Erik Wøllo * The Green Kingdom
Erik Wøllo’s scenic North Star album (as well as the Name-Your Price download from his SoundQuest performance), and the ‘ethereal modern classical’ sounds of The Green Kingdom.
Erik Wøllo’s scenic North Star album (as well as the Name-Your Price download from his SoundQuest performance), and the ‘ethereal modern classical’ sounds of The Green Kingdom.
Music that crosses borders and reaches out to folk tradition: guitar sounds of Seabuckthorn and Jeff Pearce, and Art Patience’s soothing harmonica.
There’s a steady and unstoppable stream of releases by Chihei Hatakeyama, on his own (White Paddy Mountain) label as well as on other labels.
Here’s a short roundup of some of his recent releases.
This shortlist starts off with Tetherdown‘s First Flight and takes you along to the soothing chords of Cyril Secq/Orla Wren, Gamardah Fungus and Luke Howard.
More great music: from Jonathan Kawchuk, who previously worked with Ben Frost and Nico Muhly, six guitar pieces from Stijn Hüwels, another six pieces ‘to travel with the soul’ by Frédéric Oberland and Thomas Ragsdale‘s tribute to a legendary crossword puzzle creator.
Music about The Sun’s Orbit (Aidan Baker), Earth’s collision with Theia (Markus Guentner) via the shores of Spain (David Cordero) into the microcosmic space between sounds (Autistici).
It’s hard to keep up with so much great music out there.
Here’s a selection that brings you from modern classical to futuristic dub (via reel-to-reel tape delay)!
Hightlights from Monochromie; Visionary Hours; Peter Grech; Northumbria and Mogano
Being a big fan of the Fripp & Eno loop-based recordings from the early seventies, Disproduction (David Hodnett) has managed to re-create a comparable atmosphere with his guitar improvisations, various effects and recurring delays. His experiments were created in the form of a musical diary (originally recorded between 2005 and 2009) which can be found on his four extensive “Loopdiary Archives” albums. A Respectful tribute that can easily claim its own place.
In the Shortlist sections, I will mention the albums that I enjoyed listening to, but couldn’t find the time (or the right words) for a “full” review for. Still, I definitely think they deserve your attention, with ór without extra words!
STEINER – AT OR FROM A DISTANCE
A remarkable cover that includes a remarkable album. Steiner (Stijn Hüwels from Belgium) has previously self-released a few albums, but this is his first for a ‘real’ label. Seven tracks blend in to one continuous, cinematic 35 minute mix.