Mo' Wax Radio 24/7

Surprised I haven't upped this before.

Just got an email from the owner of this streaming radio station that plays nothing but Mo' Wax 24/7.

If you dig the label, this is a phenomenal thing as you will most certainly hear tracks you have never heard before.

It streams via Flash so won't work on every player.  Here is more info about the site.

Phenomenal.

http://www.morewax.com

PIT to IAH

Flew south of the border...again...

When I travel my philosophy is not to impose or to take (even 'taking' pictures should be scrutinized) but to understand and to learn.

Slowly but surely I am actually being immersed into a different worldview.  This isn't the mere observer point of view taken to all the touristy places but a slow immersion into seeing life as it is.  I consider it a privilege to be given this perspective.

That is my guiding m.o. any time I travel so everything I do is filtered through that lens.  That means I ask lots of questions.

Music is always a great bridge so I've picked up a few artists local to the region and have added them to the shuffle.  From 3ball MTY to Panda it's a great bridge to understanding (I keep vowing to improve my Spanish by listening with a translation of the lyrics...).

Anyhow, this is the mix on the shuffle from Pittsburgh to Houston. This is one of the most consistent mixes I've encountered, mostly on the low, dubby end of the spectrum.  Was the perfect groove for an early morning start.

Couple of newer tracks in here, always worth a listen to possibly pick up some new sounds.

Part1//Part2

FACT Mix 343: Old Apparatus

Stumbled across these guys a few months back with their Chernobyl Mixtape.  

There is an evolution in the world of music that I really like.  We are moving toward a world of post-genre.  

This isn't a 'punk' kind of attempt at breaking free of genres but a certain embrace of whatever genres others will place on music.

Labels are really meaningless and musicians such as this seem to swim in music as music and in so doing will, for now, remain relatively impervious to tags.

You can usually tell because statements such as "elements of blunted hip-hop, ghostly R&B, noise, industrial, techno and even post-rock" will be thrown into any attempt at categorization. 

In my travels this week my shuffle locked in on this Factmag mix, a great intro to their vibe.  Mixes like this are like having friends with much better record collections than you.  

Highly recommended.

Link

Discogs

Demdike Stare - Voice Of Dust (2010)

"Like a baby with a sixth finger or a bearded lady, Demdike Stare are out on their own, a freakish curiosity for sure, but one that invites inquisitive ears and questioning listeners."  (Source)

Not sure I could have put it any better.  

Here's an album primer (my first introduction to their work):

Try

Info

Anyhow, I'm going to see these guys in Pittsburgh on October 3rd as they do a live re-score of the film La Vampire Nue (aka "The Nude Vampire").

Not really sure what to expect but I'm guessing here's a clue...

Brock Van Wey - A Chance To Start Over

Life is still crazy and I'm still traveling like a maniac for work but I'm back and running.

By far one of the best albums to come out in the past few years, White Clouds Drift On And On by Brock Van Wey (aka bvdub, Earth House Hold, etc.) was a before and after album for me.

Still have an original CD (which, for a while, was going for upwards of $100).

Stumbled across it via Echospace's "The Coldest Season" when I learned who Steven Hitchell was and found his Intrusion side project.  Disc two contains Hitchell's Intrusion reworks of Brock Van Wey's already stunning tracks on disc one.

This is the album version of the track "A Chance To Start Over" with a different reworked version by Hitchell's Intrusion project that was only available on the web.  It's a great teaser to the album.

If you don't have the entire album yet...who are you?  Kidding...

If you don't have it, track it down, it's essential.

Enjoy

Info

Where it's at...

Computer still down.

Gets stuck at this screen and goes into the perpetual reboot mode.

Gets to this screen and stops.  Have scoured the web and have done all the help tricks (F8, etc.) and zero, zip, nada.

A bad driver is what I've been told.  

Anyone know of any tools to get the files from the Hard Drive?  Don't feel like spending hundreds of dollars for someone else to do it.

Any other suggestions?

Not a devastating loss if I don't, just a real PITA.

