Modrý Efekt (Blue Effect) were one of the great Czechoslovakian art rock bands of the 1970s.
We were given the bad news that their leader and guitarist, Radim Hladík, passed away today. Rest in peace.
Art-Rock
[Music] Silent Island – Equator EP
István Csarnogurszky leads Silent Island, an outfit from Hungary which combines post-rock, progressive rock, alternative and ambient music into a seamless product. Really mellow listening.
soundstreamsunday: “Waltz of the New Moon” by The Incredible String Band — Progarchy
Although there is the potential today for historically reconstructing The Incredible String Band as a folksy psychedelic sideshow, the core group of Mike Heron and Robin Williamson were among the most imaginative and deeply schooled of the musicians emerging out of Britain’s folk revival in the late 1960s. Succored by Joe Boyd and Elektra records, the band […]
via soundstreamsunday: “Waltz of the New Moon” by The Incredible String Band — Progarchy
[Music] Vyacheslav Potapov (VP) – Water World
Prog is alive and well in… Kazakhstan?! Yes! Thanks to incredible labels highlighting talent worldwide like Cuneiform and MoonJune Records, we’re finding out about avant-progressive music from places like Indonesia, Belarus, and other faraway locales. VP is based in Kazakhstan’s former capital city, Almaty, and his music reminds me of such groups like Univers Zero, Art Zoyd, and modern bands like Rational Diet from Belarus. We need to hear much more from them.
[Music] Disen Gage – Snapshots
All credit goes to Vyacheslav Lunarin for introducing me to Disen Gage, a Russian progressive rock group whose album reminds me of a lot of the classic Rock-In-Opposition groups of the past.
[Music] Hans-Joachim Roedelius & Noël Akchoté – Opus (2013)
To review each and every release by Noël Akchoté would be impossible for this one-man blog to do, but I have the luxury of cherry-picking some real treats. This one, in particular, pairs Noël with Hans-Joachim Roedelius of Cluster fame, as well as a maestro in his own right. The album is a guitar/piano improvisation recorded in Vienna, Austria in 2013. Gentle, plucky sounds which cross into fusion territory at times.
[Music] Andrew Rubin and Jon Anderson – Guitar Concerto
This gem came as a surprise in my email box. Andrew Rubin is a classical guitarist based in Central California. He was apparently discovered by Jon Anderson of yes, and they collaborated on this suite, influenced in part by the work of Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo.
He’s 21 years old, making some of the most joyous music I’ve heard in some time. Imagine what he’s going to be capable of at 40. Andrew is going to be one worth following closely.
[Music] Hedningarna – Räven
Hedningarna are a Swedish folk band which also had Finnish members not too terribly long ago. I came across their music while looking at a pile of promos sitting on the desk of a World Music buyer at the shop I had worked at, which were delivered to us by a local Rykodisc distributor. The quality of the sub-label representing the band, Northside Records, was phenomenal. There will surely be more of these folk bands posted here in the future.
[Music] Rắn Cạp Đuôi – In A Grass House
Rắn Cạp Đuôi, who hail from Saigon, Vietnam, came to my attention thanks to C-Drik Kirdec, who scours the most faraway places in order to find experimental music. These folks make fine experimental bedroom pop.
[Music] Pahat Kengät – Tanssimusiikkia
I wish to thank my friend Neea for introducing me to one of the most enjoyable pieces of work I’ve heard in some time, allowing me to get lost in my work. Fans of minimalist composers like Steve Reich and the early Berlin Electronic School of Music will enjoy this. Pahat Kengät sit comfortably between Krautrock, contemporary classical music, New Age and a mellow form of techno.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 