S.E.T.I, Knowledge (1995, electronic ambient)

My favourite Lagowski's (here under the name S.E.T.I) recording, and one of his favourite too, according to a recent interview. Pure electronic ambient, but it's quite melodic, so you can try it even if you're not into drone / ambient things. Some really moving harmonies, especially the 3 track. It's definitely THE absolute "space music" experience.
This is the CD edition; curiously, track 4 doesn't appear on the LP (on mine at least).
Find it here, ripped at 192kbps.
Or on this direct rapidshare link (I'm getting bored with the problems with MassMirror).
Later I will post another Lagowki's album, "False Dawn", released under the name LEGION 3 years before.

AFTER DINNER, S/T + Editions (1983 / 1990, Japanese "avant-folk")

Reading Julian Cope's "JapRock Sampler", it's a japanese week for me. You should read it, it's an exciting story of the japanese underground from the late 60s to the early 80s.
Here is the 1st album by cult underground band from the 80s AFTER DINNER, whose female singer is particularly known for her talented voice. Hard to describe, it's a weird folk music mixed with theatrical influences and played in a rather dadaist way.
In addition to the 9 tracks of the album, the CD offers 9 tracks recorded live between 1986 and 1990 and that curiously may be more accessible for the newcomers.
Download this album here.
(and please report when the MassMirror links don't work).

MAHOOD, Granular Sintesis (minimal electronic soundscapes, 1997)

Yes, me, my music and myself. I've finally decided to post my own music, just in case (...of what?). I've never tried to send to any record label any of my recordings : unfinished, unprofessional, not long enough to make an album, there was each time a reason to keep them home. And I didn't have time.
But then blogs and rapidshare appeared. To my surprise, it seems that some you have downloaded my live session when I opened for PAN SONIC last october in Paris, so the same people may be interested in what I've recorded on my 4 or 8 tracks recorder in the past 12 years.
Here is a recording from 1997 that has partially inspired my last live session at Paris - Nouveau Casino. But no old synths here, only my computer (Mac Performa 6200 - just before the iMac era) and a simple software called "Sound Effects". This mini-LP was created using only sine waves transformed with basic effects (excepts the cymbals in the 1st track). I don't like the 1st track, a too basic drone that doesn(t evolve enough, but I'm particularly proud of tracks 3 and 4. It was mixed on the very basic 4 track Porta3 on a simple tape, which explains the sound quality - you have to play it a little louder than usual MP3 and CDs (thanks).
You can download these lo-fi electronic pieces here. Each comment will be appreciated, if any.

LE COIN PROMO

C'est sympa d'écouter de la musique gratos, mais parfois c'est pas mal non plus d'acheter ses loisirs. On fera donc de temps en temps l'éloge ici des choses qu'on a achetées - et aimées.
Jean-Paul Bourre, donc. Le "Guerrier du Rêve", comme il se décrit dans son extraordinaire et épique autobiographie - et qu'importe si son sens du roman l'emporte sans doute parfois sur la vérité. "Guerrier du Rêve" est l'histoire d'une vie abandonnée sans compromis (et jusqu'à un constat finalement plutôt amer) à l'aventure dans son sens le plus large. Où JP, donc, débutera l'aventure à jouer aux cowboys et aux indiens, pour se trouver aujourd'hui acteur-figure d'une contre-culture radicale et plus ou moins rock'n roll. Entre temps, il aura fait la route avec le Grateful Dead, dormi dans les rues avec les hippies de l'époque, tenté de s'acheter une conduite avec une conversion mystique dans un monastère catho, tenu des messes rouges ou noires au Père Lachaise, erré seul dans les bois sur les pas du Grand Meaulnes, parlé avec les Marsiens et les anciens en se branchant sur des pylones électriques, laissé parler des néo-nazis dans son émission sur Ici et Maintenant et à cet occasion défié le CSA, fait le nègre pour quelques ouvrages politiques (dont un de Dominique Baudis qui fit polémique), fait copain copain avec David Tibet de Current 93 (ce qui nous fait plaisir ici) et beaucoup d'autres... Génial et émouvant, il faut absolument l'avoir lu, c'est un grand récit.
Pour le compléter, on peut s'attaquer au plus récent, plus anecdotique mais guère moins puissant "Quand j'étais blouson noir", ou l'histoire plus détaillée de sa période ado, qui eût été "yé yé" chez certains, mais simplement "blouson noir" chez lui. C'est le récit toujours aussi épique d'un voyou d'Issoire qui vit l'aventure rock en grand, en vrai, sans faire semblant. Crevage de pneus et tirage de juppes sur fond de vintage rock (période "Chaussettes Noires", quand même...). Perturbant pour nous qui écoutons du rock rebelle au casque sur nos iPod.
Franchement, vous pouvez y aller banco pour l'un des deux livres, son écriture a la dynamique d'un grand roman d'aventure, on est constamment emporté et souvent touché, personne ne sera déçu. On doit les trouver chez le libraire, sinon, Amazon, ici et là
Et à bientôt pour un prochain coin promo.

ORAL CONSTITUTION, Piss Preik (1993, weird folk)

A kind of CURRENT 93 early follower from Norway, who had recorded before a excellent EP called "Bibel Preik" (limited edition of 600, but you can find it on the web).
In this first LP, there is this strange dark psych folk (and sometimes almost industrial) feeling that had seduced in spite of some ridiculous "gothic" tendencies. The compositions are not as good as in the EP, but the neo-psychedelic production is convincing, and could almost be considered as a pre-ANIMAL COLLECTIVE style (a band I don't really like though).
Download this curiosity (limited edition of 1000 CDs) here.

BEN'S SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA, live Paris Pop'In, 17.12.2004

Repost.
Best french pop band of the 2000's in my opinion, I don't understand why they are not more known. Everyone should have their 2nd album "Drifting" (you can purchase it for cheap on french Amazon). Their beautiful melodies are obviously strongly influenced but teh Beach Boys and the Beatles, they probably do it better than many other contemporary bands.
This live recording, a good performance but badly recorded, is only for those who have the album. DON'T DOWNLOAD IT before listening to the albums!!
Anyway, it's here, and probably not for long...

AIR, live L.A, The Mayan, 12.7.2001

After Sebastien Tellier (sorry for the comments in French, just consider that his live shows are strongly recommended), french psych pop again.
It's a live performance found on the P2P network when on Napster, I don't know if it's rare or not; but it's pretty good, particularly for those who consider that AIR were at their best in the "10.000 Hz Legend" / "Virgin suicides" area.
Tracklist : Electronic Performers / How does it make you feel? / Talisman / Radio #1 / Luck and unhappy / Bathroom girl / Playground love.
192kbps, sound quality is ok.
Find it here.