Anton Kolosov & Konstantin Sukhan - Koko (2016)

Anton Kolosov & Konstantin Sukhan - "Koko" (ТОПОТ, 2016)

Personnel:
Anton Kolosov - bass-guitar 

Konstantin Sukhan - trumpet

Tracklisting:
01 - Koko

02 - Soko

“Koko” is the result of a thorough research carried out by Anton Kolosov (electric bass) and Konstantin Sukhan (trumpet).

One short set of two pieces, “Koko” and “Soko”, is constructed from wide range of materials, including definite noise, post-academic improvisation, faint breaths or sniffs by Sukhan and an almost ritual drone by Kolosov.

“Koko” is firmly grounded on a post-jazz tension: musicians play simultaneously, but not together, and after a burst of emotions we hear silence, and chaotic roaming in one musician's thoughts is followed by a heated argument by two. This music is tangible and real, it's repulsive and beautiful.

“Koko” means “here” in Japanese, while “Soko” means “there”. Both pieces recorded at the Ground Khodynka Gallery are indeed the whole set with a short break for an applause. Two-hundred pages' novel about a bird (according the cover) with a gloomy storyline, long prelude here and an open end there.

Live at Ground Khodynka Gallery, Moscow.
21/02/2016

PLEASE LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD IT HERE:
LINK

Weasel Walter Large Ensemble - Igneity: After The Fall Of Civilization (2016)

Weasel Walter Large Ensemble - Igneity: After The Fall Of Civilization (Self-released, 2016)

Personnel:

Weasel Walter: drums
Henry Kaiser: guitar
Alan Licht: guitar
Chris Welcome: guitar
Peter Evans: trumpet
Steve Swell: trombone
Dan Peck: tuba
Jim Sauter: saxophone
Michael Foster: saxophones
Chris Pitsiokos: saxophone
Matt Nelson: saxophone
Tim Dahl: double bass
Brandon Lopez: double bass

Tracklisting:
01 - Igneity (Theme)
02 - Igneity (Variations)

‘Igneity’ was composed in response to Henry Kaiser asking me if I would assemble a big band, rather than a small group, for us to play a concert with in New York. I had previously included him in the large ensembles I had led when I lived in Oakland, California. However, I had not yet tackled the format in New York City. There is certainly no shortage of excellent players around here, but unlike the Bay Area, logistics tend to be somewhat more complicated, especially when it comes to rehearsal. As such, I set about devising an hour long structure which would allow me to control the general momentum and the various densities inherent in the orchestration while granting the individuals maximum freedom.

Recorded at JACK, Brooklyn, NY on April 22, 2015 by Weasel Walter.
Mastered by Henry Kaiser.

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Svenska Kaputt - Suomi (2015)

Svenska Kaputt - Suomi (Moserobie, 2015)

Personnel:
Jonas Kullhammar: saxophones
Reine Fiske: guitar
Torbjörn Zetterberg: bass
Jonas Holmegard: drums

Tracklisting:
01 - Mellantillstånd

02 - Paroni 

03 - Nötskalsmusik #1 

04 - Veesaltonen 

05 - Gårdagens Visa\Keijsaren

A brilliant musical project from the Moserobie jazz underground of Sweden – one that brings together four completely wonderful players, but in ways that are very different than most of their work in other settings! The sound here is very open and spacious – not in a mellow way, or an ECM mode – but instead this really introspective approach to the properties of the musicians' individual instruments – almost as if they're using this project as a way to thoughtfully explore things from different sonic angles, sometimes with a surprisingly sensitive vibe. Yet there's also some nice currents of darkness in the music – things are definitely never too sweet – and surprises include some piano from both Jonas Kullhammar and Torbjorn Zetterberg – alongside Zetterberg's more familiar bass (both electric and acoustic), and Kullhamar's music on tenor, flute, baritone, and oboe. Guitarist Reine Fiske also plays piano on one track – and guitar on the others – and the group also features drums from Johan Holmegard. [Dusty Groove]

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Karkhana ‎– Live At Metro Al-Madina (2015)

Karkhana ‎– Live At Metro Al-Madina (Sagittarius A-Star, 2015)

Personnel:
Umut Çağlar: Flute, Violin, Percussion

Mazen Kerbaj: Trumpet, Trombone [plastic], Synth [crackle]

Sam Shalabi: Oud, Electric Guitar

Maurice Louca: Organ

Özün Usta: Double Bass

Sharif Sehnaoui: Drums

Tracklisting:
01 - Under The Red Light, Part I
02 - Under The Red Light, Part II

This is one of the most powerful releases in the combined Qbico and Sagittarius A-Star catalogues. Imagine a cross between Kluster and Taj Mahal Travellers with a Middle Eastern feel (the musicians are from Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon). Their first record was recorded live in Beirut on February 25th, 2014. The musicians are Mazer Kerbat (trumpet, plastic trombone, crackle-synth), Umut Çağlar (flutes, violin, kalimba), Sam Shalabi (electric guitar, oud), Maurice Louca (synth, electronics), Özün Usta (double bass, cura) and Sharif Sehnaoui on drums. The sound that you hear at the end of the second clip it's not a monster's breath. The ticket to the ride. [Shiny Beast]

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Jerry Granelli & Jamie Saft - Nowness (2014)

Jerry Granelli & Jamie Saft - Nowness (Veal Records, 2014)

Personnel:
Jamie Saft: keys

Jerry Granelli: drums

Tracklisting:
1 - First Thought Best Thought
2 - Loves Fool
3 - Tail Of The Tiger
4 - Shasta Road
5 - How To Know No
6 - International Affairs
7 - Fortune Tellers   
8 - A Heart Lost And Discovered

"You can't hear a piece of music in advance. When you listen to music, you are hearing the present music at that time. You also can't undo the past, the music that you've heard already. You can't do that; you hear the music of the moment. Now is a vast thing. Past and future can't exist without now."- Chogyam Trungpa

"NOWNESS" is the latest full length from Jerry Granelli & Jamie Saft. 100% Green Forestry Certified Eco Wallet with deluxe art and poetry by Jerry Granelli, texts from Chogyam Trungpa, and calligraphies courtesy the Nalanda Translation Committee.

[PLEASE BUY IT HERE] and [HERE]

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Joshua Abrams - Represencing (2012)

Joshua Abrams - Represencing (Eremite Records, 2012)

Personnel:
Joshua Abrams: guimbri, organ, ms20, harps, bells, harmonium, mpc
Lisa Alvarado: gong & harmonium (4, 7, 8)
Mikel Avery: drums (4, 5)
David Boykin: tenor saxophone (4, 6)
Emmett Kelly: electric & acoustic guitars (4, 7)
Nicole Mitchell: flutes (6)
Jeff Parker: electric guitar (8)
Tomeka Reid: cello (5)
Jason Stein: bass clarinet (6)
Chad Taylor: gong & drums (1, 2)
Michael Zerang: tambourine (8)

Tracklisting:
1. San Anto
2. Represencing
3. Moon Hunger
4. Sound Talisman
5. Sungazer
6. The Ba
7. Enter Mountain Amulet
8. Cloud Walking
9. Hidden Track

Chicago jazz/improvised music bassist Joshua Abrams brings out the guimbri, a three-stringed North African ceremonial lute, when playing with his Natural Information Society. Live, the instrument’s hypnotic groove provides the supple, willowy base from which the other instrumentalists leap. On his new album, Represencing, Abrams assembles some of the city’s best improvisers to work over the guimbri, but that droning beauty always lies at the core.

While plenty of modern musicians denounce the use of iPods and other on-the-go listening, the necessity of sitting at a record player and focusing for ritual trance music is kind of undeniable  – not to mention that this is a vinyl-only release. That immediacy and communal relationship is one that carries over from the recording process itself, as Abrams invited the improvisers into his home studio.

Dropping the needle onto the first side of the LP initiates the upward spiral, Chad Taylor’s gong and hand drums interlocking with Abrams’ guimbri, bubbling springs of David Boykin’s tenor saxophone purling outwards. The night falls as the first half closes on “Moon Hunger”, Boykin’s lightly breathed flourishes, the drama of rippling organ and Abrams’ lithe, repeating tone-clusters falling away into the night.

