Exciting new comp from a Kuwaiti label. Kalibr+ is actually the label itself, but the release is under it. Very industrial deconstructed-club (described as 'post-futurist naturalism'). Almost feels like what would happen if Yves Tumor and Arca made a collab (but with more breaks). Some of the tracks are a bit one-dimensional and slightly too one-act-ish, but the creativity shines no matter what, and the production's top-notch across the board. Time Tracking and Lay Me Down are standouts. Going to be keeping an eye on these guys.
This isn't the type of release I try to choose for this project, but I really dug this and just felt like it needed a bit of love. It's basically a house EP, three tracks all in the 6-7 minute range, but it's solid. Fresh, bright production mixed with a dreamy middle-of-night-not-sure-where-you-are-but-not-caring-because-it's-fun vibe. Easy spin, worth playing loud.
I swear I wasn't going to pick a tape from Thailand. I kept telling myself to pick something modern, fresh, show what's going on nowadays in Bangkok, etc... but evidently I failed. This is a beautiful bit of music that I don't think has any chance of getting publicity unless people share it, so... here ya go. The Young Buddhist Association Of Wat Sandonrom In Lamphun Province.
My last pick for Thailand was that somewhat embarrassing Elephant-made album, but I swear there's a lot of good music coming out of the country :lol: You just need to dig. Quick shoutouts to The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band and Khun Narin, both of which are incredibly fun and fascinating bands.
Through no fault of my own, and under the condition I stayed quiet and shut up, shortly after posing my last entry for Thailand I happened to be invited to stay for a monk's funeral in Bangkok, which was fascinating no matter what, but the interesting/unique bit was that throughout the entire ceremony there was music playing until about the last 3-4 minutes. It's not party music by any means, it's certainly more formal, and there's actual a record of Thai funeral music that sounds near the same. Funeral Music Of Chiang Mai by คณ...hiang Mai]. _________________ Doubles & Conch
Brilliant twee EP. Going to be watching Sobs for whatever they do next. They have a 2018 record that's just as good as any other twee album you could throw at it. There's a small twee scene in Singapore that's seemed to have faded in the last few months, but I'm hoping it comes back sometime soon. There was a good handful of records that came out in a short amount of time, and I recommend you dig around Bandcamp for them.
Recent reissue of an impossible to find CD from the 90s labelled "Sahrawi political folk". Took an eight year international search to find a copy of it. Rebel music, liberation chants, punk-ish in mentality (not musically). Electronic production's a smidge dated, but the actual compositions are quite unique and fresh. Well worth the search.
Recent reissue of an impossible to find CD from the 90s labelled "Sahrawi political folk". Took an eight year international search to find a copy of it. Rebel music, liberation chants, punk-ish in mentality (not musically). Electronic production's a smidge dated, but the actual compositions are quite unique and fresh. Well worth the search.
I'm just amazed that for once Western Sahara isn't followed by "no data"
🤣
I'm usually surprised by the amount of music that comes out of there. There's a decent amount of bands from Western Sahara who have recorded stuff (usually lost tapes and whatnot, but they're there— and they're always pretty good). I think a lot of people don't register it as a place where people live. There's still a bigger population in Western Sahara than Iceland, Belize or Malta. _________________ Doubles & Conch
Well well well. Neat. Almost this Animal Collective psych-vibe with a more folksy direction. Super bright, fun, bubbly, always surrounding you with sounds you're not entirely sure how they got there. I thought a lot more artists in the early 2010s would take on this sort of sound (and I was completely wrong), but it's nice seeing it pop up. I think this might just make my 2020 chart. Maybe a track or two too long, but no other complaints.
"The cassette [...] was in rough shape—a copy of a copy of a copy, which was indicative of the music’s popularity."
"A veritable UFO of instrumental force and contemporary pop sensibility."
Dug up a couple years ago an posted online, I'm glad it was. Antoinette Konan, a proclaimed 'Queen of Ahoko", whips up an album of baoulé music with a modern twist. The sounds she manages to get out of an instrument that looks like a mere stick is incredible. I wish it had a cooler album cover— I understand why it had long been lost— but I'll reiterate not to judge the record based on it.
One of De Frank Kakra's solo albums. I've been meaning to get around to this for about a year but completely forgot. Gave it a spin yesterday morning and thought it was fantastic. Going to dig a little bit more into Togo... things have been popping up here and there, and it's usually decent stuff. It's a small country, but it's surrounded by five absolute power houses music, and the population is certainly there. Going to keep digging. This is a great find though^. Straight to my charts.
Also picked up a s/t record by Itadi K.Bonney yesterday that would've been a good choice here.
Stellar. Super glad I found this one. Honestly, I was going to skip the Maldives (I did last time), but after a quick search I found this on Spotify, and it blew me away. Unique, great grooves, well-recorded and clean. Although labelled as a drumming record, that's kind of an insult to everything else going on. Definitely a rec.
Soukous/ highlife with fantastic and surprisingly rich instrumentation. One of those records I'd say give a chance to even if the genre isn't your thing. This is an odd comparison, but it almost has a motown sensibility to it. _________________ Doubles & Conch
Ruben Blades is a pretty big name. Don't think I need any introduction here. Here's on Fear The Walking Dead and used to be the minister for tourism of Panama. He also made a few albums. Latin singer/songwriter with salsa details.
It's... well, it is what it is. This is music from the mountains of Bhutan. Gave it a spin, and it's a lovely record. Worth a listen. Here's what Folkways says about it, which is much more informative than anything I could ever whip up:
Quote:
In Bhutan, a mountainous, landlocked country bordering India and Tibet, music plays an important role in daily life and religious rituals. Historically, Bhutanese music was comprised of two genres: traditional ballads called zhabdro dangrem or zhungdra, and sacred music performed at religious ceremonies and festivals. Today the genres have expanded to include livelier folk songs called zhabdro gorgom (including popular Tibetan style songs called boedra) and Bhutanese contemporary music known as lu-saar.
No way there isn't some BEA members that'll want to pick this up. Synth-y Ukrainian TV goodness with a Lewis Carroll twist. Glad it got a reissue. _________________ Doubles & Conch
As much as this looks like something you'd find in a heavy discount bin at a record shop tucked in the corner of a street in Mumbai, it's... pretty good. I'm pretty sure every track on here is a cover (didn't recognize two of them though...), but they do a decent job with the songs. Typical 60s beat/pop, bright and sunny, light, bit of psych influence. Decent stuff.
This is actually a Nyege Nyege Tapes release, despite being from Reunion. Came out a little over two years ago now. Synthy-futurism with ambient overtones— like most records coming out of the label, standout it the percussion though.
I wish this scene ended up being bigger in Venezuela. Really strong psych-rock record from the late 60s. It's just one of those records you'd love to pick up in a shop not knowing anything about, giving it a spin, and then being happy that you did. Definitely a gem of Latin America. _________________ Doubles & Conch
Y'all know The Vaselines. This colossal and epicly long release with a massive runtime of 11-ish minutes is my entry for Scotland. Twee-indie goodness. Hadn't spun this one until this morning over coffee.
From: KAZAKHSTAN(based USA) (EDIT: I believe I made a mistake here. Skeleton seem to be solely American)
(all joking aside, really decent record here)
Those are all pretty short releases. Anyone could probably give them all a spin within a single evening. No reason not too. _________________ Doubles & Conch
Last edited by Hayden on 08/27/2020 16:26; edited 2 times in total
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Hayden
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