Also sprach JT Meireles

What up honorable dudes? I'm in a double embarrassment here. First, I wish I could provide you with a better quality rip, as I own the vinyl (ripping equipment is way too expensive here); second, I don't know why the hell I didn't post this sooner.

The mid-60's in Brazil, pretty much like USA, were deeply into funk. Sergio Mendes and Jorge Ben were the most proeminent acts to find the perfect balance between funk and samba, while bands like Brazilian Octopus were taking it to another level. For me and many others, I figure, it was the Golden Age of Brazilian instrumental music as a whole. Besides the aforementioned bands, we had fantastic trios, like Zimbo, Tamba, Sambalanço, Milton Banana, etc.

JT Meireles' most famous work was probably the arrangement for Jorge Ben's "Mas que nada" (which is a big deal), but he has an extensive and solid discography, on which even I couldn't get a decent overview. This record, one of the last of this era, however, should motivate you to pursue it as well.

pw: spooked

qualchan. // smashing in the face of youth culture.

sorry to be that guy, but here is my latest album. i recorded this live at various locations here in seattle throughout last year & some of this one. lo-fi ambient synth rubs shoulders with field recordings. if yr interested, i'm going to start posting more of my work here.

& before i totally destroy any shred of respectability i have by posting all of my work here, this will be my last one. chopped & screwed loops of experimental library, funk, soundtrack, & jazz loops. heavily inspired by robert turman, croiners, & the my dream date with boyd rice tape comp. this got released by the lovely scott over at ailanthus. support them here. thanks for putting up with this, i promise i have a few more awesome posts for the next couple of days.

Aki Bamboo Leaves

This one's for those who never thought in Shakuhachi music as avant. Unlike Michihiro Sato, though, Sabu Orimo never had -- as far as I know -- a NY buddy to arrange him gigs and all-star collabs. His recordings are more like intense meditation sessions in a dark room, along with the occasional fits of demonic expurgation (you'll know it).

pw: spooked

ps. I really wanted to post this but couldn't find it in my HDD, so I had to search all over the internets, hence the extended delay 
pps. diggin your posts, jefe!

barzakh id markers.

how can you ever go wrong with my best gal daphne oram?

on the banks of the owchita.

pretty decent soundtrack. many thanks to my friend at work for the album. download it for the title alone.

lagoon night.

a little prime era ennio to brighten yr weary monday.

cosmic surfin'.

just had to share this gem of a jam. haruomi hosono, shigeru suzuki & tatsuro yamashita go hard on this one. lounge-y exotica-esque ocean jams made for that one time when thurston howell ran the casino. download this for the version of cosmic surfin' that predates yellow magic orchestra.

circular doorway.

basil kirchin's soundtrack to the abominable dr. phibes won't be confused with particles, but is still a pleasant listen.

the age of the shrug vol. III

here is vol III for y'all. much dancier than the previous installments. perfect for halloween parties tonight! & not trying to boast, but my side is probably in my top ten mixes i have ever made. straight up bangerz sun.

<3
seymour glass

ps this is spookcity's 300th post! thanks for sticking around for so long!

a ghost is born.

i'm going to take this post to address a few things.

a) lou reed passing is a deep deep blow. his music was incendiary & the feeling it exuded was sheer coolness. i don't wanna ramble for too long because everyone is feeling the same exact way as me right now & there are a lot of people talking about it. it's just a bummer ya know?

b) john cameron's psychomania is a dreamily reverbed out biker rock soundtrack. if yr into stone or werewolves on wheels then this will be right up yr alley.

c) i will be posting a little more frequently now that the weather has turned gray outside up here. i have some great gems hidden up my sleeve, so stay posted.

d) if you ever look at the right bar, you might notice warped sounds which is my cassette review blog that i run with my brother. if you want yr cassette reviewed, write me!

East meets (Middle) East

Sup guys, sorry again for the lack of posts. In a blogger's block, I guess. Well, I figure most readers here are acquainted with Tuvan undertone singing and its wonders. And while I could post something from more traditional acts, like Chirgilchin or Huur Huun Tuur, I preferred Sedaa for its Persian blend. "Blend" probably isn't the most appropriate word to address religion in Middle East, but it better demonstrates my fascination at it. Zoroastrianism in Iran (Persia), Buddhism in Afghanistan, Orthodox Christianity in Turkey... there is so much beyond Jewish-Islamic "dualism" to learn and appreciate, and music sure is a good starting point.

Saturday morning anime

I find very interesting how natural avant-garde music evolved in Japan, to the point where it seems to coexist quite harmoniously with the country's mainstream -- as well as the no-so-mainstream -- culture. This record by Otomo Yoshihide (Ground Zero, New Jazz Ensemble, bazillion of other projects) is a good example.

While not the most well-known anime soundtrack composer, Takeo Yamashita's work on widely popular Lupin the 3rd series was enough to grant him a timeless fanbase (Otomo included). In addition to that, guest vocalist Charlie Kosei also contributed to the lovely Katamary Damancy's (a PS2 game) soundtrack.