The second half of the disc re-starts the process, gongs and harmonium drone bringing the listener back into the meditative state. The sun rises again as well, Tomeka Reid’s cello curling around and flitting in eclipsing glory. It all closes with the entrancing “Cloud Walking”, with Michael Zerang somehow making even the tambourine an interesting addition to a track.

The core, though, remains the guimbri, Abrams’ playing on songs like “Enter Mountain Amulet” hitching, stuttering, and flowing at all the right moments to get you swaying like a mystic. Represencing is the kind of album that effaces the reality that you know exists outside of it, returning you to a time and place in which this sort of ritual trance focuses life. [Consequense of Sound]

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Arthur Doyle Electro-Acoustic Ensemble - Patriotic Act (2006)

Arthur Doyle Electro-Acoustic Ensemble - Patriotic Act (Qbico, 2006)

Personnel:

Arthur Doyle: kinetic sax kaboom, village voice
Nuuj: electronics
Leslie Q:  guitar
Vin Paternostro: Roland 505
Dave Cross: turntables
Ed Wilcox: drums

Tracklisting:
A1. Homo      
A2. When The Shit Goes Down      
A3. Milk Brain      
A4. Butt Call   

"that was rec. at the 1st No Fun Festival, i was there, been done just few days after the 1st unite @ Tonic. it was pretty crowded and Arthur was in a good mood... Dave came up with the titles (on the his-story page there is a pic of him from that night); artwork is from Roberto private collection." qbico

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Boschamaz - Rød (2011)

Boschamaz - Rød (Hecca, 2011)

Personnel:

Erland Dahlen: drums, samples, elecntonics
Bjørn Charles Dreyer: guitar, slide-guitar, pedal steel

Tracklisting:
01 - Sailor
02 - Bosch Amass
03 - Svalbard
04 - Sous la Tonnelle
05 - Citadell
06 - Idona Boldel
07 - Triptan's Troika
08 - We're Leaving In the Morning

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Boschamaz - This Is Not Sweden (2007)

Boschamaz - This Is Not Sweden (Hecca, 2007)

Personnel:

Erland Dahlen: drums, samples, elecntonics
Bjørn Charles Dreyer: guitar, slide-guitar, pedal steel

Tracklisting:
01 - Boatman
02 - Warthogs
03 - Clint In Hawaii
04 - Insole Pox
05 - Tierra del Fuego
06 - Know Nun
07 - Sifaka
08 - Wonk Nun
09 - Larches

Boschamaz is a collaboration between Bjørn Charles Dreyer, who was played with Eivind Aarset, and Erland Dahlen (Kiruna, Madrugada, Phaedra), who was a Xploding Plastix live drummer and played with Nils Petter Molvær.

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Grey Ghost - How To Create Words (2003)

Grey Ghost - How To Create Words (428 Music, 2003)

Personnel:
Aram Shelton - Saxophone, Computer, Clarinet, Trumpet
Johnathan Crawford - Synthesizer, Percussion, Melodica

Tracklisting:

01 - Spitzacoll
02 - Splendo
03 - Horns And Organ
04 - Hand Down
05 - When You Say Go, Leave
06 - Command Control
07 - Unheard, Other Bands Practice
08 - Spoo
09 - Keep On

We're now five years or so into the laptop era of improvised music, during which ever greater numbers of players have attempted to incorporate electronic elements into their improv work. Some use a computer as an extra tone source, setting a preprogrammed pattern of notes in motion, then picking up another instrument and playing along; some perform in teams in which one player's output is electronically augmented or manipulated by another. Since forming the duo Grey Ghost in early 2002, reedist-laptopper Aram Shelton and drummer-keyboardist Johnathan Crawford have been developing their own methodology; listening to their debut album, How to Create Words (482 Music), it's clear they're onto something. Through his work in groups like Dragons 1976, Arrive, and Rapid Croche, Shelton has established himself as one of the finest young saxophonists in town--his tart alto tone and melodic generosity show strong signs of Ornette Coleman's influence--and the organic-feeling synthesis of horn and laptop he's created here is testament to his abilities as both composer and improviser. While Shelton occasionally uses computer-generated bass lines as structural nuggets to improvise around, a la Chicago Underground Duo, most of the sonic elements in play come from terse samples of his own saxophone. On a track like "Spitzacolli" he starts with a succession of breathy alto licks, samples them in real time, and tweaks the samples on his computer until they fit together in an endless self-reflecting grid; then Crawford snaps out of a gentle cymbal wash into a hard-hitting circular groove and Shelton solos over the hall-of-mirrors framework. The sax samples on "Hand Down" are percussive pops and harmonic squeaks repeated ad infinitum while Crawford taps out a spare, stuttering beat, giving Shelton plenty of room for a moody solo, while "Unheard, Other Bands Practice" is a loose assemblage of percussive clatter, dyspeptic melodica puffs, striated columns of breath, and bell-like electronic tones.

