"INTERSCOPE RELEASES ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK TO NETFLIX SERIES 13 REASONS WHY (SEASON 2) OUT MAY 18THSOUNDTRACK FEATURES NEW MUSIC FROM SELENA GOMEZ BACK TO YOU' AVAILABLE TODAYSOUNDTRACK ALSO INCLUDES NEW SONGS FROM ONEREPUBLIC FEATURING LOGIC, BILLIE EILISH FEATURING KHALID, YUNGBLUD FEATURING CHARLOTTE LAWRENCE, AND LORD HURON FEATURING PHOEBE BRIDGERS. In addition to new music from Gomez, the 13 Reasons Why soundtrack includes new songs from OneRepublic featuring Logic ( Start Again'), Billie Eilish featuring Khalid ( lovely'), YUNGBLUD featuring Charlotte Lawrence ( Falling Skies'), Lord Huron featuring Phoebe Bridgers (a new version of The NightWe Met'), and Colouring ( Time'). Like its predecessor, the soundtrack also features a mix of '80s New Wave favorites, including classics from New Order, Echo & The Bunnymen, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Tears For Fears, and Siouxsie and the Banshees."
Cerca:poly
Donor, the Brooklyn-based artist, known for his releases on Stroboscopic Artefacts, Semantica and Prosthetic Pressings, steps up on Sublunar with a brand new EP. The record consists of three original cuts plus a remix from the key figure in the legendary 'No Way Back' parties and 'The Bunker NY' resident Patrick Russell.
'Identity Revealed' is the first track of the EP, a half-stepping creature clanking and booming like steelworks surrounded by a claustrophobic noise that increases in intensity during its development.
Patrick Russell, with his interpretation of 'Identity Revealed', raises the temperature level pushing even further the noisy elements of the track and its thick atmosphere while the bassline takes an unpredictable route becoming something sparse and syncopated.
On the B-side 'Lesser Forms' merges booming kick drums with finely sculpted industrial drones, everything is perfectly lined up until the last microscopic sonic detail.
'Forgotten' closes the EP, a tortuous path carved into glitches and twists where every broken beat hits with brute force and moves onward with a curious poly-rhythmic gait.
In the '70s, Yan Tregger was far to believe he would become one of the most emblematic artists in the "sound illustration" scene. Yet today, his albums are highly coveted by "diggers" all around the world. At the time, nobody paid much attention to all those records that were classified as sound illustrations, or library music.
Yan Tregger started out in this environment in the late '60s. He was remarked after making several recordings for the credits of TV shows, and received a proposal to compose his first album. It was a small label (Marignan), the sleeve design was skimpy and the track titles were bizarre... Yet when you listened, the sound was seriously groovy. The album was called Freezing Point and a mere 300 copies were pressed. Thanks to this first test, other "illustration" professionals were convinced by Tregger's qualities.
During this period, there was no lack of work but there was no glory on the program either. In the '70s, many different labels such as Neuilly, Montparnasse 2000, or the Italian CAM label, called on
his services. Shortly afterwards, Philips released two of his records under the name Major Symphony, and then Polydor issued the two M.B.T. Soul albums, including one international
success, "Chase". Up until now, despite the interest shown in his discography, no reissue had been undertaken - an
omission that has just been fixed thanks to the release of a compilation that we are pleased to present. Let's start with the main information: the tracks included on the album were selected jointly by a number of collectors and Yan Tregger himself. The selection is rich and surprising. The A side is more "seventies", with an instrumental pop style and a psychedelic vibe, while the B side is more rhythmic and melodious, corresponding more with the funky disco moods of the eighties.7
A new aDepth audio record featuring Canadian Rennie Foster, including a remix of Nomadico (DJ Dex/Underground Resistance).The title track Witch Hazel is a 9 minute long track with no breakdown and a minimal approach to arrangement, with organic elements cycling in and out subtly rather than obviously beginning and ending. A rolling half time, tribal groove drives the power of the track with a haunting vocal sample and layers of percussion creating a heady, polyrhythmic hypnosis on the dance floor. Not since Rennie's well known Devil's Water has he presented such an overtly occult offering as this extremely finely crafted EP, and this song represents the initial seduction of the record to the listener very effectively.
The second track, Navigator, is a drum machine driven workout, again with a polyrhythmic and tribal vibe, this time drenched in a rich, holographic pad that morphs and moves in unexpected ways. Minimalistic in presentation, this track is bass heavy and functional for the DJ, yet artistic and emotional.
