Happy Mondays - Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches

Few days ago, i saw "24 Hour Party People", again. Very funny movie. And it took me back to the old days. End credits wasn't even finished and from my speakers are already coming out dirty "Happy Mondays" rhythms.
End of '80, it was interesting time, British people discovered drugs & dancing and created a whole new scene, based on dance rhythms, early acid and rave scene. In that context arrives "Mondays". And they was rogues, in real sense. Music was dance music, yes. But they sounded dirty, they had filthy mind and groove, groove was unforgettable. In one word, they was a rock band. Nasty rock band. And that is what we all like, right? :P

Review
Year : 1990                                                                                               Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Elektra
TT : 43:46
Lyrics

Enjoy :)

Alice Coltrane - Journey in Satchidananda

Alice Coltrane is giant. Why? Well, try to imagine an overall sound that represents life in its essencee. Life like journey. Not an easy task. We humans are too small, our mind will always have barrier. And what about Alice? She just entered the studio and recorded this powerful pieces, i believe, without much thinking. 

Alice, she must be a giant.

Review

Year : 1971                                                                                                Ex- Yu verzija

Label : GRP / Impulse!

TT : 37:06

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Bongwater - The Big Sell-Out

 

I suppose, this album owes its sound to psychedelic sound of late '60's and early '70's. But, that doesn't say that record is outdated, just the opposite, it's timeless. They dig in our past just to spoke to us in our present. Their thoughts are sharp, sometimes satiric and playing is always inspiring and imaginative. Also, this record very varied in genres, that's why it's not so easy catch. But, try to imagine everything good in popular music, probably you'll find it here.
In other words, those who think great, well, they can't go backwards :)

Review

Year : 1992                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija

Label : Shimmy Disc

TT : 56:55

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Free Form Funky Freqs - Urban Mythology, Vol. 1

The fact that this album is result of third meeting of these guys say a lot to us. Vernon Reid, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Calvin Weston can play anything they want, at any time. Also, maybe they work fast, but result is very complex set of songs and nothing less than excellent.
But what is really important here, this is record of a free spirit. When you let this record loud, both body and mind are satisfied. And after all, that is all that counts :)

Review
Year : 2008                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Thirsty Ear
TT : 57:58

Enjoy :)

Pauline Oliveros - Accordion and Voice

Pauline Oliveros is extraordinary accordion player, but she doesn't respect traditional sound at all. No wonder, she's name is closely related with innovation in the fields of electronic music, improvisation, and meditative sound. And this particular album is just that, one massive sound in which i'm completely lost last few days. And if you have patience, please, join me :)

Review
Year : 2007                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Important Records
TT : 44:17

Enjoy :)

The Red Krayola with Art & Language - Sighs Trapped by Liars

This is top alternative album in the year 2007. Even the fact that it sounds like a pure pop record can't deny this claim. Mayo Thompson and  "Art & Language" girls think and breathe alternatively.  Sophisticated, elusive and always in motion, this record is nothing less than pure delight.

Review
Year : 2007                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Drag City
TT : 51:47

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James "Blood" Ulmer - Black Rock

This is one dirty jazzfunkrock record. All that in one? Well, that's what Ulmer's initial idea was and it is wonderfully realized. If you add to that Ulmer's highly original guitar playing, satisfaction is guaranteed :)

Review
Year : 1982                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Columbia
TT : 42:49

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Hector Zazou - Sahara Blue (MTM 32)

It's easy to guess what will be on Zazou's albums, amalgam of world and ambiental oriented music. Still, besides this limitation, he gave to us wide palette of sounds and emotions. And "Sahara blue" is a crown in his carrier. Based on Arthur Rimbaud poems, he teamed with like-minded people and created magnificent atmospheric world.
Of course, you do not have to believe me, listen to yourself   :P

Review
Year : 1994                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Crammed Discs
TT : 61:30
Lyrics

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The Make-Up - Save Yourself

 

The Make-Up is one great rock'n'roll band by all criteria. This LP could stand proudly at any time of rock history. All songs here are classic, performance is raw and wild, arrangements are most detailed and result is nothing less than explosion.
So, besides the obvious quality, why this post? Well, in these "rock is dead" days, anachronistic idea is always welcome. If you ask me, of course :)

Review
Year : 1999                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : K Records
TT : 35:47

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ESG - Step Off

It is a rainy day, after midnight. Outside is cold, in my room is nicely warm, and i'm in some kind a slow mood. And i find perfect soundtrack for this state, ESG. Everything here is simple, rhythm is slow, and i'm dancing without moving body, just in mind.
Well, what more can i say, i always liked basic stuff,  and this little LP have word "basic" in its definition :)

Review
Year : 2002                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Soul Jazz
TT : 31:14

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Jah Wobble's Solaris - Live in Concert

Wobble gathered here a fantastic team with one mission : to clean out our brains from unnecessary thoughts. Well, ok, maybe that's not true :) But i'm sitting here, first song is almost over and I am irresistibly drawn into the vortex of sound that comes out of my speakers. And vaguely, I remember my last unnecessary thought, i think it was : "Very, very good"....

