Ölga - << What Is >> (2005)

A few weeks ago I've exchanged some emails about the portuguese label Bor Land.
As I promised to the person in question, here's Ölga's "What Is".
Ölga is a portuguese trio from Lisbon. They were formed in 2001, although as a quartet then, and they've released four records so far.
Don't miss this one!

Robin Guthrie - Imperial (2003)

Robin Guthrie - Continental (2006)

Been revisiting these two records a lot on my iPod, especially "Continental", my favourite one.
It's a little unfair to choose one specific track from the album, but if I had to do it, I'd choose "Monument". So much powerfulness in such a short piece of time.
Hope you like it!

Hello to all!

I know it's been quite a while since my last post, but times are tough and you know: "When the goin' gets tough...".
Don't have much spare time, now that I've returned to my studying days in university.
It seems like I'm a teenager again.
I'll try to update mUsistenZ whenever's possible.

See ya!

Ben Monder Trio - Dust (1997)

Just love this record; what a great trio!
Ben Monder (guitar), Jim Black (drums) and Ben Street (bass).
It will certainly appeal to fans of Bill Frisell or John Abercrombie.

Trio records can go one of two ways: they either become a showcase for one particular player's overwhelming talent or a dynamic conversation between three equally talented and thematically in-tune musicians.
"Dust" definitely falls in the latter category.
This isn't Monder's show per se; all three players push and pull the songs in varying directions, following no real leader.
(Taken from allaboutjazz.com)

Ben Goldberg - Twelve Minor (1998)

Clarinetist Ben Goldberg gain some recognition by playing in the New Klezmer Trio, in the early 90's.
Throughout his career, he has played with many well-known musicians suh as Andrew Hill, Myra Melford, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Roswell Rudd, Wayne Horvitz, Don Byron, Ellery Eskelin, Zeena Parkins, Mark Dresser, Cuong Vu, Marty Ehrlich or Trevor Dunn, who also plays on this record.
Hope you like it!

Duplex Longa - Forças Ocultas (1992)

Unfortunately, "Forças Ocultas" was the only album by the portuguese avant-garde group Duplex Longa, formed in 1987 by Mário Resende (violin, drum machine, flutes, tapes, computer, electronics) and Carlos Raimundo (bass, drum machine, tapes, samplers, electronics).
This record has inumerous collaborations, including singer Anabela Duarte (Mler ife Dada) and the jazz musician Rodrigo Amado on the saxophone.
Hope you like it!

Death in June - Nada! (1985)

Death in June - But, What Ends When the Symbols Shatter? (1992)

Death in June - Rose Clouds of Holocaust (1995)
This is, undoubtedly, a controversial character but, to tell you the truth, I couldn't care less about Douglas Pearce's alleged political views.
What really interests me on him it's his music.
That said, I leave you with my favourite records by DIJ, especially "But, What Ends When the Symbols Shatter?" and "Rose Clouds of Holocaust".
Hope you like it too!

Scott Walker - Scott (1967)

Scott Walker - Scott 2 (1968)

Scott Walker - Scott 3 (1969)

Scott Walker - Scott 4 (1969)

Scott Walker - 'Til the Band Comes in (1970)

Scott Walker - Stretch (1973)

Scott Walker - We Had it All (1974)

Scott Walker - Sings Jacques Brel (1981)

Scott Walker - Climate of Hunter (1983)

Scott Walker - Boy Child [The Best of 1967-1970] (1990)

Scott Walker - Tilt (1995)

Scott Walker - Pola X (1999)

Scott Walker - In 5 Easy Pieces [CD 1 - In My Room] (2003)

Scott Walker - In 5 Easy Pieces [CD 2 - Where's the Girl?] (2003)

Scott Walker - In 5 Easy Pieces [CD 3 - An American in Europe] (2003)

Scott Walker - In 5 Easy Pieces [CD 4 - This Is How You Disappear] (2003)

Scott Walker - In 5 Easy Pieces [CD 5 - Scott on Screen] (2003)

Scott Walker - The Drift (2006)

Scott Walker - And Who Shall Go to the Ball? And What Shall Go to the Ball? (2007)

Scott Walker is one of my deepest influences in art and in life.
Probably my only true idol.
I can tell you that his first solo records, "Scott-Scott4", and even 1995's "Tilt", changed profoundly my points of view over pop music's history.
This is just a humble attempt to bring new ears to the music of Scott Walker.
Don't miss it!

