RIP Tomasz Stańko

It was only yesterday that I saw that Tomasz Stańko passed away of lung cancer. He was one of the most important contemporary jazz musicians and trumpeters, with an amazing sound whose romanticism and tenderness was up there with the giant Chet Baker and his compositions had this amazing nightly feeling that is hard to rival.

As the tiniest tribute I share the commemorative video ECM prepared which includes some of his most touching moments.

plus his amazing version of Krysztof Komeda's "Litania" (aka Rosemary's Baby)

Andrew Kirschner ‎– The Arm And The Eye tape

One of the most rich and varied releases of 2017 is this one by Andrew Kirschner, affiliate of Wolf Eyes. Side one is a mix of murky green water drone underneath industrial junk digital clang, ideal for miserable sleep. Side two is something wholly different; ritual percussion intermingles with droning guitar and violin plucking creating a heaven of droning improvisational musique concrete. Highly recommended shit. 2017 tape on Soundholes.

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Various - Greek Ethno Music Location Recordings compiled by Stratos Bichakis

This is a compilation of recordings covering the period between 1930 and 1988, put together by Greek electronic music composer Stratos Bichakis, showcasing an ethnomusicological research on traditional Greek music. The music ranges from bagpipes from Greek Macedonia to droning Eastern-influenced music from Asian Minor, and from festival ecstatic music to beautiful polyphonic choirs from Epirus. A really great compilation. 2017 tape on V I S.

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Slow Clinic - Ruinous tape

Awesome new enveloping dark ambient and drone by this SE England project, and I hope that there will be more to come in the future. 2018 tape on Cruel Nature Records.

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Lithivm ‎– Threshold To Disharmony cd

Claustrophobic dark ambient with an atmosphere invoking insane asylums with rusted doors or abandoned train stations, in the archetypical Cold Meat Industry style of Sephiroth, Desiderii Marginis and Raison d' Etre 2003 cd on Cold Meat Industry.

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Steve Jansen & Richard Barbieri ‎– Stone To Flesh cd

Four years after Stories Across Borders, this one is a more full fleshed version of the art pop/ambient version of that album, with a more expansive and psychedelic sound, perhaps aided in fact by the participation of Steven Wilson and Colin Edwin, his Porcupine Tree bandmates. Also, when I first heard the harmonica on the first track, I said "hey this one's off Talk Talk's Spirit Of Eden," and indeed Mark Beltham, the harmonica player on that album participates on a few tracks, giving also a Talk Talk vibe here, along with late Pink Floyd influences. Good stuff. 1995 cd on Medium Productions Limited.

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Steve Jansen & Richard Barbieri - Stories Across Borders

 

Nightly ambient/slightly new age/art pop by Jansen and Barbieri, and heavily accompanied by Mick Karn of Japan. Music that is totally 1990s and suitable for relaxed car traveling. 1991 cd on Virgin.

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