KRAUTROCK TOP#17 : AMON DÜÜL II, Carnival in Babylon (1972)

I love this underrated album. After 3 real psych-out space trips albums, "Carnival..." is the first LP where the band shows their talent is basic pop folk rock compositions. For the fan of their first period, it's disappointing at first glance, but you have to insist and listen to it twice more to really appreciate it. For newcomers, let's say that it sounds a little like BOWIE in his 72 / 74 period.
Download this nice album here and don't hesitate to purchase its nice remastered digipack CD edited by SPV.

KRAUTROCK TOP#16 : ASH RA TEMPEL, 1st (1971)

One long track on each side, it's this perfect archetype and one of the best examples of krautrock in its "foundations". The band at this time was a "power trio" like GURU GURU, but it's interesting to hear how different the music is. Basically, it's true space rock (though it's more "space" than "rock"), based on improvisations, in structures that could remind those recently heard with such bands as GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR (for the repetitiveness and crescendos), but of course in a different feel - I prefer ASH RA T. by far. B-side is particularly moving, played in floating minor chords on space-echoed guitar.
The original 33rpm gatefold was beautiful, if you find it in flee markets buy it!
Here is the album, ripped at 192kbps, like all the albums in this series.

KRAUTROCK TOP#14 : NEU!, 1st (1972)

You've seen this album in thousands of blogs... well, it's obviously a "must have" in the krautrock genre, and, unlike many psych / folk / experimental kraut albums, is absolutely not dated. I won't say anything that has not been told about it, except my favourite track is not the famous opening "hallo gallo" that defines the typical NEU! metronomic sound and style (their entire 2nd album is based on a variation of it), but the incredible pre-industrial and full of tension "Negativland" that I could hear 10 times a day when I've bought the album.
If you don't heave it yet, it's here.

KRAUTROCK TOP#13 : GILA, 1st (1971)

Put together AMON DÜÜL II, AGITATION FREE and GURU GURU, the result won't be far from this first album by Conrad Veidt's band GILA - not to be confused with his grand father Conrad Veidt, the famous german actor of the 20s / 30s who's been playing in "The Cabinet of Dr Caligari" or in "The Man who laughs" (they really look like each other). The album is clearly devided in two sides : the first one is based on guitar riffs and improvisations, the second one sounds more folk, based on almost tribal drums. The music is slightly evolving from one to the other and can be heard as a near concept album. I've forgotten to say that it's mainly instrumental, but you hear Veidt's voice here and there, speaking and singing.
A really really good but too short album you can download here.

KRAUTROCK TOP#12 : POPOL VUH, Affenstunde (1972)

Still nothing really new for the basic krautrock collector, but it's not a surprise those reputed bands appear at the top of this selection.
"Affenstunde" consists basically in tones and drones played with prehistoric Moogs on an eastern percussions' basis in a very eastern feel. Very spacey indeed! So why hasn't POPOL VUH kept on making this kind of music after this brilliant 1st album? The 2nd one has its moments, but later their music turns into neo-medieval / classical and is rarely interesting in my opinion.
But who cares? For the moment you just have to try this one, and it's here.

KRAUTROCK TOP#11 : GURU GURU, KanGuru (1972)

The 3rd GURU GURU made, this is an album fans of HENDRIX should have at all cost! Extraordinary killer guitar solos, effects and noises on a deep rock basis. The albums is made of 4 long tracks, richly composed and textured, with wonderful harmonies, drums breaks and powerfull riffs. It's probably more typical of the average 70s hard rock than some other weird albums krautrock produced, but believe me, you shouldn't miss it!
So here it is.

KRAUTROCK TOP#10 : DEUTER, Aum (1972)

Already posted when sharing the 4 albums by DEUTER, his second "Aum" is finally the best one in my opinion, even better than his excellent debut "D". To compare with TECHNICAL COMPOSERS CREW and early TANGERINE DREAM, though more based on guitar treatments, it's a very peaceful, dark, spacey album, with a deep "tantric" feel. What a pity DEUTER went into more new-age oriented music later.
Those who have missed it can download it here, it's obviously dangerously underrated.