Review
Year : 2002                                                                                                 Ex - Yu verzija
Label : 30 Hertz Records
TT : 69:48

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Annette Peacock - X-Dreams

Once, when i discovered this LP, it was brand new experience for me. I really enjoyed in Annette's exciting world, and after all, i still do. Not just enjoyed, i was sucked in. Annette ate me for breakfast, i might say. :)
And what kind of music is this, you ask? Sometimes is rock, sometimes is jazz, sometimes is wild, sometimes beautiful. And in the same time it is above all i said. Because, like every other great artwork, it dismiss genres completely, rising above it.
In the end, good music speaks for itself, all you have to do is to open your ears :)

Review
Year : 1978                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : See For Miles Records
TT : 37:20

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Solex - Low Kick and Hard Bop

If I know good, Elisabeth Esselink, the main force behind "Solex" name, has a record shop. Also, she has good musical taste. Third, it is the age of electronic music, copy/paste time. Under that circumstances she recorded a strange and very interesting, I dare to say, rock album.
Of course, this is rock for the new millennium  :)

Review
Year : 2001                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Matador
TT : 42:09
Lyrics

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Desert Sessions - Desert Sessions, Vols. 7 & 8

I remember, ten years ago, i was in record store, looking for good music. And then, among other CD's, i saw cover picture, some guy called Mark Lanegan. Picture was red & black and he had drawn devil horns. So, I bough it and went home. And from the first song i was fascinated, what a crazy rock songs, man. It was hard rock, yes, but in the same time it was something much higher, wild and free music. That year, i played this record a lot, slowly revealing spices that gave her such good taste.

And two years after, i find out very funny thing. One of mine favorite records is not even Mark Lanegan record. This CD was side project from some other guy, Josh Homme, and he is the leader of "Queens of the Stone Age" and Lanegan, he is just a guest. Even cover wasn't same... The thing is, in that time there was no original CD's in my country, just pirate copies, maybe somebody couldn't find original cover picture, so, devilish Lanegan finished there to tickles my imagination :)
So, that's how one strange coincidence opened the door to an entirely new world, a door behind which you can find Mark Lanegan, Queens of The Stone Age, Desert Sessions, Eagles of Death Metal, Mondo Generator... Not bad at all :)

Review
Year : 2001                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Southern Rock Records
TT : 39:24
Lyrics

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Mark Olson - The Salvation Blues

Whenever i'm down or when i have grey clouds above my head, this is my savior. I throw away all my alternative chains and jump into this wonderful mix of American folk and fragile melodies and i feel just like a simple human being. Sometimes, this is all we need.

Review

Year : 2007                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija

Label : Hacktone Records

TT : 36:55
Lyrics

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Terry Riley - Les Yeux Fermés / Lifespan [Soundtracks]

The other day, I was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. At the same time, from the other room, although not so loud, began to spread the sound of Terry's album " Les Yeux Fermésf ", slowly beginning to incorporate in my kitchen reality. And suddenly, there was no choice anymore, i was his, completely. He was my flute master and i was his snake. And in that particular moment of slavery, unexpectedly, I felt completely free.
Life is strange, isn't?

Review
Year : 2007                                                                                               Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Elision Fields
TT : 67:15

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Oysterhead - The Grand Pecking Order

If you put together three musicians with completely different background what you will get? Well, there is no right answer to that question. Maybe, one of them will be stronger, like persona, so, it will be his showcase at all. Maybe it will be democracy, everybody gets their part, but this can't be natural. Maybe it will be total chaos and completely forgotten after few years. Or it will be nothing, just a future legend, what could be if...
But, all this answers is just theory and there is no sense in theorizing. However, one thing we can claim : the music here is great and that is all that matters  :)

Review
Year : 2001                                                                                                 Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Elektra
TT : 51:42
Lyrics

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Alan Vega, Alex Chilton, Ben Vaughn - Cubist Blues

This is one very unusual rock record. Why? First, mostly because is unusual and second, because it rocks :) After all, what can you expect from record called "Cubist Blues"? Although, not an easy bite, stained with various synth noises, repetitive rhythms and expressive Vega interpretation, this record manages almost impossible. In the same time, it has cold electronic feel and, also, sounds like a dirty Rock 'n' Roll.
Great joy, if you ask me.
But, this is one of the records that you love or you hate. You'll probably hate it, but it's good for your mental health, I read somewhere :P

Review
Year : 1996                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : 2.13.61. / Thirsty Ear
TT : 60:30

Enjoy :)

Rainer Ptacek - Live at the Performance Center

Every time i play this record, i'm completely lost. One moment i'm dancing, in other i'm nailed with shadow of close death, which slowly drips from Rainer's lips. And then, suddenly occured to me, maybe is this point of life, dance, man, soon you will be nothing.
And i dance.
Like Ptacek himself sing : "The Saddest song i ever heard was so beautiful.... ". So true.

