uSSSy - Karpet Birch

bandcampfree last.fm dl
Noise-rock with a hella tribal vibe. (src)

This is the greatest thing I have heard in FOR. FUCKING. EVER. uSSSy is a noise rock duo from Moscow, Russia with intense folk and traditional music influences. As far as I can tell, through my amazing researching skills,  they use quite a number of folk instruments to create their sound. Posted on their facebook is evidence of instruments such as the tanbur, a long plucked instrument originating in Persia, as well as the daf drum, also used in Persian music. Check out their tumblr (link below) if you're so inclined, they post almost exclusively old/ancient instruments from Central Asia/the Middle East, which might tell you a little bit about how interesting they are as musicians. So, if you have a good ears, maybe you'll pick up on these sounds and more in the album. Who knows, it's all incredibly cool.

My favorite track is currently the first, "oi tam na gori," but I've been loving every song on here. This isn't the most informative write-up, but the music really speaks for itself. I encourage you all to give to this band whatever you have or are willing to, especially through their bandcamp, as well as partake in their wonderful music-making.

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Anouar Brahem Trio - Astrakan Café

 2001; 14 tracks  Here is a Tunisian collaborative release under the name Anouar Brahem Trio, which features the master oud (lute-like string instrument) player Anour Brahem accompanied by Barbaros Erköse on the clarinet and Lassad Honsi on both the bendir (Arabic frame drum) and darbouka (goblet drum).  

Astrakan Café is a deeply meditative release. As it dreamily floats among textures hinting at neo-classical and jazz, this caravan meditatively and elegantly re-imagines Arabic music.

01 Aube Rouge À Grozny
02 Astrakan Café Part
03 The Mozdok's Train
04 Blue Jewels
05 Nihawend Lunga
06 Ashkabad
07 Halfaouine
08 Parfum De Gitane
09 Khotan
10 Karakoum
11 Astara
12 Dar Es Salam
13 Hijaz Pechref
14 Astrakan Part 2

Download.

Iva Bittová & Vladimír Václavek - Bílé Inferno

 1997; 13 tracks  This is something truly unique and truly incredible. A "hybrid of Björk and Yann Tierson" (just to give a certain kind of idea). It will probably become one of your most-played albums.  

Bílé Inferno combines the talents of Czech musicians Iva Bittová, an avant-garde violinist, singer, and composer, and Vladimír Václavek, a singer/songwriter and instrumentalist. They perform an interesting mix of darkwave, contemporary classical, traditional folk, classical classical, and experimental or avant-garde jazz. Bittová has a voice that is at once bell-like and as strong and warm as a thousand suns, singing fascinating fairytale words. All in all, you will not be disappointed with this.

01 Vzpomínka
02 Uspávanka
03 Sirka V Louži
04 Sto Let
05 Kdoule
06 Zelený Víneček
07 Moucha
08 Moře
09 Starý Mlýn
10 Je Tma
11 Churý Churůj
12 Zvon
13 Huljet

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Ali Jihad Racy - Mystical Legacies

 1997; 10 tracks This recording features performer, composer, and scholar Ali Jihad Racy accompanied by percussionist Souhail Kaspar performing ten excerpts from a live concert at the 1993 Los Angeles Festival on August 21. Here these two master artists perform at a high level of saltanah, namely the creative state that inspires musicians to evoke tarab, of "musical ecstasy" within the initiated listeners. Performed on a variety of string, wind, and percussion instruments, the content illustrates the traditional textures, timbres, embellishments, and melodic and rhythmic modes of traditional Arab music. It also includes improvisations and interpretations of works by Racy and other composers.

My favorite instrument that they use is called a buzuq, which is a long-necked lute with metallic strings, much like a guitar but with a more resonant sound. I found this a beautiful recording of musicians becoming so involved with the instruments they play it is if they are one.

01 Sufi Medley
02 Taqasim And Sama'i Bayyati Al-'Arayan
03 Moorish Impressions
04 Taqasim And Dama'i Nahawand Racy
05 Themes of Yearning
06 Strumming Magic
07 Enchanting Beauty
08 Taqasim Hiljaz
09 Saba Medley
10 Breeze of Nostalgia


Download.

Secret Chiefs 3

Oh hey, my name is raz0rwire, and I will be contributing music to this blog here.

And for my first post... Secret Chiefs 3. A band founded by the guitarist of Mr. Bungle (who's music I'll probably post at a later date.) I would like to tell you what genre they play, but that's a bit of a challenge. It's sort of an experimental rock take on Persian music (okay, that description sucked.) Really good stuff, so don't let my poor description stop you from downloading this stuff.



















First Grand Constitution and Bylaws




















Hurqalya: Second Grand Constitution and Bylaws





















Book M




















Book of Horizons





















Xaphan: Book of Angels Volume 9




















Traditionalists: Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini