Hello folks, welcome to your latest Between The Cracks selection. As always no lengthy write-ups as who reads those anyway? We keep it short and to the point because you’re here to listen to the music! Check out our weekly mini-guide below and if you like what you hear, click the links and support the artists.
Albums
Félicia Atkinson & Jefre Cantu-Ledesma – Un hiver en plein été
‘Un Hiver En Plein été’ is the third collaboration between French musician Félicia Atkinson and American multi-instrumentalist Jefre Cantu-Ledesma. After completing the first sessions for the album in late 2019, they finished the project remotely due to the pandemic. They create a tapestry of sounds combining acoustic and electronic sources. The six tracks on the album display a free flow between Indian classical ragas, free jazz, electronic experimentation, and more.
Meitei – Kofū II
Hiroshima-based composer Meitei released a new album at the tail end of last year titled Kofū II. After completing his previous album Kofū’, Meitei had more than 60 tracks fully formed. This album is made up of those songs. Designed to make “us to reassess our relationship with the past”, Kofū II aims to explore Japanese identity and history through samples, hauntological sonics, musique concrete, and “spectral vignettes.” I’m going to be brief, do yourself a favour, click play, listen and enjoy.
The Breathing Effect – I’ve Never Seen The Northern Lights
The self-described “psych-prog-yacht rock jazz fusion duo” The Breathing Effect take a bit of a musical detour for their new album. Pressing the reset button for their dreamy new release, the duo delivers a gentle, psychedelic soaked, electro-acoustically primed instrumental album of the highest order. Alpha Pup Records brings you another great release.
Alex Ho – Move Through It
Alex Ho becomes immersed in Los Angeles special light on his debut album. A soothing and hazy West Coast vibe permeates eight beautifully warm songs on the album, radiating with the unmistakable LA glow. It’s a perfect soundtrack for night-time drives, as it sits in a relaxed, elevating space.
Spiritczualic Enhancement Center – Carpet Album
Spiritczualic Enhancement Center share their fourth record, ‘Carpet Album’, a collection of recordings made over the last few years over Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The outernational spectral trance-jazz ensemble weaves its most intricate musical tapestry out of DIY electronics and traditional instrumentation influenced by the more psychedelic end of Seventies jazz artists such as Miles Davis and Frank Zappa. Essential.
Wet Tuna – Eau’d To a Fake Bookie Vol. 1 & 2 (Remastered)
Ready for a double dose of cosmic American music from Wet Tuna? Late last year Marc Teare’s Hive Mind Records released Eau’d To A Fake Bookie Volumes 1 & 2 on vinyl. The duo of MV and PG Six serve up a blissful gumbo of cosmic psychedelia, primitive drum-machine grooves, and woozy country-funk for the listener over six tracks. Over four sides of wax, you’ll hear cover versions by artists as diverse as The Blackbyrds, Michael Hurley and Jimmy Cliff.
Embryo – Auf Auf
There are times when an album comes along and just blows our minds, and that’s what happened here with Marja Burchard continuing her late father’s legacy. The prolific krautrock legends Embryo sign with Madlib’s label, citing them as one of his favourite bands. This fantastic album mixes Gnawa, progressive rock, free-form jazz, psychedelic rock, and more. Highly recommended.
Trees Speak – Vertigo of Flaws: Emancipation of the Dissonance and Temperaments in Irrational Waveforms
Don’t miss this epic album from Damien and Daniel Martin Diaz, aka Trees Speak. This is the duo’s fourth album in just over a year, so they’re showing no signs of slowing down their creative pace. It’s massive, and it’s refreshing.
Isaac Sasson – Canciones de Isaac
Isaac Sasson traces his personal journey through Venezuela’s folk music on his new album. After releasing his popular ‘Cantos Campesinos EP’ in 2019, the Venezuelan singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist returns to Olindo Records. In addition to Sasson’s soothing voice, the traditional bandola llanera, charango and cuatro instruments, various percussions and wind instruments, and meticulously placed strings accompany him. Essential.
Singles
Srirajah Sound System – Si Phan Don Lovers Rock
Lovers Rock in a Si Racha, Thailand stylee. An absolute cracker from the Srirajah Sound System featuring the sweet vocals of Molam Inteng Keawbuala. One love!
