Other Music New Release Update
July 31, 2002


In This Week's Update:

Beth Orton
Dublab Summer (Various)
Ellen Allien (Various Mix)
"Hustle" Reggae Disco (Soul Jazz Comp.)
Terry Riley (Limited Edition)
Mos Def/Diverse/Prefuse 73
International Deejay Gigolo 6 (Various)
The Royals
London is the Place for Me (Calypso Comp.)
Astrobotnia
Avey Tare Panda Bear
Friend/Enemy


Reissues:

Art Ensemble of Chicago
Caetano Veloso/Gal Costa
Les Rallizes Denudes
Fischerspooner (with 3 bonus tracks)



FEATURED NEW RELEASES:


BETH ORTON "Daybreaker" (Astralwerks) CD $17.99
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"Daybreaker," Ms. Orton's third album (and first release on
Astralwerks) reveals everything and nothing all at once. Lyrically
the tone is hopeful and determined, then somber and accepting of
defeat, of unrequited desires and of change. Orton has the ability
to tell you deep secrets, then leave you wondering what it was
exactly she confided -- like a visit from a spirit you can't recall,
but can't shake either. As usual, Orton corrals a gang of musicians
to lend assistance including Ben Watt, Emmylou Harris and Ryan
Adams who both guest vocal on the record. (Adams wrote "This
One's Gonna Bruise" for Beth). Though the Chemical Brothers are
credited, "Daybreaker" is a far less electronic, more-sweet country
tinged album. To say the record is ethereal is an understatement.
Soaring string arrangements carry Orton's voice straight down from
the heavens and especially penetrating is the paean to a loveless
and destructive union, "God Song". Recommended. [NL]
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[V.A.] "Dublab Presents Summer" (Dublab) CD $12.99
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If you haven't been to the Dublab website, you're missing out.
They provide excellent DJ mixes, live performances and other
goodies for the eyes and ears. To celebrate the summer they've
teamed up with Chicago's Hefty label to distribute their second CD
and all the artists involved have donated their tracks to benefit the
collective's transmission. There are great selections of digital
dub/laptop funk and electronica from Burnt Friedman, Prefuse 73
and Organic Grooves, those being the big names here. Lots of
clipped, chopped, diced and delayed rhythms abound and then gets
kinda post-rockish toward the end with live instrumentation from
Manitoba and Dylan Group. Perfect for keeping cool in these hot
nights, this is also the only place to find the haunting lo fi
psychedelica soul of Cody "The Best Thing You Never Heard"
Chestnutt. [DG]
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ELLEN ALLIEN "Weiss Mix/Various" (BPitch) CD $15.99
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BPitch Control label head Ellen Allien follows up her blockbuster
"Flieg Mit" mix CD with the unique and ultimately FUN take on
new techno, ghetto-tech and glitch-hop. Melodic techno flows
effortlessly into a ghetto-tech set full of bass-truck basslines
that climax into Squarepusher's "Red Hot Car." The mix then
shifts into modern glitch-funk (Ellen Allien, Akufen, Phonecia)
and then back into new melodic techno (Apparat, Superpitcher).
Another special mix full of spot-on selections and flow that only
Ellen Allien could conceive and pull off. Sounds like another
party you wish you were at!!! Kick da Berlin Ellen Allien!!! [SM]
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[V.A] "Hustle/Reggae Disco" (Soul Jazz) CD $15.99
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By now you know the routine, Soul Jazz gives us a wealth of music
to fall in love with, revisit, or just groove to. "Hustle" is no exception
and here the theme is simple: reggae covers of American soul/disco
hits. Starting with the Blood Sisters' excellent version of "Ring my
Bell," the glitter ball keeps spinning. Each track is given the disco
mix extended from the original 45 RPM single's time. "Hustle"
easily fits in line with the Soul Jazz "Dynamite" series or their
"Studio One Soul" compilation with great selections throughout by
mostly unknown artists from the UK, US and Jamaica.
Recommended for the rare groover, revivalist, or those just wanting
to get down. [DG]
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TERRY RILEY "Atlantis Nath" (Sri Moonshine) CD $49.99
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The breadth of Riley's intuitive scope on here is astonishing,
encompassing many approaches that would seem singular and
impressive enough to fill albums of their own. "Atlantis Nath" was
worked on over a period of six years or so and it does not detract
from the listening experience -- this CD functions as a kind of
report on the various interests of his over that time. (Including
part of an opera, though it sounds very much like Terry Riley's
idea of an opera so fret not). The widescreen variations on and
speak to his intensity and depth as an artist, and it certainly
sounds like one of his best records to me.  ("Atlantis Nath" is
beautifully packaged with Asian-inspired illustrations by New
York artist Chris Harvey and is hand signed by Riley. Limited
edition of 1000.)  [DHo]
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MOS DEF/DIVERSE/PREFUSE 73 "Wylin Out" (Chocolate Industries) CD $8.99
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The second single taken from the forthcoming Chocolate Industries
compilation, "Urban Renewal Program," (the first featured El-P
producing Aesop Rock), here the flawless production skills of
Prefuse 73 are utilized to give the mighty Mos Def and Diverse
a vibrant track to run with, instrumental included. Strong lyrical
flow from both MCs, with warped string jabs and shimmering
digital chords to tickle the ear, as your head not doubt will bob to
this one. Includes a remix by Def Jux sample wizard RJD2 who
gives a bouncing, start-stop horn layered variation. [DG]
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[V.A.] "International DeeJay Gigolos 6" (Gigolo) CD $18.99
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Finally, after threatened legal action from Arnold Schwarzenegger
for unauthorized use of his face, the Gigolo label repress their
entire roster of "International Deejay Gigolo" compilations with a
revamped, ultra-buff Sid Vicious logo. "Volume 6" is two whole CDs
worth of recent tracks from the trashiest new wave/electro-punk
label around. Chugging industrial Moroder grooves and synthesized
guitar riffs abound topped, more often than not, with fun, frivolous,
off-the-cuff vocals. Electro to satisfy the trailer trash metalhead and
the well-coifed fashion victim in all of us. Tracks range from sexy,
grinding electro pop to full-on, Camaro-on-the-Autobahn electro
techno stompers... Totally ahead of the pack grade electro. [SM]
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THE ROYALS "Pick Up the Pieces" (Pressure Sounds) CD/LP $15.99/$17.99
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The title cut, "Pick Up the Pieces," from this collection of
material written, arranged, and produced by Roy Cousins for his
group the Royals was almost never released. Originally recorded
for Clement Dodd in '66 but not released until '73 (due to Dodd's
dislike of things Rasta and deeply cultural), Cousins decided that
he'd only have true musical independence if he financed his own
releases. He set up Wambesi and, with a changing roster of
lead vocalists, he kept his group alive for the next decade.
Cousin's talent lies in his use of sweet and smooth vocal
harmonizing which create shimmering three-part vocal lines that
breathe, whisper, croon and speak of love and righteousness.
[DG]
CD //perl-bin/OM/CD_Add_To_Cart.cgi?sku=61689200362&refer_url=email
LP //perl-bin/OM/CD_Add_To_Cart.cgi?sku=61689200361&refer_url=email


