[Music] Various Artists – Dezember

August 24, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Umor Rex is one of Mexico’s most important record labels, and I’m frankly surprised they’re not getting more press worldwide. Like so many cool modern imprints, they’re not sticking to one genre only. You will find electronic music, drone, indie-folk and experimental music well-represented in Dezember. Take some time to sample their wares!

TRACK LISTING:

1. Le Skeletonne – The riot was always alone 03:32
2. Miró Belle – A 03:17
3. Rats On No Evil Star – Tree in the green 04:18
4. S ND Y P RL RS – Dracula 02:47
5. Ibi Ego – U and Me vs. the sea master 04:20
6. The Human Elephant – Insomnia 04:01
7. Ghost Birds – Drama (how I hate) 02:46
8. Cars And Trains – I Know Someone Who Cant Recognize 04:38
9. Hardman Bros – Change The Mode 01:11
10. Tidy Kid – Those Red Paintings 02:30
11. Ponk – Sleeves II 03:38
12. Anthna – Loving Raw Bands 06:28
13. Tidy Kid – Bus Stop 01:40
14. Nicholas Szczepanik – The Short / Lived 04:39

[Music] bastrd – An Anthology of 16th Century Azerbaijani Classical Works by Fuzûlî

August 23, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

I have a sneaking suspicion that the legendary Divan poet Fuzûlî didn’t dabble in modern hip-hop during the 1500s, though who am I to suggest that the young, enterprising souls in bastrd didn’t go back in time and ask him to sample a few grooves for him?

Rather elegant jazzy lo-fi beat music out of Northern California. A worthy purchase.

[Music] Yo Miles!: Henry Kaiser & Wadada Leo Smith – Upriver

August 18, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

To get an idea of just how stellar this collaboration is, simply take a look at who signed on to collaborate with American avant-jazz legends Wadada Leo Smith and Henry Kaiser:

Michael Manring – bass
Steve Smith – drums
Chris Muir – electric guitar
Tom Coster – keyboards
Karl Perazzo – percussion
Greg Osby – alto saxophone
John Tchicai – tenor and alto saxophones
Mike Keneally – electric guitar
with special guests:
Zakir Hussain – tabla & percussion (“On The Corner Jam“)
ROVA Sax Quartet [Bruce Ackley, Steve Adams, Larry Ochs, Jon Raskin) (“Black Satin“)
Dave Creamer – electric guitar (“Black Satin“)

This album a free-jazz masterpiece from 2005, is now available courtesy of Cuneiform Records, and is discounted this weekend to $7. Jump on it!

[Music] The Necks – Body

August 14, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

It’s wonderful to start my work ‘weekend’ on a happy note. Tony Buck, Chris Abrahams and Lloyd Swanton return with another improvisational one-track masterpiece.

[Music] An introduction to Ethio-Jazz in 10 records

July 15, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Chris May at The Vinyl Factory has done a great job making choices for introducing their vinyl junkie readership to the best of Ethiopian jazz from the 1960s onward. Special thanks to Al Clark for pointing this wonderful link out to me.

[Music] Toshio Matsuura Group – LOVEPLAYDANCE – 8 Scenes from The Floor

July 14, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

I don’t know how I managed to miss Japanese DJ and producer Toshio Matsuura! This album is a real gem, mashing together nu-jazz and fusion while introducing reference points like Magma and Carlos Santana (when he was still on the cutting edge).

[Music] Gangbé Brass Band – Togbé

July 12, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Thanks to a spate of reissues of classic material from the 1970s across various labels, Benin’s music scene has been receiving a lot of very well-deserved attention. Among the best of the modern bands is The Gangbé Brass Band, who blend horns and traditional instruments with incredible vocal harmonies.

[Music] Frode Gjerstad Trio – Steam in the Casa

July 11, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Frode Gjerstad is the elder statesman of Norwegian free jazz. This particular release pairs him with drummer/percussionist Paal Nilssen-Love and bassist Jon Rune Strøm, and it comes from a session recorded in 2015. He’s still got it.

[Music] Sieben – Crumbs (reviewed by Santa Sangre)

July 5, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Much respect to Peter Marks of Santa Sangre Magazine for reviewing my favorite Apocalyptic Folk violinist (and very cool chap) Matt Howden.

[Reviewed by Peter Marks] Ah just look at him on the cover in his Sunday tea time best. Flip the panel and you’ll see how thin the veneer is as a Guy Fawkes mask and full fencing uniform greet you; there can be no doubt that we’re living in extraordinarily perilous times with one guy […]

via Sieben – Crumbs — Santa Sangre

[Music] George Christian – Aos Pássaros Outonais

July 3, 2018 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

This release has to be one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. I knew that my Facebook contact George Christian, was a talented musician, but his latest release flows between Noël Akchoté-style improvisation to something as mellow as early Popol Vuh. I look forward to hearing how his sound develops!