Japan Do

Hello, sorry i missed last wednesdays post, i had a bicycle accident ended up in hospital with broken collarbone and bruised ribs, a knock on the head, which followup research has me having to return, basicly im on weekend leave, so no post next wednesday either.

Therefor a bit briefer as ususal, a second batch of vinylrips from early eighties Japan, i start off with the first YMO member to appear in this context, dont worry there will be more, even when just a fraction. Joji Hiroti fills the rootsy/jazzy spot and even if he aint that new age as these days and as one might gather from the cover, latenight music. Lizard then again isnt, Japans first real new wave band which left the island to look for the vibe, recorded their first with JJBurnel (strangles) upon return they'd seen enough to produce the follow up Babylon Rocker themselves, Sandii moved from background singer to the front, great move by the looks of it, anyway she weaves some great tunes with her okinawen music brothers . The Snakeman Show great album its not necessary to understand any Japanese here just catch the drift ...

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Ryuichi Sakamoto - Left Handed Dream (81)
Joji Hirota - The Wheel of Fortune (81)
Lizard - Babylon Rocker (81)
Sandii & The Sunsetz - Immigrants (82)
Snakeman Show - Pithecan Thropus Erectus Strike Back (83)

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Ryuichi Sakamoto - Left Handed Dream (81 Flac 295mb)

Ryuichi Sakamoto (born January 17, 1952 in Tokyo, Japan) studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, where he graduated with a BA in composition, and a Master's degree with special emphasis electronic and ethnic music. Sakamoto began his career in the late 1970s, working as a composer, arranger and producer with some of Japan's most popular rock, jazz and classical artists. He released his first solo album in 1978 but came to fame as a member of Japanese synth-rock outfit Yellow Magic Orchestra with co-founders Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi. He collaborated with David Sylvian on a number of singles and most of Sylvian's albums. He appeared in the 1983 Nagisa Oshima film Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence alongside British rock singer David Bowie; he also wrote the film's musical score. He won the Academy Award for his score to the 1987 Bernardo Bertolucci film The Last Emperor. He has also written soundtracks for Pedro Almodovar's film High Heels, and Oliver Stone's Wild Palms. Sakamoto was married to a Japanese pianist and singer Akiko Yano, collaborating with her on some of her recordings. He is also known as a critic of copyright law, saying it is antiquated in the information age.



01 - Boku No Kakera (4:01)
02 - Saru To Yuki Gomi No Kodomo (5:08)
03 - Kacha Kucha Nee (4:20)
04 - The Garden Of Poppies (5:36)
05 - Relâché (3:58)
06 - Tell'm To Me (4:30)
07 - Living In The Dark (5:17)
08 - Slat Dance (2:49)
09 - Venezia (4:43)
10 - Sarunoie (2:18)
original bonus ep
11 - The Left Bank (4:22)
12 - The Arrangement (4:49)
13 - Just About Enough (4:35)
14 - Once In A Lifetime (4:53)

Sakamoto @ Base

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Joji Hirota - The Wheel of Fortune (81 * 64mb)

Hirota was born in North Japan. At the age of eleven, he began a lifelong study of percussion and has been composing from the age of thirteen. He studied at the Kyoto City University of Arts. In 1972 he was invited by Stomu Yamashita to be the musical director and percussionist of the Red Buddha Theatre. In 1977 he became the musical director and percussionist for the Lindsay Kemp Dance Company. Hirota toured extensively throughout Europe, Mexico, Canada and the USA, South America and Japan.He has released four solo albums, "Sahasuhara", "Wheel of Fortune" "Rain Forest Dream" and "The Gate". In 1991, Lindsay Kemp Dance Company won the Time Out Award for best dance company for their production of "Onnagata" for which Hirota wrote and performed the music.



1. Sublimation
2. The Sunlight Peak
3. Water Dragon
4. Reminiscence
5. Pure Joy
6. A Song Soars Tomorrow
7. Dreams of Silver River
8. Fire Dragon
9. Celestial Voice
10. The Wheel of Fortune

Hirota @ Base

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Lizard - Babylon Rocker ( 81 * 69mb)

In 1979, LIZARD released the debut album with Punk sound using synths produced by Jean Jacques Burnel in Stranglers. Momoyo, a leader of the band, is the free producer of Japanese Rock scene.....

He was 17 years old. Momoyo formed the first band, named 'Electric Moth'. In 1973, They changed the name "Red Lizard". In 1978, Momo met JJ from the Stranglers, he invited us to LONDON, 1979 summer. They changed the name to "LIZARD" and went to LONDON. At that time, they had the recording for first album and have some gigs in the UK. The next year, 1980, Lizard produced their second album in  'BABYLON ROCKER'. Followed by their 3rd album'GYMNOPEDIA' Neuromantic Album a year later.

 Lizard dissolved once. 1982-1987 'LIZARD' Momo worked as a project under same name.It was not a band any longer. And Momoyo was going down the underground. And Now, The Project has been reborn as the AI program in BABYLONIC STUDIO. Latest work is the sound track of 'Alexander' an animation film made in the Republic of Korea. At same time Momoyo is working as the producer of i-wave.net, i-wave.com, the next coming dual music-sites for EAST, Hongkong, Macao, Singapore, Tokyo.



01 - Rock n Roll War
02 - Goodbye Plastic Age
03 - Asakusa Rock
04 - Instant Dream
05 - Kids..Babylon Rocker
06 - Moonlight Lover
07 - Lizard Song
08 - Kwangju Fighting
09 - Baby Hit Yourself
10 - Sa Ka Na
11 - Dum Gum
12 - Sa Ka Na dub

Lizard @ Base


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Sandii and The Sunsetz - Immigrants (82 * 287mb)]

Sandii is a colorful veteran of the Japanese music business, who has gone through a number of stylistic changes over time, yet still maintained a substantial audience. Born Sandii Suzuki in Hawaii, with a mix of Japanese, Spanish and American blood, she moved to Tokyo in the early 70s and became a DJ on NHK radio. After winning a Yamaha sponsored songwriting contest in 1976, and having a solo hit single “Mystery Nile” in 1979, Sandii joined up with Yuyakegakudan, (who later became the Sunsetz), a group led by guitarist Makoto Kubota, who she later married. Kubota was an experienced musician, who had traveled extensively and picked up a variety of musical influences, including New Orleans, reggae, and various types of Asian music. Amazingly, their first gig together as a band was opening for Yellow Magic Orchestra at Budokan in 1980.

Sandii’s first album, Eating Pleasure (1980), was sung entirely in English, and received much critical attention. Her second album Heat Scale (1981), was recorded in Ibiza, Spain, and released in a total of 17 countries. Both albums were produced by Harumi Hosono of YMO. Sandii’s model-like good looks definitely helped the band draw attention, and amongst the band’s international fans were Melody Maker writer Adam Sweeting and David Bowie. Their third album, on which they became Sandii & the Sunsetz, entitled Immigrants (1982) featured guest appearances by David Sylvain , by which time they had fused Western rock and techno-pop with Japanese and Okinawan traditional elements. While trading on the striking looks of their lead vocalist, they were also creating songs of the calibre of 'Dreams Of Immigrants' (magnificently surreal backbeat rhythm track) and 'Open Sesame' (the epitome of techno-folk). Viva Lava Liva '84 on Sire was a compilation of material from Eating Pleasure, Heat Scale and Immigrants in remixed or live variants. Next came Banzai Baby '86 on EMI. 'Sticky Music' (a top ten in Australia) was revisited in French on Yen's two-disc Graduation remix and rarity anthology, a signpost to one of the singularities of her career: her ability and readiness to sing in many languages. She also duetted with Stephen Duffy on (the misnamed) 'Something Special' '86 from the film Knights And Emeralds on 10 Records. Sandii and the Sunsetz' Rhythm Chemistry '87, One Love '88 and the compilation Orientation '89 were all on EMI; there was growing disenchantment with their musical direction, not least because they were being groomed for an American audience and losing their special identity. Speaking of the process, Sandii told Mojo '95, 'We just couldn't put our minds together to go in that direction but we tried anyway. It didn't work out.' The group disbanded;



01 - dreams of immigrants
02 - open sesame
03 - living on the frontline
04 - the mirrors of your eyes
05 - you get what you need
06 - jinjirogeh-the chunk o' funk
07 - perfect strangers
08 - illusion
09 - wanted
10 - where the fire still burns


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Snakeman Show with Melon - Pithecan Thropus Erectus Strike Back ( 83 * 68mb)

Snakeman Show is originally a radio program (Raido Osaka -> TBS) and it broke out among New Wave boys and girls with the insertion to Y.M.O.'s mini 25 cm album "Multiplies". This was an outstanding work by betraying the expectation of ordinary people as a plan after a major hit of "Solid State Survivor". It made Masato Eve who was a voice actor for the President Deathler and Katsuya Kobayashi who is a master of English very major thanks to Moichi Kuwahara as a brain.
About how Snakeman Show started... Moichi Kuwahara was deeply inclined to the movie "American Graphity" released in the early 70's which Wolfman Jack appears while working the Japanese edition of "Rolling Stone", an American counter-culture magazine. Katsuya Kobayashi was producing the BGM for the bar "Scotch Bank" run by VAN, men's clothing brand leveraging the mimic of Wolfman Jack. Kuwahara was so impressed by Kobayashi's mimic and Kuwahara asked Katsuya Kobayashi to be a main personality of the radio show which started after discontinuing "Rolling Stone". Kuwahara was exploring the program which can inspire the imagination by creating an imaginary character (admiring Wolfman), and Kuwahara convinced Mr. Kobyashi to call Snakeman Show by Snakeman, not Katsuya Kobayashi, as he happens to be born in the year of snake.
The Pithecan Thropus Erectus Strike Back album came about in collaboration with the x Plastics members who went ahead as Melon, recorded at the Pithecan club.



