VARIOUS ARTISTS - XADDAX / MY NAME IS RAR-RAR : RIPPER

• various artists: xaddax / my name is rar-rar : ripper
      (2018, cd, usa, skingraft records)

Skin Graft Records is not your ordinary record label. Actually, in their own words, they're a comic book company that publishes records.
One of their recent releases is called "Xaddax / My Name Is Rar-rar : Ripper".
It presents two bands:  Xaddax, and "My Name Is Rar-rar.
There's one version out as a split four track 7", but the complete package has been released on a CD (also available in two different versions).

Energetic, wild and going in all directions at once.

Available from Mandai.
www.mandai.be

Give it a listen :

KING AYISOBA - 1000 CAN DIE

• king ayisoba: 1000 can die
      (2017, lp, ger, glitterbeat records) 

"1000 Can Die" is the fourth album by King Ayisoba.
Charactarized by combining ancient rhythms, traditional instruments and modern electronics, King Ayisobo finds the perfect mix between old and new.

Pretty impressive.

Record producer Zea added :
Guests brought new facets to some of the tracks. The trailblazing Nigerian saxophonist Orlando Julius adds a raw, reedy quality to “Dapagara,” while on “Wine Lange,” the only song not to feature kologo, Sakuto Yongo’s one-string gonju fiddle takes the music into a different, ancient dimension. The title cut features Ghanaian rapper/producer M3nsa alongside the shape shifting vision of legendary reggae producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. ‘We met Scratch in Amsterdam airport,’ Zea remembers. ‘He and Ayisoba grabbed each other’s attention. We had a short talk, and they decided to do something together. It wasn’t planned. We already had M3nsa’s part on the track when we sent it off. That song created itself.” “1000 Can Die” builds into a sonic epic; after that the all-acoustic “Grandfather Song” arrives like a plunge into deep water. “It’s a preaching,” Ayisoba explains. “You can never cut the small stone. This means you have to stay strong, when you are big or small, they can never cut you when you are a stone.”

Out on Glitterbeat Records.
Distributed and available from Mandaï : www.mandai.be

JESUS IS MY SON - TOUT A UNE FIN (MÊME L'AMOUR)

• jesus is my son: tout a une fin (même l'amour)
      (2018, cd, bel, cheap satanism records)

Jesus Is My Son is the solo project of guitarist Grégory Duby.
"Tout A Une Fin (Même L'Amour)" (Everything Has An End (Even Love), is the fourth release by Jesus Is My Son. The album presents seven beautiful pieces.
Melancholic at times, experimental but without losing the melodic context, "Tout A Une Fin (Même L'Amour)" invites multiple listening sessions.

Very nice.

Out on Satanism Records.
Available from Mandaï: www.mandai.be

Here's a piece from his previous album.

JEAN-LUC FAFCHAMPS - H1KhH2WM

• jean-luc fafchamps: H1KhH2WM (du seuil), a five-letter sufi word
      (2018, cd, bel, sub rosa)

Contemporary classical composer Jean-Luc Fafchamps started his Sufi Letters project in 2000. He wants to write and dedicate a composition to each letter (28) of the Arabic alphabet.

His latest five compositions materialized in "H1KhH2WM (du seuil), a five-letter sufi word", part three of the series.

Jean-Luc adds:
"I am drawing inspiration from the symbolic charts found in Sufi mysticism. Each Letter is a sonic meditation on the frontiers of conscience and the paradoxes of time.Today's word, Du seuil [From the threshold], is the third word to be released by Sub Rosa. It is a journey of sort through grief: stages of conscience, journey through hell, nocturnal anxieties, meditation, resilience. Do not worry too much though, for isn't it from the distance of death that one can shine the best light on life? Isn't all grief also a threshold ? "

Beautiful.

Out on Sub Rosa.
Available from Mandaï : www.mandai.be

Here's a live version of an older Sufi Letter piece.

CHEER-ACCIDENT - FADES

• cheer-accident: fades
      (2018, cd, usa, skin graft records)

Last year, the Skin Graft Records label re-released remastered versions of "Trading Balloons" and "Salad Days", early albums by Cheer-Accident.
So it comes as no surprise that the brand-new "Fades" album is also being released on Skin Graft Records.

The Cheer-Accident line-up has been changed numerous times. On "Fades" the core members are Jeff Libersher (guitar) and Thymme Jones (drums, vocal). They are, however, supported by a large and impressive group of guests.

Some tracks sound more 'pop' than what I expected, but that's not a bad thing. The variation in vocalists adds to the diversity.

