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DJ Martian's Page

Intro: A diverse music positive weblog for the discerning listener with an interest in creative artistic music across the contemporary sound spectrum: Goto New Content Section for DJ Martian's Page

Electronic & Dance Music: drum n bass/ jungle, electro, breakbeat/ nu skool breaks, industrial/ electro-industrial/ ebm, synth pop/ electroclash, techno/tech house/deep house/progressive house, psychedelic trance, IDM/ experimental electronics/ ambient/ glitch sounds/ folktronica/ downbeat, jazztronica/ electro-jazz, leftfield/ instrumental/ electronified hip-hop/trip-hop.
Rock Music: art-rock/ avant-prog/ avant rock, electro-rock/ epic alt-rock, experimental rock, jazz-rock, kraut rock/ math rock/ post-hardcore/ post-rock/ space-rock, darkwave/ gothic/ ethereal, dark metal, hardcore/ metalcore/ noisecore, post punk and shoegazer/dream pop sounds.
Other Orbits: Kozmigroov, avant / free jazz, dub, modern composition, improvised music and many other hybrids and musical mutations.

Age: I entered this world in 1970. A British Blogger.

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ALBUM RELEASE DATE INFORMATION

New & Forthcoming Music - Listings [More Links: bookmarks tagged: forthcoming * forthcoming]
Brainwashed Releases CMJ.com: New Releases Drowned in Sound - Releases 2009 Gothic, Darkwave, Synthpop, & Industrial Releases on musicfolio.com Metacritic Upcoming Release Calendar New Music Tipsheet Pause & Play On the CD Front This is Corrosion Upcoming Jazz Release Center 2009 in music - Wikipedia
Metal: Metal Storm - Upcoming Releases PRP Release Dates

UK Music Distributors: Cargo CWNN Kudos Shellshock Southern Southern: Recent, New & Forthcoming Releases
UK Online Music Stores: Coming Soon/ Pre-Orders Amazon.co.uk Boomkat eil.com Norman Records: Pre-ordering
US Online Music Stores: Coming Soon/ Pre-Orders AB-CD Darla Forced Exposure Insound Siren Disc Future Releases

2009 ALBUM RELEASES: 2009 FORTHCOMING ALBUMS
using rateyourmusic.com: 2009 Album Releases [Updated Regularly]
This information is updated on a continual basis.
[These dates apply to the UK and can change as record companies/distributors do have a habit of messing us around!]

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Sunday, February 29, 2004

Onino offers a music database of over 144, 000 albums. Including links to album tracklistings, and a price comparision search engine: dealtime.co.uk.

There is a section for new releases and forthcoming releases.

One of the unusual things about Onino for the music section, there is no search engine to search for artist names - however Google seems to be have indexed the site fairly well. [e.g use google search: Onino [artist name]. Note, If you have the Google toolbar utilize the search site button.

Why Onino doesn't have it's own site search engine, is rather strange.

# posted by DJ Martian 10:49 PM

Ground and Sky are now reviewing albums with increased regularity in 2004.

# posted by DJ Martian 8:21 PM

Candiria Album due in June

Blabbermouth report the latest news concerning Candiria

CANDIRIA have posted a sound clip of the new song "The Nameless King" at their official web site. Check it out here.

"The Nameless King" comes off the group's upcoming album, "What Doesn't Kill You", due in June through Type A Records.

# posted by DJ Martian 8:10 PM

Blabbermouth report RELAPSE Artists Comprise One-Quarter Of AP's 'Important Bands In Metal' List

Relapse artists the DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, MASTODON, HIGH ON FIRE, NEUROSIS, PIG DESTROYER and NILE join an impressive list of the magazine's leading heavy music acts which also includes LAMB OF GOD, the MELVINS, ARCH ENEMY, HATEBREED, OPETH and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, amongst others. The full list of AP's "25 Most Important Bands in Metal" can be found in the magazine's April, 2004 issue � on stands now

[AP = Alternative Press, a US monthly rock magazine that for the past 2 years supported a lot of rubbish punk-pop and emo bands]

# posted by DJ Martian 8:03 PM

Funprox relay the latest Skinny Puppy news:

cEvin Key:
"The LP is now 100% finished and on its way to mastering. Ken Marshall (producer) has said that he believes it is our strongest LP in 15 years."

# posted by DJ Martian 7:52 PM

All About Jazz review Satoko Fujii Quartet - Zephyros

Checking Fujii's biography on her web site, you'll read that her music combines elements of jazz and classical music mixed with traditional Japanese folk songs. They left out�especially when considering her Quartet recordings�progressive rock, with muscle.

Personnel: Natsuki Tamura--trumpet; Satoko Fujii--piano; Takeharu Hayakawa--bass; Tatsuya Yoshida-- CANOPUS drums

Style: Modern Jazz/Free Improvisation

# posted by DJ Martian 7:43 PM

BBC Collective review Liars - They Were Wrong So We Drowned

Whilst the reviewer at Cokemachineglow gives the album a right roasting.

[Since I have started this blog, this album must rank as one of the albums that has had the most divergent opinions expressed by critics]

Collated reviews @ Metacritic Music

# posted by DJ Martian 7:18 PM

New website design for ChilledBeats.org

# posted by DJ Martian 7:06 PM

This week's Freak Zone show on 6 Music presented by Paul Morley includes an interview with Blonde Redhead

# posted by DJ Martian 6:49 PM

BBC Music review DJ Spooky - Rhythm Science

# posted by DJ Martian 6:37 PM

One World Shows: March 2004

Advance notification of forthcoming One World shows on Radio 1

4th March
Alan McGee Presents Death Disco 3.

11th March
Goldie Looking Chain Show / Lambchop / Zero 7

18th March
John Peel Is Not Enough - hardcorebeats and turbulance with the cream of the hardcore DJ scene.

25th March
Sia/ Nu Jam

# posted by DJ Martian 6:33 PM

MusicOMH.com review New Sector Movements - Turn It Up

# posted by DJ Martian 6:27 PM

This week's 6 Mix on 6 Music features Coldcut

The 6 Mix welcomes the legends that are Jonathan More and Matt Black. The Sony Award winning Solid Steel radio show comes to 6 Music. . Tonight they will be letting us listen to some of their influences and tunes that have caught their ear recently. Ninja Tune artist DK will be performing a bootleg mix and Strictly Kev will be winding it down for us.

# posted by DJ Martian 5:36 PM

The Brainwashed Brain - V07I07 - 02222004

The latest The Brainwashed Brain includes reviews of:

Trans Am - Liberation
Thrill Jockey

Liars - They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Mute

Volcano the Bear - The Idea of wood
Textile

Electrelane - The Power Out
Too Pure

Secret Mommy - Mammal Class
Orthlorng Musork

# posted by DJ Martian 5:28 PM

SPOTLIGHT...KEY NEW RELEASES [February 23rd]

Key new album releases for February 23rd [A more detailed release listing including other new releases, compilations and reissues - can be found further up this webpage.]

Ayuo / Ohta Hiromi - Red Moon (Tzadik) [Available at Boomkat]
Peter Blegvad/ Andy Partridge - Orpheus the Lowdown (Ape House)
Chemlab - Oxidizer (Underground Inc Records) [Available at Music Non Stop]
Datach'i - Male And Female (Planet �)
Deicide - Scars of the Crucifix (Earache)
Fred Frith - Eye to Ear II (Tzadik) [Available at Boomkat]
Frost - Talking To God (Rage Of Achilles)
Funk D'Void - Volume Freak (Soma)
Hauschka - Substantial (Karaoke Kalk)
Gary Husband - Aspire (Jazzizit)
Into Eternity - Buried In Oblivion (Century Media)
Jazzkammer - Duperkammer (Smalltown Supersound) [Import at Amazon.co.uk]
Rodd Keith - Ecstacy To Frenzy (Tzadik) [Available at Boomkat]
Liars - They Were Wrong So We Drowned (Mute)
Manyfingers - Manyfingers (Moteer)
Ernesto Martinez - Mutaciones (Tzadik) [Available at Boomkat]
Brad Mehldau - Anything Goes (Warner Jazz)
Robert Miles & Trilok Gurtu - Miles_Gurtu (Salt)
Mr Projectile - Sinking (Merck)
New Concept - The Outer Gates (Strangeways) [Available @ Music Non Stop]
Paal Nilssen-Love & H�kon Kornstad - Schlinger (Smalltown Supersound/Pinnacle) [Import at Amazon.co.uk]
Nitrada - We Don't Know Why But We Do It (2.nd Rec) [German Import]
Numbers - In My Mind All The Time (Tigerbeat 6)
Anthony Pateras - Mutant Theatre (Tzadik) [Available at Boomkat]
Pathos - People (Tzadik) [Available at Boomkat]
Michael Reissler/ Singer Pur - Ahi Vita (ACT)
Max Richter - The Blue Notebooks (FatCat)
Jenny Scheinman - Shalagaster (Tzadik) [Available at Boomkat]
Trans Am - Liberation (Thrill Jockey)
Trapist - Ballroom (Thrill Jockey)
Ramon Valle - No Escape (Act)
Yoshida / Fujii - Erans (Tzadik) [Available at Boomkat]

# posted by DJ Martian 3:52 PM

Saturday, February 28, 2004

Attention XTC fans: 6 Music

Sunday 29 February: Andy Partridge

This Sunday Tracey's guest is XTC's Andy Partridge. As well as picking the key tracks from his life, including selections from The Kinks, Pink Floyd and The New York Dolls, Andy talks about his career with one of Britain's classic art pop bands, the breakdown that led him to give up touring and his record label, Ape.

[Don't worry you don't need to get up early sunday morning, the show is repeated the following saturday - also there will be a listen on demand option after the broadcast]

# posted by DJ Martian 2:24 PM

This Week's New Releases @ Boomkat

This week's new releases @ Boomkat - A Pelicanneck Online Music Store include:

Remarc - Unreleased Dubs 94-96
Planet Mu

The Sound Murderer once again comes absolutely correct with this compilation of unreleased dubplates, I will say now this is a release that's had us smiling all week with its deliciously warm old school strings mangled in with the fiercest, most robust Amen breaks the jungle scene delivered almost 10 years ago. "Unreleased Dubs" features 12 tracks of jungle ruffige, Amen breaks galore, super loud 12" pressings and killer bass lines to boot. Open up with `Bad No Bloodclat' which has a killer reggae loop backed by the obligatory sub bass and some goddamn awesome drum editing, proper ruffige!! Remarc's sound is definitely of the jungle underground, no dodgy piano, no safe synths, just uncompromising jungle brutality, check the class `In Da Hood' with its darkcore beginning, hip hop samples and classy speeded up funk break, all combining to drop a gem of old skool goodness that sounds fresh as you like. For propa darkness check `Darkworld' with its evil tek step beginning that gets really dark when the hoover synths and stabbing bass arrive, delivering a very alien feel, close to the King of Dark Doc Scott's more harder cuts, genius. I havent had as much fun since the last Remarc release, props to Planet Mu for delivering 4 slabs of unmissable classic junglism. Awesome.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK!
Various / Ai - Station
Ai

The third (and last for the time being) compilation from the jubilant Ai imprint drops barely a week after the release of the awesome "Section" EP by Claro Intelecto and displays a host of names both familiar and unfamilar to define what the people behind the label like to listen to when the lights get turned down low and the tempo slides down a notch. "Station" offers a kind of closure to previous compilations conceived by Ai , it's not so much a concept album, more of an attitude - station as a place leading somewhere new, motion and stasis, at once urban and yet suggesting other destinations, new locations. A truly international base of artists bless each track with unique musical criteria and direction - from urban mind funk through electro to purest pop. From the new names on board head straight for Sinner DC's awesome "Alice", totally f**king awesome hybrid music that utilises the vocoders of Boards of Canada with a malladjusted, blue-lined squash of downtempo electroid beats and a totally unusual layering of effects. Mesmerising stuff. Traject's "Laroche and Dolson", meanwhile, delivers icy icelandic precision to clanking machinery and future electronics, slow motion basslines bringing to mind robotic malfunction in that distinct glacial way. The detuned melodies of "Welk" from Steve Hyland's Normal and Praveen's "Small Clues" deliver evidence of a generation reared on the shamanic pastoralism of the Boards of Canada, while Yellotone's Simon Harding drops the Channel One influenced digital steppa Dubbly More, and Michael Manning runs it down with some Bola-esque percussive voodoo. Italy's Tin-Tole-Lata blur the divide between electronic and acoustic with aplomb, while Intonamori provides an unguent, welcoming lullaby for the synapses, and Ascoltare and Sofalofa achieve great things with chiming melodic vibes and deep acoustic drums, processed in their own inimitable style. Its left to Ai's own puerto rican - miami connection, Chris Roman's 214 project to bring the boom to this album - reared on classic bass, and it really shows, "From The Outside" asks listeners to submit to the get on down and party with a dose of classic Detroit inflection. Station provides a sense of the diversity this critically lauded label has made its watchword, never content with mere stasis - looking ahead for the next destination with what may be termed wanderlust. A concentrated dose of the right stuff.

Various / Bunker - Sound of Suomi
Bunker

Now available on cd. Known for releasing music by artists initially regarded as strange before soon being accepted into the wider consciousness (eg Funkstorung, Legowelt, Bangkok impact...), bunker deliver another 12 track set of mostly unknown electronic arists... but before you yawn and think "next!...", remember, this is Bunker from finland, where the long polar nights are filled by either alcohol abuse, suicide, or the creation of extreme music... Check in here for moroder-style electro disco, pounding industrial tekno, maniacal B12 synth atmospheres, Drexciyan aqua funk, dark robotics, and other mean twisted machine sounds. Ace.

Basil Kirchin - Charcoal Sketches / States Of Mind
Trunk

Following on from the recent success of the the Kirchin recording `Quantum...', Trunk bring to life these two amazing albums that have NEVER been released before. Both are very different recordings, but are important missing parts in the mysterious musical life of Basil Kirchin. `Charcoal Sketches' , was recorded before `Quantum' and represents the initial musical jottings made by Basil before he built up his ideas into the magnificent avant garde opus we all know and love. The music is far gentler than `Quantum', featuring some sublime piano and the early use of slightly manipulated birdsong. This trio of sketches falls into an eerie, radiant home-spun jazz experimentalism that works perfectly as soundtrack material - quite amazing that the pieces haven't been heard before. The Second part - `States Of Mind' was a recording made by Basil in the late 60's for a medical documentary about mental disorders. Its important to note that this recording represents an early collaboration between Kirchin and the avant garde hero Evan Parker - this has to be one of the first times Parker is captured blowing in his new, free style. Fascinating listening that comes highly recommended.

Greg Davis - Curling Pond Woods
Carpark

Defining the term "laptop folk" way before it became fashionable to mix acoustic guitars and electronic sounds, Chicago's Greg Davis is keeping ahead of the curve once more with his second full-length "Curling Pond Woods". While still retaining elements of "laptop" and "folk", Curling Pond Woods evolves from his debut with a larger array of instrumentation, richer arrangements, more defined song structurs, and vocals. Sections of acoustic songs intermingle in and out of drones, field recordings and digital processing. Greg's range includes the psych-folk of the incredible string band, the songcraft sensibilities of brian wilson and john cage's embrace of randomness, a cohort of the Animal Collective, Davis will appeal to fans of theirs also. Includes covers of the beach boys' "At My Window" and the incredible string band's "Air". A lovely album, infused with warmth throughout. Recommended.

Joshua Treble - Five Points Fincastle
Intr-Version

Cincinnati based Joshua Treble (aka Tony Boggs) has quietly been making beautiful, delicate and enduring music for the past four years. Author of the sublime 'Cold Filthy Techniques to Keep you Close' on American IDM label Pitchcadet, Treble, along with Mitchell Akiyama. also makes up half of the instrumental deconstructionist duo D�sormais. The group's two albums of sublime post-rock/post-classical compositions have received almost unanimous critical praise, earning them comparisons to Fennesz and My Bloody Valentine, among others. `Five Points Fincastle', Joshua Treble's second solo full length, is an album of delicate fragments and little epics. Smeared guitars, obscured strings and ghostly field recordings are woven into melancholy tapestries. Treble's compositions are full of a blurry majesty - enormous in ambition and instrumentation, but far away, somewhere on the horizon, enshrouded in mist. An essential album for fans of future instrumental electronic music.

Max Richter - The Blue Notebooks
Fat Cat

After albums by Set Fire To Flames and Sylvain Chauveau, Max Richter's `The Blue Notebooks' is the 4th release on FatCat's 130701 imprint, an outlet for more orchestrated, instrumental material. . `The Blue Notebooks' is Max Richter's second solo album, a distinctive and adventurous work that is beautifully recorded and cinematic in scope. Opening with a text from Franz Kafka over a sparse piano melody, the album moves through gorgeous, heart-wrenching string swells of `On The Nature Of Daylight' through to sparse but lyrical piano pieces; hazy, swirling atmospherics, avalanche pulse-beats and partially occluded melodies that recall Aphex Twin's `Ambient Works' albums; and to reverberant organ / choir recordings. Utilising piano, cello, violin and viola, alongside electronic beats (made using a variety of antique electronics and Reaktor), spoken word passages and the occasional field recording, other sounds were generated via old guitar pedals and vocoders. Its lovely to see the Piano making a bit of a comeback, with last week's sublime album from "Hauschka" on Karaoke Kalk, Richter's "Blue Notebooks" and the forthcoming album from Helios on the Type imprint being three of the loveliest exapmples of just how moving this timeless instrument can be. Life affirming music.

Team Doyobi - Choose Your Own Adventure
Skam

New album from Chris Gladwin and Alex Peverett, aka Team Doyobi, once again for the Skam imprint. Unlike so much of the 8-bit music that's fallen in and out of favour over the last few years, Team's sound concentrates on the sound of Arcade machines as they start to malfunction, fray and errupt in unexpected bursts of random short-circuitry and plastic madness. In keeping with the garish sleeve-design, "Choose your own Adventure" is a multicoloured version of Tron where all the wires arent quite where you'd expect them to be and every route leads to the wrong place. It's a cacophany of rude, dirty beats, 8-bit mashups, white noise emissions and bashed-up Atari's trying their hardest to confuse, disrupt and dement any user sat at the controls. To say that this was "Easy" listening would be, erm, dishonest - its a harsh, often disjointed collection of tracks that refuse to compromise and that every so often hit the mark with just the right balance of crunch, melody and undoubted originality. For those of you looking to the future - choose this adventure. Recommended.

Various / Hydrogen Dukebox - Electronic Music For Heroes Volume 3
Hydrogen Dukebox

Third in Hydrogen Dukebox's `Electronic Music For Heroes' series, available at the usual bargain price and featuring 11 tracks including Norken, Pentatonik, Nacht Plank, A1 People and brand new and exclusive Metamatics track remixed by the legendary John Foxx.

Cass Mccombs - A
4AD

The arrival of a genuinely distinctive new talent, Cass McCombs blends darkly mordant humour, dazed lyricism, deadpan surrealism and moments of real tenderness into songs that quiver with surreptitious confidence. His voice is full of wayward slurs and swoops, an intuitive croon which negotiates a constant stream of lyrical surprises unfazed. `A's opening track, `I Went To The Hospital', navigates it's way from the acutely personal ("is it dying that terrifies you, or just being dead ?") to the biblically universal ("we are living in an era of kings") without a pause, carried along by a ramshackle backbeat and a wave of shimmering organ. Later comes the epically resolute and deeply resonant `AIDS In Africa', a subject that few of Cass's contemporaries would care to tackle, however obliquely. � Throughout, the songs are supported by loose-limbed, drone-suffused grooves which range from the glacially slow (`A Comedian Is Someone Who Tells Jokes') to the deceptively jaunty (`Gee, It's Good To Be Back Home'). �All told, `A' is something special - offbeat, intriguing, and, ultimately, rewarding in the extreme.

Dean Roberts - Be Mine Tonight
Kranky

"Be Mine Tonight" is a recording of songs. Slow, often wrenching songs where the brush of a cymbal, a voice or a plucked string can have great impact. Through arrangement, processing and editing Dean Roberts has crafted out acoustic music of the most gentle, moving kind that takes in improvisational and electronic strategies to develop a unique minimal sound. The album was recorded in Bologna, Italy from December 2000 to December 2002. Giuseppe Ielasi, of Fringes Recordings and a legend of Italian improvisational guitar, contributed prepared guitar, as did Christian Alati. The deft drumming by Antonio Arrabbito marks his recording debut. Roberts played acoustic and electric guitars, piano, percussion, bass, harmonium and glass harmonica. Highly recommended.

Lone Pigeon - Schoozzzmmii
Whizz Kidzz

Latest release from Beta Band member Lone Pigeon, recorded at home and resulting in a 4-track quality being attached to each and every track, the lyrics worthy of pure pop glory. There's an undeniably catchy, slightly psychedelic element at play across these tracks that lends itself charmingly to the underlying sense of madness and utter doo-laliness that accompanies each listen and every look at the slightly spannered sleeve. Lo-fi pop with the catchiness factor turned up to 10.

Papa M - Hole Of Burning Alms
Domino

A clutch of rare tracks, B-sides and a previously unreleased song from David Pajo aka Aerial M, Papa M or indeed sometimes just `M'! �Influential guitar innovator David Pajo (Slint, Tortoise, Stereolab, Palace Music) presents this collection of rare, hard to find and out of print singles. The very first M 7" single is here (`Safeless' / `Napolean'), so is the first M 7" split single side (`Vol de Nuit'). �The Aerial M CD Singles of '97 and '98 (`M is...' and `October') are also in evidence. So is the Papa M 1999 Tour Single. An old Christmas card from 2000 is included (a sixteen minute version of The Byrds' `Turn Turn Turn'), and a previously unreleased Christmas song, to boot. Plus another fifteen or so minutes of the timeless, eternal sounds of M! If you like your Americana infused with a rich cinematic quality that at times dips into electronic terrain - look no further. Highly Recommended.

Various / Traum - Interkontinental 3
Traum

Interkontinental has proved itself as a forum for Riley Reinhold to break and foster new talent along side his growing and respected roster. Process of course has been there from the start, Jorge Gebauhr, Oliver Hacke and Broker/Dealer have all been willing accomplices. Pobnebo is best remembered for a quite remarkable twelve for Schnitstelle a couple of years back, more for Below, as well as strong sales technique at the Freebase store in Frankfurt. New recruits in the guise of homelanders Adam Kroll and Boris Heinzmann, Harry Hohnen and Victor Berman from Australia, Kosuke Anamizu from Japan; while Michael Fentum and Donal Tierney from England and Ireland respectively, represent the growing audience for quality minimal electronichouse of this kind all over the islands west of europe. Add a bonus quicktime video and extra track from Process, and you have another quality package from the ever reliable Traum.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:41 PM

Friday, February 27, 2004

Almost Cool review Matthew Dear - Leave Luck To Heaven

# posted by DJ Martian 5:01 PM

Pitchfork review Greg Davis - Curling Pond Woods

# posted by DJ Martian 4:40 PM

Next week's releases are reviewed @ Norman Records

# posted by DJ Martian 2:55 PM

Stylus review Susanna & The Magical Orchestra - List of Lights and Buoys

# posted by DJ Martian 1:37 PM

Thursday, February 26, 2004

fast 'n' bulbous has been updated, with 42 albums from 2004 currently graded and ranked.

# posted by DJ Martian 9:44 PM

a new blog started by two music writers: Scott Seward and Matt Cibula: The Freelance Mentalists

# posted by DJ Martian 9:39 PM

Funprox report that a retrospective compilation for The Sound is on the way:

The Sound - BBC Sessions (2CD) [This is made up for session material and live shows recorded by the BBC.]

More info renascent

So starts CD1 of The BBC Recordings - possibly the most dynamic start ever to a CD. This record simply EXPLODES out of the blocks with Heartland and doesn't stop for breath.

The BBC sessions & In Concert series have a legendary reputation - all the greats have done them (The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin - the list is endless) and many have released them. The Sound recorded 2 of each, they are all here in their entirety, and they are ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!

According to Amazon.co.uk this gets a UK release on March 15th.

# posted by DJ Martian 4:43 PM

NewOrderOnline.com announce that a New Order retrospective Radio 1 sessions album is on the way in April: [also should that be 1988 not 1998?]

New Order - Radio 1 Sessions,
Enhanced CD includes 5 tracks from 1998 plus 4 tracks from 2001. Tracks:

1.True Faith
2.Isolation
3.Touched By The Hand of God
4.Atmosphere
5.Paradise
6.Slow Jam
7.Your Silent Face
8.Close Range
9.Rock The Shack
10.Transmission (2002 Live Video) (see picture)

Country: UK Release Date: 14-Apr-04
Catalog Number: SFRSCD128
Label: Pinnacle (Strange Fruit)

# posted by DJ Martian 2:57 PM

NYC's Other Music review the latest releases: The Other Music Update

NEW RELEASES
Beans
Famous When Dead Vol. 3
Kenny Dope (2 mix CDs)
Broken Social Scene (reissue)
Skyphone
Federico Aubele
Shadow Huntaz
Cyann & Ben (domestic)
Luomo (domestic)

Will Oldham
Susanna & the Magical Orchestra
Daedelus
Papa M (early works)
Air (CD single)
Liars
Pass Into Silence
The Decemberists

# posted by DJ Martian 12:21 AM

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

If I were an editor of a weekly music magazine this week's front cover would feature: The Magnificents

This week's front cover choice features a band from Edinburgh - Scotland, The Magnificents. Their self titled debut album, is released by KFM Records. According to HMV.co.uk it is available to order from Feb 23rd.

The Magnificents have a powerful electro-rock sound ala Magazine meets Joy Division.

Review of The Magnificents album @ Stylus Magazine

Free Mp3 downloads at Vitaminic The Magnifents

# posted by DJ Martian 11:50 PM

New Releases @ Piccadilly Records

Some new releases [and a few re-issues] listed in the weekly guide [via e-mail] from Manchester's music emporium: Piccadilly Records

The Stills - Logic Will Break Your Heart
Vice

It's mad. With Ryan Adams suddenly making an album choc-full of 80s indie references, it's obvious; anything goes. The Stills hark back to that golden era too, with doomy but pretty jangles, chimes and descending basslines. There's noisy slashing guitars, rumbling drums; They're slightly reminiscent of the Cure or the Bunnymen. The Stills are from Montreal but moved to NYC two years ago to record this debut. Right place, right time (bizarrely!) and another excellent band. All us oldies will be down the front pushing the kids out of the way!

!!! (CHK CHK CHK) / Out Hud - Lab Series 2
GSL

One long (ten minutes) mesmerising track from punk / funk masters !!! (CHK CHK CHK) who sound like a fantasic mix-mash of James Brown's backing band, ACR, Liquid Liquid, Happy Mondays and The Meters. Out Hud contribute three remixes of a song in a rich reverb heavy dub / funk instrumental style.

Black Heart Procession & Solbakken - In The Fishtank 11
Konkurrent

Lead singer Pall of the Black Heart Procession suggested Dutch prog rockers Solbakken to become sparring partners for their "Fishtank" session. Both bands cherished some fine memories of playing together on different occasions over the years, the first time being way back in '98. The result of this collaboration ended up somewhere in the land of the Bad Seeds, uncovering a bag of Morricone leftovers.

Fuck Off Machete - My First Machete
Lost Dog

Fuck-off Machete is the latest project to feature Natasha Noramly, previously of Domino Records signings Ganger. The album is as eclectic in its influences as it is fresh and engaging. Guitar, bass, drums and vocals combine on nine tracks of inventive, emotional and rocking music. From the opening track "Minority Gang", to the closer (somewhat deceptively called "Panda"), the debut album from this youthful but well travelled Scottish three piece has all the hallmarks of a classic.

Liars - They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Mute

Eagerly anticipated new album from NYC's artpunk garage renegades Liars. The album was written deep in the woods at Hickory Lane, New Jersey, and explores the facts and folklore of witches and their craft.

Loose Lips Sink Ships : #01 Spring 2004

Fresh from the ashes of Careless Talk Costs Lives, (their remit was to release 12 issues and then close up shop!) Steve Gullick (famous and damn good photographer chap) and Stevie Chick (Kerrang / Mojo writer cum fan of much music) have put together a new music magazine, a different size to Careless Talk, this 78-84 page magazine takes on a look akin to an art book, gallery catalogue, or maybe even both. Terse writing (and in fact music writing you actually want to read, not scan through and whinge about). The inaugral issue has features on Liars, Mark Lanegan, Fake Ideal, Mars Volta, My Morning Jacket, Madlib, Sebadoh, Cass Mccombs, Lambchop and tons of reviews.

10000 Maniacs - Campfire Songs
WSM

Here's another band with it's roots in punk and post punk UK indie music, though only the name perhaps would lead you to believe it. They ended up selling millions of slickly produced, sweet folk pop, but their constant inventiveness, originality and defiantly uncool image definitely has it's roots in that early 80s era. There was a freedom about their sound, and lyrically, a constant alertnessto life's possibilities; a call to humanity to blooming well treat each other better! This is a 31 track double CD featuring all their best loved songs and tons of rare and unreleased nuggets and oddities. It's beautifully packaged and full of ace band memoirs but it's Natalie Merchant's voice that will floor you. Elusive, enticing and magical while the music was ever intelligent, adventurous and melodic, she was the most refreshing un-star like star. She had something bigger going on that just 'Pop', and this incredible collection proves it. A lot of this music is simply amazing.

Laura Veirs - Carbon Glacier
Bella Union

Stunning new album from Seattle based Laura Veirs. Released hot on the heels of her acclaimed first album "Troubled By The Fire". Her song writing has clearly matured to a new level and Tucker Martine's production skills have ensured her beautiful melodies, lyrics and music are blended to perfection. Wonderful skewed folk songs.

Young People - War Prayers
Dim Mak

Dizzyingly beautiful experimental pop almost too special to describe. Imagine a young Loretta Lyn singing to John Cage's music, or early Bjork in her Sugarcubes years, making angular, expressly American, simple, traditional songs.

Various Artists / Death Disco - Songs From Under The Dance Floor 1978 - 1984
Emi

The late 70s / early 80s was a golden era for mould-breaking, genre crossing post-punk sounds from the UK and US. This bargain price compilation rounds up some of the finest moments from EMI and its distributed labels. Includes PIL, Gang Of Four, Delta 5, The Normal, Throbbing Gristle, Brian Eno & David Byrne, Rip Rig & Panic (long overdue a revival!!), Buzzcocks, Arto Lindsay, The Human League, Simple Minds, Heaven 17, The Higsons etc. It's had me, Martin and Andy getting all misty-eyed!

Nicely packaged with informative (and funny) booklet notes by Roger Quail.

Isan - Meet Next Life
Morr Music

The belated follow-up to "Lucky Cat" takes Isan's brand of melodious sound further into fairytale soundtrack realms. Not entirely dissimilar to Boards Of Canada's mellow moments, they manage to coax the sweetest harmonies from overclocked processors, maintaining a warm and tender connection with their machines as if they were antique musical instruments. Combining the relaxing hum of 240volt computers with gentle acoustics and wooden percussion conjures up a magical, quiet blend.

