Iraida Yusupova is a Russian multimedia artist originally hailing from Turkmenistan. She works out of Moscow and is considered among the pre-eminent composers of her generation, scoring for voice, orchestra and Theremin.
Experimental
[Music] Donnacha Costello – Together
Some sad news. No, no, not a passing! Donnacha Costello, the second-finest composer based in Dublin (sorry, folks – Daniel Figgis is still number one in these parts) is taking time off from recording music.
In an act of magnanimous generosity, however, he is offering the whole of his digital back catalog for the more-than-fair price of €15.
Together is a perfectly drone-laden slice of ambient heaven, relaxing to the ear, and a fine way for Donnacha to say farewell until he is ready to grace experimental music with his return.
[Music] Scott Walker – Farmer In The City
The loss of Scott Walker is about as monumental for many as was the loss of, say, David Bowie or Mark Hollis. Though I had known about his pop music (including the reinterpretation of Jacques Brel’s hit, Le Chanson de Jacky), this song was a revelation. It was so far removed from pop music that I figured it sounded more like a combination of cabaret music done by experimental or apocalyptic folk musicians. It was a brilliant career pivot, and he ended up working with some really intriguing characters until his passing yesterday.
[Music] Félix Blume – Death in Haiti: Funeral Brass Bands & Sounds from Port au Prince
French sound artist and engineer Félix Blume produces something voyeuristic and creepy, yet engaging and life-affirming at the same time. This album is a collection of brass music played at funerals in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
According to the website, there are featured in these ‘performances’ 15 dead, 15 funerals, 16 funeral processions, 1 procession with no dead, 5 churches, 1 cemetery, 1 wake, all recorded, including the wails and sobbing of those who lost their loved ones. There is a feeling that death has been conquered and mocked, however, in the same way New Orleans funerals tend to be.
This is field recording at its most engaging, at least for me.
[Music] Christine Ott – TABU
Gizeh Records is a very interesting label. I can’t say I adore every single release, but I have come to the realization that artists like Aidan Baker and Christine Ott will produce solid release after solid release. TABU features one of the most brilliant instruments ever designed during the 20th Century, the ondes martenot, and Ott uses it to full effect, creating soundscapes whose feel verges on the oceanic. A heavy, lovely release.
[Music] Heathertoes & Hopek Quirin – Travelling And Its Outgrowing Motives
Heathertoes is my old friend Hubert’s post-industrial/experimental project. He is collaborating on this release with Hopek Quirin, and the sound is reminiscent of 1980s cassette culture at its best.
[Music] Maryam Sirvan – Untamed Terror
Eerie is not nearly powerful enough to describe the hellish soundscape that Maryam Sirvan produces on this record. It is as if Pierre Henry decided to do an ethnographic recording tracing Dante’s footsteps inside of Hell. Brooding, powerful soundscapes.
[Music] Ben Rath – Black Heart Music
Ben Rath is an experimental musician based out of Manchester, England, who specializes in dark, foreboding minimalist compositions which leave you feel unnerved while working on blog posts at three in the morning. He makes his recordings with the use of keyboards, piano, guitar and some slight effects. Really good listening.
[Music] Mamman Sani Abdoulaye – Unreleased Tapes 1981-1984
Dreamy, mellow, but not quite Kosmich Musik, this collection out of 1970s Niger was miles ahead of its contemporaries. It’s a shame it took so long for Mamman Sani to have his synth work available, but this charming LP was lovingly curated by the ever mighty Sahel Sounds.
[Music] Keiji Haino & SUMAC – American Dollar Bill – Keep Facing Sideways, You’re Too Hideous To Look At Face On
The grand old man of psychedelic noise pairs with a rather powerful improv band I knew little about until today. Keiji Haino is up to his old tricks with his screeching vocals, chanting and brutal guitar playing, while SUMAC give him just enough structure to keep his madness contained. Powerful listening.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 