From Eternal Turns’ Bandcamp site: “Eternal Turns presents the second compilation, ”intelkinetix²“ — a snapshot of the contemporary experimental scene. The release features exclusive works by the label’s residents and like-minded sound artists, united by a shared pursuit of new forms, technologies, and methods of working with sound. The compilation Continue Reading
Dr. Abdel Latif Gohar – Egyptian Buzuq Solos ca. 1950s
From the estimable Canary Records at their Bandcamp site: “Abdel Latif Gohar was an ophthalmologist with a private practice and in the Egyptian military where he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Dedicated to music, he started as a violinist before taking up the buzuq, the long-necked, steel stringed lute. Continue Reading
Red Stars Over Tokyo – The Burning Spiral
Those who assume techno music is cold should take a good listen to Red Stars Over Tokyo. This is warm, relaxed, and some of the most pleasant electronic music I’ve heard in a fair while. Perhaps it’s for the dancefloor, perhaps not, but you will feel a sense of contentment Continue Reading
Various Artists – Artoffact Records 2025 Sampler
Artoffact Records, Canada’s premier electronic music record label, looks to have had a banner year in terms of releases. Still, the only recognizable name I see is Rhys Fulber, best known for his work with Front Line Assembly and Delerium. Still, it sounds like this kind of music is in Continue Reading
Various Artists – SWP Records: Zambush, Volumes 1 & 2
We start 2026 with two charming compilations from Zambia documenting the Zamrock hits from the 1970s and 1980s. Though artists are not listed on the releases’ respective Bandcamp pages, you can see an artist list on Discogs for Volume 1 and Volume 2 by clicking the links. The music has Continue Reading
Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026!
We bid adieu to one of the strangest, yet most musically satisfying, years I’ve had in some time. I hope that we continue, dear friends, to find and share rare gems. The posting schedule will be lighter this year, as I need to attend to some health issues, but the Continue Reading
Urbanator feat. Urszula Dudziak – Papaya Dance (Remix Party)
Michał Urbaniak has passed away today at the age of 82. His work covered everything from jazz and fusion to disco-style numbers like this ditty he recorded with scat singer Urszula Dudziak, which became a worldwide hit. Not exactly happy Christmas news, I’m afraid. Farewell, Michał.
Hikari Honda – Japanese Folk 1
This will be the last post of 2025. I’ve had a long year, and the burnout is nasty, so expect a flood in 2026. I had the pleasure of being introduced to the music of Hikari Honda, a Japanese folk singer (oh, hell, yes, they still exist!) who is based Continue Reading
Jeff Gburek – Sound Travels in Babadag (Romania)
As the year comes to a close, we receive a gift of field recordings by Jeff Gburek from one of his recent trips to Romania. It’s one of those releases where you can simply close your eyes and briefly forget you’re in the city.
Dou Wei (窦唯) – Black Dream (黑梦)
Thanks to my student Ben back in Beijing for turning me on to Dou Wei, whose work is inspired by ancient Chinese text as well as New Wave and post-punk music.