Review: Scott Monteith is the Berlin-based but Canadian-born artist best known as Deadbeat, stepping out with new alias Ark Welders Guild. It is an audio-visual performance and recording project with Italian singer and curator Letizia Trussi, whom he met in winter 2021 and has since formed a strong creative bond. They work in Trussi's Rooms of Kairos studio and have already cooked up two album length pieces that come on Monteith's BLKRTZ imprint. Mons Clepsydra is the first and is an epic drone in four parts with string recordings permeating the moody, grainy, heavy atmospheres.
Concerto For Violin, Strings & Continuo In E Major: Allegro (4:45)
Concerto For Violin, Strings & Continuo In E Major: Adagio (5:24)
Concerto For Violin, Strings & Continuo In E Major: Allegro Assai (6:01)
Concerto For 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo In D Minor: Vivace (3:14)
Concerto For 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo In D Minor: Largo Ma Non Tanto (6:49)
Concerto For 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo In D Minor: Allegro (4:13)
Concerto For Violin, Strings & Continuo In A Minor: Allegro Moderato (3:18)
Concerto For Violin, Strings & Continuo In A Minor: Andante (6:46)
Concerto For Violin, Strings & Continuo In A Minor: Allegro Assai (3:10)
Concerto For Oboe, Violin, Strings & Continuo In C Minor: Allegro (4:29)
Concerto For Oboe, Violin, Strings & Continuo In C Minor: Adagio (5:19)
Concerto For Oboe, Violin, Strings & Continuo In C Minor: Allegro (3:12)
Review: In 2018, three-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn returned to classical label-behemoth Deutsche Grammophon (her usual) for an official album of interpretations of J.S. Bach's violin concertos, in collaboration with Jeffery Kahane and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The much-celebrated fiddler laid down a stunning, full rendition of the concertos, all recorded at the Colburn School Of Performing Arts and which added to her huge repertoire. This stealth reissue from the classical music giant bolsters Hahn's rep once more.
Review: Gong bath, anyone? Soft & Fragile is a three track outing built on a framework of custom made bells and chimes, at least one of which was created by the artist - namely Bandt's 'flagong', a three-story glass marimba the musician crafted in the late-1970s, apparently inspired by the so-called 'cloud chamber bowls' of Harry Patch, a chap known for developing weird and wonderful sound-making devices.
She uses the instrument to stunning effect solo on the opening effort, 'Ocean Bells', creating a gently flowing arrangement that sucks you in quickly. From there, she's joined by Julie Doyle, Gavan McCarthy, and Carolyn Robb to complete the full LIME (Live Improvised Music Events) lineup, and the work becomes more complex still, without ever being overbearing or overly theoretical.
Review: Pierre Bastien has a strong team record of interesting collaborations. He's done stuff with fashion designer and scent mogul Issey Miyake, legendary singer and composer Robert Wyatt, and the enigmatic electronic producer and reality-shifter Aphex Twin, releasing no less than three full length records on the latter's landmark label, Rephlex. "A mad musical scientist", the Guardian once quipped, and C(or)N(e)T doesn't break from that tradition. Instead, it offers some of the most abstract and strange, beguiling and fascinating sounds we've heard in a while. At least a few of which have been made on self-made, bespoke pieces of equipment. At a push, you might label this jazz, for the simple fact it's so free-form and avant-garde. Realistically, though, it sounds like the noises that might happen if someone attempted to tame a pack of rogue electronic hubbub-chatting things in a vaguely structured way. "Thank fuck for Pierre Bastien", the Quietus once said. We happily concur.
Review: Lil Yachty and James Blake's Bad Cameo showcases their fearless creativity, blending Yachty's dynamic vocals with Blake's signature production. Tracks like 'Missing Man' and 'Transport Me' shine with captivating depth, while 'Red Carpet' offers a soulful, gospel-infused highlight. The album's experimental nature, especially on tracks like 'Save the Savior' and 'Midnight', reflects the duo's bold approach, pushing boundaries with each song. Even in its unexpected turns, Bad Cameo remains an exciting exploration of sound. Available on limited magenta vinyl, this release is a fresh, innovative take from two artists unafraid to try something new.
Review: Den Helder is the northernmost city in Holland, is surrounded by water and borders the North Sea. With a military history dating back to the 16th century, it is also the most bombed city in the Netherlands and was nearly destroyed during World War II. The Third of May was written and recorded in 2020 over six days in an old pumping station located in the dunes of Huisduinen near Den Helder. The story behind the album is set in this historic city, weaving its tumultuous past into a vivid, imagined narrative inspired by the area's rich and tragic history. It's as much of an emotional rollercoaster as you would expect given the concept.
Review: Record Store Day and Black Friday 2023 continue to serve up the treasure even now as we roll into 2024. This latest pice, Creative Improvisation Ensemble, is from Marion Brown and Leo Smith who explore an experimental and avant-garde world of challenging jazz. It is freeform, unbound by rules and expectations and very much keeps you on your toes as the saxophones burst to life, express tortured emotions and peel away to nothing. Some cuts are more heavily percussive with tribal drums like 'And Then They Danced' and others are persuasive numbers that make you move.
Review: In March 2023, composer, arranger, and alto saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi debuted her commissioned suite, Gratitude, at London's Southbank Centre. Featuring her flagship ensemble seed. in a unique augmented formation alongside turntablist NikNak and the London Contemporary Orchestra (LCO), the sold-out event marked a milestone. Known for her work with seed. and Kokoroko, Kinoshi's compositional prowess extends across various mediums. Gratitude now showcases her textured and dynamic sound as it traverses from groove-focused modal melancholia to anthemic brass and string themes. Inspired by her mother and her own mental health journey, Kinoshi's creation resonates deeply, reflecting the soul of contemporary Black London with the craftsmanship of legendary jazz arrangers.
