Posts Tagged ‘Tzadik’
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
After a five-year absence, Norway’s Jaga Jazzist releases the symphonic prog rock of One-Armed Bandit, which immediately has become the group’s best album.
Turntablist Rob Swift, formerly of the X-ecutioners, takes a foray into the classical world with The Architect, a dynamic DJ disc; stoner-metal trio High on Fire picks up its pace and crafts an album that isn’t as outstretched.
Malian sensations Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté present another beautiful set of duets that sees a posthumous release after the passing of Farka Touré in 2006.
Icelandic producer Valgeir Sigurðsson establishes a name for himself as a composer with the gentle, mini-orchestral soundtrack to Dreamland, and Greek black-metal quartet Rotting Christ puts out another striking, original album that fuses its dark style to the ethnic sounds of its ancestors. (more…)
Tags: Ali Farka Toure, Bedroom Community, Ben Frost, Bjork, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Breez Evahflowin, Cindy Blackman, Daníel Bjarnason, Eluvium, Frank Zappa, High on Fire, Ipecac, Jack Rose, Jaga Jazzist, Johnny Cash, Jono El Grande, Kill Rock Stars, Mum, Nico Muhly, Ninja Tune, Nonesuch, Quasi, Rob Swift, Rotting Christ, Sam Amidon, Season of Mist, Temporary Residence, Terry Riley, Thrill Jockey, Toumani Diabate, Tzadik, Valgeir Sigurdsson, X-ecutioners
Posted in Best Albums | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Guzheng virtuoso Bei Bei and prolific producer Shawn Lee team up to deliver what will be one of the year’s finest albums, a tour through funky down-tempo jams and Kung-Fu flavor that is driven by the tactile beauty of an ancient Chinese instrument.
With its third album, Algernon places greater emphasis on synthesizers and sprawling song structures, but at its core is the combination of accessibility and technicality that has defined bandleader Dave Miller’s style.
And in a great week for releases, the Chicago Underground Duo releases another dichotomy of avant-garde jazz, grooves, and programming, while electronic composer Noah Creshevsky crafts musical patchworks from samples of orchestras, vocalists, pop music, and much more. (more…)
Tags: 482 Music, Algernon, Bei Bei, Chicago Underground Duo, Cuneiform, Dave Miller, Domino, Exploding Star Orchestra, Four Tet, Fredrik, Harvey Milk, Hydra Head, Isotope 217, Joan of Arc, Noah Creshevsky, Rob Mazurek, Shawn Lee, Thrill Jockey, Tortoise, Tzadik, Ubiquity, Yuka Honda
Posted in Best Albums | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
Kid Koala and Dynomite D build a band, dubbed The Slew, with the ex-Wolfmother rhythm section to dice psychedelic-blues riffs for a defunct documentary.
Jaga Jazzist foreshadows a great progressive album with a single that evokes sounds of Frank Zappa and Norwegian countryman Jono El Grande.
Diverse producer David Sardy creates a percussive score for Zombieland that oscillates between brooding minimalism, blood-curdling neo-classicalism, and horror-infused rock and roll. (more…)
Tags: Barkmarket, Daptone, David Sardy, Dynomite D, Erik Deutsch, Fin Fang Foom, Frank Zappa, Hammer & String, Jaga Jazzist, John McEntire, Jono El Grande, Kid Koala, Lovitt, Ninja Tune, Puget Sound, Sajjanu, The Slew, Tortoise, Tzadik, Wolfmother
Posted in Best Albums | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
In its first album with Grails drummer Emil Amos, Om continues to channel discarnate vibes while taking a worldly bent with key guest contributors. The result is another step in the journey for Om — a heightened sense of focus and wellbeing.