Out on LP (black and colored vinyl) and on CD.
The CD has two bonus tracks !
Available from Mandaï : www.mandai.be

JEAN JEAN - FROIDEPIERRE

French duo / trio Jean Jean released their first EP in 2010. Their first full-length album, "Symmetry" saw the light of day in 2013.
Their mix of complex, instrumenteal math rock with dance floor beats got them concerts in Europe, the U.S., and even Japan.

Their brand-new album, "Froidepierre, is named after the mountain cabin where the new tracks got recorded.
It's a fine collection of energetic songs that focusses more on the beats than on the math rock-aspect.
Out on Head Records, available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

Here's a preview:

And the previous album, "Symmetry" :

C74 - ARLEN'S LOFT

C74 is Brussels-based project by graphic artist, photographer and musician Fabrice Toussaint.
His recent cassette, "Arlen's Loft" is available from Mandaï. (www.mandai.be)

Fabrice states:
C74 explores tribal sounds and dissonnance like first albums of early eighties N.Y. bands.

Also available on bandcamp :

CHEER-ACCIDENT - SALAD DAYS

• cheer-accident: salad days
      (2017, cd, usa, skin graft records)

To celebrate Cheer-Accident's appearance at the RIO festival, last September, Skin Graft Records re-released two albums in a remastered version : "Trading Balloons" and "Salad Days".

Originally issued on CD in 2000, "Salad Days" has been issued on both the CD and the vinyl format.

This is not the most accessible album of the Chicago-based band. Co-produced by Steve Albini, the listener is offered rock rhythms and progressive grooves mixed with dream-like psychedelic escapades.
The album ends with 'Salad Day', an 18-minute opus that will have you glued to your headphone.

Multiple listening sessions required.
Recommended listening !!

Available from Mandaï
www.mandai.be

YOWIE - SYNCHROMYSTICISM

• yowie: synchromysticism
      (2017, cd, usa, skin graft records)

Every once in a while, you get to hear a band that blows you away.
Yowie is such a band. They're a trio from St.Louis and they've just released their third album (on the Skin Graft Records label).

Intense.
Experimental
Math rock.
Right up my alley.

"Synchromysticism" presents five tracks. The total album clocks around 33 minutes.
It will have you searching for your breath.

Available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

CHEER-ACCIDENT - TRADING BALLOONS

• cheer-accident: trading balloons
      (2017, cd, usa, skin graft records)

Skin Graft (the comic book company that also produces records) has just released a remastered version of "Trading Balloons", the CDR / private release from 1999.
The album presents one song.
One 52-minute composition.

Surprising, varied, bombast but also explosive, the piece does generate both a progressive rock and a contemporary classical feeling.
Fascinating.

Available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

BUBBLEMATH - EDIT PEPTIDE

• bubblemath: edit peptide
      (2017, cd, usa, cuneiform records)

It must have been June when I wrote: "Rhythmically challenging, melodically impressive and vocally top notch, "Edit Peptide" is sure to make some eyebrows move. The music is could be considered experimental progressive, yet it sounds so poppy."

Bubblemath's "Edit Peptide" has been on my playlist ever since. This is one great album so I thought I should mention it again.

Give it a listen !!
Out on Cuneiform.
I got my copy at www.mandai.be

BUBBLEMATH - EDIT PEPTIDE

• bubblemath: edit peptide
      (2017, cd, usa, cuneiform records)

Minnesota quintet Bubblemath is Kai Esbensen (vocals, keyboards), James Flagg (vocals, drums), Jon Smith (vocals, guitar) and Blake Albinson (guitar, keyboard). "Edit Peptide" is their second album. It follows "Such Fine Particles Of The Universe" that got released in 2002.

Rhythmically challenging, melodically impressive and vocally top notch, "Edit Peptide" is sure to make some eyebrows move. The music is could be considered experimentel progressive, yet it sounds so poppy.
Right up my alley.
I love it.

Out on Cuneiform Records.
www.cuneiformrecords.com

Available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

Check it out !!

CAZZURILLO - GREETINGS FROM GRINCHLAND

• cazzurillo: greetings from grinchland
      (2017, cd, belgium, cheap satanism records)

Cazzurillo hails from Milan, Italy, or Grinchland as she calls it.
"Greetings From Grinchland" presents eleven quirky, experimental tunes. Almost pop, or not.

'Bunny's Bed' is the last track on the album. It will give you a fine idea of what Cazzurillo is about.
I think it's nice.
It fits the disturbed album cover / greeting card.

Distributed by Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

BUILDINGS - YOU ARE NOT ONE OF US

• buildings: you are not one of us
      (2017, cd, europe, antena krzyku)

"You Are Not One Of Us" is the third album by Minneapolis-based power trio Buildings. And the title sets the tone. "You Are Not One Of Us" brings a collection of 11 loud and energetic, almost aggressive pieces.
Hardcore.
Something that you can bang your head and sing along to.