Kopernik - Kopernik
Eastern Developments

On Eastern Developments, the upstart imprint spearheaded by Scott Herren (Prefuse73 and Savath & Savalas). This is one for fans of Godspeed and the Rachels, this is a dark and mystical based journey full of strings, organic beauty and avant-garde compositions. Quite simply, haunting and stunning!!!!

Numbers - In My Mind All The Time
Tigerbeat6

Numbers embrace shouted robotic minimalism, and take on such weighty topics as consumerism, disease, fun, going to shows, and obsession.

Savath & Savalas - The Rolls And Waves EP
Hefty

Awesome mini album release from Scott Herren's other masterful project (besides Prefuse73) which was released on Hefty in between his Warp full lengths, 2000's "Folk Songs For Trains, Trees And Honey" and 2004's "Apropa't". Witness the introduction of jazz, acoustic and post-rock into Herren's uncompromising, original productions.

Shalabi Effect - Pink Abyss
Alien 8

While "Pink Abyss" retains elements of their other two albums, there is decidedly more emphasis placed on melody on this release, with more use of vocals and more prominence given to the guitar. Without a doubt, it is Shalabi Effect's most rocking effort thus far, featuring impeccable musicianship and a brilliant and powerful recording quality.

Trans Am - Liberation
Thrill Jockey

Over the course of six albums and three EPs, Trans Am have pleased and confounded critics with their ever-changing music style. From their most Deutsch-influenced self-titled debut to "Futureworld", their 80s inspired super-synth pop tunes (about 2 years before it was cool) to the raw rock of "Red Line", their musical style has always varied. Touring for at least six months of every year, Trans Am are a consistent draw throughout the world. While their music style may be ever changing, the force of their live performance is always undeniable. Musically "Liberation" (their seventh album) is classic Trans Am. Styles continue to shift from track to track, culling from a vocabulary familiar to fans of their previous six records.

Various Artists / Tracks For Horses
Melodic

14 track compilation from Melodic. Features new and exclusive tracks from Lucky Pierre, Minotaur Shock, Pedro and The Earlies amongst others. Melodic have collected together a diverse range of musicians covering everything from folktronica to old skool hip hop to p-funk. And all for a bargain price too.

Various Artists / Wooden Guitar
Locust

A simple title with a simple concept. "Wooden Guitar" is an inspired excursion into the creases and folds of modern deltadelica & a thinly veiled homage to the great Takoma compilations of yore where guitarists could sit back, work those muscles in their fingers and go the extra musical distance. Four of the great worldwide guitarists - Germany's Steffen Basho-Junghans, Seattle's Sir Richard Bishop (the Sun City Girls), Japan's Tetuzi Akiyama & Virginia's Jack Rose (Pelt) give us a fresh look at a very old instrument with gloriously stretched out solo compositions.

Was (Not Was) - (The Woodwork) Squeaks
Ze

The perfect companion piece to "Out Come The Freaks", "(The Woodwork) Squeaks" gathers together all the early dance remixes of Was (Not Was) from 1980 � 1982, including "Out Come The Freaks", "Wheel Me Out", "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming", "Hello Operator" etc. Mind expanding twisted disco music for the body and the brain. All these tracks are long unavailable, and many are sought after collector's items.

Was (Not Was) - Out Come The Freaks
Ze

The long overdue reissue of the classic debut album from Detroit mavericks Don & David Was. Originally released in June 1981, "Out Comes The Freaks" is a wild confabulation of R'n'B, funk, disco-not-disco, rock and downright weirdness - it's a striking mutant funk experiment that wrecked the lab and boogied off into the night. It features the classic "Wheel Me Out", plus additional singles "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming", "Where Did Your Heart Go?"' (later covered by George Michael!) and the title track, with a myriad of mixes.

Various Artists / Kitsune Midnight
Kitsune

French label Kitsune collect together 12 tracks (one each for 12 strikes of the midnight clock) that cover house, electroclash, electronica, disco-not-disco and even reggae (by Colder of all people!) by the likes of Blackstrobe, Freeform Five (the you blinked and missed it "Eeeeaaooww"), Zongamin, Midnight Mike, The Whitest Boy Alive, Man With Guitar, Captain Comatose, Cut Copy, Cosmo Vitelli, Julien Jabre etc.

Alan Watts - This Is It!
Locust

A psychedelic holy grail re-issued. "This Is It!" originally cut in 1962, is regarded by many of the who's who of psych fanatics as the first aural document of psychedelia. It is a plundering, blistering, free form freakout of totally unselfconscious group sonic exploration. Legendary zen guru Alan Watts led a group of musicians and non-musicians through communal chant and raw American tribalism. All very strange indeed!!!!

Various Artists / Raw Fusion Presents Inside Scandinavia
Raw Fusion

Sweden's ace Raw Fusion label collect together some of their best moments for compilation. First appearing in late 2002 with A Bossa Eletrica, the label has gone from strength to strength putting out some of the best nu-bossa, nu-jazz and house around. This collection includes tracks by Beatfanatic, Povo, 3 Foot People, Stockholm Cyclo, A Bossa Electrica, Damn! etc.

AGF - Westernization Completed
Orthlorng Musork

Strange loose electronica with Germanic ice cold spoken vocals.

Datach'i - Mmale And Ffemale
Planet U

Moving away from the more impressionistic drill 'n' splatter of his first two albums, this is something far more sharper and far more dangerous.

Various Artists - Enjoy Detroit
Premier Cru / Third Ear

The second volume of Third Ear's Detroit hip-no-tech collection gathers more exclusive examples of Motor City musicial diversity. As a companion series to the Detroit Beatdown works, "Enjoy Detroit" features more soulful, offbeat and anti-4/4 productions. Planet E's Jason Hogans contributes a couple of diamonds, as does super hip hop producer Wayne Kounty and project coordinator George Katsiris has his hand in a clutch of the tracks.

Various Artists / Tracks For Horses
Melodic

14 track compilation from Melodic. Features new and exclusive tracks from Lucky Pierre, Minotaur Shock, Pedro and The Earlies amongst others. Melodic have collected together a diverse range of musicians covering everything from folktronica to old skool hip hop to p-funk. And all for a bargain price too.

SixToo - Almost A Dot On The Map - The Psyche Years 1996-2002
Vertical Form

You'll be hearing a lot more from Vaughn Squire in the future and not just because the ink's drying on his Ninja Tune contract. This Vertical Form collection features impossible-to-find productions from six years of ultra-underground activity by the Canadian MC / producer. A mate of Buck65, he progressed from making bedroom audio cassettes, to DIY releases, to Anticon regognition and now stands on the brink of greatness. The 21 tracks of fiercely independent hip hop within provide a six year prologue to this moment.

Gerardo Frisina - Hi Note
Schema

Along with compatriot Nicola Conte, Schema label boss Gerardo Frisina is at the forefront of the nu-bossa / nu-latin-jazz scene. On his second LP he brings a more organic feel to his music, backed by a seven piece live band, with a bit of post production studio trickery.

Clara Hill - Restless Times
Sonar Kollektiv

Produced by Jazzanova, this is Clara Hill's debut LP for Sonar Kollektiv. Using a mixture of broken beat, nu-jazz, soul and folktronica styles, Clara's clean, clear voice shines through, holding the different strands together. Includes the single "Here" and 11 other fantastic tracks. I heart this LP!

Ilya - They Died For Beauty
Virgin

After a handful of sporadically released singles ("Bellisimo", "Bliss", "Heavenly" - all included here), Ilya release their debut LP. Reminiscent of early Portishead in places, these tracks mix up heartfelt torch-song / easy soul vocals with lush, layered electro-acoustic 60s style cinematic soundscapes.

Fred Frith - Eye To Ear II
Tzadik

With a career spanning over three decades, Fred Frith continues his fruitful relationship on Tzadik with this, his fifth release in as many years. Always breaking new ground "Eye To Ear II" his second volume dedicated to his work for films, is an adventurous voyage into unexplored territory. Four amazing sound collages, improvisations and lyrical dance music from one of the most consistently original composer / performers working today.

Masada String Trio - Volume One
Tzadik

Inaugurating this exciting new series documenting the best live shows from Zorn's historic performances in September 2003 at Tonic is one of the highlights of the month: the incredible set by the Masada String Trio. Featuring three of the most amazing string improvisors in the world in peak form, urged on by Zorn's inspired conducting, this set is every bit as breathtaking on CD as it was that very night.

Jenny Scheinman - Shalagaster
Tzadik

Jenny Scheinman, a frequent collaborator of guitarist Bill Frisell, is one of the most sought after violinists on the scene today. Her second CD for Tzadik, created especially for the oracle series, features her brilliant quartet augmented by the beautiful keyboards of Myra Melford. Eleven dynamic new compositions, masterfully conceived, make up this heartfelt program of modern folk jazz.

Space Machine - 3
Important

Space Machine is Yamazaki Maso's (Masonna) solo synth-psych side project. This CD release includes both the Space Machine "3" studio sessions as well as Space Machine live at Big Cat in Osaka, Japan with Makoto Kawabata of the Acid Mothers Temple.

Yoshida / Fujii - Erans
Tzadik

Featuring Ruins drummer Yoshida Tatsuya going head to head with versatile jazz pianist Satoko Fujii, "Erans" is a meeting of masters. Twelve intense compositions showcasing the passion and virtuosity of these two Japanese visionaries. Absolute breathtaking.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:10 PM

Playlouder report that the release date of the forthcoming Nine Inch Nails album: Bleed through - has been pushed to later in the year.

The album was expected this spring but it is now likely to surface later in the year, with the recording process scheduled to finish in the summer.

# posted by DJ Martian 6:04 PM

Slightly revamped Terrorizer magazine website, with details of:

Coming next issue in terrorizer:

2003 READERS' AND WRITERS' POLLS | MY DYING BRIDE | LACUNA COIL | MIKE PATTON | EINSTURZENDE NEUBAUTEN | NEUROSIS | SEND MORE PARAMEDICS
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE...

ON SALE 27 FEBRUARY 2004

# posted by DJ Martian 12:53 PM

Dusted review 90 Day Men - Panda Park

# posted by DJ Martian 12:45 PM

Eternal Fusion with Gary Fosster on SpydaRadio

Latest show now available @ SpydaRadio

Current Show: Tuesday 24th February 2004

King Crimson - 'Drop In'
John Cale - 'Zen'
Califone - 'Trick Bird'
The Fall - 'The Last Commands Of Xyralothep Via M.E.S.'
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - 'Eyes Of Green, Green, Green'
Parsley Sound - 'Spring's Near'
Kinski - 'One Ear In The Sun'
Do Make Say Think - 'The Fare To Get There'
Fridge - 'The Traps'
Nobukazu Takemura - 'Mahou No Hiroba'
Super Numeri - 'Beaks'
Jessamine - 'Oscillations'
Silver Apples - 'Snake Bite'
Hovercraft - 'Halopadriol'
Circle - 'Teraskylpy'
Volcano The Bear - 'Millipede For The Little Boy'
Shalabi Effect - 'Bright Guilty World'
Elizabeth Anka Vajagic - 'Why'
Ui - 'Banjo'
Birdsongs Of The Mesozoic - 'Centrifuge'
Doof - 'Yesterday's Future' (Underwolves Remix)
Tonto's Expanding Headband - 'Riversong'
Boards Of Canada - 'Julie And Candy'
Loka - 'Safe Self Tester'
Adrian Sherwood - 'No Dog Jazz'
Air - 'How Does It Make You Feel' (Adrian Sherwood Mix)
Noiseshaper - 'Dunk'
Ott - 'Spannered In Pilton'
cLOUDDEAD - 'The Teen Keen Skip'

Next Scheduled Show: Friday March 5th

# posted by DJ Martian 10:53 AM

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

According to Pause & Play the forthcoming Tears for Fears album has been delayed, no further info at the mo. delayed could mean anything from a week to a few months?

Official Fan Web Site for Tears For Fears: should be the best place for any further news: Tears For Fears

It does seem that Tears for Fears are going for a heavy promotional push in the US, with a number of high profile TV slots lined up for April.

# posted by DJ Martian 4:48 PM

Xfm report Elbow have started the process of formulating ideas for their next album. Guy Garvey mentioned a projected Spring 2005 release for their third album.

[Also: Elbow's Cast of Thousands album has just been released in the US. It is currently ranked 5th best album of the year @ Metacritic: Music ]

Metacritic Music: Elbow - Cast of Thousands

# posted by DJ Martian 4:28 PM

Pitchfork review Susanna & The Magical Orchestra - List of Lights and Buoys

Norwegian duo's sound ranges from the whimsical and dreamy, to torch songs on their debut album for Norway's prestigious Rune Grammofon label. Produced by Jaga Jazzist's Andreas Mj�s and labelmates Deathprod

# posted by DJ Martian 2:52 PM

All About Jazz review this outstanding forthcoming album due for release in May: The Nels Cline Singers - The Giant Pin

Pushing jazz into territory usually reserved for hardcore, ambient, and dark wave electronica, the Nels Cline Singers� latest release, The Giant Pin, employs a wide array of electronics, musical technique, and compositional audacity to produce a sonically varied, deadly experimental amalgam of genres and styles.

# posted by DJ Martian 2:32 PM

Dusted review TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes

# posted by DJ Martian 2:18 PM

The latest The Breezeblock Tracklistings on Radio 1, now available to listen to on demand. Includes a DJ set from Matthew Dear.

# posted by DJ Martian 2:09 PM

This week's flavorpill LONDON

a weekly email magazine covering music, art, and cultural events

# posted by DJ Martian 1:56 PM

Mixing It

Details of the latest Mixing It show on Radio 3, now available to listen to on demand [until the next show on Friday Night]

Includes a track by Peter Blegvad and Andy Partridge from their new album.

Also listen to a track by Arthur Russell: The platform on the ocean - that reminds me of Joy Division meets Bark Psychosis.

Forthcoming Mixing It Shows

>> Mixing It

27th February 2004 [this is a repeat show from last year]
Mark Russell and Robert Sandall explore the alternative
music scene in Newcastle and meet Jazzfinger, Jumbo,
Andrew Hodson, Guessmen, Richard Dawson, Astro and Prism,
Mushi Mushi, and Posset.

5th March 2004
To coincide with Radio 3's coverage of the Fuse
Festival in Leeds, Robert Sandall and Mark Russell
report on the city's underground music scene. They
visit the Termite Club, one of the country's longest
established showcases for live improvised music,
and talk to the vibracathedral orchestra, indie
band Hood, electronic artist randomNumber and
jazz drummer Paul Hession.

12th March 2004
Mark Russell and Robert Sandall present the
first of two programmes from last weekend's
Fuse Festival in Leeds with a live set by the
American group Yo La Tengo recorded at the
West Yorkshire Playhouse 6th M

>> Main webpage: Mixing It

# posted by DJ Martian 1:49 PM

Monday, February 23, 2004

Hackneyed Central has a feature on the record label Ghostly International

Also on: This week's Breezeblock later tonight on Radio 1: features Ghostly International Pick of the labels.

# posted by DJ Martian 3:36 PM

BBC Music select Max Richter - The Blue Notebooks as their Album of the Week.

# posted by DJ Martian 3:29 PM

Pitchfork report Full-Length From !!! Due In June.

# posted by DJ Martian 3:05 PM

The Rub has set up a grading list for 2004 album releases. [Also the three column blog design looks very smart.]

# posted by DJ Martian 3:01 PM

Pitchfork have a feature by Xiu Xiu's Jamie Stewart who writes about his favourite singers.

# posted by DJ Martian 3:00 PM

Depeche Mode have set up an official Depeche Mode Box Sets: Micro-site to support the promotion of their singles Box sets [4, 5, 6] due for release at the end of March. Keep watching this page for more release info on the box sets

In the meantime:

>> Box Sets Info [from another source]

Singles Box V.4, 6CDS
Heavy cardboard, metallic-finish package, different from the U.S. version. Singles: 1.Strangelove 2.Never Let Me Down Again 3.Behind The Wheel 4.Everything Counts (Live) 5.Personal Jesus 6.Enjoy The Silence. Country: UK Release Date: 29-Mar-04

Singles Box V.5, 6CDS
Heavy cardboard, high quality metallic-finish packaging, different from the U.S. version. Singles: 1.Policy Of Truth 2.World In My Eyes 3.I Feel You 4.Walking In My Shoes 5.Condemnation 6.In Your Room. Country: UK Release Date: 29-Mar-04

Singles Box V.6, 6CDS
Heavy cardboard, high quality metallic-finish packaging, different from the U.S. version. Singles: 1.Barrel Of A Gun 2.It's No Good 3.Home 4.Useless 5.Only When I Lose Myself 6.Dream On. Country: UK Release Date: 29-Mar-04

# posted by DJ Martian 12:22 AM

Sunday, February 22, 2004

Jazzland Records - Forthcoming Releases

The latest news from Norway's esteemed: Jazzland Records

Sidsel Endresen & Christian Wallumrod - Merriwinkle European release in March. Concert info coming soon.

Bugge Wesseltoft - NCOJ Film ing
Bugge Wesseltofts New conception of jazz "Film ing". New studio album from the keyboard maestro and his band. Release mid March all over europe. Check tourlist for concerts.

Eivind Aarset. New studio album coming in April. Check tourlist for concerts coming up.

Audun Kleive. New studio album coming in May

>>> Further info on Releases

Bugge Wesseltoft press release Film ing
Press release

Bugge Wesseltoft - Film ing - Jazzland Recordings/Universal 2004.

Bugge is back. The bespectacled Norwegian jazz keyboardist extraordinaire, leading light of the future jazz scene and this side of the new millenium`s answer to the unsolved equation between Herbie Hancock and Erik Satie.

Filming is the new masterpiece. Bugge back to his studio after last year`s phenomenal live output, recordings and tours and back to the roots and rudiments of his New conception of jazz Filmatic, melancholy nordic piano resonances, punishing synth funk, organic grooves, and guest musicianship of the highest calibre all directed by the ever watchful and forward thinking Bugge.

There is undoubtedly more colour to Bugge`s sound spectrum this time round, perhaps influenced by his wordwide travels and experiences as a touring future jazz maestro. This album dares to take the listener both to the loneliness of a winter dawn in Oslo, and yet simultaneously to an edgy cosmopolitan Jazzfunk underground club,and even further, out to wide open landscapes, warm and soulful and only in the unique way Bugge can.

It has been two years since Bugge`s last studio output, the much celebrated Moving, and slowly but surely through the superb live performances, word of mouth, super remixes, and the ever growing reputation of Bugge`s label, yes - the mothership Jazzland luckily the world can discover the gems of music that lie behind those Northern Lights.

And here we have Jazzland`s pride and glory Bugge Wesseltoft. By the piano, synth, drum machine and mixing desk a one man headhunter in an impressionistic world?

Let your mind, body and soul bathe in the sounds. Roll camera and leave your preconceptions behind.

Bugge Wesseltoft Filiming Jazzland/Universal
Release: March 2004

Sidsel Endresen & Christian Wallumrod - Merriwinkle Jazzland Recordings, 2004.

For the last decade both Sidsel and Christian have been at the forefront of the contemporary music, jazz outer-limits scene in Norway - both as performers, composers and bandleaders.

Their present collaboration started in 2002.

Outside of their improvising duo work (which has so far resulted in the present album Merriwinkle and various concerts) they have also joined forces for Endresen's commissioned piece for The Bergen Jazz Festival 2002: Living Rooms as well as her critically acclaimed Undertow project together with Jan Bang (various tours / festivals in Scandinavia, Europe, UK and Canada).

Their first release together Merriwinkle (Jazzland / Universal) presents their improvised and highly contemporary version of the classical duo format, in addition to several tracks featuring sound wizard Helge Sten (alias Deathprod). Sten also appears as co-producer on the album.

The music is completely improvised but does not really fall within the established categorys of improvised music. Rather, it draws freely from the duos wide and varied range of musical references without catering to any defined genre or style.
Another benchmark release for Jazzland. Making waves, as ever.

Audun Kleive - Uhmagoddabl (Jazzland)

Audun Kleive, Jazzland Recordings rebel without a pause, Norway?s beatmeister extraordinaire returns with the stunning new recording Uhmagoddabl...

Another dynamic release in Jazzland's quality catalogue of future jazz Uhmagoddabl is a fierce brew of trademark Kleive ber-groove, melodic abstraction, improvisation and of course, a perfect follow up to where Audun Kleive and his musical collective last left off on the previous outing Generator X.

Provocative as ever, this is Kleive's alternative (s)punky post-modern Jazz where he feels it really ought to be. Taking a ride to galaxies perhaps familiar to Sun Ra, Can and trippy Coltrane, it's also a genre-reaction to Carl Craig's Innerzone Orchestra or Warp Records e(c)lectronica - on a more educated night out in Scandinavia.

Confident as ever, Audun Kleive is here joined by his faithful instrumentalists,
a who's who of Norway's jazz edge including Wire Magazine flavours of the month Arve Henriksen on trumpet, famed ECM keyboardist Christian Wallumrod, synth maestro Stale Storlokken, and Norway's ubiquitous jazz/techno sampler-delic Jan Bang.

Uhmagoddabl not only captures and showcases Kleive's way-out rhythmic possibilities and improvisational skill, it also serves as a musical snapshot of his band?s live performances, stunning both jazz purists and techno-headz worldwide with this rare, raw and passionate talent.

For those unfamiliar with Audun Kleive, just a quick look at his vast CV is enough to raise a few eyebrows for fans of outer-limits jazz and electronica.
For those aware, you just have to press play.

You soon get the idea of why the man is such a source of inspiration for a whole generation of international jazz musicians...and if you've been lucky enough to experience him and his music live, it will all begin to make sense...in an explosive kind of way!

Recorded in Norway, mixed at Bill Laswell's Turtletone Studios, NY, mastered by Michael Fossenkemper, Audun delivers another defining work, an essential piece of recorded creative freedom, and a powerful reminder that Jazz and electronics can take you anywhere you want...in the true spirit of Jazzland.

Audun Kleive's Uhmagoddabl .
So is it really all that - Ofcourseable?....

[Note I have had to change some of the formatting as Blogger doesn't support some of the Norwegian lettering and font style]

# posted by DJ Martian 11:45 PM

Ulver: Blood Inside

BW & BK report that Ulver are in Los Angeles mixing their new album, titled: Blood Inside. They are using a producer/mixer, Ronan Chris Murphy who has previously worked with King Crimson.

# posted by DJ Martian 10:20 PM

New Neurosis Album Due in June

BW & BK report that Neurosis have named their forthcoming album: The Eye Of Every Storm

and will be issued by Neurot Recordings (the band�s label) in North America and by Relapse throughout the rest of the world in late June.

# posted by DJ Martian 10:15 PM

MusicOMH.com review Funk D'Void - Volume Freak (Soma)

# posted by DJ Martian 10:00 PM

Morrissey - You Are The Quarry : May 17th UK Release

I am not a fan of Morrissey's solo era, only his first solo album [Viva Hate] with Durutti Column's Vini Reilly held any interest. Indeed the rest of Morrissey's musical output remains a blank void for myself - the singles released never engaged me on the radio - and I didn't buy the albums - but this new album could be worth a listen:

The press release of Morrissey's forthcoming album: Morrissey - You Are The Quarry - press release select quotes:

You Are the Quarry, the first new solo material in seven years from Morrissey, is to be released May 17th in the UK and May 18th in the US on Sanctuary's revamped imprint, Attack. Recorded in Los Angeles and London, Quarry is an album of extraordinary original songs using keyboards interwoven with crunchy guitars that work to create a lush, musical backdrop.

..From mandolin to flute to harp to moog keyboard, Quarry's richly textured musical layers see Morrissey exploring new musical territory. The album crosses many genres, incorporating subtle elements of dance, jazz, world and rock. Morrissey said the combination will definitely appeal to his core fanbase and will also reel an audience that may not be familiar with his earlier solo work.

# posted by DJ Martian 8:57 PM

SPOTLIGHT...KEY NEW RELEASES [February 16th]

Key new album releases for February 16th [A more detailed release listing including other new releases, compilations and reissues - can be found further up this webpage.]

Alaska Highway - Attitudes Of A Difficult Mind (Negative Gain)
John Beltran - In Full Color (Ubiquity)
Icon of Coil - Machines are Us (Metropolis)
Junior Boys - High Come Down (KIN) EP Vinyl only
Lake Trout - Another Lost One (Palm Pictures) [UK Release 2004]
Chick Lyall/ Joakim Milder - Broken Poems (Caber)
Mellow - Perfect Colors (Atmospheriques)
Modul - Isol (Raster / Noton)
Mokira - Album (Type)
Music A.M - Heart & Two Stars (Quatermass)
My Dying Bride - The Thirteenth Chapter (Peacevile)
Orphx - Circuitbreaking (Hymen)
Probot - Probot (Southern Lord)
Quench - Dyn (U Cover)
Sophia - People are Like Seasons (City Slang)
Tomasz Stanko Quartet - Suspended Night (ECM)
The Stranglers - Norfolk Coast (EMI)
Andy Summers - Earth + Sky (R & M)
The Veils - The Runaway Found (Rough Trade)
Mike Westbrook - Chanson Irresponsable (Enja)
Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles (5RC) [Import available at Amazon.co.uk]

# posted by DJ Martian 6:59 PM

EMI Release Compilation: Death Disco

This compilation is released 23rd February by EMI:

Death Disco: Songs From Under The Dancefloor 1978-84

1. Death Disco - Public Image Ltd
2. Haile Unlikely - Steel Leg Vs The Electric Dread
3. I Love A Man In A Uniform - Gang Of Four
4. Journey - Delta 5
5. Warm Leatherette - The Normal
6. United - Throbbing Gristle
7. The Jezebel Spirit - Brian Eno/David Byrne
8. Yashar (John Robie Remix) - Cabaret Voltaire
9. Bob Hope Takes Risks - Rip Rig & Panic
10. Put The Punk Back Into Funk Parts I and II - The Higsons
11. Do The Wrong Thing - Lounge Lizards
12. Meccanik Dancing (Oh We Go!) - XTC
13. Why Can't I Touch It? - The Buzzcocks
14. Theme For Great Cities - Simple Minds
15. Hard Times - The Human League
16. (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang - Heaven 17
17. Let's Be Adult - Arto Lindsay & The Ambitious Lovers

Check the front cover art @ Amazon.co.uk

# posted by DJ Martian 6:35 PM

Musique Machine review Max Richter - The Blue Notebooks

# posted by DJ Martian 6:30 PM

OMM - Observer Music Monthly: February / No. 6

New issue of The Observer Music Monthly is online and also included with The Observer newspaper, on sale today.

Front cover of the new issue of Observer Music Monthly

This month's lost tribes feature: Indie Kids caught in a time warp that is the Manchester/ Baggy Scene 1989/1991.

Also: Music Reviews

>> The Ten Featured Albums of the Month

including Stuart Nicholson's review of Tomasz Stanko Quartet - Suspended Night on ECM

Also More CD reviews including:

Clouddead - Ten
Lhasa - The Living Road
The Bad Plus - Give

# posted by DJ Martian 10:03 AM

Saturday, February 21, 2004

Robert Fripp mentions that he has made a new album with Brian Eno:

Currently. I am refreshing my spirits listening to the new Fripp & Eno album, the first version of which was waiting on my DGM desk

Fripp & Eno III

# posted by DJ Martian 6:21 PM

Brainwashed Releases has been updated.

a listing of recent & upcoming electronic/experimental/etc. releases brought to you by feedback monitor and brainwashed

# posted by DJ Martian 6:13 PM

This Week's New Releases @ Boomkat

This week's new releases @ Boomkat - A Pelicanneck Online Music Store include:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK!
Manyfingers - Manyfingers
Moteer

Manyfingers is the work of Chris Cole, long time mover within the Bristol scene and master instrumentalist on a myriad albums from artists both known and unknown - most recently on Matt Elliot's superb `The Mess We Made" album for Domino. This is the second release on The Remote Viewer's own Moteer imprint - brought to us nearly a year after the quietly acclaimed debut by the Clickits crept out intoour collective unconscious from the Remote Views. Whilst working on their own new mini album for City Centre Offices, they've convened thisbeauty of a record, a magical arrangement of acoustic instrumentation and delicate crafting that sound both timeless and haunting. This is soundtrack music at its most evocative - an alchemical journey into audio imagery,with detuned pianos, accordions, flutes, reversed guitars, xylophones andcreepy atmospheres that congregate around the suggestion that life really can be elsewhere. Hard to believe that the delicate cacophony at play on each of the 7 tracks are the work of just one set of hands. Close your eyes and you'll imagine a room full of rogue musicians stretching their arms and preparing their many fingers, hundreds of them in fact, to tease and caress the strange and wonderful objects and instruments at their disposal - all in pursuit of perfection. We implore you to give this a listen - it really is beautiful music of the most moving, inspired kind. Gorgeous.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK!
Various / Melodic Tracks For Horses
Melodic

Fantastic and much discussed budget compilation on the Melodic imprint - featuring new and exclusive tracks from Minotaur Shock, Lucky Pierre, Pedro and a wealth of new talent that make for a hugely varied and almost entirely inspired selection of listening. From the ethereal, acoustic, cinematic emotive soundscaping of Baikonour's "Lick Lokoum' to Gavouna's tinkertoy and violin quirkisms on the gorgeous "Three", to Pedro's "Folded Arms" complete with a Four-Tet inspired string section, flutes and endlessly deep dusty beats, over to Psapp's jittering piano sample cut-ups finding Kid Koala going head to head with Isan, to Minotaur Shock's funked-up percussion and bassline disco winner to the Morricone inspired bliss of Lucky Pierre's quite amazing "Fan-Dance" - there really isnt a duff track on board and for less then a fiver this really must end up being the compilation bargain of the year. Buy without hesitation.

Datach'i - MMale and FFemale
Planet Mu

Datachi's third album (his first for Planet Mu) is by far his best, finding him moving away from the more impressionistic drill `n' splatter sound of his first two albums for New York's Caipirinha label. Joseph Fraioli has honed his sound into something sharper and far more dangerous, a dark opus that evolves with pliable textures that let you work your way inside the sound. Layers of analogue drums form the base of his tapestry of chanting male choirs and musique concrete shiver stabs. Its an album that veers from tumbling jacked-up percussive rambles to deeply engrossing glitch emissions in their most reduced form - another winner from the Mu.

Hauschka - Substantial
Karaoke Kalk

The scene: the welsh mountains, remote and harsh, a good place to produce a special album. Volker Bertelmann on pianos as well as bass from Stefan Schneider of Mapstation and To Rococo Rot, and a deftest trace of processing, barely discernible. This is tender, highly personal music, simply because it has always been there in some shape or form, because it has always been important. Think Satie, 'Koln Konzert' or perhaps even Bill Evans at his most european and romantic. The title points to the fact that this luscious album deals with the big stuff, not just finger exercises or background muzak. "Substantial" is based upon improvisation - each track is based upon an opening sequence, the theme of which is extended, modulated and varied, with no specific objective in mind. What emerges is music of substance: eleven atmospheric pieces allowed to break into consciousness, gently searing images with narrative depth unfold; double bass or vibraphone appear, at once lending a hint of pop, but at no time detracting from the central instrument. Sultry, tactile, candlelit music. Big recommendation.