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You can also download their next album for free here.

Cult Junk Cafe - Cult Junk Cafe (1996)

Cult Junk Cafe - Cult Junk Cafe (1996)

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1. Morning Train Ritual (Ode to the Japanese Salary Man and Student) (6:31)
2. Eigo ga jozu desu ne Part 1 (1:11)
3. Nyarome from Earth (0:48)
4. 114 (3:12)
5. Upper Middle Hometown (2:28)
6. Eigo ga jozu desu ne Part 2 (0:49)
7. Can Jimmy Come Out and Play? (5:36)
8. Genki Drink (1:08)
9. Renalism (6:02)
10. If You Drop Something... (3:44)
11. Return of Nyarome (0:47)
12. Re-entry Permit (2:06)
13. A Man from North (5:25)

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Cult Junk Cafe:
Kyota Yoshigami: guitar, buzz box
Yasuhiro Ohtani: guitar, sgx 2000
Kazutaka Sakamoto: piano, dx-7
Tsuguto Tsunoda: turntables, samples
Michael Hartman: drums

Guest:
Yoshihide Otomo (1, 3, 5, 8. 9, 11, 12): hand-made guitar, 6-string bass

Additional sounds by Todd Carter, Brent Gutzeit, and Michael Hartman (4)
Extra junk by Tsuguto Tsunoda, Yasuhiro Ohtani, Michael Hartman, Jin Sato, Miyuki Kodama, and Junco Okada (7)
Sampled voices by Tomomi Adachi (3, 11), Ami Yoshida (3, 9, 11), and Rena Kobayashi (9)

Recorded at Earth Studio by Naoaki Kose on February 25, 1996
Mixed at Western Sound Stuidos by Todd Carter and Michael Hartman on March 21-23, 1996
Design: Thomas Deater and Michael Hartman

Released 1996

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Kiruna - Tarasarus (2007)

Kiruna - Tarasarus (2007)

Personnel:

Kåre Chr. Vestrheim - Rhodes, organ
Thomas Tofte - bass, micromoog (track 3)
Erland Dahlen - drums, percussion

Special guests:
Rolf Yngve Uggen - lead guitar
Hallvard Wennersberg Hagen - electronics (right speaker)
Jens Petter Nilsen - electronics (left speaker)

Tracklisting:

01 - Preglow
02 - April 19
03 - Black Widow
04 - Winterkinder
05 - Raldo`s Autostrada
06 - Sirens Of A Lost City, Part I
07 - Sirens Of A Lost City, Part II
08 - San Francisco Car Chase
09 - Underworld
10 - Afterglow

Irritating and fascinating! This is the second album of this Norwegian band - really hard to catch ... It is said Thomas Tofte, Erland Dahlen and Kåre Vestrheim went into the studio without any set plan and developed the musical ideas through free improvisation. With the help of some guests 'Tarasarus' holds instrumental jamming sounds like coming from another planet. The studio line-up is presenting a gloomy avantgarde styled bouquet with spacey, industrial krautrock, fusion and heavy crushing elements. Lush and playful electronics are substituting electric guitars. The sound mix has turned out in a luxuriant manner.