I am feening though...can't do this from a tablet.

Another flashback...

White Zombie.  Think it may  have been the same local video channel where I discovered some of the artists in the post below...

I'm not one to get stuck in reminiscing but sometimes it's kind of fun (though sometimes not) stirring up old memories.

Anyhow, I ended up staying in Hobbs, New Mexico for a visit in my travels because of the artwork in the CD for La Sexorcito.

Here's the video:

White Zombie - More Human Than Human [480p] from Jon Saunders on Vimeo.

Computer down...flashback time...

Karma finally got me, picked up a virus. Get stuck at the log in screen perpetually. Guy at work can hopefully resurrect it or at least save the contents of the HD. 

In the meantime, I was trying to find some videos to upload hearkening back to a local video channel through which I discovered Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Toni Childs, Smashing Pumpkins and Luka Bloom.

For each one of these I sat mesmerized, transfixed, unable to take my eyes off the screen.

To date myself a little I bought each of these on cassette.  Had a loud system in my car then (a bit heavy on the treble) and, well, vinyl wasn't very portable.  Just gave my nephew my original issue Smashing Pumpkins Gish cassette (he didn't know how to put it back in the case after he opened it).  To date myself a little further I remember when MTV first came on the air (they played music then).  

Nine Inch Nails: Head Like a Hole (Remastered) from Nine Inch Nails on Vimeo.


TONI CHILDS - Don't Walk Away by Thander


Ministry - Stigmata by Ministry-Official


The Smashing Pumpkins - I Am One by TheSmashingPumpkins-Official


Luka Bloom - I Need Love on MUZU.TV.

Anyhow, without collapsing into sappy sentimentality on days gone by I found Luka Bloom's album The Acoustic Motorbike where I had originally posted it on on this blog. 

It was posted in September of 2009 (been at this awhile...). 150 posts in that month! If you're interested, go back in time and visit. Not sure how many links are still up. Lots of changes since that time. 

Flashback 

 Hope to be back in business soon...

The Hit List

Most of these are available but in lower quality rips.  They've been floating around for a long time. Better than nothing but still...

There's a donation button on the left if interested.  Or, if anyone happens to have better rip rates or even the physical medium available, feel free to share or, if reasonably priced, sell.

Update: down to two at the moment. The previous list has been dwindled down due to generous folks and some substantial investments which may eventually see the light of day here.

Secrets of Zen (Japanese Chillout Vol. 1)  (2006)

Currently available only as a v2 VBR rip.

Last sold on April 24, 2012 - $27.86 average

Worth 9 GB

Info

Salt Tank - The 4th Way (2000)

Currently unavailable on the web.

No sales history.

Worth 45.08 GB

Info

Capt. Kowatchi ‎– The Conference Of The Birds (1997)

Been after this one for a while...finally broke down and got it.

Stumbled across his name on several of the Land of Baboon compilations and was always intrigued.

The title was intriguing as well because I went through a long period of interest in Sufism and The Conference of the Birds is a well known book by Farid al-Din Attar (thus the mystical vibe).

Scratched that itch...

Part1//Part2

Info

Mazh - Till It's Gone (2012)

Special treat for everyone, show some love!

Please place a vote in the poll on the left.  Curious to hear some feedback.

All lyrics written by and vocals (main, background and harmony) performed by...

...my daughter.

With assistance on the keyboards and production from her producer.

Check it (plays well loud).

Raudive ‎– Chamber Music (2010)

Another hidden gem.

Hard to categorize this one.  Techno, definitely, but there's a manipulated "classical" vibe that seems to permeate this one though not in the usual way.

It's quite different than the usual techno fare, well worth some head space.

Here's a snippet of a review from dustedmagazine:

Affection for the many shades of darkness that permeate the minimal end of electronic music is what ultimately unites these songs – and the Raudive aesthetic – on Chamber Music, which turns out to be less a musical idea than a spatial one. Despite plenty of negative space in these songs, the emptiness often feels claustrophobic or insular. Appropriately, this is music that can work well in the vast expanses of a club setting...as well as nestled at home in the comfort of your headphones.

