1 Year Anniversary =O

WHAT?! YOU FORGOT TO GET ME ANYTHING?!
WE'RE THROUGH!

Aye, a year to this day I started this crazy place, and I'm glad to see it's come to benefit myself, you the listener, and as I would hope primarily -- the artists.
Music is the universal language, and I'm glad there's a medium/outlet as such for us to engage in the conversation, or equally important, to listen.

Being that it's the one year anniversary, I thought I would share a special (works as a double entendre, no doubt) upload for you guys . . .

In my spare time, I like to sing, or pretend I can sing -- usually practicing/improvisation with instrumental songs. I thought it would be cool to share a few of these with you, both to give you an idea of the man in the machine, and maybe to give you a trinket of early beginnings.

Treat these recordings like a live recording; these are literally just myself trying to sing over my speakers, resulting in a collision of bass and buzz into my laptop's mic...headphones are probably the best bet, should sound a little more contained.
If you ghouls/gals like any of the songs (sans vocals), feel free to request an album up.

That's about it, internet. Keep it real, and here's to another hopeful year to come. ;D

Tracklist
(forgive me artistas of de wurld)

1. Russian Circles - Death Rides A Horse
2. The Heliocentrics - Distant Star
3. Muddy World - Iron Ant
4. Throbbing Gristle - Exotica
5. Kyuss - Asteroid
6. Godspeed You Black Emperor! - East Hastings
7. Miasma & the Carousel of Headless Horses - Garp Gadriel

Unknown Known
Thy Crown Won't Clear The Chandelier
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Toshinori Kondo - Silent Melodies

Silent Melodies
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Reef The Lost Cauze - Feast or Famine

Reef the Lost Cauze is the moniker of Philly native Sharif Lacey, a prominent underground solo MC and collaborator for the Army of Pharaohs. Not only does Lacey share a common location with underground MC Jamal Gray (The Last Emperor), but also a common background; Lacey's footing in hip-hop came from open-mics/rap-battles in high school, carrying over into his college days until ultimately dropping out to fully pursue hip-hop.

Reef's third full length in 2005, 'Feast or Famine', solidified his status as one of the greats in the underground, and his barraging flows peeled back the eyes and ears of a wider audience.

Probably my favorite album from Reef -- you can tell it was written with no holds barred, both in his personal life and his perspective outlook on the world around him, resulting in an album of genuine realness webbed from Lacey's practice to progress of hip-hop mastery.

That's what I'm saying/this what you hearing.

Feast or Famine
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Tribes of Neurot - Adaptation & Survival

Tribes of Neurot is the side project of the members of Neurosis (+ others), their more experimental/ambient outlet so to speak. They have two albums meant to coincide with Neurosis albums (played at the same time), but they also have unique releases exclusive of Neurosis, such as the double-disc 'Adaptation & Survival'. A large make-up of this album involves distorted/altered bug noises that set the foundation for all the intricacies laced between...

Album is a great example of unconventional sounds to achieve unique and interesting songs. But it isn't just that it's "interesting" -- the album has a great flow and is actually a rewarding listen.

I mean, altered bug-symphonies of mystery and despair? What's not to love?

Adaptation & Survival
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Important

lol.

Tarantula Hawk - #2

Tarantula Hawk are a three-piece from San Diego, California. They play a mixture of progressive elements, incorporating a bit of a darker vibe on their second full length, or just the aptly titled, '#2'. I believe the album was released on Neurot recordings (Neurosis' label), or one of them was, but either way the band is sorely overlooked.

Seriously crushing album -- I'll leave the mystery to the unknown. They have album '#3' in the works, and with the last seven years between #2, can't even imagine where they end up.

You can download some more free stuff from their website.

Tarantula Hawk #2
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Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil

Wayne Shorter is regarded as one of the best jazz-saxophonists and composers of his generation -- many of his works became jazz standards. Shorter was a part of the Miles Davis Quintet after Coltrane left, and is said to be one of the only musicians who brought Davis entire compositions that remained unchanged -- Herbie Hancock believed him to be the master writer of the group.

In 1964, simultaneously alongside the Miles Davis Quintet, Shorter released what many of his fans consider his best, 'Speak No Evil'. Shorter's vision of the album included 'misty landscapes with wild flowers and strange, dimly-seen shapes' along with influence from fairy-tales and 'witch-burnings'.
Features Elvin Jones among other music greats...choice album to relax.

Just never interrupt a man in a jazz-trance.

Speak No Evil
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Rome - To Die Among Strangers

Rome is an "apocalyptic martial folk" act from Luxembourg, a three-piece founded/spearheaded by Jerome Reuter. Recently got into this group from their latest EP, 'To Die Among Strangers'.
The EP features 3 re-worked tracks, mostly from the prior full length 'Masse Mench Material'. The last song on the EP is supposed to be a sign of things to come on the soon-upcoming, 'Flowers From Exile'; "Mourir A Madrid" is my favorite on the EP, and really what sparked my interest in the group.

Recommend checking this out, and 'Masse Mensch Material'. Some darker vibes pulled-off well, good usage of vocal samples/spoken-word passages -- even if the monologue on the last track reminded me of Nigel's introduction to "Stonehenge"..

I guess just less hilarious and more evil.

To Die Among Strangers [EP 2009]
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Jamie Vex'd - In System Travel EP

Jamie Vex'd is an upcoming producer/beatmaker from the UK. As most of my music discoveries go, I stumbled upon Vexd through his newest EP's artwork. The difference this time was that I actually recognized the work of the cover-artist, Brazil's fantastic Bruno 9li. 9li has a really signature style/color-balance, so the cover for 'In System Travel' clicked instantly.

Bruno at work


Savage.

Kinda cool when shit like that just comes full-circle...
As far as the music goes on this 3-song EP, you'll find some futuristic beats and moods (à la FlyLo/Afta-1) that ultimately will leave you wanting more with a proper full-length. Recommended listen/musician to watch. Plus you can stare at the art just long enough for the EP to finish.

In System Travel [EP]
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Yura Yura Teikoku - Me No Car

Another crucial album from Yura Yura Teikoku. This band continues to amaze me. I've tracked down a few other albums too (including 'Are You Ra?'), so at personal request I can up them for anyone interested.

'Me No Car' is before their major label debut, '3x3x3'.

Me No Car
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Omega One - The Lo-Fi Chronicles

Omega One is a criminally overlooked producer/DJ from New York; I was re-listening to his debut 'The Lo-Fi Chronicles' and remembered how solid it really is front to back...
The album is a mostly-instrumental affair (his follow-up and recently released 'Postcards From The Third Rock' is a collab between MC LoDECK), covering a broad spectrum of tempos/moods with the occasional vocal sample/rhymes.

Don't feel like dipping this album in honey, just trust that it's already sweet.

The Lo-Fi Chronicles
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Aussitôt Mort - Montuenga

Aussitôt Mort are a solid four-piece from Caen, France. They're on a parallel-plane to the likes of Isis or adrift, all-while interspersing violins, bells, etc. Been digging the 2008 album 'Montuenga', post-rock/metal goodness with appreciated, busy drums. I enjoy this, and the album-cover. You probably will too, maybe?

Montuenga
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