The Nomadico remix by DJ Dex of Underground Resistance takes the elements of Witch Hazel and re-constructs them in a futuristic style with a more driving kick and molten Detroit attitude. A heavier techno approach to the piece, but still intact is the melancholic atmosphere of the original and siren song of the vocal sample. This mix includes a dramatic breakdown and unique arrangement familiar to fans of Nomadico's awesome Yaxteq label. The last track on the EP is called Crossing The Boundary is possibly the only track in this style to sample distorted vocals usually associated with black metal, making this a very unique, perhaps polarizing, experiment in sound. Evocative of the desolation of deep space and suggestive of sonic dark matter. This track combines Rennie's singular approach to dub techno with ambient and drone music and the result is like nothing else currently in existence.
- A1: Planetarios Suite
- A2: Part 1 - Planetarios
- A3: Part 2 - Tres Gringos Perdidos En La Selva
- A4: Part 3 - Viaje En Topolino Por Los Caminos Del Sur
- A5: Part 4 - El Pirata Del Grijalva
- A6: Part 6 - Los Suenos Del Pirata
- A7: Part 7 - Supernova En Macuspana
- B1: La Constelacion Del Pejelagarto (Bambuco
- B2: El Grito De La Lluvia
- B3: Lux Aeterna
Reissue of Eblen's fourth album, wonderful experimental music here. Tip!
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Mexican guitarist and ambient artist Eblen Macari's Música Para Planetarios (Music for Planetariums) was originally composed for weekly performances in the Luis Enrique Erro Planetarium in Mexico City to accompany a voyage through the galaxy. The album, released in 1987 was based around Macari's solo performances using Ensoniq ESQ-1, a Korg Poly 800, two guitars and pre-hispanic Ocarinas. The expanded arrangements recorded for the album include a full stable of pre-hispanic percussion and beautiful baroque harpsichord played by Macari's wife. This expansive interplanetary soliloquy is undoubtedly Macari's masterpiece. Remastered from the original master tapes.
The first release on the newly established Greyhound Days imprint comes from Christian Kroupa alias Alleged Witches, hailing from Slovenia, who proved his skills and innovation as a participant at the Red Bull Music Academy in 2014. Since then he became one of the most prominent names of Slovenia's techno and house scene, with making appearance on the mighty Fabric mix compilation, producing a remix of Alex Smoke for legendary Belgian label R&S, while also releasing a 12" entitled Serve The Spirits on R&S sub-label Meda Fury.»One Skilled In The Black Arts« EP consists of four tracks, meant for dictating the dance floor with their drum workout, as well as luring you into its deep ritualistic feel, with distant native tongues echo.For an extra wonderful hypnotic polyrhytms, a rework has been provided by Passarani, one of the Italian leading dance music producers and DJs, who continues to be an inspiration and providing his knowledge and skills to younger generations. While Bristol based Jacob Martin alias Hodge demonstrated his expertise in percussion, resulting in an slamming rework, not meant for the faint-hearted. Just shows, why Hodge is one of Bristol's most exciting new names.
The second of Polytechnic Youth's ace new LPs for July, sees a mighty set from Austria based synth pop duo Mitra Mitra. Following previous releases on Peripheral Minimal and their own Micromort label, not to mention a lathe cut right here on PY that sold out in 20 minutes in Dec. 2015.
The band was formed in Vienna in late 2014 by Violet Candide and Mahk Rumbae. Originally from New Zealand, Violet Candide is a founding member of the Crazy Hospital DJ collective, and one of the organisers of the legendary 'Future Echo' club night in Vienna, and is one half of 'Anesthetic Hairpins'; whilst British musician Mahk Rumbae is known for his work as a member of the industrial/experimental project 'Konstruktivists', 'Oppenheimer MkII' (with Andy Oppenheimer of Oppenheimer Analysis) and his solo techno project 'Codex Empire'.
After working together on one of Violet's solo songs, 'Heat', the pair decided to continue working together and formed Mitra Mitra as a more full time project, with the aim of writing electronic songs not tied to any particular influence or style. However, if there was such a thing as a signature PY sound- arguably this LP (alongside last year's Vorderhaus full length), encapsulates it most. Beautifully icy cold synth pop straight outta' early prime era Mute / Blackwing studios output. Serene yet melodic, edgy, dry icy hooks and delicious grooves aplenty all over this record. Eight wonderful tracks where quality and sheer melodic guile of the song writing never dips and attention truly is held across the whole set, ....no mean feat indeed.