Mr Projectile - Sinking
Merck

Toytronic veteran Mr Projectile drops his first album release for Miami's Merck imprint, developing his sound away from the trappings of IDM and into a much more open, textured arrangement of electronics, processed vocal slivers and simple, overflowing melodies. Those of you that picked up his awesome collaborative release with 1010 on the superb "And they Met" 12" will have some idea of what to expect - matthew has been honing his craft to make the bass tumbles ever deeper, and the glitch even more delicately woven into the mix of traditional and futuristic production conceits. Fans of electronic music spanning as far wide as Arovane on one end and Bjork at the other should investigate without further delay. Lush.

Shalabi Effect - Pink Abyss
Alien 8

Shalabi Effect refer to their latest effort, `Pink Abyss', as their "pop record"-- an apt description in comparison to their two previous releases. While Pink Abyss retains elements of those efforts, there is decidedly more emphasis placed on melody on this release, with more use of vocals and more prominence given to the guitar. Without a doubt, it is Shalabi Effect's most rocking effort thus far, featuring detailed musicianship and a dark and powerful recording quality that's in keeping with the themes which they explore. Over the last seven years Sam Shalabi has established himself as one of Canada's most important music artists, known for his talents on guitar, oud and various electronics. Shalabi was also a member of folk noir Godspeed linked ensemble Molasses. Highlights on Pink Abyss include Bright Guilty World, which features beautifully seductive vocal work of Elizabeth Anka Vajagic who will be releasing a long-awaited solo record on constellation early next year. handsomely packaged in beautiful cardstock jacket.

Trapist - Ballroom
Thrill Jockey

Trapist is the Vienna based trio comprised of Joe Williamson on bass, Martin Siewert on guitar and Martin Brandlmayr on drums. The trio formed when a friend invited them to play a concert at the famed venue, Rhiz in Vienna. The show, largely an improvised affair with each member bringing pieces not songs to the show, relied largly on the give and take most often seen by jazz and experimental musicians. The three were so pleased with the results that a few weeks later they decided to continue working together and their debut perfomance at the Rhiz became their debut record on Hat Hut. The band recorded the basic tracks for Ballroom in one day, once again relying on improvisation for the direction of the songs. Trapist then brought the recording into their home studio where they overdubbed and drastically edited the resulting record. Using are variety of instruments including the vibraphone, a collection of synthesizers and modulators, as well as a few softwarebased treatments, the band gave even more life to their improvised recordings. Though relatively young, the members of Trapist have collaborated with a list of impressive players including Han Bennink, Evan Parker, Paul Lovens, Eugene Chadbourne, Elliot Sharp, Ken Vandermark, Christian Fennez, Kevin Drumm, Dean Roberts and Stefan Schneider among others. Trapist may be deliberate and sparse in nature, but Ballroom is a record that speaks volumes. Their unique blend of improvisation and delicate electronics is a welcome and refreshing change for fans of electronic, jazz and improvisational music.

Utabi - Manchurian Candy
Adaadat

Like his peers Com.A (Tigerbeat6) and Joseph Nothing (Planet Mu), Utabi Hirokawa is at the forefront of the Japanese electronica scene, mixing influences from idm artists like Aphex Twin and Mouse on Mars with japanese Manga aesthetics and time signitures. 'Manchurian Candy' is Utabi's second album, a follow up to his debut 'chiped plastic', an ultra limited, self-released, lo-fi electronic hodgepodge produced entirely on an old sharp x68000 computer. Although he now uses a PC to make music, the distinctive FM synthesis sound of the x68000 continues to characterize his output which blends lo-fi computer game influences with cut up vocal samples, intricate stuttering beats, and infectious melodies. Inspite of obvious comparisons to idm, Utabi cites more ecletic influences, such as jazz legend's Grant Green and Hermeto Pascoal as well as more obscure japanese artists like Expo, Yan Tomita and Cosmic Invention. Ace cartoon mentalist action.

Various / Enjoy Detroit Enjoy Detroit
Third Ear

Finally available on cd! Prime collection of deep soulful tracks from the motor city. Fifteen original tracks, featuring Grammy nominated producer Waynekounty (Mary J Blige, Busta Rhymes, and Cee-Lo), Planet E recording artist Jason Hogans, and upcoming talents, Ervin Green, George Katsiris, Jonathan Williams, and Borahm Lee. From the crafted, cosmic downbeat of George Katsiris on "Get Ready" and "Coming Up For Air", through Jason Hogan's "God Dub It", a night drive called L-U-S-H, via Ervin Green's awesome, busy electronic steppa "Funkbot", to the g-funk tinged, measured bling of Waynekounty's alter egos The Porno King and Q-Storm: this is a top drawer, all instrumental selection. If you're currently in thrall to the Dabrye "Instrmntl" set, then look no further for a superlative follow up. Perfect for mashing up against nifty acappelas, or just as plain funky, bass heavy instrumental hip hop sh*t, this is one bomb not to miss. Dope.

Alan Watts - This is it!
Locust

A psychedelic holy grail re-issued. This is it! was originally cut in 1962 and is regarded by many as the first aural document of psychedelia. It is a plundering, blistering, free form freakout of totally unselfconscious group sonic exploration. Alan Watts led a cadre of musicians and non-musicians alike through communal chant, primitive choogle and raw american tribalism that features many of the same bay area heads that appeared earlier on Locust's electronic kabuki mambo - the inimitable satirist and collage whiz henry jacobs, genius percussionist william loughborough (early performer with chet baker/harry partch) among many others. this is where the so-called "weird america" begins and if you don't find yourself with that rare facial twitch of awe, befuddlement and unbridled glee, then surely you need your head checked. Mad.

Anthony Pateras - Mutant Theatre
Tzadik

Dynamic and colorful music for percussion, prepared piano and electronics from a marvelous young Australian composer. Anthony Pateras has studied composition academically, toured extensively throughout Europe, North America and asia and has collaborated with numerous improvisors and electronic musicians the world over. "Mutant Theatre" is a twisted cornucopia of driving rhythms and wild sonic explorations. Creative insanity from down under.

Ayuo / Ohta Hiromi - Red Moon
Tzadik

Ayuo is one of Japan's great originals, having walked his own unusual path for over twenty years. His second cd for Tzadik is a charming and hypnotic collaboration with one of japan's most beautiful vocalists, pop star Ohta Hiromi. Touching upon various world music traditions, beautiful folk ballads and psychedelic raves, red moon is a lush and seductive collection of contemporary songs.

Ernesto Martinez - Mutaciones
Tzadik

Ernesto Martinez delivers his first recordings outside of his native Mexico for the Tzadik label after sculpting remarkably original polyrhythmic compositions for well over a decade. Inspired equally by Balinese Gamelan techniques, the piano masterworks of Nancarrow, and Mexican folk traditions, Martinez and his group Microritmica blend complex and virtuosic hocketing techniques, meticulously performed on a combination of piano, marimba and altered guitars, all with a striking sense of drama. Beautiful.

Fred Frith - Eye to Ear II
Tzadik

With a career spanning over three decades, Fred Frith continues his fruitful relationship on Tzadik with this, his fifth release in as many years. Always breaking new ground, Eye to Ear II, the second volume dedicated to his work for films, is an adventurous voyage into unexplored territory. Four amazing sound collages, improvisations and lyrical dance music from one of the most consistently original composers / performers working today.

Jenny Scheinman - Shalagaster
Tzadik

Jenny Scheinman, a frequent collaborator of guitarist Bill Frisell (and most recently with Carla Bozulich on her "Red Headed stranger" album), is one of the most sought after violinists on the scene today. Her second cd for Tzadik, created especially for the Oracles series, features her brilliant quartet augmented by the beautiful keyboards of Myra Melford. Eleven dynamic new compositions, masterfully conceived, make up this heartfelt program of modern folk jazz.

Masada String Trio - 50th Birthday Celebration Vol 1
Tzadik

People are still talking about Zorn's 50th birthday month, and if you weren't lucky enough to have been at Tonic in september 2003, this new series of recordings will take you there. Inaugurating this special series of cd's that have been hand picked for release by zorn himself is one of the highlights of the celebrations - the incredible set by the Masada String trio. featuring three of the most amazing string imporvisors in the world in peak form (Mark Feldman, Erik Friedlander and Greg Cohen), urged on by Zorn's inspired conductiuon, this set is every bit as breathtaking on cd as it was on the night.

Pathos - People
Tzadik

Michael Henning (Pathos) has been performing since 1982. Raised on the Canadian Prairie, he was classically schooled in violin, piano, voice and guitar. Discouraged by the parched landscape of contemporary western classical music, he gave up playing entirely for cross country travel. By 1999, his experiences, however memorable and formative, had ruined his health. You have never heard anything like the music of pathos, over the top vocals accompanied by intense violin improvisations worthy of Mark Feldman at his wildest. Instrumentals touching upon his private theories of "Reinterpretative sampling" and Tectonic counterpoint".

Rodd Keith - Ecstacy To Frenzy
Tzadik

Rodd Keith is known as one of the wildest and most creative of the "send us your lyrics" composers, but Ecstacy To Frenzy shows us a hitherto unknown side if this twisted genius. Two versions of a recently unearthed extended studio composition featuring Rodd's legendary backwards vocals, maniacal organ playing and more. Added as bonus tracks are three of rodd's song-poem masterpieces, including the infamous beat of the traps. Explorations into another universe from one of the world's "out-sider music" pioneers.

The Gamelan Son Of Lion - The Complete Gamelan in the New World
Locust

This is the first proper re-release of two legendary recordings by the innovative Gamelan Son of Lion. This New York performance group has counted as its founding members Fluxus pioneer Phillip Corner, electronics composer Daniel Goode (tzadik), and core member Barbara Benary. Equally inspired by the resonant decaying sounds of New York school composers like Morton Feldman, the stunning pacific gamelan music of its namesake & the wild antics of fluxus, their sound is trancelike and beautifully inspiring collection. Brought back into print for the first time in over 20 years, this fully remastered edition features new liner and original notes from both folkways vinyl releases.

Wadada Leo Smith - Kabell Years 1971-1979
Tzadik

From 1971-1979 Wadada Leo Smith released four albums on his own, privately pressed label, Kabell. Under the supervision of the composer, this material has now been collected, remastered and coupled with over two hours of unreleased bonus tracks, including the second set of the influential Reflectavity concert and the legendary Mapenzi solo concert from 1976. Complete with a 28 page booklet featuring session photos and tributes from musical associates such as George Lewis, Alvin Singleton, Larry Ochs, Anthony Davis, Bobby Naughton, Henry Kaiser and John Zorn, this is an essential collection from the peak period of one of creative music's most important composer / performers. Amazing stuff.

Yoshida / Fujii - Erans
Tzadik

Featuring Ruins drummer Yoshida Tatsuya going head to head with versatile jazz pianist Satoko Fujii, `Erans' is a meeting of masters. Twelve intense compositions showcasing the passion and virtuosity of these two japanese visionaries. Absolutely breathtaking.

Loka - Beginningless
Ninja Tune

Three piece band hailing from opposite sides of the Mersey pond, Loka's music provides a soundtrack for a world where ambiguous morality and perverted desire fraternize with an uneasy thoughtful calm. The initial rumblings from an outfit going by the name of Loka where first heard on Ninja's `Xen Cuts' compilation where the track `My Life's In These Bottles,' was acclaimed as one of the standout offerings of the collection. `Beginningless', is a sinister and brooding debut that glides smoothly through dark deserted alleyways before crawling along kerbside and pulling you into the back seat. Combining scuzzed-up electronics, Morricone guitars and sweeping orchestral washes, this edgy, evocative and emotional music has been likened to the sound of Radiohead jamming with Fourtet.

Vikter Duplaix - Singles (Prelude To The Future)
K7

A collection of Vikter's rare and highly sought after singles, includes : Manhood (Remix), Soon (with Jazzanova), Messages, City Spirits, Galaxy (Unreleased Original), That Night (with Jazzanova), Sensuality, I'll do it for you, Messages (Critical Point) and Manhood. Check the rather tasty Kraftwerk samples on the opener, sit back and lounge out....

Express Rising - Jeux De Ficelles
Memphix

Four years in the making, Dante Carfagna's debut album is also the first full length release on the label he co-owns which has developed a mad cult following, despite having released only 6 instrumental hip hop 45's since june 1999. Carfagna is recognised as a leading funk & soul authority (check out his quite unbeleivable publication Wax Poetics and you'll have PURE respect) as much as he is known for his production work. Starting out at the age of 15 making beats for Professor Griff, he was also one of the performers present at the original brainfreeze session in 2000. And the music itself...? just about the most peaceful and folkily psychedelic instrumental breakbeat funk-soul-hop you ever heard. Someone like sage francis or buck 65 might find a way to float rhymes on Carfagna's light-as-air odes to solitude, but you're unlikely to see anyone breaking out doubles for juggling. Jus' nod ya mind ta this...an absolute glorious gem of an album.

Black Heart Procession & Solbakken - In The Fishtank
Dekonkurrent

Lead singer Pall of the Black Heart Procession immediately suggested dutch proggers Solbakken to become sparring partners for their "Fishtank" session. Both bands cherished some fine memories of playing together on different occasions over the years, the first time being way back in '98. In july 2003, when the Bhp's had just finished their 'tropico'-tour, both bands started recording. Apart from the obvious lengthy jam sessions, the guys of Solbakken, knowing their limitations in the improvisational field, prepared a couple of loose ideas to throw at the Black Hearts, who took it all pretty well. Years of rock experience and some high speed songwriting were combined with the ever fascinating voice of Pall, the reliable piano hands of Toby added to the unexpected input of swiss-mystery guest Rachael, where the whole thing was sustained by the nobleness of the musicians, resulting in these gloriously pretty tracks. Ending up somewhere in the land of bad seeds, uncovering a bag of Morricone leftovers. Recommended.

Numbers - In my mind all the time
Tigerbeat 6

Numbers embrace shouted robotic minimalism, and take on such weighty topics as consumerism, disease, fun, going to shows, and obsession ("brilliant anti-capitalist critiques are so damn sexy," gushed one enamored uk reviewer, cuz that's what they do). A live favorite in their hometown, Numbers toured continually through 2002 and 2003, sharing stages and tour vans with the coachwhips, Erase Errata, and Cex. Lo fi aesthetics for those with a penchant for messy make up.

Trans Am - Liberation
Thrill Jockey

Liberation is Trans Am's new record (seventh overall) and the first album on which politics have crept into their music. Their position is unambiguous. Recorded in summer and fall of 2003 at the band's own National Recording Studio, Liberation reflects the tension coursing through the city. While New York's skyline is the most radically altered in the past three years, life in Washington is palpably different as well since 9/11. Musically Liberation is classic Trans Am. Styles continue to shift from track to track, culling from a vocabulary familiar to fans of their previous six records. From the opening helicopter intro on "Outmoder" the journey begins, taking you through a run of mid- 70's crunching guitars ("Idea Machine"/"Divine Invasion") to late 80's snyth-tones ("Uninvited Guests"/"Remote Control") and back to 2004 with what's new is old again a la The Rapture and !!! ("June"). Like nearly all their albums, Liberation was engineered and mixed by the band. Production assistance was provided by Jonathan Kreinik (who often mixes them live), Paul Manley and Nikhil Randade. Together the team keeps Trans Am's agenda of Liberation in being as much political statement as recorded output. Collages of sound bites culled from radio and television give the tracks a dark tension that captures our current state of affairs.

Various / Wooden Guitar - Wooden guitar
Locust

A simple title with a simple concept. wooden guitar is an inspired excursion into the creases and folds of modern delta-delica & a thinly veiled homage to the great Takoma compilations of yore where guitarists could sit back, work those muscles in their fingers and go the extra musical distance. Four of the great worldwide guitarists - Germany's Steffen Basho-Junghans, Seattle's Sir Richard Bishop (The Sun City Girls), Japan's Tetuzi Akiyama & Virginia's Jack Rose give us a fresh look at a very old instrument with gloriously stretched out solo compositions. Beautiful.

# posted by DJ Martian 6:07 PM

Friday, February 20, 2004

This week's Jazz on 3 on Radio 3 features live music from Bobby Previte

# posted by DJ Martian 7:23 PM

Beta Band - Assessment

Just listened to the forthcoming Beta Band single: Assessment on the radio. It has guitar riffs that are virtually lifted from U2's - I Will Follow track [from debut Boy album back in 1980], others bits reminded me of Mansun, The Psychedelic Furs and the vocals are Stone Roses-alike.

# posted by DJ Martian 7:11 PM

Ex Melody Maker writer Taylor Parkes has started a livejournal blog.

# posted by DJ Martian 5:23 PM

tripTych Music Festival Scotland

The line up for the TripTych Festival 2004 to be held in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, between April 28th - May 2nd has been announced.

Artists appearing include: Colleen, Kid 606, Mum, Madlib, Prince Paul, Liars, Peanut Butter Wolf, Non Prophets, Fennesz, Franz Ferdinand, Fourtet, Explosions in the Sky, Dabrye, Danger Mouse, Trans Am, Fiery Furnaces and Animal Collective

On a side note, this is a prime example of a website that uses Macromedia Flash badly:

>> hideous split screen design
>> ghastly use of small text
>> a useless scrolling section for some sections
and the most inappropriate use of macromedia flash that I have seen for some considerable time.

This results in:

Bad information design, poor usability and due to the use of flash - poor performance for search engine optimisation, and finally there is no quick backwards navigation in the artists section due to flash.

This Triptych Festival website has set the benchmark - of how NOT to design a website in 2004.

# posted by DJ Martian 4:25 PM

The Guardian reviewer John Fordham highly rates this album: Brad Mehldau - Anything Goes

# posted by DJ Martian 3:51 PM

The Guardian review Ramon Valle - No Escape

# posted by DJ Martian 3:48 PM

Issue 16 of earplug

FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 3

Earplug is a biweekly email magazine, delivering a handpicked selection of news, sounds, videos, and original features for the international electronic music community.

# posted by DJ Martian 3:43 PM

Barcode report on future plans of FSOL: Future Sound Of London To Release More In 2004

# posted by DJ Martian 3:41 PM

Almost Cool review Trans Am - Liberation

Also reviewed by Junkmedia

# posted by DJ Martian 3:36 PM

Next week's new releases are reviewed @ Norman Records

# posted by DJ Martian 3:31 PM

The new [March] issue of The Wire magazine is now on sale, Clouddead are on the front cover.

Details of the Current Issue

# posted by DJ Martian 3:26 PM

Thursday, February 19, 2004

FuseLeeds 04 - Experiences in New Music

Radio 3 have developed a mini website to support an experimental music featival happening in Leeds in March [2nd -7th] Radio 3: Fuse Leeds artists appearing include:

Gary Husband's Force Majeure
Keith Rowe & John Tilbury
Django Bates' Human Chain
The Bays
Bill Frisell/Djelimady Tounkara

Some of these performances will be recorded for Radio 3 shows such as Jazz on 3, Mixing It and Andy Kershaw.

Official website for FuseLeeds

FUSELEEDS runs from 03 to 07 March 2004, presenting jazz, world, classical, electronica and popular music...here are just some of the artists and events appearing during the festival:...

WHAT IS FUSELEEDS?

FUSELEEDS is a major new biennial music festival for the city of Leeds, celebrating the wealth and diversity of today's vibrant new music scene - from jazz to world and from pop to contemporary classical music. This first festival runs from Wednesday 3 ? Sunday 7 March 2004 in venues around Leeds' Quarry Hill cultural quarter as well as across the town centre.

Full Schedule: Fuse Leeds 04 [notice there are some pre-events before the official festival start, including ECM's Tomasz Stanko]

# posted by DJ Martian 11:08 PM

MediaGuardian.co.uk report that Mark & Lard are leaving Radio 1. Mark Radcliffe will be moving to Radio 2, whilst Lard [Marc Riley, an ex member of The Fall] will host a show on 6 Music from April.

Also see BBC News: Mark and Lard leave BBC Radio 1

# posted by DJ Martian 9:27 PM

This week's One World show on Radio 1 features: One World: Trojan Records Showcase

A showcase of the world's leading vintage Jamaican music label

>> One World

# posted by DJ Martian 8:57 PM

Yahoo Search: New Search Engine Launched

Just a quick web searching tip: Yahoo Search results are no longer powered by Google - they are now using their own systems.

Last year Yahoo purchased a technology company called Inktomi who are a leading Web search provider [a Search Engine database/ crawler], using their expertise they have now developed Yahoo Search. Yahoo are using a web indexing robot: Yahoo! Slurp to crawl and index websites.

One of the advantages of Yahoo Search over Google - they cache the first 500K of a webpage, compared to Google that limits to 100K. The database also looks fresh, e.g by looking at the Yahoo cache results for this blog.

Also note that like Google: Yahoo Search has a News section - for uptodate breaking news.

>> Yahoo Search - News

This just in: Yahoo! News Search is now even better: Info >> News Search

Background info on >> Yahoo Search

ISEDB.com: provide further information on Yahoo Search: Yahoo Introduces Its Own Search Engine!

# posted by DJ Martian 5:53 PM

Stylus review the Rune Grammofon compilation: Money Will Ruin Everything

# posted by DJ Martian 4:25 PM

Dusted review OOIOO - Kila Kila Kila

# posted by DJ Martian 4:04 PM

Funprox report on a limited edition The Comsat Angels box set: Comsat Angels reissue boxset

But now there is a new boxset called "It's History", which contains the three albums + a bonus disc with rare material. The albums are:

- Waiting For A Miracle (1980)
- Sleep No More (1981)
- Fiction (1982)

The box is released by a label unknown to me, called Nano. It's a limited and handnumbered edition of 2000 copies.

Pre-Order @ Red Sun Records

# posted by DJ Martian 1:12 PM

The Best of 2003 List from RTQE

RTQE is a Sunday evening program of electronic, experimental, classical, and improvised conduct for survivors or the 20th century which has aired since 1986 on Sunday evenings on WORT-FM in Madison, Wisconsin

# posted by DJ Martian 12:58 AM

Junkmedia interview Twine

preamble:

Malcolm and Mossholder stake out a unique brand of electronica where traditional source materials are boldly fashioned into eerie, disturbing soundscapes. The group's new self-titled recording is a dizzying amalgam of scanned telephone conversations, glitchy textures, processed guitars, and dream-like vocals. While inspired by experimental icons like John Cage and Stockhausen and fellow electronic alchemists like Autechre, Twine's sound is uniquely its own: abstract, advanced, and entrancing but also eminently accessible and musical..

# posted by DJ Martian 12:25 AM

NYC's Other Music review the latest releases: The Other Music Update

NEW RELEASES
Lambchop
!!!/Out Hud (reissue of split EP)
All Night Radio
The Congos (reissue)
OOIOO
Xiu Xiu

Chromeo
Preston School of Industry
Casual Dots
Superchunk (DVD retrospective)
Linval Thompson & Friends (compilation of King Tubby produced tracks)

JUST ARRIVED
Trans Am

# posted by DJ Martian 12:03 AM

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

If I were an editor of a weekly music magazine this week's front cover would feature: Funk D'Void

This week's front cover choice features Funk D'Void, who releases a new album: Volume Freak on Soma on February 23rd.

Xpander review Funk D'Void - Volume Freak

# posted by DJ Martian 11:57 PM

BW & BK report that RUSH have announced dates the for their 30th Anniversary Tour: RUSH 30th Anniversary Tour Dates

# posted by DJ Martian 6:49 PM

M1 Boookings report the release date of the long awaited album "Devin Dazzle and the Neon Fever" by FELIX DA HOUSECAT: as May 25th.

More info @ Deejay Booking

Now, he?s set to release the new Devin Dazzle and the Neon Fever, 15 tracks of delectable, glittery, synthetic/organic, beat-laden funk heaven that will undoubtedly reawaken the world to the next big thing?again.

Produced by Felix Da Housecat, save some songs co-produced by Dave The Hustler, X Lover and others, Devin Dazzle and the Neon Fever boasts guest vocals from James Murphy of DFA (?What She Wants?), Tyrone "Visionary" Palmer (?Ready to Wear?), Kate Wax, and an all-girl group known as The Neon Fever (?Rocket Ride,? ?Everyone is Someone in LA,? ?Hunting Season?).

# posted by DJ Martian 6:40 PM

Sleaze: Style magazine gets launched

Tomorrow Sleaze magazine is launched, out of the ashes of Sleazenation - that had completely lost it's way in 2003.

Wether it can capture the zeitgeist of Leftfield Music/music lifestyle of clubbing, live music and arty festivals, plus design/ fashion/ photography - remains to be seen.

# posted by DJ Martian 5:56 PM

Jockey Slut magazine

New issue of Jockey Slut is in the shops today, unfortunately N*E*R*D are the front cover choice, their new single sounds like a aimless hotchpotch of weak ideas.

>> The next issue of Jockey Slut - will go on sale May 13th, remember Jockey Slut has gone quarterly.

Also the Jockey Slut website will be re-launched on March 18th with a new focus, of upfront news, features and reviews.

# posted by DJ Martian 5:36 PM

Pitchfork review Arthur Russell - Calling Out of Context

# posted by DJ Martian 5:26 PM

swissinfo report on La Suisse festival happening in London.

Swiss youth culture meets London's hip club scene - that's the theme of a music festival, which has opened, in the British capital.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:09 AM

LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS 01 : MAGAZINE

New music magazine gets launched in the UK this week: LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS edited by Stevie Chick.

Featuring:
MARK LANEGAN / LIARS / MADLIB / ERYKAH BADU
MY MORNING JACKET / MORRISSEYLAND / DEVICS IMMORTAL LEE COUNTY KILLERS ll / BARDO POND SEBADOH / LAMBCHOP / SCOUT NIBLETT
CASS MCCOMBS / MARS VOLTA

Stockists: HMV, Tower, Virgin, Borders, Rough Trade, Selectadisc and all good independent record stores

Plus online ordering.

Also main website for deathto.tv/ loose lips sink ships

# posted by DJ Martian 10:56 AM

Lexiconmagazine report that a new Psychedelic Furs album will released this year, in addition to a solo Richard Butler album.

# posted by DJ Martian 10:39 AM

New Manchester Supergroup

Neworderonline report Peter Hook has formed a new side project:

Hours and hours of recording of the new NO album, while im also writing songs for my side-project with Mani and Andy Rourke (ex-Smiths), which will be called Freebass or Stalingrad,

# posted by DJ Martian 10:35 AM

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

MIC Norway have more info on the Alarm Awards/ By: Larm music festival in Norway - that was an incredible success with the attending international media, and the performing artists.

Also Lars Horntveth [of Jaga Jazzist] impressed by securing a slot at the upcoming Sonar Festival in Barcelona.

"I talked to Lars Horntveth at the airport, and he told me that he had received invitation to play in the US as well as at the Sonar festival in Barcelona in Spain, a very prestigious electronica festival," Moegard-Larsen says.

# posted by DJ Martian 10:39 PM

Pitchfork highly rate Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles

Though there are many notable high points to Fabulous Muscles, its overwhelming consistency is what cements its place as Xiu Xiu's finest. The album does not contain a single hiccup or yawn-- no extraneous noise, no potentially offputting histrionics, no throwaways and no dull moments. Fabulous Muscles, like the best of Xiu Xiu's catalog, is challenging not because it's particularly dissonant or noisy, but rather because it addresses you in a manner that's categorically different from what you've come to expect from any kind of music-- pop, experimental or otherwise. With Fabulous Muscles, Jamie Stewart continues to explore and expand this mode of address, and in doing so has made an album that is profound, innovative, and absolutely vital.

# posted by DJ Martian 5:18 PM

This week's The Breezeblock Tracklistings on Radio 1 includes a mix by THE BUG

# posted by DJ Martian 5:14 PM

Whatever next? those boiler suited types Slipknot are making an album that takes inspirations from Pink Floyd and King Crimson: Slipknot Stretches for Third Album [found via No Rock & Roll Fun]

# posted by DJ Martian 2:09 PM

This week's Flavorpill - London a weekly email magazine covering music, art, and cultural events

# posted by DJ Martian 1:52 PM

Monday, February 16, 2004

BBC Music review Funk D'Void - Volume Freak that is also featured as Album of the Week

# posted by DJ Martian 11:47 PM

Kraftwerk albums will be released in new editions...

The Kraftwerk catalogue will be available as 'Kling Klang Studio Digital Master 2004' (remastered at Kling Klang studio) with all the 8 albums: Autobahn, Radioactivity, Trans Europe Express, The Man Machine, Computer World, Electric Cafe, The Mix and Tour de France Soundtracks.

Source: Kraftwerk.technopop.com.br

# posted by DJ Martian 10:02 PM

DPRP provide the latest on Marillion's upcoming album: Marbles now due May 3rd.

The album is currently being mixed by Dave Meegan, assisted by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and Michael Hunter, who have both previously worked with Marillion. The album's release date has been pushed back one week to May 3rd.

More info @ the official website: Marillion

# posted by DJ Martian 9:58 PM

The Brainwashed Brain: V07I06 - 02152004

This week's The Brainwashed Brain includes reviews of:

Einst�rzende Neubauten - Perpetuum Mobile
Mute

Jimmy Edgar - Access Rhythm
Warp

Trapist - Ballroom
Thrill Jockey

# posted by DJ Martian 9:45 PM

New Releases @ Piccadilly Records

Some new releases [and a few back catalogue promotions] listed in the weekly guide [via e-mail] from Manchester's music emporium: Piccadilly Records

Bark Psychosis - Replay
3rd Stone

Early innovators of the post rock sound, this CD features five live tracks alongside rarites and tracks from singles.

Clayhill - Cuban Green
Eat Sleep

Clayhill make melancholic yet ultimately uplifting music, beautifully orchestrated with an attention to detail rarely seen these days. Principal elements are acoustic guitar, percussion, double bass, and sonorous vocals, further expanded by the addition of piano, brass and strings spread across the six tracks of the mini-album.

Constantines - Shine A Light
Sub Pop

Founded in Guelph, Ontario in 1999, the Constantines now live in Toronto. "Shine a Light" is the Constantines' second full-length and first for Sub Pop. And the new record is ambitious, combining a steady diet of 90s DC rock (like a Joe Strummer-fronted Fugazi, it's been suggested), with dub-inflected bass, blue-eyed soul and a fundamental punk, anytime/anywhere aesthetic (perhaps best described by drummer Doug MacGregor as, 'Like an unwelcome mix of a Memphis Clash and breakneck dub').

Durutti Column - Live At The Venue London
Kooky

This album is a re-issue of the long player release in 1981, digitally re-mastered from vinyl. Musically it covers work from the albums "Return of..." and "LC" along with tracks later to appear on "Another Setting" and "Without Mercy".

Mellow - Perfect Colors
Atmospheriques

After getting a first film soundtrack out of their systems (they provided the music to Roman Coppola's film 'CQ' last year), Mellow have taken time in piecing together their grand statement. The result of two years of intense nurturing in their Paris basement studio, "Perfect Colours" is a tapestry woven from pastoral psychedelia, electronic jazz-punk, old film scores, 80s pop, tubas, clavichords and string sections in excelsis. This is the album they've been threatening to make since they came to the world's attention in 2001 as purveyors of retro tinged futuristic soundscapes with meshed electronics and horns, lounge and psychedelia.

Simply Saucer - Cyborgs Revisited
Sonic Unyon

Legendary Canadian outfit who emerged in 1974 and created a distinct and original sound blending the Velvets / Modern Lovers and the Stooges with prog and krautrock influences.

