Mixtape: Fractured Air – June 2020

June’s mix features the hugely anticipated debut solo LP by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Bear. Released under the American drummer and multi-instrumentalist’s Fools moniker, “Fools’ Harp Vol. 1” is available via the forever dependable Music From Memory label. What’s immediately apparent on listening to the album’s thirteen tracks (more will be made available shortly, via a cassette edition with bonus tracks) is the considerable gestation period these compositions undertook (Bear plays every instrument himself) before bearing fruition as a fully formed record. Recorded in between Grizzly Bear tours, the album took it’s final shape over a six week period in summer 2019, the results are a breathtaking insight into this truly independent and wholly creative spirit whose technical ability and improvisational spirit shines throughout his Fools’ debut.

Another masterful drummer in the contemporary independent music scene is the ever-prolific New York-based artist Greg Fox. “Contact” is released by the hugely influential RVNG Intl label and sees Fox traverse even further sonic boundaries – always tirelessly seeking to push the envelope further with each subsequent work – creating one of the year’s most defining records in the process.

Other 2020 gems included here are courtesy of the celebrated cellist and multi-instrumentalist Rebecca Foon (the Saltland composer releases her first album via her own name, once again via Constellation); extraordinary South Korean cellist Okkyung Lee releases the majestic “Yeo-Neun” (Shelter Press); Julianna Barwick returns with the magnificent “Inspirit” from her much anticipated “Healing Is a Miracle” album (Ninja Tune); world renowned drummer Jim White (Dirty Three, Xylouris White) joins acclaimed American guitarist Marisa Anderson for the breathtaking collaborative album “The Quickening” (Thrill Jockey).

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Fractured Air – June 2020 Mix

01. Yasuaki Shimizu – “Seiko 3” (Light In The Attic)
02. Yoshiaki Ochi – “Ear Dreamin’” (Light In The Attic)
03. Inventions – “Spirit Refinement Exploder” (Temporary Residence)
04. Hiroshi Yoshimura – “Creek” (Light In The Attic)
05. Nicolas Jaar – “Gocce” (Other People)
06. 2814 – “恢复” (Dream Catalogue)
07. Giuseppe Ielasi – “8” (12k)
08. DJ Python – “oooophi” (Incienso)
09. Minor Science – “Polyglottal” (Whities)
10. Jamie xx – “Idontknow” (Young Turks)
11. Four Tet – “Insect Near Piha Beach” (Text)
12. Hood – “They Removed All Trace That Anything Had Ever Happened Here” (Domino)
13. Warren Ellis – “Time to Run, Time to Drive” (Mustang OST, Milan)
14. Bill Callahan – “Circles” (Drag City)
15. Jim White and Marisa Anderson – “The Quickening” (Thrill Jockey)
16. Xylouris White – “Inland” (Drag City)
17. Batsumi – “Moving Along” (R & T)
18. El Wali – “The People of El Aaiun” (Sahel Sounds)
19. Hailu Mergia, Dahlak Band – “Embuwa Bey Lamitu” (Awesome Tapes From Africa)
20. Fools – “Nnuunn” (Music From Memory)
21. Greg Fox – “Ill Being” (RVNG Intl)
22. Julia Kent – “Imbalance” (The Leaf Label)
23. Hildur Guðnadóttir – “Fólk fær andlit” (Deutsche Grammophon)
24. Okkyung Lee – “The Yellow Porcelain Bird” (Shelter Press)
25. Daniel Ögren – “Levi” (Sing a Song Fighter)
26. Julianna Barwick – “Inspirit” (Ninja Tune)
27. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – “Leviathan” (Ghosteen Ltd.)
28. Jóhann Jóhannsson – “The Navigators” (Last And First Men OST, Deutsche Grammophon)
29. Arvo Pärt, Paul Hillier – “My Heart Is In The Highlands” (perf. Else Torp, Christopher Bowers-Broadbent) (Harmonia Mundi)
30. Rebecca Foon – “Another Realm” (Constellation)

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Mixtape: Fractured Air – April 2020

It’s been a while. The beautiful light of spring has finally descended upon us; filling the void (of current circumstance) with birdsong, blooming flowers, blue skies and all signs of glittering life. Even though nature does not mirror the dark surface that permeates all of our lives at this present moment; remember all things must pass. These days offer moments of introspection and quiet: to be at peace with your own self during this slowed down, prolonged period.

The art of music remains a trusted constant. Light In The Attic’s lovingly assembled compilation of Seattle-based recording engineer Kearney Barton is an exceptional document of divine pop, soul and R&B spanning the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. ‘Architect of the Northwest Sound’ is filled with a seamless array of timeless musical discoveries.
Another essential compilation is Morr Music’s soon-to-be-released ‘Minna Miteru’: collection of hard to find music from the Japanese independent scene, compiled by Saya, who plays in the iconic duo Tenniscoats. We have an exclusive track (peformed by Takako Minekawa and Dustin Wong) on this month’s mix.

The L.A-based composer Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith’s shape-shifting sonic explorations continue to evolve on her Ghostly debut ‘Expanding Electricity’: an epic and enriching foray into visionary fourth world dimensions. Essential. Russian electronic musician Kate NV’s forthcoming full-length ‘Room for the Moon’ on Brooklyn music institution RVNG Intl represents another singular voice in the contemporary musical landscape of today.

The debut collaboration of Australian drummer Jim White (Dirty Three/Xylouris White) and renowned guitarist Marisa Anderson arrives soon on the legendary Chicago label Thrill Jockey (and first single ‘The Lucky’ offers the first glimpses into this enchanting body of work). Cellist Helen Money’s new Thrill Jockey full-length and Rebecca Foon’s latest Constellation solo release are things of beauty and boundless magnitude.

Inventions is the immense collaborative duo of Matthew Robert Cooper (Eluvium) and Mark T. Smith (Explosions In The Sky). Their new single ‘Outlook for the Future’ is a joyous, uplifting sonic voyage. “What is your outlook for the future?” is asked beneath colourful woodwind patterns and rhythmic pulses, before an elderly female voice responds: “I don’t worry about the future”. Live in the present: in the here and now. Music never ceases to surprise and awaken something deep inside of us all.

 

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Fractured Air – April 2020 Mix

01. Ann Wilson & The Daybreaks ‘Through Eyes and Glass’ (Light In The Attic)
02. Maki Asakawa ‘No Ga Kowai’ (Honest Jon’s)
03. Takako Minekawa ＆ Dustin Wong ‘Party On A Floating Cake’ (Morr Music)
04. Kate NV ‘Sayonara’ (RVNG Intl)
05. Inventions ‘Outlook for the Future’ (Temporary Residence)
06. Group Listening ‘A Little Lost’ (PRAH)
07. Cate Le Bon & Group Listening ‘Here It Comes Again’ (Mexican Summer)
08. Hamish Kilgour ‘Crazy Radiance’ (Ba Da Bing!)
09. Arthur Russell ‘You Did It Yourself’ (Audika)
10. Yves Tumor ‘Gospel For A New Future’ (Warp)
11. El Michel’s Affair ‘Rubix’ (Big Crown Records)
12. MF Doom ‘Ninjarous’ (30th Century Records)
13. Four Tet ‘Something in the Sadness’ (Text)
14. Cucina Povera ‘Saniaiset’ (Night School)
15. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith ‘Expanding Electricity’ (Ghostly)
16. Laraaji ‘Hare Jaya Jaya Rama II’ (Numero Group)
17. Drab City ‘Working For The Men’ (Bella Union)
18. 24 Carat Black ‘You’re Slipping Away’ (Numero Group)
19. Pentangle ‘Light Flight’ (Sanctuary)
20. Jim White and Marisa Anderson ‘The Lucky’ (Thrill Jockey)
21. Enablers ‘Even Its Lies’ (Lancashire And Somerset)
22. Helen Money ‘One Year One Ring’ (Thrill Jockey)
23. Rebecca Foon ‘Ocean Song’ (Constellation)
24. A Winged Victory For The Sullen ‘Adios, Florida’ (Ninja Tune)
25. Brian Eno ‘Deep Blue Day’ (Editions EG)
26. Tropical Rainstorm ‘Flying Bird’ (Light In The Attic)
27. Aoife Nessa Frances ‘Less Is More’ (Basin Rock)
28. Dark Arts ‘The More Things Stay The Same’ (STROOM)
29. Windy & Carl ‘Crossing Over’ (Kranky)
30. Colin Self ‘Once More’ (RVNG Intl)

