Had To Call It Something

Jacob's Ladder (2008)

2012-02-10T02:21:00.000-08:00

This is actually a request though there's a link below. The rip rate is mixed in V5 (who rips at V5?) and maxes out at a CBR of 192 kbps so I'm calling out for some help on this one.

Looking to buy the CD if it's out there and reasonably priced though any rip rate better than this one would be welcomed...

It's a nice compilation of jazzy, hip-hop kind of tracks.

I found a copy on Amazon out of Japan but they were unwilling to sell it outside of Japan.

The CD is not even listed in the discogs database though here is some info on the EP version.

Funny thing that the Amazon sites around the world are not somehow linked. They all seem to operate independently of one another...a pain when your interest is in things unavailable in the States.

Anyhow, the Amazon Japan link is HERE.

If anyone can find a source to buy it (or has a copy to spare), drop me a line.

In the meantime, you can try the album here:

Link

aKido - Undark (2012)

2012-02-07T09:34:00.000-08:00

One of the great things about a music blog is when folks request me to upload a new album from artist. Always glad to do so...in fact, it's an honor.

Back in 2010 I posted a first album from aKido called Gamecharger. New releases from unknown artists can be hit and miss but this one was stellar.

He's back with a new one. It's a name your price offer so be generous and show some support.

HERE

Tony Carey (aka Planet P Project)

2012-01-29T16:34:00.000-08:00

Of all the formative albums of my youth (and there were many...), two have always stood out from Tony Carey's alter ego Planet P Project. Unlike many albums of that time, I still revisit these on occasion.

The first was the self-titled album that originally went by Planet P until he was forced to change the name due to a legal conflict. Though it certainly has an 80s feel (especially with the space theme), it has held up incredibly well. "Why Me?" and "Static" still sound amazing.

However, it was "Pink World" that blew me away. Conceptually similar (double LP, saviour/Messiah theme, concept album, backwards messages, etc.) and inevitably compared to Pink Floyd's "The Wall" the album stands on its own and remains a hidden gem from the 80s.

Carey all but disappeared from the scene for a while and suffered some serious health complications.

For the longest time I've wanted to purchase the physical copies of the final Planet P Project trilogy called "Go Out Dancing" but they were never really distributed stateside, except perhaps the first part.

His work has been tough to get on CD stateside. My first copy of "Pink World" was an unofficial CD from Russia which was just a high quality copy of the vinyl burned on to CD. If you listen closely as the album ends you can hear a faint hiss as the needle heads toward the run out groove...

It probably goes without saying that I still have vinyl copies of the self-titled release (one as Planet P and the other after the name change to Planet P Project) and two copies of "Pink World" on vinyl (one pink promo and one regular issue).

Anyhow, in order to get the physical copies, I'd have to cough up roughly $100 for all of them. Ouch. Someday maybe but I still wish to promote his work. He's been in the game a long, long time and has released some amazing music over the years.

I confess I've heard the trilogy and they are amazing, especially the final one (which is after his health scare). The "Hallelujah" track will catch you by surprise (as will his album of Christmas Hymns).

So aside from listening to "Pink World" as I type I stumbled across a free download on his site I thought some folks might be interested in.

You can get the download HERE.

Enjoy.

Ya Ji (2008)

2012-01-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

Some experimental music from Anders Peterson under various guises along with some other lesser known artists to introduce you to the Kwan Yin label.

Not exactly rare but certainly not mainstream.

Try

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The fallout continues...

2012-01-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

My personal favorite is the uploaded response.

Filesharing Host Tally as of right now

Megaupload - CLOSED

Filserve - Deleting multiple files. Closed affiliate program.

Filejungle (Owned by Fileserve) - Deleting multiple files. Testing out blocking some USA IP addresses.

Upload Station (Owned by Fileserve) - Deleting multiple files. Testing out blocking some USA IP addresses.

Filesonic - (Owned by Fileserve) "All sharing functionality on FileSonic is now disabled. Our service can only be used to upload and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally."

Uploaded.to - Banned USA IP addresses. ("Not Available: Our service is currently unavailable in your country. Sorry about that.")

Filepost.com - Started suspending accounts with infringing material (doing what Hotfile did)

Source

If anyone has other updates, please feel free to share.

Megaupload...

2012-01-21T12:01:00.000-08:00

So Megaupload has been shut down and the tentacles of the media conglomerates show themselves to be more treacherous than anyone realized.

On the flip side, the man behind Megaupload was a bit too ostentatious and drew the ire of many. Subtlety was certainly not a trademark M.O.

HFS has shut itself down, whether in protest or fear. The landscape is certainly changing.

I realized today that the intent of SOPA and PIPA is so that media moguls don't need to bother with such silly things as due process.

Rather than months of "investigation" and millions of dollars spent, a simple flick of the switch is all that will be needed. Justice? Waste of time and money.

So many files here are now suddenly gone and with the RS account expiring (and daily reminders of the same), more will also be disappearing.

I'm still here but have moved on to other landscapes and things on a personal level have radically changed over the past few months and a big change is coming this week so I'm not quite sure where this will all lead.

Sometimes, drastic change leads to an evolutionary leap in the way things happen.

Stay tuned...

P.S. Support your independent artists and labels and the giants will see that we don't need them and their over processed and manufactured cultural substitutes.

If you can't support the indies, at least don't throw your money into the belly of the beast.

Echospace...

2012-01-15T02:03:00.000-08:00

For those who have followed this blog for a while you'll know of my indulgence, if you will, of Echospace/Deepchord and all variations these guys put out. I haven't really followed any one particular artists for a long, long time but with these guys I am enjoying music in a way I haven't for quite some time.

My first true purchase from their label was an original issue of Brock van Wey's White Clouds Drift On And On which, if you don't have a copy of it yet, is one of the more essential releases of the past few years.

Better known as bvdub, this is so far his only release under his real name. A second batch of these discs has made its way into the marketplace so if you're interested, snap up a copy at a reasonable price.

Since then I've picked up every CD release (as well as some vinyl) and will probably continue to do so.

There are no direct d/l links to the new releases here but, as is the way today, these aren't too hard to find if you want to hear them.

Currently on heavy rotation:

Seconds To Forever [Extended Live Excursion] (2011)

I've always been a fan of the long players, as Rod Modell called them, those tracks that you wish would go on and on forever, thus my early love of the remix, the DJ mix and, nowadays, releases such as this one.

This one kind of worked in reverse. Over at discogs there is a pretty solid group of fans who have been noticed by the artist and over the course of some time and the prompting of an intern who had been working for the label, this saw the light of day. There have been a series of releases driven primarily by this fan interaction.

Anyhow, for those who enjoy the regular issue releases, this is a dream of an album, a behind the scenes treat of sorts as it contains the live record from which the 12" of the same name was released and gives a hint at the process of an artist at work.

Highest recommendation. Though it's out of print on CD, if you are intereseted in the physical release it is not too inflated in price compared to what some other limited edition releases fetch.

Release Info

Also on heavy rotation:

Variant - Falling Stars (2011)

Variant, for those who don't know, is the alter ego of Stephen Hitchell (aka Echospace, aka Intrusion) with his "ambient" side.

There are multiple versions of this album. The original release was digital and contained a 52 minute epic of analogue ambience that soon disappeared once released on CD. I posted the original release a while back for those who are interested.

Again due to fan interest, the long deleted track was re-issued as a CD. Originally slated to contain remastered versions of two tracks from original digital release, the final version has only the original track remastered but with an additional 10 mintues added on.

For those who have the original digital version there is something magical about having it on CD (as has been the trend over the last several releases, I purchased a copy) and the fact that 52 mintues of analogue bliss is now 62 minutes makes this one to own.

So there are five variations of this release that exist:

1) Original digital version (no longer available online)

2) CD release ("Falling Stars" replaced with 4 new tracks)

3) Second digital version (same track listing as the original digital release except the "Falling Stars" track has been cut down to 44 minutes)

4) Falling Stars promo (limited pressing, contains remastered versions of 2 long players from the original digital release; changed for final release)

5) Falling Stars (released version)

How often is it that an artist listens at that level? As has been my mantra for some time now: support the artists and support the independent labels.

Dirty Beaches - Badlands (2011)

2012-01-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

Imagine driving down a lonely, dark David Lynch highway channeling the ghost of Roy Orbison through a Taiwanese-born Canadian lo-fi musician based in Vancouver, British Columbia from a cassette that was recorded in someone's garage.

Required listening.

Link

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Entropy Records

2012-01-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone. Hope that everyone has peace of mind as the year gets under way!

If you are into electronic music, especially the "dub techno" variety, producer and DJ David Ya's Entropy Records out of France is one of the best labels out there right now, hosting artists such as Mr. Cloudy, Zzzzra, Axs and more.

To introduce you to the label, here are a couple of free downloads (scroll down on the link and enter your email address for the code):

Download

Killer compilations.

Browse around the site and check out the artists.

Their catalogue is impressive.

Shades of Love (1989)

2011-12-28T13:02:00.000-08:00

Haven't posted any 'classic rock' type stuff here in quite some time (probably because I don't listen to it any more...).

Been cleaning out the archives in my basement, getting ready to unload a bunch of CDs (Goodwill, ebay, haven't decided yet...) and wanted to place them in the public archives.

Old compilation from Silver Eagle Records, now defunct, purveyor of, in hindsight, all things schmaltz.

For the longest time I was into "mellow" tunes, creating illusions of what love should be based on sappy love songs such as these (though 'Black Water' and some others on here are odd choices for love songs). I'd drive around at night for hours on end creating a false sentimentality that could never be.