Review: Polish producer Latarnik and American vocalist Anthony Mills collide on this new album for Polish label Astigmatic to explore lo-fi hip-hop, soul, dub and experimental electronics. Mills's falsetto vocal brings great Neo-soul warmth to Crack Rock with emotionally charged tones soaring over the production which ranges from sugary and 80s-tinged disco and boogie on 'Crack' to deep, seductive and gooey on 'Passive Lover' which is a more romantic sound. Latarnik's work is often minimal yet immersive which creates space for Mills' voice to shine and is delivered in equal parts spoken word, chant and soulful croon. The hypnotic, slow-burning soundscapes that result are both intimate and confrontational, ready to make you dance but also often just to feel. Unapologetically raw and deeply human, this one lingers long after the final track ends.
Review: Hardcore Philly rappers Da Buze Bruvaz, aka Him-LO and Clever One, have been coming up strong on their Grilchy Party label in the past couple of years. A lot of their work has been with Lord Beatjitzu, who once again mans the buttons on this vinyl pressing of the CDr release, complete with kung-fu movie iconography emblazoned on the cover and some hard as nails beats to back up the drunken, lyrical devastation from the duo on the mic. This record serves as a companion piece to the Bruce Li album the three-strong team have got coming in tandem with this joint, so cop both and get yourself up on the real deal coming straight out of Philly.
Review: Funky French duo Djeuhdjoah and Lieutenant Nicholson once again team up for a chelonian gallavant through house. The former singles 'Pas si vite' and 'Caipirinha' now form integral parts to a full, album, '2 Plus', on which a whopping 13 more tracks follow. Packed with bright, choral vocals ('Planete') and colliery tones ('Bwe Dlo'), this is an impressive and sunny saunter through French-Brazilian neo-soul and house.
Review: To say Philippe Doray and his Asociaux Associes finished the 1970s with creative fervour would be an understatement. First we had 1976's Ramasse-Miettes Nucleaires, then two years after that there was the equally potent Nouveaux Modes Industriels. Both were heralded as ahead of their time, at the time, bringing together strange, otherworldly pop, spacey prog, prototypes of Krautrock and impassioned poetry. Le Composant Compositeur followed, and in their own words marked the beginning of a new era in the 'Antisocial Associates' project (to use the English translation). It's a marvellous addition to the collection, too, a series of sharp, edgy, mutant pop tracks, weirdo brass experimentation, compressed electro, dubby ideas, and twisted, acid-spiked fairground themes.
Dark As (feat The Maghreban & Tamar Collocutor) (4:52)
Tea Leaf Dancers (feat Vince Vella) (3:51)
The Volume Of The Light (feat Jessica Lauren) (4:43)
Review: London spiritual jazz man Emanative is drummer and producer Nick Woodmansey. He has put out some well received albums on Brownswood, The Steve Reid Foundation and Jazzman Records and also tries his hand - successfully - at electronic music. Vocalist Liz Elensky has been part of the project since 2006 and this album finds the duo head in a new direction that delves deep into electronic sounds but with soulful jazz vibrations and contributions from the likes of Rocketnumbernine, The Maghreban and Khalab & Jesica Lauren amongst others. It results in an album that is as alluring as it is inventive.
Review: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong came together first of all for their 1956 album Ella and Louis. Just a year later, the enduring jazz icons hooked up once more on Verve Records for the simply titled Ella and Louis Again. It was recorded at Radio Recorders and Capitol Studios in Hollywood and where their first album was all duets, this one features seven solo vocal tracks by either Armstrong or Fitzgerald amongst its dozen duet tracks. Louis only played trumpet on six of these tunes but there was such a vibe between the two artists that it was never seen as an issue.
Review: Not just a clever name, At Issue takes its title from the Brooklyn venue this incredible album was recorded in, namely Issue Project Room. For those who don't recognise the musicians involved, Kim Gordon is an icon of discordant, white noise-y rock 'n' roll, best known as a member of Sonic Youth - one of the most iconic guitar acts to emerge in the 1980s.
That might be a red herring in this context, though, because at the New York address in question Gordon was joined by legendary blues minimalist maestro, Loren Connors. The result is a hybrid work that's patient, sophisticated, utterly mesmerising and - for want of a better, less fawning word - close to perfection. Profoundly moving, and masterfully arranged, we guarantee this is one for the lifetime honours list.
Ashkharhes Me Panjara E (The World Is A Window) (4:07)
Trembling Dervish (4:12)
Zartir (Wake Up) (4:21)
The Great Prayer (6:50)
Review: The third album from Levon Eskenian's remarkable ensemble is its most adventurous to date. As well as reclaiming the music of esoteric teacher G. I. Gurdjieff for folk instrumentation, Zartir situates Gurdjieff in a tradition of Armenian bards and troubadours including Ashugh Jivani, Baghdasar Tbir and the legendary Sayat-Nova. In parallel, an emphasis on pieces for sacred dance reaches its apex in The Great Prayer, an entrancing collaboration between the Gurdjieff Ensemble and the National Chamber Choir of Armenia, which draws upon ritual music of multiple faiths. Arranger Eskenian says, "I believe The Great Prayer is more than a mere 'composition'. It is one of the most profound and transformative pieces I have encountered in Gurdjieff's work." Zartir was recorded in Yerevan in 2021 and mixed and completed in Munich in November 2022 by Levon Eskenian, Tigran Kuzikyan, and Manfred Eicher.
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