Sophia - People Are Like Seasons
City Slang

Sophia is Robin Proper-Sheppard, formerly of The God Machine, and a cast of musicians drawn from a pool of bands Robin has worked with throughout his career known as The Sophia Collective. "People Are Like Seasons" is a bold step forward for the Sophia sound, while continuing to demonstrate the kind of outstanding songwriting skills that earnt the previous two albums such widespread acclaim across the UK and Europe.

The Veils - The Runaway Found
Rough Trade

Fantastic songwriter / beautiful singer alert! The Veil's Finn Andrews has a souringly soulful, tremulous voice (in the Jeff Buckley mould) that knocks your Starsailors and Turin Brakes into a cocked hat! You know the script: joyful pain and gorgeous melancholy over minor chords, searing strings and a heartbroken passion the band can barely contain. Bernard Butler produces and everything about this - with it's excellent sleeve and lush photos- says 'CLASS'. There's hints of Smiths, Bunnymen and Nick Cave, but really it's the voice that will slay you. Sterling stuff!

Arthur Russell - Calling Out Of Context
Rough Trade

During a short, prolific, and often misunderstood career, Arthur Russell bridged the boundaries between downtown New York's vital rock, avant-garde and post-disco scenes of the '70s and '80s. More than a decade after his death from AIDS at age 41, the full breadth and influence of Russell's work will finally reveal itself with various reissues and collections. Following on from Soul Jazz's "The World Of Arthur Russell", "Calling Out of Context" is a collection of his final, unreleased recordings, including a 1985 LP "Corn" and an abandoned LP recorded for Rough Trade between 1986 - 1990. Mixing funky, avant garde rhythms with pop melodies Russell created some of the most beautiful, off kilter tracks from that time.

Mindflayer - Take Your Skin Off
Bulb

Mindflayer is the synthesis of B. Chippendale (Lightning Bolt) and Mr. Brinkmann. Like having your brain sucked out at the bottom of a dungeon, Mindflayer rip and tear at your psyche with psionic skill and power. "Take Your Skin Off" captures the band like no other release they have done before, a complete record with connections to the astral plane.

Various Artists / MTV Mash Presents K7 Trash
K7

While only three actual tracks come up on the CD player display, this mammoth mix CD actually uses the music or acapellas from 41 different K7 released songs, covering electroclash, house, electronica, hip hop, breaks, downbeat and nu-jazz. Featured artists include Disko D, Princess Superstar, Earl Zinger, Peace Orchestra, Funkstorung, Spacek, Terranova, Rae & Christian, Tosca, Herbert, Playgroup, Swayzak, Nick Holder, Five Deez, Recloose etc.

Monster Magnet - Monolithic Baby
SPV

The gods are back!!!!! Now on a new label after jumping ship from their major label 'problems' on A&M. This is Monster Magnet at their best, LOUD and RAW ROCK!!!!

Probot - Probot
Southern Lord

The massively anticipated metal project of former Nirvana drummer and current Foo Fighter's frontman David Grohl.

The Crumbs - Last Exit
TKO Records

Take unequal parts of The Ramones, Dead Boys, MC5, The Stooges and The Damned's debut lp and there you will find The Crumbs. High caffeine, alcohol abusing punk rock'n'roll that's rough, ready, raw and rowdy, as it should be...

Statistics - Leave Your Name
Jade Tree

A delightful collection of synth pop sketches and power pop carefully constructed with shimmering guitars, delicate keyboard melodies, heartfelt lyrics and epic choruses. Focused, moving and majestic - another excellent release from the consistently wonderful Jade Tree label.

Music A.M. - A Heart & Two Stars
Quatermass

An album of Eno-like contemplative electronic subtlety from Luke Sutherland (ex-Long Fin Killie and frequent contributor to Mogwai), Stefan Schneider (To Rococo Rot, Mapstation), and Volker Bertelmann (Tontraeger). Music A.M. has carefully, almost bashfully, woven diverse styistic threads of ambient electronica, textures from country, folk and intimate pop, with the structural ease of the best post-rock.

Jazzanova - In Between
Jazzanova Compost

This is a fantastic debut ("Remixes" doesn't count!) LP from the German jazz posse, who take nu-jazz to a totally different level. Relying less on dancefloor aimed broken beats and more on proper songs and deep soulful jazz tunes, this is an essential selection of music. 17 brand new tracks, with guests including Vikter Duplaix, Ursula Rucker, Hajime Yoshizawa, Valerie Etienne, Clara Hill etc. YOU NEED THIS!!!!

CD - JCR 025-2 limited cheap price
Deluxe CD edition with cloth bound six page die cut board book style cover - very hard to explain how impressive this looks! Limited cheap price!

Jazzanova - Remixed
Jazzanovacompost

A brilliant collection of other artists' remixes of tracks by the JCR collective. Includes Bugz In The Attic's broken afro-jazz, DJ DSL and DJ Ghe's hip hop / soul, Doctor Rockit's clicktronica, dub-poetry by Forss, mellowness from Beanfield, jazz-breaks from Moonstarr, as well as mixes by Ayro, Madlib, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Jazzy Jeff, Domu, Ian O'Brien, Yukihiro Fukutomi etc. Another essential JCR release (aren't they all?).

2xCD - JCR040-2 - limited cheap price
Double CD includes 23 tracks, many of which have been on 12" already. Limited cheap price!

Various Artists / Jazzanova - Remixes 1997-2000
Jazzanovacompost

A collection of the German jazz outfit's early groundbreaking and genre defining nu-jazz remix work. Includes Their classic mixes of Ian Pooley's "What's My Number" (an anthem up here), Marschmellows' "Soulpower" (ditto), Tate's Place' "Burning" (double ditto), MJ Cole's "Sincere", 4Hero's "We Who Are Not As Others", Incognito's "Get Into My Groove", Ursula Rucker's "Circe" and also UFO, Koop, Men From The Nile, Azymuth, Balanco, Soul Bossa Trio, Liquid Lounge, Ski etc.

Tali - Lyric On My Lip
Full Cycle

Debut LP from Full Cycles Kiwi MC, Tali, produced by Roni Size, with contributions from Krust, Die and Clipz. As well as the FC rollers there's a few slower moments, touching on hip hop and breaks styles.

# posted by DJ Martian 9:31 PM

MusicOMH.com review Sophia - People Are Like Seasons

# posted by DJ Martian 1:38 PM

Avant Music News have info regarding forthcoming releases on Thirsty Ear: Thirsty Ear 2004 Release Schedule

Album release dates for Mike Ladd, DJ Spooky, Charlie Hunter and Bobby Previte with Greg Osby, Big Satan and Matthew Shipp

# posted by DJ Martian 1:30 PM

Musique Machine review Nitrada - We don't know why but we do it

Nitrada�s electronica makes me think of a mix between Murcof and DNTEL

# posted by DJ Martian 1:24 PM

Dusted review Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles

# posted by DJ Martian 1:21 PM

Winners of Norway's Alarm Awards announced in Bergen last week.

Og HER er Alarm-vinnerene 2004!
Pop: Magnet
Rock: Turbonegr
Jazz: Supersilent
Lydverketprisen: Karin Park
Metal: Dimmuborgir
Video: Paperboys - Hey Man
Live: Turbonegro
Hip Hop/Rap: Equicez
Petreprisen: Ephemera
Electronica: Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band

# posted by DJ Martian 1:16 PM

MELOMAG - Creative Art Form Around The Globe

New to me: MELOmag

MELOMAG
is an online magazine devoted to creative art form from around the world.
Presenting reviews, articles, images and music samples to inform and educate readers

# posted by DJ Martian 12:18 AM

Sunday, February 15, 2004

La Suisse East London 17th/22nd of February 04

Swiss Music Export: present La Suisse East London 17th/22nd of February 04 taking place across various locations in London. Some of these events offer free entry.

The Spirit of Swiss Youth Culture Collides with London's coolest club scene.

A contemporary, eclectic multi-genre, multi-venue fusion of Swiss, British and international DJ's, live act's, visual artists and multi-media

# posted by DJ Martian 10:32 PM

New web location for: Freq Links - an excellent music links portal.

Main webpage for >> Freq

# posted by DJ Martian 10:06 PM

Sign up for STAALPLAAT Vital weekly - covering a diverse selection of experimental/ improvised / electronic music.

Vital Weekly is an e-mail magazine, which appears 48 times a year and has the latest cd-reviews and news on concerts and festivals. To subscribe - enter your email address below. This is a free service

# posted by DJ Martian 8:45 PM

Blogdigger

Blogdigger is an RSS/Atom XML based search engine, mostly for blogs. If your blog has an atom XML feed/ or RSS you can add it into the Blogdigger system.

The blog entries for this blog are now being indexed fairly quickly: Blogdigger: DJ Martian

# posted by DJ Martian 8:08 PM

A redesigned website for Opus - Music Reviews

# posted by DJ Martian 6:11 PM

This week's Freak Zone on 6 Music includes a retrospective feature on Felt

# posted by DJ Martian 5:55 PM

K-punk has listened to the forthcoming Junior Boys - Last Exit album.

According to the latst info @ KIN this album will be released in May.

# posted by DJ Martian 5:38 PM

This has been updated: Forthcoming Album Releases 2004

# posted by DJ Martian 4:01 PM

SPOTLIGHT...KEY NEW RELEASES [February 9th]

Key new album releases for February 9th [A more detailed release listing including other new releases, compilations and reissues - can be found further up this webpage.]

Beans - Now, Soon, Someday (Warp)
Clear Horizon - Clear Horizon (Kranky) [UK Release 2004]
Decapitated - The Negation (Wicked World/ Earache)
Disiplin - Disiplin (Moonfog)
Dave Douglas New Quintet - Strange Liberation (Bluebird RCA) [UK Release Date]
Einsturzende Neubauten - Perpetuum Mobil (Mute)
Exodus - Temple of the Damned (Nuclear Blast)
Isan - Meet Next Live (Morr Music)
90 Day Men - Panda Park (Southern)
Octavius - Audio Noir (Mush) [UK Release 2004]
Oxia - 24 Heures (Goodlife)
Proem - Socially Inept (Merck)
Rand and Holland - Tomorrow Will be Like Today (Staubgold) [UK Release 2004]
Sixtoo - The Psyche Years (Vertical Form)
Vocokesh - The Tenth Corner (Strange Attractors Audio House) [Import]
Donato Wharten - Trabanten (City Centre Offices)
Yelworc - Trinity (Minuswelt)

# posted by DJ Martian 3:36 PM

Aquarius Records

The latest new arrivals are reviewed @ Aquarius Records - New Arrivals #181 - 13 February 2004

Also Aquarius Records: New Arrivals #180 - 30 January 2004

# posted by DJ Martian 3:06 PM

Saturday, February 14, 2004

This Week's New Releases @ Boomkat

This week's new releases @ Boomkat - A Pelicanneck Online Music Store include:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK!
Casino Versus Japan - Hitori + Kaiso : 1998 - 2001
Attack 9
2CD

There was so much music in the aftermath of "Music Has The Right To Children" released in homage to the "new" sounds Boc had perfected so effortlessly in the late 90's that you'd just about be forgiven for failing to pay attention to Eric Kowalski's Casino Versus Japan Project. Some made the mistake of lumping his second, masterful album "Go Hawaii" in with much of this generic output - but in this instance they failed to really listen to what was going on. In reality, Eric's Casino Vs Japan project has always been an utter marvel - developed and honed with a particular slant that doesn't really sound like anything else, certainly not a copy or response to anything going on in the rather placid IDM community - instead bringing sunshine and absolute melancholy delight to all those who approached it with an open heart. "Go Hawaii", as we've said many a time, is for us one of the most beautiful, treasured albums this scene has ever given birth to. Hitori + Kaiso feels just like an extension of that unique sound - 29 rare, previously unreleased and now unearthed tracks of unbeleivable loveliness and consistancy that make you wonder how this quiet little guy from Milwaukee isn't king of the world. Emotive music that isn't self indulgent, acoustics and electronics blended without a pretentious thought in sight. In short, this double collection is an absolute must if your life has been turned upside down by the likes of not only the Boards of Canada, but also the Cocteau Twins, Slowdive, MBV and the like. Miss out at your peril.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK!
Mokira - Album
Type

The return of the mighty Andreas Tilliander, delivering the second album for John Xela and Stef Lewandowski Type imprint, gearing itself up for an unbeleivable upcoming year that will undoubtedly place it as one of the most important electronic (and at times acoustic) labels in the world today. After single handedly creating the 'clip hop' scene with his first album as Mokira for the peerless Raster Noton static series a couple years back, Andreas returns for his 3rd album under this moniker, finding him almost completely disregarding beats, making for his deepest and most involving work yet. `Album' is the first purchase of the year for anyone following ambient minimal music and yet there's even more brittle, rarer pleasures for the intrepid listener. Losing the need for track titles, Andreas creates a flowing organic dubby float, teeming with life like a freshwater stream. The record enjoys roughly two cycles, the first half is fuller more melodic but still deliciously minimal. Echoes of voice in the first are thrown into stark relief deep into the emotional and cathartic second phase of this immense album. Like maybe an updated electronic raga, this album's structure surprises through each moment. By the conclusion its great to hear the reduced dubwise swelling motion of the closing piece, the sound of digital creation gently subsiding. Like Pole's matchless 1st album in places, or Fennesz's more digital work in others, "Album" is an essential journey through minimalism that will see you captivated from start to finish. Highly recommended.

SINGLE OF THE WEEK!
Junior Boys - High Come Down
Kin

It's easy to forget (buried in the technology, the innovation and the image) that an unforgetable tune is really the hardest thing to come by in this deviant, experimental, musical world of ours. And yet here it is : the second release from the remarkable Junior Boys drops and another masterpiece introduces itself with not only the filthiest, deepest broken steppin' fracture of beats you'll hear for some time, but with a simply undeniably genius tune to boot. You know, one of those TUNE tunes that digs its claws deep into your pop mind and refuses to let go. So what do you make of the fact that the vocals are just as they are , no vocoders or digital effects - just a guy singing? Or that the melody could have come from any one of our electronic pop pioneers? Or that the production sounds like the most underground dubstep kids sharing the controls with Timbaland and Squarepusher? Check out "High Come Down" and let us know. As for us? We've been convinced of its genius for months. Manitoba joins in on the second act with a remix of the first EP's fabulous title track "Birthday", while the flipside epic "Under The Sun" takes you into warmer climes with a classic Cocteau Twins meets New Order soundpiece, and EP closer "A Certain Association" recalls Martin Gore or Eno at their most cinematic. Forget about the fashionistas and the trainspotters - this is what we got into music in the first place for : inspiration, good songs, good times. It's all here kids. Killer.

Arthur Russell - Calling Out Of Context
Rough Trade / Audika

Following up Soul Jazz's excellent retrospective on Arthur's disco material - now things really start getting serious. Mostly the material here is derived from two unreleased albums worth, a 1985 test pressing entitled 'Corn' and a long planned album for Rough Trade, worked on between 1986 - 90 and eventually shelved when Russell became too ill to complete, or let go of his material. 'The Platform On The Ocean' could sit alongside Joy Division's best work, yet always there Arthur's curious, optimistic vocal - lifting us away from the corporeal into true mantric territories. The lyrical preoccupations with american upbringing and life could perhaps be found in an imaginary midpoint somewhere between Frank O'Hara's 'Lunch poems' and Billy Collins. His beloved cello and drum machine experiments still sound vital and completely innovative. Check 'Calling All Kids' for the beautiful Walter Gibbons remix, bringing us full circle back to the disco Arthur held so dear. Russell emerges head and shoulders above, standing on the outside looking in but glad of the fresh air. With reports of in excess of 1000 tapes in existence - we can't wait for volumes 2 and beyond. A must.

Jaga Jazzist - Day - Herbert Remix
Ninja Tune
cd single

This 12" finally makes a UK appearance having originally been due to appear at the end of 2003. The original of 'Day' featured on 'The Stix' album and is a perfect example of jazzyfied electronics, Martin Horntveth fuelling the drum programming while muted and distorted flute, violin and guitar fight for their breathe. Tune. 'Two Things' is an exclusive new track to vinyl - extremely broken up drums stutter until the beautiful harmony comes in (CD people can find this track on the Rune Grammofon release 'Money Will Ruin Everything'). On the flip - two remixes bring on the confusion. Matthew Herbert goes mechanized downtempo, a mad little gem that creeps on on you with it's detuned jazztronica fumes. This remix (one of Herbert's finest mixes in the last couple of years) even works fine at 33rpm or 45rpm. Dat Politics sounds ultra messy at 45rpm and simply strange at 33 - drifting soundscape clippings lead forth into fractured rhythm disassemblies. Top Kim Hiorthoy cartoon text graphic sleeve plus Herbert's in topform. Can you resist?

Modul - Isol
Raster / Noton

Having closely followed and loved the work of Dublin's Donnacha Costello (with his sublime "Together is the New Alone" album for Mille Plateaux at one end of the spectrum and his killer "Pleite" house project for the Trapez label at the other), we've been more than just a little excited at the prospect of the man delivering an album for the mighty Raster Noton. "Isol" largely keeps to the Bretschneider-ian prototype selection of sparse basslines and clicks as the driving force behind the tracks, starting with the opening "Shift I". There are subtle melodic hums barely moving in tone but doing so with just enough brightness to imbue the track with undeniable warmth, something which is developed magnificently as the track slips into "Shift II", the beats pattering with more determination as the track progresses. The Kkon tracks (1+2) rely on much higher frequency notes, but once again there is an inescapable warmth that stamps this album with the Costello mark of beauty, forcing you into an emotive rather than intelectual response. Something which, to these ears, should always be aplauded. Highly Recommended.

Quench - Dyn
U Cover

Having delivered the goods for 3 weeks running now (with the Fuckarma 12" for the "On" label, the mighty Shadow Huntaz album for Skam and the Cane 12" for Arcola), the brothers Funcken of Funckarma fame return to these pages for the 4th week in a row, this time with their latest album under their occasional pseudonym - Quench. "Dyn" is an incredibly dense, dark journy through electronic sound structures that every so often stumbles into thick beats, squashed percussion and complex rhythms. You get the feeling with many of the tracks on board that much self-restraint was absorbed into the writing of these pieces - evident on the magnificent second track "Polar" with it mighty broken machine beat rumbles and incredibly simple 3 note melodies - complex and beautifully simple at the same time. While the album is undeniably a strictly IDM affair, the brothers Funcken are at the moment at the very top of their game, "Dyn" being another reason to investigate their increasingly essential output with haste. Good stuff.

Various / Ubiquity - Rewind 3
Ubiquity

Ubiquity continue to match up todays finest contemporary jazzy tunesmith's with early classics that in a way inspired their own sound. John Arnold covers Herbie Hancock's 'Rough' while Jeremy Ellis tackle's Herbie's 'Chameleon'. Swag goes 'Riot In Lagos' and That Kid Named Miles drops a Johnny Cash tribute. Finally of note is Damon Aaron who was last heard on Telefon Tel Aviv's new album, he's covering Gil Scott Heron's 'Willing'. Usual Ubiquity quality is assured.

Robust - Potholes In Our Molecules
Galapagos 4

Brand new album on Chicago's finest Galapagos 4. Robust is a new name to me but his rap's flow like a bassier toned version of Qwel. Though not as abstractly structured as Qwel's last album this is still a killer collection of laidback/dusted/breaks hip hop with some psychjazz elements. The ever-present G4 production comes from Meaty Ogre, White Lightning, Dreas and Prolyphic. That's twenty varied tracks that come very warmly recommended.

Rodan - Theophany:The Book Of Elevations
Day By Day

The fourth member of the Monsta Island Czars breaks out with a solo album after previous missions lead by MF Doom aka King Ghidra, MF/GM Grimm aka Jet Jaguar and deejay/producer X-Ray. Rodan is a deep and thugged out rapper dropping his art as life lyrics over dirty production mostly handled by X-Ray. Eighteen tracks deep with barely a duff track. Guests include the full M.I.C. posse on the hype 'Run The Sphere' plus Sound Ink and Viktor Vaughn producer Heat Sensor on the dope 'Ability To Speak'. Raw is the word. A tuff recommendation.

Sophia - People Are Like Seasons
City Slang

Sophia is Robin Proper-Sheppard, formerly of The God Machine, and a cast of musicians drawn from a pool of bands Robin has worked with throughout his career known as The Sophia Collective. "People Are Like Seasons" is a bold step forward for the Sophia sound, while continuing to demonstrate the kind of outstanding songwriting skills that earnt the previous two albums (The Infinite Circle and Fixed Water) such widespread acclaim across. Those albums, plus a live album, De Nachten, were written, produced, financed, promoted and distributed by Robin himself on his own The Flower Shop Recordings label. Fiercely independent, Robin's agreement to work with another label for the first time since The God Machine is an expression of his belief in City Slang and its methods.

Various / Rock Action - Rock Action Presents Vol 1
Rock Action

Really rather excellent 13-track budget sampler from Mogwai's Rock Action imprint, featuring 2 absolutely stunning new and exclusive tracks from Mogwai themselves, plus some exclusive material from Cex, James Orr Complex, Papa M, Kling Klang, Zephyrs, Envy and lots more. Born in 1996 the Rock Action Records label was started by Mogwai primarily as a means to put their own music out. However over the past 7 years the label has slowly began to develop in stature and ultimately has been responsible for bringing some of the most eclectic and diverse acoustic hybrid music to the fore. From the intricate beats of Tigerbeat wonder-kids Rjyan Kidwell (Cex) and Matt Robs (Randomnumber) through to the colossal wall of sound that is Envy and taking in a brief pause to marvel at the folk-inspired magic of the James Orr Complex and Dave Pajo's Papa M, the diversity of the Rock Action output is self- evident. Worth it for the two Mogwai cuts alone - this is very good value indeed.

# posted by DJ Martian 4:16 PM

Friday, February 13, 2004

Almost Cool review Trapist - Ballroom on Thrill Jockey

Also reviewed this fine album released in 2003: Twine - Twine

# posted by DJ Martian 9:41 PM

This week's Jazz on 3 show on Radio 3 includes a recorded live performance from Ellery Eskelin

# posted by DJ Martian 9:32 PM

This week's Mixing It show on Radio 3 includes an interview with David Byrne. Plus new tracks by the likes of Max Richter, cLOUDDEAD and Jaga Jazzist.

>> Mixing It

# posted by DJ Martian 9:30 PM

BBC Collective interview NYC band Secret Machines

# posted by DJ Martian 8:55 PM

Details of the new issue of Mojo unfortunately they are back in the tedious 60s with a Brian Wilson front cover.

# posted by DJ Martian 4:36 PM

The full schedule for tomorrow's True Romantic Day on 6 Music, celebrates new romantic/ synth music of the late 70s/ early 80s.

# posted by DJ Martian 4:22 PM

The Guardian review Einst�rzende Neubauten - Perpetuum Mobile

# posted by DJ Martian 4:11 PM

The Guardian review The Veils - The Runaway Found

The Veils have been compared to The Smiths and Nick Cave. I would add in The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and Jeff Buckley as reference points. Not particularly original, but of it's type for 2004 worth a listen.

The Veils frontman Finn Andrews is the son of Barry Andrews [XTC/ Shriekback]

# posted by DJ Martian 4:09 PM

Pitchfork review 90 Day Men - Panda Park

# posted by DJ Martian 3:41 PM

Pitchfork review cLOUDDEAD - Ten

# posted by DJ Martian 3:39 PM

Pitchfork have some more info on Beta Band's - Heroes to Zeroes album.

# posted by DJ Martian 3:38 PM

Next week's releases are reviewed @ Norman Records

# posted by DJ Martian 3:29 PM

Mastodon - Leviathan

Lambgoat also report that Mastodon's next album which will be out this summer, has been titled Leviathan

# posted by DJ Martian 1:06 AM

Lambgoat report on the latest news concerning Isis, who are currently recording a new album:

"All we can say so far is that it's a continuation of the paths explored on "Oceanic," with some steps further into the areas of melody and atmosphere. Don't worry though, there's enough epic heaviness to satisfy the need for such in all of us as well as you - just more breathing room for some of the other aspects of our music to shine through."

[Note, Isis will be performing on the Mogwai curated weekend of All Tomorrow's Parties]

# posted by DJ Martian 1:02 AM

All About Jazz review The Science Group - Spoors

# posted by DJ Martian 12:38 AM

Dense Promotion >> Recap 1st New Releases Newsletter for 2004

Also the first newsletter of 2004, from Dense promotion: profiles these forthcoming releases

OOIOO - Kila Kila Kila [CD Thrill Jockey]
AGENTS XI - Le Monstre Jaune [CD G�nie ou Rien]
BOOKS ON TAPE - Sings the Blues [CD No Type]
BRANDLMAYR/DAFELDECKER/NEMETH/SIEWERT - Die Instabilit�t der Symmetrie [CD Grob/dOc]
DATACH'I - Mmale & Ffemale [CD Planet Mu]
DJ SPOOKY THAT SUBLIMINAL KID - Rhythm Science [CD Sub Rosa]
EHLERS / SUCHY / HAUTZINGER - Soundchambers [CD/LP Staubgold]
GILLES GOBEIL, RENE LUSSIER - Le contrat [CD empreintes DIGITALes]
MAX HAIVEN, JON VAUGHN - Front [CD No Type]
MAX RICHTER - The Blue Notebooks [CD 130701 Records]
METAXU - Rumors of... War [CD No Type]
NITRADA - We Don't Know Why But We Do It [CD/LP 2.nd rec]
PAUL WIRKUS -Inteletto d'Amore [CD Quecksilber]
STEPHANE ROY - Migrations [CD empreintes DIGITALes]
THE BSC - Good [CD Grob]
TOMAS JIRKU - Bleak 1999 [CD No Type]
TRAPIST - Ballroom [CD Thrill Jockey]
UN CADDIE RENVERSE DANS L'HERBE - Like a packed cupboard but quite... [LP/CD Dekorder]
V.A. - FATCAT RECORDS COMPILATION Split Series 9-16 [CD FatCat]
VICNET - VIC LP [EP Deco]
WEASEL WALTER/KEVIN DRUMM/FRED LONBERG-HOLM - Eruption [CD Grob]
ZEEBEE - Chemistry

OOIOO - Kila Kila Kila
CD Thrill Jockey thrill117
www.thrilljockey.com

Thrill Jockey Records is proud to announce the release of the latest album by Yoshimi's OOIOO, Kila Kila Kila. Yoshimi is truly one of the most interesting avant-rock artists playing today. Her music is constantly evolving from release to release, from one band to another. An intense performer and creator, drawing from a wide range of influences, she has invented a heartfelt musical language that is eclectic yet accessible and completely her own - dense and frantic. Since they began, OOIOO have always been the outlet from which Yoshimi is best able to articulate these unique talents, and the swirling, dreamy tunes of Kila Kila Kila are the most perfected showcase of her skills to date.
Yoshimi, founder, leader, and songwriter of OOIOO, began her music career in 1986 playing drums in a band called UFO or Die with Eye (Boredoms). That same year she joined revolutionary noise-pop experimentalists Boredoms, in which she still plays drums, trumpet, keyboard and sings. During the early nineties she became the drummer in Kim Gordon's Free Kitten, shortly after which Thurston Moore released three Yoshimi solo 7" singles on his Ecstatic Peace label. In 1999, Yoshimi joined with a raga band Saicobaba. Saicobaba's members have formally studied Indian Classical music, except for Yoshimi, who brings forth her ethnic/tribal yet untraditional, and heavily effected vocal style.
For a 1996 magazine article Yoshimi created a fictitious band named 00I00 (pronounced oh-oh-eye-oh-oh). This soon became a real band and they played their first shows opening for Sonic Youth in Japan. Kill Rock Stars released their first album, o8o (eight), in 1998. Not just another cute Japanese girl group (especially in live shows, which have been known to feature florescent body paint, among other things), OOIOO exude a powerful force of positive female life-energy.
Since their debut, OOIOO have released a number of other albums, not all of which have seen release in the U.S. In 2001 Birdman released the masterpiece Feather Float. 2002's Gold and Green was not released in the US. In early 2003, Mike Patton's Ipecac records released Flower With No Color, the debut from Yoshimi's collaboration with Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto). Yoshimi experienced another bout of random celebrity last year when she was made the "theme" of the Flaming Lips' Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Kila Kila Kila, OOIOO's first for Thrill Jockey, is a perfect combination of the chaotic poppy grooves for which Yoshimi is known, and the psychedelic freak-outs of the Boredoms. Kila Kila Kila is the perfect antidote to the legions of watered-down drone pop, and a natural heater for an otherwise cold winter.

AGENTS XI - Le Monstre Jaune
CD G�nie ou Rien gor0078
www.genieourien.com

The Xi Agents constitute a strange couple of (French-speaking) prophets who have come to deliver their interpretation of the creation of the world in musical format.
Through an ever-changing hip-hop song, tribal electronic rhythms and atmospheric ambiences, Bluz (voice, writing) and Jemsee (composition) demonstrate that the Universe is just a large brain, in which we are just thoughts.
This weird and unfathomable recording offers up a relatively sombre and bitter view of humanity, describing human sentiments and consciousness with quasi-scientific rigour. "Le Monstre Jaune" (The Yellow Monster) is also an ode to imagination, fuelled by a rich content of metaphors and mystical sonorities. It is also a lucid and unreal attempt to destroy the gangrene, which is destroying hip-hop as a medium.
The formula used by the Agents Xi is an alchemy of logical construction and psychological chaos, leaving the listeners free to choose their own methods of interpretation.

BOOKS ON TAPE - Sings the Blues
CD No Type IMNT 088
www.notype.com

Abusive fastball rhythms. Gratuitous electroid synth lines. Z-movie backdrops. Tape hiss. Chopped vocal samples. Soundtracks to the high-scores table. One-finger sampler tapping. Lush downtempo breaks.
Power pop plunges. You name it, Books on Tape sings the blues has it.
Except there's not really any blues.
This is Books on Tape's sophomore CD, & what a treat it is! First, this is 100% Todd Drootin: no collaborators were harmed during the making of this CD. And secondly & most importantly, this CD is the first to effectively capture the feeling & essence of Books on Tape's notorious live shows.
Whether or not you've had the chance to witness the boy wonder of the sampler in your hometown yet, open your ears & there is little doubt that you will enjoy this new CD. It's new, it's exciting, it's intense, & it's got flair & it's got bite. In short, this is Books on Tape at its absolute finest. Todd Drootin is in the house, & he's not about to leave!