However, if you dig tunes from the 70s and early 80s, this is a great compilation.

This isn't the usual download (hint: see post below) 'cause I'm too lazy to rip it to an mp3 and upload but with this file (hint: just under 1 GB) you'll never need to buy the CDs and you can choose your kbps.

Here

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The RIAA and Congress have pirates in their midst...

2011-12-28T06:21:00.000-08:00

For those not up on the news, new legislation has been proposed call SOPA for short to stop what is commonly referred to as online piracy (funny how words are created as weapons devoid of any real substance).

But there are no saints among us, not even among those very organizations that seem to be the purveyors of purity when it comes to how music and movies make the rounds.

"Representatives and/or their staffs have been engaging in online piracy themselves, using computers located in the House office building, the website TorrentFreak.com, which tracks BitTorrent usage, reported on Monday.

“We found more than 800 IP addresses assigned to the U.S. House of Representatives from where content has been shared on BitTorrent,” the website said. Among the illegal downloads, it noted, were a number of self-help books, including, “Crucial Conversations — Tools for Talking when Stakes Are High;” TV shows like FX’s Sons of Anarchy; software including Windows 7; and even porn movies like Gangland Cream Pie (“just the tip of the iceberg,” said TorrentFreak)." (Source)

And from the report that not even the almighty RIAA is free from such a tarnish to their illustrious name:

"A few days ago [Torrent Freak] reported that no less than 6 IP-addresses registered to the RIAA had been busted for downloading copyrighted material. Quite a shocker to everyone – including the music industry group apparently – as they are now using a defense previously attempted by many alleged file-sharers. It wasn’t members of RIAA staff who downloaded these files, the RIAA insists, it was a mysterious third party vendor who unknowingly smeared the group’s good name." (Source)

And the battle rages on...stay tuned.

In the meantime, don't believe the hype that they care about the artists being paid. By and large they only care about protecting their own, uh, assets in a declining business model that is evolving into something they fail to understand.

Power resides with the people.

Don't be afraid of the thought police. You know what's right.

Mixmaster Morris & Jonah Sharp - Quiet Logic (1998)

2011-12-25T20:27:00.000-08:00

Asking for a little help on this one.

Currently, this rip is at 192 kbps. I've searched high and low and have not found a better rip rate (I haven't even found a link on a search engine that connects this file with FLAC).

It's been a banner year for finding FLAC files of some albums that have been elusive for years. But this one...

If anyone has any success in tracking down a v0 or 320 (preferably with a rip log) or even FLAC version of it (with a rip log), please help out. You'll make some folks quite happy.

This collaboration between Mixmaster Morris (aka Irresistible Force) and Jonah Sharp (aka Spacetime Continuum) is everything you'd expect and then some.

Why is this so very out of print?

Enjoy

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Christmas Illegal Art Style

2011-12-17T04:48:00.000-08:00

A Mutated Christmas (2001)

In the spirit of the holiday season, whatever your views of it are, here is a little trip to take those songs that may be implanted in your brain and rewire them a little differently.

I stumbled onto this one because of DJ Olive but some of the other artists should look familiar.

You may not like every track on here but I'll take this over any of the Christmas drivel that ends up being sung by current popular artists.

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As a bonus, if you aren't familiar with Illegal Art, below is a recommended disc to have in your collection.

Illegal Art Exhibit (2002)

This is a fun compilation that encapsulates a nice historical overview of some of the most famous songs that make up the whole copyright debate.

"Included on the CD are tracks legally deleted from our culture: samplephilia classics and a few surprises. Some tracks were used without permission and thus the disc was given away at the Stay Free magazine's Illegal Art Exhibit."

Definitely want this in your library.

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P.S. For some miscellaneous consciously selected quotes and other miscellany on the copyright debate, go HERE.

Markus Schulz - Coldharbour Sessions (2004)

2011-12-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

This is a re-up from an earlier post.

Better source, better rip, separate track version.

Though this was one of the last mix CDs I can recall from my 'trance' phase, I played it again and still love this mix. Cheese free classic.

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P.S. Stay tuned. I revisited this because I'm compiling all of those songs that contain the female vocals of "women I fell in love with" as I listened to the songs. On this particular mix, that song is Satellite featuring vocals by Justine Suissa.

Rod Modell with Kevin Hanton - Illuminati Audio Science (2004)

2011-12-10T15:15:00.000-08:00

Incredible continuous mix of loops/tracks from the Deepchord library plus some unreleased tracks.

If you don't know the Deepchord sound, you need this.

If you do know the Deepchord sound, you need this.

This is a cleaner rip from a much better source.

It's re-post with a special bonus inside. Don't sleep...

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Third Eye Foundation - The Dark (2010)

2011-12-09T19:51:00.000-08:00

This is one of the more intriguing albums I've heard in quite some time. My amazon review speaks of the vibe:

"Can't give you any kind of clinical description of the style but I can tell you it has a "drum n bass" kind of feel with a more disjointed, chunkier breakbeat sound to it. With strange goings on in the background you may just feel like you're swimming in a movie about to turn really weird.

At first it sound quite repetitive and even irritating but if you allow it to roll on, you'll find yourself more absorbed until you keep revisiting it, even though part of you is hearing voices saying that you shouldn't.

Or maybe it's just me...

Strangely compelling."

For a well written "professional" review of the album itself, go here.

If you're looking to stretch your musical horizons, this may just do the trick.

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Balam Acab - See Birds (2010)

2011-12-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

One of 2010's best releases...

It seems to fall under the 'hauntology' or 'witch house' tag (whatever that means...I think that name started as a joke and the media latched onto it).

Whatever it's called, it is one of those rare treats that you can actually say is musically different.

Here's my review from amazon:

Julee Cruise on drugs

"Not Julee Cruise doing drugs, mind you, but what listening to Julee Cruise Floating Into the Night on drugs sounds like. That's a high compliment.

Everything is slowed down, like taking a 45 RPM record and turning it down to 33 1/3 RPM and putting it underwater.

This seems to fall under the genre of "hauntology" (everything has a label...), that sound that isn't necessarily haunting, as in scary, but haunting, as referring to a culture (think of the "pop" sound to be found in your parents/grandparents old vinyl from the 50s or older) that doesn't really die and has a way of revisting us in the present.

There is a feeling that we are taking a trip back into a rainy, black and white noir film but with a much better beat.

The only thing I can vaguely think of to place the mood is Jack Nicholson's scene in the bar in The Shining. It's that trippy, druggy mood with the "haunting" music playing in the background.

Highly recommended."

His first full length album, Wander/Wonder, was released in 2011 and is also worth diving into.

Try

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Ambient Meditations

2011-12-04T12:53:00.000-08:00

Some of the best ambient compilations ever...timeless, sounding as good, perhaps even better, today than when they were originally released.

Each mix has a definite "spiritual" element (in that late 90s retro-psy kind of way) to them which adds to their overall vibe.

All are essential but check out the who's who of the mixers of the last three volumes.

There is a bonus included in Volume 4. For the longest time this was completely unavailable outside of a 192 kbps rip and the CD was selling for upwards of $200 on discogs. The rip here is much better but the bonus will do away with the need to even consider such a purchase.

Ambient Meditations (1998)

Try

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Ambient Meditations 2 (1999)

Mixed by Dr Alex Paterson

Enjoy

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Ambient Meditations 3 (2000)

Mixed by Youth

Part1//Part2 (320 kbps)

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Ambient Meditations 4 - God Bless The Chilled (2002)

Mixed by Mixmaster Morris

Try (VBR V0)

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Onejiru

2011-12-04T03:06:00.000-08:00

One of the standout tracks on Matthias Arfmann's ReComposed featured the vocals of Kenyan born, German raised Onejiru.

She released one full length solo album, Prophets of Profit (which I'm looking for, by the way...), which was produced by Matthias Arfmann, and has a smattering of vocal appearances, Arfmann's Recomposed included, to her credit.

Below are a variety of singles and remixes featuring her vocals. As is often the case with these tracks, they often seem naked outside of a mix to call home but they are kind of nice to add breadth to one's musical appreciation.

Dvorak Neue Welt ReComposed (ft. Onejiru) (2005)

(not the actual artwork but pretty close)

This is probably the catchiest track on the album. Stumbled across this one at some point but all I've got on this one is the blurb below:

"We did the limited edition remix album + originals cd back when it was released, and here's the highly sought after and rare promo single with remixes and edits."

If anyone has any other info on this one (or one for sale), please let me know. I'm interested.

Try

Few Reasons Promo CD (2006)

Not much on this one either, thought the track is found on her Prophets of Profit release. All I have so far is this:

"We did the album back when it was released, and here's the highly sought after and rare promo ep with remixes and edits (tracks 3-5). the disc also contains the video for "Few Reasons", featuring a cameo by Helge Schneider."

Again, if anyone has any other info available about this promo (or a copy available), please let me know.

Try

Mbali (2010)

Does anyone have a DJ mixes where this track can be found? Nice groove looking for a home...

Only the tracks featuring Onejiru are found here.

Try

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Chill Out Or Die

2011-12-03T06:18:00.001-08:00

Re-up with VBR V0 rip rates as well as a bonus surprise in each file (links on bottom).

For chill fans, some of these names will be quite familiar, others not so much, but these are great compilations.

The first volume was compiled and edited by Mixmaster Morris.

Chill Out Or Die! (1993)

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Chill Out Or Die II (1994)

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(look closely at the cover...)