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Mixtape: Fractured Air – April 2019

April saw a host of essential new releases surface into the stratosphere. Fixity’s latest full-length ‘No Man Can Tell’ – and second for the ever-dependable Cork-based Penske Recordings imprint – is another stellar sonic journey showcasing deep musical telepathy at each and every turn from a cast of Irish and international musicians.

The eagerly awaited return of Leafcutter John’s new Border Community record ‘Yes! Come Parade With Us’, whose sumptuous sound worlds contains the UK composer’s trusted modular synth and a plethora of field recordings. In addition, guest drummers Tom Skinny (Sons Of Kemet) and John’s Polar Bear bandmate Seb Rochford.

Canadian cellist and composer Justin Wright’s debut album ‘Music for Staying Warm’ is an artistic creation of staggering beauty and wonder. Liquid Liquid luminary Dennis Young’s solo record ‘Primitive Substance’ is a vital document from the solo artist’s post-Liquid Liquid career.

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Fractured Air – April 2019

01. Students of the Salonica Quaker Girl’s School – “Dance of Jerissos (lerissos)” (Sublime Frequencies)
02. Ariwo – “Ireme” (Manana Records)
03. The Comet Is Coming – “Birth Of Creation” (Impulse!)
04. Kate Tempest – “Tunnel Vision” (Lex Records)
05. Naive Ted – “Blood & Guts” (Unscene Music)
06. Hype Williams – “Hype Williams Meets Shangaan Electro” (Honest Jon’s)
07. Dean Blunt – “And Ill Show U Heaven If U Let Me” (Hippos In Tanks)
08. The Rationals – “Glowin’” (Night Time Stories Ltd)
09. Fixity – “Woo” (Penske Recordings)
10. Crevice – “In Heart” (Fort Evil Fruit)
11. Carla dal Forno – “Fever Walk” (Kallista Records)
12. Josef K – “It’s Kinda Funny” (LTM Recordings)
13. Leafcutter John – “This Way Out” (Border Community)
14. MorMor – “Outside” (Self-released)
15. This Mortal Coil – “The Lacemaker” (4AD)
16. Tim Hecker – “Step Away From Konoyo” (Kranky)
17. Heather Woods Broderick – “I Try” (Western Vinyl)
18. Justin Wright – “Harmonic Loops – Playground Swings” (First Terrace Records)
19. Gigi Masin – “The Word Love” (Music From Memory)
20. Anna Peaker – “Helicidae” (Alter)
21. Maria Somerville – “Dreaming” (Self-released)
22. Raymond Scott – “Portofino 1” (Basta)
23. Ingus Bauskenieks – “Lidojums Uz Sauli” (Stroom)
24. Prins Thomas – “Feel The Love” (Smalltown Supersound)
25. Daedelus – “It’s Madness” (Nosaj Thing Remix) (Magical Properties)
26. Four Tet – “Teenage Birdsong” (Text Records)
27. Dennis Young – “Forgiveness” (Athens Of The North)
28. Ishmael Ensemble – “First Light” (Severn Songs)

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Fractured Air x Blogothèque – S02E10 | October mix

This month saw the eagerly awaited return of prestigious American musician John Maus with the release of ‘Screen Memories’; a synth pop masterpiece (and follow-up to the remarkable 2011 opus ‘We Must Become The Pitiless Censors of Ourselves’). Opening this mix is one of the heavenly synthesizer-based tracks culled from Maus’ recent Bleep mix.

Colleen is an artist very close to our hearts and the release of Cécile Schott’s sixth full-length ‘A flame my love, a frequency’ (via Thrill Jockey) marks 2017’s most bewitching, absorbing and deeply affecting records to have graced the atmosphere. Armed with just electronics and voice, the album’s eight otherworldly compositions transcend space and time: drifting majestically in the ether of unknown dimensions. Colleen’s tour dates (including U.S, North America and Europe) are listed here.

