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Thursday, October 30, 2008

pauline oliveros - deep listening/electronic works


Pauline Oliveros/Stuart Dempster/Panaiotis
Deep Listening
1989
New Albion
[ambient, drone]

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Accordion, voice, conch shell, metal pieces, trombone, didgeridoo, garden hose, whistling, metal pipes. Recorded in "the bottom of a cistern that once held two million gallons of water". Sounds gimmicky, but this is seriously one of the best things I've heard. Get yourself this record or you will die miserable and lonely etc. Also quite obviously a bit influence on bands such as Stars Of The Lid and Labradford.

EDIT: Link removed after request from Paradigm Discs.



Pauline Oliveros
Electronic Works 1965-1966
1965-66 (released 1997)
Paradigm
[electronic, musique concrète]

download

As the title suggests, this is a compilation of (three) electronic tracks recorded in 65 and 66. I believe it has been deleted by the record company or something like that, for reasons that are hard to fathom. Undoubtedly "far ahead of its time" (ugh) and a fascinating look into the state of electronic music in the mid-60s. (sorry.)

terry riley - persian surgery dervishes/the harp of new albion


Terry Riley
Persian Surgery Dervishes
1972
New Tone
[drone, minimalism]

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Live recording from 1972. Much in the same style as A Rainbow In Curved Air, which is probably my favourite of his.




Terry Riley
The Harp Of New Albion
1986
Celestial Harmonies
[minimalism, ambient]

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Solo piano album. Very soothing. And very overlooked, it seems.

Poliform Closets

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

Successful home design can start in some of the most overlooked spaces. Having the perfectly designed closet can not only add to the value of your home, it can add to the enjoyment of your life.
Nobody does it better than Poliform. Yes, Poliform is more expensive but look at these amazingly clean lines.
If you are looking for the Maserati of closets it has to be Poliform. Their functional designs are sleek, easy to maintain and immaculate. If you are looking for a small home make over project that will add to your home value for years to come and give you a psychological boast in the meantime, check out a Poliform closet. It’s impossible to walk into one of these closets and feel anything but successful.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Spectacular Succulents

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

The weather is changing, the holidays are just around the corner and with the economy what it is, more and more people are deciding to turn their attention to their current home. Why not take this opportunity to make your home a haven for you, your family and your guests. It doesn’t take a lot of money to create the ideal living situation, and if you take it in small projects it doesn’t even take much time. Planting succulents is a great weekend project.

Start with a winter makeover for your deck, patio, or balcony. Clean away any clutter of debris that has accumulated in the deluge of fall leaves. Then take whatever winter precautions are necessary for your furniture and appliances. In colder states, furniture may need to be stored or covered, in warmer states cushion might need flipping/fluffing or rotation. When the hard work is done it’s time for rewarding trip to your local Home Depot, Lowes or Do It Store. Make sure to take a list of any hardware that is needed for repairs or winterization, but the main reason for this trip is to do a mini splurge on succulents to accent your outdoor living or to spruce up your home. You don’t need to spend much money to create a lovely succulent wonderland. In colder states you may want to focus on bringing the succulents indoors and creating a lovely focal point.

This fabulous succulent wall was featured in the Methome July/August 2008 issue. The landscape designer is Mia Lehrer & Associates. I like the idea that this is living art.
Here in Southern California, I love to plant durable succulents dish gardens grouping several different varieties to make a colorful mini garden. They are beautiful, functional and extremely low maintenance. Their shallow roots require very little water. Even if you are someone who forgets to water, these plants never die. They are amazing. They love containers.Taking the time to winterize your deck, patio or balcony will help preserve your furniture and appliances and save you money. Planting succulents will increase your enjoyment of your home now, through the long winter and even in the spring.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

skullflower - form destroyer/infinityland


Skullflower
Form Destroyer
1989
Broken Flag
[noise, experimental]

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Skullflower
Infinityland
1995
HeadDirt
[noise, experimental]

download

klangmutationen - schwarzhagel


Klangmutationen
Schwarzhagel
2008
Utech
[free jazz, improv, experimental]

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New release from the Malaysian free jazz group. This time dropping the drum set and almost going doom. Dark and beautiful.

dazzling killmen - face of collapse


Dazzling Killmen
Face Of Collapse
1994
Skin Graft
[noise rock, post-hardcore]

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First time I heard this I thought "wtf is this shameless Shellac ripoff". Turns out it was actually recorded before At Action Park. And also produ... sorry, engineered by Steve Albini.

harold budd - lovely thunder


Harold Budd
Lovely Thunder
1986
EG
[ambient, neo-classical]

download

Puts you to sleep (in a good way).

cabaret voltaire - 2X45


Cabaret Voltaire
2X45
1982
Rough Trade
[industrial, post-punk]

download

Extremely annoying music. Sounds like The Pop Group playing club music or something. Ie worth listening to once in a while.

assück - misery index


Assück
Misery Index
1996
Sound Pollution
[grindcore, deathgrind]

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This sounds like crap at first, but stick with it and you'll soon realise it's actually pretty great. Either that or it'll just remain crap for infinite listens. Anyway, it's ridiculously short, which is a pretty good idea in this case.

can - radio waves


Can
Radio Waves
1969-72
Sonic Platten/bootleg
[krautrock]

download

If you've never actually heard Can, do not download this album. Instead, get Tago Mago and Ege Bamyasi, two of the best albums of all time. This one is an unauthorized compilation that doesn't even come close to their best work, but worth it for the excellent version of Paperhouse I guess.

death ambient - death ambient


Death Ambient
Death Ambient
1995
Tzadik
[experimental]

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Dumb music with Fred Frith and the overrated Ikue Mori.

cherubs - heroin man


Cherubs
Heroin Man
1994
Trance Syndicate
[noise rock]

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acid mothers temple & the melting paraiso u.f.o. - electric heavyland


Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.
Electric Heavyland
2002
Alien8
[noise, psychedelic rock]

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Yeah, pretty extreme music (loud as fuck). Obviously trying to take Haino/Fushitsusha/Les Rallizes Dénudés to the extreme here, mixed in with some Hendrix worshipping (hence the album title). Unfortunately the album is suffering a bit from a lack of ideas and diversity (if you happen to be into those kind of things). Still worth a listen. See if you can make it all the way through. I can't.

peter brötzmann/günter sommer/barre phillips - réservé


Peter Brötzmann/Günter Sommer/Barre Phillips
Réservé
1988
FMP
[free jazz]

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Rock n roll.

the dead c - the white house


The Dead C
The White House
1995
Siltbreeze
[drone, noise rock, experimental]

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The song Bitcher is probably my favourite Dead C song. This album is just as good as Harsh 70s Reality in my opinion.

the blue humans - clear to higher time


The Blue Humans
Clear To Higher Time
1992
New Alliance
[improv, noise]

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Like a lesser Mass Hysterism (Masayuki Takayanagi), a decade later. One hundred percent pointless music, but still pretty good though. Alan Licht and Rudolph Grey on guitars (panned to each channel) and Tom Surgal on drums. Produced by Thurston Moore.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

masayuki takayanagi & new direction - independence/april is the cruellest month


Masayuki Takayanagi & New Direction's
Independence: Tread On Sure Ground
1970
Tiliqua
[free jazz, improv]

download (rip: UAX)
buy






Masayuki Takayanagi & New Direction Unit
April Is The Cruellest Month
1975
Jinya
[free jazz, improv]

download (rip: UAX)
buy

Friday, October 24, 2008

masada - beit/gimel


Masada
Beit
1994
Tzadik
[free jazz, klezmer jazz]

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Masada
Gimel
1994
Tzadik
[free jazz, klezmer jazz]

download

sonny sharrock - ask the ages


Sonny Sharrock
Ask The Ages
1991
Axiom
[free jazz]

MF (80 MB)

Superb album, recorded only a few years before he passed away. Free jazz, but feels very structured. Features Pharoah Sanders "in great form", as a music writer would say. Almost impossible to find a copy these days.

john cale/terry riley - church of anthrax


John Cale/Terry Riley
Church Of Anthrax
1971
Columbia
[experimental]

download

this heat - deceit


This Heat
Deceit
1981
Rough Trade
[post-punk, experimental rock]

download

Great album. Just make sure you never try to listen to this when you're not "in the mood".