Chill Out Or Die III (1994)

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Chill Out Or Die 4 (1995)

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Chill Out Or Die America (1995)

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LINKS

Matthias Arfmann - ReComposed (2005)

2011-11-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

When a label such as this one initiates such a hybrid, you can see the depths to which electronic music has become enculturated. It's no longer "techno" (which, to the uninitiated, tends to have connotations of whigged out, drugged out, glo-stick wielding freaks) but has gained a level of respect lacking from the last big push in the late 90s after which it went back underground.

Lately it seems to have exploded into the mainstream, for better or for worse.

This is the first installment (and still my favorite) of the hybrid classical/techno variety offered by the classical label Deutsche Grammophon featuring reworking of some well known and lesser known classical pieces by Matthias Arfmann, featuring vocals on a few tracks by Onejiru .

If you've seen the film Tree of Life you'll recognize some of these tracks. If you haven't, see the movie even if only once.

Currently working on the discogs submission as it is strangely absent.

Guaranteed you won't find this anywhere else on the web at the moment...

VBR~ V0

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Aufgang (2009)

2011-11-29T09:03:00.000-08:00

No longer an experiment for "old school" electronic artists, younger artists are more intentional when it comes to experimenting with crossing classical and electronic music.

"Formed of classically trained pianists Rami Khalifé and Francesco Tristano, who met ten years ago while they were studying at the world-renowned Julliard School in New York, who, beside sharing a common interest in their study, also enjoyed the club scene that the city had to offer, and drummer Aymeric Westrich, also a classically trained musician who studied percussions at the Conservatoire de Boulogne in France, Aufgang became a proper entity in 2005 when they played at the Sonar festival in Barcelona." (Source)

Good stuff.

Try

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Made to order vinyl from ZeECc...

2011-11-27T08:44:00.000-08:00

What a great idea from one of the best dub tech labels in the game at the moment. Their roster is impeccable.

MTO Vinyl

Francesco Tristano - Not For Piano (2007)

2011-11-27T05:34:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across Francesco Tristano during Murcof's FACT mix.

Turns out he's made quite a name for himself at a very young age.

"Tristano is one of the last students at New York’s Juilliard School to complete Bach legend Rosalyn Tureck’s master class. He also studied at the music academies in Brussels, Riga, Paris and Luxembourg as well as the esmuc in Barcelona...

Not for Piano (2007), presented his own compositions as well as versions of techno classics at the piano. Idiosynkrasia, his third album on the label inFiné, recorded at Carl Craig’s Planet E-communications in Detroit, was released to critical acclaim in 2010."

Shows the far reaching effects of electronic music...

Couple of bonuses included here as well.

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Saite An Saite (A String Based Compilation) (2009)

2011-11-26T05:30:00.000-08:00

Not really "classical" but it has "strings" in the title so close enough...

Found this one because of the track by Relapxych.0 (aka Anders Peterson). It was his music that first captured my interest but over time I have come to realize how often his production/mastering work graces recent releases. If you see his name, you know the caliber of the release is high.

Here's the details on this one:

"Guitar-based CD with long tracks from Aidan Baker (Nadja), Relapxych.0 and M. Sandbleistift (Licht-Ung). Sandbleistift's gauzy drones hover above a thick amplifier hum, coupled with metal-on-metal scrapes, electrical interference directed into the pick-ups, and spidery textures that wiggle into the mix as he plucks away at the bridge of his guitar...

Aidan Baker steals the show on this album. Even with his esteemed catalogue of ethereal ambience and doomdronedirge excursions, "One Step Ahead, One Step Behind" is pretty exceptional. A desolate guitar melody repeats throughout the entire track, alluding to the doom of Nadja had he kicked on the distortion pedals. But without, there's a sadness which permeates the track, accompanied by ghostly flickers of complimentary drones, bursts of static, and a slow-burning roar of distant distortion that eventually consumes the entire piece.

Relapxych.0 holds his own in creating a series of guitar-meets-the-laptop abstractions that looks to Fennesz and Tim Hecker for inspiration, and does a pretty good job in the way of an homage." (Aquarius).

Limited to 300 copies.

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Akira Rabelais - Spellewauerynsherde (2004)

2011-11-25T05:01:00.000-08:00

Tagging on to the "modern classical" vibe...

This is one of the tracks that captivated me on the Reflections compilation posted earlier. The story of this album adds depth to the music much like the story of Basinski's Disintegration Loops.

"Undertaking a project to transfer from tape to digital some old tape recordings of Icelandic vocal lament songs presumed to have been recording in the 1960's Akira claims to have been completely obsessed by them to an extent where he wished to incorporate the vocals into his own music." (Source)

Has a Johann Johannsson/Sigur Ros kind of feel to it (something about Iceland I suppose...) but it is quite unique and is quite moving.

Highly recommended (preferably in a quiet listening environment and/or with headphones).

Try

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Carl Craig + Francesco Tristano + Moritz von Oswald

2011-11-24T05:05:00.000-08:00

Lately my interests seem to have found a hybrid between dub techno in all its varieties and modern classical. If you listen closely to the last compilation posted (and follow the link to Murcof's FACT mix) you'll hear a tune by a young wunderkind named Francesco Tristano.

I stumbled across him through the Murcof mix. He overtly blends the classical with the club as can be seen by his reworking on piano of Derrick May's "Strings of Life." He is a member of the group Aufgang, another electronic/classical hybrid with some other classically trained artists, and recently released an EP with Moritz von Oswald reworking his track "Bio."

Does this elevate electronic music? Does it dilute the classical? Or is it just the collision of traditional forms opening up new worlds, kind of like splitting the atom?

Not a big fan of labels, tags or other superimpositions on what music is "supposed" to be, I choose the latter.

Couple of posts to come but in the meantime, here's a taste of some of the masters of the form:

XVI Reflections On Classical Music (2009)

2011-11-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

Tagging on to the last Murcof post, this is a killer compilation of "modern classical" music.

If you don't think you're a fan of classical in the traditional sense (and if you aren't, give these a try) then you might just find these just what the doctor ordered.

Put this on, open your mind and let go.

Or give Murcof's FACT mix a go.

Wonder if in 200 years this will drop the "modern" tag and just be considered "classical" as well.

Try

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Rapidshare bye-bye...

2011-11-22T08:35:00.000-08:00

After November 28th, all posts on the blog that have links to RS will be under the "delete if inactive" status meaning that if they are older than 30 days with no activity, the files will be deleted.

This will not affect posts within the last year or so as I have generally stuck with MF and MU. Most of the older files are either active enough that this won't happen or they've already disappeared even if the posts remain.

Just send updates if you find anything that needs fixed and I'll do what I can.

Thanks for sticking around!

Fernando Corona (aka Murcof aka Terrestre)

2011-11-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

The Tijuana Sessions Vol. 1 (2001)

"The term Nortec is a conjunction of Norteño ("of" or "from the North") and Techno, but mainly describes the collision between the music, style and culture of electronic music with those of norteño and tambora, two popular music genres from the North of Mexico [to] create a sound that is very Tijuana." (Source)

A group of various producers came together under the Nortec Collective banner and the result was this album. The collective achieved a healthy level of recognition in Mexico and beyond.

Though it seems to still exist in some form or other, all the original members have moved on to other individual projects.

Fernando Corona's "Terrestre" project has two tracks featured here.

Tijuana Sessions

Info

Secondary Inspection (2004)

The last project under the Terrestre name has taken the syncopated dissection of sounds found on Murcof's essential Martes album and has added a distinctive, hypnotic beat pattern.

The first two tracks are the show stealers but the whole album is a nice adjunct to those familiar with his more modern classical leanings as of late.

A very pleasant surprise if you haven't heard it.

Secondary Inspection

Info

Futur[e]cho

2011-11-19T18:25:00.000-08:00

1. Coppice Halifax – Royal Acre
2. A. Mayer – Sky
3. Soap – Syncro Fall
4. Dublicator – Vibronic Transition
5. Spiral Dub – Axiom Dub
6. Textural Being – Homage à Maurizio
7. ISA – Filtered
8. DeepWarmth – Cold Cities
9. As If – Rose From Above
10. Spaceci – µ2 Receptor
11. Fingers in the Noise – l’Acrobate [Ambient Version]

While listening to the Variations in Height comp, I was instantly hooked by the first track by Spaceci.

Like all junkies I go where all junkies go to get the next fix and stumbled across this one.

Dub tech goodness...

Info and free download

Arms and Sleepers - Matador (2009)

2011-11-15T08:01:00.000-08:00

There is an almost vintage, familiar quality to the music on this album.

The piano and string arrangements create a beautiful ambience, love longed for or lost; the vocals, both male and female, remain quiet and subdued, almost angelic, and radiate in the atmosphere of the lush orchestral feel of the music.

Rolling drum rhythms, with shades of glitch, fade in and out to buoy the ambience along.

It may not explode into your consciousness but it has an intoxicating quality that will remain in your head long after listening to it.

A highly recommended release, one of 2009's best.

I ended up with two copies of this on vinyl, one gold, one black:

Moby - Destroyed (Deluxe)

2011-11-11T18:37:00.000-08:00

Moby has been one of my favorite artists since circa 1994. Yes, I know all the criticisms leveled against him. Don't care. Love the music he makes. Respect his views and the fact he really has basically done it his way.

Anyhow, if you've got the time, I've got a story (some of you may have already heard it...).

Around the time when this album was first released, I had escaped from the 9 to 5 grind by going on a road trip to one of my company's suppliers which, in reality, was more an excuse to get out of the office for a few days. I was really struggling with feeling overworked (or, more accurately, feeling like work was getting in the way of figuring out what’s gnawing at me), fretting over being trapped by the stuff of the world and a longing for a sense of freedom. Working upwards of 80 hours every week, I was bugging out, swimming toward the deep end.

