Saturday, July 14, 2012

Ruby My Dear - "Remains Of Shapes To Come" [2012]


One of my favorite new artists. I think him and Igorrr are really bringing some polish and sophistication to the breakcore genre that it so desperately needs; it's the black sheep of electronic music, and with shitty artists like Foxdye out there I can understand why.

I'm happy that his first full length-label-album is released on Adnoiseam, one of my favorite labels!

Various Artists - "Outliers, Vol. I: Iceland" [2012] [Compilation]


"   In October of 2011, a small group of filmmakers, photographers and musicians travelled to the remote countryside of Iceland to document their experience with the landscape, traditions and people encountered along the way.
   The end result is a series of improvised, collaborative musical vignettes - based on field recordings and visual material collected on location - amidst documentary footage of the journey to a uniquely breathtaking place.
   The feature-length film and accompanying soundtrack are slated for release in June 2012, featuring the work of thirteen contemporary classical composers and electronic producers."

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Hungry Ghosts



I've only recently discovered these guys and was disapointed to see they haven't been around in decades.
When listening to them it's hard for me to believe their music was made in 1997; their sound must've been so distinct at the time. In fact, it really still is; in the instrumental/post-rock crowd, these guys really stand out. Very few acts in this genre break away from the popular formula set long ago(create band, copy Explosions in the Sky)

Mostly though I dig them because I've always been a fan of strings and accordian.
The top Youtube comment nailed my thoughts down...almost:
"I feel like I'm in a ballroom in France during the 1700s. The revolution is going on, but who cares? :)"

I've always searched for music like this since 2003, when I discovered a duo called "Mama!Milk", and never knew how to describe it other than "Frenchie-ish" or "Gypsy-esque". If anyone knows of anything similar (with a very modern style!), let me know!

If you're interested in this sound, I also suggest checking out:
Mama!Milk, Your Hand in Mine, DetektivbyrÃ¥n, and to a lesser extent the amazing EZ3kiel (wheres my new album?!), Burgundy Grapes, and of course Yann Tiersen.

Christopher Willits & Ryuichi Sakamoto - “Ancient Futures” [2012]


"Ancient Future is the second collaboration between composer and visionary pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto and electronic pioneer Christopher Willits. Built around a series of piano pieces that Sakamoto sent to Willits after the release of the duo's first record together, 2008's Ocean Fire, the six tracks that make up Ancient Future are entirely instrumental..."

Released on Ghostly International, home to some of my favorite chill-as-fawk-beat artist like Shigeto and Tycho =)

Derek Gripper - "One Night on Earth: Music from the Strings of Mali" [2012]


"This album is a world first: a recording of Malian kora music on solo acoustic guitar by South African guitarist Derek Gripper. The complete solo works of Malian kora legend Toumani Diabate, with tracks by fellow Malians Ali Farka Toure and Ballake Sissoko as well as a track by French cellist Vincent Segal (from his collaboration with Sissoko). A truly original African Guitar sound and a fresh and ground-breaking proposal for a redefinition of African classical music. Read more about this project and order guitar tablatures of the music at: www.derekgripper.com/african-guitar/

The recording was made in a small church near Knysna, South Africa, recorded through the night, in single takes."

Fugenn & The White Elephants - "Prays" [2012]


One album I've found myself repeating a lot lately. Shuji Saito -  the guy behind the music - makes some incredibly catchy, upbeat electronica/IDM/Glitch music.

I just realized the album was mastered by Kashiwa Daisuke, which made me appreciate it even more!

On a similar note, I just discovered another favorite from last year, artist Go-Qualia 's album "Puella Magi" was also mastered by Kashiwa Daisuke.