01 - Introduction (0:44)
02 - Do the Pithecan-Happy Age (7:36)
03 - Gag 1 (1:07)
04 - Pure Innocence (3:50)
05 - Gag 2 (3:37)
06 - International Dance (3:26)
07 - Pithecan Ondo (0:44)
08 - La Poupee Automate (2:34)
09 - Tune From Rangoon (3:36)
10 - Miserlou (2:49)
11 - Gag 3 (2:50)
12 - Fly Me To the Moon (4:06)
13 - Emerald Sea (1:21)
14 - Jungle Flower (5:14)


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* All downloads are in * ogg-7 (224k) or ^ ogg-9(320k), artwork is included , if in need get the nifty ogg encoder/decoder here !

Japan 1

Hello,

The first signs of civilization on the Japanese Archipelago appeared around 10,000 BCE with the Jomon culture, characterized by a Mesolithic to Neolithic semi-sedentary hunter-gatherer lifestyle of pit dwelling and a rudimentary form of agriculture. Decorated clay vessels from this period, often with plaited patterns, are some of the oldest surviving examples of pottery in the world. This Jomon culture continued to 400 BC, one of the enigmatic figurines they left us were the socalled Dogū produced towards the end of the Jomon culture. The purpose of the Dogū remains unclear, but most likely, the dogu acted as effigies of people, that manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogū, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. There are other theories that state that the Dogu may be linked to extra-terresterials. The figures resemble 'space suits' complete with rivets and a helmet/face mask. The large eyes are also reminiscent of the traditional 'Grey' type alien.




Japan comprises over three thousand islands, the largest of which are Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku. Most of the islands are mountainous, many volcanic, including Japan’s highest peak, Mount Fuji. Japan has the world's tenth largest population, with about 128 million people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents.

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Vinyl San

Far East Family Band-NIPPONJIN ( Join Our Mental Phase Sound) (75)
Ondekoza - 3 (80)
Plastics - Welcome Back (81)
Various - Tokyo Mobile Music 1 (81)
Ippu-Do - Radio Fantasy (81)
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Far East Family Band-NIPPONJIN ( 75 Flac 305mb) - Join Our Mental Phase Sound

Far East Family Band spawned the careers of three guys. Their names being Fumio Miyashita (who often released his albums under simply the "Fumio" name), Akira Ito, and most of all, Masanori Takahashi. Maybe you might not know Masanori Takahashi by that name, but you know him as Kitaro, the prolific New Age artist of the 1980s and 1990s.

But what Far East Family Band did in the 1970s was not New Age at all, but mainly progressive rock, with the occasional Japanese influence. Nipponjin is the band's second album and contained remakes of songs from their previous album, The Cave - Down to the Earth (1975), and Far Out (1973), an album from Fumio Miyashita's previous band, Far Out. Klaus Schulze also produced Nipponjin, and you can hear some of his influence, particularly on "Undiscovered Northern Land". That piece mainly consists of droning, with some bamboo flute and Mellotron.

The album's real centerpiece is without a doubt, the title track. It starts off rather mellow, complete with electric sitar, with vocals (in English), but then the album kicks in with a killer guitar jam, eventually the band starts chanting "Om", as well as repeatedly chanting something in Japanese. Some of the mid-tempo parts of this song justifies why FEFB is regarded as the Japanese Pink Floyd. A totally amazing song! The next song, "The Cave" is the FEFB sound in a nutshell.



01 - Nipponjin (16:50)
02 - The Cave (8:37)
03 - Undiscovered Northern Land (2:54)
04 - Timeless (4:26)
05 - The God Of Water (2:06)
06 - River Of Soul (8:28)
07 - The God Of Wind (2:33)
08 - Movin' Lookin' (1:39)
09 - Yamato (0:48)
10 - Mystery Of Northern Space (5:57)

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Ondekoza - 3 ( 80 * 46mb)

From their base on remote Sado Island in the Sea of Japan, traditional Japanese taiko (drum) group Ondekoza have crisscrossed the world as virtual cultural ambassadors for Japan. Their unique crusade has spearheaded a revival of interest in the taiko at home, as well as stimulating a surge of interest that has led to the founding of taiko groups abroad . Formed in 1969, Ondekoza were the brainchild of Tagayasu Den. In communal life on Sado Island, Den subjected his apprentices to rigorous physical training in addition to technical training in the art of the mighty taiko. His goal was to produce a group whose mental toughness would be equal to the demands of the mighty drums and able to withstand the challenges of the road.
In 1975, Ondekoza made their American debut. In one noteworthy performance, the members performed a full set after completing the Boston Marathon. The group toured America, Europe and Japan to critical acclaim.

In 1981, largely in response to a movie project that was by all accounts a financial and artistic failure, members of Ondekoza broke off to form the group Kodo while Tagayasu kept the name and most of the company's drums.



A (16:00)
B (17:15)

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Plastics - Welcome Back ( 81 * 79mb)

Welcome Plastics (the first LP) and six songs from Origato Plastico (the second LP). THE PLASTICS were often compared to THE B-52’s. The upbeat music and quirky presentation were similar, but in many ways THE PLASTICS had a darker view of humanity. Smiling, and using its latest machines, they invented a wonderful pop-music which remains an impressive and original statement. In English, they critiqued society, experimented with new sounds, and had so much fun, that no one took offense. Here, in the U.S., most didn’t even notice.
These songs were re-recorded for U.S. release, (also released in Japan). I love the original versions, but believe every song was improved here. There’s a cleaner, fuller sound, and the vocals are more intense. This is a refined presentation of THE PLASTICS, and a great introduction to the band. They spent a lot of time in New York, and made a sincere attempt to break into the U.S. market. Why they weren’t able to, I don’t know. Their sound was probably just too unique, but their music inspired a lot of the more interesting Japanese bands that are playing today!



01 - Delicious (2:30)
02 - Diamond Head (3:35)
03 - Peace (3:05)
04 - Ignore (2:50)
05 - Cards (4:45)
06 - Top Secret Man (2:32)
07 - Copy (2:35)
08 - Good (3:20)
09 - Park (3:50)
10 - Robot (3:30)


Plastics @ Amazon

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VA - Tokyo Mobile Music 1 ( 81 * 63mb)

Conceived by David Claridge, who apparently traveled around Tokyo with a hand-held Sony cassette recorder (featured on the front of the album) and inserted snippets of ambient city sounds and overheard conversations between the cuts which provide the actual meat of the album.

Liner notes: "Collating the tracks for this album has not proved to be the easiest of tasks. However I hope these tracks will serve as a foretaste of what is to come from Japan in the future. The Mobile Suit Corporation will be focussing on the East and unearthing as much new talent as possible. David Claridge"



SFX Bullet Train Passing
01 - Hikashu - New Tribe
SFX Riding The Bullet Plus Announcement
02 - Akiko Yano - Rose Garden
SFX Bus Journey To Shibuya
03 - Earthling - You Go On Natural
SFX Pachinko Parlour In Shinjuku
04 - Yukihiro Takahashi - Mirrormanic
05 - Shoukichi Kina - Mimichiri Bozu
SFX Demonstration At Shibuya
06 - Lizard - Sa Ka Na
SFX Video Games In Ginza
07 - Hikashu - The Model
SFX Fire In Downtown Asakusa
08 - Salon Music - Hunting On Paris
SFX Indecisive Guy In McDonalds Shibuya
09 - Akiko Yano - Canton Boy

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Ippu-Do - Radio Fantasy (81 * 61mb)

Ippu-Do debuted in 1980 with the new wave-influenced Normal, on which the trio (Tsuchiya on vocals and guitar, Akira Mitake on keyboards, and Shoji Fujii on drums) sound a little like a Nipponese version of New Musik or Split Enz. The trio quickly followed this with Real, which was more of the same, but 1981's Radio Fantasy (the trio's first release outside of Japan) was almost completely electronic. The group went on hiatus after that release, with Tsuchiya beginning his solo career and his temporary membership in Japan (played guitar with Japan on the Asian tour documented on the live album Oil on Canvas). A best-of disc, Lunatic Menu, was released in 1982 in Japan and the U.K. YMO's Ryuichi Sakamoto collaborated with Tsuchiya on his 1982 solo album Rice Music.

When Ippu-Do reappeared in late 1983, they were reduced to a duo of Tsuchiya and Mitake. Supported by drummer Steve Jansen and keyboardist Richard Barbieri of Japan and American bassist Percy Jones, the duo recorded the danceable Night Mirage, a supple blend of Japan's crystalline sound with some surprising R&B and funk rhythms. A two-disc live set with this lineup, Live and Zen, came out in 1984, but Tuschiya returned to his solo career at that point, bidding farewell to Ippu-Do with a well-chosen compilation in 1985.



01 - Radio Cosmos (2:15)
02 - Time Of The Season (4:14)
03 - Radio Fantasy (2:44)
04 - Yomotolo-Waiya (1:43)
05 - China Step (2:41)
06 - Radio Japan (2:45)
07 - Imitation Cha Cha (2:59)
08 - Morning Menu (1:47)
09 - Magic Vox (4:46)
10 - Mission Impossible Theme (2:24)
11 - Dubling Radio (0:56)
12 - Listen To Me (4:23)
13 - I Need You (3:59)

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* All downloads are in * ogg-7 (224k) or ^ ogg-9(320k), artwork is included , if in need get the nifty ogg encoder/decoder here !

TransSiberia-China Express

Hello again, a trans - siberian post coming up ending in China. But first, as noted in the comments many of my links have been scrapped, after i re uploaded the eurosonic ones again last weekend to divshare, sunday they mailed me and told me i was in breach and they scrapped all links i had there, it was no joke. Safe to say i wasnt very happy about all this, specially as my aim is to see those that get so little of the limelight to get some. I guess there's an enormous pool of hamburger terrorists.

