Thursday 27 August 2009

Coph Nia - That Wich Remains (2000)

Coph Nia is a dark ambient musical project, product of the mind of a swedish artist named Aldenon Sartorial.
"That Wich Remains", released by Cold Meat Industry, was Coph Nia's 1st record and probably its best.
Hope you like it!

Jordi Savall/Hespèrion XXI - Ludi Musici [The Spirit of Dance 1450-1650] (2007)

Wonderful collection of traditional music, composed between 1450-1650, wich includes works from the Middle East to Europe and South America.

In all cultures, an essential focus for social gatherings and interaction is found in folk music, of which dance is often the most immediate and richly significant natural extension. This selection presents a collection of pieces which were either intended as dance music or whose purpose links them directly to the world of folk music; music which, through the carefree and spontaneous nature of that social dimension, embraces and synthesises various traditions. This is popular music from the past, but which has close links with the present. (Taken from ArkivMusic.com)
Anton Bruckner - Te Deum/Motetten/150. Psalm (1999)
This "Te Deum" is one of my favourite sacred works by this austrian composer from the romantic period. These recordings were originally made between 1966 and 1971.
Hope you like it!

György Ligeti - Aventures (2002)

György Ligeti is probably best known for his works in the Stanley Kubrick's filmography, but "Aventures" may be an interesting starting point to his other material, composed between 1961-1987 and including "Mysteries of the Macabre", "Volumina" or "Aventures", among others.
Enjoy!

Monday 24 August 2009

Steve Coleman & Dave Holland - Phase Space (1992)

Outstanding collaboration between the american saxophonist Steve Coleman and the british bass player Dave Holland.
"Phase Space" is made partially of their own material along with some classic stuff such as Charlie Parker's "Ah-Leu-Cha", Mal Waldron's " Straight Ahead" and Bunky Green's "Little Girl I'll Miss you".
Hope you like it!

Gary Peacock & Bill Frisell - Just So Happens (1994)

"Just So Happens" is a duet album with double-bassist Gary Peacock and guitar wizard Bill Frisell. It was released on Postcards Inc. in 1994.

Gary Peacock
's duo album with Bill Frisell is rewarding, (...) most interesting is the sonic contrast between Peacock's imposing upright bass and Frisell's quirky electric guitar. (Taken from AMG)

Thursday 20 August 2009

Bobby Previte's Empty Suits - Slay the Suitors (1994)

Excellent album by Bobby Previte, an avant-jazz drummer who has worked, among others, with John Zorn, Charlie Hunter, Elliott Sharp and Wayne Horvitz (who plays on this record as well).

DJ Wally - Nothing Stays the Same (2003)

Another great record from Thirsty Ear's Blue Series: DJ Wally with collaborations of David S. Ware, Matthew Shipp and William Parker.

Thursday 13 August 2009

Nitzer Ebb - Body of Work [CD 1] (2006)

Nitzer Ebb - Body of Work [CD 2] (2006)

Nitzer Ebb was formed in England in 1982 by Douglas McCarthy, Bon Harris and David Gooday.
They're known for tooking influences in such post-punk bands as DAF, Killing Joke or Bauhaus.
This compilation, wich focus on their works from 1984 to 1997, was released by Mute Records and CD 2 is made of several remixes from the same period.
Enjoy!

Martin L. Gore - Counterfeit EP (1989)

Martin L. Gore - Counterfeit 2 (2003)

One of the genius (probably the most important one!) behind Depeche Mode's success, Martin Gore has released two solo albums ("EPs") entirely made of cover versions.
Excellent interpretations of some cult classic names such as Tuxedomoon, The Durutti Column, The Comsat Angels, Kurt Weill or Einstürzende Neubauten, among others.
Enjoy!

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Aerial M - Post Global Music (1999)

Another great project by David Pajo.
Hope you like it!

The Faint - Media (1998)

The Faint - Blank-Wave Arcade (1999)

The Faint - Danse Macabre [Ltd. Edition CD 1] (2001)
The Faint - Danse Macabre [Ltd. Edition CD 2] (2001)
The Faint - Danse Macabre Remixes (2003)

The Faint - Wet From Birth (2004)

The Faint - Fascination (2008)

The Faint is a very interesting american indie group from Nebraska.
I got acquaintance of this band back in 2001 when they released "Danse Macabre", wich is my favourite record of them till now.

In popular music one thing is for certain: old genres never die or completely fade away; they just recycle. On Danse Macabre The Faint lovingly and accurately resurrect all that was memorable/forgettable about the disposable hits of 1980s: repetitive dance beats propelled by sterile drum machines, monotone vocals, spastic outbursts of cacophony, and hypnotic keyboard synthesizer motifs.
Like Soft Cell, Human League, Gary Numan, and Kraftwerk, The Faint have the ability to pen strong hooks which would have been monster hits in the dawn of the age of MTV.
The Faint offer a campy yet playfully dark collection that is purely an exercise in Reagan-era pop-culture nostalgia. (Taken from AMG)

Sunday 9 August 2009

Electronic - Electronic (1991)

Electronic was formed in the late 80's by Johnny Marr and Bernard Sumner.
This was their first album and it has the collaboration of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe from the Pet Shop Boys.
Still a great record nowadays.
Enjoy!

It's Immaterial - Life's Hard and Then You Die (1986)

It's Immaterial - Song (1990)

It's Immaterial is an undeniable referential english band of the 80's, especially due to their magnificent debut "Life's Hard and Then You Die" (who won't remember the single "Driving Away From Home"?).
It's a damn shame they've only released two albums!

The Dears - End of a Hollywood Bedtime Story (2000)

The Dears - No Cities Left (2003)

The Dears - Thank You Good Night Sold Out (2004)

The Dears - Orchestral Pop Noir Romantique (2005)

Talking about the Bella Union label brought me back to mind The Dears, a canadian band formed in Montreal in the mid 90's by Murray A. Lightburn.
Here are some of their records from wich I would like to highlight "No Cities Left", definitely the group's masterpiece and one of the best pop records of 2003 (released in Europe only in 2004).
Their sound resembles to a mixture of Morrissey, Serge Gainsbourg and Blur.

Friday 7 August 2009

Trespassers William - Different Stars (2003)
Here's a very interesting record from this south californian band, originally released in the UK by the label Bella Union of Simon Raymonde (ex-Cocteau Twins).
It will certainly appeal to fans of Mazzy Star, Elysian Fields or Maria Taylor.
Enjoy!

All About Eve - All About Eve (1988)

All About Eve - Ultraviolet (1992)

After a brief passage as a bassist of Gene Loves Jezebel, in the early 80's, Julianne Regan left the group to form her own band. The final result was All About Eve and these are my favourite two records of them.
Hope you like it!

Thursday 6 August 2009

The Damned - Phantasmagoria (1985)
Originally gaining lots of fame as one of the most important punk acts of the late 70's, here are The Damned in their goth rock incarnation of the mid 80's.
Great record; hope you like it!
Ian McCulloch - Candleland (1989)
Ian McCulloch - Mysterio (1992)
These were the first two solo records by Echo & the Bunnymen's singer Ian McCulloch.
Collaborations of Robin Guthrie and Liz Fraser from the Cocteau Twins.
Enjoy!

Propaganda - A Secret Wish (1985)

"A Secret Wish" was the excellent debut album of the german pop group Propaganda who was formed at the time by Ralf Dörper (also from Die Krupps), Claudia Brücken, Michael Mertens and Susanne Freytag.
The record was produced by Trevor Horn and it has a lot of wonderful tracks such as the single "Duel", "The Chase", "P-Machinery" or "Dream Within a Dream".
Enjoy!