David Sylvian - Live Japan 2004

Stunning performance from Sylvian and associated musicians. I've really enjoyed his more electronic outings of recent times (well 10 years or more) and parts of this gig highlight them fantastically. 
He gets some sweet sounds from that Nord Synthesizer. This concert reminds me of the more subdued outings by Coil, under their Timemachines guise.



Tracklisting

Opening
Blemish
The Good Son
The Only Daughter
The Heart Knows Better
She Is Not
Late Night Shopping
A Fire In The Forest
When Poets Dreamed Of Angels / Cries And Whispers
Blue Skinned Gods
Praise
Maria
Wasn't I Joe?
World Citizen
Jean The Birdman

Musicians And Technicians

David Sylvian
computer, keyboards, acoustic guitar, vocals

Steve Jansen
computer, keyboards, electronic percussion, vocals

Masakatsu Takagi
visual images


Albums by David Sylvian I highly recommend...

Sleepwalker
Died In The Wool (Manafon Variations)
Plight And Premonition (with Holger Czukay)
Secrets Of The Beehive (more acoustic in nature)

Great compilation called Camphor covers most bases of his earlier career.

Tim Blake - Crystal Machine (1977)

On first hearing this several years ago, I pondered on how acid house/techno didn't happen sooner than it did, as all the seeds were in place way before the first true blossoming's of the genre.

Hell even Pink Floyd had an early prototype on 'Dark Side of The Moon' fer god's sake.

In 'Crystal Machine' you can hear hints of all those future classics by Jaun Atkins and Model 500 to name just two. Arpeggiated sequences and and lush keyboard refrains dominate much of the record, with great synth 'drifts' of sound to accompany you on your journey. The music gives a heavy nod to 'Phaedra' era Tangerine Dream and those Krautrock pioneers, but with a great ear for melody too, this really is something you've gotta HEAR if you haven't already.

Cover

 

The 'gear list' reads like an analogue nerds dream, and goes something like this...

"2 EMS Synthis A´s, Minimoog, EMS Frequency Shifter, MXR Flanger, Sony TC 850 Tape deck echo, Sony Mix 12, ELKA Rhapsody"

Mmm, now if only I had another morgage, I might be able to afford some of it.

Tim Blake 1976

To be honest, I don't know a whole lot about Tim Blake. I've read he was a member of Anglo-French acid freaksters 'Gong' from 1971-75 before departing to move to France and form/ make Crystal Machine with Patrice Warrener. But Crystal Machine is a stone cold killer of the genre, which is sadly much overlooked.
I can't comment on his other releases, as I don't own them, and have yet to track them down, but I'm sure it would take something pretty special to sound better than this.

Crystal Machine Live 1977

Here's a review from All Music Guide which just about sums it up.

"Too many synth artists of the early to mid-'70s seemed more interested in demonstrating their dexterity with their instrument than actually showing why it was worth being dexterous with in the first place. The reason Tim Blake is important is because he took the opposite approach entirely. Schooled in Gong and soon to dignify Hawkwind, Blake is a composer first, a technician a very distant second. And if New Jerusalem, his solo debut, represents a peak which electronic rock in general has yet to top, Crystal Machine is at least equal to the task. In maintaining the earlier album's application of melody over mood, Blake totally separates himself from the ranks of sallow, clever souls who let their machines do all the talking -- a lesson which, by year's end, both Jean Michel Jarre and Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" would both have translated into worldwide chart-toppers. More importantly, however, Blake also liberated the synth from the showroom and showman. Two tracks -- "Last Ride of the Boogie Child" and "Synthese Intemporel" -- were drawn from live concerts, an arena where very few onlookers are listening in on headphones and even fewer care how clever the musician is. The fact that flying bottles, cans, or coins interrupts neither performance testifies to that. There is nothing here which packs the sheer visceral energy of "New Jerusalem" itself, of course, but that's a point which Blake himself confirms, by confining the title track this time to a scant minute or two of oscillation, then slipping it nicely into a stick groove at the end of the vinyl. If listeners let their attention wander for a moment, it could play on forever." (Written by AMG contributor  Dave Thompson)

I got sent this by a pal in Canada, who knew I was a sucker for all things 'Electronic and Kosmische' and that I was also a massive early Hawkwind fan (he was a member briefly from 1979-80'), and as the price of this disc is still ridiculous over on Amazon and Ebay, he kindly sent me  a copy.
Apparently Tim Blake has returned to the masked ranks of Hawkwind in recent years and is still going strong touring and playing live. Can't wait till he comes near me to finally check him out.

Triclops Live Levenshume Manchester

Great bit of live video of Manchester experimental noisters Triclops (not to be confused with US guitar wranglers Triclops!).
If your looking for comparisons in sound, think Coil, TG, Cyclobe etc.. great stuff.
From about 16 mins in there's a cover version of T.G.'s 'Persuasion'.


Triclops Live Burst Couch#30 - Part One from Gareth Bibby on Vimeo.

