Rat Blessing a Curse

One of the denizens of Holyground Records, the combination studio and label that helped give Bill Nelson his start, A-Austr (who took their name from the first volume of an encyclopedia) ranged far and wide as far as musical influences went. The initial release of their single self-titled album was limited to 99 copies, with elaborate packaging, with copies eventually changing hands for a great deal of money. The album was eventually reissued, once again as a limited edition, once again attracting collectors. The music is intriguing, but the greatest interest, for many people, is perhaps the Nelson connection.

The circumstances of the composition of Purcell’s only opera, Dido and Æneas, are unclear. First performed in the 1680s, it received few performances in the composer’s lifetime, before disappearing until its revival at the very end of the nineteenth century. This miniature, poetic, dramatic, delightfully melodic, and containing some unforgettably beautiful vocal pieces (Dido’s “Lament”, the Witches’ songs…) has enjoyed great success ever since.

astille musique presents its seventeenth release »Lucier & Bach: Sitting in a Room« featuring Hanna Herfurtner (soprano, voice), Clara Blessing (oboe), Joosten Ellée (violin), Linda Mantcheva (violoncello) and Elina Albach (harpsichord, organ). The album combines Alvin Lucier’s sound art piece I am sitting in a room with arias by Johann Sebastian Bach (from BWV 61, 1, 58, 199, 57, 36, 248, 68). Recorded in co-production with Deutschlandfunk, the set also includes a 48-page bilingual booklet (EN, DE) with articles by Thilo Braun, an interview with the singer and the producer, and the complete lyrics, as well as several photo leaflets of the composers and the performers.

On its one and only major-label release, Year of the Rat, NY Loose delivers powerful performances of a punk-pop musical blend that have nothing whatsoever to do with other '90s platinum purveyors of radio punk. Instead of simply being snide or just plain goofy rock stars like Green Day or the Offspring, NY Loose emits a refreshingly punk attitude of contrariness, if not actual rebellion, on this 1996 release. Founding members Brijitte West (guitars and vocals) and Danny Nordahl (bass) are joined on Year of the Rat by drummer Pete Lloyd and guitarist Marc Diamond. Each member seems versed well enough in the standard instrumental punk vocabulary, but West's saucy delivery and upfront lyrics make NY Loose special.

This sophomore disc from the Chicago multi-instrumentalist (but mainly harpist/vocalist) Lester Davenport follows his solo debut by a whopping 11 years. Although it's impossible to justify the wait, this is a terrific West Side Chicago blues album, confirming he's an under-recognized and way under-recorded musician. Guitarist Jimmy Dawkins (who also produced) adds more authenticity to this rugged album, one that could have been recorded for Chess in the '60s. Well, except for a rollicking instrumental entitled "To Our Lost Ones 9/11/01," and even that ignores its contemporary title, capturing the spirit of Little Walter's glory days. Piano duties are shared equally by Detroit Junior (on tracks 1-7) and Allen Batts (on 8-13)…

Balance Music has always been on the pulse of cutting-edge music, from their original series with James Holden, and Phil K, to the incredibly unique talents of Henry Saiz, James Zabiela, and Max Cooper.
Two years since his last release on the revered Australian label, progressive mastermind Hernán Cattáneo makes his return to Balance Music, with ‘Balance presents Sunsetstrip,’ the exciting next plateau of concept mixes to come from the label.
Hailed for always keeping its pulse on the forefront of cutting-edge music, Balance Music proudly welcomes back Hernán Cattáneo as the legendary Argentinian DJ/producer is globally renowned for his enthralling extended DJ sets and distinguished foray into compilation albums stemming from over three decades of expertise…