What are you Listening to?

[Saulaac]

If I still lived in London, I would have probably organized myself to go to one of these jazzre:freshed concerts by now. But alas I'm far away so can only watch from a distance.

This week's band was led by Robert Mitchell on piano. A funny funky extravaganza. And I wouldn't say that I'm biased towards the bassist, but yeah I do love those basslines.
To be fair, every instru-mentalist does their bit to create a wunder fusion.

[grindy]

Leafar Legov - Mirror

This is somewhere between ambient techno and downtempo, but overall is pretty much its own thing. Very chill, incredibly warm, organic sound. Nothing exciting, but just really cool, relaxed, atmospheric stuff. Pretty damn groovy as well.

[DJChameleon]

So good. I have it on repeat currently

[Marie Monday]

ffs I love Liz Phair so much

[YorkeDaddy]

Have been listening to lots of Alvvays. Seeing them this Saturday, can't wait

[Guybrush]

Have been listening to lots of Alvvays. Seeing them this Saturday, can't wait

Nice! Kinda reminds me of The Cardigans and Briskeby, stuff from the early 2000s but very well done.

Which reminds me of this:

[innerspaceboy]

Happy Birthday Trout Mask Replica!

June 16, 2024 marks the 55th anniversary of Trout Mask Replica's release!

Still, 55 years after the release of Trout Mask Replica some might say it is still ahead of its time. The record continues to inspire musicians around the world and is still regularly noted among the best rock albums of all time. So much more could be said but what comes first to your mind? – Please share your thoughts.

[Lisnaholic]

^ Nice, ISB ! I was once the proud owner of that same double-vinyl album, and played it not only obssessively, but also inappropriately, in my urge to convince people how good it was. I still remember the polite, perplexed look on the face of my then-girlfriend's mother as she sat in her armchair and I perched on the sofa, exhorting them both, "listen to this track..." 
(Perhaps, not unrelatedly, she stopped being my girlfriend shortly afterwards.)

Of recent posts: Thanks for the reminder that Ozric Tentacles have a cool sound, Guybrush.
And this one from grindy that I have been listening to: it's a nice combination of smooth, with a little bit of grit in it too ( or is that just because it is actually a scratched vinyl copy!):-
 

Leafar Legov - Mirror

This is somewhere between ambient techno and downtempo, but overall is pretty much its own thing. Very chill, incredibly warm, organic sound. Nothing exciting, but just really cool, relaxed, atmospheric stuff. Pretty damn groovy as well.

[Hope]

I just ran across a Jody Watley song from the 80's and I still knew every word. I guess I still dig her.

[innerspaceboy]

I'm filling the final holes in my record library as the last few years I've been retiring from collecting.

Terry Riley's In C is one of the most seminal and influential works of 20th century minimalism. After 20 years of collecting, I've finally claimed a copy for my archive.

While Eno's Airports was my gateway to the avant-garde, Riley's In C followed soon thereafter in my learning as an unequivocal milestone of the century, and it deserves a place alongside his later drone works in my collection like Persian Surgery Dervishes.

I'm pleased to claim it at last!

And as wild fate would have it, today is Riley's birthday!

[grindy]

I love this guy lately.
Kinda like Boards Of Canada or vintage AFX with a chill, groovy vibe.

[innerspaceboy]

Filling another hole in my vinyl library - I had previously built a complete collection of Penguin Cafe Orchestra's full-length releases, but then in 2023 they came out with a new LP, titled Rain Before Seven... I was able to find a near mint copy at an irresistibly low price so I've again completed the collection.

The music of The Penguin Cafe Orchestra is tranquil, eclectic, and magically pastoral. The albums are classified as works of minimalism but are impressively dynamic recordings. Rich with subtly and understatedly intricate instrumentation, their music is a seamless and masterful blending of an impressive roster of genres, weaving together classical and contemporary elements. The result is magical and elegantly surreal.

From start to finish, The Penguin Cafe is a treasure of heady and engaging arrangements, and some of the most peaceful sounds you'll ever hear. I really enjoyed an observation from a fellow listener named bpnicast who remarked, "The dispassionate, cerebral atmosphere here creates its own unique space that seems to slow time and demand hushed attention – an emotional connection achieved through stillness and abstraction."

That is precisely what I enjoy about these albums. I'm trying to make small, manageable investments in my happiness.

[Saulaac]

ISB, The Penguin Cafe Orchestra is a group which I really want to get into. I need to listen to them more.

I think we were writing our posts at the same time. I was going off on one about ZAO.

ZAO's efforts in the jazz rock genre were sublime, and whilst many critics attribute their "Shekina" album as the best one, I have a very soft spot for their "Osiris" album. Terminal Passage on YT turned me onto them a few years ago. They were a more jazz rocky bounce-off of Magma, and brought to the fore some other instruments and effects like the wah violin and percussion such as flexatone and vibraslap. A very funky band with great exploratory sax playing. I keep going back to them in times of duress, elections etc. (Is it coincidence that the US, UK and French elections are going on at the same time?).

[Marie Monday]

An electronic composition from the USSR I think? It rules

[Guybrush]

Nice one, @innerspaceboy. I've listened a bit to them, but never took a serious plunge. I'll try their latest while out painting the house today.

Do you have a favourite record of theirs?