KRAUTROCK TOP#9 : CODE III, Planet of man (1974)

No comment for this one, I've posted several weeks ago and you can read my comments further on this blog. But as it's one of my favourite krautrock albums, it's not a surprise it appears it the top 10.
Here is the link again.

KRAUTROCK TOP #8 : SAND, Golem (1974)

Nothing new, as this wonderful album has been posted here twice (at least). The old link seem to be working. Some tracks in the album - "Helicopter" and "Sarah", their music and their incredible lyrics - are among my favourite krautrock songs. For those who come here for the 1st time, SAND is a minimal trio who is playing bass / guitar / synths and sings long meditative tracks - not far from DOM.
Here is the album. CURRENT 93 and NURSE WITH WOUND have re-released it on their own label on a double CD with plenty of unreleased bonus tracks you won't find in my files.

KRAUTROCK TOP#6 : AMON DÜÜL II, Phallus Dei (1969)

Basically , all the albums released by A.D.II before 1973 are the basis of every krautrock discography and are worth buying : they are full of ideas and inventions, more in each album than most bands have never had in their whole career.
"Phallus Dei" is their first album, production is very approximative but the result is absolutely unique - no comparison comes to my mind. It's a mixture of folk, dissonant rock, tribal drums and voices, theatral singing, experimental sounds etc...
I've already posted it when posting the entire A.D.II's discography, find it again here, without the bonus tracks of the Repertoire edition I let you buy.

KRAUTROCK TOP#5 : DOM, Edge of time (1972)

Almost the contrary of AGITATION FREE, this obscure band - who recorded this sole album - played a dark and meditative experimental folk music that is almost perfect in my opinion. The sounds used for the experimental ambient around the dark folk basis is typically the same as PINK FLOYD produced in their "More" period - "Edge of time" could have been the soundtrack for this film too (in its psychedelic parts).
Ok it may sound too dark and meditative for this summer, but not in my opinion, it's so good! Well, you can find it here.

KRAUTROCK TOP#4 : AGITATION FREE, Malesh (1972)

Arrrghhh, this one could have been first of my selection. Back from Egypt, the band has brought back pictures and sounds they put in their groovy instrumental rock 1st album. Production is beautiful - very similar to what PINK FLOYD did with "Meddle"; guitar and organ leads and solos are really inspired. It's mostly improvisation, except some melodies that interfere sometimes, but it's never boring at all.
Like most albums in the top of this selection, I've already uploaded it several months ago. Nevertheless, here it is again for those who have missed it - the perfect album for a beginning in krautrock.
I can already tell that I won't put in my top 50 the other albums AGITATION FREE made, they are too jazz oriented for me. But "Last" is ok if you wish to go further with the band.

ORAL CONSTITUTION, Bibelpreik EP (1992, weird folk)

I've posted their album several weeks ago, here's the EP that was recorded and released just before. It's more "industrial folk" oriented, actually it sounds very psychedelic and dark in the same time. I like it.
The CD was a limited edition of 1000. You can download it here.

KRAUTROCK TOP#3 : ASH RA TEMPEL & TIMOTHY LEARY, Seven Up (1973)

A very underrated album that is almost never appears in krautrock selections. Divided in 2 very different sides, its B-side alone would have been #1, it's the best krautrock track in my opinion, a very moving space rock suite, peacefull and full of melancolia. The A-side is a curious variation around blues themes, but, whereas I don't like blues, thanks to their craziness and effects (plenty of them), I love them too.

