Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

by stan · January 8, 2020

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

World music that combines jazz, African rhythms, and spiritual elements into something distinct.

Moods

Beautiful, original, sultry, spiritual – this is timeless music that transcends classification.

Thoughts

I struggle to describe this as I think boxing it into descriptors would do it a disservice. Instead I've jotted some feelings in the mood section but encourage listening during evening hours, adds to a warm atmosphere with positive spirits. More lively then not.

Great playing throughout. The solos feel a little too defined as opposed to the looseness I prefer in jazz but each has crafted them so well that they never suffer.

Classic and essential listening that welcomes revisits.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mulatu-Astatq%C3%A9-%C3%89thiopiques-4-Ethio-Jazz-Musique-Instrumentale-1969-1974/release/724788

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwLr7FtBlE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjZuX3XBGAo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIjZngfgv10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgilX6AUClY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGeqiB73H90

Spotify

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Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

Description: Album Review of Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

Written by: stan
Rating: 5 out of 5

Boxhead Ensemble – Quartets

by stan · May 17, 2019

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

effect-laden modern classical

Moods

Cerebral

Thoughts

I can't tell if it's because I listened to this with ear buds or if it's recorded in a certain way but it felt very much 'in my head'. These tracks have space and build tension at times as well as create feelings of intimacy. Reminds me of an indie version of the Kronos quartet.

On second listen I was especially bored, just OK.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Boxhead-Ensemble-Quartets/release/198661

Listen!

Spotify

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Boxhead Ensemble – Quartets

Description: Album Review of Boxhead Ensemble – Quartets

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

iZem – Hafa

by stan · May 7, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Danceable global chilled out pop

Moods

A refreshing sun shower

Thoughts

Evidently this is the project of an electro producer though it doesn't feel like an electro record. The lead-off track is a jazzy pop thing I enjoy, not sure what language she's singing but it fits with the basic sax to set the exotic tone. 'Quiver' works with a detached feeling like Drake's music or certain portishead. The spacey 'kulala' is another standout, a swelling keys line and ping pong balls swirl around a peaceful vocal line.

This sits right on the border of the worldly music craze that's taken over pop production but iZem is on the interesting side, exploring the sound with organic instrumentation. It's as if this is an afro focused record that's been influenced by Drake, not vice versa. Vocalists aren't very distinct but I enjoy them, at least the language is varied. He's at his best with vocalists, not always an easy thing to do as a producer.

Meditative, transporting, fresh and enjoyable; recommended.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/iZem-Hafa-/release/9230946

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZrmeKnof44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5v41wqHZYc

Spotify

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iZem – Hafa

Description: Album Review of iZem – Hafa

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Corrina Repp – The Pattern Of Electricity

by stan · March 25, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

folk inspired americana ( arcade fire) pop

Moods

Reflective moments that conjure early arcade fire

Thoughts

She gives nod to modern pop influences in her own way with well done organic instrumentation and dramatic touches that remind me of a slimmed down early arcade fire.

On revisits I was more appreciative of the electronic flourishes in the productions that I didn't hear initially.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Corrina-Repp-The-Pattern-Of-Electricity/release/7121692

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HWFqp7KsZM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz5C4wNVKtc

Spotify

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Corrina Repp – The Pattern Of Electricity

Description: Album Review of Corrina Repp – The Pattern Of Electricity

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Old 97’s – Fight Songs

by stan · March 21, 2019

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Pop Alt folk country, like wilcos most straightforward pop from their earlier albums

Moods

Sounds like it'd play well in a barn

Thoughts

Not a bad record by any means just not really my style. Lacks the memorable weirdness of my favorite alt pop country act, Wilco.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Old-97s-Fight-Songs/release/3705572

Listen!

Spotify

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Old 97’s – Fight Songs

Description: Album Review of Old 97’s – Fight Songs

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Paavoharju – Laulu Laakson Kukista

by stan · March 14, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Equal parts experimental pop as it is swirling found sound

Moods

Uncle boonmee who can recall his past lives

Thoughts

haunting and strange indie alt pop sung in a language I don't understand, southeast Asia maybe? Good Western pop sensibilities with a spooky distant lofi vibe going on. Works and the foreign tongue makes this feel like a trip.. Vaguely experimental at times though these are clearly pop lovers..

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Paavoharju-Laulu-Laakson-Kukista/release/1337741

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oVyZxvUlPc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zG2dV_RjPc

Spotify

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Paavoharju – Laulu Laakson Kukista

Description: Album Review of Paavoharju – Laulu Laakson Kukista

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Bullion – Blue Pedro

by stan · March 8, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

modern electro folk with a synth 80s nod and eurobeat

Moods

Coastal electro folk

Thoughts

Tight ep, tracks loop quick guitar or synth lines and layer electro production bits on top. Nothing revolutionary but it grabs with it's immediacy and just enough variation.

I like the guitar soloing on spin2glory.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Bullion-Blue-Pedro/release/10522688

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zub0p82u7Fg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RILKXsGRO8k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn2uyuQlKdM

Spotify

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Bullion – Blue Pedro

Description: Album Review of Bullion – Blue Pedro

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

North Americans – Going Steady

by stan · March 4, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

instrumental acoustic guitar album with a pleasant vibe

Moods

Comfortable autumn sweater

Thoughts

basic and chilled out, not a thing I'd turn on very active listening but as atmosphere its enjoyable (think folksy Sunday morning).

While an instrumental acoustic album it maintains energy and there's a bit of variety with what sounds like pedal steel at times.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/North-Americans-Going-Steady/release/12572865

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2QEzuob9yw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF1prRX96J8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXiPzTwRUsI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5RvKCWEX4Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npJ6UoMreew

Spotify

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North Americans – Going Steady

Description: Album Review of North Americans – Going Steady

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Hunee – Hunchin’ All Night

by stan · November 7, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
New age / world into clubier house tracks

Moods
Obscure for the sake of being obscure

Thoughts
The 80s world pop on the first few songs is OK but things take a decidedly more interesting turn with ‘ritual of love’ where the house vibe is gradually turned up behind a vocal rambling. This transitions into Larry Heard’s burning 4 love, a fantastic house track. Things finish off OK, better than side 1 at least, but overall not anything I feel the need to revisit.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Hunee-Hunchin-All-Night/release/11839108

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify