10/28/12

Stockhausen Stimmung: Collegium Vocale Köln

This is the first recording of Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Stimmung, actually comissioned by the Collegium Vocale Köln in 1968, and recorded in 1969. Stockhausen wrote it in the US after he met (and taught to) minimalist composer La Monte Young… It seems that the drone influence was strong on him on this composition, for it does not sound like other piece I know of Stockhausen.

This rip was made after a mint vinyl disc out of the ORTF archives and I pretty much appreciate the cracking sounds of the disc along with the hummings of the piece. Play it loud! ;)
 
— LP rip — {Deutsche Grammophon avant garde 2561 043} —

10/26/12

Gongs from Vietnam-Laos

A very widespread instrument in South East Asia, the gong is mainly played on its own in small tribal mountain villages (just like in other parts of Indonesia and the Philippines). But on the contrary to the sophisticated burmese or indonesian orchestras, the pace here is with little ornaments and quite repetitive, only played along with small drums, sometimes with singing. The result is mesmerizing, hypnotizing like some unplugged techno music listen to an excerpt
— 2001 {PlayaSound PS65256} —

10/15/12

Katchinas - Gérard Marais Sextet

A fine piece of french avant-garde jazz indeed, from the early 1990's. Featuring Gérard Marais (guitar), Jean-François Canape (trumpet), Jacques Mahieux (drums), Henri Texier (double bass), Michel Godard (tuba) and Yves Robert (trombone). You will defintively love it if you fancy Albert Mangelsdorff, fine swing and subtle compositions.
1990 / Thelonious {THE 0501} /

10/13/12

La Soustraction des Fleurs

Jean-François Vrod (whom I already spoke about in this album) was playing at Rosa Bonheur (Chevilly-Larue) near Paris a few days ago, with his trio La Soustraction des Fleurs (violin + zarb). A friendly and homely concert within the exhibition of his private "art brut" collection.