Available as a 300 pressing LP only, destined to sell out rapid style as have all previous releases by both artist and label.
Apart from being known for founding the infamous vinyl imprint Subaltern Records and for his residency on SUB.FM, Gabriele Romeo aka. Mentha has made quite a name for himself with his Jazz-influenced bass music productions. This LP is a selection of tracks from his vault, showcasing his musical abilities and tasteful compositions in this self-release.
1 - All Or Nothing
Greeting the listener with melancholic yet optimistic vibes is the first track of the LP, 'All Or Nothing'. Setting the loungey and open space feeling for the release, captivating chords and soothing melodies join a potent sub-bass in this introspective overture.
2 - Same Spot ft. Vale
'Same Spot' picks it right up where the first track left it, emerging further into a vast ethereal space. Charming guitars pave the way to uplifting trumpet lines, masterfully executed by Vale. A meditative bass-line seamlessly merges all elements together into a seductive modal composition.
3 - Sunflower
Showing off his instrumental skills yet again, Mentha delivers a sunny and laid-back masterpiece with an apt title, rounded off by a perfectly executed contrast between bumping subs, crispy drums and radiant spaces. Bossa-inspired rhythms bond with Rhodes, jazzy horns and crystal guitars shifting through the realms of major and minor.
4 - Natural Rain
Natural Rain maintains the meditative vibe while entering mysterious spheres of consciousness. Like sunrise in an enchanted forest, this track is magically captivating and keeps the listener under its spell throughout. Oneiric melodies encounter pads and polyrhythms, leading to a climax which completes this mystical journey.
5 - Water March
Like a light breeze on a hot day, Water March takes it easy. Marked by Mentha's very own signature guitar and trumpet, this peaceful march unfolds playfully. While surprising with energetic bass frequencies and instrumental intricacies, this piece shows an insight of the artist's musical roots.
6 - In My Head ft. Aphty Khéa
A psychedelic masterpiece, 'In My Head' sets a strong statement at the end of the release. The unsettling atmosphere of the track is tastefully matched by Aphty Khéa's pristine voice. Creating an eerie yet soothing vibe, this track lets the mind roam freely through time signature changes, dynamic transformations and instrumental layers which remind of Steve Reich.
Brooklyn trio Forma's latest LP continues their mission to 'broaden the idea of what an electronic music ensemble can sound like.' Semblance emerged from exploratory sessions at The Schoolhouse, the Bushwick loft where members Mark Dwinell and John Also Bennett live, then was tracked at Gary's Electric studios, where their previous album Physicalist was also recorded.
Inspired by polyrhythmic composition, the human voice, and conceptual improvisation strategies, the songs are striking in their textural detail and emotional nuance, alternately synthetic and sentient, futuristic and intuitive. Incorporating flute, piano, guitar, saxophone, acoustic drums and cymbals alongside an array of synthesizers, the record persuasively demonstrates the group's unique playing abilities and fluid chemistry - attributes they credit to 'techniques we've developed to trick our electronic machines into mimicking the spontaneous character of live instruments.'
Members George and John Also Bennett also cite as an influence their recent stint in minimalist composer Jon Gibson's ensemble, performing his 1973 proto-ambient masterwork Visitations. The long- form modal piece requires restraint and deep listening to execute, qualities especially apparent in the more muted moments of Semblance, such as 'Rebreather' and 'New City.'
The group states the intent of the new album as 'to be more direct and exacting', which it is. Over half a decade spent writing and recording together has distilled Forma's hybrid electro-acoustic interplay into an attuned and astounding language, capable of articulating impossible symmetries and reflective states.
The stunning visuals of the artwork are by frequent collaborator of the group Peter Burr.