BRANDLMAYR/DAFELDECKER/NEMETH/SIEWERT - Die Instabilit�t der Symmetrie
CD Grob 547 / dOc 008
www.churchofgrob.com

Die Instabilitat der Symmetrie [The Instability of Symmetry] � one could see this title as a programmatic reference to the work of improvisation. Improvisation is something that suspends a well ordered (or 'symmetrical') structure and refers to the relativity of musical organization. So far, so classical.
These improvisations are, however, characterized by what isn�t played (the clich�s of the expressive playing one�s trumps are not to be heard). It is a terse, clearly formulated music that leaves much out, but is neither minimalistic nor monochrome. There are suggestions, abbreviations, fragments, small structural elements that we do not have to perceive as such, since they yield a whole picture: this music is completely and properly formulated. It says less than necessary, but more than possible. Die Instabilit�t der Symmetrie organizes the sound of improvised music anew. Not only the �composed symmetry,� but also the specific (improvised) symmetry is confused.
Martin Siewert, guitarist, composer and producer of this album, often works with bands: Efzeg (GROB 430), SSSD (GROB 431), or Trapist. The quartet of �Instability� does not exist as a working band (which does not mean, however, you cannot book them). The network between the musicians, however, is so dense that their music rests upon a dream-like understanding.
Martin Siewert plays with Werner Dafeldecker (contrabass, electronics, last on Lichtgeschwindigkeit [Speed of Light], GROB 540 with Klaus Lang)in SSSD; Dafeldecker works with Siewert and Martin Brandlmayr (drums) and others on a pop project; Brandlmayr and Siewert have released a duo album on Erstwhile and make up 2/3rds of Trapist; Brandlmayr and Stefan Nemeth (electronics) can be heard above all in Radian; and Stefan Nemeth will soon run a label that will produce solo recordings from Siewert and Brandlmayr.
Die Instabilitat der Symmetrie is a co-production with the Viennese label dOc. The recordings originated during a concert at the Viennese Museum for Applied Art on April 2, 2002, a track without Dafeldecker was recorded a year earlier.

DATACH'I - Mmale & Ffemale
CD Planet Mu ZIQ087
www.planet-mu.com

Datach'i's third album is by far his best. Moving away from the more imressionistic drill'n'splatter sound of his first 2 albums for New York's Caipirinha label, Joseph Fraioli has honed his sound into something sharper and far more dangerous. The album is a dark opus, yet its textures are pliable letting you work your way inside the sound. Layers of analogue drums form the base of his tapestry of chanting male choirs and musique concrete 'shiver stabs'. Another winner from Planet Mu.

DJ SPOOKY THAT SUBLIMINAL KID - Rhythm Science: Excerpts and Allegories from the Sub Rosa Audio Archive
CD Sub Rosa SR201
www.subrosa.net

After Optometry (Thirsty Ear), this is the 9th full lenght CD by DJ Spooky.
The project: This time DJ Spooky remixes the complete catalogue of Sub Rosa. The result is a complete re-building of the label in an unique piece of 80 minutes constructed with more than 50 parts! Full of 'Spooky' sounds & grooves.
There is the base of this complexe architecture: Yoshio Machida "Afterimage" mixed w/ Sussan Deyhim "The First Reading" / Tibetan Evening Music / Nuuk Posse "Poesi" mixed w/ Antonin Artaud "alienation et magie noire" / DJ Grazhoppa "Milky Remix" of Bill Laswell / Directions "Encode" mixed w/ e.e. cummings "Let's From Some Loud Unworld's Most Rightful Wrong " / DJ Wally "Zeta Reticulli" mixed w/ Gertrude Stein "If I told him, a completed portrait of picasso" / Charles Hayward "Accidents and Emrgencies (instrumental)" / Bill Laswell "Oscillations (Vedic's live pop remix)" / Vedic "Kali Rising" mixed w/ Tristan Tzara "pour compte (phases, 1949)" / Oval "April Remix" mixed w/ James Joyce "Anna Livia Plurabelle (Finnegans Wake)" (needs to be louder....) / Oval vs Yoshiro Hanno "April Remix" & Oval vs Main "SDII Audio Template" / David Shea "Satiricon" mixed w/ Marcel Duchamp "some texts from a l'infinitif" / Scola Hungarica "Sanctus" / Jean Luc Fafchamps "Chrysanthemum haradjanii" mixed w/ Meira Asher & Guy Harries "Girl" / Darba Del Hameni "Jilala de Tangier" / Jean Luc Fafchamps "Ground" / Seefeel "Is It Now?" / DJ Wally "Bitchley's Kow Korn" mixed w/ "In Principio - extract from Easter Nocturnal Liturgy" / Scanner "Fuse" / William S. Burroughs and Martin Olson "The Five Steps" / Kim Cascone/Scanner "Atavistic Endeavor" / Scanner "Control Phantom" / Merzbow "Lux Automobile/Krokodil Rock Mix" / Yoshio Machida "Afterimage" mixed w/ Vladimir Maiakovski "Aventure Extraordinaire Arriv�e a Vladimir Maiakovski, en �t� a la Datc" / Claude Debussy "d'un cahier d'esquisses" / David Shea + Tobias Hazan "Memoires d'un surfeur au bord du d�sert" / Disjecta "Bad Day for Wasps" / Matik "Indigo" / Giancinto Scelsi "Suite number 11" / Bill Laswell with Trilok Gurtu "Nothing" / Luciano Berio""Brin" mixed w/ Laswell's "Dislocation" / Brion Gysin "One Night @ the 1001" / Tibetan Evening music / Jon Hassel "Map of Dusk" / C.M. von Hausswolff "With the Flow Against the Current" / Jellaba Titara "Gnaoua De Abenb Binizi" mixed w/ Guillaume Apollinaire "Pont Mirabeau" / Nicholas James Bullen "Again and Again""mixed w/ violin from Brion Gysin recording "at 1001" / Gilles Deleuze "Mille Plateaux" / N�s "Lament" drum break mixed w/ Morton Feldman "Triadic Memories" / N�s "Lament" drum break mixed w/ David Toop "Tricyrtis Latifalia" / Mouse on Mars "Subnubus " / Current 93 ""Some Morning When the Moon Was Blood" mixed w/ Lee Reynaldo's remix of ""Konstantin Raudive" / Patti Smith "Morning High" / Sussan Deyhim "The Last Reading"

EHLERS / SUCHY / HAUTZINGER - Soundchambers
CD/LP Staubgold 49
www.staubgold.com

Well-known improvisers Ekkehard Ehlers (laptop), Joseph Suchy (guitar) and Franz Hautzinger (trumpet) team up for a supertrio of broken pop ambient. While on the one hand providing a state-of-the-art sound aesthetic, "Soundchambers" will on the other hand also appeal to friends of the music that Brian Eno and trumpeter Jon Hassell created in the mid-70s.
The concept: Sound chambers is an architectural, graphical and musical installation that provides a site specific intervention in the park of Museum Serralves in Porto.
By referring to a geometrical configuration of hedges it develops a new structure that expands, diverts and bifurcates existing conditions of the park. It creates a configuration between interior and exterior spaces and provides sound chambers that perform a specifically developed music.
Architecture, graphics and music refer to the same notation of an existing piece of park (Roseiral): 77 elements of different geometries reconfigured in a new composition.

GILLES GOBEIL / RENE LUSSIER - Le contrat
CD empreintes DIGITALes IMED 0372
www.electrocd.com

First of all, it must be said that we are friends: 28 years ago we were frantically collaborating on our first "works." We chose different paths afterwards, but we regularly helped out each other and our interest in making music together remains intact.
So we responded enthusiastically to a commission to create a collaborative work and to do so we light-heartedly cashed a first installment from the Canada Council for the Arts.
Our project? To compose a work inspired by Goethe's Faust and to build it according to the very architecture of the poem. Quite a contract! A glance at our diaries should have been enough to bring us back to our senses, but we had already put the cogs in motion. It took us a few years to understand that the project would require much more time than expected, and a few more to admit that we would never make it to the end! Why? First, we are two remorseless maniacs and we just kept on (happily) tripping over every single crack this masterpiece laid down in front of us; second, life played its part, tossing us from crest to trough, each year bringing its load of surprises. It took Goethe more than 30 years to write his Faust. Should we sell our souls in order to meet the terms of our "Contract"? We preferred to give ourselves a more realistic timeline (i.e. unbearably slow) and this snail pace allowed us to honor our common obligations seven years straight. However, the project changed along the way. Many chapters were dropped; others were combined. We took all kinds of liberties and even drew from other sources, since Faust's tale has inspired many authors before us and we simply could not resist the urge to acknowledge them with a few nods. The chronology of the original poem also got defaced: in the end, the music determined the final sequence.
Along the way, we presented three unfinished versions: in November of 1999 at the Th��tre La Chapelle in Montr�al as part of the concert "Plein la vue" presented by R�seaux; in March 2000 at the Salle Olivier Messiaen of the Maison de Radio France in Paris as part of a concert presented by the Groupe de recherches musicales (Ina-GRM); and in May 2000 at the Festival international de musique actuelle de Victoriaville (FIMAV). We could have spent thousands more hours on this project, because, let's admit it, we grew fond of the slow pace, but everything must come to an end. And here's the final version. (Gilles Gobeil & Ren� Lussier)

MAX HAIVEN / JON VAUGHN - Front
CD No Type IMNT 0312
www.notype.com

A 73-minute work separated in 33 indexes of arbitrary length, Front is not to be easily explained. At the frontier of conceptual art & listening music, obnoxious candy pop & extreme experimentalism, Front introduces a compositional approach which, according to the composers, may be dubbed "domestic." The work unfolds as a string of events, whereby conceptual relationships between sounds & ideas paradoxically gives birth to musical content. The composers have integrated in the work their own feelings & experiences towards the ambient cultural narrative & pop music in particular.
Unlike many similarly ambitious works which assume a linear, almost meditative attention from the listener, Front prefers to toy with the idea that the listener's attention is a kind of data to be played with, much like tone or rhythm. Finally, Front seeks to explore the dangers of musical identity, & the concept of structure as a victim of interrogation. Without attempting to criticise one particular aesthetic or another, the work is nonetheless highly suspicious (almost antagonistic) towards the attitudes leading to an aesthetic choice. To shrug off Front as too "intellectual" misses the point of the real listening pleasure to be found throughout. Thanks to its highly peculiar form & its total integration of the CD medium, I wouldn't hesitate to qualify Front as a completely unique gem in the world of electroacoustic & electronic musics.

MAX RICHTER - The Blue Notebooks
CD 130701 Records CD13-04
www.fat-cat.co.uk

Following releases by Set Fire To Flames and Sylvain Chauveau, Max Richter's 'The Blue Notebooks' is the fourth release on FatCat's 130701 imprint, established as an outlet for more orchestrated, instrumental material. Richter is a British-based, German-born pianist and composer.
Following 2002's highly-acclaimed 'Memoryhouse' - performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and released on the BBC's classical label, Late Junction - 'The Blue Notebooks' is his second solo album, a distinctive and adventurous work that is beautifully recorded and cinematic in scope.
Opening with a text from Franz Kafka over a sparse piano melody, the album moves through gorgeous, heart-wrenching string swells of 'On The Nature Of Daylight' (which quotes a tune from 'Memoryhouse'); through to sparse but lyrical piano pieces; hazy, swirling atmospherics, avalanche pulse-beats and partially occluded melodies that recall Aphex twin's 'Ambient Works' albums; and to reverberant organ / choir recordings. Utilising piano, cello, violin and viola, alongside electronic beats (made using a variety of antique electronics and Reaktor), spoken word passages and the occasional field recording, other sounds were generated via old guitar pedals and vocoders. The organ music was made for a chapel near Tourtres in South-West France, whilst the environmental sounds are mainly recorded around London. The tone of the album is generally domnbeat - a series of bittersweet articulations that seem suspended somewhere between a certain dreamy sense of wonder / awe and a heavy melancholia.
Peppered across Richter's music like diary entries (and backed with attendant typewriter clatter) are a number of literary texts or 'shadow journals' (lifted from Kafka's 'The Blue Octavo notebooks', and from Polish author Czseslaw Milosz's 'Hymn Of The Pearl' and 'Unattainable Earth'). Apparently chosen by Richter on instinct, they were recorded by acclaimed British actress, Tilda Swinton, who has starred in films including 'Adaption', 'Orlando', 'The Garden' and 'The Beach'. These brief passages muse over time, memory and the impermanent nature of things. With Richter playing piano, the other featured players here are his regular collaborators, Louisa Fuller (violin), Natalia Bonner (violin), John Metcalfe (viola), Philip Sheppard (cello) and Chris Worsey (cello).

METAXU - Rumors of... War
CD No Type IMNT 089
www.notype.com

When the thin line between war & peace gets as blurry as it is nowadays, a good old unfashionable labour of memory might just be in order. For Rumors of War, Italian duo Metaxu (Maurizio Martusciello, Filippo Paolini) concerned itself with pivotal moments of recent World History (particularly Occidental), times when History itself seemed to end at once, giving way to an orgy of chaos, violence, blood, rape & death (not to forget shock & awe�) But let's not be fooled: History is going on still & watching silently, whether we are aware of it or not.
How to describe Rumors of War? I like to think of it as a romantic poem on a particularly dangerous subject. For one, it might not make you feel good about your own convictions. Surely it is bound with compassion for the true victims of war. But listening to it, you could think Metaxu are flirting with their subject, giving it some reverence. It's a matter of fact that the duo has not clearly specified their own stance on the matter, though I would suspect them to be, ultimately, pacifists. Well, who isn't?
Art as a battleground? Maybe we're getting to it. A place where blood is drawn with ink, where violence is but a musical simulation of itself? After all, Wagner is not the inventor of fascism. And neither is Goya responsible for the horrors of war he illustrated. Perhaps the problem is in the listener...

NITRADA - We Don't Know Why But We Do It
CD/LP 2.nd rec 2ND015
www.2ndrec.com

Electronic music can turn you into a bit of a recluse. Especially when, like Christophe Stoll aka Nitrada, you tinker with it by yourself - in the dark cellar of a dark city. This might sound a little sad, dramatic even. And in a way it is, but precisely these circumstances triggered an idea which proved crucial for the first ever Nitrada long-player: to brighten up his self-imposed solitude Christophe decided to, every once in a while, leave the basement door ajar - a welcome invitation for a stream of guest musicians to enrich these nine tracks with external ideas and impulses in a variety of possible combinations. Amongst the contributors were Jukka Reverberi as well as Corrado Nuccini of Giardini di Miro, Francesco Cantone of Tellaro/Twig Infection, plus Kaye Brewster and Nina Sophie Schwabe.
The idea itself is not a new one, but for Christophe's modus operandi it posed a brand new challenge: four of the five guests featured live far away from his hometown of Hamburg. For this reason, it all started off with him mailing early versions of the songs to Scotland, Northern Italy and Sicily. And in a way, the anticipatory wait for musical reactions, the initial listening and subsequent processing of these external triggers, proved to be an exciting and vital part of discovering his own sound: "Reminds me of playing in a band" the former drummer of noise rock formation "Motorambo" sighed with just a hint of nostalgia. Although some of the guitar and vocal parts were recorded at home in his bedroom, most of the contributions made their way to the northern German harbour town via post or telephone lines.
For the final mix, too, Christophe invited a "fresh" set of ears after months of solitary fine-tuning: the tracks received their final polish on Paul Kominek's (aka Turner) ancient analogue radio mixing desk.
Inter-European diversity has snuck into the sound spectrum of "We Don't Know Why But We Do it" to enrich the instrumental blueprint of it's predecessor, the "0+" EP. But whether it's noisy breakbeats, declarations of love or dreamy, guitar-driven melancholy ("Start Today") - the idea, the sound underneath it all, remains pure Nitrada.

PAUL WIRKUS -Inteletto d'Amore
CD Quecksilber 4
www.quecksilber-music.com

Paul Wirkus is a drummer from Poland who has been playing jazz and improvised music for quite some time. During the '80s he played in the well-known polish punk band Karcer, by the end of the '90s he participated in a post-rock project by the name of Mapa (you might remember the article about them in the Wire magazine). All this information Paul Wirkus does not judge as important, and indeed, to approach the music on his new solo album, it really isn't. What is important is the fact that this CD - the music on which could broadly be described as "minimal electronica" - is Paul's third release under his own name. The first was a cassette by the title of "Echo" on Gusstaff Records (which also saw a release on CD-R, albeit limited to 50 copies). This first solo-outing was followed by the cd "Mimikry" on the same label (for reviews from the Wire and De:Bug look up Paul's web-page: www.paulwirkus.art.pl).
This time, he didn't want to be too experimental and just rely on the powers of commination of the work itself. The music on this release was created live with several MiniDisc-players hooked up to effects instead of, as one might think, by editing processes done with computers. Thus the tracks have a warmer, more organic character than most other electro-acoustic music. Accidents, coincidences, minute shifts and "aural snap shots" characterise this music. In contrast to earlier solo-outings, not only samples of strings and piano and white noise are to be heard, but also generated analogue sounds, fragmentary melodies and even vocals. One of the tracks on which he sings is called 'blask' which roughly translates to 'shimmer', a word that characterises his music very well. Paul is primarily concerned with the sound of the voice itself, his lyrics are more or less "open". Searching and finding. Sometimes, he says, it takes some time to realise that you've already got what you want.

STEPHANE ROY - Migrations
CD empreintes DIGITALes IMED 0373
www.electrocd.com

A quest for happiness, a quest for meaning, the Other and his universe, migration is a strange trail with its share of hopes and illusions. This radical displacement expresses a desire for freedom that transcends territorial and cultural borders. With each stop, the migratory process offers the distance necessary to reevaluate, to stop the clock and dream of this Utopia toward which our hopes take us. The three program pieces making up this album are such stops that have marked my migration through the American Midwest, three "invitations to the voyage," to the conquest of parallel worlds, that allowed me to transcend the cultural itineration that came with five years spent abroad.
This album begins with the freshest work, Appartenances, which celebrates the homecoming. It also provides an occasion to meditate on the position of the immigrant, where the excitement produced by the change of scenery is accompanied by the painful experience of the uprooting. The second work, Trois petites histoires concr�tes, was realized in the course of my first year in St Louis (Missouri, USA).
Its central place in this triptych indicates a very different kind of migration: it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the invention of musique concr�te through an evocation of its founding processes. In the case of the third and last work, Masques et parades, the American migration also provided an opportunity to dream of new stylistic lands inspired by the circus, its nomadism, its deeply moving and iconoclastic poetry. (Stephane Roy)

THE BSC - Good
CD Grob 543
www.churchofgrob.com

In Vienna, Berlin and Tokyo musicians are working on stillness, reduction, non-expressivity and micro-differentiation. In Cologne, London, New York, Chicago, Paris, Warsaw, this music is performed and written about. But up to now the most exciting of this scene has been happening outside these large cities. For example, in Boston. That this city possesses a young and rather large improv scene including labels and venues is well known. There are even a few �superstars� like the saxophonist Bhob Rainey and the trumpeter Greg Kelley, two musicians who have easily liberated themselves from established improvisation patterns.
What has been missing till now is a recording that clearly exemplifies the Sound of Boston. Such a thing can hardly be forced, it always seems to happen casually, e.g. when one listens to a concert recording again and again and then suddenly discovers how definitive it is!
Such a stroke of luck has arrived with The BSC � Good. The BSC is a chamber orchestra from Boston led by Bhob Rainey. Joining him are Greg Kelley (of course), James Coleman (theremin), Howard Stelzer (tapes), Liz Tonne (voice), Vic Rawlings (cello, electronics), Mike Bullock (bass), and Chris Cooper (prepared guitar), with guests Axel D�rner (trumpet) and Andrea Neumann (inside piano).
Good is a 37-minute, improvisation process recorded live, which creatively draws on the resources from the reduced parameters of this new improvised music. Despite all the stillness, the music is also surprisingly dense and tightly woven together. The music captivates via a noisiness radical maintained throughout the whole piece, and in spite of this (or because of it?), it is lyrical and surreal. The melody of metallic shimmering tonal colors can be heard from the very beginning.

TOMAS JIRKU - Bleak 1999
CD No Type IMNT 0311
www.notype.com

A 16-track, 73-minute mixture of minimal broken beats, radio receptions & deep melodic lines long held a secret by its author, it is only now that this fairly unique item finally surfaces onto CD format. Closer in style to Tomas' material under the name The Viceroy (previously released on the No Type web site), Bleak is yet another example of the composer's seemingly innate ability to balance all of his sounds into an atmosphere that is at once quirky and comfy.
If the 'Jirku touch' is instantly recognizable on this album, it will be obvious to the listener that Bleak is fairly different from the rest of the composer's published work on labels such as Alien8, Force Inc, Klang Elektronik and Intr_version. A rawer production, simpler means, no needless processing, but above all, a singular melancholic velocity that is genuinely affecting and never too heavy for its own good. Bleakness is conveyed indeed, but in no way is the music itself bleak! Add to it a certain unity of purpose which brings it closer to a 'concept album' than a simple collection of songs, and you've got yourself a very appealing oddity in Tomas Jirku's already eclectic discography. This album is definitely NOT just for completists! Stop watching the news, put on Bleak from start to finish, and repeat as needed.

TRAPIST - Ballroom
CD Thrill Jockey thrill141
www.thrilljockey.com

Trapist is the Vienna based trio comprised of Joe Williamson on bass, Martin Siewert on guitar and Martin Brandlmayr on drums. Together the members of Trapist are a group of experienced improvisers who collectively like to explore and question familiar surroundings and contexts for both art and music. Thinking not only of melody and emotional elements in music, Trapist look additionally at structures and forms.
Trapist may be deliberate and sparse in nature, but Ballroom is a record that speaks volumes. Their unique blend of improvisation and delicate electronics is a welcome and refreshing change for fans of electronic, jazz and improvisational music.

UN CADDIE RENVERSE DANS L'HERBE - Like a packed cupboard but quite...
LP/CD Dekorder 007
www.dekorder.de

The curiously titled 'Like a packed cupboard but quite...' is the 2nd release for the Dekorder label by Un Caddie Renverse dans l�Herbe a.k.a. D�dac P. Lagarriga from Barcelona, Spain after his beautiful 3"CD 'Now there�s a weird taste in my mouth'.
Not unlike his previous works which have been compared to the likes of Pascal Comelade, Asa Chang & Junray, Penguin Cafe Orchestra and Steve Beresford, the album's using repetition and simplicity, melody and warmth, charm and a positive naivity to create an addictive, often hypnotic muzak; never overloaded, full of space for tiny surprising ideas/sounds and little elements and influences to unfold their inner beauty. This is contemporary AND timeless music without the urge to be (post-) modern just for the sake of being so.
Still featuring the unusual but fascinating combination of African instruments such as the Balaphon, Mbira, Kalimba, Berimbau with modern software, piano, cello, guitar, bass, melodica, chimes, the overall theme of the album is a direct reaction to the widely used (and misleading) term of Exotica often found in the writings about Lagarriga�s music and other so-called World Music. Often used by our beloved 1st World to create a pseudo-romantic marketing niche these terms have become empty labels for cultures we don�t know too well or are too lazy to learn about without accepting the fact that everything everywhere is (or, at least, can be) influenced by anything else. We are NOT living in a hermetic capitalized surrounding but too often act as if we are...
Lagarriga's music is neither world music nor exotica but simply a MUSIC that is trying to be inclusive, embracing everything happening around him (be it music, art, writing and/or simply, and most important, everyday life) in contrast to the often encased exponents of our western culture, without denying the fact that all of us (including Lagarriga and, well, myself) are personally thinking and acting within those stereotypes way too often (unfortunately).

V.A. - FATCAT RECORDS COMPILATION Split Series 9-16
CD FatCat FATCD31
www.fat-cat.co.uk

In March 1998, with one of our earliest releases (a 12" featuring Third Eye Foundation on one side, and a then-unknown V/Vm on the other), FatCat initiated its split series. These original releases came exclusively on 12" vinyl, packaged in a highly distinctive, minimalist aesthetic. Individually numbered, and with no external reference to the artists or music contained within, each release was identified purely by a hole drilled in its plain white cardboard sleeve (one hole for the first release, two for the second, three for the third, etc.). Allowing for a total of 24 releases, the series will also yield three compilation CDs (cover split series 1-8; 9-16; 17-24). Having recently released the 16th split 12" in our series so far, we are now proud to announce the release of the second split series CD compilation, 'Split Series 9-16'. Featuring 17 tracks, this CD-only release showcases material previously only available across the eight 12" singles from split series number 9 to number 16 - a period spanning nearly four years.
Whilst many seem to view the split series as the edgier, more electronic wing of FatCat, it has aimed to continually intrigue and challenge the listener, and to access a wide range of spaces. Whilst it would perhaps have been easy to churn out a steady flow of gritty / chunky electronica, and to have plugged into a more stable fanbase, we chose instead to initiate it as a broader arena that might open different avenues / doorways into other sounds and scenes. Thus, as with the recent FatCat label compilation, there are a wide variety of sounds and styles audible on this CD - from the beautifully intricate piano composition of David Grubbs to the intense noise blipvert of QT?; from the forceful, politicised house of Ultra-red to the fugitive improvisation of Anna Planeta; from the aggressive drum & bass of Christoph De Babalon to the splintered electronica of Duplo_Remote and Matmos or the disembodied guitar/computer processing of Fennesz and Main. Whilst there's been no precalculated formulae for the series, from the beginning, the aim has been to curate a high-quality, challenging series of 12" singles that resists stasis and continually shifts; to keep the listener guessing; to utilise the unique qualities of the format in an exciting and creative way - whether it be pitting different sounds / styles against one another; drawing out links and similarities; or simply introducing unknown artists on the flip of a more established name. The series is littered with hidden clues and conceptual links, but we've left it up to the listener to draw their own conclusions.

VICNET - VIC LP
EP Deco 006
www.w-deco.com

VICNET is the solo electro-pop project of the young & active french designer : Vincent Tordjman. After his first album "VIC CD", here is "VIC LP", ep including 3 tracks from the album + 3 extra tracks: "Top of the world" Brandi's hit cover, old school acid electro "Totallside" track, and sort of brainraggadance track "RO� Dub".
"I need design", "Petrol & Bitch", and "Jammin'on my vic piano" are all 3 coming from the album, and are pure electro pop.
Vicnet's music is composed of beatfull tracks, inbetween fun & sophistication, entirely composed on a mactintosh laptop, often on headphones waiting for a plane, or on japanese subway trains , dreaming of a dancefloor...
A search for elaborated harmonies and rythms using a simple alphabet of digital sounds and synthetic voices. A sampleless music, where we can still hear a threading of influences : Fat basses of the 80's, cheap electronic funk, absurd electro-pop hits, fake miami bass, commodore 64 snare drums, old school handclaps and 'laptopesque' experimentation.

WEASEL WALTER / KEVIN DRUMM / FRED LONBERG-HOLM - Eruption
CD Grob 546
www.churchofgrob.com

Three years ago we released the Weasel Walter�s recording Tribute to Masayuki Takayanagi (GROB 208). In addition to Walter (drums, guitar, mix, artwork) and Fred Lonberg-Holm (cello), Jim O�Rourke (guitar) also participated in the sessions. This secured the recording a certain popularity and provoked furious reactions. Since Tribute to Masayuki Takayanagi certainly does not stand for the finely engraved music that has made O�Rourke popular worldwide. The recording was free improvised Death Metal, a committed transformation of the early noise music of Takayanagi (this first Japanese noise guitarist had his important phase in the 70�s) into the present. More than a few critics saw this as disrespectful towards Takayanagi. Weasel Walter, earlier in Chicago, now in California, is, however, a master of, if you will, meta-disrespectfullness. What would happen if the energy and impact of Takayanagi could only be mediated today by overdoing it? Honoring a great role model means kicking him in the shins.
The (journalistic) rejection could really only lead to making a further Tribute to Masayuki Takayanagi album and to work out even more concretely the presumed disrespectfullness. The first album was indeed one session, the trio Walter/Lonberg-Holm/O�Rourke existed only as long as the recording; the second album was supposed to be a worked-out studio production. Walter grabbed Lonberg-Holm and his ideal guitarist Kevin Drumm, brought them in a Chicago recording studio in the Summer of 2002 � and went a step further: he broke free of the Takayanagi paradigm and played an improvised music that synthesized his free jazz socialization with the no-wave grind core of this band The Flying Luttenbachers (which happens here, perhaps, for the first time).
Eruption pushes the process of reflection � reflections upon improvised music, the contemporary character of Free Jazz, the energy of Speed Metal, and of course the reflections upon Takayanagi � even further towards independence. One hour of music, 40 tracks (the liner notes, an attack upon a saturated and self-righteous Free Jazz scene, are in code in the track titles). Excessive concentration, the most concentrated excesses. Walter Weasel (still: drums, power-electronics, mix, cover art) is at the height of his abilities. He is brilliantly supported/supplemented/spurred on once again by Fred Lonberg-Holm, the most versatile cellist of the improvisation scene, and Kevin Drumm, one of the avant-garde heroes of the last seven, eight years, who here is able to express his Death Metal obsessions.

ZEEBEE - Chemistry
CD Angelika Kohlermann AK020
http://angelika.koehlermann.at

Chemical reactions ... happen all around us: when we light a match, start a car, eat dinner or walk the dog. a chemical reaction is the pathway by which two substances bond together. Chemistry is the conclusion to everything. it contains answers where we seem helpless.
The Zeebee album "Chemistry" is a chemical reaction in many ways. It is a stubborn and romantic pop album.
Zeebee is a vocalist, alive in the rockin mountains of Austria. Recording herself since the age of five, touring with Birmingham's Pigpag with seventeen, and releasing records on the swiss label off course with her band D-sire in the late 80's. Then starting to work as a ghostwriter, copywriting herself through commercial wonderland, taking flying-lessons and dreaming of a career as an acrobatic pilot. Still giving music the Zeebee treatment in private, recording her vocals, exploring the possibilities of new technologies.
In the year 1999 Zeebee starts to work via internet with the most diverse songwriters from all over the world. Drawing from many influences, Zeebee creates hypnotic soundscapes that push the boundaries of pop, jazz, trip hop, hip hop, acid jazz, trance and folk.
In only three years, endless day- and nightsessions, Zeebee writes 187 songs. Early 2003 she gets in contact with Gerhard Potuznik, known as one of the finest producers of electronic music in Europe, and asks him to help her produce and release an album. They carefully start to select and rework songs out of that enormous pool of Zeebeemusic for the first Zeebee album "Chemistry".
The album contains now 10 songs written by Zeebee as well as Loyal, Jeffry Math, Jox, Scott Mcfadyen and Curd Duca; co-produced by Gerhard Potuznik and Jox.
Get some Zeebee now.

