Ennio Morricone passed away today. He was one of the most distinct composers of all time. He scored more than 400 films and shows as well as over 100 orchestral works. His work with filmmaker Sergio Leone is legendary. Here he composes for mouth harp, whistle, electric guitar, chants and orchestra. He expanded the idea of what music could sound like. Salute to a true sound visionary!
After the funeral of Ian Curtis the remaining members of Joy Division agreed to still meet for band practice. And so, New Order was born. Following their mournful first album, their second Power, Corruption & Lies is the closest they ever came to creating what could have possibly been the future Joy Division sound. “Closer” had seen the band delving further into the digital world, incorporating more synthesizer and drum machine tones alongside the traditional rock band mix of guitar/bass/drums/vocals. Released in 1983, “Power…” stands the test of time as perhaps the best album to mix analog and digital textures together. It also features some of Bernard Sumner’s most emotiveand honest lyrics and vocal performances. Take a listen to this tune and let the synth pads whisk you away into another world where oil paintings and digital code co-exist in harmony. Or are you already there…?
Summer 2020 is here suddenly. Let’s bask in its somewhat faded glory this year with a fantastic interpretation of the George Gershwin penned standard “Summertime”. The term “standard” seems like a massvie understatement when there are a reported 25,000 versions of this song! Here bassist/composer Charles Mingus and pianist/composer Hampton Hawes give it a funky and exotic flavor. Mingus’ dedicated drummer Danny Richmond adds his own spice to the mix, making for a unique rendition. If you want to hear more versions of this classic here’s an hour of them provided by blues DJ legend Steve Kushing. Continue to strive for some easy living in these uncertain times!
Killing Joke are a post-punk band from London that mixes apocalyptic themes, proto-industrial tones and overtly political lyrics. While their tribal, syncopated drums and sinewy guitar licks are obvious precursors to 90s acts such as Nine Inch Nails and Helmet, they have also been covered by Metallica and sited as inspiration for bands such as Jane’s Addiction, My Bloody Valentine and Nirvana.
Their 1983 full length, “Fire Dances”, serves as a soundtrack to a violent, tribal dystopia filled with packs of frustrated, anxious masses worshiping fire, destruction and dance. In these times of great civil unrest, Killing Joke’s 80s output seems all too fitting. This song in particular fits the current era of protest very well. Stay safe out there and fight the power!
Continuing on from last week’s post we now focus on the 21st century poet The Spaceape. The works he created with producer Kode9 reflect dark, distopian themes that connect past science fiction concepts with contemporary socio-political situations. Amidst worldwide social upheaval this song from their second LP, “Black Sun”, comes across as all too pertinent. Long live Spaceape!
Mutabaruka is a Jamaican poet and musician who came to prominence in the early 80s, an era known for political violence and social upheaval on the island. He has gone on to be a popular radio host and has often engaged in heated debates about organized religion and it’s oppressive practices. Here he perfoms his politically charged anthem “De System”, which seems all too relevant in 2020. Stay safe and steady and strong out there!
Shabazz Palaces is a contemporary Hip Hop group…sort of. Their sound is draws heavily from electronic sound scapes, deep bass and effected vocals, but all of these elements are so heavily abstracted to the point where genre markers cease to exist. Reigning from Seattle, they are the only Hip Hop act signed to indie rock power label Sub Pop. Here is the opening track of their full length concept album “Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines”. It takes the perspective of denizens of “Amurderca” a “gangster star” that very much resembles our own world.
Richard David James is an electronic musician from Cornwall, UK. He has recorded under such aliases as:
AFX
Blue Calx
Bradley Strider
Caustic Window
The Dice Man
GAK
Q-Chastic
Polygon Window
Power-Pill
Soit-P. P.
The Tuss
Phonic Boy on Dope
In spite of all these monikers, he is most widely known as Aphex Twin. Since the release of his first full length, “Selected Ambient Works 85-92” he has been considered a music prodigy/genius. In addition to his musical talents, he has garnered a near mythical legacy. He has collaborated with modern classical composer Philip Glass, lived in a bank and bought a tank on top of making influential and disturbing music videos. Here is a great early example of his skills with beats, synths and atmosphere. Float on and leave your own thoughts about this guy and his music in the comments.
The term “DJ” is typically reserved for those that play recorded music. In Jamaica this is not case. Sound systems are run by a team. Recordings would be played by Operators. Traditionally, they would be picked out to be played by Selectors. The DJ would control the microphone and ride the rhythms throughout the night, like a true Disc Jockey. DJs went from MCing sound system dances to becoming recording artists in their own right. U Roy is recognized as the pioneer of this musical form, birthing unto the world a multitude of ‘U’s and ‘Roy’s. The greatest of these, and indeed one of the best to ever do it, was I Roy. He brings not just timing and musicality to his delivery, but also humor and social commentary. In this tune, a version of Errol Dunkley’s hit “Black Cinderella” for producer Jimmy Radway, I Roy makes statements against gun violence and the importance of literacy while dominating the track. Stick around for the instrumental and see if you can put some verses together. HUUUUH!