Meanwhile, Ben Perowsky’s Moodswing Orchestra is a seductive sonic alloy, melding elastic grooves with sultry and low-key vocals and atmospheric improvisation. Ahleuchatistas refines its math-rock madness with a Tzadik debut, and vibraphone virtuoso Jason Adasiewicz achieves wandering, melodic interplay with the sophomore album from his Rolldown quintet. (more…)
Tags: 90 Day Men, Ahleuchatistas, Al Cisneros, Aram Shelton, Bebel Gilberto, Ben Perowsky, Chris Haikus, Cibo Matto, Cuneiform, Doug Wieselman, Drag City, El Destructo, Elysian Fields, Emil Amos, Frank Rosaly, Glenn Patscha, Jason Adasiewicz, Jason Roebke, Jennifer Charles, Joan as Policewoman, Joan Wasser, Josh Berman, Lichens, Lorraine Rath, Marcus Rojas, Markus Miller, Miho Hatori, Moodswing Orchestra, Om, Pamelia Kurstin, Rob Lowe, Rolldown, Ryan Oslance, Sex Mob, Sleep, Steve Albini, Steven Bernstein, Tzadik
Posted in Best Albums | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
The members of Cave In have resurfaced to redefine their sound once again — this time with their heaviest material since Until Your Heart Stops. Old-school fans should be really fucking pumped.
John Zorn’s beautiful sequel to The Dreamers covers Tropicália and other exotic styles with an all-star backing ensemble.
Full of instrumental country, lap-steel blues, and twangy Americana, Bill Frisell’s newest soundtrack is a multimedia venture set to the folksy black-and-white photos of Michael Disfarmer.
After more than 20 years as a frenetic bass/drums duo, Tatsuya Yoshida’s Ruins transforms to a sax/drums duo for a new sonic texture.
(more…)
Tags: Adam McGrath, Arthur Crudup, Bill Frisell, Caleb Scofield, Cave In, Clouds, Cyro Baptista, Greg Leisz, Hank Williams Sr., Hydra Head, Jamie Saft, Jenny Scheinman, John Zorn, Kenny Wollesen, Marc Ribot, Michael Disfarmer, Nonesuch, Old Man Gloom, Ono Ryoko, Ruins, Sax Ruins, Stephen Brodsky, Tatsuya Yoshida, Trevor Dunn, Tzadik, Zozobra
Posted in Best Albums | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
Tags: Art Ensemble of Chicago, Brass Ecstasy, Dave Douglas, Greenleaf, Greg Cohen, Joey Baron, John Zorn, Lester Bowie, Masada, Masada Quintet, Paper Bag, Rock Plaza Central, Tzadik, Uri Caine
Posted in Best Albums | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Mr. Lif: I Heard it Today
This week, Mr. Lif takes a greater reflection on the political landscape, Herculaneum dishes swinging jazz licks, Venetian Snares drops electronic mayhem without the glitchy breaks, Robert Burger tackles a plethoric load of film cues, and Lucky 7s presents a mixture of esteemed talent that takes a double identity. (more…)
Tags: Aaron Funk, Bloodbot, Carla Kihlstedt, Clean Feed, Dylan Ryan, Eyvind Kang, Herculaneum, Icy Demons, Jason Adasiewicz, Jeb Bishop, Jeff Albert, Josh Berman, Keefe Jackson, Kenny Wollesen, Lucky 7s, Marc Ribot, Mark Orton, Matthew Golombisky, Maxim Moston, Mr. Lif, Mucca Pazza, Nick Broste, Planet Mu, Quin Kirchner, Robert Burger, Tin Hat Trio, Tzadik, Venetian Snares
Posted in Music Reviews | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
John Zorn: Film Works XXIII: El General
In a slow week for tunes, our favorites of the week include John Zorn’s Mexican melodies, Mountains‘ electro-acoustic serenity, Rob Mazurek’s new quintet, and Steven Wilson’s solo debut. (more…)
Tags: Black Earth Ensemble, Delmark, Exploding Star Orchestra, Isotope 217, Jason Adasiewicz, John Herndon, John Zorn, Josh Abrams, Kscope, Matthew Lux, Mountains, Porcupine Tree, Rob Mazurek, Rolldown, Sao Paulo Underground, Steven Wilson, Thom Yorke, Thrill Jockey, Tortoise, Tzadik
Posted in Music Reviews | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez: Old Money
January closes out strongly with a spacey, progressive solo effort from Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, a metal/Jewish mélange from Jamie Saft, 1970s-style prog jams from Diagonal, and more. (more…)