Released through Antena Krzyku.

Distributed by Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

Check it out here :

ATTILA KRANG - GYMKHANA

• attila krang: gymkhana
      (2017, lp, bel, cheap satanism records)

I can't tell you much about Attila Krang except that the trio has an album out. Their first one, I believe.
An LP, or EP if you prefer as it presents 6 tracks and clocks at about 30 minutes.

Pretty wild and energetic.
No Wave.
(They refer to it as Doggy No Wave.)

Try their version of Kim Wilde's 'Cambodge' and you'll understand what it's about.

Out on Cheap Satanism Records
http://www.cheapsatanism.com/catalog/cheap666-041

Available from Mandaï
www.mandai.be

MORE ON THE ART ZOYD BOX SET

Last week, I mentioned that Cuneiform Records is about to release an Art Zoyd Box Set.

12 CD's and 2 DVD's of Art Zoyd entitled "Art Zoyd's 44 1/2: Live and Unreleased Works"

http://cuneiformrecord.blogspot.com/2017/09/

European fans need to know that the box is also available for (pre-)ordering from Mandaï.

Olivier added : "We (Mandaï) have the opportunity to pre-sell them for a "normal" price as they will transit via us before going to the US."

You can find all the info here:
http://www.mandai.be/art-zoyd-4-12-live-and-unreleased-works_52236

JOY AS A TOY - MOURNING MOUNTAINS

• joy as a toy: mourning mountains
      (2017, cd, bel, humpty dumpty records)

Joy As A toy is Gil Mortio (bass), Clément Nourry (guitar) and Jean-Philippe De Gheest (drums). "Mourning Mountains" is the trio's third album and it sounds really good. I really need to check out their previous albums. With album titles like "Valparaiso" and "Dead Like A Dodo", this can't go wrong.

You might be familiar with some of Gil Mortio's musical output as he is/was part of Kings Of Belgium with Pierre Vervloesem. Gil also performed and recorded with Bruno Vansina and with Teun Verbruggen on various occasions.

Anyway, "Mourning Mountains".
The album presents a beautiful mix of pop, rock, exotica and cinematic soundscapes.
"Mourning Mountains" has 8 tracks and all of them are impressive.

Check them out, and find the theremin !!


http://www.bruzz.be/fr/musique/sound-brussels-joy-toy

The band is playing in and around Brussels and even in Antwerp the next month, so check your calendar.

14/02/2017 @ Le Botanique (Brussels)
16/02/2017 @ Chat Le Roi (Antwerpen)
18/03/2017 @ Discover Box (Braine-L'Alleud)

Out on Humpty Dumpty Records.

Available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

EDGAR (ANIMO) - PANDIDE

• edgar (animo): pandide
      (2016, cd, bel, dear deer records)

Although "Pandide" is the fourth release by Edgar (Animo), I wasn't familiar with their previous output. And that's something that I have to correct as soon as possible as "Pandide" is a pleasant introduction.

Parts in French, parts in Dutch, and other parts completely instrumental. It seems that Edgar (Animo) is a perfect example of Belgian culture. Guitar-oriented with a bit of jazz flavour.

Out on the Dear.Deer.Records label.

In concert at Magasin 4 in Brussels tonight (Dec 9).

CD available from Mandaï.

www.mandai.be

CLASSE MANNEQUIN - CLASSE MANNEQUIN

• classe mannequin: classe mannequin
      (2016, lp, ??, head records)

A bit too tense and too nervous to be considered pop, but that's fine with me.
Classe Mannequin recently presented their first album. It's out on the Head Records label.

I like it.
It reminds me a bit of David Thomas / Pere Ubu.

Out on Head Records.
www.head-records.com

Vinyl available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

LOVELY LITTLE GIRLS - GLISTENING VIVID SPLASH

• lovely little girls: glistening vivid splash
      (2016, cd, uk, skin graft records)

Skin Graft Records is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a very fine release : a new album by Lovely Little Girls (and not Lonely Little Girls as you might think after seeing the record cover).

"Glistening Vivid Splash" is the second album by the Lovely Little Girls, a nine-piece progressive rock / avant-garde jazz band from Chicago.
Adventurous rhythms, beautiful compositions and funny (in words and sounds).

I love it.
Progressive rock and avant-garde jazz. The perfect combination.

There's a bit of Magma in there, and maybe a bit of Residents as well, but it's definitely Lovely Little Girls.

Out on Skin Graft Records.
http://www.skingraftrecords.com/

Available from Mandaï.
http://www.mandai.be/

Here's a little live clip.
It should give you an idea...