Try

Info

Robbie Robertson ‎– Contact From The Underworld Of Redboy (1998)

One of my favorite albums as of late.

His Music for Native Americans has long been one of my favorite albums.

This one, however, has lately been coming to the forefront of my shuffle mixes and continues to stand out as a pleasant surprise.

While the Native American focus is still dominant, this one has embraced an electronic/trip hop kind of feel and the lyrics have taken on a heavier, more mystical/mysterious flare interspersed with some political fare as well (the song 'Sacrifice' is about and features a soundbyte from Leonard Peltier).

High recommendation, great for late night drives.

Try

Info

If I Had A Radio Station...

On a lazy Sunday last week while cutting the grass, running to the grocery and doing other random non-memorable events, the mix on my mp3 for the day was not only perfect for the mood it was, overall, just a great mix.

So, if I had a radio station, it would sound something like this mix...

Enjoy

bvdub - faded truths (1999)

This mix used to be available for free on his website but seems to no longer be found.

Keep in mind this is from 1999 so you might be (pleasantly) surprised...

Enjoy

Info

P.S. There is no original cover art, this is just a snapshot from my days of urban exploring that seemed fitting...

Holy Other ‎– With U (2011)

I'm doing the shuffle thing and have lately had a good string of tracks that carry a similar mood - nothing earth shattering just a nice consistent groove - and then this one drops in...

I had that moment of "Whoa, who is this?"

Well, this is who it is.

Draws comparison to Balam Acab and Salem but comparisons only get you so close.

High recommendation.

Info

Trip Hop Anthology Volumes 1 and 2

Trip Hop Anthology (2006)

Thought of these while shuffling...

Classic compilations, essential to anyone's collection.

Aside from the Headz compilations these are probably the best compilations to give to someone unfamiliar with one of the defining music styles (as abused as the genre title is) of the 90s.

Part1//Part2//Part3

Trip Hop Anthology Vol. 2 (2010)

The second compilation which I didn't even know about until not too long ago.

Four discs of tracks will keep you lost in blissful reminisce for days.

Part1//Part2

Wired Day 2009

New vinyl only release featuring Alan Lamb and other "sound" composers just came out.

If you aren't familiar with his work, he is most known for his releases featuring raw recordings of abandoned telephone wires in the Australian outback.

Not what we usually think of as music but it is some of the most compelling and intriguing headphone music I've ever listened to.

Just picked this one up on vinyl (black vinyl...didn't get in on time for the clear versions.).

As a teaser, here's a Mixcloud mix that you might find interesting.  The mix features snippets from this release as well as sample from other Taiga catalogue.

Enjoy!

TAIGA Records (SCV Podcasts 123)

P.S. Go here to learn how to DL this as an mp3.  It's sweet.

Oh, and folks are already buying 'em only to try and sell 'em at an inflated price (sadly, such is the nature of the vinyl market today).

Info

everythingonmyipod

Stumbled across this on the waybackmachine (now archive.org).

This is when life was less complicated and the whole blogging thing was relatively new and was a lot of fun.  Met some great folks along the way and was immersed in the relatively carefree world of sharing record collections with people from around the world.

It's still fun but things have changed, moved underground and music has proliferated exponentially.  It's an amazing time.

Hard to imagine that I've been at this for just about five years.  While I don't have the time I used to, it's still always fun to share music that has been important to me or presenting treasures discovered while virtual digging.

For a trip back in time, check it out, see if it brings back memories.

everythingonmyipod.blogspot.com

For those who have stuck around, thank you.  Your visits here and comments and contributions are appreciated more than you'll ever realize.

Drop me a comment and reminisce if you've been around for a while!  Would love to hear.

Rrose x Bob Ostertag – Motormouth Variations (2011)

Another gem of an album, akin to the work of Demdike Stare's Miles Whittaker's analogue experiments as Suum Cuique (who has a new album out...vinyl ordered and en route to my mailbox...).