Over 900 miles of driving in two days was exactly what the doctor ordered.

On the way home I was listening to this album for the first time. I pulled off for gas at an exit in the middle of northern Michigan on the way from Muskegon to Toledo. I spotted a Goodwill. Didn't know it was there...it just seemed to materialize out of nowhere.

Now you have to understand that for many, many years I was a thrift store junkie. Any new town was a chance to scour the thrift stores (primarily looking for vinyl). I passed up more than a few Goodwills on my little walkabout, er, business trip. Yet I was drawn to this one. It had a "glow" to it.

What did I find there? Moby's Play DVD. So what, you may say. I have always been guided by signs or signals that "someone" is watching over me. For the most part these have always had to do with music.

Perhaps the most significant one I can recall was Melissa Etheridge's first album. Late 80s, school, lots of personal trauma, her first album on non-stop repeat, a balm to a wounded soul.

Six years later, at the apex of my trip to Seattle circa 1994, on the last stretch of the 2,300 mile journey home, crashing and burning all the way, I passed the same exit to the school I attended and on the radio was a Melissa Etheridge song from that very same album.

Her music by this time was just a memory for me as I was fully immersed in the burgeoning electronic music scene, Moby being pivotal in this regard. She was no longer all over the airwaves, her star slowly fading, and this song was not one of the "hits" from the first album ("Late September Dogs" I believe it was...).

Yet at that moment, at that exit, that song from that album was too obvious to miss. Coincidence? Not by my definition. It was closure. I could move on.

Anyhow, I knew immediately that this was another one of those moments. All the doubts, frustrations and fatigue I had been feeling were replaced with a moment of joy. I was excited about the DVD, certainly, but the odds of finding this DVD at this thrift store while a Moby album played in my car at this point in time hundreds of miles away from my home was no mere coincidence.

As I hopped back on the highway feeling pretty good, the album continued to play. By the time I got to "Lacrimae" at about 70 mph I was in bliss. It was one of those rare, memorable moments of sober ecstasy. I was exactly where I was supposed to be and my troubles evaporated.

Everything past was laid to rest, no regrets. Moving forward was not really on my mind. It was quite "Zen" in the sense that I was in the moment enjoying the feeling of the speed of the car, the sounds in my ears and the sensation of being guided.

Try listening to “The Right Thing” through “Lacrimae” in one sitting, either undistracted or completely absorbed in doing something like driving. It may just take you into one of those deep, personal states of being where you just know. No thinking, beyond feeling, beyond mere reminisce...just a knowing.

Why do I bring this up? Happened to have another one of those moments today with this very same album (and Florence + The Machine's "Shake It Out"...). Thought I'd share.

If you got this far, thanks for listening. May you find your bliss in those rare, pristine moments that make up a life.

This album is out in about a billion versions and I'm sure everyone has at least one version but just in case...

Here's a link to one of 'em.

Here's a photo of mine:

Land of Baboon

2011-11-09T04:32:00.000-08:00

Volume 1 is an essential smattering of the illbient sound.

On Volume 2 that Middle Eastern illbient vibe laid over some killer basslines never sounded sweeter...

Volume 3 spins in alternate musical territory adding a jazzy kind of touch with a roster of new artists.

Try

Info

Radio Cascára Podcast

2011-11-06T03:44:00.000-08:00

You'll notice that lately I've posted more links to podcasts, mixes and other sites that open up a world of possibilities. I post these here not to be lazy but as a guide to where you can learn to fish, if you know what I'm getting at.

Trust me when I tell you that the links posted are not filler, they come highly and experientially recommended. Don't sleep, even if it requires a little effort to dig in.

There is so much music out there and lately I've found that the best way to discover new music is through the recommendations of others and many times it is podcasts that unearth hidden gems.

This one (from Finland) has some interesting tracks interlaced wit bits of "chatter" that have a consistent mood that ties the diversity of songs together nicely. This particular mix caught my attention because of the "illbient" tracks thrown in.

The mixes are downloadable.

Comes highly recommended.

Follow

Zoo Rave 1 and 2

2011-11-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

Also by request...

Hate to say it but it's "old school" but man does it bring back memories of when the rave was about, well, raving.

Info

Links

Assemblage Compilations - Extreme

2011-11-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

By request...

Assemblage Volume One (1994)

Deleted...

Info

Assemblage Volume Two (1996)

Deleted...

Info

Dub Gabriel - Ascend (2003)

2011-11-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

By request...

Hint: soulseek

Try

Info

P.S. Good stuff. Thanks for the recommendation.

Angelo Badalamenti in the fog...

2011-11-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

My drive to work this morning in the fog was with music in the spirit of Angelo Badalamenti hovering around me...simply perfect, especially the Terminal Sound System track...

1 Robert Curgenven - Acciaccatura Amplificata
2 Biosphere - Iberia Eterea
3 Circle - Bakkis
4 Terminal Sound System - Duchamp Falls
5 Pjusk - Dempet
6 Æthenor - Untitled
7 Stars Of The Lid - Music For Twin Peaks Episode #30, Part 2
8 Julien Neto - V (Rivers)
9 Yoga - Dreamcast
10 Zelienople - Aging
11 Philip Samartzis - Gut Bucket Blues
12 Windy & Carl - I Have Been Waiting To Hear Your Voice
13 Jasper Tx - Black Sleep Pt. III
14 Pluramon - Log

Part1//Part2

For more info, go HERE (gotta register...it's worth it).

Music as therapy...

2011-10-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

I have realized that the ratio of posts to stuff going on internally are related. It's been a busy month of posting.

The music consumption has been near addiction levels meaning that I have been avoiding reality to a large degree. Not that reality is bad, mind you, but cruise control doesn't work with lots of traffic, if you get my drift.

Music can play a role in healing and dealing but it can also distract us from ourselves.

Honesty comes not without cost so thanks for sharing in the (semi-public) catharsis...

Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out

2011-10-29T13:32:00.001-07:00

Play it loud...on repeat...'til you get it all out.

This is one of those songs that comes along every so often and is just about perfect. There is an energy present that reminds me of The Nationals "Bloodbuzz Ohio."

Album due out Monday...

Quantec - Journey of Mind (2009)

2011-10-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

One more goodie from the Silent Season label, this one from Quantec, another prolific dub tech artist.

As befits the Silent Season label, this one is on the quiet tip, something of a change-up from his normal work.

Another limited edition, now out of print.

As with all the other Silent Season releases, this is one to get lost in.

Deleted...
Info

Mr. Cloudy - Serenity (2009)

2011-10-29T03:47:00.000-07:00

Some of the best dub tech out there, this one on the Silent Season label, one of the best labels out there.

This is a single track of Mr. Cloudy's remixed by some of his favorite artists, now very much out of print.

Put this on and drift away...

Deleted...
Info

A Musical Statement - The Shuffle on Steroids

2011-10-26T09:10:00.000-07:00

Now this is fun...

Seriously, these are really pretty great. Somewhat thematic, I've discovered a whole range of music well outside my radar, more than a few tunes that have instantly snagged my attention.

Kind of fits right in with the schizo mood I've been in lately where nothing is real and everything is permitted.

From the creator:

"A radio show for the musically curious: post-rock, avantgarde, old time radio, contemporary classical, plain old rock, internet buzz, voices from the past... and some fun stuff. Every other week a new selection, a new experiment, a new musical statement."

Tracklist:

Side 1
01. The Tibetan Book Of The Dead [read by Richard Gere]
02. David Sylvian - Small Metal Gods ["Manafon", 2009]
03. Explosions In The Sky - Human Qualities ["Take Care, Take Care, Take Care", 2011]
04. Jack Kerouac - The Dharma Bums [read by Allen Ginsberg]
05. Tim Buckley - Song Of The Magician ["Tim Buckley", 1966]
06. Fleet Foxes - Sim Sala Bim ["Helplessness Blues", 2011]
07. Joseph Conrad - I Duellanti
08. Grails - Soft Temple ["Burning Off Impurities", 2006]

Side 2
01. J.D. Salinger - The Catcher In The Rye
02. Elbow - Lippy Kids ["Build A Rocket Boys!", 2011]
03. Sparklehorse & Danger Mouse - Revenge (feat. Wayne Coyne) ["Dark Night Of The Soul", 2010]
04. Carmelo Bene - Il Sentimento
05. Sean Carey - In The Dirt ["All We Grow", 2010]
06. Fedor Dostoevskij - Notes From Underground
07. Jónsi - Tornado ["Go Live", 2010]

Many more episodes can be found:

HERE

or

THERE

(Nothing to join, no password needed)

4 AD Rare Tracks Re-up

2011-10-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

There's been quite a bit of interest in some of the old 4AD posts.

This one was last seen circa 2007.

The original compiler (who had a killer blog) did a great service to the world as this would otherwise have died a quiet death as no hard copy was ever released.

Contains all 83 tracks.

One of the most important labels of its time.

Deleted...

Info

You can't go back...

2011-10-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

I was downtown today watching my GF finish up a 5K run and at the finish were throngs of people "partying" as the runners came across. I stood several hundred yards up from the finish line and observed. What I observed was sameness.

They had a DJ from a local Clear Channel station who played such things as Bryan Adams and the "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" song. Same music, same event, same people, everything exactly as expected. No wonder people drink and do drugs trying to shake off the sameness.

I had my mp3 and headphones and tuned into Mr. Cloudy (who may be more prolific than even bvdub) and noticed that the beats of his music seemed to flow with the rhythm of the runners' feet hitting the pavement. It was perfect, almost surreal.