[V.A] "London is the Place for Me/Trinidadian Calypso 1950-1956" (Honest Jons) CD/LP $22.99/$19.99
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I first discovered calypso music a number of years ago via a
battered Folkways 10-inch recording by a man named Lord Invader.
It was called "Sings Songs for Children," but what immediately
struck me as strange was that the lyrics were full of thinly veiled
sexual innuendo and digressions about Fidel Castro's influence
on the West Indian islands. I remember wondering what the hell
kind of kids were these songs meant for. But as I picked up more
calypso albums in the coming months I discovered that themes
such as those were just par for the course in this music. The
songs could be bawdy, witty, political, deadly serious and
incredibly sophisticated. The great Lord Invader himself (along
with my other favorite calypso lord, the Lord Kitchener) shows up
on this excellent new compilation that documents the Trinidadian
expatriate scene in 1950s-London. During those years calypso was
THE music of Black London, prefiguring the rise of rock steady,
ska and reggae in the coming decades. It was compiled by the
proprietors of my favorite London record store Honest Jons (the
same folks who've been behind most of the superb reggae
compilations that everybody loves out on Soul Jazz.) There is a
fine bound booklet with lots of black and white photos, copious
notes and label illustrations. If all the calypso you've ever been
exposed to are cheesy hotel records that infest every flea market
across the country then you haven't really heard calypso as
performed by the illustrious names that grace this exquisite
document: Young Tiger, Mighty Terror, The Lion, and more. [MK]
CD //perl-bin/OM/CD_Add_To_Cart.cgi?sku=72435403432&refer_url=email
LP //perl-bin/OM/CD_Add_To_Cart.cgi?sku=09999182251&refer_url=email