Well this musicmeal acquires some adventurous tasting, but as most of you probably know these guys know their cooking.

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Yat-Kha - Yenisei-Punk
VA - The Heart of Tuva
Altai Hangai - Naariits Biilye ( Let's Dance)
VA - Voice of the Dragon
Double Fish - Hackers, My One Week
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Yat-Kha - Yenisei-Punk (95 * 106mb)

If you've never seen one mouth singing two or three separate simultaneous melodies, you really need to get out more. Go to Tuva, for example, a remote republic in Siberia surrounded by mountains and filled with moonshiners, miners and cows. There you will find shamanic folk songs played on unpronounceable instruments by bearded men with grizzly, guttural voices that will pimple your skin forever.

Yat-Kha was founded in Moscow in 1991, as a collaborative project between Kuvezin and Russian avant-garde, electronic composer Ivan Sokolovsky. The project blended traditional Tuvan folk music with post-modern rhythms and electronic effects. Kuvezin and Sokolovsky toured and played festivals, and eventually took the name “Yat-Kha,” which refers to a type of small, Central Asian zither similar to a Chinese Guzheng that Kuvezin plays in addition to the guitar. In 1993, they released a self-titled album on the General Records label. After the release of Yat-Kha, Kuvezin and Sokolovsky parted creative ways and Kuvezin went on to release five other albums under the name Yat-Kha with other musicians (and less of an emphasis on electronics), beginning with Yenisei Punk in 1995, with morin khuur player Alexei Saaia, subse quently released; Tundra's Ghosts (1996/97) , Dalai Beldiri (1999), Aldyn Dashka (2000), Bootleg (2001, live), Tuva Rock (2003), Re-Covers (2005) and
Bootleg 2005 another live album.

The Re-covers record made the biggest splash, from the opening strum of Led Zeppelin's 'When The Levee Breaks', 'Re-Covers' sets its stall as a reverent but unapologetic album. Simmering the song to its bones, Kuvezin rebuilds it as a Siberian folk masterpiece, his unnervingly deep growl spinning a magical, mesmeric tale over the delicate instrumentation. Unfortunately his work is hard to come by, so here's a chance.



01 - Solun Chaagai Soviet Churtum (5:11)
02 - Karangailyg Kara Hovaa (Dyngyldai) (3:07)
03 - Kaa-Khem (5:11)
04 - Kuu-La Khashtyn Baaryndan (4:11)
05 - Kamgalanyr Kuzhu-Daa Bar (3:20)
06 - Irik Chuduk (3:25)
07 - Chashpy-Khem (4:18)
08 - Kadarchy (4:54)
09 - Chok-La Kizhi Yry (4:07)
10 - Een Kurug Kagban-Na Men (2:56)
11 - Toorugtug Taiga (4:23)
12 - Kargyram (10:32)
13 - Kozhamyk (3:46)
14 - Doshpuluurum (2:26)

Yat Kha @ Base
Yat Kha @ Amazon

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VA - The Heart of Tuva (96 * 152mb)

Within a region of Siberia/Mongolian border that is called Tuva, there is more freezing weather than all of the Great Lakes region combined, surrounded by mountains and desert. This is a land where wrestling, games with sheep bones and carnivore appetites are a standard. In 1921, a group of herders created this country after Russians, Chinese, Turks, Huns, Mongols and other armies had over-run the land continuously.

So, what exactly is 'throat singing' then? Basically, it involves overtones that are heard in new music, applied to voices. Höömeï is the name applied to it though it is really only one of three or four styles also including sygyt and kargyraa. You hear a deep humming groan, mixed with a high pitched whistling sound. To practice this art, it's recommended not only to carefully practice proper breathing/inhaling and diet (no cold food before trying to do it) but also to, in the words of champion singer Kongar-ool Ondar, "be in an very uplifted mood; your soul, your inner spiritual voice, must be strong." Sometimes, three voicings are heard in one person's singing. Usually, it's done acapella by a single voice (but with its multi-voicing style, a singer may sound like a whole group). Unlike anything you've ever heard.



01 - Kongar-ool Onda - Medley of Throat Singing Styles Accompanied by Doshpuulur
02 - Aldyn-ool Sevek - Demonstration of Kargyraa
03 - Oleg Kuular - Collection of Hoomei Styles
04 - Oorzhak Khunashtaar-ool - Bolur-daa-bol, Bolbas-daa-bol
05 - Oorzhak Khunashtaar-ool - Eder-daa-bol, Etpes-daa-bol
06 - Bilchi-Maa Davaa - Hoomei Lullaby
07 - Shaktar Shulban - Demonstration of Sygyt and Kargyraa
08 - Kongar-ool Ondar - Dymzhuktaar
09 - Kaigal-ool Khovalyg - Fantasy on the Igil
10 - Kongar-ool Ondar - Fast Words
11 - Kongar-ool Ondar - Shamanic Prayer for Richard Feynman
12 - Nadezhda Kuular and the Tuvan State Ensemble Sayani - Teve Haia (Camel Rock)
13 - Sainkho Nahchylak - Bai-laa Taigam
14 - Mikhail Alperin et al - Prayer I
15 - Huun-Huur-Tu, with the Bulgarian Women's Choir Angelite et al - Fly, Fly My Sadness
16 - Oleg Kuular, Michail Alperin, et al - In the Cathedral
17 - Oleg Kuular, Michail Alperin, et al - Tuvan Industrial
18 - Albert Kuvezin and Yat-Kha - Yenisei-Punk
19 - Paul 'Earthquake' Pena - Kargyraa Moan
20 - Kongar-ool Ondar and Paul 'Earthquake' Pena - What You Talkin' About


Heart of Tuva @ Amazon

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Altai Hangai - Naariits Biilye ( Let's Dance)

Altai-Hangai is a group of musicians and singers from Mongolia. Named after the Altai mountains and the Hangai steppes, large natural reserves in Central and Western Mongolia. It all started in 1993, at the begining of summer, near a small village called Khudlaani Nuur. Here the locals, and some travellers gathered to celebrate - the summer games, like wrestling, arching and car maintanance (!) all well supported by plenty of wild Kumis ( fermented mare's milk, beerlike alcoholcontent). Here after partaking the bandmembers, Palamshav Childaa (Good Day), Ganbold Muukha (Inflexible Metal), Ganzorig Nergui (Strong Heart) , Byambakhishig Lhagva (Saturday's Present) met and gave their first spontanous concert.Since they have spent much time spreading their music through Europe and the US. Using traditional Mongolian instruments and forms, not only do they produce traditional music, but they have recently started producing some jazz fusion music as well. As for releases its hard to get a picture, they lack a webpresence "Gone with the wind" and this Let's dance are the only titles ive come across.



01 - Joroo Mori
02 - Tsatsal
03 - Jargalan
04 - Ikh Tatlaga
05 - Baltsin Kheer
06 - Naariits Biilye
07 - Tawan Khazakh
08 - Seden Zaluu
09 - Tooraan Tsagaan
10 - Jonon Khariin Yawdal
11 - Uyeiin Ulaan Tsar
12 - Göölöö Gemgomiin
13 - Sarig Tsagaan Ingenii
14 - Mongoliin Bükh
15 - Shuvtardag
16 - Hoton Ardiin Tatlagariin
17 - Khan Khökiig Nuruu
18 - Buuwein Duu
19 - Tsogtaal Biilye
20 - Bögööjei Gelgui Yakhaw
21 - Khotgoidiin Unaga
22 - Hangain Magtaal


Liner notes
Altai-Hangai @ Amazon

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VA - Voice of the Dragon ( 05 * 210mb)

This compilation CD was issued on the occasion of the Amsterdam China Festival 2005. Voice, well voices of the dragon would be better , this cd includes many different communities, from Tibetans and Mongolians to Miaao, Yi, Uighur, Tujia and Koreans, not to mention the Manchu, Zhuang and Buyi chinese speaking but with their own musical culture. China has the size of europe with more than double the number of inhabitants. Music and high spirits form an inseparable unity in chinese culture, be it the ritual- court music or wilder village bands, high-brow meditations for zither or the ebullent opera, all express a deep heartfelt joy and passion for life and music. A commitment that's been continued by current day pop, rock and avant garde.

The tracks on these cd's are not neatly grouped by region or genre, they form on on going 'soundscape' with deliberately programmed contrasts and unexpected cross-links. Enjoy this musical journey, "Yi lu shun feng !"



Voice of the Dragon 1 (*103mb)

01 - Li Jun, Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe - Peking Opera 'Farewell At Sha Bridge'
02 - Gong Linna, Musicians Of Wu Xing Et Al - 'Walking The Path Of Life'
03 - Hong Kong Sinfonietta Tsung Yeh - Liu Tianhua 'Beautiful Night', For Strings
04 - Various Artists - Dong Vocal Polyphony (Guizhou) 'i Use A Blue Cloth To Hide My Heart'
05 - Wu Man, Pipa (Lute) - Improvisation, For Pipa Solo
06 - Huo Yanggang, Banhu (Fiddle) - 'Qinqiang', For Banhu Solo
07 - Sheng Xiaoyun, Vocals Pipa - Suzhou Story Singing 'Parting At West Lake'
08 - Zhan Yangming (Bamboo Flute) & Ensemble - 'Ripening Grapes In Turfan'
09 - Three Excerpts - Zhuang And Yao Vocal Polyphony (Guangxi)
10 - Ma Guoguo, Jew's Harp - Jew's Harp Solo Of The Yi 'Torch Festival Night'
11 - Uyghur Musicians From Xinjiang - Raq Muqam Of Ili
12 - With Robert Zollitsch, Zither - Urna_ 'Öör Yörtönch', Mongolian Chant
13 - Lin Shicheng & Gao Hong, Pipa - Pipa Duet 'Three Six' (San Liu)
14 - Li Shiren Et Al - Shawm Band Music From Liaoning 'Blow The Fair'
15 - Shen Wei Et Al., Guangzhou - 'Thunder In Drought', Cantonese Music
16 - Shanghai Chinese Orchestra_Xia Feiyun - Zhu Jian Er 'Days Of Emancipation'
17 - Liu Yilong, Shanghai Kunqu Troupe - Kunqu_ Excerpt From The Opera Nie Hai Ji
18 - Dai Xiaolian, Qin (Zither) Solo - 'Parasol Leaves Dancing In The Autumn Wind'
19 - Chong Liao, Piano - Wang Lisan_ 'Sonatina' For Piano (1957), Part 1
20 - Qiu Ji, Zheng (Zither) Solo - Xu Xiaolin 'Ode To Guizhou'
21 - Nieuw Ensemble - Guo Wenjing_ Drama, For 3 Percussionists (2003) (Excerpt)
22 - CNSO_Chen Zuohuang - Red Detachment Of Women (1965) (2 Excerpts)