Tags: Bad Brains, Beastie Boys, Cotton Jones, Diagonal, Earache, Ennio Morricone, Ephel Duath, Jamie Saft, John Zorn, King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Merzbow, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Page France, Pantera, Rise Above, Stones Throw, Suicide Squeeze, The Mars Volta, Tzadik
Posted in Music Reviews | No Comments »
Monday, January 26th, 2009
Our list of favorites from last year includes devastating dub metal, organ-fueled psychedelic grind, a re-released classic-rock gem from nearly four decades ago, an international assemblage of punk-infused field recordings, and an Indian/surf/metal take on John Zorn’s Masada material. (more…)
Tags: An Albatross, Anti, Anticon, Bloodshot, Dub Trio, Eyeball, Firewater, Fucked Up, Grinderman, Hydra Head, Ipecac, John Zorn, Light in the Attic, Masada, Matador, Mike Patton, Mogwai, Naked City, Nick Cave, Rodriguez, Roky Erickson, Secret Chiefs 3, SteadyBoy, Torche, Trey Spruance, Tzadik, Why?, Yoni Wolf
Posted in Music Features | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
Performing in her native city of Beijing, Chinese composer and guzheng virtuoso Wu Fei played at the Stone Boat Café on Friday in support of Yuan, a collection of chamber compositions released on Tzadik in late November.
ALARM contributor and Beijing resident Dan Fuller reports on this performance — from literally inside a stone boat. (more…)
Tags: Add new tag, Tzadik, Wu Fei
Posted in Reviews: Concerts | No Comments »
Friday, January 9th, 2009
Amon Tobin makes up half of a new project called Two Fingers; Witch goes on tour with Earthless; Dan Deacon posts a preview of his new album; Converge and Supermachiner each has a new album for ‘09; Kronos Quartet is giving away 50 pairs of tickets for its performance in France this month.
Read about these and 11 more news bits in our weekly roundup. (more…)
Tags: Amon Tobin, Bedouin Soundclash, Converge, Dan Deacon, Deathwish Inc., Doubleclick, Earthless, Femi Kuti, Irons, Jacob Bannon, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Kronos Quartet, Kurt Ballou, Led Zeppelin, Madlib, Mastodon, Paper Bag, Powersolo, Pulling Teeth, Reed Mathis, Stones Throw, Supermachiner, Tee Pee, Terry Riley, These Arms are Snakes, Two Fingers, Tzadik, Under The Radar Festival, Witch, World/Inferno Friendship Society, Wu Fei
Posted in Music News | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
After playing a few shows on the East Coast in early to mid-January, Tzadik recording artists Barbez have a baker’s dozen shows stretching through much of Europe. (more…)
Tags: Barbez, Tzadik
Posted in Music News | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008
Wu Fei: Yuan
Chinese-American composer Wu Fei leads our list this week with expressive ensemble creations. Her label’s owner, John Zorn, also makes an appearance next to the ambient jazz/electronics of Colorlist and the political throwback rock of The (International) Noise Conspiracy. (more…)
Tags: Carla Kihlstedt, Colorlist, Fred Frith, Ikue Mori, John Zorn, Silences Sumire, Stilll, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Tzadik, Vagrant, Wu Fei
Posted in Music Reviews | No Comments »
A trio of pairs top our list this week. Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray unleash their third disc of old-school roots rock and rockabilly as Heavy Trash, collaborating with a bona fide cast of contributors to create some of its finest tunes on a disc that expands its repertoire.
Saxophonist Dave Douglas continues his impressive oeuvre with a fun, horn-filled homage to New Orleans, Rock Plaza Central issues another dose of semi-orchestral neofolk, and John Zorn’s expansive second Masada book gets a jazzy installment with the Masada Quintet.