I felt strangely - and happily - out of place, a reminder that sometimes we're not meant to go along with the crowd, and that it's ok. That's probably why music is a constant companion.

Lately my journeys have been going through various universes of recorded sounds and music. From wire sounds to drone to field recordings of the Waveform Transmission variety to the otherworldy analogue of the guys from Echospace, deeper and deeper I go. But I'm not sure where I'm going...

Currently listening to Alva Noto's Resident Advisor mix, contemplating dropping some cash on his new Univrs LP. From the samples I've heard, it sounds intense.

It's such a far cry from the music I was surrounded by growing up and I'm not sure how this applies to the daily routine but I look to music for escape and, ideally, as fuel for stepping out and creating something new.

Not sure how I got here but I know I can't go back. The future beckons...

Can anyone relate?

Massive Attack vs. Burial

2011-10-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

Bought to be sold for ten times the price a week after its release. One is currently listed at £300 and the seller doesn't even have yet...original list price £25...

Kinda coincides with the NPR treatment of these guys last week. Hard to imagine that 90s artists such as Massive Attack are now retro. Does that mean we're getting old?

Either way, Hope Sandoval...trippy without the Burial treatment...sigh...

Seems someone has generously donated it...

Deleted...
Info

Echospace in the mailbox...

2011-10-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, shameless plug, I admit...

But what an interesting thing this new music distribution. Forget the majors, they can just disappear along with all the other "talent" shows on television these days. With the exception of Marvin Gaye's 40th Anniversary deluxe deal, I can't tell you the last time I bought anything (knowingly) from a major label.

Independents are alive and well so we really need to support them or they will disappear as so many independent labels have over the years (or, worse, been bought out by a major).

Deepchord/Echospace is the one artist/label that has been a constant since sometime around 2007 with their The Coldest Season release. I've since dove deep into their back catalogue and remain entranced and thrilled by what is there. Been a long time since I've been so passionate about any artist...

I discovered The Coldest Season via the web. Never would have found it any other way, not even close. And my first listen was, of course, by a shared download. However, since then I have probably spent 10 to 20 times (or more) the original purchase price on later (and previous) releases.

Why do I pass this story along? Not to defend sharing files (though I do, if there is an ethic to it) but to advocate a choice, a commitment, to support the artists/labels that you dig. It has to be a conscious choice, especially when everything is so freely available online.

Download it, listen to it, but by all means realize the expense involved in music creation. It's the little guy, the guy that truly loves music, that needs the support to continue, or at least supplement, the making of music.

My daughter is a musician (went to a show of hers last night - hip-hop/rap, of all things - in a pub downtown) so I know firsthand the expense and labor involved in music creation. It ain't cheap. Many artists have "real" jobs to afford them the means of making music.

So I highly value these CDs. They came directly from the label after direct communication with people from the label who are close to the artists. No middle man, no distribution chain, no mumbo jumbo. You can get a feel for what the artist is really about (for better or for worse) in this way and it is perhaps the best thing about music today. So when you give the money, you know exactly where it is going. It is quite personal (and not in the obsessive, weird kind of way) and really cool.

There are some really interesting stories about how the two new releases came to be and how it never would have happened in the old traditional way. Do whatever you can to keep the feedback loop going - there are artists out there who are listening and are really in it for the music.

So here's the scoop on the albums, if interested:

DeepChord Presents Echospace – Spatialdimension (2011) - limited edition of 100

cv313 – Beyond The Clouds (2011) - limited edition of 100

cv313 – cv313 - Live - DEMF After Party In 2008 (2009) - limited edition of 300

Rapidshare account expiring...

2011-10-22T03:56:00.000-07:00

When I began way back when everything was posted on Rapidshare. At the time it was one of the few and was one of the best share sites. For a while they were offering "referrals" when folks signed up by a link that was on the site.

This enabled me over time to almost two years' worth of membership which was way cool. Files stuck around then. Then they made all kinds of changes and, by and large, not many people use them anymore. Sadly, they quit doing "referrals" a while ago.

Time has come...at the end of November mine expires and I won't be paying to keep it going.

Any file not downloaded within a 30 day period will disappear. Not sure how much that will really matter as many a file has been deleted from their archives anyhow. Most newer posts are on MU or MF or other more convenient and user friendly links.

So just giving a heads up...if any files disappear let me know and I'll see if I can "relocate" them.

Thanks all for checking out the blog. Never figured I'd still be here several years later!

The Shuffle Mix #2

2011-10-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

Track list is a surprise so it's a great chance to maybe pick up something you haven't heard before.

Cover art shows some cassette mixes I made in school during the 80s (still have 'em as historical record). The photo is for cover art only...now that I think about it, I'm not even sure I have most these songs in mp3 anyhow...

Cheese free, no worries.

Part1//Part2

P.S. I was inspired by baroquedub (been around as long as I can remember...) to post a file of the mix.

Sampler

2011-10-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

The corporate folks have figured out we're suckers for unreleased cuts, demos and other "rarities" from the vaults.

I picked up the Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" 40th Anniversary release (primarily to have the Detroit Mix on vinyl) so I'm one of the suckers.

They are coming out in droves! Nirvana, The Rolling Stones, the sampler of the group found here and how many more Beatles re-issues do we really need?

As historical artifact they are pretty cool but essential?

Anyhow, fortunately there are some generous souls who have allowed us to taste of them (if you catch my drift) so here's a sampler of one of them. Six tracks, some remastered (like I can tell...) and some demos and other interesting rarities.

Deleted...

Info

It's officially over...

2011-10-18T17:05:00.000-07:00

...electronic music is now very mainstream (or maybe I'm just noticing...).

Massive Attack, M83, Burial...on NPR.

NPR - Electronic Edition

It's like 1998 all over again, with "electronic" music being touted as the next big thing.

Hopefully the media will get over it soon.

Good for the artists featured, though.

Fortunately, the underground has, once again, gone underground.

The Shuffle...

2011-10-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

So often I spend more time looking through albums to listen to while trying to decipher the mood I'm in that I end up listening to nothing. Rarely do I have the attention span (or the ear time) to digest an entire album in one sitting so by the time I'm able to listen to something my mood has changed and I start the process again...

So in an act of frustration, I hit shuffle on the mp3 player (which brand shall remain nameless but those who remember the old blog will know...). It's been liberating.

Instead of trying to decipher my mood and chooose from over 5,000 songs currently at my fingertips, the random selections of songs has had the power to actually influence and/or change my mood.

It's easy to get set in how we hear/recognize songs and then judge it in another context (which may indicate we've become a music snob or that we're just getting old...). The songs out of context (especially when taken from mixes), especially from one style to the next with no rhyme nor reason, is enough to keep me from locking into any one particular mood.

So here's a snapshot of today's randomness just for fun:

1) Dull My Heart - Ghosts of Paraguay, Silent Souls

2) Fable from Arabian Knights - Professor Shehab & Captain Kowatchi, Land of Baboon Vol. 1

3) In From The Cold - Stasis, History of Future E.P.

4) #13 - Ryoji Ikeda, Demixed

5) Portugese Love (Album Version) - Bah Samba, 4

6) Easy We - Rob Nuca, Dub Be Good to Me

7) Silk Road Fantasy - Kitaro, Silk Road

8) XY Ungelost - 4E, Electric Ladyland III

9) North Bay - Pablo Bolivar, Motion

10) Panama Cell - Once11, Versus The Pyramid

11) Horizontal Structure 3 - Moritz Von Oswald Trio, Horizontal Structure

12) Trip - Megaperis, Coffeeshop Vol. 4

13) Würfel (Version) - Von Schommer, dcv07

14) Mal!c!ouz "Abracadabra" - Once 11, Versus the Pyramid

15) Live in Tokyo I - Deepchord Presents Echospace, 14 Tracks: Echospace Exclusives

16) Tyrolean Music Station - The Conet Project, Recordings of Shortwave Numbers Stations

17) Where's My Money Mastermix - Mark Broom, Excursions

18) Sigh No More - Mumford & Signs, Sigh No More

Love it will not betray, dismay or enslave you
It will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be
There is a design, an alignment, a cry
Of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be

19) The Young People - Moon Wiring Club and Belbury Poly, Ghost Box Study Series 01

20) Morphin - STL, Machines Down Low

*Did not include mention of two tracks that were under 20 second each...such is the nature of the shuffle.

Now if only the shuffle could beat and pitch match...

Feel free to share yours in the comments if so inspired.

DJB.157 – Deepchord (June 2011)

2011-10-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

So I'm on shuffle this week and it's kind of nice as I'm hearing tracks I probably would never get to so what a pleasant surprise when this one popped up. All I can say is...

...you need this.

Killer deep, chunky, dubby tech mix with mostly non-Deepchord related stuff.

You should still be able to DL it...

Here

Eluvium - Static Nocturne (2010)

2011-10-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

Can't remember how, when or where I stumbled across Eluvium but he has developed a sound all his own ranging from slow moving, beautiful piano pieces to dissecting what is often considered "noise" to bring out the beauty found therein.

The first time I ever heard "Zerthis Was A Shivering Human Image" I sat mesmerized for 15 minutes of distorted guitar washing back and forth over me and I achieved a level of peace I could not explain.

This was a limited release from Eluvium (currently going for stupid money on discogs) that tapped into this sound. For 50 minutes, prepare to be immersed in what he called "an homage to static/white noise."

Try

Info

Scion – Arrange And Process Basic Channel Tracks (2002)

2011-10-12T06:12:00.000-07:00

Been on vacation this week so I've lots of time to put on music and just let it play rather than the usual soundbytes on the way to work, on the way home, as I crash at night, etc.