Voice of the Dragon 2 (107mb)

01 - Adia & Jui-Chuan Chang, Taipei, Taiwan - Taiwanese Rock_ 'Xu' _ 'Chang'
02 - Second-Hand Rose Band - Beijing Rock_ 'Picking Flowers'
03 - Yuan Sha, Zheng (Zither) Solo - 'Raindrops Falling On The Plantain'
04 - Zhan Yongming, Dizi (Bamboo Flute) Solo - 'Spring Morning On West Lake'
05 - Subhendra Rao, Sitar, Gao Hong, Pipa, Ty Burhoe, Tabla - 'Morning' (Excerpt)
06 - Tanzin, Gannan (Amdo Tibet) - 'Thunder Echoes', Tibetan Folk Song
07 - Chinese Orchestra Of The Beijing Central Conservatory - 'Flowing Waters'
08 - Unidentified Singer, Qinghai - 'Sweet Voiced Cuckoo' Tibetan 'bluegrass'
09 - Folk Musicians, Changsha - Funeral Music For Shawm Band (Hunan)
10 - Wu Tong & China Magpies - 'Blue Little Flower' (Lanhuahua)
11 - Chen Mei-O, Han-Tang Yuefu - 'Outside The Garden' Nanguan (Excerpt)
12 - Hubei Provincial Museum Ensemble - Hubei Chime Bells_ 'Moonlit Night'
13 - Liang Yurong - Cantonese Opera_ 'Ode To Xiao Mingxing' (Excerpt).ogg
14 - Various Artists - Miao Mouth Organs (Guizhou)_ 'Making The Girls Smile'
15 - Quanji - 'Let Us Meet Where The Grass Is Green', Miao Folk Song
16 - Xianxia Society, Shanghai - Jiangnan Teahouse Music_ 'Lao San Liu'
17 - Various Artists - Yi Vocal Polyphony (Yunnan)_ 'Mother's Little Girl'
18 - Li Yatai, Jiangsu - 'In Liuhe Town Lived Old Liu', Chinese 'rap' (Kuaiban)
19 - Tianjin Buddhist Ensemble - Buddhist Music_ Xingdao Zhang (Excerpt)
20 - Quanzhou Marionette Troupe Orchestra - Guo Xian Cao, Puppet Theatre Music
21 - Wang Falan, Bingling - 'Mountain Song', Gansu Folk Song (Hua'er)
22 - Yang Xue, Erhu (Fiddle) Solo - Liu Tianhua_ 'Bird Call On The Mountain'
23 - Wang Jianhua Et Al - 'Havoc In Heaven', For Chinese Percussion (Excerpt)


Compilers

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Double Fish - Hackers (ep2)My One Week(ep3) ( 05 * 67mb)

Zhu Jianhui aka Double Fish is a Chinese artist and musician whose work circulates internationally, his interest in contemporary global culture, hacker aesthetics, and art shapes shapes his practice. In addition to his music, Double Fish founded the independent record label, Reconfiguration Records (www.reconfiguration-records.com) and released the label's first compilation,"The Sound of Silence Project, including artists from mainland China, Hong Kong and Poland.

In October 2005, electronic music label Bedzoo Records pressed Double Fish's first EP1 "inter net" while the Polish label, Audiotong, launched his EP2, "hackers." Other pieces are on the compilation "Shanshui Records Landscape 2" which contains the "Single Hackers (generation 2)." Similarly, the magazine "I Love Rock 'n Roll" enclosed his single, "z6," on volume 32 (2005) and "Experimental No. 1" on volume 15 (2004).Performances include "Improvisational Noiz Play" in Guangzhou, China (2005). More recently Zhu performed "Mini MIDI" at the Beijing MIDI Festival and other solo material at the 3rd 2pi music festival in Hangzhou, China. Professionally, he is working with the director Caofei to compose music and sound effects for the "Pearl River Delta Hero" for the 2nd China Guangzhou Triennial (Nov 2005).



01 - Danger Signal (1:24)
02 - Supernatural Visit (2:41)
03 - Clockwork Toy (2:40)
04 - Hackers (Generation One) (3:57)
05 - Noncasual Attack (3:57)
06 - Liquid Program (2:27)
07 - Electronic Frog (2:00)
08 - Machine Man (2:45)
My One Week
09 - Not White!!!
10 - Interview
11 - Interview Again
12 - Make your own beat
13 - Happy Cat(RMX Com.A)
14 - Galaxy
15 - No Sunday

Double Fish @ Base

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* All downloads are in * ogg-7 (224k) or ^ ogg-9(320k), artwork is included , if in need get the nifty ogg encoder/decoder here !

In From The Cold Again

Amazing aurora's in this clip, accompanied by some music from the great Kimmo Pohjonen, nature can be be so beautiful , rejoice and awe !

No rest for the wicked, after some extensive bathing in the Icelandic hotwater pools, it's time to journey via the arctic towards Siberia and onwards to Tibet and China before settling in Japan the remainder of april. So without further ado..

A few months ago when posting episode 5 - France of the eurosonic tour i got a request for another Hector Zazou album, Songs from the cold Seas, well as we're crossing those cold seas on our way to the continent here it is. Back on land we meet arctic citizen Geir Jensen, aka Biosphere again, i posted his Shenzou before, this time his piece de resistance, Substrata, remastered and together with the soundtrack for Man With A Movie Camera, i tell you it ill make your speakers quiverrrr.. The arctic is of cause famous for its aurora's, it inspired the Colours magazine at least to start up north with the colours and music series i presenting artists from scandinavia, strangely though the cover is black and white hmm those art-directors..

Mari Boine sings in her Sami language, bangs the drum and delivers her shaman music supported by nordic jazzgreats. Her work is related to the music of the Tungus people of Siberia, whom we'll meet more extensive in my next post coming wednes day but are represented already here today by Huun-Huur-Tu, make sure you have something for your throat at hand in case you want to sing along with them..

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Cool Frost Bytes

Hector Zazou - Songs from the Cold Seas (95)
Biosphere - Substrata/Man With A Movie Camera (01)
VA - Colors Nordic (01)
Mari Boine - Eight Seasons (Gávcci Jahkejuogu) (02)
Huun-Huur-Tu - Best-Live (01)

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Hector Zazou - Songs from the cold seas ( 95 * 285mb)

Hector Zazou has proven himself as a creative force behind several unsual projects, as a unique musical arranger and producer called upon for his constant capacity of innovation.Whether it be for string quartet, wind instruments, classical voices or synthesizers, all illustrate Zazou's passion for the most unexpected inventions. The album "Les Nouvelles Polyphonies Corses" (1991- a successful experiment blending century-old a-cappella songs with shades of contemporary music) The following year Hector's "Sahara Blue" was released: the album, based on the work of the French poet Arthur Rimbaud and performed by the Sahara Blue Orchestra stars David Sylvian, Bill Laswell, Khaled, Dead Can Dance, Gérard Depardieu among other guests. available here

Inspired by the musical folk traditions of the Northern Hemisphere, Hector's next adventure was "Songs From The Cold Seas" (1995), a literal journey through Siberian Shamanism, Scandinavian folk songs, Japanese ballads and Greenland mythology featuring an impressive cast of musicians including Värttina, Tokiko Kako, Suzanne Vega, Björk, Siouxsie and Jane Siberry. Released in 1998, "Lights In The Dark" – an exploration of ancient sacred Celtic music from the XIIth century featured some of the most beautiful Irish voices (Katie Mc Mahon, Breda Mayock and Lasairfhiona Ni Chonaola), a gospel choir and guest appearances by Mark Isham, Carlos Nuñez, Caroline Lavelle or Peter Gabriel.



01 - Annuka Suaren Neito (Ft - Värttinä)
02 - Visur Vatnsenda-Rosu (Ft - Björk)
03 - The long Voyage (Ft - John Cale, Suzanne Vega)
04 - Havet Stomar (Ft - Lena Willemark)
05 - Adventures In The Scandinavian Skin Trade (Ft - Vimme Saari)
06 - She's Like A Swallow (Ft - Jane Siberry)
07 - The Lighthouse (Ft - Siouxsie)
08 - Oran Na Maighdean Mhara (Ft - Catherine-Ann Macphee)
09 - Yaisa Maneena (Ft - Tokiko Kato)
10 - Yakut Song (Ft - Lioudmila Khandi )
11 - Song Of The Water ( Ft - Kilabuk, Nooveya)

Zazou @ Wiki
Zazou @ Amazon

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Biosphere - Substrata / Man With A Movie Camera

Geir Jensen, aka Biosphere, was born in 1962 in Tromsø, a city within the Arctic Circle in the northernmost portion of Norway, no real surprise then this "arctic sound" label stuck. In 1983, he composed his first piece of music. In 1985, Jenssen was part of the newly-created Norwegian moody synth trio Bel Canto. They released their first two albums together. In 1989, he left the band in order to pursue a different music style altogether.