The opener Preglow appears like a warmup - a mixture of electronic sounds with a spacey background. KIRUNA is gliding into April 19 then - a song which reminds me of Terje Rypdal first, escalating more and more with drums, organ and bass inspiring each other. Belonging to my favourites Black Widow follows with a fusion inspired groove and wonderful Rhodes add-ons. On Raldo's Autostrada the band is supported by guest guitarist Rolf Yngve Uggen (ex Gluecifer). Dynamic pure and my highlight. This song has reached for a comfortable place in my best of song collection in the meanwhile - what a powerful heavy psychedelic presence! The 'Bitches Brew' and Soft Machine inspired The Underworld shows the three basic instruments soloing and swirling around each other lead by a special dramaturgy - wow! The vinyl only bonus track San Francisco Car Chase finally attracts my attention because made up like a Weather Report inspired fusion piece.

KIRUNA defines an unique environment with the songs. As for a conclusion my feelings are so so - I like those already mentioned tracks very much - they are more catchy I would say. But with the others I'm not able to make friends (at least yet) because they are crossing an imaginary line - too weird and free-formed noisy. Anyhow - 'Tarasarus' will appeal to fans of an avantgarde experimental approach for sure. [Prog Archives]

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Sim & Moe Kamura - Common Difference (2006)

Sim & Moe Kamura - Common Difference (2006)

(MIDI Creative, CXCA-1199) (Japan) (CD)

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1. 6:4:6 (5:56)
2. Along the River (7:18)
3. Sis (8:30)
4. Sea Song (9:31)
5. Roota (8:23)
6. Arm Connect (6:59)
7. Keep the Altitude (6:52)

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All music by Teruyuki Oshima except on track 4, by Robert Wyatt, and vocals on track 7, by Moe Kamura
All words by Moe Kamura and Teruyuki Oshima except on track 4, by Robert Wyatt

sim
Teruyuki Oshima: guitar, computer
Yoshio Otani: computer, electronics
Masahiro Uemura: drums

Moe Kamura: vocals

Produced by Teruyuki Oshima
Recorded by Teruyuki Oshima at Studio Seisho and others
Mixed by Teruyuki Oshima at Studio 201
Mastered by Shoji Hiromits at Sara Disc
Artwork by Teruyuki Oshima
Design by Ai Komoto
Includes liner notes in Japanese by Atsushi Sasaki and Moe Kamura

Released in October 2006

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Piston Ltd. - Domestic Engine (2007)

Piston Ltd. - Domestic Engine (2007)

Tracklisting:

1 - Strainer
2 - Resilent Washer
3 - Hollow Bolt
4 - Gudgeon Pin
5 - Exhaust Pipe Flange
6 - Crankshaft
7 - Elbow Nipple
8 - Lift Eye

Piston Ltd. is a Xploding Plastix's side project.

The band is presented like this:
Jens Petter Nilsen - jump starts, cabling, grease and maintenance.
Hallvard W. Hagen - mechanics and hydropneumatic tank systems.
Erland Dahlen - pumps, power sprayers and centrifugal pump units.
Bjørn Charles Dreyer - plunger, power hosts and drainage point systems.

Piston Ltd. press release:

Steady and reliable – that's the Marna-motor, which has put-putted its way into the soul of seafaring Norwegian folk since 1918 and is now Norway's last gas-powered boat motor still in production.

This workhorse of Norway's coast has been the inspiration for one of the year's riskiest and most exciting musical experiments, sometimes in its original gas-reeking and hypnotic form, but most often in a substantially enhanced version, adding spice to compositions that are playful and uncompromising.

With the publication of "Domestic Engine," Piston Ltd. has shown that the history of coastal industries belongs not only in dusty museums and old books, but can be successfully fused together with music and improvisation in the 21st century.

"Domestic Engine" takes you along on a fascinating, variety-filled journey into musical harbors where few if any have gone before, sometimes on an open sea with nature's powers in full force, other times on a sea of glass where the powers of deep undercurrents can still be felt.

Getting human and machine to function together in a smooth symbiosis is definitely not a task for unseasoned wayfarers, so the crew was carefully handpicked to meet this musical challenge.

Piston Ltd. is the only band in the world for which 5 liters of gas and SAE 10s-30 41 Texaco Multigrade HD Motor Oil is as natural a lubricant as dry white wine and a good Bordeaux.

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