As for the record itself, while it isn't the most experimental stuff you'll hear from Otomo -- more jazz-focused --, it's a solid addition to his discography.

pw: spooked

Free From Jazz

Seb Rochford is one of my top drummers alive, not only because of his drumming, which is quite awesome, but for his side projects as well. Amongst them are Acoustic Ladyland -- probably the most well-known, and my least favorite one --, Polar Bear -- serious quality jazz -- and Fulborn Teversham. It's comprised by an unusual drum-sax-synth combo, seasoned with Alice Grant's lovely vocals.

Quirky, ingenious, mindblowing album. Thanks for reminding me of it, guys!

pw: spooked

Hermanos tejanos

Hola amigos, hermano ryan (this one's for you, buddy). Though having listened to lots of Lydia Mendoza, I wasn't properly acquainted with the Tejano movement, when a lastfm friend (you'll find my page in my profile, if yer interested) brought in the term. Then I recalled Conjunto Bernal, which is arguably considered -- as I'd discover later -- the best Tejano Conjunto, delivered here for your pleasure.

Whilst I can't tell exactly what defines Tejano nowadays, those early records certainly had something going on. I find many similarities between Mexican and Brazilian music, specifically countryside-wise, and that explains a little why I feel such a deep empathy for that country and its culture.

pw: spooked

the age of the shrug vol. II

the second volume of my split mixtape series with my brother. cop it if you were into the last one or my mountaineering mix. see you amongst the trees amigos.

<3,
seymour

Time of the Sea / Sun

There was a time when I considered myself a hardcore Boredoms fan -- as well as with Noise and its variants in general. And while they still are one of my favorite bands, it kinda seems that one day* we both realized we've had grown up. Their lack of releases, aside the Super Roots EPs (only own the first), and my need for more structured music might explain it as well.

Seadrum/House of Sun is listed as their last release, and not exactly a fan favorite. Many will recommend Super Æ or Vision Creation Newsun over it, but there's something I find really appealling in this record. To me, it sounds more laid back, sincere and texture-focused than the others. More or less like a celebration for what they've had achieved, and in that way it does sound like a proper farewell, even if uncalled for.

* 77Boadrum, perhaps

pw: spooked

Jamming the Norwegian woods

Long before having full-time internet access, I used to spend a lot of time searching for new music in the discount bins of big record stores. Sometimes, after stacks of forgettable stuff, I'd stumble upon a couple of interesting CDs at a very low price. This was one of those.

Even nowadays I wonder how or why this album managed to be released here, by a unknown, maybe defunct label. It's basically a straightforward jam session with three Norwegian musicians, therefore, you can expect something in the likes of Jaga Jazzist and Xploding Plastix, albeit in a much more organic shape.

Well, I was and still am crazy into Rhodes piano, so anyone who shares the same appreciation shall find great pleasure in this release.

pw: spooked

Rivers that keep A-flowin'

Well then, Rio is quite nice indeed, if you've been wondering. Its architecture is fascinating and diverse, but for me, its natural features are much more overwhelmingly beautiful -- no city will ever be a match for the beauty of the sea.

That said, one thing that particularly moved me was listening to Samba in its natural habitat. Even though it was in a fancy Art-related party, and there were no black musicians in the band, it still felt just right -- we've had free booze and snacks too, I must add. And when they asked the audience what the final encore should be, my gf and a friend yelled "Paulinho da Viola!" (they were aware I was a big fan of him), then the band gladly played one of his most famous songs, which is also the title of this album. Perfect.

Paulinho da Viola (viola is a popular way to say "classical guitar" in Brazil) is nothing less than a living heritage and one of the chillest guys in Rio. There are no words, in quality or quantity, which make justice to him, even in Portuguese. All I could do was my best in trying to translate the most recognizable part of the song:

A river that flowed alongside my life
and my heart let itself be carried by 

pw: spooked

Like Rio de Janeiro in winter

 
This is a quick post, as I finish the preparations for my first trip to Rio de Janeiro. A tad late, I know -- I'm almost 30 --, but I shouldn't bore you with the reasons. I'm quite sure it's a beautiful city, though I'll probably won't enjoy the beaches as much as I imagine, since it's winter down here (hence the album and title choice for today).

Telebossa is a fairly new Brazilian-German duo which amalgamates samba, bossa-nova, classical and electronic music with keen sensibility and a good dose of melancholy. While this kind of experimentation itself isn't quite novel, this is one of the only albums I really recommend. In fact, I can't recommend it enough.

(please support, if you like it)

pw: spooked

Mosrites mos def (ughh)

From all the artists I've "inherited" from my old man*, the Ventures are one of the most dearest. Many years would pass until I'd be familiar with the expression "big in Japan", which can't possibly suit them better, so I always thought they were actually a Japanese band. And they sure were and still are big in that Island, enticing thousands of young and elder Eleki fans to sold-out gigs. Even the sleek Mosrite guitars are object of praise among the avid, spring reverberated, Japanese tremolo-pickers.

I've mentioned earlier Baden's Live in Paris as one of the best live albums ever recorded. Put this one on that list too, this concert is tight as fuck. And the funniest thing is to realise how today's concerts are more about circus monkeys than real performers. I mean, just look at this fellas:

Badass.

pw: spooked

*bonus fact - he actually played the drums in a surf music band here in Brazil.