Here is a good description found on the blog "My Generation" :
"Ash Ra Tempel's third album is often very misunderstood by fans of their music. It's a real odd one to say the least, and if you're familiar with such albums as their 1971 debut, or Join Inn (1973), this one is quite a shock indeed. By this point, trying to figure out who was in the group has became pretty pointless. Guitarist Manuel Göttsching and bassist Hartmut Enke are still here, with tons of different vocalists, and ex-Tangerine Dream organist Steve Schroyder (he played on Alpha Centauri).
The album starts off with "Space", a suite divided in four movements. It starts off with "Downtown" (...) a downright generic blues sung by a female vocalist. You quickly face some truly mind blowing spacy electronic effects and noise that never lets up! It's pretty much the same throughout, although three more blues songs will follow, but as always, the blues songs never last because it sounds like the band was just so stoned at the time, they'd rather blow people's mind. I can sense quite a bit of irony in the way the band played those blues numbers.
Thanks to the presence of Timothy Leary (who was in exile in neighboring Switzerland), it's no surprise that this music is the effects of an LSD trip. The second half of the album is taken up by a three movement suite called "Time". Here's where detractors of the album finds its redeeming qualities, as this is very much like like Alpha Centauri-era Tangerine Dream. The last movement of "Time" is "She" which is basically a re-recording of "Suche & Liebe" off Ash Ra Tempel's 1972 album Schwingungen (note by Tonton M. : "she" is far better than the version from "Schwinungen"). This is a wonderful, and underrated album, which if you approach with an open-mind you'll probably enjoy it."

Find this magic album here.

KRAUTROCK TOP#1 : AMON DÜÜL II, Yeti (1970)

My "second best choice" is the famous second album by AMON DÜÜL II, maybe my favourite krautrock band.
For krautrock beginners who listen to CAN or NEU and consider their music as the only true krautrock style, this extraordinary psych out album may be hard to accept. "Yeti" is more than 1 hour of a tremendous adventure in music, plenty of effects, electric and organic sounds, craziness in the instruments and voices. There is the major 70s hit called "Archangel Thunderbird", the proto-metal riff based (and 1'40 short) "Return of Ruebezahl" - a very promissing title! - and the typically long krautrock track and extraordinary well composed / improvised "Yeti" suite.
I confess that the 1st time I've heard it, it seemed to sound a little too "70s hard rock", but believe me, insist a little more, you won't regret it.
Find it here, ripped at 192kbps, and don't hesitate to buy it - I recommend the Repertoire digipack re-edition that has been beautifully remastered (for once you hear what "remastered" means), with an early and superb 2 sides single as bonus tracks (not in the files I share).

KRAUTROCK TOP#1 : TECHNICAL SPACE COMPOSERS CREW, Canaxis (1968)

It's hard to explain in english why I love so much this area in music called "krautrock"; maybe because more than american or english bands, german bands from the 70s could play a music with no boundaries, influenced by their travels (for real or in dreams), their (often) high technical skills, maybe because they probably had a major conflict against the previous generation (don't forget their parents had potentially voted and supported Hitler) and wanted to break with the german tradition more than american , english or french young people did in their own country. It's amazing that the psychedelic revolution came 2 years (at least!) later in german music than in the US or in UK, but how stronger it came! I let you read Julian Cope's book about the origins of krautrock, he speaks better than me about it.

Ok, let's beginning this KrautRock top 50. At first, a warning for the completists : you won't find here anything rare nor things you could not find on specialized blogs like Mutant Sounds, Out of Focus etc... This selection is intended for the curious who read so often that their favourite band was influnced by krautrock (they are so many!), who may have tried CAN, NEU, KRAFTWERK of FAUST but who didn't have the means or the patience, to go further. It's the reason why I begin from the top of my selection, the more curious you are the further you go (I will post at least 50 albums, maybe more).

I've chosen 2 albums at the head ot this selection, the TECHNICAL SPACE COMPOSERS CREW's only album as the 1st one. Composed by CAN's bass player and producer Holger Czukay and Rolph Dammers, it has nothing to do in a "rock" selection, as it consists in 2 long ambient and tribal chants. Both sides, and especially the 2nd one, are absolutely moving, the musicians seem to have found the precise tones and vibes to create very deep emotions, for a very intimate emotion.

It's been previously posted on MUTANT SOUNDS at 192kbps, and the RapidShare link is still active. Find it here.

