After years of having to let this project lie dormant, I’m proud to announce the resurrection of my record label, the Carrera-Linn Cultural Exchange (CLCX). Our first release is from the Russian-based Armenian-American violinist Gregory Ayriyan, who composed all but three of the tracks on this disc. The other composers include Sayat Nova, Komitas, and Niccolò Paganini, so he interprets the cream of the crop.
Instrumental
[Music] Sato – Pereday Dabró Pá Krúgu (Uzbekistan/USSR, 1987)
Through scouring the net over the past 20 years, I’ve come to find that Uzbekistan hides a treasure trove of music. First, prog-rock seems to be relatively popular there (bands like Fromuz and magazines like ProgressoR come to mind).
However, this release was a true gem. Ethno-jazz performed by the band Sato, who have almost nothing in terms of information online.
Thanks to the blog Digg Hop for the information they provided to an intriguing band.
[Music] Red Sparowes – Alone and Unaware, the Landscape Was Transformed in Front of Our Eyes
Sure, Red Sparowes have some of the most ridiculously long titles in post-rock. Even with this, they produce a loud, but rather beautiful sound
[Music] Faran Ensemble – Dune
The Faran Ensemble are a rather spectacular World Music group out of Israel, taking elements of the music of their neighbors. They are a band to watch out for in the coming years.
[Music] Vassilis Tsabropoulos, Anja Lechner & U.T. Gandhi – Melos
Vassilis Tsabropoulos and Anja Lechner represent the cream of the crop for ECM Records. U.T. Gandhi is a new name for me, and his percussion adds a fullness to this recording.
[Music] Ryuichi Sakamoto – A Flower Is Not A Flower
Ryuichi Sakamoto has spent a career morphing from one genre to another, and essentially leading the pack.
[Music] Third Ear Band – Inverness: Macbeth’s Return / The Preparation / Fanfare / Duncan’s Arrival
The Third Ear Band were among the first British bands (who shared this affinity with Krautrock projects from Germany) to move into a field we now know today as world music. This piece actually comes from the soundtrack to Roman Polanski’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tale, Macbeth.
A thanks to Al Clark, who picked up on the errata of this post.
[Music] Jos Smolders – Passion (For Rudy Carrera)
Yes, you’re reading this right. This one is dedicated to yours truly.
Jos Smolders, the legendary Dutch experimental composer and sonic alchemist, worked on this project in Easter, 2014. To say I’m both thankful and honored for the dedication is a massive understatement. It is perfect evening listening, even after more than a year of its release here on Soundcloud.
[Music] Casa de Orates (Manuel Knwell) – Nostalguia
I had never heard of Manuel Knwell of Casa de Orates until today, and Tarkovsky tributes are a dime a dozen, but this was rather pleasant, atmospheric listening.
[Music] Uri Caine & Masada String Trio – Jazz in Marciac 2008
A stunning bit of live footage here. Though the stars of the video are John Zorn’s Masada String Trio, pianist Uri Caine utterly dominates the first half of the show with gorgeous improvisation.
The lineup for the night:
Uri Caine – Piano
Mark Feldman – Violin
Erik Friedlander – Cello
Greg Cohen – Double bass
John Zorn – Direction
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 