Review
Year : 2000                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Glitterhouse Records
TT : 75:08

Enjoy :)

Peter Brötzmann, Mahmoud Gania & Hamid Drake - The WELS Concert

This is music for thinking, i say. How is that, you ask? There is just primitive sounds here. Well, just because. Just play it loud, spend an hour in the universe and after that, your thinking will be rich and pure :)

Review
Year : 1996                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Okka
TT : 70:15

Enjoy :)

Eugene Chadbourne - Young and Innocent Days

Well, it's not easy to say something for the album like this. Maybe for somebody it sounds like a fooling around. But not for me :) First, this is one of most commercial Chadbourne records, he is mostly in free - country - jazz style. Second, this is a cover album, songs from '60. Psychedelic years, and that is totally respected here, in sound. Third, choice of the songs is terrific, man who understand this mix of every day problems, timeless troubles of specific era, nostalgia, hopes, human falls and small inner explosions, is emotionaly on high level, i think. And he understand, because of his interpretation, this songs had same emotional impact on me like originals, well, maybe even stronger.
So, Eugene, my Man   :)

Review

Year : 1999                                                                                                 Ex - Yu verzija

Label : Swamp Room Records

TT : 68:19

Enjoy :)

Gary Clail On-U Sound System - Emotional Hooligan

Everything works so nice on this superb album, it's a fine example of British modern music, which is not surprising, given the people who made ​​it, the very top of British underground scene, although this particular LP bring more commercial sound, much more than their previous releases. So, just move your hips easily, in this amalgam of dancefloor, reggae and disco sounds. Or just think straight with world's conscience lyrics, whatever you prefer :)
Later, I heard rumors that Clail too absorbed the role of superstar, which led to the termination of cooperation with this team. However, we are all people, and, ultimately, their cooperation was short but fruitful ...

Review
Year of Release : 1991
Label : RCA
TT : 60:02

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David Thomas & The Pedestrians - Variations on a Theme

David's albums might sound crazy, but what is that mean? That there is no beauty? On the contrary. Like a musician, he is big, just take a look at his pictures :P Ok, i'm kidding, but truth is, if you spend some time in his world, you may find that you enjoy it. Or not, it's up to you :)

Review
Year : 1983                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Rough Trade
TT : 37:58

Enjoy :)

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Extra Width

Are you interested in real, basic rock? Maybe is this album hard to swallow for 21st century music consumers, it have very murky and primitive production, and "production" is very dangerous mantra today, like special effects in movies. This two things should be in service of art, not opposite. At least, they should complement each other. 

For me this LP is roots, something i will never stop listening to. It's dirty and wild rock record at its very best, and for me, that's enough. Hallelujah  :)

Review

Year : 1993                                                                                               Ex - Yu verzija

Label : Matador

TT : 37:37

Enjoy :)

Klaus Schulze - Dune

Inspiration 1 : My friend T. said that we can watch David Lynch movie "Dune" these days. I'm still waiting :)
Inspiration 2 : These days I am busy with learning and when my concentration had began to decreases, I searched for some ambiental sounds to keep my focus. The choice was "Dune" and it was wrong choice :) I was completely drawn into music and i enjoyed one hour, instead of learning :)
So if you have a job to do, do it. But, after the work is done, one possibility is "Dune" :)

Review
Year : 1979                                                                                               Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Thunderbolt
TT : 56:20

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Carla Bozulich - Red Headed Stranger

Once, when Willie Nelson recorded his legendary album " Red Headed Stranger" it was sold in millions. Why, God knows. This is 100% uncommercial record, ambiental, dry in sound and demands attention while listening. Only logical thing here is to 100% alternative persona, both in music and in life, like Carla Bozulich, find herself here. She is experimental author and this is her only pure country record and she do it excellent, absolutely faithful to the original, emphasizing only ambiental line and leaving to us pure enjoyment in this deeply emotional songs.
Listen after midnight  :)

Review
Year : 2003                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : DiCristina Stair Bulders
TT : 56:50

Enjoy :)

23 Skidoo - Seven Songs

Very interesting album that manages to find right balance between alternative dance and ambient music. Considering that both of the above musical genres have roots in nature, as for me, we can call this, jungle music with more rights and depth, than the "Jungle" music from London deserves :)

Review
Year : 1982                                                                                               Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Ronin
TT : 29:29

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The Angels of Light - New Mother

