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Recordings 1975-1979
Larry Wendt (b. 1946, Napa California) began creating artistic text-sound compositions in San Jose, California in the mid 70’s and was a proponent of the use of "low-tech" and "repurposed" electronics. He was also among the early designers and users of “hand-built,” microprocessor-based, sound manipulation equipment to use in the production of his recorded work as well as in his on-stage performances. Active in the audio cassette culture of that time, many of his works were released and distribu…
Electrogenesis 1978-1980
Vice Versa formed in late 1977 / early 1978 by Stephen Singleton with Mark White and David Sydenham as members and can be considered as one of the "Big Four" late 70's minimalistic electronic/synth-based bands from Sheffield. Together with the other three big Sheffield-Protagonists of electronic music; Cabaret Voltaire, Clock DVA and The Future / Human League they heavily influenced and changed the guitar-dominated British Pop Music Culture in the late 70's to early 80's, especially when in late…
Parables
*In process of stocking. 2022 stock.* This newest CD of Zorn compositions performed by the remarkable all-star guitar trio of Bill Frisell, Julian Lage and Gyan Riley is inspired by the ancient tradition of story telling as spiritual lesson. Drawing upon Sufic, Hebrew and secular traditions, “Parables” is a unique collection of compositional miniatures blending folk, classical, jazz, bluegrass, world music and more. Featuring seductive moods, driving rhythms and thought provoking twists and turn…
Nostradamus (The Death Of Satan)
*In process of stocking. 2022 stock.* Yes there is life after Baphomet! "Nostradamus: The Death of Satan", the ninth release by Zorn’s most intense 21st century ensemble, is a triumph. In this wildly varied program ranging from the softest sacred whisper to the most heretical hysteria, Zorn brings his unique compositional blending of classical, jazz and rock to new heights. The Simulacrum band is tighter than ever and the recording is richer and more powerful. With a stunning clarity of sound, b…
Meditations On The Tarot
*In process of stocking. 2022 stock.* Brian Marsella’s dynamic trio steps out for another exciting outing performing a new collection of Zorn compositions inspired by the mysterious and occult cards of the Tarot. This beautiful and varied followup to the popular and critically acclaimed 2019 CD The Hierophant features the remaining thirteen Tarot cards in tight arrangements, highlighting the incredible versatility and virtuosity of this powerhouse all-star jazz trio. A classic reading of occult …
Wilderness America, A Celebration Of The Land
Before I’m gone I’d like to see us turn the corner and give up being spoilers of the land . . . In 1975 Wallace ‘Wally’ Smith Broecker published a paper that popularised the term ‘global warming’ and against a backdrop of change and environmental uncertainty, a musical concept album was commissioned. ‘Wilderness America / A Celebration of the Land’ - is a musical exploration of our place within the cycle of living things. All compositions were specially commissioned for the album and blended wit…
White Island
*CD edition* 'The Nanai people have their songs and instruments. Some of them were used by composer Alexander Lavrov and singer Kola Beldy who is of Nanian descent in their music on this, Kola Beldy’s fourth album. Just as all his records from the 1980s, this is extremely rare and originals in good shape can cost a small fortune. Just in case they ever turn up somewhere outside the vast Russian country. Now for the very outstanding music that as mentiond above is based on centuries old folk tune…
Angelic Music
**CD version** "In 1978 Iasos returned with a new album consisting of two long peaceful compositions, The Angels of Comfort and Angel Play. These pieces are extremely soothing, heavenly, loving, and peaceful, and they capture the energies of love on a galactic scale. They function as a universal healing comforting presence.This genre of music could be termed "classical New Age music". The philosopher Alan Watts has said, "Iasos is doing the classical music of the New Age." This album is a "vibra…
Interregno + Smetak
Special bundle of the two seminal Walter Smetak albums re-issued by Buh Records, among the most sought-after releases in the canon Latin American experimentalism, channeling mystical religion, Afro-Brazilian ritualistic traditions, microtonality studies, and open, collective improvisational processes,
Dry Lungs
Tip! Maranata are the duo of Dag Stiberg and Jon Wesseltoft. Blending harsh electronics and saxophone into an ear-melting noise assault, they have been a fixture of Oslo, Norway's underground scene for decades, often collaborating with Lasse Marhaug. On Dry Lungs Maranata will satisfy the most masochistic of listeners. Comparisons could be made to Borbetomagus or Wasteland Jazz Unit, but Maranata is very much its own thing. The electronics are far more prominent, and interact perfectly with the …
Harmonies from Betelgeuse
*Limited edition of 100 copies.* Mexican sound artist Concepción Huerta is also a skilled photographer and video artist, and all of these aptitudes come together in the kinematic elements of her musical thesis. Her narrative seems to be an uninterrupted communication with movement as an axis: it pauses and falls with cadence at some moments; it agitates in disturbance at some others. But one movement perpetually crosses the other, even if sometimes imperceptibly.