Kosmische One - Home Made Compilation

Thought I'd post a compilation of new and new-ish music I've had as a playlist on my Walkman for a while.
It's a daydreamers, er, dream, as much of the content is a little ethereal, though some does develop into nice phrases, phases, micro beats and patterns.
There's some pretty cool stuff, even if I say so myself, and at around 67 minutes, it doesn't go on forever.
Kosmische doesn't really cover the full breadth of music here, some would qualify as good old fashioned ambient house, while other stuff is a bit free form and improv' in nature, and there's even a little drone here and there.  Many tracks are what you might call 'builders', they take a while to develop, but they do get there in the end, honest!

Have a listen if your Tempted. Or HERE is the same mix as a smaller file. Not much shorter than the  individual tracks, just cuts out the quieter end bits. s'up to you dear reader.

Track listing is as follows:-

1.Stellar Om Source - 'How Many Voyages' (2.11).

   Taken from the limited 2009 Black Dirt LP 'Rise In Planes'.

This is one that you could definitely class as 'Kosmiche'. It's quite a short track for Stellar Om Source, usually they are great 20 minute drifting synthscapes with a similar feel to Tangerine Dreams 'Phaedra' or any number of Tim Blake releases. 

She's quite a prolific little hermit too, releasing a number of 'self released' CDr's in the last few years, most strictly limited in number.

If you feel like checking out her goods, the website is Here.

And here is a short clip of Stellar in action.

2. Jonas Reinhardt - 'Eos, The Dawn' (5.32).

    Taken from the Not Not Fun 2011 release - 'Music For The Tactile Dome' .

I don't know a whole lot about Jonas Reinhardt other than the above record is lush, and is a real 'headphone music' treat. Recorded in Berlin and mixed San Fransisco, you could say the sound is representative of both cities musical heritage.

'Eon...' is a lovely builder of a track, though if I'm honest, it's not totally representative of  much off  '...Tactile Dome',  which is mostly beat driven, it's one of my faves from the release'

This live clip is probably more representative if his sound.

3. Subway - 'Xam' (7.43).

    Taken from the 2009 Soul Jazz records album 'Subway II'.

 Dusty Groove America said this about this wonderful album, and I can't disagree.

 "Cosmic synth grooves from the duo of Michael Kirkman and Alan James, aka Subway – home recorded electronic soundscapes working in hypnotic from of the 70s Krautrock innovators, and the more effervescent sounds of avant garde dance music of 80s Detroit and the European scene in almost equal measure! The vibes are bit too spacey for the dancefloor, though, it's more about a hypnotic, meditative groove – and it works well! Titles include "Persuation", "Lowlife", "Simplex", "Harmonia","Delta II", "Monochrome", "Horizons", "Jupiter" and "Xam".

4. Cologne Tape - 'Render 4' (9.36).

    Taken from the 2010 Magazine label 5 track EP - 'Render'. 

This is a real builder of a track. It starts with a beautiful ringing arpeggio before building into a 'Kraut - Tronic' stormer, takes a while to get there, but it's worth the trip.

Here's a short but to the point clip of the wonderful 'Cologne Tape' live. Hope they come to the UK on the strength of this.

5. Music For Headphones - 'Wait' (6.35).

    Taken from 2010 Bandcamp free EP 'Only Angry Lies'.

Again, I don't know a whole bunch about Music For Headphones, they appear to be a 'web only' band. Their Bandcamp page is Here. You can download the above EP for free, and the album 'Life In Mono' for what you want to pay. Trust me, they are both superb.

Musicwise, they remind me of the UK band 'Appliance', though some of the tracks from 'Life In Mono' do resemble 'Wooden Shjips' to some degree (see video for the wonderful  'Drive Motorik'  below for an example).

 6. Follakzoid - 'IV, III, II, I' (9.54).

    Taken from 2011 2 track EP on Sacred Bones 'Föllakzoid'

These precociously young whipper snappers from Chile apparently started off playing noise/ punk before morphing into the realms of Kosmiche/Krautrock/E-Music and Improv'. Their MySpace is Here.

The track 'IV,III.II.I' is a pure Neu! motorik rip off, but for me, thats a GOOD thing. 

This one morphs from Neu!, through Can's 'Mother Sky' via Loops 'Collision'.

Here's another side to them. heavy psych on You Tube

7. Suuns - 'Arena' [EP Version] (5.25).

    Taken from the free download 6 track EP 'Zeroes EP' 2011

On first hearing Suuns, I thought it was Liverpool band Clinic. But there's much more to them than that. One minute Clinic, the Next 'Holy Fuck', the next.... who knows? I love em', and you can pick up the above EP free from the Suuns label Secretly Canadian Here

You'll see what I mean about those Clinic Comparisons below.

8. Peking Lights - 'All The Sun That Shines' (6.54).

    Taken from the 2011 Not Not Fun album '936'.

There's not much I could add that Dustedmagazine haven't said already about the wonderful album '936'.

So here's a lovely 'live' performance.