ASTROBOTNIA "Part 03" (Rephlex) CD/LP $16.99/$15.99
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"Part 03" is the third and final installment in the trilogy by the
newest and ever-so mysterious Rephlex artist, Astrobotnia, whom
many believe to be Aphex masquerading under a different name. But,
if there really is a Kristian Richards, he's been doing his homework.
As a whole, this saga is the best of everything we have grown to love
from Rephlex and the entire Braindance collective. Released in a
series of three-parts (two CDs and one 12"), "Part 01" is the relaxing
melodic journey through ambient space and time. "Part 02" is a
vinyl-only release dedicated to the dance-floor and "Part 03" is that
pair's offspring. Ambient soundscapes collide with intense drum
programming that constantly changes rhythm and pattern to create
a truly engaging electronic landscape. Astrobotnia pushes the
envelopes to the edge of the universe creating new worlds of old
clay. [JD]
CD //perl-bin/OM/CD_Add_To_Cart.cgi?sku=66690807252&refer_url=email
LP //perl-bin/OM/CD_Add_To_Cart.cgi?sku=66690807251&refer_url=email


AVEY TARE PANDA BEAR "Hollinndagain" (Secretly Canadian) LP $14.99
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Insofar as it seems the Animal Collective's output has been geared
to a cosmopolitan, fashion-meets-noise cognoscenti (like their
compatriots Black Dice, most of the press these guys have garnered
has been from foreign fashion magazines) it must be said that in
the course of their presenting themselves, whether on record or
live, they go about things with such quizzical resolve that it
effectively negates any sense of pretentious impropriety or other.
For instance, their appearance with the esteemed Arto Lindsay on
his new album would differ from, say, a collaboration between
Lindsay and DJ Spooky in many crucial senses. Perhaps it's the
ever-present semblance of narrative, or the alleged narrative
structure's (particularly here on "Hollinndagain") predication on
haunted, vocal concerns, but I find their music to be possibly
some of the most 'human' out there. As I stated earlier,
regardless of the existence of intellectual or conceptual intent
on the part of Tare, Bear, or the Geologist, much of the evidence
would be destroyed in the dramatic upheaval of their chosen,
extremely 'human' methods of relaying this intent. Check out
"Forest Gospel" or basically any of this new live one to see what
I'm talking about. [DHo]
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FRIEND/ENEMY "10 Songs" (Perishable) CD $14.99
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From the same camp as Cap n' Jazz, Joan of Arc and Owls,
Friend/Enemy's debut album treads interesting new ground without
completely isolating themselves from their earlier history (aside
from almost shaking the "emo" tag). Similar in nature to Tim Kinsella's
more recent creative outings, the singer/guitarist's lyrics are perplexing
and twist his vocal melodies around something devoid of rock's
traditional chorus-follows-verse structure. Like Joan of Arc, there are
still plenty of post-rock cues, from diverse instrumentation (electric
piano, banjo, marimba, etc.) to complex time signatures and other odd
rhythms; only Friend/Enemy is even further out there, with less
dependence on structure and leaning heavier on something at times
almost avant-garde. [GH]
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REISSUES:


ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO  "Reese and the Smooth Ones" (Sunspots) CD $15.99
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There is a term in Chicago where the wind is referred to as "the
hawk," meaning that it can be fierce and can strike at any time.
Being from the Midwest, the Art Ensemble always reminds me of home
and the hawk. Music is created there in a way that allows time for
soul explorations. You have time to let your groove wander a little,
stretch out a bit, or just get freaky if you want to; but much like the
wind, the AACM also represents freedom. With such energy, grace
and attention to sound, movement, spirit and the word, they create a
parallel world where all-of-the-above can and does happen. Listening to
this album while reading the poem in the liner notes is like finding the
message in the bottle. First you see the shimmer in the water. The
image disappears, then resurfaces and you get closer to it; then the
image becomes more clear until you decipher the hidden meaning.
They always present gifts for the listener, the observer, the believer,
and the curious. This reissue of the 1969 album, incidentally recorded
in Paris for Actuel, contains two pieces: "Reese" by Roscoe Mitchell,
the other, "The Smooth Ones" by Lester Bowie, split into four parts.
Recommended listening.  [DG]
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CAETANO VELOSO/GAL COSTA "Domingo" (Universal/Japan) CD $24.99
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Here we find Caetano Veloso and Gal Costa at the start of their
professional careers, just before the restless experimentation of
their late-60s and early-70s work kicked in. Although they had
known one another and performed together as early as 1963, neither
had gone into a studio to record a proper album until the 1967
date for "Domingo." The years leading up to this album had been a
period when they first started making singles, getting together
musical revues that included future tropicalistos such as Gilberto
Gil and Tom Ze, and becoming personally acquainted with luminaries
like Tom Jobim and Joao Gilberto. By the time "Domingo" was
recorded, Veloso was becoming a formidable songwriter deeply
immersed in the tradition of bossa nova. He contributed nine of
the twelve songs included here. Gal Costa was also quickly gaining
stature as a singer with a beautiful range of depth and emotion.
Although both would move well beyond bossa nova within the year
for challenges that bossa nova's conventions couldn't contend
with, neither artist ever completely abandoned the roots of what
they explored here. The mood tends toward cool and breezy, with
stunning arrangements provided by noted masters Dori Caymmi and
Roberto Menescal. A beautiful summer record if there ever was one.
If you've only been familiar with Joao Gilberto, Astrud, or Tom
Jobim you must get this. Highest Recommendation. [MK]
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LES RALLIZES DENUDES "Live 1977"  LP $26.99
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Okay, before you try and decipher any information from the
following paragraph: If you are interested in or a fan of Japanese
psychedelic music at all, you must, I repeat, you must pick this
up. It blew my mind when I first heard it. Then it followed me
around town, popping up playing in hole-in-the-wall record stores,
bringing joy to the faces of folks already familiar with it upon
discovering this re-issue. Well, I had never heard of Les Rallizes
DeNudes so I am an awe struck newcomer. It sounds like the record
Takehisa Kosugi and Blue Cheer would make in my dreams. Formed in
Kyoto in the mid-60s, this group would heavily influence many of
the acid-drenched psych bands to come (such as High Rise, Acid
Mother's Temple, etc.) with their revolutionary sound. Apparently,
during those turbulent times they were linked to extreme political
protests and uprisings though they maintained a mysterious and
enigmatic existence. What really matters here however is how they
sound!!!!!! Guitar solos for days over incredibly catchy simple
bass lines, hypnotic. Though the music is totally over-the-top
fuzzed out psych-rock, there is an element of early 50's American
rock n' roll (think Gene Pitney hitching a ride from Hawkwind).
For fans of Spacemen Three, Taj Mahal Travelers, Musica Transonic,
and any spaced-out-stoney-interstellar-rock that I am leaving out.
Very Limited Vinyl Only Release!!! [NL]
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FISCHERSPOONER "Number One/3 Bonus Tracks" (Ministry of Sound) CD $23.99
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For months, Ministry of Sound's signing of Fischerspooner has been
the big talk of the town helping to fuel the already unstoppable
fervor behind this New York electro-pop/performance group. No
longer gossip, this UK pressing of their debut album includes
three new songs: "Sweetness," (also the soundtrack to their short
film),  "LA Song" and the hidden track "Megacolon," all of which
are not included on the now out of print Gigolo edition. Warren
Fischer and Casey Spooner are but two of the troupe of dancers,
DJs (including NY electro-fiend John Selway), and even an attendant.
Their (anti) aesthetic manifesto concludes: "Fischerspooner is a
reflective portrait of entertainment itself: admiring in public what is
considered frivolous in private." Their hyper self-reflexivity goes so
deep into infotainment kitsch as to reveal the ghostly photographic
negative that lies beneath. What can be seen there is that
Fischerspooner predict and perform a listener's/viewer's cynicism in
advance, freeing the audience up to plunge into unconstrained
pleasure. And the pleasure is intense. Electro-funk never sounded so
clean, so cold, so warm and so hard. This is music that will always be
both ahead and behind its time. The term "classical" is normally
reserved for 19th century European composers. But it is records such
as Fischerspooner's debut album that will come to inherit that term.
[GH/TH]
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This week's contributors: J Dennis [JD], Daniel Givens [DG], Gerald
Hammill [GH], Tim Haslett [TH], Dan Hougland [DHo], Michael
Klausman [MK], Nicole Lang [NL], and Scott Mou [SM].


The Big Picture:

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ending July 30, 2002, use this link as a shortcut:
//releases/20020730.html

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//newreleases.html

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//updates.html

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