- A1: Chuck "Big Guitar" Ernest - "Blue Oasis" (With The Satellite Band)
- A3: The Wailers - "Driftwood
- A4: Lenny & The Thundertones - "The Moon Of Manakoora
- A5: Biscaynes - "Midnight In Montevideo" (With Co-Encidentals)
- A6: Red Harrison & His Zodiacs - "Chant Of The Jungle
- A7: The Palatons - "Jungle Guitar
- A8: Chayns - "Live With The Moon
- C1: Bailey's Nervous Kats - "Cobra" (Feat James Mills)
- C2: The Blazers - "Sound Of Mecca
- C3: The Gems - "Slave Girl
- C4: Jerry & The Catalinas - "The Arabian Knight
- C5: The Jaguars - "Night Walker
- C6: The Shelltones - "Blue Castaway
- C7: The Blue Bells - "Atlantis
- C8: Bill & Jean Bradway - "Paradise Isle
- D1: The Melody Mates - "Enchantment
- D2: Don Reed - "Nature Boy" (Feat The Voice Of Love)
- D3: The Baton Of Andre Brummer - "Tumba
- D4: Darla Hood - "Silent Island
- D5: Martha Raye - "Lotus Land" (With Phil Moore Orchestra)
- D6: Baha'i Victory Chorus - "Nightingale Of Paradise
- D7: Carmen - "Isle Of Love
- D8: The Monzas - "Forever Walks A Drifter
- E1: Akim - "Voodoo Drums
- E2: Don Sargent & His Buddies - "Voodoo Kiss
- E3: Joan Joyce Trio - "Captured
- E4: Pony Sherrell - "Tobago
- E5: Jerry Warren & The Valids - "Enchantress
- E6: The Centuries - "Polynesian Paradise
- E7: The Potted Palm - "My House Of Grass
- E8: The Castiles - "Enchantment
- F1: Five Glow Tones - "Quiet Village
- F2: Modesto Duran & Orchestra - "Silent Island
- F3: Ross Anderson Chorus & Orchestra - "Tam-Bu Theme
- F4: Bobby Christian - "Caravan
- F5: Bruce Norman Quintet - "Arabian Rhythm
- F6: The Slaves - "Hari's Harem
- F7: Arnie Derksen & Chise - "Similou
- F8: The Three Bars - "Caribbean Cruise" (Feat Nicky Roberts)
- G1: Robert Drasnin - "Chant Of The Moon
- G2: The Blue Jeans - "Moon Mist
- G3: Artie Barsamian - "The Enchanting Melody
- G4: Eddie Kochak & Hakki Obidia - "Jazz In Port Said
- G5: Gene Sikora & The Irrationals - "Tanganyika
- G6: Bobby Paris - "Dark Continent
- G7: Chico Jose - "Locura (Madness)
- G8: Clyde Derby - "Lost Island
It Was A Musical Cocktail Born In A Marketing Meeting: Two Parts Easy Listening, One Part Jazz, A Healthy Dollop Of Conga Drums, A Sprinkling Of Bird Calls, And A Pinch Of Textless Choir. Serve Garnished With An Alluring Female On The Album Jacket For Best Results. Exotica! The Soundtrack For A Mythical Air Conditioned Eden, Packaged For Mid-century, Tiki Torch-wielding Armchair Safariers. Be It Mosquito-bitten Torch Singers, Landlocked Surf Quartets, Fad-chasing Jazz Combos, Mad Genius Band Leaders, D-list Actors, Or A Middle Aged Loner Programming Bird Calls Into A Hammond, Exotica Was Always More Concerned With What Geography Might Sound Like Over Who Was Conducting. Captured Across Three Albums Are 48 (54 On The Cd) Curious Examples Of The Short-lived Genre's Reach, Each Summoning Their Own Sonic Visions Of Shangri La, Bringing Their Versions Of The Pacific, Africa, And The Orient To The Hinterlands Of America. Technicolor Paradise Is Where One Makes It, After All.
Various Artists - Technicolour Paradise: Rhum Rhapsodies & Others Exotic Delights
Minialbum EP + Insert CD
An Ardent Heart is a focused techno mini album that brings forward Stefan Goldmann's most dancefloor-centered material in a decade. The tracks push and pull relentlessly. Despite their linear appeal, there is an intricately balanced interplay between the heavy-handed kicks, the bouncy bass accents and the sizzling, yet clear-cut details whipped up by the rallying drums. The peculiar, seemingly 'vocalised' mode of synthesis is maybe the most unifying sonic characteristic of the six tracks and one coda. Formant shaping, vowel filters and airstream perturbations let a wide range of sounding elements speak in the tongues of a cybernetic Babylon. Layered polymetric patterns perforate the aural plane with alien scripts. Clearly structured, yet opaque messages that seem to have traveled for aeons emanate from the red-hot circuitry. They spill into a network of delays, channeled down into labyrinthine corridors, enveloped in electrostatic noise. Most tracks build on chance patterns evoked with hardware sequencers and freeform modulation sources. The resulting synthetic systems are as cohesive as they exhibit vast internal variation and range. Thus balancing simplicity and complexity right in the middle, the results are just as immediately gripping as they can feed sustained attention. A wide palette of distortion and overtones mark the contours of individual elements that seem to have near-physical qualities - as if there were metallic strings, thick membranes, a resonating sphere, all struck by electric mallets, caused to vibrate by mechanical bows and sung by silicone lips.