When Michael Gira disbanded "Swans", well, i wasn't so concerned, he is such a strong persona, there is no way that he can't find his way...and, ofcourse, he continued  to record with his new founded group " The Angels of Light", giving us a well-known and, at the same time, new psychedelic vision. And, if you have strenght and patience to explore this (just on the surface) gentler side of Gira, enjoyment is assured :)

Review
Year : 1999                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Young God
TT : 70:19
Lyrics

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Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones

I didn't listen this LP maybe few years, it just existed in my memory like a great influence, with it's own life in my head. Suddenly, it came back like long lost friend. And somehow, that long lost friend wasn't shadow anymore, he is brand new friend, full of new stories and intimate sounds, willing to share it with you. Maybe it's the best kind of friendship, made from the past, rarely consumed, but always fresh and enjoyable...

Review
Year : 1983                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Island
TT : 41:37
Lyrics 

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Betty Davis - Nasty Gal

If somebody asks me, who I am afraid, well, maybe, just maybe, i will say miss. Betty Davis :)
I mean, listen to her, she can disintegrate my whole personality with just one scream, man.. And, if you add hardest variant of  "Sly and the Family Stone" sound to her aggressive personality, what you will get? Pure force ....

Review
Year : 1975                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : MPC Limited
TT : 40:30
Lyrics

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Material - Seven Souls

All Bill Laswell's signature sounds are here, massive bass lines, pulsating rhythm, dark atmosphere, ambiental parts, mysticism, third world singers, even some heavy metal riffs, all in one place. Lyrically, this is William S. Burroughs show and he do it very well and convincingly. And if you ask me, this is my kind of world music, strongly influenced by world's psychedelic and primitive sounds, but this is a genre by itself. World music genre is very popular today, only problem is adjustment to western market, like MTV sound, love and positivism, but basically, world music is very dark and psychedelic. At least they should represent both sides..We humans are much more complex than that. Or not?
Anyway, enough with the talking, lower your blinds, Material and Burroughs are ready to dive deep in human subconscious, don't miss that ride :)

P.S.
Originally, album starts from fourth song here, this is later edition which included remixes. So, you can choose... :)

Review
Year : 1989                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija                                               
Label : Triloka
TT : 63:28

Enjoy :)

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Se Dice Bisonte, No Bùfalo

Omar Rodríguez-López is guitarist and composer in very explosive rock band, The Mars Volta, and they gave us some superb albums, very complex and psychedelic vision of hard rock. And this particular album, Se Dice Bisonte, No Bùfalo, his third solo album is very similar to Mars Volta albums, except one thing. It's lighter in sound, not very much, but it is. I mean, it's summer, it's too hot already, and we can't concentrate on everything. And if you are careless and leave your speakers too loud, Volta will knock you on the wall and you will spend rest of your life in 2D :) So, this is more appropriate for lazy summer days (naturally, there is always chance that is winter in your country :)
Ok, that's all i need to say, because i'm going for a swim right now, man, i don't even now what i'm lookin here anymore....

Review
Year : 2007                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Gold Standard
TT : 44:59
Lyrics

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Little Axe - Champagne & Grits

Blues is huge music form, but somehow is based on cover songs and rarely sound fresh, just goes around. I don't say it's not good, just, there is too many blues records and i always had problems with genre-specific music. Music, for me, is much wider term. And Little Axe? Well, obviously, they think similar. And result is one of greatest blues record, and it even don't sound like real blues. It's not strange because it's recorded by first class alternative musicians, but music is very commercial, blues with updated production, made by dub and reggae master Adrian Sherwood....
And just because we have these opposites we can hear nothing less than magic. So, don't miss it, it is future classic :)

Review
Year : 2004                                                                                                 Ex - Yu verzija
Label : RealWorld/CEMA / Real World Records
TT : 53:20

Enjoy :)

Diamanda Galás - La Serpenta Canta

If you mix anachronistic music genre like blues with singer Diamanda Galas, what you get? Pure Diamanda Galas :) I can tell many things about Diamanda, she is very interesting persona, but, i leave judgment to you. Only one thing i must tell, hold on tight to your chair  :)

Review
Year : 2003                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Mute
TT : 79:59
Lyrics

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Einstürzende Neubauten - Haus Der Luege

Where is connection between Nick Cave and Blixa Bargeld? Probably, same primitive instinct. If you listen to the first few Bad Seed albums, you can notice strong influence of tribal music, psychedelic and repetitive rhythms all over. They are a collective that travels incontinently to peak. And todays post? Same thing. On the other side, this record sounds very modern, and for me, this is kind of dance music, which bring us back to the already mentioned tribal sound, so simple in form and so rich in giving.
So, if you are caveman, like Blixa, Cave and I, let's dance :)

Review
Year : 1989                                                                                                Ex - Yu verzija
Label : Thirsty Ear
TT : 34:19
Lyrics

Enjoy :)