I’m a fan of the Balkan singing voice, as it is rich in the way Tom Waits and Paolo Conte are. This is a new name for me, presumably out of Serbia. I’m looking forward to hearing more from Block Out.
[Video] Soft Machine – ‘Switzerland 1974’ Official Trailer
Thanks so much to the Steve Feigenbaum’s legendary Cuneiform Records, who posted this on their Youtube account. This is Soft Machine during their prime.
[Sample] Verckys et l´Orchestre Vévé – Congolese Funk, Afrobeat & Psychedelic Rumba 1969-1978
The Internet is a treasure trove which never ceases to amaze. Thanks to the enterprising souls over at Analog Africa, a brilliant reissue label from Germany, we get to here these long-forgotten wonders from the country formerly known as Zaïre, now the Democratic Republic of The Congo.
A new, clean look
I try not to change the format of the blog too much, but I decided it was high time to change things a bit. I’ve switched to the “Just Write” theme, which gives much room for posts and makes videos look wonderfully expansive. Also, the blog itself will be the first thing you see, rather than the “About” page. This way, you get straight to the content. Enjoy!
[Video] Franco & O.K. Jazz – On Entre O.K., On Sort K.O.
Welcome back, friends! It’s been a while since I’ve bothered to post anything here due to traveling and work obligations. Time to make this little labor of love a bit more active!
We start out by posting a classic rhumba-and-calypso-influenced tune from what was then the Belgian Congo, then Zaïre (now the Democratic Republic of The Congo). The bank, O.K. Jazz, were one of the finest exporters of this type of sound in South-Central Africa, and they gave the world one of the true giants of African music, the guitarist François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, know to his legions of admirers simply as Franco.
[Podcast] Jazzin’ Serious
Jazzin’ Serious by Adam Kvasnica on Mixcloud
More jazz magnificence, courtesy of Adam Kvasnica!
[Video] Юлиана Кривошапкина (Juliana) – Sub-Yer (Water-Ground)
I know absolutely nothing about Juliana, who hails from the Sakha Republic in Eastern Russia, but this piece left me fascinated.
[Film] Famed actress Lauren Bacall dies at 89
Though the suicide of Robin Williams overwhelmed the news cycle this week, we also lost a legend in Lauren Bacall. May Mrs. Bogie also rest in peace.
[Film] Robin Williams, Oscar-Winning Comedian, Dies at 63 in Suspected Suicide
Recovery from alcohol-and-drug addiction, and the onset of Parkinson’s Disease, was too much for the beloved comic. The New York Times remembers Robin Williams in their Culture and ArtBeats section, as well as in the main section here.
Though he made plenty of jokes about religion, he was a practicing Episcopalian. May his family’s grief be ameliorated, and may Robin rest in peace.
[Podcast] What’s new in New Zealand ? (Canal Kiwi session)
What’s new in New Zealand ? (Canal Kiwi session) by The Music Sessions on Mixcloud
Independent music from New Zealand was considered utterly stunning at one point, especially with labels like Flying Nun and Xpressway. I lost contact with what was going on with their scene. Today, I stumbled across this podcast. It’s good to see all is well in Kiwi-Land.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 