A PROPOS DE TG A LA VILLETTE

Sur le blog de Joseph Ghosn en section commentaire, on lit tout et son contraire sur le concert de THROBBING GRISTLE. Ce que je vois - au moins sur un point j'avais raison de m'abstenir - c'est qu'on a pu y compter un belle rangée de laptop, tout ce qu'on n'a plus envie de voir depuis quelques années. Mais puisqu'ils auraient joué ("diffusé"?) "2nd annual report", je suis assez curieux. "Slug Bait", extra quand même non?

Ainsi : QUELQU'UN A-T-IL LE LIEN VERS UN ENREGISTREMENT?

Merci!

PS : après vision de quelques images sur le blog d'un confrère qui a laissé un commentaire : p'tain c'que ç'avait l'air chiant!

SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE, my selection for beginners (psych folk, 1998 / 2008)

What a shame... I couldn't help sharing some SIX ORGANS original tracks from albums YOU MUST BUY. I have not seleted the longest / "dronest" tracks, some of which are what SIX ORGANS does the best, it may be another post later. Ben Chasney is the most inspired musican I know and listen to nowdays, I could listen to his albums 24 h a day. Moving, spacey, deep etc... Incredibly inspired!! If you don't know this you have to try.

Tracklist :
From 6 ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE : Shadow of a dune /Race for Vishnu / Don't be afraid
From DUST & CHIMES : Blue sun chiming / Dance among the waiting
From DARK NOONTIDE : Spirits abandoned / Regeneration / On returning home
From COMPATHIA : Wind in my palm (best folk song ever?) / Gone astray / Hum a silent prayer
From SCHOOL OF THE FLOWER : Eight cognition / All you've left /Words for two
From SHELTER FROM THE ASH : Strangled road.

In my opinion the first albums you should buy are the self titled and "Dark Noontide".

Ok, now you can download this selection ripped at 128kbps only here.

SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE, Live in Paris 4.6.2008

Photo of another show by NARCOAGENT who made on his blog a good description of SIX ORGANS's performance.

Here is probably their 1st live performance in Paris; for the occasion SIX ORGANS were Ben Chasney on the guitar + a band of 2 ("lead guitar" & excellent drums).
A very good show for those who follow the band, even if we could expect more technique from Chasney. As you'll hear it, the voices are dangerously low, it's a pity you can hardly hear them.
Of course, the sound comes from my basic mic + MiniDisc material, don't expect too much from it, but it's ok (and I've erased the pauses / blanks between the songs).
Download it here. And, once more, buy ALL the band's discography, beginning from the oldest recordings, everything is quite extraordinary (except the last two..?).

Thanks for your attention.

PS : do you need the tracklist before downloading it?

COMING SOON...

> SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE Live in Paris, basic mic recording (but sounds ok)
> a selection of SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE songs for beginners - you have to know that ALL the band's CDs are worth buying.
> I try to begin soon my own KRAUTROCK ALBUMS TOP 50, but it may be a bit longer.

Any more ideas?

AND THEN..?

Let's be honest : I don't have many "favourite rare albums" or recordings any more in my library. So I wonder if it's worth keep on posting things; I could post things that are not my "favourite" albums, but it's not the purpose.
Before closing the blog, I may post my "favourite albums found on the web" - but nothing new for those who, like I do, spend time on those blogs that share so many incredible albums. It would be especially a selection of kraut and psych music.
It's just an announcement, I may change my mind, who knows.
Oh, at last, I'll try to post some of my music, things I'm proud of.
Thanks for your support.

MIDNIGHT OIL, 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 (1983, alternative)

A new evolution in MO's discography, and a step towards their commercial sounds, "10,9,8..." contains some classic tunes. It's definitly pop music, there are more and more ideas in the structures and the sounds, it's probably brilliant. So, why am I not more enthusiast when I'm listening to it? A bit "cold" and too eclectic maybe. You feel that for the 1st time they were exported out of Australia and could reach the famous "american market" (though I've never understood what it means artistically) and it's the reason why "10,9,8..." does not sound as "honest" as the previous albums maybe.
But I know that this album has more fans than "Head Injuries". Maybe you?
Anyway, I rate it 3,5/5, it's a good album on the long run. So here it is, ripped at 192 kbps.