On the 14^th & 15^th December, the second edition of The Notwist-curated Alien Disko returns to Munich. The festival’s line-up reflects the boundless and pioneering qualities of the chosen acts, from Shabazz Palaces, Konono Nº1 and Amiina to Colleen, Sam Amidon and The Notwist. Tickets are onsale now.

This month’s mix also includes new releases from: Xylouris White; SAICOBAB; Spirit Fest; Lindstrøm; Sufjan Stevens; Gunn – Truscinski Duo and Les Filles de Illighadad.

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Fractured Air x Blogothèque – S02E10 | October mix

 

To listen on La Blogothèque:

http://www.blogotheque.net/2017/10/31/fractured-air-x-blogotheque-s02e10-october-mix/

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01. Peter Davison – “Shadow” (Higher Octave Music)
02. John Maus – “The Combine” (Ribbon Music)
03. Shabazz Palaces – “Moon Whip Quäz” (feat. Darrius) (Sub Pop)
04. John Carpenter – “Assault on Precinct 13” (Death Waltz Recording Company)
05. Severed Heads – “George the Animal” (Dark Entries)
06. The Velvet Underground – “I Can’t Stand It” (Verve)
07. The Cat’s Miaow – “Not Like I Was Doing Anything” (Library)
08. Cymbeline – “Look at the Stars” (Guerssen)
09. Gunn – Truscinski Duo – “Flood and Fire” (Three Lobed Recordings)
10. Les Filles de Illighadad – “Abadrarass” (Sahel Sounds)
11. SAICOBAB – “One” (Thrill Jockey)
12. Xylouris White – “Only Love” (Bella Union)
13. Guelewar – “Ya Mom Samaray” (Kindred Spirits)
14. Wallias Band – “Muziqawi Silt” (Manteca)
15. Don Cherry – “Brown Rice” (EMI)
16. Spiritualized – “Feel So Sad (Glides And Chimes)” (Spaceman, Arista)
17. Colleen – “The stars vs creatures” (Thrill Jockey)
18. Spectrum – “All Night Long” (Silvertone)
19. Slowdive – “No Longer Making Time” (Dead Oceans)
20. Spirit Fest – “River River” (Alien Transistor)
21. NSRD – “Schwenn” (STROOM)
22. Lali Puna – “Wear My Heart” (Morr Music)
23. Four Tet – “Daughter” (Text)
24. Sufjan Stevens – “Wallowa Lake Monster” (Asthmatic Kitty)
25. William Eggleston – “On the Street Where You Live” (Secretly Canadian)
26. Lindstrøm – “Bungl (Like a Ghost)” [feat. Jenny Hval] (Smalltown Supersound)
27. Daphni – “Carry on” (Jiaolong)
28. Blanck Mass – “The Rat” (Sacred Bones)
29. Colin Stetson – “All this I do for glory” (52Hz)
30. Dirty Three – “Moon On The Land” (Bella Union)
31. Cat Power – “Metal Heart” (Matador)
32. Marisa Anderson – “Amazing Grace” (Mississippi)
33. Jackson C. Frank – “Milk and Honey” (Sanctuary)
34. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – “Three Seasons in Wyoming” (Wind River OST) (Invada, Lakeshore)

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Compiled by Fractured Air, October 2017. The copyright in these recordings is the property of the individual artists and/or record labels. If you like the music, please support the artist by buying their records.

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http://www.blogotheque.net/
https://fracturedair.com/

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Fractured Air x Blogothèque – S02E09 | September mix

Australian-born composer and songwriter Carla dal Forno’s eagerly-anticipated new material comes in the form of “The Garden”, a 12” for UK’s Blackest Ever Black, due for release on October 6th and folow-up to her sublime debut full-length “You Know What It’s Like”. Dal Forno is also a member of the trio F ingers (alongside Samuel Karmel and Tarquin Manek) who release their second LP, “Awkwardly Blissing Out”, this month. Recorded in Melbourne and Berlin between 2015–17, the album is the follow-up to the trio’s 2015 debut album “Hide Before Dinner”. Dal Forno’s own mixes (originally made for Berlin Community Radio while residing in the German capital; she now compiles monthly hour-long shows for NTS Radio) are always an indispensable source for music (Circuit 7’s “Eastern Dreams” from our September mixtape is one such example).