Earthboogie's debut album, Human Call, rightly earned praise on its release earlier in the year, with listeners responding positively to its sticky and humid dancefoor fusions of African and South American rhythms, chunky dub disco, retro-futurist house,
spacey analogue electronics and sun-kissed Balearica. Hot on the heels of that release, Leng Records has sourced new remixes of two album highlights - 'High Minded Man' and 'Silken Moon' - from Running Back label boss Gerd Janson and synthesizer-wielding Balearic boogie stalwart Pete Herbert.
It's Janson who steps up frst, offering up two total overhauls of 'High Minded Man' that re-cast the undulating, Afro-fred original as a dreamy, drum machine-driven chunks of vintage deep house goodness. Where Earthboogie's album version bobbed
and weaved around horns and live bass, Janson's Deep House Mix places the duo's original chanted vocals above a bouncy, polyrhythmic rhythm track, Larry Heard style chords, Kwaito-esque electronic bleeps and a smooth, soul-stroking bassline. Janson's
Deep House Dub, which strips out the vocal for a more sparse and ethereal listening experience, is also included on the EP.
The EP's other remix comes from sometime Reverso 68 member Pete Herbert, who gets his mitts on previous single 'Silken Moon'. While he retains some key elements from Earthboogie's original - specifcally the vocals, Afro guitars and house stabs - he
naturally adds a little of his own rubbery electronic disco favour via spacey synthesizer fourishes and a massive electronic bassline that brilliantly tracks the rising and falling
movement of the main melody. It has the feel of a terrace anthem in the making.
A great early album from Belchior - much rootsier than some of his later work, with a groove that almost feels like samba soul at times! Arrangements and music are handled by Marcus Vinicius - who uses quick-stepping samba elements on some of the best tracks, mixed with more modern funky styles in this really great way - which creates even more magic with the hauntingly poetic structures of Belchior's lyrics! The songforms are great - very much in the concrete poetry format used on Caetano's Araca Azul album, but with a warmer vibe overall - on titles that include "Bebelo", "Mote E Glosa", "A Palo Seco", "Maquina", "Todo Sujo De Baton", "Rodagem", and "Cemiterio".
The Vinyl Edition Is Limited To 500 Copies And Comes In A Sealed Heavy Old-fashioned Cardboard Sleeve, The Record Itself Is Packed In A Protective Poly-innersleeve. A Free Download Code Plus A Bjint Logo Sticker Round Up The Packaging. Philanthrope's Longplayer »waking Dreams« Marks The Very First Release On Our Newly Founded Beat Jazz International Label, Born Out Of Our Love And Passion For Beats, Jazz And Vinyl. After Well-received Output On Respected Labels Like Radio Juicy, Chillhop Or Dezi Belle, We Are Stunned To Present Philanthrope's All New Full-length With Illustrous Guests Like Mono:massive, Sugi.wa, Kupla And Tusken.
The first of two wonderful new full lengths for Polytechnic Youth for the first week in July. This is a debut release on vinyl for Spanish based Jordi Navarra whose musical oeuvre stretches between 'Surf, Hippie / Space Rock and crude electronic music' often different yet coated in tons of reverb and echo for 'it's final catalepsy'! 'Micromundos,' needless to say for PY devotees, concentrates on his cruder electronic soundscapes; incredible often ambient, drone themed pieces that on one hand dip their toes into the revered works of Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius, and the sky back catalogue whilst equally conjuring up a collision of Spacemen 3 psych meets Wire, early Cabs or Magazine darker more atmospheric, post punk industrial / experimental workouts. Eight abstract, kosmische fuelled pieces that act as an interesting sister release to the label's other July offering, the more overtly 'in-yr-face' synth pop themed Mitra Mitra LP. Two beautiful releases expected to sell out pretty swiftly, and released together first week of July.