MIDNIGHT OIL, Place without a postcard (1982, alternative)

Well, you don't seem to believe me very much when I say that "Head Injuries" is an essential masterpiece of the late 70s, seing the statistics... Nevertheless, to end this series, I post 2 more albums by MIDNIGHT OIL.
My favourite after "Head Injuries" is this "Place without...", a more pop oriented indie rock, with various melodies and instruments (more synths and guitar effects). So the music is certainly more various too, and eventually very exciting - some tracks sound like early 80s hits. Here you begin to hear the MO you know, who was going to compose "Beds are burning" or "Put down that weapon", but with a much stronger touch.
A 4/5 for this one, a must have for sure. And you find it here.

MIDNIGHT OIL, 1st 2 albums (1978 / 79, alternative)

Ok, it may be surprising to find some MIDNIGHT OIL albums on a blog thant announces "kraut, weird rock" etc... The reasons why I post these albums are :
1. you don't find them so easilly on the web nor in music stores, a friend of mine has been looking for them but they were so expensive...
2. these are fabulous albums that I've discovered the same years as PIXIES / WIRE etc..., in 1989 / 90 and that every one should have in his iTunes.
So, forget the late MIDNIGHT OIL you know and try this, especially the much more achieved "Head Injuries" in which each track is absolutely! outstanding, except the 1st one. You'll find there what I consider one of the best "singles" ever : "Koala sprint", an incredible prog / punk / new wave sum.
"Head injuries" is obviously their masterpiece, so listen to it first, then try their 1st that sounds more like a mainstream hard / punk band of the late 70S - begin it with such intense a track as "Surfing with a spoon" maybe.

3,5/5 for "Midnight Oil", 5/5 for "Head Injuries". And it's here, ripped at 192kbps.

EDWARD KA-SPEL, Tanith and the lion tree (weird electronic tales?, 1991)

LEGENDARY PINK DOTS' Edward Ka-Spell in one of his numerous solo albums, probably one of his best. Melancolic tunes are mixed with / in noisy tracks and electronic bubbles / collage, it's boring sometimes but can also be really moving, like in the tracks "Tanith and the lion tree" and "Prithee". At last, don't forget that Edward is an early fan of kraut and weird rock and you feel this in his music, transposed in the 80s and 90s. Anyway, very interesting even if you may feel a little depressed at the end of the album : it's a bit dark and tortured.
Find this curiosity here.

CODE III, Planet of man (1974, krautrock)

One of my Krautrock Top 10 albums, a very weird and spacey one. I've probably posted it last year, but once again won't be too much. If you're into early Ash Ra Tempel / Popol Vuh, it's obviously for you!!

From Julian Cope's website :
"Another obscure release from Shulze's little stable of cosmic electro-acoustic troubadours and a fine one at that. Taking as its pretext a concept as big as the formation of the cosmogony itself: this far-out piece of German-ness is in the same vein as Sand's Golem, and The Vuh's first two monoliths. A huge adam-and-eve-adelic experiment into sonic territories hitherto unexplored in 1974. This really was Delta-Acustic's year wasn't it. From the cover onwards the LP is a beautiful fusion of electronic and acoustic folkiness, the Sand LP is really the nearest comparison. Cosmic electronics of whistling and wind effects open up Side One and give the LP a very "Ligeti's contributions to 2001: A Space Odyssey" feel, formless moog ululations and spectral robot voices speaking about primitive (wo)man. The brainchild of Manfred Schunke and Ed Key the LP them merges into a sublime acoustic ur-folk plainsong, picked acoustics and English vocals, the bird whistles bring us right into Granchester Meadows (its very Roger Waters in fact, a re-write of that track and Atom Heart Mother's If); flutes are added and we are in the krautrock Book of Genesis. Primitive atmospherics dominate, until 10 minutes of random drum sounds ruin it slightly (in that 5 minutes would easily have sufficed).