Neil Hannon - "My favorite singer in the world ever is an american, Scott Walker."

Jarvis Cocker, about the difficulty in getting Scott's records at one time - "It took me four or five years to track them all down.
As for Scott 4, it just completely blew me away. He had massive orchestral arrangements, but with lyrics about people stuck in front of the telly, with their kids getting on their nerves. I'd always liked things that mythologized everyday life, but this was the first time I'd heard it in pop music."

Laurie Anderson, about her introduction to Scott Walker's music - "My immediate reaction was complete attention, which pretty much describes listening to him since then. His signature is a roaring big voice with ragged edges full of sharp things."

Adam Yauch, about the documentary "Scott Walker: 30 Century Man" - "It's a trip. The dude is an extremist. The part that killed me was when he signed a deal and goes off, lives in an old cabin without electricity, for like seven years. Then he calls his A&R man and says, 'OK, I'm ready to record'. He symbolizes the extremes of sticking by your guns. "

Marc Almond - "There is only one Scott Walker, the rest of us can just watch from the sidelines."

Rusty Willoughby - "To me, Scott Walker has always exemplified everything that is wonderful and mysterious about music. His creative output between the years 1967 – 1969 on his solo releases, Scott I – Scott IV can arguably be considered one of the most consistent streaks of musical creativity and confidence ever put to record. Scott’s music is grand American Music filtered through the haze of nascent 1960’s pop artistic renaissance and the old world charm of artists such as Jacques Brel and Yves Montand. Eschewing the typical Pop Star lifestyle in pursuit of more pure and honest personal expression, Scott Walker has always been a major influence on me, and i’m sure, any artist looking to find their own way in an absurd and beautiful world."

Catherine Wheel - Ferment (1992)

"Ferment" was the awesome debut album by the british shoegazers Catherine Wheel.
Excellent record with great pop tunes such as "I Want to Touch You", "Flower to Hide", etc, etc, etc...
This is the 2010 reissue with 6 bonus tracks.
Don't miss it!

Televise - Songs to Sing in A & E (2006)
Televise is one of the several musical projects for which Simon Scott, former drummer of Slowdive, is responsible.
This was Televise's 1st album.
Hope you like it!

Liam Mckahey & The Bodies - Lonely Road (2009)

First solo effort by Cousteau's lead singer Liam Mckahey.
Although not quite as good as Cousteau's self titled debut album, or even "Sirena", Mckahey's impressive baritone vocals was a sufficient excuse for me to give it a try.

The Divine Comedy - Bang Goes the Knighthood (2010)

The Divine Comedy - Bang Goes the Knighthood [Bonus CD] (2010)

From one genius (Brian Wilson) to another (Neil Hannon), here's The Divine Comedy's last album.
It would be pointless to express, once again, how deeply touching Neil Hannon's music is to my ears, so, I'll not specifically adjectivize this record any further.
You be the judge!

The Beach Boys - Shut Down Volume 2 (1964)

We're having such a hot summer in here, that I thought it would be nice to post some beautiful, refreshing melodies by The Beach Boys.
Some of my favourtite tracks, such as "Keep an Eye on Summer", "The Warmth of the Sun", "Surfer Girl", "Don't Worry Baby", "Louie Louie" and "Fun, Fun, Fun", are on these two records.
Have fun!

P.S. - The album "Surfer Girl" was removed because someone made a complaint about it.