Following the release of The North Pole By Submarine (90), Jenssen chose a new musical direction and began releasing his music as Biosphere. Getting his first Biosphere album, Microgravity a wider release wasnt easy, however when it did, it got rave reviews. The follow up Patashnik, saw Jenssen continue to explore his ambient-house beatless style. The uptempo track "Novelty Waves" was picked by Levis to support an add campaign and a single with 5 remixes was released.
In 97 Geir released Substrata a classic amongst ambient albums, it really established him as an ambient giant. In 2000 he released Cirque, which unsurprisingly wasnt as impressive as its predecessor.

In 2001 Biosphere released a remastered version of Substrata together with the soundtrack to Man With A Movie Camera movie. In 1997, the year Substrata was released, Geir Jenssen was commissioned by the Tromso International Film Festival to write a new soundtrack for 1929 Man With A Movie Camera film, by Russian director Dziga Vertow. Jenssen worked with fellow Norwegian Per Martinsen, aka Mental Overdrive, from Vertow’s instructions for musical accompaniment. Each musician worked on every other part. There are numerous similarities between Substrata and Jenssen’s compositions for this soundtrack. Man With A Movie Camera is not as arid as Substrata, field recordings collide with orchestras, accordions, beat patterns and samples from old French movies to create a multicoloured patchwork of incredible diversity.done in collaboration with Per Martinsen aka Mental Overdrive, added are two bonus tracks for the Japanese version of Substrata.



Biosphere - Substrata / Man With A Movie Camera (97/ 01 ^443mb)

01 - As The Sun Kissed The Horizon (1:47)
02 - Poa Alpina (4:11)
03 - Chukhung (7:34)
04 - The Things I Tell You (6:28)
05 - Times When I Know You'll Be Sad (3:44)
06 - Hyperborea (5:45)
07 - Kobresia (7:12)
08 - Antennaria (5:04)
09 - Uva-Ursi (3:01)
10 - Sphere Of No-Form (5:47)
11 - Silene (7:53)
Man With A Movie Camera
12 - Prologue (0:19)
13 - The Silent Orchestra (7:52)
14 - City Wakes Up (5:58)
15 - Freeze-Frames (6:46)
16 - Manicure (4:43)
17- The Club (1:57)
18 - Ballerina (7:50)

19 - The Eye Of The Cyclone (Japanese Substrata bonus)(7:22)
20 - Endurium (Japanese Substrata bonus)(10:47)

Biosphere @ Base

Biosphere @ Amazon

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VA- Colors Nordic (397mb)

"Nordic the first issue of Colors Music, focuses on the more sophisticated context of Scandinavia where jazz clubs and jazz music has a strong presence and where traditional music has given a new insight of atmospheres that recall Scandinavian traditions. The Nordic context is full of atmospheric melodies and new jazz structures", from the Colour magazine supporting this release United Colours of ... Well there's some good stuff here so don't let it pass you.



01 - Blue Foundation - Grand (5:02)
02 - Röyksopp - Sparks (5:25)
03 - Xploding Plastix - More Powah To Yah (5:26)
04 - Jimi Tenor - Grilli-Iloa (2:51)
05 - He Said Omala - Troubled Mind (4:55)
06 - Pan Sonic - Lomittain (3:50)
07 - Mind Over MIDI - Walkman (4:21)
08 - Motion Control - Cleavage (2:53)
09 - City Of Women - Tablakone (6:26)
10 - Goran Kajfes - Bumblebees (6:29)
11 - Nils Petter Molvær - Solid Ether (5:11)
12 - Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson & Sigur Rós - Yfirum (4:12)
13 - Múm - Green Grass Of Tunnel (4:50)
14 - Deathprod - Polytwin (2:29)


Colors Nordic @ Amazon.Ca

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Mari Boine - Eight Seasons (Gávcci Jahkejuogu) ( 02 * 353mb)

Sápmi, which reaches down the north-west coast of Norway, across the top of Sweden and, its southern edge veering north of the Arctic Circle, stretches eastward into northern Finland and the Kola peninsula of north-west Russia, is the homeground of the Sámi race. Estimates vary, but there are much less than 100,000 people - perhaps 75,000 or fewer - who might reasonably be described in terms of heredity, lifestyle or language as Sámi. They have never been a nation, and speak several mutually non-comprehensible languages of the Finno-Ugrian linguistic group, the most prevalent of them being North Sámi, the one spoken by Mari Boine.

Eight Seasons, is her first for the new Jazzland label run by keyboardest Bugge Wesseltoft, who also plays on and produced the CD. While Boine might seem a curious choice for a "jazz" label, her music is not that far from what fits into the jazz mold today. Boine has guested on several ECM recordings by saxophonist Jan Gabarek, and he returns the favor by playing on I come From The Other Side. Wesseltoft brings an electronic edge to Boine's acoustic music. The song opens up with Mari singing over a synth pad, then a heavy drum beat and bass enters. To his credit, Wesseltoft has captured the rhythmic trance of Boine's music without destroying the heritage. Gabarek adds alto sax, weaving his lines around Boine's voice, which is in the same register. At times it's almost difficult to tell which is which, as they blend together so well. As a side note, most of the vocals here are sung in Boine's Sami dialect, which adds to the richness of the music.

Mari Boine's sound is powerful expressive organic-sounding world music, musically both primal and sophisticated at the same time. One buzz-word when Sámi music is mentioned is shamanism; the word originates with the Tungus people of Siberia, and what is generally accepted as shamanism is found in many parts of the world, but it does seem to be a word that observers utter whenever a Sámi bangs a drum. It follows that Mari's music is best experienced live, where she can express her presence in the music best.



01 - Boađan Nuppi Bealde / I Come From The Other Side (5:35)
02 - Song For The Unborn / Reagákeahtes (6:36)
03 - Sáráhka Viina / Sáráhka's Wine (4:42)
04 - Guovssahasaid Ájagáttis / By The Source of Aurora B (6:04)
05 - Sielu Dálkkas / Soul Medicine (4:57)
06 - Mu Váibmu Vádjul Doppe / Hymn (4:19)
07 - Butterfly / Beaivelottáš (4:16)
08 - Liegga Gokčas Sis' / In A Blanket Of Warmth (7:05)
09 - It Dieđe / You Never Know (4:38)
10 - Duottar Rássi / Tundra Flower (4:34)
11 - Silba Várjala / Let Silver Protect (7:59)
12 - Bottoža Dáhtun / Give Me A Break (3:32)

Mari Boine @ MySpace
Mari Boine @ Amazon

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Huun-Huur-Tu - Best-Live ( 01 * 234mb)

The xöömei quartet Kungurtuk was founded in 1992 by Kaigal-ool Khovalyg, brothers Alexander and Sayan Bapa, and Albert Kuvezin. Not long afterwards, the group changed its name to Huun-Huur-Tu, meaning "sunbeams" (lit. sun propeller). The focus of their music was traditional Tuvan folk songs, frequently featuring imagery of the Tuvan steppe or of horses. The ensemble released its first album, 60 Horses In My Herd (93), the following year. By the time recording began for the follow-up, The Orphan's Lament (1994), Kuvezin had left the band to form the more rock-oriented Yat-Kha, he was replaced by Anatoli Kuular. In 1995, Alexander Bapa, who had produced the first two albums, departed the band to pursue production as a full-time career. He was replaced by Alexei Saryglar . The third album, If I'd Been Born An Eagle, recorded in the Netherlands, was released in 97. In early 1999, the band released its fourth album, Where Young Grass Grows. For the first time on a Huun-Huur-Tu album, non-Tuvan instruments (except for the guitar) were featured, including harp, tabla, Scottish smallpipe and synthesiser. Huun-Huur-Tu toured in the USA with the Kronos Quartet, Frank Zappa, The Chieftains and L. Shankar to namedrop some.

In 2001, the band released their first live album, Best * Live, recorded at the "Music & Drama Theatre" during Millarit's Folk Festival in Petrozavodsk, Karelia (North-West Russia) in April 2001. In 2003, Kuular quit the band and was replaced by Andrey Mongush, an experienced teacher of xöömei and Tuvan instruments. They released a second live album, aswell as Spirits from Tuva



01 - Ancestors ! Prayer (6:55)
02 - Oske Cherde (2:54)
03 - Barlyk River (3:04)
04 - Chiraa-Khoo (5:52)
05 - Fantasy On the Igil (6:01)
06 - Eerbek-Aksy (1:43)
07 - Kongurei (5:03)
08 - Ching Söörtukchülerining Yrysy ! Song of the Caravan Drivers (7:19)
09 - Borbanngadyr (3:27)
10 - Ezir-Kara (4:42)

Huun-Huur-Tu @ Base
Huun-Huur-Tu @ YouTube

Huun-Huur-Tu @ Amazon

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* All downloads are in * ogg-7 (224k) or ^ ogg-9(320k), artwork is included , if in need get the nifty ogg encoder/decoder here !

Stage 35, The Eurosonics Compilation

Stage 35, Eurosonics Compilation yes everything in one go, linked to the pages. But first some figures these last 4 months Rho-Xs generated 60,000 hits, considering i remain, unfortunately, a rarety promoting the open source OGG format, which btw is superior to the commercial MP3 format, i can say i'm glad to have seen this much interest. I posted about 20 gig in this context (220 albums) .
Well i hope that i made a case for all thats out there in places rarely considered by the MacDonaldized music industry, this in Europe, let alone the rest of the world, i hope to see more blogs promoting the music made locally. I will continue to travel expect an arcticpost be followed by the great outdoors..Siberia
 before reaching Japan, so much going on there that  rarely reaches the west.

Last week i used Divshare as mediafire was resetting, i ve used it at my Rho-Xsss since the welsh post, it seems it us undergoing growth problems at this time- widely varying downloadspeeds , so i remain with mediafire here, let me know if it works for you. 