'syncho Sound System & Power' Features The Music Of Nigeria Fuji Machine,
Which Includes Some Of The Country's Finest 'fuji' Master Drummers And Singers, And Is Newly Recorded By Soul Jazz Records In Lagos, Nigeria. Fuji Is The Heavily Percussive And Improvisational Style Of Nigerian Popular Music, At Once Modern And Yet Deeply Rooted In The Traditional Islamic Yoruba Culture Of Nigeria.
Here On This Album Nigeria Fuji Machine's Striking And Powerful Lead Vocalist Taofik Yemi Fagbenro Soars Above A Wild And Energetic Backdrop Of Polyrhythms Played On Traditional Talking Drums, Trap Drums, Electronic And Street Percussion To Create A Powerful Wall Of Intense Sound. Fuji Is A Hi-energy Street Music, Heavily Percussive Which Evolved Out Of The Islamic Celebration Of Ramadan, Which Became A Major Event In Mid-20th Century Lagos. Groups Of Young Men Walked Through Muslim Neighbourhoods At Night Singing Improvised 'wéré' Music To The Accompaniment Of Pots, Pans, Drums, Bells
And Anything Else Available, Waking Believers For The Early Morning Prayer. By The Early 1970s This Music Had Crossed-over Into Popular Nigerian Culture Where It Came To Be Known As Fuji, First Made Popular By The Artist Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, As The Music Began To Be Performed Commonly At Parties And Social Events. In The 1970s And 1980s Three Nigerian Artists - King Sunny Adé, Chief Ebonezer Obey And Fela Kuti - All Secured International Major Record Deals Bringing Popularity To The Nigerian Musical Styles Of Juju (adé And Obey) And Afro-beat (fela Kuti's Unique Mixture Of Highlife, Funk And Jazz) Abroad, But In The Process Ignoring Much Of Nigeria's Rich Musical Landscape. Fuji Is, Alongside Highlife, Juju, Afro-beat, Sakara, Afro-reggae, Waka, Igbo Rap, Apala And Numerous Others - One Of These Central Styles Of Nigerian Music. The Singer Barrister Described The Music As Follows: 'fuji Music Is A Combination Of Music Consisting Of Sakara, Apala, Juju, Aro, Afro, Gudugudu, And Possibly Highlife.' Juju Performer King Sunny Adé Described The Difference Between The Two
Styles Of Fuji And Juju Somewhat Competitively Thus: 'fuji Music Is More Or Less Like My Music Without Guitars. It's Like I'm Singing In A Major Key And They Are Singing In A Minor. The Music Itself Is The Music Of Juju Music.' Today Fuji Remains A Powerful Popular Music With Deep And Powerful Islamic Roots
Which Continues To Modernise And Attract New Generations Of Young Nigerians And Nigeria Fuji Machine's 'syncho Sound System & Power' Is A Powerful And Intense Musical Experience. This Album Is Released As A Limited-edition Heavyweight Vinyl Edition (+free Download Code), Deluxe Cd And Digital Format.
- A1: Der Lachende Junge (To Gelasto Pedi)
- A2: Ich Bin Ein Fremder (Le Métèque)
- A3: Göttingen
- A4: Zündholzschachtel (Tha Sou Steilo Mana)
- B1: Mein Kummervoller Mann (To Palikari Echi Kaimo)
- B2: Hoheslied (Asma Asmaton)
- B3: Niemand Ist Jetzt Noch Da (Den Pairnei Edo Kaneis)
- B4: Menschheit, Menschheit (Lume, Lume)
- B5: Der Traum Vom Fliegen
When Michaela Meise performed at WestGermany at Kottbusser Tor in Berlin-Kreuzberg on March 20, 2015, accompanying herself on the accordion, I was perplexed. I knew her first album from 2010, which was about hymns (»Preis dem Todesüberwinder«, originally released on Clouds Hill, available as a download and stream through my label from July 2018 on), but what she was playing weren't spiritual songs! I wanted to put this music out on my label: the songs sounded sad, aloof and wistful but also proud, determined and unerring.
