After enduring the comments section of a few websites where atheists who wouldn’t know religion if it bit them on the ass, and Pentecostal/Evangelicals who are running a very close second, I needed a bit of a spiritual cleaning. Thank you, Archie Shepp. Perfect timing!
[Video] hr-Sinfonieorchester – Frankfurt Radio Symphony – Orion (comp. Kaija Saariaho)
This is about as fresh as it gets for classical music. Orion a new composition by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, debuted at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 17, 2015.
The piece is conducted by Andrés Orozco-Estrada for hr-Sinfonieorchester – Frankfurt Radio Symphony. The recording makes for wonderful listening.
[Video] Decibel – Flamel´s Bebop
This comes as a pleasant shock. Decibel were one of the great legendary RIO bands to come out of Mexico. Apparently, they’re playing music again!
[Video] Ganelin, Chekasin, Tarasov – Semplice (II)
I really owe all of my passion for Eastern European/Soviet Improvisational and Experimental music to one man: Leo Feigin of Leo Records. It was through his introduction, via his catalog and a few letters back and forth, that I was introduced to such artists as Vyacheslav Ganelin (the Ganelin Trio’s leader, now based in Israel), Sergei Belichenko and Roman Stolyar, a friend to this day.
Here is the Ganelin Trio near the peak of their improvisational powers. Vladimir Tarasov and Vladimir Chekasin join in.
[Music] Finnegans Wake – 4th
Finnegan’s Wake is the name of at least one other progressive rock band, but this one hails from Belgium, though now resides in Brazil, and is led by Henry Krutzen, who founded the band in 1993, and it reminds me of a chamber-rock band, not dissimilar to Rock-In-Opposition bands like Henry Cow or Art Zoyd.
[Sample] Finnegans Wake – 4th
Finnegan’s Wake is the name of at least one other progressive rock band, but this one hails from Belgium, though now resides in Brazil, and is led by Henry Krutzen, who founded the band in 1993, and it reminds me of a chamber-rock band, not dissimilar to Rock-In-Opposition bands like Henry Cow or Art Zoyd.
[Video] Ø + Noto – 04 Noto
[Video] Lead Into Gold – A Giant On Earth
Though Ministry was always seen, rightly or wrongly, as Al Jourgensen’s band, it’s not fair to say that he was the only talent in the group. Bassist Paul Barker used Lead Into Gold as a vehicle for his own creative output. It’s a shame he didn’t do more with it.
[Video] Alexander Von Schlippenbach Trio – Pakistani Pomade (1972)
Alexander Von Schlippenbach is one of the luminaries in the world of free jazz. He’s a fine pianist who makes full and absolute use out of his weapon of choice.
[Video] Le Ninfe della Tammorra – L’aria de lu mare
Naples is a city utterly steeped in music. I had the chance to visit briefly a few times, and each visit brought me to a deeper appreciation of the culture (if not all of its residents). Classical music, jazz, ethno, horribly embarrassing pop music – you can find it all there.
Leave it to my dear friend, Rosario Maffucci, who along with Ian Smith, do wonders in discovering new talent. It seems that Le Ninfe della Tammorra are from Naples, and bring tarantella into the modern age with a blend of appropriate instruments and what sounds like great engineering in this punchy tune.
I’m looking forward to seeing more talent pop up in Naples during my next visit!
