Present is a group fronted by Roger Trigaux, who once played guitar for one of my favorite bands, Univers Zero. They’re apparently about to release new music, and this track may be the centerpiece of a new album. Let’s hope so, as they sound like they’re in wonderful form.
Rock
[Music] Love (Japan) – Time Gives Life
Folk-psych from 1977. The band Love is not the legendary Los Angeles band fronted by Arthur Lee, but a Japanese group who churned out at least one magnificent album before disappearing into the aether.
[Music] S.P.K. – White Island
Though late period SPK went into a horrible period of commercial dance music which was, to be frank, an atrocity, they managed to safe a great deal of face with their final works.
[Music] Pale Saints – Fine Friend (All Virgos Are Mad version)
Fuzzy, modern psychedelia. Shoegaze music really was a beautiful thing for a while. The Pale Saints were at the top of their game when this piece came out.
The compilation this track is featured on is definitely worth a purchase.
[Music] Irma Thomas – Time Is On My Side
Though The Rolling Stones‘ version is more famous, this version by Irma Thomas packs quite a whallop!
[Music] Steve Hogarth & Richard Barbieri – Your Beautiful Face
Richard Barbieri never disappoints. From his work in Japan to all of the wonderful projects he’s worked on since, he’s shown to be a thoroughly underrated synth player. There’s always hope he’ll reach a bigger audience.
The surprise here, for me, is Steve Hogarth. I’m not a huge fan of Marillion (at least since old singer Fish left the band in the late ’80s), but really, Hogarth’s voice sounds like a perfect compliment to the electronic underpinning Barbieri provides. A lush work.
This one is dedicated to my Mari, who has given me a year of happiness.
[Music] Swans – Cry Me A River
So haunting it’s damn near a suicide dirge. Former Swans co-vocalist Jarboe performs one of the most bleak, desolate covers of this classic torch song penned by Arthur Hamilton.
[Music] Robert Fripp & Brian Eno – The Equatorial Stars (2004)
This is one of the few times I miss a critically important release. Robert Fripp & Brian Eno had collaborated at least twice before for full albums, but this one is a change of pace. Perfect for listening on a calm, quiet day.
A salute to my friend Valtazar Zauberquelle for posting this.
[Music] Hawkwind – Hassan i Sabbah
It’s almost insulting to call Hawkwind the Grateful Dead of the United Kingdom. There’s simply no comparison. The playing was heavier, the lyrics wittier, and the solo projects also bore much fruit.
No knock on the Dead, who I love in a live setting. But I find Hawkwind to be a much better band.
[Music] PJ Harvey & Josh Homme – I Wanna Make It Wit Chu (Jools Holland Show)
Slow, smoky and funky. A nice pairing with P. J. Harvey (smoking hot as always) with Josh Homme setting the stage on fire on the Jools Holland Show during its Desert Sessions.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 