The album title »I am Greek« is a tribute to Melina Mercouri's album »Je Suis Grecque!«, which was released in 1971 when Mercouri was deprived of citizenship by the Greek military junta. Mercouri lived - like Mikis Theodorakis and many other cultural workers - in exile. Meise's album is dedicated to the chanson scene of post-war Europe, whose songs were popularly folksy, but also political. Some talk about the experience of war, the Shoah and labor migration. Michaela Meise has translated the Greek, French and Romanian songs into German (with the help of Aliki Marini and Carmen Gheorghe) so that the lyrics are understandable to a German audience, a gesture that was also common in the European chanson scene. More than half of the songs are by Mikis Theodorakis. He knows the translations and new recordings, gave his blessing and just noted a wrong tone ... The other pieces on the album are by the French artists Barbara and George Moustaki and the German musician Alexandra. There is also a Romanian folk song.
The album was recorded by Michaela Meise together with members of the group Isolation Berlin as well as the guest singers Carmen Gheorge and Dirk von Lowtzow (Tocotronic). The producer was David Specht (Isolation Berlin).
Michaela Meise and me both have intimate relations with Greece - Michaela has innumerable holiday memories with parents and brother, I have a friend who lives in Athens and whom I have been visiting regularly for about ten years now. This friend, the graphic designer Vasilis Marmatakis, styled Meise's album using an impressive, scary photograph taken in May 1985 during the occupation of Polytechnio Athens. Together, we opted for an elaborate packaging made by a bookbinder, a so-called Japanese tip-on-gatefold cover. The packaging reminds us of the records that were made in Greece for export and taken by German tourists as a souvenir back home.
Steve Reich's Drumming is regarded as one of the most important musical works of the last century. Distilled through his studies of African percussion in Ghana during 1970 and Balinese gamelan music, Reich revolutionized our understanding of polyrhythms, sculpting a new sonic territory to illuminate the radical potential of Minimalism.Divided into four sections, performed without pause, Drumming is written for eight small tuned drums, three marimbas, three glockenspiels, piccolo and voice. The singers recite melodic patterns that mimic the sounds of the instruments, gradually rising to the surface and then fading out. The overall effect can be transfixing - pulling listeners into the rhythm and possessing a raw immediacy, directness and energy.The premier performances of Drumming took place in December 1971 in New York City - first at The Museum of Modern Art, then at Brooklyn Academy of Music and finally at Town Hall where this recording was made - and featured the composer along with a cast of longtime collaborators including Art Murphy, Steve Chambers, Russ Hartenberger, James Preiss, Jon Gibson, Joan La Barbara, Judy Sherman, Jay Clayton, Ben Harms, Gary Burke, Frank Maefsky and James Ogden.Originally released in 1972 by gallerist John Gibson in a small private edition, Drumming represents the culmination of Reich's investigation into rhythmic phase relationships and its early realization captures a remarkably organic feel, especially compared to the more widely known version on Deutsche Grammophon from 1974.This first-time vinyl reissue and first-time CD release has been carefully remastered from the original master tapes.
Unusual Colour And Complex Microtonality Found In The Classical Music Of Iran / Blurts Of Noise, Sour Tones, And A Vaguely Technoid Or Dubwise Impression Expose The Inner Rhythm And Counterpoint Embedded In This Strummed Music / Emotional, Mathematical And Polyrhythmic Principles Underpinning Persian Music, The Record Reveals A Dramatic Blend Of Acoustic Persian Instrumentation And Contemporary Electronics. Sote Aims To Devise An Idealised Fusion Of The Musical Heritage And Tradition Of Iran With The Forward-thinking Vision Which Has Propelled His Storied Career Producing Techno, Hardcore And Computer Music For Labels Like Warp, Ge-stell, Morphine And Repitch. Now Living In Tehran, His Music Has Frequently Grappled With The Strict Cultural Restrictions Imposed In His Country Over The Past Few Decades, Finding A Space And Setting To Nurture New Developments In Experimental Sound And Performance. Working With Arash Bolouri Who Plays The Santour (persian Hammered Dulcimer), And Behrouz Pashaei On The Long-necked, Four-string Setar, Sote Frames And Responds To Their Traditional Artistry. On Occasions He Directly Manipulates The Music Emanating From Their Ancient Instruments, Cultivating And Thickening Up A Surreal And Beautiful Tonality Plucked From Their Strings With A Series Of Processing Techniques, But Mostly Each Track Is A Peaceful Arrangement And Partnership, Sote Electro-acoustically Augmenting Their Movements Within His Own Cybernetic Framework.




















