Shinsuke Matsumoto ‎– Lantern (2011)

Dub techno done right...

Part1//Part2

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Mon0 and B Mus (2012)

Sublime Porte, out of Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the many netlabels around that offer up amazing releases for  free or donation only.  

There is so much incredible music being made these days that it is impossible to keep up and so many artists just do not get the audience they deserve.  Sensory overload on all fronts.

However, from the din some artists float to the top.

The two artists below are of the dub techno variety but have a sonic depth that you don't hear too often.  

Highly recommended.  Please support them and the label(s) in any way you can.

B Mus - Nothing Is As It Seems (2012)

Contains remixes from Grad_U and Zzzzra. 

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Mon0 - Monolog (2012)

This one bleeds into drone territory and will take you deep.  With tracks all around the 10 minute mark, that's plenty of time to get lost.

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The Art Of War: Who Dares Wins (2000)

For some reason, not many people really know about this compilation.

Over time, it's turned in to one of my favorites of the Mo' Wax era as it really encapsulates that sound that made the label so fresh.

Toy's Factory out of Japan had an early association with Mo' Wax and brought out some early gems along with some tracks exclusive to their releases (e.g. Urban Tribe's Collapse of Culture).

And, for some reason, there has only been a 256 kbps and/or a v0 floating around the web for years.

So, for your listening pleasure, another HTCIS exclusive: FLAC.

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Mexico Unmixed

Last trip to Mexico, a few songs popped up in the mix associated with "Mexico" which seemed quite serendipitous. One of the tracks was from this compilation.

I lost a boatload of music (GBs in the 100s) when the computer crashed and I now have a dead hard drive that I can read but am still unable to retrieve the files.  Maddening.

At least I was able to retrieve the 70 GB of tunes on the mp3 player and move them back to the new computer.  Unfortunately, I only had 10 of the songs from this compilation.  

Info and the entire tracklist can be found here.

Over the course of my travels a few of these songs have entered the shuffle and they always stand out.

For a taste...

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The Dorobo/Demdike Stare connection

As anyone who's been here awhile knows, one of my favorite labels is the now defunct Dorobo label out of Australia. Some great, mid-90s experimental music.

This is a cool video by Richard Grant (aka I+T=R) whose artwork and video work is part of the labels' identity. Cool concept that works well with the song...

"This was the first experiment I did with my first video camera in 1991. Made by recording the short loop onto VHS then playing it back on the VHS player whilst shooting it again on camera, then playing the camera tape on the VHS player and re-shooting, I repeated this process until I couldn't discern the start of the loop anymore. I slightly edited this experiment to the Loggerhead track in 1994, it was meant to appear on the Dorobo video compilation but the running time was too long.

Loggerhead released one album 'Demons in Rapture' in 1994.

Viewing advice: fullscreen, dark room, loud sound."

 

Then I stumbled across a cool site called Vidgrids which lists a bunch of his other videos.

Much to my pleasure he has an "unofficial" video for Demdike Stare:

 

Everything's connected.

Will be back soon with some more tunes...

Coffeeshop

As anyone who has been following for a while knows, I've lately been just putting the mp3 player on shuffle and letting it go.

There are a few "filler" things I've got in there that really add to a good shuffle.  A lot of them are compilations with an endless variety of songs I'd never otherwise listen to (and, since compilations are a dime a dozen, a shuffle mix is probably the best purpose for them).

The Coffeeshop compilations below provide a seemingly endless variety of good, frequently well known, downtempo tunes.  Every so often I'm surprised by a track that I've never heard before and am glad to know it's from these compilations.

There are many other compilations that could be added but the key is to make sure and add different genres and other weirdness you might not otherwise intentionally listen to.  In fact, the weirdness (Demdike Stare, Alan Lamb's wire music, etc.) is a key to keeping it interesting.

Even the audio book of Suzuki's "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" (broken into segments) fits in.  As you open yourself up to listening freely, you learn that this connects easily to the skits in The Art of War: Who Dares Wins) which are taken directly from Sunzi's "Art of War."

Like life, it all ties together.  

All but volume one are at 192 kbps so if anyone has better rip rates, please feel free to share.

Volume 1

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Volume 2

Try

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Volume 3

Try

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Volume 4

Try

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Volume 5

Try

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Demdike Stare - Live

Went and saw Demdike Stare do a live re-score of the film 'La Vampire Nue' (aka 'The Nude Vampire') last night in Pittsburgh.  No, it's not porn.  It's one of those films that only the 70s could have produced.  The original is, perhaps obviously, in French (the film we viewed was dubbed in English).  

Here's the trailer:

In light of 70s zeitgeist I'm sure the director was trying to get across some deeper metaphysical or philosophical point of view.  For an in-depth analysis of the film you may find that meaning here.

The ticket?  A far cry from the keepsakes of old.

As for the show itself there was a quick, softspoken intro and, with no fanfare or sensationalism, Miles Whittaker and Sean Canty casually took a seat in from of their gear and got down to work.  Their gear - some analogue equipment and a turntable - was right under the screen. 

The photo below is from after the show but gives an idea of the setting.  Miles Whittaker was talking to, I believe, Andy Stott (who had a show later that evening at a different venue).  Sean Canty, who manned the turntable, had stepped out.  On a side note, while they both used Apple laptops, Miles Whittaker's had a sticker of some kind over the glowing logo.  

With the lights out, it looked like this:

The end of the show was the same.  Some applause and a quick highlight of other events happening throughout the week and that was it.  It was perfect, just two guys who dig music playing for a group of people who dig their music.  No drama.  

The show itself was around an hour or so long.  The film itself was edited and the music worked in sync with the film.  It was shortened and at least one of these scenes got an extended remix which was both comical and eventually quite hypnotic.  Not sure anything was lost in the shorter version or not.  

As for the music, below is a performance of them live at The Boiler Room which gives a taste of the sound.

By the way, check out some of their videos online and you'll get a clue of how they can take what is otherwise a campy film and give it some real creep value.  Remix culture is alive and well.

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

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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

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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

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Salt Tank - The 4th Way (2000)

Currently unavailable on the web.

No sales history.

Worth 45.08 GB

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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).

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