kletka red - hijacking


Kletka Red
Hijacking
1996
Tzadik
[noise rock, klezmer, punk]

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With Andy Ex from The Ex.

archie shepp - the magic of ju-ju


Archie Shepp
The Magic Of Ju-Ju
1967
Impulse!
[free jazz]

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Another one of the mid-60s jazz classics that is shamefully out of print. I really don't know what Impulse is thinking with this one. Reissue this already!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

albert ayler - lörrach, paris 1966


Albert Ayler
Lörrach, Paris 1966
1966 (released 2002)
Hat Hut
[free jazz]

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It's strange that they choose to keep one of Ayler's best albums out of print. But they do, and you'd have a hard time finding a copy for less than $70 these days, so I'm posting the album here. This was recorded at two dates from a European Tour in 1966, about a year after Spirits Rejoice (and is based largely around that album). It was recorded for German and French radio, so the recording is crisp and clear, making this an essential document for fans of Ayler and free jazz in general.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Moura Starr & the Brazilian Wood Revolution

by Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer


This is the most superior craftsmanship I have seen on the market today. The design is modern organic. The medium is exotic non-extinct woods from Brazil.

These pieces can be described in three words: custom, custom, custom! Handmade in Brazil out of wood that cannot be found anywhere else in the world Moura Starr adds Brazilian stone, colored glass and colored crystal to make unique high end contemporary furniture that surpasses Italian contemporary workmanship and design.



Take a look at this wonderful Curio Cabinet made from black lacquer, black crystal and rustic Imuia wood. Isn’t this the ultimate media cabinet? It is unique; designed and made with impeccable taste.

With their Pacific Design Center grand opening scheduled for sometime before the first of the year, it is just a matter of weeks before this unique and wonderful company will be on everyone’s tongue. For shoppers living outside the scope of Los Angeles or New York, Moura Starr will ship anywhere in the world. They recently opened their first showroom in Dubai available for designers and the public to shop. Please browse their online site for more unique and spectacular pieces.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Krislyn

by Erin Ferruci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

When celebrities collect modern design sculptural art they frequently choose the work of Krislyn. These sculptures are unique, they are classical but capable of surviving in a modern setting. The sculptures make a strong statement and are low maintenance - they have a presence that is strong with a subtle wow factor without being overwhelming.
Her unique perspective is echoed in the jeweled and mossed trees which make her studio on West 3rd seem more like a woodland for fairies than a downtown boutique

Her arrangements are remarkably unique and feature spectacular organic displays of nature inspired art.
Julie Krislyn designs trees that don’t die. She does something that no one else does. Some crazy things, crazy in a good way. She's very original. Innovative, cutting edge, unique and eco friendly

Friday, October 17, 2008

sonny sharrock - black woman


Sonny Sharrock
Black Woman
1969
Vortex
[free jazz, experimental]

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You could say that the vocals here are an acquired taste. Or you could say that the vocals here are so awful you feel like stabbing yourself in the eyes. Truth is probably somewhere in between. Awesome shit.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Casa Del Bianco

All designers have secrets. Little bits of information that we have that we know will wow a client. Today I am giving away one of my secrets, I probably shouldn't, but I love the owners of this shop so much and their sheets are so spectacular that I'm giving up my secret. Now everyone will know where to get the same custom made sheets that celebrities and the uber wealthy rest their heads upon, Casa Del Bianco.
If what they say is true and we spend over a third of our lives asleep, then skimping on budget linens is not the thing to do. If you want the best linens that money can buy, then you want Casa Del Bianco fine Italian Bed Linens. Every thing is hand woven in Italy. They are a gift to yourself. Trust me this is what the wealthy and influential have on their beds, I know because I put them there!

Their small but chic shop on Lexington Avenue in New York is a veritable treasure trove of custom linens. If you want to put together the perfect bed from top to bottom this shop is the secret answer. If Oprah isn't sleeping on these sheets she should be!


The sheets are custom made so you can pull a look and feel together simply and create a stunning bed that is divine to look at and even better to sleep in. There is so minimum order at this palace of bedding, so if you only want two shams - not a problem.



You can order the linens on line, but if you are in New York you must treat yourself to the sensual experience of these linens. Tell Lupe and Fabrizio that Erin Ferucci sent you. And now my secret is out!