Will update the tracklist accordingly, which is currently for the 1998 reissue.
I didn't really care about the separate instrumentals, but whatever floats your boat.
Oh me neither. Just putting up a link for people to use.
That said, I definitely enjoyed the smooth instrumentals much more than the rapping, which is pretty pedestrian. The final track is "Check The Album For The Hits," and there was no album - sad! _________________ Add me on RYM
In contrast with To-Day's Sound, Continente Nero lacks a feeling of vibrance. With the title using the classic European phrase to indicate Africa as a shadowy, amorphous concept, it is no surprise that the music interacts with its influences at arm's length, absent much of the spark they contain. However, this is enjoyable background music and is clearly competently made, even if it's missing a secret sauce.
Thanks for the recommendation, I’ve added it to my list. I’ll give Mr. Umiliani another chance. It’s a genre that I’m unfamiliar with, so I’m sure that my evaluations are misguided. I only have my own limited listening history to inform me, but that’s why I’ve come to this thread - to step out a little.
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I finally got a chance to listen to a couple more.
Beguiled - This was another that I struggled to get through. I’ll just leave it at that.
Per Nørgård/Thomas Dausgaard - I’ve been meaning to delve into classical for ages, but I just never seem to get around to it. So, I’m happy this was here, especially since it was a contemporary piece, as well as a fascinating listen. I briefly read about Nørgård’s approach to serialism, using an infinity series he discovered and applied to the melody, harmony, and rhythm of his symphonies. It’s quite the reminder of the rigorous academia you find in classical, and the endless ways you can approach composition. This album may have sent me down a path towards learning something new about making music, and that counts a great deal to me. This one has definitely stolen my vote from Mistérios Da Amazônia, but there’s still four to go.
After five consecutive fantastic selections, two in a row weren't for me.
Arab on Radar, with it's twisted indie-industrial-punk hybrid and jarring lyrics kind of gave me a vibe like the annoying side of Primus but not nearly as clever and minus the wicked cool bass lines.
After that and Frankenstein, Peter Davison was a most refreshing change of pace, and an album I'll likely take the time to return to.
Last edited by Fischman on 05/21/2019 11:58; edited 1 time in total
A lot of interesting listens here, and all ten artists were new to me.
Arab On Radar with it's "twisted indie-industrial-punk hybrid and jarring lyrics" as Fischman nicely describes it was easily my favourite and got my vote. I am looking forward to hearing it again, and more of them.
Steve Tibbets was a close second. Really enjoyed the mix of experimental guitar work, and what sounded like a variety of percussion instruments and sounds.
And although I do have reservations about the possible cultural appropriation of Yamasuki Singers, putting that aside I still enjoyed the actual music, and they round out my top 3.
Here is how I ranked them all.
1. Queen Hygiene II / Rough Day At The Orifice by Arab On Radar
2. Exploded View by Steve Tibbetts
3. Le Monde Fabuleux Des Yamasuki by Yamasuki Singers
4. Continente Nero by Piero Umiliani
5. UV by Frankenstein
6. Mistérios Da Amazônia by Carioca & Devas
7. Per Nørgård: Symphony No. 6 'At The End Of The Day' / Terrains Vagues by Thomas Dausgaard / Danish National Symphony Orchestra
8. Beguiled by Tim Story
9. Glide by Peter Davison
10. The October Suite by Steve Kuhn
So the Steve Tibbets is a disc i can really sink my musical teeth into.
He gets the wailing, distortion guitar to mesh perfectly with the strong world music undercurrents. A most excellent musical hybrid. Works for me quite brilliantly.
So in the end, I settled on October Suite, but really by the most infinitesimal of whiskers. I could just as easily have gone for At the End of the Day, and I really hated not voting for Exploded View. I would be quite pleased to add anything above the first line to my collection.
Really, a great list and much fun to explore. Thanks, Chief!
1a. October Suite
1b. At the End of the Day
1c. Exploded view
4a. Continente Nero
4b. Misterios da Amazonia
6a. Beguiled
6b. Glide
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8. Le Monde Fabuleux Des Yamasiki
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10y. UV
10z. Queen Hygiene II / Rough Day At The Orifice by Arab On Radar
I finally listened to all the album and I can't say that I liked them all but I would like to highlight three of them though:
number 3: Symphonie no 6 by Per Norgard: as far as modern classical music goes this is one of the best I heard yet (but I have to admit I haven't heard many). It somehow reminded my of the great olds while still adding modern elements.
number 2: The Arab On Radar album: not a bad album but too many songs just hit the same strings (and in this case these strings can strangle you) which makes this album a bit too uniform and with only half of the tracks there would be less chance to get a headache.
number 1: Exploded View by Steve Tibbetts: this album was a discovery: both the electric and accoustic guitars mixed with world music and jazz elements produce a blend which makes this album very listenable and interesting. Indeed a lead to discover more of the man's albums. This is also the only album of the ten which makes it to my final top chart and a clear winner here.
Last edited by dihansse on 05/22/2019 04:56; edited 1 time in total
Arab on Radar, with it's twisted indie-industrial-punk hybrid and jarring lyrics kind of gave me a vibe like the annoying side of Primus but not nearly as clever and minus the wicked cool bass lines.
Just heard this and yeah it's easily my least favorite so far. Juvenile gross-out lyrics, whiny vocals, and instrumentals that aren't nearly good enough to compensate. _________________ Add me on RYM
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