Sidsel Endresen & Stian Westerhus – Bonita. Blimey. I loved SW’s Pale Horses avant-jazz-meets-power-ballad album Maelstrom from earlier this year, but this is way too much for me. Random guitar noise plus the type of improvised vocalisation that suggests the lady in question is giving birth to a porcupine. Pass.
Zoltan – Sixty Minute Zoom. Alerted to this on the weekly Norman Records mail-out (which is a very good way of keeping up to date with the latest releases that aren’t Take That, Coldplay, One Direction etc). They gave it 6 out of 10, which for a shop trying to sell you music is the equivalent of calling it dog shit, but I was intrigued by their description of synth-driven prog action, so checked it out on Bandcamp. And it’s actually rather good, and notable for featuring the brothers Matt and Andy Thompson (ex-Guapo and Litmus respectively). Zombi are clearly a very big influence, and while this isn’t quite in their class, it’s definitely worth a listen if you’re into that John Carpenter/Tangerine Dream film score sound: http://zoltanatloz.bandcamp.com/album/sixty-minute-zoom
Gang of Four – Entertainment! Currently reading the 33 1/3 book on this, which is pretty heavy going. I almost hate to say it, but a wise-cracking American academic attempting to analyse a very British piece of musical art history doesn’t really do it for me. Still a cracking album, mind.
The Budos Band – Burnt Offering
Listen With Father:
On childcare duties this week, so plenty of music on during meal times…
King Tubby – Prophesy of Dub. “Is there going to be any singing?” “No, that’s why it’s called dub.” Cue long and futile explanation.
Ruts DC – Rhythm Collision Dub. One of my favourite albums, just brilliant. Has anybody seen the re-formed line-up live? Worth it?
Slowdive – Pygmalion. Interesting how Slowdive have gone from being the whipping boys (and girl) of the original shoegazing scene to being a respected influence on loads of bands that the NME really like now (probably). See also: Ride, who the press couldn’t wait to push out of the door when they originally split. Oh, see also: Pixies. Anyway, I digress. This wonderful album came out in 1995, just as Creation/Alan McGee had thrown their lot in with the lad-to-dad rock of Oasis et al, so got practically zero promotion and sank without trace. But, along with Bark Psychosis’ ‘Scum’, it’s the first real response to Talk Talk’s re-drawing of rock’s aesthetic and compositional boundaries that had occurred with Spirit of Eden/Laughing Stock. It’s dream-like and discursive, while remaining a riveting listen at the same time. Unfortunately, the kids were too busy making snowflakes after breakfast, otherwise I’m sure that would have Absolutely Agreed With Me. Beautiful opening track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkCST-9iGGs
VA – Love, Peace & Poetry – Asian Psychedelic Music. This had more of an impact. The LP&P compilations are super introductions to all the crazy stuff that was happening globally in the late 60s/early 70s, and I think this one is my favourite. Serious outbreak of ‘Indian’ dancing to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-FXqnoR2FQ
VA – Sitar Beat – Indian Style Heavy Funk. Which led to us listening to this, another terrific comp. How about this thumping Bollywood appropriation of Jeff Wayne’s ‘Eve of the War’? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WBorOBwRrs
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