Source: e-mail from Dense Promotion.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:22 AM

Dense Promotion: Forthcoming Releases

The latest newsletter via e-mail from Dense Promotion in Berlin, profiles these forthcoming releases:

AGF - Language is the most [CD quecksilber]
BATTERY OPERATED + MADE - aprotic [CD C0C0S0L1DC1T1]
CATHODE - Special Measures [Enhanced CD/LP Expanding]
COURTIS / MARHAUG - North and South Neutrino [CD Antifrost]
FAUST / D�LEK - Derbe respect, Alder [CD/LP staubgold/Klangbad]
J�RG PIRINGER - Vok�l [CD Transacoustic Research]
LALI PUNA - Faking the Books [CD morr music]
MAN'SBESTFRIEND - The New Human Is Illegal [morr music]
MEAT BEAT MANIFESTO - R.U.O.K In Dub [CD/LP Quatermass]
MINIMAL SELF - Formula Of Reversal [CD Wavetrap]
PAULO RAPOSO / MARC BEHRENS - Further Consequences of Reinterpretation [CD Cr�nica]
PURE - Bodyhammer [2CD Praxis]
PURE DEKAM - Requoil Displaced Peaceoff [DVD dOc]
ROBERT LIPPOK - Falling Into Komeit [CD Monika Enterprise]
SECRET MOMMY - Mammal Class [Orthlorng Musork]
TAYLOR DEUPREE - January [CD Spekk]
THE LOOP ORCHESTRA - Not Overtly Orchestral [CD quecksilber]
WECHSEL GARLAND AND WORLD STANDARD [CD/LP staubgold]

AGF - Language is the most
CD Quecksilber 6
www.quecksilber-music.com

A live AGF album based on the Ars Electronica festival 2003 and on unstrained 'Westernization Completed' tracks, commissioned by Klangpark.
"As a singer and producer, I rely primarily on content, and that can get to be a real encumbrance. After many years of creating music, I feel that I'm being confronted over and over again with the fact that listeners - and especially when it comes to Germans dealing with the German language - have problems getting to the music. Content always comes first - the message, the brain.
In cutting the tracks for my album "head slash bauch" (head slash gut), I wanted to free myself from this coercive pressure to have to say something understandable. On my way to becoming an independent producer, I geeked my way through the process of self-education in matters of hardware, software, user's manuals and all the other stuff that goes with it.
And that's how the computer/laptop came to exert an extremely positive - except for the chronic back pain - influence on my working and lifestyle options, my communication and production possibilities, and makes possible more and more flexibility, speed and personal control.
So that's how I discovered the poetry and beauty of this technically practical programming language. Since then I've been experimenting with this tension between technical coolness and rhythm and melody in connection with reality, feeling, vision. For the opening of the Ars Electronica Klangpark 2003, I presented a live performance featuring some of this work and my recent album "Westernization Completed" and integrated into it a composition especially based on the dictionary entry for "code". (Antye Greie)
In addition to her solo projects, Antye Greie has received critical acclaim for her work with Laub, Craig Armstrong, and Vladislav Delay (Luomo and agf/dlay) on labels such as Kitty-Yo and Mille Plateaux.

BATTERY OPERATED + MADE - aprotic
CD C0C0S0L1DC1T1 CSC008
www.cocosolidciti.com

The third full-length album by Battery Operated sees them team up with fellow Mancunian maestro of all things electro - made. Fresh from his stint at 'All Tomorrow's Parties' which was curated by his old workmates Autechre (made being part of the Gescom crew), made now shows what he can do over a collaborative full-length. It's the first time he has done an album, having previously released 12"es on the Skam label. Battery Operated have produced two albums (both sold out) before on C0C0S0L1DC1T1 in the shape of 'Vecuum' and 'Chases Through Non-Place' and the marriage of bastardized electro with wide ranging influences from Hip Hop to musique concr�te to lounge music is again evident here. If Andy Weatherall and Hildegard Westerkamp had ever gotten it on..., this is what the soundtrack might have been to the birthing of their electro creature...

CATHODE - Special Measures
Enhanced CD/LP Expanding ecd13:03/eva5:03
www.expandingrecords.com

'In truculent pursuit of the point at which crystalline analogue melody is cuffed about the ears by crisp minimalist electronics, Cathode deal in refried melodies, screeching sinewaves, disintegrating rhythms and reflective electroreveries' Cathode is Steve Jefferis from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the north-east of England who now delivers the debut full-length album'Special Measures' for Expanding Records.
The brief life of Cathode has been fed and watered by the good folks at Static Caravan (two 7" singles), 555 Recordings (a CD EP), Unbearable Recordings (sharing remix duties for the Gamers in Exile with the likes of Cex and V/VM) and Awkward Silence (on a split single with fellow travellers Ojn).
The CD version of the album includes a video for the previous Cathode release 'Sundowning' by Glasgow-based video artist Rob Kennedy. Rob's work was selected for inclusion in the Scottish Pavilion at this year's Venice Biennale, and will also be included in a Tate Britain film and video exhibition in early 2004.
Cathode recently collaborated with filmmaker and graphic artist Richard Fenwick (who has previously produced work for the likes of Warp and onedotzero, and is a regular collaborator with Expanding Records) on a new suite of Fenwick's RND# experimental short films. The films, featuring Cathode's soundtracks, just premiered at Newcastle's AV digital media festival; they can be seen at www.richardfenwick.com and will shortly feature on a DVD produced by d-fuse and the Tyneside Cinema.
Cathode also just completed a tour with Leeds expert laptop showman RandomNumber and has previously warmed the boards for those infamous Skam boys Bola and Gescom and knob-tweaking crazies Hrvratski and Snd.

COURTIS / MARHAUG - North and South Neutrino
CD Antifrost afro2021
www.antifrost.gr

Lasse Marhaug, known from his solo works but also as half of US/Norwegian group Jazzkammer has been around for a long time and has collaborated before with artists such as: Maja S.K. Ratkje, Tore H. B e, Merzbow, Aube, Ronnie Sundin, Kevin Drumm, TV Pow, Francisco Lopez, Leif Elggren, Mats Gustafsson, Fe-Mail, Andreas Berthling, Otomo Yoshihide, Sachiko M, Taku Sugimoto, Mark Wastell, Matt Davis, Reynols, SPUNK, Kim Cascone and many others.
The other creative half of this collaboration work is Anla Courtis, the guitarist and main composer behind the famous Argentinian group Reynols.
The cover illustration/artwork of the CD is done by the prestigious Swedish artist Leif Elggren (of Elgaland/Vargaland - Fireworks Editons).

FAUST / D�LEK - Derbe respect, Alder
CD/LP staubgold 50 / Klangbad 23
www.staubgold.com
www.klangbad.de

What do Faust and Bob Dylan have in common? Well, both have been in the music business for over 30 years now and still manage to surprise their fans with each new album. In the description of their music, the adjective "unpredictable" crops up frequently. On "Derbe respect, alder" Faust surprise their fans by joining forces with American Hiphop artists D�lek.
D�lek are a three-piece Hiphop-outfit from New Jersey. Will Brooks (a.k.a. MC D�lek) is responsible for lyrics, Alap Momin (a.k.a. The Octopus) is the producer and Hsi-Chang Linaka (a.k.a. Still) handles the turntables. Their open-mindedness towards musical influences was boundless from the beginning and so it is small wonder that they soon hit on German Krautrock survivors Faust as a source for interesting samples.
Through a mutual acquaintance they sent a CD to Faust's Klangbad label.
Co-founder Hans Joachim Irmler was so impressed with it that he decided to release a vinyl version of their album "From The Filthy Tongues Of Gods And Griots" on Klangbad. He also invited the band to record at the label's own studio. Once there, it turned out that the musical grounds both bands covered was identical in large parts. D�lek's noisy loops (in which they bury tiny melodies) and their penchant for volume have their counterparts in Faust's sound. Thus a collaboration seemed logical.
In the course of two years the three sessions which spawned the music on this album took place. The high point of these saw the two outfits appearing side by side on stage at the Bonn Bad Kilbi festival 2003 in D�dingen, Switzerland. What D�lek and many of their hiphop contemporaries express through words - protest against and rejection of the social status quo - is exactly what Faust have expressed trough music during the last 30+ years. Consequently, this album is nothing for the faint-hearted, its music is merciless, straight in your face, at times even brutal. At times it sounds like harsh Industrial or "Illbient".

J�RG PIRINGER - Vok�l
CD Transacoustic Research tres003
www.transacoustic-research.com

vok�l consists exclusively of spoken samples. no other material and no other instruments were used. every bass drum and every synthesizer seeming sound was once a word, a sentence, or an utterance. sixty minutes of pure language that doesn't sound like language.
vok�l is both electronic music and digital micro-cut-up-text, ranging from a complete rejection of linguistic sounds to somewhat understandable babble. at one point, entire words or even sentences are audible, then only short, individual fragments emerge on the click and cut carpet, to once again disappear and make room for something new.
public idiots from media, art, politics, and business are allowed to speak and are then immediately silenced. the sequencer and j�rg piringer determine what is to be said. on the other hand, the digital stuttering is constant. in this way, the semantic-suggestive connection is broken through, making the pure linguistic gesture audible. the word and utterance, liberated from sense in this way, through parading on the surface, seem to say what the speaker might have really meant. no additional statement is necessary; the speakers reveal themselves.
j�rg piringer is a musician and visual sound poet. he is a founding member of the institute for transacoustic research and a member of the first vienna vegetable orchestra.
"A millipedic split between unshakeable mannerisms, spoken word poetry, an ambience that is as asthmatic as it is radiation damaged, Beuys-ian corruption, phenomenology, cancer of the larynx, drippings, sound torture made mild by age, speech therapy, compositional crazed rampage, and aleotoric self regulation, research, Viennese knarzertum, free form-freak-in, electroacoustic loss of reality, and pop, that, too." (Frank A. Schneider, Bad Alchemy 40)

LALI PUNA - Faking the Books
CD morr music 044
www.morrmusic.com

'Faking The Books', Lali Puna's third album, is a maverick display of pop sensibilities applied to a world gone wrong. All the ingredients are there: The killer hooks, the subliminal fusion of generic undertones, Valerie Trebeljahr�s alluring vocal delivery that at first soothes the senses and at second glance portrays the system in all its celluloid, deceptive glory.
The band have already provoked glowing responses from the highest-profile listeners - adored by Radiohead, championed by Andrew Weatherhall, re-arranged by Bomb The Bass, backed by Radioactive Man, remixed by Two Lone Swordsmen and closely followed by an ever-expanding ripple of admiration from a now substantial body of fans. A band made up of members from projects as central to the guitar-pop scene as The Notwist, Tied and Tickled Trio, Console and more. And when you receive support at that level (reaching a peak with the release of their last album 'Scary World Theory') - where do you go?
For Lali the progression came with confidence: the amplifiers turned up, the instruments plugged in, the voice placed higher up in the mix and the storytelling edged closer to our confused, lawless, modern version of the world. 'Faking The Books' is all about the signs of our times, inverting the Zeitgeist into something that not only explores the musical fusion of raucous instrumentation and layered, soothing production, but that also tells its story with a multi-coloured grip on our peculiar reality. The songs direct themselves with a pop conviction that isn't afraid to mix vintage synths, vocal effects, garage drum workouts, detroit strums, carefully arranged strings, electronic bass drums and a homage to all the bands that have paved the way for such diversity - you know, the one�s that have made the current crop of guitar-pop heroes role-models for a new generation.
Deceived by the system, the vapours of uncertainty hang over 'Faking The Books'. A world where nothing is quite as it seems, a world where no one can be trusted. The only certainty comes with connection, a connection to a band forging through stereotypes and inviting you to immerse yourself in songs that, once exposed to, will refuse to let go.

MAN'SBESTFRIEND - The New Human Is Illegal
2LP/CD morr music 043
www.morrmusic.com

Sole has been independently releasing hiphop music since 1994. Despite a cold industry reception, he has sold over 15,000 copies of each of his major releases "Bottle Of Humans" and "Selling Live Water," and recieved countless accolades from magazines like Spin and Rolling Stone, down to indy-websites and punk fanzines. Sole has garnered a mass cult following worldwide completely grassroots over the past five years via extensive touring, recording, guerilla marketing, and brutal honesty. Till now sole has stuck to rapping and hasn't released any of his own production.
This is about to change with Man'sbestfriend, the first record Sole has done on a label outside of anticon since "Bottle Of Humans" dropped. His crusade against conformity has led him to ally with his friends at Morr Music, who share the same philosophy, approach and DIY ethics.
Man'sbestfriend is the impulsive and self indulgent side of sole running shitty guitars through broken reel to reels, rusted keyboards, overcompressed radioshack mics, recorded on an old adat and some on laptop. Most beats have been constructed on a dr sampler then further chopped up on the computer. The lyrics have been written out the window on various tours in alien places, some songs have been freestyled. Originally released as a limited tour cd, "The New Human Is Illegal" has now been re-visited with additional tracks. All songs are not supposed to sound clean, poppy, or to play like the new "indy hip-hop" smash hit. The music was made purely for fun with an "experimental" spirit, with additional music and assistance from Odd Nosdam, Jel, and Telephone Jim Jesus.
"The New Human Is Illegal" might require multiple listens. All these songs touch a ton of subjects that aren't necessarily implied by the titles or one line attempts at summing up a record for the purpose of easy press quotables.

MEAT BEAT MANIFESTO - R.U.O.K In Dub
CD/LP Quatermass QS155
www.quatermass.net

"In Dub" is an uniquely different kind of release. Taking the starting point and cues from several of the songs on last year's "R.U.O.K?" album [QUATERMASS QS140 CD/LP]. "In Dub" re-imagines them, often ending up far away from where the original song began. And in some cases, what has emerged is not even a version of a song on "R.U.O.K.?", but a whole new creation that may just bear a tiny reminder or stamp of an idea on the last album.
It's long been a favorite device for Meat Beat Manifesto to revisit and reconstruct sparking ideas into alternate song versions. Five songs include the startling one-take toasting talents of the Bay Area's DJ Collage on the microphone, grounding this ultra-modern music back into its Jamaican dub roots to express a special continuum.
Though it shares some lineage and spirit with "R.U.O.K.?", it is definitely a whole new album, of dub clashing with pure electro, enter Danger's wild sound system. As a producer, Meat Beat Manifesto's Jack Dangers has long been at the forefront of the digital music revolution, audibly influencing everything around him and providing the architectural audio blueprints for contemporary artists as wide ranging as Nine Inch Nails and the Chemical Brothers.

MINIMAL SELF - Formula Of Reversal
CD Wavetrap wav03
wav.post-pop.org

Minimal Self is the most recent project of John Everall (Tactile/Sentrax). Formula Of Reversal is an attempt to document via sound a period of intense psychological turmoil. Inevitably, therefore, the sounds featured on this recording delineate an hallucinatory perspective; a sonic distillate of a web of delusions.
One major source of inspiration was the notion of 'direct film' as explored by Len Lye, who conceived of the idea that by scrathing directly onto celluloid he could map the activity of his own nervous system, thereby creating an objective correlative of an individual's neurological processes. Although Everall's approach does not mirror Lye's methodology, the objective remains fundamentally similar.
To achieve this end Everall uses samples of his own speech which are manipulated and mutilated as an act of concealment which in itself is revealing in much the same way as the "unspeech" of schizophrenics. What remains is a series of vapour trails, floating phantom sounds, and shadowy prescences, constituting a phononeurological signature.

PAULO RAPOSO / MARC BEHRENS - Further Consequences of Reinterpretation
CD Cr�nica 008
www.cronicaelectronica.org

This CD is the product of a process that started with the CD 0.000 by the Japanese artist Nosei Sakata (*0), a CD which contains basically nothing (i.e. sound outside the human hearing range). Sakata asked other artists � among them Marc Behrens � to remix , reinterpret this material which was then released on a double CD called *0-0.000remix � Inflation. The idea was to create everything from nothing.
When Behrens received his promo copies he decided to take the process further, partly to creatively transform his fury about the outrageous customs bill: he used material from the reinterpretation pieces by Taylor Deupree, Hsi-Chuang Cheng, Aube, Richard Chartier, Akira Rabelais, John Hudak, Bernhard G�nter and Steve Roden to construct a further reinterpretation. After the completion of this piece, Paulo Raposo and Behrens, already collaborating on the design for the portuguese label sirr.ecords, decided to work together in music as well. Thus Raposo, who received the sound material in the form of all the single sounds used in the piece by Behrens, himself composed another reinterpretation. Raposo and Behrens use different methods to compose, as well as different structural approaches, and premiered both their � however complimentary � pieces in the form of a friendly audio duel (like a ping pong match) on March 21, 2003 in the auditorium of the Goethe-Institut Inter Nationes in Lisbon. The show was entitled Further Consequences of Reinterpretation.

PURE - Bodyhammer
2CD Praxis 26
c8.com/praxis

In the course of the last few months a substantial section of the work released by Peter Votava under different names in the 1990's, before his releases on Mego, Staalplaat and d0c, has been made available again on CD, most notably the retro compilation of classic ironic rave act Ilsa Gold (with Christopher Just, on Mego) and the deep electro-techno soundscapes of Current 909 (on d0c/Atmosfear).
A completely different aspect is presented by this double CD compilation of his hardcore material, released as Pure (or DJ Pure, Information:Overload, Violent Shit, PL and Slab), now available from Praxis as a double CD (Praxis 26CD). Collecting the material previously issued by Praxis itself, Loop, Drop Bass Network, as well as compilation tracks from Tigerbeat6, Biomechanic and a support compilation for the EKH, Vienna's only squat. Almost like a history of hardcore of the '90s from dark acid to harsh noise.
Not only was most of the material released on limited edition vinyl, and now unavailable, all the hits, collaborations and rarities are here, including previously unreleased tracks:
CD1 starting off with the deceptively titled CD-ROM section (not for easy listening) - it's the audio track of a data CD - but soon delving into the hammering beats of Information:Overload, shifting into the satanic abyss of "Anoint me with the Black Sperm of Beleth" by Slab, before exercising "Analogue Terror" from the Drop Bass Network EP of the same title, already showing the variety of approaches even within the industrial hardcore realm. This is further illustrated by the various collaborations with other activists and hardcore experimenters of the time. Not only is the near-legendary "Violent Shit" EP featured, there are three more, previously unreleased tracks from this collaboration with Ec8or (at the time a Patric C. solo project), as well as the devastating "Killer Bees on Acid" produced with the late Liza N'Eliaz.
CD2 opens with another cult item: "Speeed" by Pure vs. GTI, originally released as a one-sided limited 12" on Loop, before continuing the journey in carefully chosen order through material defying the borders of "industrial" and "hardcore".
The bulk of the material was recorded and released between 1994 and 1999 - it appears that Pure decided after his massive "King Kong/Katharsis" on Praxis that he had said what he needed to say in this musical format. This double CD (on which "King Kong" is featured in its full 15 minute glory) is testimony to the insistence, depth and violence as well as the heterogenity of his artistic vision.

ROBERT LIPPOK - Falling Into Kom�it
CD Monika Enterprise 37
www.monika-enterprise.de

Robert Lippok's "Falling into Kom�it" might be called a remix-album but it is rather a tribute. The idea of reinterpreting Kom�it's full-length album "Falling into Place" (m25) settled when he - among others - participated in a remix 12" ("Falling back together") to the album.
Now, almost two years since, he has realized his idea and finished "Falling into Kom�it". The album is a very simple, very personal way of paying credit to Kom�it's universe of tender and fragile, minimalistic songs. Robert Lippok has been very careful not to destroy or to boldly paint over the distinctive structure of the songs but to keep their character and still to create something new that carries along his idea of music in general and Kom�it's music in particular.
This album is also about passion. It is about music as a passion, which is able to express emotions, thoughts and dreams, and about the many different ways and materials that make this expression possible.
And above all it is about a very classical and beautiful understanding of music (which might have gone lost a little within the context of a very fast and somehow superficial pop industry) that saves music from transitoriness: This is the idea of music as a language that is passed on, getting supplemented and thereby growing in its ability to actually describe what you want to express. It is thus similar to fairy tales and myths that constantly change in the process of narration but never actually lose their original meaning.

SECRET MOMMY - Mammal Class
Orthlorng Musork orth19
www.musork.com

The world of Secret Mommy opens its wings again to bring us his second full length on Orthlorng Musork. A world where everything is an instrument. Animals, pop-stars, appliacnces, house hold objects. Listen to a cat and Britney Spears duet as a bull plays a trumpet. In his world, everything is abused. Things are beaten, stretched and manipulated until a sound that can be mistaken for a melody is brought forth. Kids cheer, cowboys wale, and frogs sing. Secret Mommy takes his decade of experience in the Indy/Punk/Hardcore scene, culls the cynicism, wit and energy, sheds the artifice definitive of the genre and vomits daycare manipulations and tongue in cheek melodies upon celebrity doorsteps. You will dance.

TAYLOR DEUPREE - January
CD Spekk kk001
www.spekk.net

January was composed between January and may 2003. The inspiration for the CD came from my visit to Japan on a tour with 12k artists Richard Chartier and Sogar. We made many, many friends and it was one of the most enjoyable and inspirational travels I have taken in recent memory. January attempts to loosely chronicle this trip by combining the stillness of looping passages with moving and non-repeating elements. A simple metaphor for our travels and the ideas of time standing still to experience a single moment forever.
Our first morning in Tokyo there was a very heavy, yet gentle snowfall, a very vivid visual memory and the inspiration for the granular sounds in this recording. January utilizes many of the same practices and concepts of my work with loops and frozen sounds (such as on Stil.) but also adds layers of live instrumentation and voices. January features live, processed electric piano as well as vocal fragments, courtesy of Sawako. More pieces with voices were written in these sessions but did not appear on the final release. This album was written at a time in my life of great changes and new beginnings and is dedicated to my son, Nicholas, who was born on February 19th, 2003. (Text by Taylor Deupree)

THE LOOP ORCHESTRA - Not Overtly Orchestral
CD quecksilber 5
www.quecksilber-music.com

The third album by the legendary Australian LOOP ORCHESTRA in their more than 20 years of existence. All compositions are rendered with tape loops on reel-to-reel tape machines only.
The genesis of The Loop Orchestra occured in the ashes of a simple two-tape-machine-no-man-band, The Nobodies, which died in a fire in 1980. From those ashes, and with a pastiche taken from the likes of TERSE TAPES, home of seminal Australian Industrial outfit SEVERED HEADS, an ashen poultice was formed to take up further and more involved household heretical experimention, this time with reel-to-reel tape machines.
This idea was subsequently expanded upon in the studio of Sydney radio station 2MBS-fm amid a group of experimental radio programmers. Two, John Blades and Richard Fielding, were using the studio equipment as an instrument, experimenting with tape machines through processes involving cutting, dissecting, rearranging and rejoining prerecorded tape, creating tape loops and playing them back.
They felt a need to formalise their studio experimentation and so conceived the idea of creating a full blown machine orchestra. The intention of the Orchestra was for groups of instruments of an orthodox orchestra to be represented by reel-to-reel tape machines playing loops of the instruments' sounds. In 1983 an ensemble comprising 4 reel-to-reel machines playing slowly evolving tape-loop constructions, made its live debut playing a live-to-air performance in the studio of Sydney radio station 2MBS-fm in 1983, as The Loop Orchestra.
In 1990 The Loop Orchestra released its first LP. Given the extraodinary length of time between the formation of the group and the debut release it was appropriately entitled "Suspense". It was followed by a compact disc, "The Analogue Years", in 1999. The current lineup consists of John Blades, Richard Fielding, Emmanuel Gasparinatos, Patrick Gibson and Hamish MacKenzie.

WECHSEL GARLAND AND WORLD STANDARD
CD/LP staubgold 51
www.staubgold.com

Friends of the Penguin Caf� Orchestra, FS Blumm and other tea-room minimalism - this one's for you.
After two internationally acclaimed Wechsel Garland albums ("Wechsel Garland"/Morrmusic 2000, and "Liberation von History"/Karaoke Kalk 2002) and their precursor "Wunder" (also on Karaoke Kalk), Joerg Follert does no longer need an introduction, at least not in circles of electronic music aficionados.
On "The Isle" (which has already seen an exclusive release in Japan in 2003 and is now made available world-wide through Staubgold) Follert teamed up with Japanese artist Sohichiro Suzuki/World Standard, who, despite having created a body of work that stretches out over 20 years, is not very widely known in Europe. Suzuki released many of his albums through Haruomi Hosono's (Yellow Magic Orchestra) Daisyworld label.
Thematically, his work is located on the fringes of European, American and Far Eastern "exotic music".
In a loose, but harmonic sequence, the 15 tracks of "The Isle" create a mood music, which is calm and still like a summer house by the edge of the sea. Its music chirps like the steppe in Tuscany during May. This album needs no formula to function.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:00 AM

Thursday, February 12, 2004

The Independent review Sophia - People Are Like Seasons

# posted by DJ Martian 11:53 PM

This week's One World Show on Radio 1 features live experimental music from Norway: Sunkissed Live

Sunkissed is Norway's premiere House night specialising in quirky off the wall sounds - Sunkissed LIVE which you'll hear on One World is a unique more extreme off shoot of the club night showcasing some of the most off the wall and experimental electronica all live .

>> One World

MIC Norway have info on the show:

BBC Radio 1 will broadcast from the Norwegian house club Sunkissed second year on the row. Nils Petter Molv�r, Kim Hiort�y Lokal Band, Frost, Bugge Wesseltoft are among the stars to line up at concert venue Bl� January 24.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:24 PM

If I were an editor of a weekly music magazine this week's front cover would feature: Trans Am

This week's front cover choice features Trans Am, who will release a new album Liberation on Thrill Jockey on 16th February.

"Liberation is the first album on which politics have crept into their music. Their position is unambiguous. Recorded in summer and fall of 2003 at National Recording Studio, built by the band in 1998, Liberation reflects and contains sounds of the tension coursing through the city. The hum of swirling helicopters, the din of police sirens, and culture of fear have become omnipresent in Washington, DC. It was in this environment that Trans Am finished their seventh album. Recorded live with the window of the studio open, the police car driving past their city studio was caught on tape. Today, on a normal commute through DC, one is likely to encounter a Humvee on the side of the road- not a workout guru's Hummer, but the real thing with mounted machine guns, surrounded by desert camouflage. New York's skyline is the most radically altered in the past three years, but life in Washington is palpably different."

# posted by DJ Martian 10:36 PM

MediaGuardian.co.uk report on the latest ABC audited sales figures of UK Music Magazines.

The only magazines to increase circulation are the retro focused monthlies Uncut and Mojo.

Uncut has increased sales by 22% in the past year to 111,167

Mojo has a 4% increase in the past year to 104,437

meanwhile in the battle of the weeklies, that these days are aimed at teenage rockers:
NME down 1.1% year on year at 72,557
Kerrang at 69,961

Useless magazines such as mainstream rock/ pop mag Q have sales plummeting 10% year-on-year and Mixmag [still stuck in the 90s with a formula of superclubs/ drugs surveys/ pictures of clubbing/ and Ibiza all summer .zzzzz boredom] has yearly sales declining by 16 %.

# posted by DJ Martian 5:54 PM

music blog to check: proleptic dot com from "Lauren" who seems to like compiling ace compilation mix cds.

# posted by DJ Martian 1:59 PM

Hackneyed Central reviews the forthcoming Superpitcher album 'Here Comes Love' on Kompakt.

# posted by DJ Martian 1:54 PM

Junkmedia profile Ninja Tune records

What can we expect from you in 2004?

Three new signings/releases in the form of Sixtoo, Blockhead, Diplo. New Ty record. Zen retrospectives & DVD. New records later in the year from Infinite Livez, Big Jus, Wagon Christ, and a whole lot more.

# posted by DJ Martian 1:49 PM

The Durutti Column: 2004

The Durutti Column plans for 2004, include a new album and release of a retrospective compilation.

The new album 'Untitled' will be released soon. For a track listing and more info, watch this space!

Another new album 32 track 'Definative Collection' which will be released on London Records in February/March 2004.The Durutti Column are to play a tour of the UK in support of the release.

The UK tour will take place in April, so maybe this compilation will be delayed till then.

# posted by DJ Martian 1:10 PM

Strange Attactors Audio House have signed Detroit, Michigan's psychedelic space-rockers Paik to their label. Paik's forthcoming album: Satin Black is scheduled for a June 8th release.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:25 AM

NEW KINSKI ALBUM in MAY

Kinski will release a new album: Don't Climb On and Take the Holy Water on Strange Attractors on May 4th

Strange Attractors is as blissed out as the Seattle quartet to
announce the pending release if Kinski's inner-space experiments. Entitled
Don't Climb On and Take the Holy Water_, the CD is brimming with drones,
tones and mellow glissandos.

Slated for release May 4, 2004 - stay tuned for details.

Source: Strange-Attractors e-mail

# posted by DJ Martian 12:01 AM

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

NEW ALBUM: STEFFEN BASHO-JUNGHANS

Forthcoming on Strange-Attractors: Steffen Basho-Junghans - 7 Books [Release Date: April 6, 2004]

After re-exposing his roots to the compositional acoustic guitar tradition
with the pastoral, utterly grandiose Rivers and Bridges (SAAH010, 2003),
steel-string guitar maverick Steffen Basho-Junghans ups the ante with his
ninth album (fourth for Strange Attractors), a sprawling and vastly
intricate double album entitled 7 Books. The final entry in a series of
inter-related albums exploring a new sound possibility and approach to the
acoustic guitar, 7 Books returns to the remarkable excursions into the heart
and soul of the instrument that first raised eyebrows towards the
Berlin-based artist. With over two hours of music spread across two discs,
7 Books finds Basho-Junghans stretching way out, mutating the steel string
tradition into the most elaborate excursion into sound and composition that
has ever fluttered from his fingertips. Minimalism, Eastern raga,
trance-inducing repetition, Spectralist tonal investigations, folk and
American fingerstyle steel-string tradition coalesce into one astounding
epic for the solo acoustic guitar.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:57 PM

Blentwell

For the downloaders and mix set folks >> Blentwell

Blentwell is an ongoing document of the evolution of blended music. A daily updated link log of hot mixsets and fresh new tracks heard online. With the forced shutting of many of the leaders in the online mix music space, Blentwell is required as a roadmap to the ever fragmenting world of mixed music.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:53 PM

NYC's Other Music review the latest releases: The Other Music Update

NEW RELEASES
Arthur Russell (unreleased tracks)
Isan
Casino Vs. Japan
Liars (CD single)
KMD (Best of)

Sublime Frequencies (new compilations)
Spiritualized (Complete Works Vol. 2)
Probot
Rafael Toral
Valley of the Giants

JUST IN
Zen, Zen RMX, & Zen TV
(Ninja Tune compilations and DVD)

# posted by DJ Martian 11:42 PM

BBC Music review Skyphone - Fabula

Also reviewed on Rune Grammofon this compilation: Various Artists, Money Will Ruin Everything

Inside that book/record cover, label boss Rune Kristofferson talks about 4AD, ECM, Tzadik and Factory as influences. It's clear he values the ethos and identity of the label, as much as the happenstance of recording a bunch of good musicians in a particular place and time. With RG's distributors ECM in particular, there is excellence across every aspect of its operation - a label which has consistently engendered the kind of brand values and astonishingly committed fanbase which corporations can only dream of.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:17 PM

BBC Music review Chick Lyall - Broken Poems

Caledonian piano star Lyall teams up with Swedish saxophonist Joakim Milder for an album of engaging, lyrical euro-jazz...

Broken Poems is worth an hour of anyone's time; if you find yourself in need of some lyrical, engaging jazz that stands up to anything ECM have put out of late, you could do far worse than this unassuming gem of a record.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:09 PM

Strawberry Bricks: Progressive Rock History

Strawberry Bricks provides a yearly analysis from 1967 - 1979, a "Progressive Rock Timeline".

Worth a browse through, it includes some albums reviews for ambient, fusion, krautrock, space rock, psychedelic and crossover art-rock/pop [e.g roxy music] artists alongside the more well known and obscure progressive rock artists.

It's not a complete analysis of progressive music in the 70s.. no ecm jazz, also Miles Davis is left out, Brian Eno albums missing, no entries for Can, Ash Ra Temple, Klaus Schulze and the new wave emerging progressive-post-punk sounds of Magazine, Police, This Heat, Ultravox etc for example are not covered.