There is a strange appeal to this kind of music, something like immersing yourself into The Matrix and finding that it is quite musical, with the help of humans to extract it out.

Guess it's the perspective that allows me to hear a beat at the gas pump or the washing machine with a lopsided load as it dances across the basement floor.

For the adventuresome...

This is the original release with Bob Ostertag's original source material so you can experience for yourself the manipuluations to create the variations.

Will this change your life?  Probably not.  But it should create a fissure large enough to find beauty in the strangest of places.

Enjoy

Info

The Third Eye Foundation - Oumupo 1 (2004)

The Dark from Third Eye Foundation (aka Matt Elliott) was one of 2010's best.

This is his mix from the Oumupo series on the Ici D'Ailleurs label out of France.  Other well known artists who mixed for the label include DJ Krush, Kid Loco and Rob Swift.

Here are the rules of the mix:

All tracks mixed, added and transformed by The Third Eye Foundation.

Oumupo stands for: "Ouvroir de Musique Potentielle" and refers to the Oulipo movement in French literature. 

Each release in the series contains a mix composed of selected tracks from the Ici D'ailleurs & 0101 catalogues + a 16 pages comic strips. Both the mix and the comics obey rules detailed in a charter included in each release's booklet, and sometimes other constraints requested by the artists themselves.

Constraint requested by Matt Elliott for this release: Ici D'ailleurs had to choose the titles to be mixed.

There is something strangely compelling about this music, kind of like taking some New Orleans jazz and giving it the William Basinski Disintegration Loops treatment.

Highly recommended.

Try

Info

60 Minutes of Mo Wax Shit (1997)

Finally!

FLAC

Part1//Part2

Info

(Thanks)

RIP Adam Yauch (aka MCA)

I saw this this morning at about 2 a.m. after a night of non-sleep. For whatever reason, it almost brought me to tears. Perhaps you've already seen it...

In 1986/1987, as a freshman at university, Licensed To Ill had just dropped and it was on constant rotation in my room for the entire year. 

Went and saw the Beastie Boys on that tour (with Fishbone and Murphy's Law).  All I really remember about the set was the giant phallus in the middle of the stage.  This sheltered suburbanite's worldview was slowly expanding and breaking free from the obligatory classic rock diet.

Hard to believe that 25 years have passed.  The Beastie Boys grew up (just compare the lyrics to "Bodhisattva Vow") and so did we.

Perhaps it was the loss of youth along with the loss - at too early an age - of Adam Yauch, but I was deeply moved.

I know next to nothing about Coldplay but there is just something about this track, especially the audience chiming in with every lyric, that is quite touching. Music is a unifying force.

 

B&N, Coffee and CQE...

I am studying for the Certified Quality Engineer exam.  Yep, geekdom is official.  And I'm cool with that.  At least I am getting paid for it.

Anyhow, studying at a large book retailer (the photo above showed up with a quick B&N search and seemed fitting) with a venti coffee of another famous brand name while utilizing a PDF version of the study material on my tablet manufactured by yet another brand name yielded a pretty nice playlist.

I've noticed that if you throw in The Conet Project to any mix it really adds a nice flavor to it, kind of creating something of a dream universe out of which music flows.

Anyhow, here's the mix (still not sure why info is missing in the snapshot...):

Part1//Part2

deepindub.org - In Dub We Trust (2012)

Finally was able to get off the weekend job but that removes the 24 hour stretch of time over the weekend when I could listen to, explore and share new music.

Stumbled across this one due to a bunch of artists I currently listen to and discovered it was free. Then it went on hiatus.  Now it's back and it's crazy good.

Great website representing some up and coming electronic musicians, many who have seen releases on well known and respected labels (e.g. ZeECc, Silent Season, etc.), that carry the much tagged 'dub' sound.

30 tracks over 3 hours of quality music on this comp.  Plus there are literally hours and hours of free music available as well.

Please, please, please show some support, if able.  Send $1, $5, $10 (you get a bonus if you do).

Do something.  Need to keep sites like this alive.

ENJOY