Side Two and Aparna Shakravati adds tambura and chanting one-chord Indian wordless vocal, the whole thing morphing through more elctronic storms and tumult, samples from American and German voices, and we're into a sudden jump into early drum-machine motorik shuffle and trance-synths. Its very "Black Dance" and Klaus finally makes an appearance on Side Two - mid-way - on drums. The epic closer brings back the acoustics and it all builds into a spectacular finale of choral oooohhhs and aaaaaaaaaaahhs that the Germans do so well, including (according to the liner notes) a "Stone Age Choir" and a "Cosmos Choir." Fans of Sand, early Vuh, and early Schulze will love this LP."
I could not say it better!
Download it here, and believe me, you'll listen it for years...

ALIEN SEX FIEND, Who's been sleeping in mu brain (1983, "bat cave" punk)

Back to the old days, again.
Probably because of my interest in JOY DIVISION and consequently in BAUHAUS whose albums were among my first CDs, I've been exploring (a little) the early "batcave" / "gothic" scene - I still think that it has nothing in common with the gothic rock scene from the end of he 80s, it sounds more like a dark version of punk art rock.
ALIEN SEX FIEND has turned during the 80s into a kind of pre-electro dark rock band, a kind of pre-MINISTRY / NINE INCH NAILS (though I don't really know those bands...), sometimes they were ok, but most of the time they were not. But in their early days they really sounded good and quite innovative. What is it precisely? Basically, deviant punk rock, no bass, only old synths / guitar / drums (sometimes tribal) and screaming voices. And I insist : during side A this formula is very good! Tracks like "Wild Women", "I'm not mad" or "Wig Wam Wipe Out" are some underground classics in my opinion, and don't contain yet what would later become the gothic rock clichés. Unfortunately, side B has almost no interest and seems weak in comparison.
Try it here.

THE BUZZCOCKS, Peel Sessions (1977/79, punk pop)

Back to the old days... This is probably one of my first CDs, when this edition was released in 1989. What a shock! Even today I think that 1 : these are some of the best compositions ever in pop music; 2 : even if they are excellent, you won't need BUZZCOCKS' 3 official albums after having heard this collection of songs.
You'll find there the best versions of "Pulse Beat", "What do I get", "Noise Annoys", "16 again", "Hollow Inside", "E.S.P" and probably "Fast Cars" (je me souviens des Inrocks qui expliquait que la basse de Fast Cars était ici dangereusement en retard voire à contre-temps.. ah bon?? Elle est pourtant infiniment plus suggestive que celle, trop lisse, de l'originale non?).
Anyway, because of this, I had immediatly bought the 3 albums and still consider their early discography some of the finest ever.
Here are those 4 Peel Sessions (please note that 2 of them were produced by Factory's Tony Wilson, I confess I didin't know he was a producer too) compiled as "the Peel Sessions Album".

ZOMBIE ZOMBIE, Live Paris Nouveau Casino 6.3.2008

By request.
Opening for SILVER APPLES when in Paris in March, ZOMBIE ZOMBIE consists in 2 fans of krautrock making NEU-like excellent music... but a little too NEU-like maybe!
Don't download this live performance if you donnot have their album that just has been released (see picture above), each track played live is good but much longer than the album's tracks and, to say the truth, much too long! Mechanic drums, vintage monophonic synths' sequences, drones and noises can also be compared with what TANGERINE DREAM would have become if they had not turned into their new-age cliché at the end of the 70s. That means : very good in my opinion.

Find their live sound on this Sharebee link and please try to purchase their album.