# posted by DJ Martian 6:37 PM

Nick @ Hackneyed Central has an interview with Ricardo Villalobos

# posted by DJ Martian 2:53 PM

Flavorpill - weekly ezine

flavorpill

flavorpill is an email magazine covering a handpicked selection of music, art, and cultural events � delivered each Tuesday afternoon. Subscription is free, and all listings are pure editorial, written by local flavorpill writers. Spread it...

Flavorpill comes in 4 editions NYC, LA, San Fran, and London. Sign up for their newsletter.

The music covered: avant rock, hip hop, experimental electronic and leftfield dance music.

The current Flavorpill - London

Main index for Flavorpill - London

# posted by DJ Martian 2:48 PM

Max Richter - The Blue Notebooks

This album will be released by FatCat on 23rd February:

Max Richter's 'The Blue Notebooks' is the fourth release on FatCat's 130701 imprint.
Richter is a British-based, German-born pianist and composer. Following 2002's highly-acclaimed 'Memoryhouse' - performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and released on the BBC's classical label, Late Junction - 'The Blue Notebooks' is his second solo album, a distinctive and adventurous work that is beautifully recorded and cinematic in scope.

Opening with a text from Franz Kafka over a sparse piano melody, the album moves through gorgeous, heart-wrenching string swells; through to sparse but lyrical piano pieces; hazy, swirling atmospherics, avalanche pulse-beats and partially occluded melodies that recall Aphex twin's 'Ambient Works' albums; and to reverberant organ / choir recordings. The tone of the album is generally domnbeat - a series of bittersweet articulations that seem suspended somewhere between a certain dreamy sense of wonder / awe and a heavy melancholia.

Peppered across Richter's music like diary entries are a number of literary texts (taken from Kafka's 'the Blue Octavo notebooks', and from Polish author Czseslaw Milosz's 'Hymn Of The Pearl' and 'Unattainable Earth'). Chosen by Richter on instinct, they were recorded by the British actress, Tilda Swinton. These brief passages muse over time, memory, and the impermanent nature of things. The album is available on CD only and comes with a gorgeous 12-page book of photos and text.

Source: FatCat e-mail.

# posted by DJ Martian 1:36 PM

That eccentric critic, Glenn Mcdonald from The War Against Silence: presents in table format >> 2003 Pazz & Jop critical alignment ratings

taking sides: conformist consensus peers at the top vs individualistic eccentric listeners at the bottom

# posted by DJ Martian 12:55 AM

Pazz & Jop 2003

It does seem that Americans on ILM take the Pazz & Jop results analysis very seriously. But why bother when the outmoded methodology results in this:

Pazz & Jop 2003 - Album Winners

Just scroll through the first 3 screens, top 120 listed - there is a large chunk of albums listed that I would happily meltdown rather than listen to, or would be ripe for ridicule in a Mr Agreeable /TTT style Melody Maker column.

A point example, I had the misfortune to listen to a The Shins track on the radio recently, utterly retrogressive and bland rock with whiney rawk vocals and shoddy production - is collectively voted number 6 album of the year.

I am repeating myself every year, but it don't rate the American Rock critical establishment that seems to revolve around publications like Spin, Magnet, Rolling Stone and alt weeklies - all listening to the same promo parcels sent by the same pr companies.

Why so much organisational resources, time, effort goes into this poll - when the methodology is total whack/ inappropriate for the modern era - only ten choices for a whole year - utterly baffles me.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:10 AM

Tuesday, February 10, 2004

Playlouder report on an Eat Your Own Ears event in London on April 30th curated by Kieran Hebden:

Eat Your Own Ears will be curated by Four Tet on the 30th April with some rather smashing guests, all at the new theatre of the absurd, the Coronet in Elephant, London.

The gig, taking place on the 30th of April, will include Four Tets chums: Fennesz, Dabrye, Matthew Dear, Manitoba, Explosions in the Sky, Animal Collective, Icarus, some Warp Djs and more artists to be announced.

Doors will be open from 9pm.

>> eat your on ears

# posted by DJ Martian 7:35 PM

A useful web tool: ChangeDetection.com

Now anyone can automatically monitor any web page for changes. It's free!

At any point you can turn off monitoring ("unsubscribe") by simply following the instructions in the email you receive.

No boring registration forms, just put the URL you want to monitor and your e-mail address into the ChangeDetection wizard. The only downside to the service is that you can only enter one URL at a time, so to set up several multiple websites to monitor can be repetitive.

Useful to monitor news sections of artist websites, or record labels or whatever your interests.

# posted by DJ Martian 2:45 PM

The next 3 specials on The Breezeblock show on Radio 1

16th Feb
The Bug with two MCs

23rd Feb
Ghostly International
Pick of the labels

1st March
Youngsters mix
F Comm faves on the ones and twos

# posted by DJ Martian 1:27 PM

indieworkshop.com review Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles

This is the first great album I�ve heard this year...

# posted by DJ Martian 1:14 PM

Siouxsie and the Banshees B Sides Box Set and BBC Reissues

Lexicon Magazine report this will be titled: Downside Up and expected in June.

also.....the Banshees will also be releasing all their BBC live sessions on their own Wonderland label titled Voices (On The Air).

As mentioned on www.untiedundone.com

A Siouxsie and the Banshees b-side box set including over fifty tracks (tentatively titled "Downside Up") is in development. A collection of BBC sessions as well as a compilation DVD are also possible

# posted by DJ Martian 1:07 PM

The latest Ozric Tentacles news: The release date for "Spirals In Hyperspace" is set for March 16th.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:58 PM

Ananova report that Steve Lillywhite will produce the new U2 album.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:54 PM

The latest The Breezeblock Tracklistings on Radio 1, includes a Headline DJ Set - HIVE and KEATON, who mix up the latest jungle sounds.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:40 PM

Music blog to check, by music writer mark p: three*two*warszawa

# posted by DJ Martian 12:40 PM

The Brainwashed Brain

This week's The Brainwashed Brain includes reviews of:

Ghost - Hypnotic Underworld
Drag City

Eight Frozen Modules - The Abduction of Barry
Orthlong Musork

SixToo - Almost A Dot On The Map
Vertical Form

Last week's The Brainwashed Brain

Esmerine - If Only a Sweet Surrender to the Nights to Come Be True
Resonant

ISAN - Meet Next Life
Morr Music

Arthur Russell - The World Of Arthur Russell
Soul Jazz

Greg Davis - Curling Pond Woods
Carpark

Jonas Bering - Sketches for the Next Season
Kompakt

# posted by DJ Martian 12:05 AM

Explosions in the Sky are in Session on The John Peel show on Wednesday.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:01 AM

Monday, February 09, 2004

Brainwashed Releases has been updated.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:56 PM

New Releases @ Piccadilly Records

Some new releases listed in the weekly guide [via e-mail] from Manchester's music emporium: Piccadilly Records

Bikini Atoll - Moratoria
Bella Union

The band are named after the notorious island where the US government lovingly tested their nuclear bombs in the 50s, and it's from here that their debut draws its themes of desolation and darkness. But this isn't a record steeped in doom and gloom, it's bigger and more romantic than that. It's choc full of indie rock epics with solid grooves, hooky guitar riffs and delicate and touching melodies. An impressive debut!!

David Byrne - Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Thrill Jockey

David Byrne returned to his birthplace, Scotland, to compose the score "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" ? the soundtrack for "Young Adam", David Mackenzie's forthcoming movie adaptation of Alexander Trocchi's cult novel of the same name. The film, an entirely Scottish production, is set against a very grim and repressed post-war Scotland. In order to capture that mood, both MacKenzie and Byrne agreed that working with a group of Glaswegian musicians would be ideal. Byrne put together an ensemble of contemporary Scottish musicians that include Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian, The Delgados and Appendix Out.

Clear Horizon - Clear Horizon
Kranky

Clear Horizon is a collaborative project of Dave Pearce (Flying Saucer Attack) and Jessica Bailiff. An album of folk infused ethereal songs and sound passages drenched in white noise, punctuated by blissful vocals.

Coachwhips - Bangers Vs Fuckers
Narnack

San Franciscan 3-piece with front man John Dwyer hollerin' and bashing the guitar, the Coachwhips dish out a brutal melee of distorto garage spuzz ala the Mummies or the Gossip meets the explosive nature of say, Arab On Radar or Lightning Bolt. A three way mash up of guitar, drums and keyboards makes this ass-shaking rumpus absolutely the sound of 2004. Not garage, not blues punk, just really good danceable noisy rock and roll without any pretence!

Felt - Me And A Monkey On The Moon
Cherry Red

Having laid down a whole catalogue of classics during the 80s on Cherry Red and then Creation, Felt moved to ?l to assume something of the label's style. A surprisingly enigmatic record known only to the band's hard-core following, but indeed essential to any with a weakness for the inventive guitar pop propagated by this group. With this album Lawrence achieved his aim of releasing 10 albums in 10 years.

Flying Virgins - Your Spectacular Light
Quartermain

Flying Virgins play extraordinary and floating rock music which with starting point in the American, noise rock scene, add a Nordic aspect to the music where electronic aids work together with string ensembles, fascinating tunes, noisy guitars and fine vocals. "Your Spectacular Light" is a very welcome alternative for those who appreciate the unlimited and twisted universe of the creators of style such as Sonic Youth, Flaming Lips and The Delgados.

Litmus - Litmus
Armehund

String arrangements of Manc classics from this quartet who recently performed at the launch for the Peter Saville exhibition at Urbis in Manchester. Includes covers of Joy Division, The Stone Roses, New Order Happy Mondays, The Smiths and Oasis amongst others.

Mr. Airplane Man - C'mon DJ
Sympathy For The Record Industry

From the eerie sexy reverb-heavy land of Memphis comes the third release by Boston's female two piece Mr. Airplane Man. Recorded with the high minister of sultry melancholy soul Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound, Oblivians), "C'mon DJ" is full of tough hypnotic mesmerizing sounds. Containing covers that run the gamut from Howlin Wolf to the Wailers to Chuck Berry to the Outsider, their own take on bluesy rock, dreamy "Girls In The Garage" style pop and explosive raw yearning.

90 Day Men - Panda Park
Southern

This seven tracker from Chicago's 90 Day Men, is built around various keyboard / synth sounds. Merging the flamboyant cabaret of "Low" era Bowie and with swirling prog-ish riffs, expressive vocals and post rock meanderings.

Parts & Labor / Tyondai Braxton - Rise, Rise, Rise
Narnack

Brooklyn's most anticipated artists pairing up. This split album will define the current flow of the NY scene. Tyondai Braxton is of course son to jazz guru Anthony Braxton. Ty is also currently in Battles (featuring members of Don Cabellero & Tomahawk).

The Scientists - Pissed On Another Planet
Citadel

In the late 70's Perth (Australia) actually had a thriving punk rock scene of its own, developing independently of what was going on elsewhere in the country. From that scene was spawned the Scientists. With their swamp rock / proto-grunge formula, they travelled to Sydney then London, insidiously infecting others as they went. The Scientists' "Pissed On Another Planet" chronicles the early days for this band. All that stuff that's fetching outrageous prices on E-bay and beloved of bootleggers the world over. For the uninitiated, here is the place to start, for the collectors, here is your chance to play some of your favourite music without wearing out your precious vinyl!

Shesus - Loves You... Loves You Not
Narnack

Comprised of an all-star lineup (ex-Breeders, GBV, Brainiac) Shesus is harmonizing beauties and dueling guitars, in brooding rhythm. With remixes done by legendary producer, Robert Carranza (Beck, Blackalicious, Folk Implosion) and produced by John Curley (Afghan Whigs), the buzz surrounding this debut is highly deserved.

X27 - Your Favourite Neu Band
Narnack

X27 is currently a Brooklyn three-piece headed by the dynamic duo of Chicago underground legends Rikkeh Suhtn (Duotron) on electric guitar and boy voice and Carmen X on bass and girl voice. X27 spews caveman mojo with screeching sound while boasting futuristic electric fear. Fans will crawl away from the speakers battered, bruised and naked but more alive than ever before.

Various Artists / If Only You Were Lonely
Agenda / Peacefrog

Following on from Agenda's critically acclaimed "Another Country" compilation ? "If Only?" is an album about falling in love that, inevitably, you will fall in love with. Featuring the song writing talents of Low, Richard Hawley, Ron Sexsmith, James Yorkston, Willard Grant Conspiracy and more. It emphasizes these contemporary songwriters' ability to seize on the gracious, transcendent qualities of the oldest genre in the book, this album is a moving, life-affirming collection that paints love in all its truly miraculous, heart-ravaging, head-spinning colours.

Einsturzende Neubauten - Perpetuum Mobile
Mute

"Perpetuum Mobile" is an album of catastrophes and rushing natural forces ? tornadoes, tsunamis, tidal waves; a pandemonium of catastrophes that accompany the flight movements. For the album, the band have used a novel and unusual production approach. Webcams were installed at the Neubauten studio in Berlin to transmit the entire creative process via the Internet on their homepage, www.neubauten.org. Fans were granted access to the site, and at fixed times they had the opportunity to watch the creative process live and to send their comments live to the band. There were a number of tracks, says Blixa Bargeld, that the band would have abandoned after a few attempts, but continued to work on because the supporters insisted on their completion.

Front Line Assembly - Civilization
SPV

Brand new album from FLA, still with all the trademark Fulber / Leeb touches, but with a new twist.

Kaptein Kaliber - LP! Digitalt Remastret
Telle

This LP consists of the best bits from the duo's "Pop Ultra" picture disc trilogy. As with much of the music that comes out of Norway on Telle, Kaptein Kaliber's sound is quite hard to pin-point, moving between disco, electro-pop, downbeat, avant rock and mellow indie. Includes Magnet (ooh, Andy'll be interested) and Bjorn Torske guesting. All that and a DJ penguin on the cover - you can't say no really!!

Various Artists / Nag Nag Nag
React

London's legendary club finally get round to putting out a compilation of their favourite songs. They divide it down the middle between oldies (new wave) and newies (which they call no wave, but we'll just call it electroclash). Includes Radio 4, DJ T, Crazy Girl, Mysterymen, Chicks On Speed, Atomizer, Gina X, Adam & The Ants (with the pre-pop classic "Zerox"), Bauhaus (with the oh-my-god-i'd-forgotten-how-punk-funk-these-goths-were "Kick In The Eye") (which I used to play down at MCR Poly gay friday night disco in 1984), Fad Gadget, Virgin Prunes, Devo etc.

The Science Group - Spoors
RER

An album of insanely intense progressive rock, written by classical composer Tickmayer, and played by internationally known artists Chris Cutler (Henry Cow, Pere Ubu), Bob Drake (5UUs), and Mike Johnson (Thinking Plague). The music seems to change course frantically, and fuses calypsos, Queen songs, kitsch easy listening, fragments of Bartok, Henry Cow, Yes and Judas Priest at will.

Beans - Now, Soon, Someday
Warp

Following his break-out debut album "Tomorrow Right Now" in February 2003 and a year performing his way around the world (supporting The Rapture and Out Hud amongst others), former Anti Pop Consortium mainman Beans returns with a 9 track mini-album, featuring six brand new tracks and exclusive remixes by Prefuse 73 and EL-P. Recent additions to the Beans fan club include Gilles Peterson, Andrew Weatherall, Trevor Jackson (Beans has recently remixed Output act Circlesquare), Miss Kitten and Dani Siciliano.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:32 PM

Musique Machine present 2003 yearlists

There can't be many more significant 2003 best of lists left to come in, Terrorizer magazine ofcourse and then that pointless exercise Pazz & Jop poll [organised by Village Voice] that due it's methodology distorts results to the predictable obvious high profile artists at the top echelons - and serves no purpose.

[I have not forgotten my 360 degrees analysis overview/ genre breakdown snapshot of 2003. Coming soon.]

# posted by DJ Martian 5:06 PM

Pitchfork assess the reissued back catalogue of progressive rockers Yes - from the debut album in 1971 to 1983's 90125.

# posted by DJ Martian 4:45 PM

New Steve Roach Album

Info on Steve Roach's website: Steve Roach - Fever Dreams scheduled for release April 6th on Projekt

Within the opening moments of FEVER DREAMS' first track, "Wicked Fever" featuring Patrick O'Hearn on bass, it is clear that a new chapter is opening on Steve Roach's long and winding pursuit of potent soundworlds far off the traveled path. Throughout the disc, the music's foundation is built upon long mid-tempo hybrid grooves with strong bass elements created from a combination of acoustic and electronic means. Steve Roach's atmospheric and loop-spun melodic guitar textures rise and fall, intermix with his synth and computer alchemy to create an aura of complex emotional import. The overall feeling of FEVER DREAMS is one shrouded in an exotic amber-colored light filtering through an overgrown mental landscape of last night's lingering fever dreams; the sensual atmosphere can be most felt on the 30-minute track "Tantra Mantra" featuring percussionist Byron Metcalf. This floating, hypnotic groove meditation sets the course on a new direction which will be presented over the three interconnected "Fever releases" planned throughout 2004.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:49 PM

Sunday, February 08, 2004

This week's The Freak Zone on 6 Music features a retrospective on Momus.

# posted by DJ Martian 8:49 PM

This Week's New Releases @ Boomkat

This week's new releases @ Boomkat - A Pelicanneck Online Music Store include:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK!
Donato Wharten - Trabanten
City Centre Offices

The year starts for us at CCO with the debut release from Donato Wharten - born in Cardiff, Wales and and raised in Stuttgart, a master of theatrical music pieces and soundtrack work that just doesn't stop tugging at your subconscious. With influences that very openly span the spectrum of styles from Hip Hop to Jazz to the rock of Hendrix or the minimalism of Vladislav Delay, Donato works on a level that speaks largely to the soul as it fades away in the midnight hours, slipping into somewhere else. Without trying to describe the tracks in detail and bring up boring overused metaphors, `Trabanten' finds its sounds in broken machines and secret instruments, building feather-lined melodies and lullabies that have taken years to sculpt, forming their own timeless narrative. This is the sort of album that defies its complexity by speaking a subtle universal language - much in the same way that `The Books' endeared itself to so many - you're never quite sure how to describe this magical music you're listening to, but somehow it all makes sense. This is very personal music, switch the lights off and keep it very very close to your chest. Gorgeous

ALBUM OF THE WEEK!
Isan - Meet Next Life
Morr Music

It's been two and a half long years since Anthony Ryan and Robin Saville, aka ISAN, delivered their last album, the sublime "Lucky Cat". Their rarities compilation "Clockwork Menagerie" tempered the impatient with a collection of songs believed to be long lost. Meanwhile Robin and Antony were concentrating on bringing their machines out to play live performances for the benefit of all at shows like Sonar, Big Chill and Benicassim amongst others. Now it's once again time that ISAN open the gates to their secret garden with the release of their full length album, "Meet Next Life". At first glance everything seems similar, rows of soldered synthesisers hum happily, Robin and Antony walk amongst circuit boards, stroking three note chords on old chipped keyboards or offering kind words to an ageing drum computer... A closer look amongst the flowers and butterflies, reveals several new additions - a guitar, a glockenspiel and other percussion instruments have also been rescued for love and affection. These new residents help ISAN, organising the blurry outlines of dreamy landscapes, the pictures now becoming sounds. Still recognisable in typical softness and harmony, yet more dynamic and physical: a trait of their new, more frequent excursions through real landscapes to live shows. Their return sees them homesick and longing, they return to their machines and begin, once again, to dream of landscapes. The sound is an ethereal template of perfection - analogue electronics have very rarely sounded more soothing. Sublime.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK!
Sixtoo - The Psyche Years
Vertical Form

When Sixtoo's "Antagonist Survival Kit" album made its way to us last year, Vaughn Robert Squire was an underground hip hop master with a dedicated following of beat believers. Fast forward a year and the scene is buzzing with a hum of expectation for his forthcoming Ninja Tune debut and clamoring to secure scarce copies of his substantial and incredibly hard to find back catalogue releases. "The Psyche Years", brought to us on the mighty Vertical Form imprint, goes a long way in assembling the man's best missing work. It's an immensely deep, super-heavy 21-track trawl through his back pages, from cassette-only juvenalia through tenderfoot outings on tiny local labels like Ant to Toronto's Hand'Solo and on to blessed Anticon endorsement and thus the full twisted maturity that is the contemporary Sixtoo phenomenon. This is one man's crazed arc - a wild learning curve that acts like a barometer of hip-hop's leftfield cutting edge since the late mid-90s, right up to the present day. The opening self-referential "Destroy" sets the mood perfectly, but even a relatively by-the-numbers track like "Grimey Inks The Moment" leavens its distopian Dr Dre stylings with lines about `pencil cases'. Jazz samples and cut-up dulcimers lend "Caukazoid Germ" and "One Lost World" some poignant, unquestionably musical atmospheres, even as the rhymes dive toward outright pessimism. From then on in it's a blast - albeit a dark, claustrophobic one - taking in delightful, vocal-less detours, sonorous cellos, new age breakdowns and more, all of it evincing an artist for whom hip-hop is just a license to explore. A perfect opportunity for his many fans to gather together the loose threads of the prodigious Vaughn Squire's work so far, The Psyche Years is also a chance for the world to get its breath back, before he leads us once more into regions as yet unknown. Killer.

Einsturzende Neubauten - Perpetuum Mobile
Mute

`Perpetuum Mobile' tells of changes: flux, movement, and transit. In it are a number of catastrophes and rushing natural forces - tornadoes, tsunamis, tidal waves; a pandemonium of catastrophes that accompany the flight movements. For the album, the band have used a novel and unusual production approach. Webcams were installed at the Neubauten studio in Berlin to transmit the entire creative process via the Internet on their homepage, www.neubauten.org. Fans were granted access to the site, guaranteeing the financial independence of the production, and at fixed times they had the opportunity to watch the creative process live and to send their comments live to the band. All the sessions broadcast - and later also the rough mix versions - are filed in an archive that is still available online. There were a number of tracks, says Blixa Bargeld, that the band would have abandoned after a few attempts, but continued to work on because the supporters insisted on their completion. �Blixa Bargeld describes one constant theme on the album: "There's not one single track which doesn't talk about the wind, the storm - where it isn't mentioned explicitly, you can at least hear it." As featured in this month's wire.

Proem - Socially Inept
Merck

Mr Richard Bailey, aka Proem, has been publicly quiet for a while, but privately busy making `Socially Inept', the most densely emotive proem record to date. His second album on merck, and fourth in total, it's described by bailey himself as "sweeter than a triple chocolate peanut butter mousse", loosely translated as a drifting, crunchy and evocative display of electronic construction at its tightest. Much like Arovane's work for the Din label or Sense, the emphasis here is on layers of melody that aim straight at the most nostalgic carriages of the memory - childlike in their simplicity despite the intricate crunch of the surrounding beats. As such its an emotional listen and one that sits perfectly within the Merck catalogue..Recommended.

Beans - Now, Soon, Someday
Warp

Following his break-out debut album `Tomorrow Right Now' in February 2003 and a year performing his way around the world (supporting The Rapture among others), former Anti Pop Consortium mainman Beans returns with a 9 track mini-album, featuring 6 brand new tracks and exclusive remixes by Prefuse 73 and EL-P. The flavour here is a stripped digital and always cutting flow of sharp stabs and biting delivery, featuring an almost dubwise underlay that makes itself most evident with the constant barrage of low-end abuse and the smokey haze of the atmosphere it creates. "Databreaker" and "Structure Tone" keep this in mind to most devastating effect - and ultimately shape the pattern of the album - each line and rhyme playing counterpart to an unmistakably crisp, sharp, digital arrangement of beats and tones. Check.

Octavius - Audio Noir
Mush

Octavius has striven to perfect his amalgam of hip hop, electronic and avant rock music in the San Francisco underground over the past four years. This new release looks to establish Octavius as a purveyor of even more elaborate territories of sound. Experimental freak-outs collide with classic song structures, tension and attitude give way to raw vulnerability, and octavius' vocal and production techniques are employed to unnerving effect. New on Mush.

Bark Psychosis - Replay
Third Stone

Bark Psychosis were one of the leading innovators of drift post-rock during their active period of 1988 to 1994. Their use of samples to create textural soundscapes brings a whole new sound to the genre. Post Rock was speared-headed by bark psychosis when the genre was staid and unchanging, one of their innovations founded on the use of volume, not too exciting you might think but as the barrage of guitars gives way to the soft vocals and synthesizers you'll notice the dynamics that infuse their work. The artwork feature photographs of the St Johns church where this live recording was made back in 1991, The Situation perfectly reflecting the style of bark psychosis and their unique sound enhanced by acoustics.

Clear Horizon - Clear Horizon
Kranky

Clear Horizon is the culmination of two years of tape trading across the Atlantic between Jessica Bailiff and David Pearce (Flying Saucer Attack). Suffused with folky textures and bleached white noise (often simultaneously), the album collects the band's first formative recordings. Both Bailiff and Pearce contribute vocals and guitar, with piano, various effects and occasional percussive elements entering into the mix as well. Although the resulting nine songs do embody some of each member's trademark sounds; something strange, interesting and new seems to have developed in their fusion here as clear horizon. Check.

Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Domino

You've read all the articles, browsed through the fashion suppliments and hummed along to the radioplay countless times - now check the album! Franz Ferdinand are Glasgow's answer to the Strokes - fuss-free, catchy as hell and hugely glamorous, this is what the 3-minute pop song is all about. Its hard to tell if there's a bit of an emperor's new clothes thing going on here - so to help you decide dip into these 11 new songs and for a limited time only on the cd edition - an extra Live recording from at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. Check

Various / Agenda - If Only You Were Lonely
Agenda / Peacefrog

Truly lovely compilation from Peacefrog's more ecclectic subdivision - Agenda. Following on from the acclaimed `Another Country' compilation - `If Only...' is a cornball-clich� & saccharine-free album of love songs from the deep country. This is an album about falling in love that, inevitably, you will fall in love with. Featuring the great song writing talents of Low, Richard Hawley, Ron Sexsmith, James Yorkston, Willard Grant Conspiracy & more, it's quite obvious that the tracks were compiled lovingly and with genuine affection for the fabulous material at hand - designed to emphasize contemporary songwriters' ability to seize on the gracious, transcendent qualities of the oldest genre in the book. It's a moving, life-affirming collection that paints love in all its truly miraculous, heart-ravaging, head-spinning colours. Recommended.

Triple R / Various - Selection 2
Trapez

After his storming, smooth mix cd 'Friends' for Kompakt, Riley Reinhold roughs it up a touch more, combining tracks from Trapez and the highly sought after Trapez Limited sublabel. Opening with Donnacha Costello's awesome Pleite, our all time favourite Trapez track, Riley showcases the diversity and flexibility of this house favourite label. The mix ranges from Sarah Goldfarb's Theo Parrish-esque 'Euben', to the dancefloor frenzy of Oliver Hacke's 'Vampir..'. Riley's own 'Count' from the hugely well received 'Airfix' ep appears and the large Steve Bug remix of Jeff Samuels closes. The full artist lineup is as follows : Pleite (aka Donnacha Costello), Hansen & DJ Daniel, Dialogue, Akufen, Riley Reinhold & Steve Barnes, Unknown, Jeremy p. Caulfield, Oliver Hacke, Rahn, Jeff Samuel, M.I.A., Marcos Carbal and Sarah Goldfarb.

# posted by DJ Martian 6:36 PM

SPOTLIGHT...KEY NEW RELEASES FOR WEEK: [February 2nd]

Key new album releases for February 2nd [A more detailed release listing including other new releases, compilations and reissues - can be found further up this webpage.]

Ai Phoenix - I've Been Gone - Letter One (Racing Junior)
Ammon Contact - Sounds Like Everything (Plug Research) [UK Release 2004]
Ascii Disko - Ascii Disko (Lado)
Iain Ballamy/ Stian Carstensen - Little Radio (Sound)
Thavius Beck - Decomposition (Mush)
Bikini Atoll - Moratoria (Bella Union)
Chib - Moco (FatCat)
Cordion - Cordion (Beatservice) [UK Release 2004]
Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - 11 Instances of Dead Letters and Words (Ideal) [Available at Rough Trade]
Matthew Dear - Leave Luck to Heaven (Ghostly International) [UK Release 2004]
Electrelane - The Power Out (Too Pure)
Fuck - Those Are Not My Bongos (Homesleep)
Russ Gabriel - The Other Side (Emoticon)
Ghost - Hypnotic Underworld (Drag City) [Import: available at Amazon.co.uk]
Gork - Fishing For Snirks (Planet Noise)
In Strict Confidence - Holy (Metropolis)
OOO - Upon Circles (Planet Mu)
Premonitions of War - Left in Kowloon (Victory)
Sequel - Motoriized Instinct (Sonar Kollektiv)
Shadow Huntaz - Corrupt Data (Skam)
Skyphone - Fabula (Rune Grammofon)
Stereolab - Margerine Eclipse (Duophonic UHF)
Telefon Tel Aviv - Map of What Is Effortless (Hefty)
Vive La Fete - Nuit Blanche (Surprise) [UK Release 2004]

# posted by DJ Martian 5:22 PM

e|i magazine

What to expect in the forthcoming issue of e|i magazine

ISSUE 3
+ AVAILABLE MARCH/APRIL +

interviews with:
* bebe barron (half of legendary soundtrack producer team for the sf classic "forbidden planet")
* monolake
* detalles
* minamo
* aaron ximm
* kiln
* sense
- history of canadian electronica pt 2: vancouver & industrialism
- ellipsis guest columnist: terre thaemlitz
- label profiles on ground fault, sirr, die stadt, u-cover, flyrec & met life series
- nearly 200 reviews of cd, vinyl, odd-sizes, etc.
- and reams of lucid commentary & critiques

# posted by DJ Martian 5:10 PM

Saturday, February 07, 2004

BBC Collective have a feature on Ninja Tune

# posted by DJ Martian 2:44 PM

Music / culture webzine: Musical Bear that is London-centric. Smart design.

>> Sign up for their newsletter
every couple of weeks we'll email you with the latest diary of events, news about competitions, reviews and goodies. we won�t spam you. ever.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:35 AM

Pitchfork have updated the release dates section of their website.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:13 AM

Friday, February 06, 2004

Dusted review Metal Urbain - Anarchy in Paris!

# posted by DJ Martian 11:42 PM

At last a music critic that doesn't buy into the hype of Franz Ferdinand, Andy Gill in The Independent delivers a dose of realism.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:31 PM

Almost Cool review n.ln - Astronomy For Children

# posted by DJ Martian 11:26 PM

Mixing It >> Mixing It

This week's Mixing It show on Radio 3 is well worth a listen. [Available on demand anytime for 7 days after broadcast on Friday night]

Including avant chamber rock music from Belgium, by Univers Zero

Univers Zero: Partch X-Ray (5'20)
This is taken from the new Univers Zero album, due for release in May this year. The album marks a departure from the established Univers Zero sound, with its use of samples alongside the traditional acoustic instruments. The band has also been working with a video artist to create images to go with the music on their forthcoming 30th anniversary tour.
album: Implosion

plus tracks from the likes of Nobukazu Takemura, Squarepusher, OOIOO and The Bad Plus

also look out for a stunning track by Lhasa that reminded me of the music style of Stina Nordenstam

Lhasa: Soon this space will be too small (4'42)
Lhasa de Sela is a 25 year-old Canadian singer/songwriter of Mexican and American parentage, who sings in 3 languages. This track is sung from the perspective of an unborn child in increasingly cramped surroundings. Lhasa de Sela (vocals); Jean Massicotte (piano); Fran�ois Lalonde (vibes); Mario L�gar� (bass); Rick Haworth (guitars); Sheila Hannigan (cello); Marie-Soleil B�langer (violin); Bernard Falaise (guitars)
album: The Living Road

# posted by DJ Martian 11:06 PM

MIC Norway have an article on Rune Grammofon: British media impressed by Rune Grammofon

The tiny Norwegian label Rune Grammofon continues to stir excitement, especially abroad. After five years and about 30 releases, the anniversary was celebrated with a music book, Money Will Ruin Everything, which has attracted enthusiastic reviews in Britain.

