Kayno Yesno Slonce are a band based out of Sofia, Bulgaria, who straddle genres so easily that they’re nearly impossible to classify. There is a gentle beauty in the music that reminds me of Bert Jansch or The Incredible String Band, but one can hear elements of Wyrd Folk like Shirley Collins or the more instrumental endeavors of Current 93. For those of you who like neofolk, Balkan music, or something slightly hazy and psychedelic, this album is a stunningly good choice for your ears.
Music Technology
[Music] Hülya Süer – Şeker Oğlan (Kozmonotosman Rework)
Hülya Süer was one of Turkey’s biggest pop names throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Her tune gets reworked by Kozmonotosman. Click on his name to find other great reworks.
[Music] Collection Petites Planètes – Kangë e Defa – Female Rhapsody in Kosova
A very pleasant surprise from our friend and colleague, Vincent Moon, who churns out stream of startlingly beautiful compilations from places off the beaten path (Ossetia, Chechnya, etc). His label, Collection Petites Planètes, presents a compilation done with the assistance of Fatime Kosumi, a Kosovar singer of Albanian heritage, covering folk tunes for female choir.
There is an accompanying video which was posted by the duo at Vimeo, which you can access here.
[Music] Various Artists – Outro Tempo: Electronic And Contemporary Music From Brazil 1978-1992
Brazil, the land of gorgeous women, sensuous music, favelas, beaches, crime and jungles, was also the home to a very healthy experimental music scene during the late 70s and early 80s.
The Dutch record label Music From Memory is responsible for publishing this amazing comp.
[Music] Nyege Nyege Tapes Spotlight Uganda’s Burgeoning Electronic Music Scene
Uganda isn’t the first place one thinks about regarding electronic music, but thanks to the Internet, boundless curiosity and many visits by those promoting the genre (such as C-Drik of Syrphe Records), the scene is growing into something rather healthy and strong.
More on the scene courtesy of Bandcamp.
[Music] Luboš Fišer – Valerie And Her Week Of Wonders (Valerie a týden divů)
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders was a Czech surrealist horror film directed by Jaromil Jireš in 1970. Finders Keepers Records thankfully reissued the soundtrack, scored by Luboš Fišer.
[Music] Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin – Live
Swiss pianinst Nik Bärtsch leads his band Ronin on a reissue of a live set released way back in 2006.
[Music] Meet Sufyvn, The Best Dentist-Producer In Sudan
While it can be a bit embarrassing to watch Bandcamp get its liberal knickers twisted up, Sufyn handles the interview with aplomb. He’s perhaps East Africa’s best hip-hop producer, influenced by what he describes as L.A. beats. Though I’m not a big fan of hip-hop, this talented dentist is doing something very fresh, and deserves every bit of success he’s been gaining.
[Music] Noël Akchoté – All I Have To Say
If this is all Noël Akchoté has to say, I’d say it’s quite a lot. Not since Derek Bailey has anyone, at least to my ears, make skeletal sketches sound to full. This is a solo album of standards sparsely arranged and performed on electric guitar. The most touching piece, Are You Lonesome Tonight, shows the beauty of the instrumentation, even if we’re lacking the voice of Elvis to fill this out.
Expect a few more reviews of Noël’s work here. He’s always busy crafting some new work of art, and collaborating with some fine new talent.
[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.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 