Her sound work evokes displaceme…
Zwischenraum
The 2nd chapter “Zwischenraum”of the “raum“-trilogy by Dominik Grenzler aka An Moku and Stefan Schmidt. Finely crafted ambient / soundscapes using stringed instruments, synthesizer, electronics and field recordings.
Raum
*Limited edition of 100 handnumbered items* The first chapter of the "Raum“-trilogy by Dominik Grenzler aka An Moku and Stefan Schmidt. Finely crafted ambient / soundscapes using bass, cello, electronics and field recordings. As for many musicians, if there was anything positive about the lockdown in the spring of 2020, it was having more time to create music, to experiment and to maybe even start a completely new project with someone you may never have worked with before.
When Dominik Grenzler…
Traantjes
** First pressing of 200 ** Astral Spirits presents Traantjes by Orquesta del Tiempo Perdido. All music composed and produced by Jeroen Kimman. Mixed and mastered by Sandor Caron at Poesco Studio. Initial rhythm section recording on March 10 2020 at Studio De Zoete Inval by Jasper Schonewille. Editing and additional recording at Nananananineteen Studios. Further additional recording all over the place, corona-proof, emailed. Thank you Marksk, Nate, Sambo, Sjeng, Oona, LoÏe, Hilly. With support …
Unfamiliar Ceilings
*50 copies limited edition* Astral Spirits presents Unfamiliar Ceilings.
Lina Tullgren: violinAlec Toku Whiting: koto, bass kotoTed Reichman: synthesizer, pedals (track 3)
Engineered and mixed by Ted Reichman at Subtext Sound SystemMastered by Jack Callahan
...Of Late
Astral Spirits presents ...of Late by Jessica Pavone String Ensemble.
Jessica Pavone - composer / viola; voice on track 3Aimée Niemann - violin; voice on track 3Abby Swidler - violin on tracks 1,3,4; viola on tracks 2&5; voice on track 3
Borasisi
**300 copies** Named after a sun deity appearing in a Kurt Vonnegut novel, Borasisi is a team up between two saxophonists (Patrick Shiroishi and Vinny Golia) and two drummers (Dylan Fujioka and Alex Cline). While the cover art exhibits the signature retro feel of the Astral Spirits label, the music only nods toward the past and is, in essence, a forward-looking spontaneously creative effort. And the album is a grower. Once you get to the fifth or sixth listen, the soulful and outside power of th…
Fictional Souvenirs
**300 copies** Performing in concert at Iklectik in London in 2017, the UK and Norwegian free improvising trio of Pat Thomas on Moog, Theremin and IPad based electronics, John Butcher on saxophones, and Ståle Liavik Solberg on drums and percussion, impress through a mix of masterful free playing and eclectic electroacoustic conversations, an adventurous and wonderfully unpredictable set.
Good Days
**CD version** On May 13, 2000 the Chicago Underground Quartet played one of the most searing and transcendent sets of music I’ve ever witnessed, as part of the Empty Bottle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music. Cornetist Rob Mazurek, guitarist Jeff Parker, drummer Chad Taylor, and bassist Noel Kupersmith performed with a fiery singularity of purpose, ripping through its set like a bulldozer, albeit a machine marked by nuance and soulfulness. The following year the same line-up—which had previous…
Interpersonal Subjectivities
The trio of guitarist Tetuzi Akiyama, saxophonist Gregor Vidic, and drummer Nicolas Field introduces Akiyama to Vidic and Field’s standing duo. The result is a magnificent set of exploratory improvisation. Vidic and Field’s playing has a rich, textural quality, developed through their use of timbre and dynamics. In this way, Akiyama’s multiphonic approach to guitar, and his innovative use of effects, offset’s Vidic brilliantly. Over the course of 45 minutes, Akiyama, Vidic, and Field generate a …