Friday, 27 February 2009
The Associates - Double Hipness CD 2 (2000)
Scottish band The Associates were one of the most outstanding groups of the new wave/post-punk era. They were founded in 1976 by Billy Mackenzie and Alan Rankine, although with a different name.Rankine left the group after the successful 1982 album "Sulk", but Mackenzie continued to play and record, either as The Associates or as a solo artist, till 1997 when he committed suicide - in January to be more precise (I will post his solo discography soon!).
Here's some of the artists wich take part with The Associates throughout the years:
- Billy Mackenzie - Vocals
- Alan Rankine - Guitars, Keyboards and Other Instruments (1977-1982, 1993 for reunion)
- Michael Dempsey - Bass guitar, formerly of The Cure (1980-1982)
- John Murphy - Drums, later of SPK and Death In June, (1980-81)
- Steve Goulding - Drums, formerly of Graham Parker & the Rumour and later of the Mekons, He also played drums for The Cure on their single "Let's Go to Bed" (1982-1983)
- Howard Hughes was a longtime friend of Billy Mackenzie and played keyboards live and on his later albums Perhaps, The Glamour Chase and Wild And Lonely.
- Steve Reid was a longtime friend of Billy Mackenzie and played guitar on Perhaps.
- Roberto Soave - Bass (1983-1985) after departure of Michael Dempsey who also played bass with Shelleyan Orphan on their album "Humroot" and live for The Cure while Simon Gallup was ill; later played in the bands Presence and Babacar
- Moritz Von Oswald - Drums (1985 onwards), Percussion (On Wild and Lonely), Also composed on Outernational.
- Anne Dudley of Art of Noise - strings on Wild and Lonely.
- Martha Ladly - Keyboards and Vocals on Sulk, previously with Martha and the Muffins.
- Robert Smith - Backing vocals on 'The Affectionate Punch', the lead singer of The Cure who were also signed to Fiction at the time.
- Jim Russell- Drums (1984)
- Ian McIntosh - Guitars (Live and Radio Sessions only apart from Those First Impressions), after Alan Rankine left, (1982-1985)
- Martin Lowe - Guitars (Live), (1982)
Don't miss it!
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Mick Karn - Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters (1987)
Bassist Mick Karn became quite well known for being a member of the neo romantic post-punk group Japan.These are two excellent records with the collaboration of his Japan bandmates David Sylvian, Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri.
Karn's use of the fretless bass guitar, an unusual instrument in modern popular music, produces a distinctive sound and playing style, which makes his playing immediately recognizable. (Taken from Wikipedia)
Ulrich Schnauss - A Strangely Isolated Place (2003)
In December 2008 I've posted Ulrich Schnauss' "Goodbye", the most recent full length record under his own name.
"Far Away Trains Passing By" and "Strangely Isolated Place" were its two predecessors and they're excellent records too.
In December 2008 I've posted Ulrich Schnauss' "Goodbye", the most recent full length record under his own name."Far Away Trains Passing By" and "Strangely Isolated Place" were its two predecessors and they're excellent records too.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Eric Watson Trio - Jaded Angels (2006)
As promised, a few more records by the awesome musician Eric Watson.
A piano solo album ("Sketches of Solitude") and many different collaborations including Paul Motian, John Lindberg, Mark Dresser and Ed Schuller (among others).
Enjoy!
As promised, a few more records by the awesome musician Eric Watson.A piano solo album ("Sketches of Solitude") and many different collaborations including Paul Motian, John Lindberg, Mark Dresser and Ed Schuller (among others).
Enjoy!
Monday, 23 February 2009
DJ Spooky - Optometry (2002)
"Optometry" is another Matthew Shipp related work.This approach of Paul D. Miller (a.k.a. DJ Spooky) to jazz music has collaborations of Matthew Shipp (piano), William Parker (bass), Guillermo E. Brown (drums) and Joe McPhee (tenor sax, Trumpet). Miller assumes responsibility for the turntables, laptop, upright bass and kalimba.
Another The Blue Series issue from Thirsty Ear Recordings.
Enjoy!