[Alerted via It's a trap]

# posted by DJ Martian 11:00 PM

The Guardian review Iain Ballamy/ Stian Carstensen - The Little Radio

Rarely have a jazz-improvising duo sounded so together, yet at the same time inhabited such compatible but distinctive separate worlds, as the British saxophonist Iain Ballamy and the Norwegian accordionist Stian Carstensen on this warm and craftily lyrical set.

This week's Jazz on 3 on Radio 3 features: Iain Ballamy and Stian Carstensen in session.

Full details in this week's Jazz on 3 playlist

# posted by DJ Martian 5:16 PM

Pitchfork review Dave Douglas - Strange Liberation

# posted by DJ Martian 3:06 PM

Next week's releases are reviewed @ Norman Records

# posted by DJ Martian 2:51 PM

Issue 15 of earplug

FEBRUARY 5 - FEBRUARY 18

Earplug is a biweekly email magazine, delivering a handpicked selection of news, sounds, videos, and original features for the international electronic music community.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:31 PM

BBC Music review Paal Nilssen-Love & Hakon Kornstad - Schlinger on Smalltown Supersound

# posted by DJ Martian 12:01 AM

Thursday, February 05, 2004

This week's One World show on Radio 1 features: One World: Best of Snowbombing 2004

The 5th Snowbombing Festival all happened in Les Arcs Valley in France for 2004 - basically a week filled with a whole lot of snow, lots of boarders and a truck load of beats...

Forthcoming One World Shows:

12th February
>> One World Live From Sunkissed in Oslo.

19th February
>> Trojan Records Showcase.

26th February
>> Kurt and Bill - celebrating the life and works of Kurt Kobain and Bill Hicks, ten years on from their deaths.

Homepage for One World

# posted by DJ Martian 11:03 PM

A music blog specifically oriented to Chicago: Chicagomuzik

# posted by DJ Martian 9:27 PM

All Yahoo Groups in the music section have been incorporated and rebranded as Launch Groups

All URLs have been auto switched to incorporate Launch branding. Launch is Yahoo's music brand on the web.

# posted by DJ Martian 7:46 PM

Contemporary Culture blog by Momus: Click Opera

# posted by DJ Martian 5:06 PM

Pitchfork also highly rate The Walkmen - Bows and Arrows

# posted by DJ Martian 4:22 PM

Pitchfork have started Best New Music summary section for 2004.

Pitchfork will be adding album selections marked as Best New Music to this throughout the year, and also introducing "featured recommendations".

In an effort to bring more music to our readers' attention, we'll be adding roughly half again as many albums to this section as we did in 2003. This will allow for coverage of a wider diversity of genres and styles. Additionally, records we feel are likely to appeal to pretty much anyone who visits Pitchfork with any regularly will be represented as "featured recommendations."

# posted by DJ Martian 4:19 PM

The latest releases are reviewed by NYC's Other Music: The Other Music Update including:

NEW RELEASES
Ellen Allien
Summer Hymns
Walkmen
DJ Koze
Weird War
Henry Flynt (reissue)
Electrelane
Mountain Goats
Futon
Angel Molina
DMZ (reissue)
Centro-Matic
Fantomas

# posted by DJ Martian 3:21 PM

Jess Harvell @ Seattle Weekly reviews JUNIOR BOYS - High Come Down

# posted by DJ Martian 12:54 PM

Brainwashed Releases has been updated.

a listing of recent & upcoming electronic/experimental/etc. releases brought to you by feedback monitor and brainwashed

# posted by DJ Martian 12:12 PM

New issue of Uncut magazine is in the shops today, Jimi Hendrix is on the front cover.

Details of Uncut - This Month

# posted by DJ Martian 11:47 AM

Sackbut Blues: The Wire with a sense of humour?

PostEverything launch Sackbut Blues

PostEverything annonce the arrival of Sackbut Blues

Sackbut Blues, the editorial arm of the Posteverything Megacorp opens
its virtual doors today. On it you will find news, reviews and stuff.
Over the coming days, weeks, months and millennia, there will be more
news, reviews and stuff. Giving a voice to the underground, giving the
finger to mediocrity and giving a large dose of salt to readers of
press releases, it will rock your world. Abstractly.

What is Sackbut Blues?

Does the manner in which modern culture is discussed annoy you? Does the constant cynicism, arse-licking, elitism, stupidity, vapidity and pure nonsense of it make you want to rip off your own head and eat it? Does reading the semi-literate scribbles of the indie mags and the e-zines, the smug repetition of the Q/Uncut/Rolling Stone axis and the utter humourlessness of The Wire make you want to shove your head out of the window and shout �I�m a human being, goddamit - my life has value� and these publications do not! I�m as mad as hell - and I�m not going to take it anymore!� Do you watch, with mounting apoplexy, TV programs about music that make you want to kill everyone involved with their manufacture - and then interfere with their corpses?...

# posted by DJ Martian 11:15 AM

BBC Music review this retrospective release from Art Bears: Art Bears - The Art Box

The first thing you read in the sleevenotes to this lavish 6 CD set are some statistics; In their existence of less than two years, the trio of Dagmar Krause, Fred Frith and Chris Cutler spent 40 days in the studio. In the same amount of time it probably took Pink Floyd to get a drumkit miked up, they'd recorded some of the most carefully crafted (and indeed timeless) music you're ever likely to hear.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:00 AM

Ananova report Beastie Boys to release new album this Summer.

# posted by DJ Martian 10:51 AM

According to Pause & Play the forthcoming Beta Band album is: Heroes to Zeroes that is scheduled for an April release.

Elsewhere, Opal Music report a UK release date of April 26th. A single: Assessment will be released April 12th.

# posted by DJ Martian 10:37 AM

Scrolling Problem Solved: as you will see at the top of this webpage, I have inserted an anchor tag that will take you straight to the new blog entries.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:06 AM

Wednesday, February 04, 2004

New Releases @ Piccadilly Records

Some new releases listed in the weekly guide [via e-mail] from Manchester's music emporium: Piccadilly Records

Stereolab - Margarine Eclipse
Duophonic

This is their first long player since setting up and building their own studios, Instant 0, in France during 2002. These are also the first recordings since the tragic death last December of Mary Hansen, a pivotal and inspirational member of the groop from the outset in the early 1990s. "Margarine Eclipse" follows their mini album "Instant O In The Universe" which was released last year. Both these releases demonstrate a slight change of sound (perhaps down to the new studio? - I never know about these kinda things). Anyway, all the Stereolab trademarks are still there: Laetitia's distinctive Anglo-French vocals, 70s analogue keyboards, and dreamy harmonies, but there's a much brighter, airier sound, and even a disco-funk groove to it, albeit in a very 'pop' way. All in all, it's probably their most accessible, most cohesive album to date, and I mean that as a compliment!

A Certain Ratio - The Graveyard And The Ballroom
Universal Sound

ACR's legendary first LP finally gets reissued!Originally released as a Factory cassette in 1980, this album has been a collectors item ever since only 1000 copies were made at the time. Mixing up angular guitar sounds with scratchy funk, this is a definitive piece of post-punk history.

AI Phoenix - I've Been Gone - Letter One
Glitterhouse

Fourth album from this Bergen trio. Gorgeous, drifting, melancholic songs, with hints of both Velvet Underground and Galaxie 500. Laid back male vocals and sleepy, half whispered female vocals (that remind me of Drugstore) alternate and duet over delicate rhythms. Lovely!

The Bumblebeez - Red Printz
WICHITA

Seven stunning new tracks of hip hop / garage rock madness from Chris Colonna. Follow up to the hugely acclaimed "White Printz EP".

Bush Tetras - Boom In The Night - Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983

Along with ESG, Liquid Liquid, etc Bush Tetras were at the forefront of the early 80s NY 'no wave' movement, releasing records on the cult 99 and Fetish labels and even being produced by The Clash's Topper Headon. Fronted by three women, including Pat Place from The Contortions, they made sinuous, loose-limbed punk-funk tracks that still sound totally fresh and original tody, and have been a big influence on The DFA sound. This timely released ROIR CD brings together their three singles and some previously unreleased tracks too, all digitally remastered from the original analogue tapes.

Electrelane - The Power Out
Too Pure

It's been two years since Electrelane's spectacular debut album, "Rock It To The Moon", was released, earning a glut of praise for its atmospheric, instrumentally-led music. Electrelane are four young women who refuse to be defined by one sound, and their second album, "The Power Out", is a gauntlet thrown down to those who think they can predict their next move. Recorded and mixed in Chicago with Steve Albini. While the speedy ambience of their debut remains, the most startling difference is that they have introduced vocals, something largely absent from their previous recordings. Not only do words play a more important role on this album, but Verity uses her voice as an instrument to devastating effect, singing in English, German, French and Spanish.

Entrance - Careless Love
Sketchbook

Entrance is Guy Balkeslee, a 21 year old guitarist, singer and prolific songwriter originally from Baltimore, but currently living on the road. He performs on stage alone, equal part Blind Lemon Jefferson and Jeff Buckley, armed with a guitar, a three octave vocal range, and if the floor is hard enough, the sound of his relentless stomping foot. "Careless Talk" sees him at his most stripped back and sparse featuring newly arranged taditional folk and blues songs.

Fuck - Those Are Not My Bongos
Homesleep

I don't know why this group chose the name they did (because they couldn't give a xxxx?!) because this is clever stuff: catchy, pretty, warm and strangely nonchalant. One minute there's oboe, then crazy, crunching garage riffs: it's a record full of surprises. It was produced by Mr. Yuppie Flu and it's a charming (even with that name!) lo-fi delight

Ill Ease - The Exorcist
Too Pure

Ill Ease is the recording guise of Elizabeth Sharp. After her stint as drummer for New Radiant Storm King in the 90s, Elizabeth, tired of bands, decided that she'd rather spend time composing songs in her Brooklyn apartment, playing all the instruments herself. "The Exorcist" was recorded in Athens, Georgia by David Barbe (ex-of Bob Mould's Sugar), who also plays guitar on some tracks. Meeting at the intersection of intensely personal and universal, her songs are so full of hooks and off beat rhythms, that they stick in your head. Cool, sweet vocals over percussive twisting rhythms and lo-slung guitar rhythms that The Fall'd be proud of. Elizabeth is also an accomplished photographer whose work has been on exhibition at New York's Museum of Modern Art. The sleeve of "The Exorcist" features some of Elizabeth's exclusive work.

The Mountain Goats - We Shall Be Healed
4AD

Whereas most Mountain Goats records - like "Tallahassee", which arrived almost exactly a year ago at the beginning of 2003 - are entirely fictional, all of the songs on "We Shall All Be Healed" are based on people that songwriter John Darnielle used to know. The album was recorded at Bear Creek Studios in Washington State, where John was joined by Peter Hughes (bass, backing vocals), Franklin Bruno (keyboards), Christopher McGuire (drums), Nora Danielson (violin) and John Vanderslice (producer). As well as being the most fully realised and accomplished album that the Mountain Goats have made, "We Shall All Be Healed" effortlessly demonstrates that John Darnielle remains one of the finest songwriters of his generation.

Various Artists / Rough Trade Shops - Counter Culture 2003
Mute

Another excellent double CD compilation from the Rough Trade shop, this time collecting together their pick of 2003. With 25 tracks spread across two CDs, spanning everything from indie, to electronica, electroclash to americana and of course good old fashioned rock'n'roll, there's something here for everyone.

Necronomitron - Necronomitron
Load

Demonic wails from providence-bearded guitarorists. Frothing fast leads, crunching power, and wailing screams at a planet choking on its own vomit. The kids are truly insane. Two guitars and drums. Features a past member of the USAisamonster clan for added incestual sensuality.

Telefon Tel Aviv - Map Of What Is Effortless
Hefty

New Orleans duo Telefon Tel Aviv have conspired to create a magical album that somehow manages to sound like a dream collaboration between Radiohead, Air, Aphex Twin and Goldfrapp. From the charged electro of "My Week Beats Your Year", through to epic melancholia like "I Lied", the sheer sonic audacity of orchestral electronica is unleashed like none before it. With similar triumphs from Air, Stereolab, Ammon Contact and now Telefon Tel Aviv all released within weeks of each other, it seems as if a newfound hybrid of intelligent and involving electronic music has just been discovered.

Ascii Disko - Ascii Disko
Ladomat

Top drawer German electroclash / techno fusion LP that's full of Tuetonic cool. Includes the singles "Immer", "Einfach" and "Ne Travaillez Jamais". Loved by Ivan Smagghe (Blackstrobe), Jonny Slut (Nag Nag Nag), Mark More, John Peel, Andrew Weatherall etc.

Vive La Fete - Nuit Blanche
Surprise

New LP from the hotly tipped Belgian electro-pop duo who feature Danny Mommens from Deus and supermodel Els Pynoo. "Nuite Blanche" (French for 'a night without sleep') is their most accomplished LP to date, offering up a mixture of catchy electro-pop tunes with uncomplicated French lyricism.

Ennio Morricone - Remixes Volume 2
Compost

The second set of remixes of Morricone's work arrives, and, if anything, it's even better than its predecessor. Mostly on a nu-jazz and house tip, with a smattering of electronica and disco, this volume includes remixes by Hird, Swell Session, Aardvaark, Tom Middleton, Markus Enochson, Gerd, Ayro, Nick Holder, Moonstarr, Deetron / Procreation, Fussible etc. Film music re-rubbed for the 21st century.

Ammon Contact - Sounds Like Everything
Plug Research

An inspiring sonic achievement from the Soul Jazz (Hu Vibrational) and Prefuse 73 related producers. This full length refuses to be pigeon-holed at all, so quickly does it switch from dope hip hop breaks to post rock instrumental, or afro-jazz to serene filmscore sounds. A constanly rewarding and enlightening listening experience.

Chib - Moco
Fat Cat

First heard on FatCat's 2001 compilation "No Watches, No Maps", this mini-album (available on CD only) represents Chib's debut solo release of beautiful dreamy electronica. Chib is Yukiko Chiba, a 30-something-year-old female from the outskirts of Tokyo. At times recalling fellow electronic peers like Tujiko Noriko, or Mum. Gentle, weird and woozy, Chib has created a strange and beautiful electronic world.

Various Artists / Exhibitionist - A Jeff Mills Mix
React

This is Mills' first official mix CD since the "Live At The Liquid Room, Tokyo" in 1996, so is a must for all you tech-heads out there. It's his usual three deck, four to the floor set of techno slammers, all expertly filtered, mixed and cut into each other at breakneck speed. I especially like the fact that they've left in the mistakes and record crackles, giving it a more authentic live feel.

Sequel - Motorized Instinct
Sonar Kollektiv

Gianni Siravo and Roberto Santo (Sequel) have always been one of the major forces for the Straight Ahead sound and now they present an astonishing debut which has tracks ranging from cutting-edge broken beat to twisted House and progressive Electronica. Includes the single "Neptune, Moon & Mars" / "Upsolid" and ten other great tracks.

# posted by DJ Martian 11:26 PM

If I were an editor of a weekly music magazine this week's front cover would feature: Einsturzende Neubauten

This week's front cover choice features Einsturzende Neubauten, their new studio album, "Perpetuum Mobile" is released on 9th February 2004, the first album release since 2000's "Silence Is Sexy".

# posted by DJ Martian 9:47 PM

woxy.com to become an internet-only radio station

I should have mentioned this by now: Woxy 97X has sold it's local radio license but will carry on broadcasting exclusively via the web.

I can imagine that local listeners in Oxford, Ohio would be annoyed with this, but a web only station could actually improve programming and the music policy may become more innovative - as you are servicing a larger global niche audience.

97X The Future of Rock and Roll right here at woxy.com, including our internet broadcast. Over the next 90 days we'll be looking for sponsors or investors who will enable us to make this site and stream better than ever. We may be the first terrestrial radio station ever to make the full-time jump to the Internet!

Woxy97x has an national/and international reputation for being one of the better commercial alternative/modern rock stations in the USA.

>> Details WOXY radio station sold

Woxy.com is the most-listened-to alternative radio station on the Internet and is currently ranked twelfth overall by Arbitron.

Typical artists played @ Woxy 97X

# posted by DJ Martian 4:01 PM

Musique Machine give a 5 star review for Susanna And The Magical Orchestra - List Of Lights And Buoys on Rune Grammofon - the album is produced with help of members of Jaga Jazzist collective and Deathprod from Supersilent

Susanna Karolina Wallumr�d is a young Norwegian singer and she teamed up with 'magical orchestra' Morten Qvenild (ex-Jaga Jazzist, Shining) to make a heavenly album on the ever-so-lovely label Rune Grammofon. Helge Sten (a.k.a. Deathprod, Supersilent) and Andreas Mj�s from Jaga Jazzist produced the album and the latter jumped in here and there to provide some extra sounds like the vibes in Believer, the song that was Tapper #10 that came with the magazine The Wire a few months back and Rune Grammofon's celebrational compilation Money Will Ruin Everything. If you heard the song you'll know what to expect, although that doesn't mean there are no surprises on List Of Lights And Buoys

# posted by DJ Martian 3:25 PM

Pitchfork report El-P To Release Collaboration With Thirsty Ear's Blue Series Continuum

# posted by DJ Martian 3:20 PM

Billboard report Tweaker AKA Chris Vrenna, will be release an album: 2 a.m. Wakeup Call on April 20th. Appearing on the album in special guests slots: Johnny Marr, Robert Smith and David Sylvian.

# posted by DJ Martian 3:05 PM

XML feed and Information Architecture for this blog

There are a few people that are already using RSS/XML to read my blog entries: so I thought it was worthwhile to inform the readers of: Atom formatted XML site feed for >> DJ Martian's Page

This is an Atom formatted XML site feed. It is intended to be viewed in a Newsreader or syndicated to another site. Please visit the Blogger Knowledge Base for more info.

Blogger help >> What is Atom

List of newsreaders >> A directory of AtomEnabled software and services

This may help Alex @ Close Your Eyes with his comments on the structure of this blog.

please redesign your blog, martin. i can't stand it anymore. for the last couple of years i spent hours in scrolling down twenty screens to arrive at the beginning of your posts (after all the links and crap). i don't have the time to do that anymore in the future. don't get me wrong. the contents of your blog, esp. the blog discoveries are ace.

Also the next template update I will try solving this problem by experimenting with this simple solution: How To Write Internal Links

Link from one part of your page to another part. Set up tables of contents at the top of long pages for better navigation.

I am well aware of the advantages/ disadvantages of the current content structure of my blog. Having a Google page rank of 6 is primarily due to keywords/ high quality organised links/ and forthcoming release listings, shifting this all over to other webpages would loose the focus of my blog which is a one stop music resource portal.

Due to the diversity of my music interests, the idea behind the links portal is to facilitate fast access to high quality websites for the reader. Elsewhere on the web, music links are very poorly organised/ categorized IMHO. Many users use my portal links - as their starting point for exploring music information on the web.

As for displaying new/forthcoming release dates information, this is a key part of the blog: to actually put some structure on when albums are released, this is a feature that many readers/ users of this blog find useful. Again over the past year I have improved how this is structured and now operate a near future/ and dual rest of year focus.

Also from a web maintenance issue having a main portal is more convenient instead of monkeying about with developing/ maintaining many separate webpages - which would lead to increased linkrot and would be time consuming.

Sure if I had the resources of a multinational I would structure/organise things differently.

I am aware of the disadvantages, scrolling is the obvious one and that Google only caches the first 101K of a webpage.

Over the past few years, I have continually refined how the portal/links/content are structured on this blog - as they stand today - I believe they are best organised music links on the web, on one page.

I have a number of ideas of how I can gradually improve the structure and condense the links, e.g a spin off portal page for Radio.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:32 AM

Tuesday, February 03, 2004

Eternal Fusion on SpydaRadio

The latest show: [Tuesday 3rd February 2004] for Eternal Fusion is online now.

Playlist >>

Timothy Leary - 'You Can Be Anything This Time Around'
Clear Horizon - 'For Days'
Air - 'Universal Traveller'
Gastr Del Sol - 'Each Dream Is An Example'
Monty Python - 'The Cheese Shop'
Wevie Stonder - 'Cheese Rider'
Mouse On Mars - 'Pinwheel Herman'
High Llamas - 'Three Point Scrabble'
Stereolab - 'Feel And Triple'
Mice Parade - 'Out Of The Freedom World'
Circle - 'Alta Rautatammien'
Vocokesh - 'Eddie's Hallucination'
Wailing Souls - 'Tomorrow Never Knows'
10ft Ganja Plant - 'Kneel At The Feet'
Squarepusher - 'Iambic 9 Poetry'
Dirty Three - 'Long Way To Go With No Punch'
Susumu Yokota - 'Rising Sun'
Can - 'Last Night Sleep'
Appliance - 'Fruits Of The Sea'
The Notwist - 'This Room (Manitoba and Four Tet Remix)
Ghost - 'Ganagmanag'
LTJ Bukem - 'Rhodes To Freedom'
Future Sound Of London - 'Maharishi Raga'
Badmarsh & Shri - 'Sitar Ritual'
Anjali - 'Asian Provocateur'
Stark Reality - 'Junkman's Song'

Next Show Updates: Friday 13th february 2004

Source: e-mail from Eternal Fusion

# posted by DJ Martian 10:38 PM

Something I overlooked last month, Dan @ cityofsound presents his best of 2003 music list - with links galore.

# posted by DJ Martian 10:37 PM

Londonimprov - Improvised music in London

New website: londonimprov

londonimprov has been set up to provide a consolidated source of
information for improvised music in London. This includes an events
calendar, link directory, discussion forum, photo gallery and mp3/video
database. Users registered to the site (one minute process) will be able to
submit their own events straight onto the calendar, post news articles,
take part in discussions, and submit links - in short contribute to most of
the content on the site. We currently have over one-hundred photos, a
small number of mp3s, and will soon have video clips taken from ongaku:
enjoy_sound's events last June and December, including Keith Rowe, Ami
Yoshida, Tetuzi Akiyama, Eddie Pr?vost and John Tilbury.

Source: thewire-announcements Yahoo Group.

# posted by DJ Martian 10:30 PM

Alerted via Avant Music News forthcoming releases for 2004 on avant jazz record label: Atavistic

>> Atavistic

Spaceways Incorporate - Spaceways Inc. VS. Z�: Radiale
Gregg Bendian - Gregg Bendian's Interzone
Vandermark 5 - Elements Of Style, Exercises In Surprise

Also:
Jarboe - Thirteen Masks
Jarboe - Beautiful People Ltd.

# posted by DJ Martian 5:42 PM

Blog for The Horse Hospital

The Horse Hospital is a unique arts venue in London which has been providing a space for underground and avantgarde media since 1993. We offer regular events to our members showing rare film, music, and art, as well as hosting a significant collection of fashion items and related material. Don't send us any horses.

note: The Horse Hospital is honoured to present a concert by William Basinksi
Wednesday 18th February
Doors 7.30pm

# posted by DJ Martian 5:02 PM

BBC Collective interview Jeff Mills

# posted by DJ Martian 4:42 PM

The latest The Breezeblock Tracklistings on Radio 1 includes a DJ Set from Ammon Contact

# posted by DJ Martian 4:00 PM

Absorb has been updated - with a stack of new album reviews.

# posted by DJ Martian 3:02 PM

Radio 1 report Goldfrapp to support Duran Duran on tour

# posted by DJ Martian 2:00 PM

Pitchfork review Mice Parade - Obrigado Saudade

# posted by DJ Martian 1:57 PM

Grooves Magazine have a newly designed website.

Including a blog

# posted by DJ Martian 1:50 PM

Stylus review The Walkmen - Bows and Arrows

I have noticed that this band/ album are picking up praise in the US however in the UK they are virtually unknowns.

Currently Fast n bulbous rates this album of the year for 2004. [There are 31 albums ranked for 2004]

Press release for the album: Big Hassle

# posted by DJ Martian 1:24 PM

Pitchfork have info on the forthcoming Tortoise album.

# posted by DJ Martian 1:09 PM

Meanwhile, Swinstead Publishing other magazine: Sleazenation will as you know relaunch as Sleaze this month: Info about the changes @ Revolution

Swinstead Publishing is relaunching its flagship title SleazeNation with a production team largely new to magazines in a move to bring its youth culture portfolio into the 21st century.

Apparently, Sleaze will be published bi-monthly.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:52 PM

Jockey Slut magazine will cease publishing on a monthly cycle and soon become a Quarterly.

I notice Tufluv has all the details, about the changes: including:

Jockey Slut is now going to appear at four key times of the year: March, June,
September and November; the first of which will hit the shops on 19 Feb.
Naturally, the magazine will expand in format to become a quarterly bible of
cutting-edge leftfield music.

This will run in tandem with a massively increased on-line presence, which will
kick in over the next few weeks.

Much like the magazine, www.jockeyslut.com will be overseen by Paul Mardles
(editor) and Jim Butler (deputy editor). It will be updated daily and weekly to
capitalise on the magazine's reputation for bang up-to-date music news, reviews and features, all of which will be written with Jockey Slut's trademark
irreverence and attention to detail. The site will expand to carry paid for content such as music downloads and relevant retail products.

An official message on Record of the Day message Board:

I can confirm that Jockey Slut is to go quarterly as part of a brand development initiative. Whilst the general media trend is for music magazines to 'go under', we are taking a positive and progressive step to establish the Jockey Slut brand further, widening its potential reach by extending through other mediums and developing extensive brand extensions through events, commercial releases and so forth, all brought together via a greater reliance on www.jockeyslut.com

Resources then will shift to an improved Jockey Slut website, news, reviews and features - i.e probably filling a niche left behind by the now defunkt Burn It Blue website.

Notice, that single and album of the week slots are already in place.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:25 PM

MusicOMH.com review Einst�rzende Neubauten - Perpetuum Mobile

# posted by DJ Martian 12:15 PM

MusicOMH.com review Front Line Assembly - Civilization

# posted by DJ Martian 12:14 PM

Monday, February 02, 2004

Junkmedia interview Explosions in the Sky

# posted by DJ Martian 5:16 PM

Nick Southall @ Stylus endorses Vive La Fete - Nuit Blanche

# posted by DJ Martian 4:43 PM

Underground Music Review: highly rate a collaboration between Robert Miles & Trilok Gurtu: Robert Miles & Trilok Gurtu - Miles_Gurtu

This album will have a UK release on February 16th on Salt.

# posted by DJ Martian 12:25 AM

Sunday, February 01, 2004

SPOTLIGHT...KEY NEW RELEASES FOR JANUARY:

Summary of the key new album/ ep releases in January: [from now on I will revert to weekly updates - on a Monday night instead of Sunday.]

January 5th 2004:
Adventure Time - Dreams Of Water Themes (Plug Research) EP [UK release 2004]

January 12th 2004:
Ahvak - Ahvak (Cuneiform)
The Claudia Quintet - I, Claudia (Cuneiform)
Jimmy Edgar - Access Rhythm (Warp) EP
Guapo - The Five Suns (Cuneiform)
Phil Kline - Zippo Songs: Airs Of War & Lunacy (Cantaloupe)
Laminar - Nozzle (Asphodel)
Wolfgang Mitterer - Radio Fractal/Beat Music (Hatology)
Richard Pinhas - Tranzition (Cuneiform)
Steve Roach and Vidna Obmana - Spirit Dome (Projekt)

January 19th 2004:
Bevel - Down the Puppet String (Jag Jaguwar) EP [Import]
Deutsch Nepal - Deflagration Of Hell (Cold Meat Industry)
Dub Narcotic Sound System - Degenerate Introduction (K)
Keelhaul - Subject To Change Without Notice (Hydrahead)
Jason Molina - The Pyramid Electric Company (Secretly Canadian)
n.In - Astronomy For Children (Highpoint Lowlife)
Seabound - Flatline (Metropolis)
Mike Stern - These Times (ESC) [Import now, Full UK release March 8th]

January 26th 2004:
Air - Talkie Walkie (Source)
Califone - Heron King Blves (Thrill Jockey)
Capoeira Twins - Reansville Heights (Hope)
The Chicago Underground Trio - Slon (Thrill Jockey)
The Church - Forget Yourself (Cookin Vinyl)
Ddamage - Radio Ape (Planet Mu)
Jono El Grande - Fevergreens (Rune Grammofon) [UK release 2004]
The End - Within Dividia (Relapse Records)
Fantomas - Delirium Cordia (Ipecac)
Front Line Assembly - Civilization (SPV)
Lisa Gerrard & Patrick Cassidy - Immortal Memory (4ad)
Hella - The Devil Isn't Red (5 Rue Christine)
Mice Parade - Obrigado Suadade (FatCat)
The Necks - Drive By (ReRmegacorp)
The Notwist - Different Cars And Trains (City Slang) EP
Oneida - Secret Wars (Rough Trade)
Savath & Savalas - Apropa't (Warp)
The Science Group - Spoors (ReR)
Dani Siciliano - Likes (K7)
Shalabi Effect - Pink Abyss (Alien 8) [Import]
Tanakh - Dieu Deuil (Alien 8)

# posted by DJ Martian 11:05 PM

Official website for Bloc Party - London's most happening new post-punk band.

According to Norman Records, Beggars Banquet have signed Bloc Party - they are going to be massive.

Of interest to Londoners: Both Bloc Party and Ulrich Schnauss will be appearing at:

Eat Your Own Ears and Mountaineers present:
'HOT TREES' featuring:
Live:
The Zutons
Mountaineers
Ulrich Schnauss
Adem
Aidan Smith
Bloc Party

Thursday 26th February 2004
Electrowerkz - Torrens St. EC1 (Angel Tube)

[Info from Rough Trade Shops e-mail newsletter]

# posted by DJ Martian 10:00 PM

An interesting company Noyz.co.uk, are affiliates to amazon.co.uk - but have arranged new releases info in an innovative way:

Noyz.co.uk

We are New Media company that specialises in content development and promotion for record labels/artists/magazines/radio stations. Our goal at NOYZ is to help UK record labels promote their bands across the internet in a cost effective manner and to provide the online arms of the music media with quality content for there sites.

>> Out This Week

# posted by DJ Martian 9:40 PM

OMM - Observer Music Monthly

New issue of The Observer Music Monthly is online and also included with The Observer newspaper, on sale today.

An interesting feature on Jaga Jazzist, the leading lights of Norwegian jazztronica / electro-jazz music: Flash-forward: Jaga Jazzist

The new new thing for 2004? Kitty Empire gives her vote to Norway's leading 10-piece jazz band, complete with tuba player - only, don't call them jazzmen to their faces

# posted by DJ Martian 12:57 PM