I happily grouse against The Guardian’s crap political coverage, but regarding music and art, they’re absolutely formidable. This article covers the reemergence of the ever-wonderful Van Der Graaf Generator, who never seem to die off or fade away.
Psychedelic
[Music] Ejwuusl Wessahqqan – Ejwuusl Wessahqqan (1975)
While working at Aron’s Records during the 1990s, I came across this disc by Ejwuusl Wessahqqan (a name you have to say stoned, I guess) and did a bit of research by asking some of my clients about the band. They considered it a true Krautrock gem, and I couldn’t agree more.
[Music] John Zorn – Nosferatu: The Stalking
[Music] Twilight Fields – Further Up, Further In!
Never, ever allow anyone to tell you that there is no good music being made today. Ever!
Twilight Fields is a band out of Northern Canada, but you wouldn’t know it judging by the influences they’ve sponged up into their body of work. One can easily hear touches of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, the acid folk of The Incredible String Band, and more modern psychedelic fare from groups like Spacemen 3 and Spectrum.
The crisp recording adds to the pleasure of hearing this recording on a great set of headphones. A highly recommended release.
[Music] Сезон Дождей / Rainy Season – Возвращение / Return
Сезон Дождей (Rainy Season) were a Lithuanian avant-progressive band from around 1992. The first time I had come across their music was while working at Aron’s Records in Los Angeles. It came in as a promo, but as I had no Internet access, I was unable to find any information on the band. Thankfully, through the wonders of Youtube, we have information on this album at least:
Artist: Сезон Дождей / Rainy Season
Album: Возвращение / Return
Year: 1992
Genre: Progressive Rock, Space Rock, Ambient
Country: Lithuania
Label / Catalogue: Lituanus / RGM 7006
Line-up:
Максим Пшеничный / Maxim Pshenichny – guitar, bass, voice, Yamaha DX100 & Korg M1 synthesizers
Алексей Петров / Alexei Petrov – percussion, drums, wood box, glockenspiel, triangle
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Алексей Зубарев / Alexei Zubarev – flute (A1), slide guitar (A2), pizzicato (track B1a), rhythm guitar (A1, A2 & B1b)
Максим Кузнецов / Maxim Kuznetsov – lead guitar (B1b)
Ринальда / Rinalda – voice (B1a)
Tracklist:
A1 Запахи Леcа / Scents Of A Forest 0:00
A2 К чиcтой воде / Towards A Clear Water 7:00
B1 Красная ночь / Red Night 21:19
– a) Часть 1 / Part 1
– b) Часть 2 / Part 2
[Music] Santiago Fradejas – Sketches For Sarah, Vol. 2
I had the pleasure of reviewing Mrs. Fradejas a couple of days ago, and now it’s time to review Mr. Fradejas! Santiago’s new release sits in an equally unique point on the music reference chart. One can find something akin to post-Industrial noise, a brutalist interpretation of contemporary classical music, improvisation in the fine European-American free jazz tradition, and avant-progressive rock which labels like Cuneiform Records champion. Another masterpiece by one of the best young composers operating in Europe today.
[Music] Groupe Naissance – Vivre Avec Toi
I can find no information on Groupe Naissance except for the fact that they were a Christian psychedelic folk group out of France. Charming stuff.
Thanks to my dear friend Betül Etik, who is responsible for finding this piece.
[Music] Makhfirat Hamroqulova & Gulshan / Махфират Ҳамроқулова & Гульшан – Дилро Бубин
There isn’t a lot of information on wild psych music coming out of places like Tajikistan, but this isn’t a bad slice of Central Asian arabesque disco-prog, courtesy of Makhfirat Hamroqulova & Gulshan. Hamroqulova is not only a famous singer in the country, but an actress of note as well.
[Music] Gong co-founder Gilli Smyth dies, aged 83
She was our pussy. Gilli Smyth has gone off to Planet Gong to join Daevid Allen, who also left this mortal coil a year ago. The Guardian eulogizes her here.
[Music] Incredible String Band – Creation
The Incredible String Band were at their best when the Scottish acid folkies would just let go and jam for long stretches at a time.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 