Killer reworking of stuff from the Basic Channel archives by the guys from Subtance & Vainqueur (also in the Basic Channel family) with driving beats that will take you places...

Put this is in and go somewhere.

Try

Info

Intrusion - RA.153 @ 320 kbps

2011-10-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

In light of some goodies headed my way from the Echospace label, thought I'd share this one, also released straight from the label.

If you haven't heard this mix, it's one of the standouts in the series.

Originally issued at 128 kbps, here's the scoop on this rip:

I know the source, I work for him. I took it right from [the] hard drive at his studio and converted it from an AIFF to a 320 MP3 using Pro Tools, I don't think there is a better way.

Deleted...

Apollo Compilations

2011-10-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

Posted these awhile back but found them at much better rip rates.

Classic compilations from a label that hosted such artists as Aphex Twin, Biosphere and many other influential artists when "electronic" music was blossoming.

Try

Info

Part 1//Part2

Info

Steely Dan – Aja (1977) [Cisco & 12-inch singles] 24-bit/192kHz Vinyl Rip

2011-10-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

This is not my rip, just a link to an unbelievably meticulous and obsessive audiophile who has taken transferring vinyl to dizzying degrees. Picked a perfect album to do it, as well.

There is a "making of" that is fascinating to watch as they revisit the master tracks and we see/hear what could have been...

Do yourself a favor and visit whether for the music or for an interest in the technical aspects but definitely check it out.

Check out the equipment:

Analog/Digital Equipment & Process

• Vinyl Cleaning
- Loricarft PRC4 Pro Record Cleaner
- Mint LP Cleaning Solution (cleaned twice)
- Fisher Scientific Deionized Ultra Filtered Water (rinsed twice)
• Turntable Setup
- Basis 2800 Signature with Vacuum Hold-Down
- Basis Calibrator Base with Cable Isolation System
- Basis Synchro-Wave Power Supply
- Basis Vector Model 4 Tonearm
- Dynavector DRT XV-1s cartridge
Note: Basis Turntable Setup is exactly the same as reviewed by Robert Harley.
http://www.basisaudio.com/docs/TAS_2800_review.pdf
• Phono Stage
- Dynavector P-75 mk1
- Audiomagnus Battery Power Supply
• Analog/Digital Convertion
- Tascam DV-RA1000HD
• Associated Equipment
- Stillpoints ESS equipment rack
- Star Sound Sistrum Stand
- Star Sound brass audio points
- Audio Magic Oracle power conditioner
- Basis RCA Cables (turntable to phono stage)
- Jena Labs RCA Symphony interconnects (phono stage to Tascam)
- Virtual Dynamics Genesis 1.0 power cables
• Post Processing
- Sony Sound Forge Pro 10 and Audacity 1.3 used for splitting tracks, dampening silent
transition, testing for clipping and manual removal of significant clicks/anomalies.

Here is what is included in the downloads:

1. The wonderful Steely Dan Aja 30th Anniv. numbered Ltd. Ed. 180g LP remastered by Kevin Gray at AcousTech Mastering.
2. 12-inch promo 45rpm single of “Aja”.
3. 12-inch promo 33.3rpm single of “Deacon Blues”.
4. 12-inch promo 33.3rpm single of “Josie”.
5. 12-inch bootleg 33.3rpm single of “Black Cow” (Alpha Omega Recordings).
6. 12-inch bootleg 33.3rpm single of “Peg” (Alpha Omega Recordings).
Plus making of Aja videos and HQ scans.

Link

P.S. It's in the .wv format so you'll need the Wavepack software (a link is included). It's open source but may take a minute to figure out how to use it to unpack the files to .wav format but it's worth the effort.

Daughter Of The Industrial Revolution – Variable Resistance (Parts 001-003) (2009)

2011-10-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

Tagging on to the Suum Cuique post below, more analogue pleasures from half of Demdike Stare's side project...

Here

Info

Suum Cuique – Midden (2010)

2011-10-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

Analogue...

Two of the tracks ("Lithic Reduction" and "Entropy") are found on the album Variable Resistance (as "Urban Myth" and "The Folding of Paper").

For those not familiar with the artist, Variable Resistance is the second album from Daughter of the Industrial Revolution, side project of Demdike Stare's Miles Whittaker, released on the Cotton Goods label.

Released on the Young Americans label whose parent label is Modern Love (hint).

Essential.

Try

Info

Resident Advisor Podcasts

2011-09-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

Don't sleep...you may not anyhow...

All of 'em..

(through 200)

Perc, Raudive, Senking, Kangding Ray

2011-09-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

Couple of videos (well, only one of these is a "real" video, though a cool one at that) of relatively recent releases well worth tracking down...play loud with a good subwoofer.

Perc - You Saw Me (2011) from Wicker & Steel

Raudive - Is It Dark In Here (2010) from Chamber Music

Senking - Unlighted (2010) from Pong

Kangding Ray - Athem (2011) from OR

TCH (This Crepuscular Hour) Discography - Re-up

2011-09-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

One of the more obscure gems of the Dorobo/Iridium label.

Eryn Tooey (violin) appears on Shinjuku Thief's The Witch trilogy. Peter Breuer (electronics) appears on Shinjuku Filth's Junk.

Only two releases to their credit.

YouTube has a site with many of their videos if you want to get to know a little bit more about their aesthetic.

Tough to find too, especially Abutilon at 320.

Abutilon (1994) (320 kbps)

Try

Info

Sinflower (1997) (VBR~256 kbps)

Try

Info

Des Esseintes / E.P.A. – AZ50HD (2005)

2011-09-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

I'm not usually into "noise" too much but I am a fan of the Dorobo label which is how this made its way into my collection. Darrin Verhagen (under many monikers) made music that ran the gamut from ambient to industrial noise. E.P.A. is his industrial noise moniker.

How to explain this CD?

"A split between Sweden's des Esseintes and Australia's E.P.A., AZ50HD adroitly demonstrates that power electricians aren't just bashing machinery without plan. Not all noise and thunder is random fortuity; in most cases, the decision to create howling walls of noise is a conscious one...

Both Magnus Sundström (des Esseintes) and Darrin Verhagen (E.P.A.) have much more classically inclined projects and, in the case of AZ50HD, they each reconsider a piece by the other in this vein." (Source)

In other words, noise as filtered through classically trained musicians.

One one level - especially the closing track - it is intense and heavy "noise" as we may think of it. Yet under the din there is a sense of something coagulating into order. Each artist has a track and a remix of the other's track. It's interesting to see what they bring out of the original.

Especially interesting (to me anyhow) is the Des Esseintes remix of E.P.A's track and how it culls it into an essence and finds a beat lying underneath. It is a great intro to the track as the original isn't necessarily something you will put on for enjoyment but for 13 minutes of endurance out of sheer willpower.

Somehow, though, on the other end you will find that cobwebs have cleared from your brain.

For the brave...

Source

Mika Vainio - Mining (Video) (2011)

2011-09-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Been on a heavier sounds kick lately, finding the beauty in the apparent chaos. Ditto the video above.

It helps if you've seen the original film but this song and this video are a perfect fit.

Boomkat review of his Life (...It Eats You Up) album.

Just another one of those tracks that jumped out at me instantly...

Lux Vivens - Jocelyn Montgomery with David Lynch (1998)

2011-09-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

Another one tough to categorize.

Just picked up this CD in one of my periodic thrift store visits.

Sacred music of Hildegard von Bingen given David Lynch's deft touch.

"I hear the word 'elements' and hear 'nature' and I hear 'animals' or 'birds' and Jocelyn's interpretation and it sort of flows together. Then I hear the word "12th century" and it conjures up certain things and then to feel the spiritual thing of it, that roars in and pretty soon you have a feeling coming through. And that's the thing we all tried to tune in to." (Source)

A rather stunning work and the only Jocelyn Montgomery album on record.

Try

Info

Tranquility Bass – Let The Freak Flag Fly (1997)

2011-09-22T03:32:00.000-07:00

Makes me think of the Grateful Dead meets Sly Stone channeling the hippy vibe of an alternative consciousness filtered through electronic beats.

On the Astralwerks label, though not sure that helps any, unless you factor in Spacetime Continuum's Alien Dreamtime with Terrence McKenna...

A gloriously strange album.

Enjoy

Info

Salem - King Night (Video) (2010)

2011-09-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

Maybe some of you know this song and the whole genre that bears this sound...

I knew of the genre (Balam Acab seems to get lumped in there) but didn't pay it much mind until I stumbled across this song (and band and album and genre) that seems to garner a lot of confusion in the press.

I haven't had a song smack me like this since the first time I heard Ministry's "Stigmata" or Nine Inch Nails' "Head Like A Hole" and sat spellbound by the videos.

I think it was the 'O Holy Night' (a highly meaningful song for me) thing that sucked me in.

Considering that I find music in the sound of wires in the wind or in the recordings of shortwave radio transmissions and enjoy the musical collision styles of such artists as Bill Laswell and scratch DJs, it isn't a stretch for me to see the beauty going on in the midst of what seems like blithering chaos.

Not sure the song (or video) has any meaning at all but the end result is pretty remarkable (and apparently polarizing). Genius? Social commentary? Apathy? Catharsis? Or perhaps just a moment in pop culture in which the decomposition of meaning has found a temporary repose.

If anything, there seems to be an inertia behind it which comes from a place so overly sensitized that to be desensitized would be to feel something. Boomkat's review is well worth reading.

I suppose it takes coming from a place like that to bring forth something like this.

Check it out...