Matthew Shipp vs. Antipop Consortium - Matthew Shipp vs. Antipop Consortium (2003)
As promised, here are a few more records of Matthew Shipp.Hope you like it!
Oskar Sala - Elektronische Impressionen (1998)
Here's another record by this electronic pioneer.In this album Sala plays the Mixtur-Trautonium, a development he made relatively to the original Trautonium and the recordings were made between 1976 and 1978.
Once more, compositions of Paul Hindemith as well as Oskar Sala ones.
Saturday, 21 February 2009
V/A - Great Jewish Music: Serge Gainsbourg (1997)
Here's two interesting tributes to monsieur Serge Gainsbourg. The Nippon Columbia's "Gainsbourg Tribute '95" and one issue of Tzadik's "Great Jewish Music" series dedicated to the man.While the 1st one joined collaborations of Malcolm Mclaren, Kahimi Karie, Laila France and Cornelius (among others), the 2nd one was made by classic Tzadik icons such as John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Mike Patton, David Shea, Fred Frith, Ikue Mori, Kramer, and so on...
Cathal Coughlan - The Sky's Awful Blue (2002)
"The Sky's Awful Blue" was the successor to the 2000 "Black River Falls" wich I've posted some time ago.Hope you like it!
Opal - Happy Nightmare Baby (1987)
As promised, here's Opal's "Happy Nightmare Baby".
The group was formed by Kendra Smith (ex-Dream Syndicate) and David Roback (ex-Rain Parade) and this was the only full length record they've released.
When Kendra Smith left the band, David Roback was joined by Hope Sandoval and they became Mazzy Star.
Enjoy!
As promised, here's Opal's "Happy Nightmare Baby".The group was formed by Kendra Smith (ex-Dream Syndicate) and David Roback (ex-Rain Parade) and this was the only full length record they've released.
When Kendra Smith left the band, David Roback was joined by Hope Sandoval and they became Mazzy Star.
Enjoy!
Friday, 20 February 2009
Cranes - Loved (1994)
Some time ago I've posted the 2008 self-titled record of this wonderful group. I've now decided to post their first (and perhaps finest!) four albums.There aren't words strong enough to describe the exquisite quality of their early works and "Wings of Joy" in particular, wich is still my favourite Cranes' record.
I'll post more of their discography in the future.
Fad Gadget - The Best of Fad Gadget [CD 2] (2001)
Here's Fad Gadget main discography, including a "Best of" release with several remixes and extended versions on CD nº 2.Enjoy!
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Clan of Xymox - Subsequent Pleasures (1994)
Don't let this CD cover fool you!This record contains the 4AD demos for Clan of Xymox debut album. It also contains their homemade recording "Subsequent Pleasures", released when they were still in Amsterdam as a 500 copies limited edition: the recordings were made in 1983-84.
It's a shame that Xymox's career couldn't keep up to it's outstanding beginnings.
Hope you like it!
Clan of Xymox - The John Peel Sessions (2001)
Here's another Clan of Xymox gem. The John Peel Sessions recorded in 1985.Xymox sounds more driven and more like an actual band than on the lush John Fryer-produced 4AD albums. Wolbert's "Seventh Time" has more of a menacing thunk and Nooten's "After the Call" is so well-written it actually benefits from the scant production. Considering the absence of a live album from this era, John Peel Sessions presents Xymox as an actual band before being This Mortal Coil-ed into the heavens. (Taken from AMG)
Anne Clark - To Love and Be Loved (1995)
Anne Clark began her career in 1982 with "The Sitting Room". Since then, she has conquered the love and respect of alternative music fans worldwide with several works wich included collaborations with Vini Reilly, John Foxx and Martin Bates, in one of the most interesting approaches to poetry in music.I've chosen some of my favourite records for this post.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
John Foxx - Cathedral Oceans (1997)
John Foxx was the original frontman of the synth/glam new wavers Ultravox and he left the group in 1979 to pursue a solo career."Cathedral Oceans" was his 1997 comeback record after a twelve-year absence.
Dreamy-ethereal-ambient soundscapes that will certainly appeal to fans of Brian Eno.
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