On April 30, 2020 drummer Tony Allen passed away. According to Fela Kuti, who coined the phrase, Allen invented the rhythm of Afrobeat. While this genre was a hybrid of first world breakbeats and third world rhythms, Afrobeat would go on to influence a myriad of genres and their musicians. Even in his seventies, Tony Allen continued to stay relevant on the world’s music stage. His final recording session was for Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz project, featuring vocals by UK grimes’ Skepta:
Rest in Rhythm Mr. Allen.
Isotope 217 was a jazz-fusion band from Chicago in the late 90s/early 00s. A product of the talent-laden Wicker Park scene of the time, Isotope shares three members with Tortoise. Like most of the music produced by this scene, Isotope’s music draws from multiple sources: jazz, funk, rock, and ambient are all on hand. Of all of co-leader Rob Mazurek’s projects this one displays the most electric Miles Davis influence. This track features guitarist Jeff Parker’s amazing solo abilities. Tune in and jam out!
Kraftwerk are true modern music pioneers and innovators. No group has done more for the enduring legacy of machine and computer based music than them. Their legacy shows that technology driven music can be timeless. With this example, the title track from their 1981 masterpiece, “Computer World” and its emphasis on a computer and corporate based world, one could argue that they were modern day prophets. If you like this track you should definitely listen to the rest of the album. You will probably find some familiar sounds in it as it is one of the most sampled albums in history.
The Black Dog is an electronic music act based out of London. Originally a trio, two of their members broke off an became Plaid. They are purveyors of a style (unfortunately) named Intelligent Dance Music, or IDM. The concept behind this genre is electronic music that is meant to be listened to as opposed to danced to. This style was a popular feature of many rave “chill out” rooms where participants could unwind a bit but still enjoy synthesizer tones, harmonies and crazy beats. This comes from Black Dog’s criminally underrated second LP, “Temple of Transparent Balls”. Tune in and chill out.
Sun Ra was a keyboardist, composer, arranger, conductor, philosopher, afro futurist, and musical legend. He has left his mark on nearly every genre. If you haven’t listened to any of his recordings, you need to get your life right! Here’s a catchy way to start. Sign up!
Minutemen were a punk rock band from San Pedro, California. They were part of the late 70s and early 80s wave of the music to emerge from the West Coast. Born from teenage aspirations and determination by their two singer-songwriters, D. Boon and Mike Watt, they have become one of the most inspirational bands of post punk and indie rock music. This is taken from their two LP opus “Double Nickels on the Dime” which has a 33 1/3 book about it as well as a graphic novel that depicts each track. You may recognize this track as the opening theme to the show “Jackass”. Keep your head up as we survive in our environments.
Here’s a fairly relevant tune from Brian Eno. I think this reflects a lot of the mental madness people have to face these days. It’s a personal highlight from Eno’s classic album “Another Green World”, the final release from his trilogy of vocal records recorded and released at the beginning of his solo career. If you find yourself with too much time and not enough music, you should definitely listen to the whole album!
People all over the world are staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is leading to some interesting revelations about just how much toilet paper people need. Here’s a fun little ditty from The Smiths you can sing along to in efforts to calm yourself down. Stay healthy and safe!
Wire are the ultimate art school band. No other band has strived to create challenging as well as pleasing music as art than these guys. A lot has been made of their amazing 70s records, which ran the gamut from punk rock to avant garde music, but not a lot of love is ever shown for their late 80s material. This song is taken from their 1987 come-back record, “The Ideal Copy”. Never content to look backward, upon reuniting after six years Wire refused to play their old material. Opting to only present their new songs, they were often derided by their own fans at shows. Blurring the lines between guitars and keyboards, “Ahead” encapsulates their new direction with a surge of energy that can still be felt 33 years later. What’s more, they’ve just released their 17th full length and will tour once more.
Miles Davis’ 1970 album “Bitches Brew” is a mystical as its cover art. It is dynamic, dark and brooding. It’s a marvel of 20th century music production and post production. It is emotional, meditative and enigmatic. Take a sip of the first track and see if you catch a buzz.
Time has served the legacy of Coil well. They were expert sound designers as well as queer Dark Magick masters. “Teenage Lightning” serves as the quasi theme song to their 1991 masterpiece “Love’s Secret Domain”. Not only is this a fantastic industrial-era record, but one of the best psychedelic full lengths of all time. Unlike a lot of contemporary recordings, LSD transends rave culture trappings and achieves something truly cohesive and timeless.
Both members, John Balance and Peter Christopherson, are now dead. The fate of their recordings seems to be in indefinite limbo. This is bad, in that any further reissuing of their work will be dubious at best. This is also kind of good, in that a large chunk of it is now available on archive.org for free. Coil is dead. Long live Coil!