PS- For some reason blogger squeezes the pics when those get longer- the pics are all 12 cm wide, if you want a better look go to Rho-Xsss

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01 - Austria
Dargaard - In Nomine Aeternitatis
GD Luxxe - The 21st Door
Peace Orchestra - Reset
Sofa Surfers - En
VA - G-Stone (Kruder & Dorfmeister)
02 - Austria 2
Tosca - Delhi 9
Tosca - Delhi 9 Etheric
Truby Trio - Elevator Music
Fennesz - Endless Summer
VA - Vienna Scientists II -More Puffs From Our Laboratories

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03 - Germany South
Carl Orf's - Camina Burana
Fauna Flash - Fusion
FunkStorung - Disconnected (02)
NoTwist - Shrink (98)
Tied & Tickled Trio - Electric Avenue Tape (01)
Kammerflimmer Kollektief - Cicadae
Bergheim 34 - It's Not For You, As It Is For Us

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04 - Switserland
Carlos Peron - Impersonator II (88)
The Young Gods - Only Heaven (95)
The Young Gods - Heaven Deconstruction (96)
Golden Boy with Miss Kitten - Or (01)

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05 - France South East
Miss Kitten - Electroclash (02)
Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Press Color (79)
Penumbra - Seclusion (03)
M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts (01)
Zazou / Bikaye - Guilty (88)
Hector Zazou - Sahara Blue (92)
Les Nouvelles Polyphonies Corses avec H Zazou (91)

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06 - Spain
B-Tribe - Suave Suave (95)
Ojos De Brujo - Bari (03)
Schwarz - Arty party (04)
Ketama - Songhai (88)
07 - Spain Portugal
Amparanoia - Rebeldía con Alegría
Radio Tarifa - Rumba Argelina (95)
Manta Ray - Esperanza (00)
Madredeus - Electronico (01)
Moonspell - Wolfheart (95)
Rui da Silva - Produced & Remixed Compilation (02)

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08 - France ici Paris
Carte de Sejour - RhoRhoManie (84)
Vitalic - Ok Cowboy (04)
Motorbass - Pansoul (96)
Avril - That Horse Must Be Starving (02)
Ethnician - Ethnician (99)
VA - Rue Martel - Ya Basta (99)
09 - France ici Paris Deux
Alansky, Jay - Les yeux crevés (02)
Ekova - Soft Breeze & Tsunami Breaks (99)
DJ Cam - Substances (96)
Bertrand Burgalat - The Sssound of Mmmusic (00)
Encre - Flux (02)

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10 - Belgium
Telex - Neurovision (04)
Ghinzu - Blow (04)
Novastar - Another Lonely Soul (04)
Front 242 - Back Catalogue (87)
Ontayso - Re-Mixed, Re-Worked, Re-Constructed And Re-Invented (02)
2ManyDJs - As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 2 (02)
11 - Belgium BE
The Names - Swimming (82)
Vive La Fete - Nuit Blanche (03)
Hoover - A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular (96)
dEUS - Worst Case Scenario (94)
Magnus - The Body Gave you Everything (04)
TC Matic - TC Matic (81-06)
D.A.A.U. - Domestic Wildlife (06)

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12 - Netherlands
Clan Of Xymox - Clan Of Xymox (85)
Clan Of Xymox - Subsequent Pleasures (84)
Kraak & Smaak - Boogie Angst (05)
Mecano - Subtiteld & Untiteld ( 80)
Gathering, The - Souvenirs (03)
Speedy J - G*Spot (95)
Herman Brood - My Way 01
13 - Netherlands SE
Clashing Egos - Rubicon ( ' 04 )
Solex - Pick Up ( ' 99)
Junkie XL - Saturday Teenage Kick ( ' 97 )
Legowelt - Classics 1998-2003 ( ' 03)
Voicst - 11-11 ( ' 04)
Kettel - Cenny Crush ( ' 02 )
Ayreon -The Electric Castle (98)

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14 - Germany NDW
D.A.F. - DAF ( ' 81- ' 84)
Kowalski - Schlagende Wetter (overman underground ' 82 )
Der Plan - Geri Reig ( ' 80)
Einstuerzende Neubauten - Halber Mensch ( ' 85)
Nina Hagen Band - I ( ' 78)
Xao Seffcheque - Sehr Gut, Kommt Sehr Gut ( ' 80)
Palais Schaumburg - Lupa ( ' 82)
----Holger Hiller - Ein Bündel Fäulnis In Der Grube ( ' 83)
Die Neue Deutsche Welle War Da Da Da ......Wie Was Wo ? (' 79 - 83)
Zaza - Zaza

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15 - Germany KraftwerkWorld
Kraftwerk - Trans-Europe Express ( ' 77)
Kraftwerk - Computerworld (' 81)
Kraftwerk - R emi X e S
Elektric Music - Esperanto ( ' 93)
Yamo - Time Pie ( ' 96)
Various plastic surgery on The Model
Senor Coconut - El Baile Alemán ( ' 00)
Terre Thaemlitz - Die Roboter Rubuto ( ' 97)
VA - Trans Slovenia Express ( ' 94 )

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16 - Germany West
Thomas Brinkmann - Row ( ' 02 )
Mouse On Mars - Niun niggung ( ' 99 )
DaDamnPhreakNoizPhunk - Take off da hot sweater ( ' 02 )
Anthony Rother - Life is Life is Love ( ' 03)
The Modernist - Explosion ( ' 99 )
Isolee - We are monster ( ' 05 )

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17 - Germany Berlin
To Rococo Rot - Hotel morgen ( ' 04)
Allien, Ellen - Stadtkind ( ' 01)
Tanzwut - Labyrinth der Sinne ( ' 00)
T.Raumschmiere - Radio blackout ( ' 03)
Thomas Fehlmann - Good Fridge 90-98 (' 98)
Malaria ! - Delirium (Remixed*Remade*Remodelled) ( ' 95 )
Rammstein - Live aus Berlin (' 99)

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18 - Germany North
Ledernacken - Double Album ( ' 85 )
Mense Reents - Aus Freien Stucken ( ' 03)
Project Pitchfork - The Early Years ( ' 96)
Timo Maas - Loud ( ' 01)
Ulrich Schnauss - Far away trains passing by ( ' 01.)
International Pony - We Love Music ( ' 02)

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19 - Denmark not to be
Kliche - Supertanker ( ' 80)
Diefenbach - Set & drift ( ' 05)
Efterklang - Tripper ( ' 04)
Sort Sol (Black Sun) - Under en Sort Sol ( ' 80)
Under Byen - Det er mig der holder træerne sammen ( ' 02)
Kashmir - No Balance Palace ( ' 05)
20 - Danmark to be or
Laid Back - Keep Smiling ( ' 83)
Safri Duo - Episode 2 ( ' 02)
Mew - Frengers ( ' 03)
Saybia - Live @ O13 ( ' 03)
Bliss - Quiet Letters ( ' 03)
Lampshade - Because Trees Can Fly ( ' 03)

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21 - Sweden

Twice A Man - Music For Girls ( ' 82)

Garmarna - Vedergallningen ( ' 99)
Lucky People Center - Interspecies Communication ( ' 95)
DK7 - Disarmed ( ' 05)
Stina Nordenstam - This Is ( ' 01)
Beyer, Adam - Ignition key( ' 02)
22 - Sweden SE
Per Cussion - Don't Stop 83
Radio Dept - Lesser Matters ( ' 04)
Hedningarna - Hedningarna (1989-2003) ( ' 03)
The Knife - Deep Cuts ( ' 03)
Khoma - The Second Wave ( ' 06)
Pain - Rebirth ( ' 99)

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23 - Finland
Kimmo Pohjonen - Kluster 03
Jori Hulkkonen - Selkäsaari Tracks 96
Rasmus, The - Hide From The Sun 04
Pan Sonic - Aaltopiiri 99
Mr Velcro Fastener - Lucky Bastards Living Up North 99
Apocalyptica - Apocalyptica 04
24 - Finland Linux ed.
Erkki Kurenniemi - Äänityksiä Recordings 1963-1973 ( 02)
Värttinä - Seleniko ( 92)
Jimi Tenor - Europa ( 95)
Bomfunk MC's - In Stereo ( 99)
Nightwish - Over the hills and far away ( 01)
Tenhi - Airut-Aamujen ( 04)
HIM - And Love Said No ( 04)

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25 - Norway
Bel Canto - Shimmering, Warm & Bright (92)
Butti 49 - Habit (04)
Annie - Anniemal (04)
Øye, Erlend - Unrest (03)
Niels Petter Molvaer - NP3 (03)
Niels Petter Molvaer - Remakes NP3 (05)
Kaizers Orchestra - Ompa till du dor + ep (01)
26 - Norway No
Flunk - For Sleepyheads Only (02)
Biosphere - Shenzhou (01)
Arve Henriksen - Chiaroscuro (04)
Röyksopp - Melody AM (01)
Jaga Jazzist - The Stix (03)
VA - dBut Royal (01)

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27 - Scotland
The Fire Engines - Lubricate your living room
The Associates - The Affectionate Punch
The Associates - Perhaps
Boards of Canada - Geogaddi
Mogwai - Happy Songs
Skids - Best of
Skids - Joy
The Blue Nile - A Walk Across The Rooftops
Scars - Author ! Author !