9. Datashock - 'Die Pyramiden Von Gießen' (5.18)

    Taken from the 2011 Dekorder album 'Pyramiden Von Gießen'

 Datashock at first glance appear to be one of those 9 piece 'inprov' bands it's usually prudent to steer clear of like Sunburned Hand Of Man or Jackie 'O' Motherfucker. Y'know the kind, the ones that get up on stage with tinkling bells and no idea what they're going to do, and do lot's of it, ad nauseum, for a very long time. Well let me confound your expectations with Datashock, who are an improv' band from Germany, which means unlike our American chin strokers, and like all our other Krautrock lovelies from yesteryear, they DO have a purpose, and DO go somewhere, though often it takes a little time. But hey, were always told the joy IS in the journey right!, and with these babies it is, and some. As ever with this type of ensemble, they are prolific. Releasing numerous self published tapes and records, usually limited, and seem to be having a blast doing it. Click Here to find out more.

Promo Video for album below.

 10. Roj & Wolfram Wire - 'The Salt Path' [Fursaxa Remix] (4.02)

       Taken from free Ghostbox mail-list download 2010.

Roj Stevens was a member of Broadcast MKI back in the day, but left after 'The Noise Made By People' never to be replaced. Since then I'm informed he's become a lecturer in 'Electronic Music' at Nottingham Uni (How cool is That!). Anyhow, his debut release from Ghostbox records called 'The Transactional Dhama Of Roj' was released a year or two ago to not much acclaim. I like it a lot, though I do have to be in the right mood to dabble. This track (and a few others) are freebies if you sign up to the  Ghostbox mailing list.

I must admit, I cheated with this one, I added a bit of the Fursaxa track 'Tragedy' from her 'Lepidoptera' album, just to pad out the sound. Great German vocal from Wolfram Wire though. It has a very evocative 'reedy' recorder sound which I feel belongs in a scary 1970's kids programme, probably something to do with an empty house and dusty corridors. Anyhow, bugger you, I LIKE IT. Plus, Ghostbox have the most amazing covers and best 'brand' identity for a record label I've seen in a while.

Here's a track from Roj's debut.

 11. FNS - 'I Think She's Asleep' (5.03).

      Taken from 2010 self titled Miasmah records album. 

I'm not too sure who or what FNS are, but I do love the ethereal guitar sounds and general droned out but slightly malign bliss of the record. It does kinda remind me of the awesome Acid Mother's Temple song 'Bon Voyage Au LSD', but never mind about all that, it's great in it's own right. You can read more about the band and this release Here.

Hula - Murmur (1984)

A discussion thread on Head Heritage the other day about lost 80's bands brought this great record to mind.
Hula formed in November 1980 and hailed from Sheffield, home of such electronic luminaries as The Human League, Cabaret Voltaire and Chakk to name but a few. Hula members Ron Wright, Alan Fish, and Mark Albrow allegedly lived with Cabaret Voltaire in an apartment aptly names the 'Hula Kula', though if this is true or not I couldn't say.
Hula's debut album 'Murmur' was released in 1984, and what a tour de force it is. Taking in elements of found sounds, cut up, primitive sampling and industrial paranoia they sculpted an unsettling but rhythmic 'melange' of sound. In part, industrial funk, elsewhere, an atmospheric stew of dissonance and rhythm. It's sad that the annals of underground music have seen fit to all but forget Hula. 
You can hear this proto industrial electronic masterpiece Here

Broadcast - Irish Center, Birmingham 2000

As promised, here's a copy of the Birmingham Sound City concert from 2000. The last 5 tracks are from Meltdown Festival in the same year. It was aired at the same time as the gig as part of the John Peel show.
You can have a listen Here

A few Old Broadcast gigs and Suicide Show.

Am still greatly saddened by the sad loss of Trish Keenan of Broadcast. Whilst rummaging around my CD shelves I came across a few live shows a that Charlie H sent me ways back. Thought as it's my first posting, I'd share em' with the wider world.

First concert is a great show recorded at Birmingham's 'Sanctuary' Club in December 2003.
It's pretty good quality and you can find it .... Here

 Second recording was a great gig from Vancouver on the 30th  October 2003 sent to me by a good friend from Canada. It's at a small venue called Richard's On Richard, Another with great sound. I've half an idea it was a radio broadcast, but I'm not 100% sure about that. Think this is available elsewhere on the web, but if not, you can get it Here

The final Broadcast post is a little know song called 'Misc' released on a freebie cassette tape from the NME in 1997 celebrating Oxford Sound City. I was disappointed when this didn't turn up on Future Crayon, but this recording is pretty good quality in  a Microtronics fashion. Get it Here

Finally, i turned out this mad concert by Suicide recorded at Camden Palace on 30th October 1986. It has some pretty intense sound, but Alan Vega seems in good spirits. Sound is very hissy as It's from a 15 year old cassette, but as their isn't much top end, i left it as is. Track listing may not be right, but hey, it's the sounds your after! Get it Here