Mick Karn's Illness

Earlier this month, bassist Mick Karn (Japan, Dali's Car...) announced on his website that he had been diagnosed with advanced stage cancer and was in financial difficulties.
If you would like to help, you can do so on the links below:

http://www.mickkarn.net/

http://www.burningshed.com/store/porcupinetree/product/169/2213/

Let's all give our support to Mick and hope he can get well soon.

Destroyer - Your Blues (2004)

Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies (2007)
Destroyer is a canadian musical project founded by Dan Bejar in 1995.
These are two great records, especially "Your Blues", my favourite one.
Don't miss it!

About "Your Blues":
Fusing a dramatic vocal style akin to that of David Bowie in the 1970s with 1980s studio achievers like Microdisney and Prefab Sprout, Your Blues is regularly breathtaking. (Taken from AMG)

Botanica - With All Seven Fingers (2002)

"With All Seven Fingers" was the 2nd studio album by Botanica, a musical project founded in the late 90's by former Firewater keyboardist Paul Wallfisch.

Paul Wallfisch has careened around the world (probably in a drunken state, but who knows) to bring all manner of experiences to bear in his music, serving as the leader of the smart and decadent alternative rock band, Botanica. Whether through a great inheritance or a savvy ability to play the stock market, the singer/songwriter was able to travel the globe, journeying to lands as diverse as Indonesia, Finland, China, and Guinea; although Botanica is far from a worldbeat band, there is a distinct air of wry world-weariness and a cosmopolitan sophistication that infuses all its songs. Upon reentering the U.S., Wallfisch set up shop in Los Angeles where he recruited drummer Ivan Knight (Stan Ridgway) and bassist/backing vocalist Abby Travis (Beck, Elastica, KMFDM); they named themselves Botanica after those mysterious little shops that stock strange spells and a myriad of religious artifacts. (Taken from AMG)

Paul Haig - Cinematique 3 (2003)

Another great work by former Josef K's frontman Paul Haig.
You can also find, on the previous posts, Haig's "Coincidence vs. Fate" and "Memory Palace", a collaboration with Billy Mackenzie.
Hope you like it!

Hi folks!

I know I haven't put any new posts on mUsistenZ for a while.
Just feeling a bit down lately and without great motivation to do so.
Hope I can cheer up soon and continue to share all the great music that has been giving me pleasure since I remember.

Cheerio!

The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge (1983)

The Chameleons - What Does Anything Mean? Basically (1985)

The Chameleons - Strange Times (1986)
I'm so thrilled with the upcoming show of The Chameleons (a.k.a. The Chameleons UK) in Lisbon, on July 3rd, that I just couldn't help making this post.
These were their first three albums.
Absolute classic material!

The Reverend Horton Heat - Holy Roller (1999)

On the other night, drinking a few beers and seeing The Reverend Horton Heat's DVD "Live and in Color", I realized I didn't hear this awesome compilation for some time now and, in result, I began to rehearing it a lot.
Let me tell you that The Reverend's "Holy Roller" really rocks!

Steve Kuhn - Trance (1975)

Steve Kuhn - Remembering Tomorrow (1996)

Steve Kuhn - The Best Things (2000)

Steve Kuhn w/ Strings - Promises Kept (2004)

Four excellent records by the marvellous pianist Steve Kuhn.
Featuring some great artists such as Steve Swallow, Jack DeJohnette, Sue Evans, Joey Baron and Billy Drummond, among others.
Enjoy!

Michael Marcus - Here at! (1994)

Michael Marcus & Jaki Byard - This Happening (1997)

Michael Marcus Trio - In the Center of it All (1999)

Michael Marcus - Speakin' Out (2002)

Michael Marcus is a jazz musician that plays inumerous types of saxes and clarinets.
Although his career was built around the free jazz genre, he spent his early years playing with blues musicians such as Albert King and Bobby Bland.
Apart from "Speakin' Out", which is a solo record, there are a lot of great musicians accompanying Marcus on the other three albums, including Jaki Byard, William Parker and Steve Swell, among others.
Hope you like it!