I have always read about unforgettable concerts. The kind of live shows that etch your heart and you will always carry with you. My dad has a bunch of them and it’s always fun to hear, although I have to say it leaves me a bit envious and with a feeling of a golden age that is now gone and I have missed. However, gems still exist nowadays and I got to see exactly this kind of live performance a few days ago. Ruth Dolores Weiss’ music is amazing, her records are superb, but nothing compares to the energy she displays in her live gigs. I have never seen an artist that gives himself in such a way. I can only wonder how she still has the energy to do it, I would have been burnt out after once or twice. I know that video won’t really relay the feeling (especially in such poor quality), but it’s the only thing left that can be displayed out in the open.
It’s possible to buy Ruth’s music (in MP3 form as well as in more classical media) on Anova Music.
Stranger [MP3] Puke [MP3] To me it feels like Bang! is full of wishes. It evokes the image of the Dillinger Girl begging and wishing in front of her Baby Face Nelson. Musically, this record exists somewhere between Jazz and Contemporary Folk. Our Dillinger Girl is a demanding woman, craving, lusting, sexual and warm. This record has a wonderful voice, the voice of a lustful love with all its fear and hope. Links: Buy this album MySpace profile
Panic Ensemble is a project that was founded with a goal – to explore the intrinsic ways of panic. Like its subject, the band itself and its music are both schizophrenic creatures. The music “suffers” from mood swings and periods of hyper activity that are replaced by swallowing sensuality. The band reminds of an octopus, its eight members, each one mastering his (or hers) instrument with superb skill, create a single split personality. Panic Ensemble also celebrate Darwin’s theory of evolution: The band started with a great potential, which blooms ever stronger as time passes. The band of today is by no mean what you saw half a year ago, they have evolved and changed, just like a real life being. Links: More wonderful videos (Hebrew website, so just click the thumbs to get the videos) Panic Ensemble @ MySpace Some photos from their gigs (by dirkhaim)
I Can No Poet Be [MP3] A Vision (Part 1-3) [MP3] Criss crossing the world from India to South Africa, absorbing all that comes her way, poetess and singer Bajka brings in her work the world itself. Diving into dark and psychedelic jazz, collecting experiences in various electronic, chill-out and hip-hop projects, she delivers multi-influenced, yet unique mixture of sound. Aside from her notable contributions to Radio Citizen’s critically acclaimed album Berlin Serengeti (2006) and the latest Bonobo record – Days To Come (2006), in her solo work Bajka delivers the experimental and intriguing. Enigmatic and seductively soulful, she mesmerizes with her unique vocal qualities. Links: Wikipedia article Discography
Sascha [MP3] (from Escondida) Old Fashion Morphine [MP3] (from Escondida) crush_in_the_ghetto [MP3] (from Springtime Can Kill You) springtime_can_kill_you [MP3] (from Springtime Can Kill You) Spring time will kill you because I desired you to die in the spring. It was spring when I desired it, and it is spring when I wish it to happen. We met a few years ago. That was, too, in the spring. Before I met you I have been told that not only springtime can kill me, but it actually will. I laughed, or more accurately – giggled. You were a sort of spring, or at least that is how it looked like. But spring is only a short visit, a transitory state, and in that sense a sort of a lie. Spring time killed me, and now I wish it for you too. It’s a not a sort of revenge, it’s by all means a bloody and messy revenge. It’s a curse in its most brutal fashion.
If the angels could kill, I have no doubt that Jolie Holland would have wrecked havoc. Lucky us, they can’t kill (or at least don’t aim to so far), they can just smooth everything for us, sing and make us happy, make everything sweet, even pain, even spring. Attached are songs from Jolie’s two recent albums: Escondida from 2004, and Springtime Can Kill You from 2006. Links: Jollie Holland @ Myspace Official website
Mir [MP3] Rios [MP3] Murcof, Truffaz and Singh @ Montreux (part I) [YouTube] Murcof, Truffaz and Singh @ Montreux (part II) [YouTube] Murcof is a Mexican Electronica artist. He infuses in his music classical themes and principles with Techno beats, all while keeping his music minimal and clean. His wonderful orchestral arrangements personify the Techno beats and give them a whole new set of meanings.
Talvin Singh creates an innovative fusion of Indian bhangra music and Drum ‘n Bass Electronica. His education on the tabla is classical, in contrast his work to date is very club oriented.
Erik Truffaz, having been the son of a saxophone player, is a kind of born Jazz musician, and as such grew up in the scene, and performed since he was a child. His Jazz encompasses the traditional, the experimental and even classical music.
These three have joined hands at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2006 in Canada Switzerland, playing live, each on his instrument: Murcof on the laptop, Truffaz on the trumpet and Singh on the tabla. The pieces they did were composed by Murcof, and include new adaptations to some of his best works. The combination is superb, as it’s always a wonderful experience to re-experience great music in new and wonderful ways. Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to release the recorded material from that performance. Links: Murcof’s website Erik Truffaz’s website Talvin Singh’s website Montreux Jazz Festival
Tick [MP3] Hokama Bass [MP3] Cave’s Gynnek [MP3] It was only a matter of time, but it took quite a while, before Jazz and the click culture joined forces. Looking at the history of Jazz, which was fast to adopt new instruments, one can only wonder what took them so long. However, feat not, the moment has come, and it’s one of beauty beyond imagination. Links: Fly Records Release page on Fly
To me it feels like Bang! is full of wishes. It evokes the image of the Dillinger Girl begging and wishing in front of her Baby Face Nelson. Musically, this record exists somewhere between Jazz and Contemporary Folk. Our Dillinger Girl is a demanding woman, craving, lusting, sexual and warm. This record has a wonderful voice, the voice of a lustful love with all its fear and hope.
Criss crossing the world from India to South Africa, absorbing all that comes her way, poetess and singer Bajka brings in her work the world itself. Diving into dark and psychedelic jazz, collecting experiences in various electronic, chill-out and hip-hop projects, she delivers multi-influenced, yet unique mixture of sound. Aside from her notable contributions to 
Innovation was the tool of choice in the early days of cinema, and it’s with this quality that 
Spring time will kill you because I desired you to die in the spring. It was spring when I desired it, and it is spring when I wish it to happen. We met a few years ago. That was, too, in the spring. Before I met you I have been told that not only springtime can kill me, but it actually will. I laughed, or more accurately – giggled. You were a sort of spring, or at least that is how it looked like. But spring is only a short visit, a transitory state, and in that sense a sort of a lie. Spring time killed me, and now I wish it for you too. It’s a not a sort of revenge, it’s by all means a bloody and messy revenge. It’s a curse in its most brutal fashion.
Murcof is a Mexican Electronica artist. He infuses in his music classical themes and principles with Techno beats, all while keeping his music minimal and clean. His wonderful orchestral arrangements personify the Techno beats and give them a whole new set of meanings.
It was only a matter of time, but it took quite a while, before Jazz and the click culture joined forces. Looking at the history of Jazz, which was fast to adopt new instruments, one can only wonder what took them so long. However, feat not, the moment has come, and it’s one of beauty beyond imagination.