Best of 2020 and farewell.

Here it is, the last post on this blog my fourth and final best of list. The criteria is fairly simple relying on twenty (+ three honourable mentions) releases I liked. No splitting into genre styles or ranking them numerically. Just simply the art and where to buy it. It's safe to say 2020 has …

It would be remiss of me…..

I have well and truly mentally cashed out when I announced the end of this blog. A big weight was removed from my shoulders and expectation has gone, somewhat. However, it would be remiss of me not to at least highlight some releases between now and Jan 1. So let's start with... The Stereoscenic label …

Lost Tribe Sound – Several Wives / William Ryan Fritch.

Before I ride off into the sunset I though it best to mention these releases from the Lost Tribe Sound label. LTS is the type of label that extends tself and challenges itself to the hilt year in, year out. Series such as "Fearful Void", "We Stayed The Path That Fell To Shadow" and "Prelude …

Compilation Round up – n5MD / Preserved Sound / Élan Vital / Ambientologist / Gizeh / Home Normal.

Here are a collection of worthy compilations that have come my way. All are thematic in one way or another. Three are charity releases, while others celebrate an anniversary or significant milestone for a label. What makes it all better, is each has it's own style, offering up any possible direction for potential listeners to …

Michael A. Muller – Blue Canyon.

If ever there was a release to tease, it is this one. The reason being it's brevity (two pieces under six minutes in total duration) which leaves you wanting more. Conceived during an artists in residency that Muller undertook at Laity Lodge in Real County, Texas, "Blue Canyon" is a response to his 2019 release …

Over and Out

This blog is closing down while I concentrate on my other venture Adrift, At Sea. Thankyou for all your submissions, comment and follows. The last post will be a Best of 2020 / Things I have learnt blogging, due on Jan 1, 2021. After this day there will be radio silence.

James Murray & Mike Lazarev – Suññatā.

"Following last year's reworking of ‘Living Treasure’ James Murray and Mike Lazarev present a collection of post-classical compositions woven into delicate ambient textures. Suññatā is the experience of encountering the non-self, of a sound and its reflection meeting in empty space, found here in the remarkable combined resonance of emotive piano and uniquely reactive sound …

Looking Backwards To Go Forwards – Part 2.

In light of my recent Instagram post that gave a snapshot of what the review queue looked like, I will keep these short and sweet in an effort to try and get through as many releases before I hit the brick wall. "We’re returning to our release schedule with a work that has been a …

Martyn Heyne – Open Lines.

"The composer Martyn Heyne was born in Hamburg and classically trained at the music academy of Amsterdam. His concerts and recordings have gained him a reputation for a unique approach to the guitar. As a performer, Heyne played across the world as a live member of the indie rock band Efterklang and as a solo …

Shida Shahabi / Near The Parenthesis / anthéne.

"The score to Jennifer Rainsford’s short film of the same name, ‘Lake On Fire’ sees Stockholm-based pianist/ composer Shida Shahabi follow up last year’s "Shifts" EP and her 2018 debut LP "Homes" with a new release that expands her repertoire via a move away from the piano, with three of its four tracks being played on organ and …