SALEM - KING NIGHT from Theo Wenner on Vimeo.

U-cover Mixes

2011-09-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

If you aren't familiar with the U-cover label, well worth your time to check it out. Mostly the work of label owner, Koen Lybbaert (aka Ontayso), it offers a diverse selection of artists to be found and/or represented and a nice variety of unique musical offerings.

Couple of older mixes here that give a taste of what they have to offer:

Mix #1 (Ambient)

Mix #3 (IDM)
Mix #4 (Minimal)

Missing #2 if anyone has it to offer...

As always, support the labels and artists in any way you can.

Alan Lamb's Night Passage - The Layered Mixes

2011-09-11T12:07:00.000-07:00

One of the more visited pieces of music in my collection (much to my GF's dismay...) is Alan Lamb's "wire music" as found on two CDs he has released of the recordings.

Several things prompted me to experiment a little.

At the end of a road trip last week, Murcof's The Versailles Sessions (another challenging yet essential work) was accompanying me and as "Spring in the Artificial Gardens" ended it struck me that David Hyke's "Rainbow Voice" (that I first heard in one of my favorite films, Baraka, essential on Blu-Ray), would blend perfectly into this.

As I started to put this together I decided to use Alan Lamb's "Night Passage" as the foundation. Something about the cacophony of the Murcof track seemed to fit. The 24:51 track length is the entire Lamb piece on its own.

There are two versions here:

#2) The recent post of The Conet Project has a video of a mix with Lamb's "Last Anzac" piece and I figured a random sample of these recordings would fit in with the mix.

Finally, thrown in to boot was "Among the Shadows" from Anders Peters' latest, Eerie Calm Reincarnate. Since he is into found sounds as a basis for his "eerie" soundscapes, it all seemed to gel.

#4) I toned down the wire music to bring out the other songs in the mix more clearly. "Among the Shadows" was replaced with "Her Face" so this one's got some beats and The Conet Project track was replaced with "Origins" from Darrin Verhagen's Soft Ash, an "aural treatment of six different fatal gaseous clouds, most of which being mostly composed of sulphur dioxide." (Source)

Certainly not everyone's thing and certainly not "music" in the usual sense (whatever that is) but hopefully you'll find it interesting...

Night Passage #2

Night Passage #4

Anders Peterson (aka A.P., aka Relapxych.0)

2011-09-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

Another mix from one of my favorite artists, Anders Peterson, who operates under many aliases.

Along with being a great music maker, his production techniques grace many releases on labels such as his own Ghost Sounds label and, lately, Silent Season, one of the best labels out there right now.

By the way, his latest release, Eerie Calm Reincarnate, is one of 2011's best. Picked up the 2 LP release upon its release. On top of the brooding ambience, he's added beats which really give it a distinctive touch.

Give this mix a listen and give him your support.

The tracklist:

1. 0’00 Katzo – « Iterance »
2. 5’40 Atheus – « Decaedra »
3. 13’10 Alteria percepsyne – « All you see is a ghost »
4. 17’53 A.P reworks Muslimgauze – « Citadel in nightlight »
5. 23’52 relapxych.0 – « Distant radiance »
6. 27’15 Alveol – « Living crystal »
7. 31’11 Deer – « Live in Manchester » (relapxych.0 Remix)
8. 34’05 Akira Yamaoka – « Assault on the police station »
9. 36’30 A.P – « Foreverneverendeverend »
10. 37’37 The exaltics – « Negative agency »
11. 41’29 M.A.L – « Lie detector test »
12. 43’02 Katzo – « Refrain »
13. 46’00 Rhythm and sound – « Trace »
14. 47’25 Federsen – « Gamma »
15. 51’30 Andrea Porcu – « Come le onde »
16. 58’01 Skyscaper / Ekelon – « Shaping the sky »

Input Selector Mix

4AD - 12 Inch 87 Anthology (1987)

2011-09-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

Japanese only release...re-up by request.

Includes some really cool artwork along with album info.

Low VBR rip rate (~130 kbps).

If anyone has a higher rip rate feel free to share.

Enjoy

P.S. Trying to get to some of the re-up requests...no promises but will do what I can...

The Conet Project

2011-09-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

The coolest thing I've heard in quite some time...

Some of my favorite albums are those that capture those sounds from the atmosphere that we often miss and forget that it is another soundtrack to our life. Darrin Verhagen's Soft Ash and Alan Lamb's Night Passage come immediately to mind.

This is a collection - 4 CDs worth - of post World War II shortwave radio transmissions. There is a conspiracy, spy element to them which makes them all the more intriguing. You can read all about them here.

Even if you don't listen to them all in one sitting you owe it to yourself to put it on in the background and see if you don't find yourself feeing like you are in another time.

These are free on the archive.org website or you can find the recordings:

Here

Speaking of Alan Lamb (which is how I stumbled across this in the first place), here is a mix of his "wire music" and some samples from the Conet Project:

P.S. Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot has its roots in these recordings and they were in fact sued by Irdial, the label behind the project.

Naked Funk

2011-09-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

By multiple requests...

Valium (1996)

Naked Funk's first album.

This one doesn't seem to get much attention. Maybe it should...

Here

Info

Evolution Ending (1999)

I first stumbled across them on Global Underground's first Afterhours mix. The title song was one of the highlights of the mix.

I've seen their sound compared to The Crystal Method and, on a few songs, this is a fair comparison with the heavy emphasis on bass.

However, there is a bit more diversity in their sound, sometimes a bit funky in an electro kind of way and sometimes more on the downtempo.

If anything get it for the title track but listen to it from the beginning before getting there. It's a nice ride.

Here

Info

Echospace in the mailbox...

2011-08-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

No new music here, just a little bundle of joy to share. Deepchord presents Echospace's The Coldest Season was one of 2007's highlights and brought the deep underground sound of Rod Modell and Stephen Hitchell into the spotlight. They continue to turn out amazing releases.

It was originally issued as a four part series of 12" vinyl records. A few days ago I stumbled across this find at discogs being sold "for one of the artist from Echospace, they are brand new and still sealed but from the original pressing..."

For good measure, the CV313 "Seconds to Forever [Extended Live Version]" was tossed in. It does not have a sticker indicating that it is one of the 200 from the limited release but it is a new digipak and still sealed and it's right from the label.

Not much gets my heart racing these days but the feeling upon opening up this package brought quite a little rush.

So, for your listening pleasure...

Coldest Season

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Burnin' (1973)

2011-08-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

Special treat since I've been on a vinyl kick lately...

The link below is to a site with a vinyl rip (using HQ equipment). If you haven't been to this site, don't sleep.

Link

Info

Coldcut - Stoned,,,Chilled,,,Groove (1997)

2011-08-02T03:43:00.000-07:00

Finally tracked down a physical copy of this one for a reasonable price.

A classic.

Chilled...very...

Enjoy

Info

Roberta Flack - First Take (1969)

2011-07-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

Roberta Flack's first album. While it contains the hit "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" the entire album is required listening.

This is a vinyl rip in FLAC. Check out the link below for the links, an excellent write-up on the vinyl used. This is how it should be heard. I do have a beat up old copy on vinyl and this is a treat.

FLAC

Info

For a treat, check out the original of "Compared to What" as performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival of 1969:

Spacebow - Big Waves (1995)

2011-07-30T04:56:00.000-07:00

This was the first thing I played when I attempted my cooking adventure. It was the perfect thing to focus my attention. It's a collaboration between Carsten Tiedemann (see Mo Boma below) and Robert Rutman.

It is 'drone' type music using Rutman's musical instruments made out of steel and reminds me of the sounds made by Alan Lamb's wire recordings in the Australian outback.

Drone may not be everyone's thing but, as with much music, in the right setting it may be just what you need.

Try

Info

Analog...

2011-07-25T13:08:00.001-07:00

Mo Boma - Myths of the Near Future I-III

2011-07-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

For those who have been around, you should know that two experimental labels out of Australia (Dorobo, now gone and Extreme, recently revamped) have been staples for my ears. Mo Boma is one of the artists on the Extreme label and is featured here. Often tagged "ethno-ambient" their music surpasses the imitative nature of most music with the tag, samples taken out of context with simplistic pseudo-mystical vibes that are mostly beats created by machine.

While there is an "ethnic" (in contrast to the European background of the musicians in the group) slant due primarily to the samples, some of the instruments and the locations where the albums were recorded, their music transcends the limitation of the genre tag. Earthy, but not too much. These guys are true musicians and they make some incredible music.

"Skuli Sverrisson's subtle, unobtrusive bass work recalls the bottom-end gurglings of Bill Laswell, while Carsten Tiedemann (who also contributes vocals, percussion, and African lute to the mix) plays guitar like a young Robert Fripp. But it's the synth work of Jamshied Sharifi that provokes Tangerine Dream comparisons, as his mature phrasing and textural layering sound like the product of a classical music background." (Bret Love, Rovi)

The context for today is that I am cooking. I am not a cook, mind you (PB&J and Clif Bars are my staples). However, I have a day off work (truck needs repaired), we have peppers rotting in the fridge and I hate to see food waste. With eight hours of mostly nothing to do, I decided to try Stuffed Peppers (of the vegetarian variety).

Rather than some high energy music (which probably would have stressed me out), I decided to pop this (and Spacebow, see next post...) on and let it roll. I couldn't have asked for better music to cook to. Peaceful and meditative enough with just the right touch of movement to make the experience memorable. Hopefully the meal turns out ok...

In the meantime, here are all three in the series:

Try
Info

Try

Info

Roswell Return – Probe (2010)

2011-07-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

One of the best releases of last year...picked this one up on vinyl...