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28 - Scotland tartan
Angelfish - Angelfish (94)
The Shamen - Axis Mundi/Arbor Bono, Arbor Mala (95)
Billy MacKenzie - Outernational (92)
Billy MacKenzie - Beyond the Sun (97)
Jesus and Mary Chain - Darklands (87)
VA - Slam - Soma MuzikMix (01)
Midge Ure - If I Was (93)
Simple Minds - Empires & Dance (80)
Simple Minds - Sister Feelings Call (81)
Wolfstone - Pick of the Litter (97)

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29 - Wales
Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth (80)
Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft (05)
World Party - Goodbye Jumbo (90)
Jem - Finally Woken (04)
Cale, John - Music For A New Society (82)
Darling Buds, The - Erotica (92)
Sasha (DJ) - Airdrawndagger (02)
30 - Wales Dragon
Dylan Thomas - Under Milk Wood (54 )
Scritti Politti - Songs To Remember (81)
Melys - Kamikaze (00)
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - Gorky 5 (98)
Crasdant - DWNDWR (06)
Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible (92)
Songdog - The Time Of Summer Lightning (05)
Hybrid - Remix & Additional Production By..(00)

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31 - Ireland
The Virgin Prunes - If I Die, I Die (82)
Sinead O'Connor - She Who Dwells In The Secret Place Of The Most High (03)
My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything (88)
Solas - Reunion (06)
The Frames - Setlist (03)
Waterboys - The Live Adventures of the Waterboys (98)
32 - Ireland Pat's Day
The Undertones - The Undertones (79)
Stiff Little Fingers - Listen EP (82)
Cruachan - Pagan (04)
Energy Orchard - EN (90)
HAL - Hal (05)
Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak
Thrills, The - Let's Bottle Bohemia (04)
Lunasa - Sé (six) (06)
Snow Patrol - Final straw (03)

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33 - Iceland
Bjork - Cambridge ( 98 )
Apparat Organ Quartet - I (02 )
Gisli - How about that ? (04)
Gusgus - Polydistortion (96)
Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson - Children Of Nature, Angels of the Universe ( 96, 01)
Emilíana Torrini - Love In The Time Of Science (99)
34 - Iceland of fire34
Sugarcubes - It's It (92)
Trabant - Moment of truth (01)
Jóhann Jóhannsson - Englabörn (01)
Quarashi - Jinx (02)
Sigur Ros- Ágætis Byrjun (99)
VA - O.S.T. - Screaming Masterpiece (05)

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Stage 34, Iceland of Fire

Hello it's stage 34 Iceland and i've come to the end of my tour around the euro music scene. I started in the musical heart of Europe, Austria, snaking thru Southern Germany over into south/east of France, via Ibiza onto Spain and around the Iberian Peninsula, back up to Paris. The lowlands Belgium and the Netherlands followed before moving east into Germany again. The Neue Deutsche Welle post turned out to become the most popular, well i guess i lived thru it, anyway the Kraftwerk special did get a lot of interest aswell. It set me up for some strong electronic music from western Germany, Berlin the next stop has it all these days.. status of a global city and room to live and be creative aswell. Northern germanys music scene concentrates heavily around Hamburg. Into scandinavia, Denmark was a bit different in the sense the music was generally introverted, the Swedesh and Fins do share a lot, with the Fins winning on points...they're just a little more crazy or less volvo-ish. The Norwegians have been putting out great music for years now, and will remain doing so.
'
How different was the situation after i 'ferried' over to Scotland, it's music scene seems to be almost dead, i posted mainly old work, Belle and Sebastian and Boards of Canada is too little for a nation the size of the scandinavian nations that preceded them. Franz F are english students, Snow P students that moved in from northern Ireland, yes in Scotland studying is fee free, those guys have plenty of dosh to pay Cambridge rates now.. So what happened in Scotland, Wales my next stop seems to have retained their identity and community much better and keep on producing great music, one of their new stars Songdog hasnt been recognised yet and i admit i was dissapointed looking at the response numbers of their album, maybe it was the wedding dress on the cover..oh irony. Wales got me my first visit of a deleter, returned last thursday..my guess a 40 something who's got a problem with women, ...ehh no it wasnt me. Cross the Irish channel , when they were poor..15 years ago the country was awash with folkmusic, its still there but professionalism has its price. Again Northern ireland seems like Scotland to lack a vibrant music scene, at least that was the impression i got. My last stop must be the most amazing of all, Iceland with the population of a midsized western town has produced a lot of great music the last decade, and are still going strong. A country of fire and ice, far away from the pope of this or that..free spirits.

I started out this trip to point out how much the anglo/american cultural imperialism has ignored and still does its best to destroy, they release piles of shit, shaped in their own image. They buy and throw away artists like lighters, meanwhile it are their big names that bleed the market. Not so much in albums but ticket sales, Police reunion tour will cash 250 million at least..thats easily 15 million cdees that wont be bought from other artists. Complaining about downloading, but from their perspective whats worse losing control on their so called added value- the marketing. MTV screaming murder but they dont own the videos they broadcast and they certainly dont own the public that watch them, although they seemed to have thought so. You Tube marks the end of MTV and with it the end of the musicmarketing industry, this last decade has seen the rise of many self-help outlets, without kingsized overheads and run by people who love what they do, not all the tools are in place yet, but the momentum grows now the opposition, the boardroom pimps, are collapsing.

Well the next week ill post a recap of the tour and move along the arctic towards Siberia, i plan to spent April in Japan, much going on there and i have some nice older stuff aswell.


Looks like mediafire is still down, major troubles i guess, well you dont make friends with a competition that keeps you stalled, if you dont tow that line.

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Fire and Ice

Sugarcubes - It's It (92)
Trabant - Moment of truth (01)
Jóhann Jóhannsson - Englabörn (01)
Quarashi - Jinx (02)
Sigur Ros- Ágætis Byrjun (99)
VA - O.S.T. - Screaming Masterpiece (05)

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Sugarcubes - It's It (92 ^ 170mb)

According to group legend, the Sugarcubes formed on June 8, 1986, the day that vocalist Björk gave birth to her son. Prior to that day, the members of the group had been a variety of Icelandic bands. Björk had the longest career out of any of the members. By 1984, Björk, Einar Benediktsson and Siggi Baldursson had joined forces, forming KUKL with keyboardist Einar Mellax. KUKL — which means witch in Icelandic — was an noisy, artsy post-punk band that released several singles on the independent British record label Crass. In 1986, KUKL evolved into the Sugarcubes, adding Björk's then-husband Thor Jonson on guitar and Bragi Ólafsson on bass.

In late 1987, the band signed to One Little Indian in the U.K., Elektra Records in the U.S. The Sugarcubes released their debut album Life's Too Good in 1988 to critical acclaim in both the U.K. and the U.S. Birthday, the first single from the album, became an indie hit in Britain and a college radio hit in America. In particular, Björk received a heap of praise, which began tensions between her and Einar Benediktsson. Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week!, the Sugarcubes' second album, was released in 1989. The album featured a greater vocal contribution by Einar, which was criticized in many of the record's reviews, which were noticably weaker than those for Life's Too Good. After the release of Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week!, the band embarked on a lengthy international tour. At the conclusion of the tour in late 1990, the band members pursued their own individual interests.

Stick Around for Joy, the band's third album, was released in 1992. Before the record appeared, a collection of remixes called It's It was released in Europe. Stick Around for Joy received better reviews than Life's Too Good, but the album failed to yield a hit single. Following its release, the Sugarcubes disbanded. The rest as they say is history, Björk launched a critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo career . Last november the 17th to be specific they played a 20 years ago reunion concert..plenty of that on YouTube.



Sugarcubes - It's It (^  484mb)

01 - Birthday (Justin Robertson 12" Mix) (7:29)
02 - Leash Called Love (Tony Humphries Mix) (6:23)
03 - Blue Eyed Pop (S1000 Mix) (6:36)
04 - Motorcrash (Justin Robertson Mix) (6:45)
05 - Planet (Graham Massey Planet Suite Pt. 2) (4:39)
06 - Gold (Todd Terry Mix) (6:05)
07 - Water (Bryan 'Chuck' New Mix) (4:10)
08 - Regina (Sugarcubes Mix) (5:08)
09 - Mama (Mark Saunders Mix) (5:06)
10 - Pump (Marius de Vries Mix) (4:25)
11 - Hit (Tony Humphries Sweet & Low Mix) (7:07)
12 - Birthday (Tommy D Mix) (6:39)
13 - Coldsweat (DB/BP Mix) (4:10)

Sugarcubes @ Fanbase
Sugarcubes @ YouTube
Sugarcubes @ Amazon

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Trabant - Moment of truth (01 * 381mb)

Trabant's five members come from very different backgrounds in the Reykjavik music scene: One rap producer with the sailors blood pumping; a death metal guru, a crazy in the head champion DJ; a preachers son and the former boyband star. Together, all these influences explode in the mighty TrabantTrabant is sexy electronic music, a punky flavor of R&B and pop. It is music made for sweat, neon lights and a world gone wrong. Trabant released their critically acclaimed debut "Moment of Truth" in 2001, giving us a glimpse into the future. Then moving away from its studio-based focus, Trabant has since developed a pompous live attitude. An electronic five piece group playing for their lives, taking it to "eleven"-- musically and morally. But first and furthermost Trabant strives to make honest pop music for the people. In 2005 they finally released the follow up Emotional



01 - Enter Spacebar
02 - Org Org
03 - Moment Of Truth
04 - Pre Pop Loop
05 - Bluesbreaker
06 - Old Elgar
07 - Bahama Banana
08 - Traktor Intro
09 - Lady Elephant
10 - Hi-Tec Hurricane
11 - Retard (Part I)
12 - Retard (Part II)
13 - Himnalalala
14 - Happy Sunny Song
15 - Superman

Trabant @ Base
Trabant @ MySpace
Trabant @ Amazon
Trabant Vid @ YouTube

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Johann Jóhannsson - Englabörn (01 ^ 187mb)

Johann Johannsson is an Icelandic composer. His stately, slow-building and hauntingly melodic music has been quietly bewitching listeners for the last few years - and IBM 1401, a User´s Manual, his most ambitiously-orchestrated and appealing composition to date, is sure to expand his audience still further. The record is his first for the label 4AD

Johann Johannssons first two solo records - Englabörn (2002) and Virthulegu Forsetar (2004) were released by the singular British independent Touch label. Despite limited promotional resources, both found plenty of fans, receiving glowing reviews in music media around the world; Virthulegu Forsetar found its way onto many critics end-of-year lists.The Englabörn album was derived from music that Johann wrote for an Icelandic play of the same name, written for string quartet, piano, organ, glockenspiel and percussion. These elements were processed and manipulated, adding delicate electronic accents to the otherwise entirely acoustic recordings. One song, "Odi et Amo", is a setting of the famous poem by Catullus.