The forever-inspiring Chicago-based artist Circuit des Yeux (Haley Fohr) releases her magnificent fifth studio album “Reaching For Indigo” on U.S. independent Drag City on 20th October. Unveiled so far is the mesmerising new single “Black Fly” which confirms Fohr as one of independent music’s most singular voices and fascinating contemporary music-makers.

Anthology Recordings – Mexican Summer’s reissue imprint – release the majestic compilation “Feel The Music Vol. 1” next month. Compiled by Paul Major – pioneering record dealer and frontman of the band Endless Boogie – this truly special record effortlessly spans sounds and styles (folk, psychedelia, blues, rock n roll) while unearthing a plethora of truly unique (and largely unknown to wider audiences) songwriters from a golden age of music.

September’s mix also features new releases from possibly the year’s most anticipated pair of albums which come courtesy of both Four Tet (“New Energy”, Text) and Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Constellation). Electronic maestro Four Tet and his monumental “New Energy” album (available via his Text imprint from 29th September); Montréal’s mythical Godspeed You! Black Emperor unleash their sublime seventh album “Luciferian Towers” via Constellation which confirm the band (as if confirmation was ever necessary) as one of the world’s most ceaselessly innovative and breathtaking bands.

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Fractured Air x Blogothèque – S02E09 | September mix

 

To listen on La Blogothèque:

http://www.blogotheque.net/2017/09/29/fractured-air-x-blogotheque-s02e09-september-mix/

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01. Godspeed You! Black Emperor – “Fam/Famine” (Constellation)
02. Dungen – “Achmed Flyger” (Version 1) (Versions by Prins Thomas) (Smalltown Supersound)
03. James Holden & The Animal Spirits – “Each Moment Like The First” (Border Community)
04. Circuit des Yeux – “Black Fly” (Drag City)
05. Forest Swords – “Raw Language” (Ninja Tune)
06. Yasuaki Shimizu – “Seiko 1” (Crammed Discs)
07. Ariel Pink – “Feels Like Heaven” (Mexican Summer)
08. The Smiths — “The Hand That Rocks The Cradle” (Rough Trade)
09. Arthur Russell – “Get Around To It” (Rough Trade, Audika)
10. Nausea – “No Conversation” (Ecstatic)
11. Circuit 7 – “Eastern Dreams” (Minimal Wave)
12. Carla dal Forno – “The Garden” (Blackest Ever Black)
13. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith – “To Feel Your Best” (Western Vinyl)
14. Richard Horowitz – “Eros Never Stops Dreaming” (RVNG Intl)
15. F Ingers – “Your Confused” (Blackest Ever Black)
16. Geinoh Yamashirogumi – “Kaneda” (Akira OST, Milan)
17. Sanza – “Sounout” (Original Mix) (Music For Dreams)
18. Burial – “Rodent” (Hyperdub)
19. Four Tet – “Scientists” (Text)
20. Actress & London Contemporary Orchestra – “Audio Track 5” (Ninja Tune)
21. Carmen Villain – “Red Desert” (Smalltown Supersound)
22. Blue Iverson – “Who Shot Lucious Lyon?” (Self-Released)
23. Darius – “I Feel The Need To Carry On” (Anthology Recordings)
24. Bill Mackay & Ryley Walker – “Dragonfly” (Drag City)
25. Ry Cooder – “I Knew These People” (excerpt) (Paris Texas OST, Warner Bros.)
26. Sun Kil Moon – “Si, Paloma” (Caldo Verde)

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Compiled by Fractured Air, September 2017. The copyright in these recordings is the property of the individual artists and/or record labels. If you like the music, please support the artist by buying their records.

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http://www.blogotheque.net/
https://fracturedair.com/

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