Sublime.

Try

Info

Would love to see the documentary DVD of the soundtrack they did if anyone has it!

P.S. Check out their recent podcast from Bodytonic. One of the best podcasts I've ever heard. Just check out the tracklist...

Mo Wax Discography

2011-06-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

...go here...get out your translator...be patient while you figure it out...smile for days on end...

Cotton Goods

2011-06-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

Here

...gotta be registered...get out your translator...

Discogs

Dorobo Videos 1992-1995

2011-06-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

Let's try this again...

The Dorobo label (now defunct) out of Australia has been one of my favorite labels for a while. Mostly the brainchild and work of Darrin Verhagen under his various monikers, it features some interesting music of a more "industrial" nature, social commentary with an art school aesthetic.

This is a compilation of videos of artists from the label. The videos definitely match the feel of the music. Grainy, industrial, Kafka-esque collages. An excellent series of videos put together by I+T=R (local designer Richard Grant credited by Verhagen with creating the entire Dorobo aesthetic)

Turn down the lights and turn up the volume for a creepy good time.

This one is long overdue for a DVD treatment. Richard Grant has been posting some stellar videos on his YouTube account which includes everything here and then some.

TCH (aka This Crepuscular Hour) also has a YouTube account well worth checking out.

Experiment and engaging stuff, highly, highly recommended.

Tracklisting:

1 Shinjuku Filth - Detox
2 Snog - Cliche
3 Shinjuku Thief - Komachi Ruins
4 Hanging Garden - Rust
5 Shinjuku Thief - The Assessor / Stepping From Routine / Lips Of The Guilty
6 Snog - Empires
7 Ryoji Ikeda - What's Wrong / Zone 2
8 TCH - In Sensorium
9 Professor Richmann - Eis
10 Shinjuku Thief - Warm As The Blood Beneath The Clods / In The Path Of Walpurga's Ashes
11 Loggerhead - Demons In Rapture
12 This Digital Ocean - Heartbreaker
13 Shinjuku Thief - The Year Of Silence

Links

Info

Deepchord's new release has dropped...

2011-06-11T05:26:00.000-07:00

To get you in the mood, check these out:

Deepchord

Rod Modell

Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited – Jet Sound Inc. (2002)

2011-05-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Something a little fun and kinda cool in a retro without trying too hard kind of way...perfect for summer time with the top down.

Think of Leave It To Jeannie meets Laugh In meets Twin Peaks.

Link

Info

Agriculture Sampler...

2011-05-28T02:53:00.000-07:00

By request...nice sampler of artists on The Agriculture Records label, representing artists with roots in New York's "illbient" culture, still going strong, though perhaps shying away from or expanding beyond the 'illbient' tag.

A few repeats here if you've DL'd the Beets samplers.

"The Agriculture is a fresh uplifting take on what was known in the 90's as New York City's experimental Ambient / Dub / Hip-Hop scene, also the source of such artists as DJ Spooky, Sub Dub, Byzar, Liminal, and Brooklyn's WordSound collective.
Find downtempo abstract beats, understated instrumentals reflecting a deep sunrise vibe and - most of all - a sympathetic sound. Nonchalant. Rugged. Timeless. Uplifting. These beatz are therapy for the soul, a soundtrack for the down home crew. Backyard breaks roof music..." (Source)

Check out the smart-music.de website for a few other downloads as well.

Link

Info

Moby - Move (1993)

2011-05-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

As a tribute to Moby's tenth release, Destroyed, here's a trip back in time to my first experience listening to Moby. Raised in the Midwest on the usual classic rock, something in me yearned to break away.

With a little chemical motivation, I was off to the West where I landed in Seattle for awhile and found myself immersed in the rave scene that was burgeoning up from the underground.

This is when I fell in love with electronic music. Moby was one of the first and there has always been something about his music that resonated, getting lost in the bliss whether in the rave or in the headphones. There's a certain schizophrenia in his music - punk, yet melancholy - that fits.

I stuck with him 'til about the time he released '18' (a little too ubiquitous) and dabbled here and there with his later stuff but I had moved on to other interests. However, for some reason I knew that I needed this latest release. Boy, was I right.

While it certainly hearkens back to those memories when his 'Ambient' and 'Everything Is Wrong' albums kept me company on long, lonely, soul searching nights, the new album also has a more positive, mature spirit that is nothing short of a religious experience if digested all in one listen in the right frame of mind.

Mine came on the highway driving across Michigan from Detroit south to Ohio. By the time I got to 'Lacrimae' I was in deep, deep bliss and, though driving at 70+ mph, time stood still and I knew I was right where I was supposed to be at that moment.

Say what you may that he has sold out or has gone soft, very few musicians can make electronic music as moving as Moby does. He tells a story and takes you places.

So, as a form of closure, go back in time and

Move

P.S.

Electric Ladyland I-III

2011-05-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

Info (170 vbr)

Info (320 kbps)

Info (160 kbps)

Music that defies easy categorization with enough electronic, beat driven, techno weirdness to keep your head busy for hours. Kind of bridges a variety of labels from Axiom to Ninja Tune to various labels out of the Brooklyn "illbient" (if labels must be used...) scene.

Here

B.E. Taylor Group - Love Won The Fight (1983)

2011-05-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite albums from the 80s. Still have the original copy, well played but in nice condition. While there was nothing out of the ordinary about the band, they played some good ol' rock and roll, something of a regional player that teetered on going big time.

They had a pretty big hit with 'Vitamin L' that saw some airtime on MTV. The whole album, though, is solid without a bad song on here.

He is now known for his Christmas shows. Got to meet him when he came through the church I attend one year. Nice guy, lots of stories. Meant to go to the show and bring the album but wasn't able to go.

Anyhow, his old stuff has never seen release on CD. Not even listed in discogs.

Go back in time... (some, not all, of the links are down)

Info

Illbient...

2011-05-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

Info

If you know, you know. If you don't, you definitely should.

Beats to go...

P.S.

Anders Peterson (aka A.P. aka Relapxych aka Ghostsounds) mml ssgs mix

2011-05-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

Just trying to drum up some more interest in one of my favorite artists. Perhaps most familiar as Relapxych.0, his mastering credits as A.P. can be found all over some of the best new music coming out from labels such as Other Heights, Silent Season and his own label, Ghostsounds.

He provided two mixes for mnmlssgs.blogspot one of his own material and one of 80s new wave material that he has remastered.

His most recent mastering job was for Alteria Percepsyne, originally slated to be released on Shoreless Recordings but they went belly up.

Anyhow, track down his music and anything has mastered. He has a deft touch and has garnered an excellent reputation.

You can find the mixes here.

This Is Home Entertainment

2011-05-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Part1//Part2

(320 kbps)

Info

Try

(v0 VBR ~245 kbps)

Info

Try

(v0 VBR ~245 kbps)

Info

Some "illbient" sounds from Brooklyn running the gamut from funk to ambient to things that just defy categorization.

I could listen to this stuff all day...

Used Kids Records - Columbus, Ohio

2011-04-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a weekend in Columbus, Ohio. Just a quick getaway but did manage to find a little time to check out Used Kids Records (a vinyl mainstay for a long time...) and some other smaller shops. Was really surprised that Urban Outfitters had a selection of new vinyl. Guess vinyl is kind of, dare I say it, trendy? There is great irony in this because your hardcore vinyl folks are, in general, not exactly hip.

Anyhow, found a few gems for a buck a piece:

- Enigma 12" to add to my vinyl copy of MCMXC a.D.
- a copy of a Red 7 album I didn't even know existed
- a 12" promo of Underworld before they became "cool"
- a vinyl copy of Indio's Big Harvest (this received some press after Eddie Vedder covered the track "Hard Sun" in the movie Into the Wild)

Kinda fun but it's primarily a "classic rock" kind of store with limited selection of new, non-mainstream stuff. I suppose that's the point of digging.

Did see, and passed on, a copy of Mumford & Sons' stunning Sigh No More.

And, finally, just before leaving on the trip, received this little beauty from Murcof:

Beat Pharmacy – Wikkid Times - Versions & Remixes (2009)

2011-04-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

A fantastic array of remixes from a host of some well known and lesser well known names in the dub techno universe, including Intrusion, Quantec, Deadbeat and others.

If you haven't heard the original Wikkid Times album from which these tracks come, it is one of 2008's shining gems.

Part1//Part2

Info

Elektrons - Red Light, Don't Stop (2007)

2011-04-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

The first track is one of those rare tracks that hooks you and doesn't let go. Funky, old school style throwback...wicked good.

Check it:

Try

Info

Mo' Wax Excursions Discography

2011-04-05T17:19:00.000-07:00

"A division of Mo'Wax for excursions into pure electronic and hip-hop."

Lesser known sub-label of Mo' Wax.

Start here...

Info

Murcof - Live

2011-04-04T03:22:00.000-07:00

Two live performances/mixes from Murcof.

The first is a 2002 podcast on Mutek out of Canada that features his unique glitchy, post-classical minimal vibe in full effect.

The second file is from the Mary Anne Hobbs show on the BBC from September of 2007. This was taken from a year end retrospective. For some reason, it seems really short (only about 15 minutes) but I guess that was it, unless the special from which this was taken was edited.

This is in light of his La Sangra Illuminada sountrack coming out on vinyl. Previously available only on CD in Mexico, this 2009 release will be limited to 300 copies on red vinyl.

If you aren't familiar with Murcof and his evolving style, his music is a journey worth taking.

Enjoy

P.S. The whole Mary Anne Hobbs year end special can be found here:

Part1//Part2