P. Kaczmarek has gone on to making some rather good movie soundtracks.
[Music] WORM Pirate Bay is launched
I’m having a bit of trouble seeing the connection between WORM, the Rotterdam-based collective lending out materials and The Pirate Bay, who are, in every sense of the word, pirates when it comes to copyrighted material (whether that is good or bad depends on how you see this issue, as a case can be made either way). Still, congratulations to WORM for bringing back the idea of sharing tangible product. As much as I adore digital media, it’s just not the same. Music I can make an exception for, but books? No.
Thanks to The Wire Magazine, who originally shared this post.
[Music] fauxmúsica – Ad Astra
Ad Astra is a project of Zane O’Brien, one of the most creative minds working in electronic music today. This release is one of the better experimental electronic releases I’ve heard in quite some time.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 