Johannsson’s many other projects include membership of the group Apparat Organ Quartet - hailed by Neil Strauss in the New York Times as being “as innovative and meticulous as Sigur Ros, but who sound nothing like it”. Although Apparat Organ Quartet formed as far back as 1999, they only released their debut album internationally in 2006. Johann has also produced and written music with other artists; he’s worked with Marc Almond (on the Stranger Things album), Barry Adamson, Pan Sonic, The Hafler Trio, Jaki Liebezeit and many others. After the success of IBM 1401, A User’s Manual, Johann’s collaboration with the internationally renowned choreographer and dancer Erna Omarsdottir continued in 2005 with a new piece entitled Mysteries Of Love.

Music for films and theatre figure prominently in Johann’s work. Johann has composed music for no fewer than 5 feature films in his native Iceland. His most recent, for the film Blodbond (2006) by Arni Olafur Asgeirsson, features (like IBM 1401, A User’s Manual) a symphonic score for a 60 piece string orchestra. Johann´s soundtrack album for the film Dis was released in 2005 in the US and in 2006 in Japan.In addition to the feature films, Johann has written music for numerous documentaries, theatre productions and several contemporary dance works.

 

01 - Odi Et Amo (3:10)
02 - Englabörn (1:34)
03 - Jói & Karen (3:24)
04 - Þetta Gerist Á Bestu Bæjum (1:02)
05 - Sálfræðingur (3:49)
06 - "Ég Sleppi Þér Aldrei" (2:57)
07 - Sálfræðingur Deyr (3:40)
08 - Bað (3:07)
09 - "Ég Heyrði Allt Án Þess Að Hlusta" (2:05)
10 - Karen Býr Til Engil (3:45)
11 - Englabörn - Tilbrigði (1:24)
12 - "Ég Átti Erfiða Æsku" (3:41)
13 - Krókódíll (2:45)
14 - "Ef Ég Hefði Aldrei..." (3:42)
15 - …eins og venjulegt fólk (3:51)
16 - Odi Et Amo - Bis (4:00)

Jóhann Jóhannsson @ Base
Jóhann Jóhannsson @ MySpace
Jóhann Jóhannsson @ YouTube
Jóhann Jóhannsson @ Amazon

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Quarashi - Jinx ( 02 ^ 286mb)

Quarashi was originally formed by Sölvi (sewl'-vee),drummer and Hössi (huh'-see) Olafsson the lead voice, in 1996. After playing together in a local punk rock band called 2001 they both felt a need for greater experimentation and developed a preference for studio production. Stoney(ston'-ee) Fjelsted and Omar Swarez, joined Quarashi as rappers. Stoney is one of Icelands graffiti artists, his nickname was..Quarashi, well they decided it was a great name and use it for the band. Their first eponymous album (97) went gold as did the follow up Xeneizes (99).

On this their 3rd album Jinx, turntable scratches give way to fat bass lines and screeching guitars. Background vocals blend with the flows of two or three rappers at a time. Horns, voices, and piano rolls are sampled and distorted. Sometimes a drummachine is used then again a live drummer. We mix british breakbeats with american hip hop says Hossi, the result..well if Gisli is the Icelandic Beck, then Quarashi qualify as the Icelandic Beastie Boys...

Well they had signed a 6 record deal with Sony and were marketed thru Columbia USA, as a rap/rock act-which they were't butwhat the fuk to these execs know well the boys toured in the US and around the world but Sony was not amused by the poor sales.100,000 copies of Jinx and dropped ( dont think its as easy the other way around...oh no). Meanwhile Hossi decided he had enough of the whoring music biz and decided to quit. A year later he was replaced by Tiny, they were back at square one when they released Guerilla Disco (04), again gold in Iceland but no deals outside their homecountry, until SonyJapan remembered they had been welcomed and popular there and so it was successfully released in Japan. It didnt stop the rut and in 2005 Quarashi called it quits..



01 - Stick 'Em Up
02 - Mr. Jinx
03 - Baseline
04 - Malone Lives
05 - Tarfur
06 - Copycat
07 - Transparent Parents
08 - Weirdo
09 - Xeneizes
10 - F*** You Puto
11 - Dive In
12 - Bless

Quarashi @ YouTube
Quarashi @ Base
Quarashi @ Amazon

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Sigur Ros- Ágætis Byrjun (99 ^ 358mb)

Sigur Ros consists of jón þor (jónsi) birgisson (vocals, guitars), kjartan (kjarri) sveinsson (keyboards), orri páll dýrason (drums) and georg (goggi) holm (bass). the band were formed by jónsi, georg and original drummer ágúst in 1994. they were later joined by kjartan and when ægúst left the band after the recording of ágætis byrjun in order to pursue a career in graphic design, he was replaced by orri. sigur rós hail from iceland, and rightly claim to bring you the beautiful landscape of their homeland with their music.

They have released four albums so far, plus one remix album (von brigði - recycle bin). the first album is called Von (hope). frequently unrecognisable from the bulk of their subsequent work, Von is an experimental and ambient work.The band really found their feet with their second album, Ágætis Byrjun (a good beginning). the album was originally released only in Iceland, but was discovered by brighton's fatcat records, who snapped the band up and released the album in the uk in august 2000. The band attracted a huge critical acclaim throughout the world in the second half of 2000, particularly in america, after they made the move to offer it as a free download on Napster, who impressed by it, really brought them into the picture. Tens of thousands downloads later and the musiclabels were in a franctic hunt to sign them, they ended up with MCA who let them retain the most artistic freedom. The band toured north america for the first time in april and may 2001, and the vast majority of the dates sold out straight away. perhaps due to the hype in the american media, the shows were attended by many big name celebrities, somewhat to the band's bemusement.
Sigur Rós released their third album in october 2002, entitled ( ). the lyricless and titleless album was a darker, rawer and less accessible follow up to ágætis byrjun and came out to favourable reviews around the world, the album sold well and even reached #52 on the american billboard chart.After touring the first part of 2003 the band persued different side projects. 2004 was largely spent writing and recording the band's fourth album, 'takk…' (thanks), finally released in september 2005, 'takk...' quickly became sigur rós' largest selling album to date and charted highly across the globe. The band celebrated the release of 'takk...' with an extensive world tour, playing their largest shows to date, including a headline show at the hollywood bowl. Currently they are working on their next album, btw their ukbase has plenty of free downloads, studio aswell as live work..worth a visit.



01 - Intro (1:36)
02 - Svefn-g-englar (10:04)
03 - Starálfur (6:47)
04 - Flugufrelsarinn (7:47)
05 - Ný Batterí (8:11)
06 - Hjartað Hamast (Bamm Bamm Bamm) (7:10)
07 - Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása (10:18)
08 - Olsen Olsen (8:03)
09 - Ágætis Byrjun (7:56)
10 - Avalon (4:00)

Sigur Ros @ Base
Sigur Ros @ Base UK
Sigur Ros @ MySpace
Sigur Ros @ YouTube
Sigur Ros @ Amazon

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VA - O.S.T. - Screaming Masterpiece (05 * 109mb)

Gargandi snilld, a documentary about the bustling Icelandic musical scene. This documentary covers some of Iceland's most talented and well-known musicians, Directed by Ari Alexander Ergis Magnússon.Its format of interviews interspersed with concert tapes or filmed performances cuts a wide swath across the Icelandic music scene. Folk, Norse, Punk, Rock and Rap are all covered.

The musical heritage is described as a "combination of patriotism and adolescence", the result of living half-way between Europe and the United States and being descended from Vikings who stopped in Scotland for slaves and for Irish women "for DNA enrichment and poetry".

A last note: "Odin's Raven Magic", based on a 900-year-old excerpt of the Edda was a major highlight for me, performed by Sigur Ros, Hilmar Orn Hilmarssen, the London Sinfonietta and a pair of xylophones made of great big hunks of sandstone! Just like in Hustle and Flow, it's hard not to leave the theater singing! So much about the movie/dvd , there's a soundtrack aswell......



01 - Steindór Andersen & Sigur Rós - Á Ferð Til Breiðafjarðar (5:35)
02 - Björk - All Is Full Of Love (Live) (3:43)
03 - Sigur Rós - #8, A.K.A. Popplagið (11:44)
04 - Jóhann Jóhannsson - Odi Et Amo (3:04)
05 - Múm - Green Grass Of Tunnel (4:55)
06 - Bang Gang - Find What You Get (3:28)
07 - Apparat Organ Quartet - Romantika (4:42)
08 - Eivør Pálsdóttir - Brostnar Borgir (5:06)
09 - Slowblow - Within Tolerance (4:03)
10 - Finnbogi Pétursson Conversation (0:54)
11 - Sugarcubes - Motorcrash (2:22)
12 - Ghostigital - Bank - Færeyjar, Bruxelles, Barcelona, Reykjavík (4:11)
13 - Mugison - I'd Ask (2:38)
14 - Amina - Fjarskanistan (6:27)
15 - Björk - Oceania (3:22)
16 - Steindór Andersen, Sigur Rós, Schola Cantorum, Members Of Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, The, María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir & Páll Guðmundsson - Hrafnagaldur - Odin's Raven Magic (10:10)

Screaming-Masterpiece @ Amazon

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* All downloads are in * ogg-7 (224k) or ^ ogg-9(320k), artwork is included , if in need get the nifty ogg encoder/decoder here !