Un reproche que je ferai quand même en français à nos petits amis de ZOMBIE ZOMBIE, de TURZI et tous ceux de la bande à PAN EUROPEAN RECORDINGS : est-ce qu'on n'entend pas un peu trop NEU / CAN derrière tout ça, et tant qu'à rejouer le plan, est-ce qu'il ne serait pas plus fun d'y ajouter une touche d'AMON DÜÜL 2 / GURU GURU, un truc un peu fou quoi? Parce que, pour moi en tout cas, à un moment donné tout ça sonne un peu trop mécanique et répétitif - et les albums ne sont jamais loin de tomber des oreilles sur la fin. Pas pour rien si NEU n'a jamais fait que 3 (vrais) albums...
Bravo quand même, parce que c'est globalement extra.

PS : les prochains CDs Pan European ne pourraient pas être en digipack plutôt qu'en plastoc?

LEGION, False Dawn (1992, ambient electronic)

Another Lagowski's release, under the name LEGION. Same digital electronic ambient sound as the previous SETI album, but in a more basic structure : it consists mostly in 2 very long tracks (more than 30' for the 1st one) of floating dark ambient. Even if it doesn't evolve enough, it surely create a particular state of mind for those who will listen for the whole recording.
No artwork found, and I'm not patient enough to scan the horrible artwok of the CD.
The music is here, ripped at 192kbps.

Let's go back to kraut and psych for the next posts, maybe.

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.

SEBASTIEN TELLIER, 3 concerts

En photo, Sébastien dans 30 ans, aka Jean-Pierre Dupire, que les parisiens qui prennent le métro connaissent bien.
Re-post opportuniste de 3 concerts déjà posés en ligne à 2 reprises ici, cette fois à l'occasion du succès médiatique massif du dernier album "Sexuality", auquel on préfère ici, infiniment, le 1er "Incroyable vérité" (pas le même niveau de compo quand même - pour les fans de la prod electro-cheap du dernier, on recommandera les futures sections "kraut décadence", ou le kraut progressif synthétique des années réputées les pires, 76 à 79!); à l'occasion, aussi, des concerts complets, comme celui donné à Paris le 30 avril à La Cigale.
Les 3 shows sont enregistrés au mini-disc, avec son moyen forcément, mais recommandés pour les versions, notamment, des titres de "Politics", meilleures que sur l'album.
Paris New Morning 20.1.2004.
Track list : Broadway / Ketchup vs Genocide / Wonderafrica / League Chicanos / Universe / Black Douleur / Benny / Fantino / Bye-Bye / La Ritournelle. 160 kbps (me semble-t-il).
Le meilleur des trois, formation piano / synthé (envolées psyché grand cru de Prophet 5 à 2000E joué par Rob en blaser blanc...) / guitare (Rickenbacker à 5000 effleurée 10 fois dans le set) / basse / batterie (Tony Allen) / choristes (sous-mixées). League Chicanos touchant et tellement mieux que la version album.

Paris New Morning 29.4.2004 "Cabaret".
Track list : Broadway / Black Douleur / Fantino / League Chicanos / Universe / Ketchup vs Genocide /4 covers (Luna Parker, Elsa, Isabelle Adjani, C. Jérôme) / La Ritournelle. 128 kbps je crois.
Formation minimale piano / synthé / basse / guitare - manque un peu de batterie, notamment dans une Ritournelle soudain très pauvre. Reprises sincères, le Luna Parker en serait presque émouvant si le public forcément ironique et complice ne hurlait pas de rire à chaque refrain.

Paris Café de la Danse "Back to rythm" 6.6.2006.
Track list : Bye bye / ? / League Chicanos / Wonderafrica / Universe / Broadway / Une Heure / Black Douleur / Ketchup vs Genocide / Kissed by you / Oh Malheur chez O'Malley / La Ritournelle / La Dolce Vita / Fantino. 192kbps si tout se passe bien.
Formation piano / synthé / basse / guitare / batterie, mais dans une forme plus convenue qu'au-dessus. Versions plus fidèles aux albums. On préférait le côté foutraque du groupe avec le sympathique Rob en 2004, dommage. "Une Heure" en avant première, 18 mois avant la sortie de l'album "Sexuality", et sans voix; on était déjà sceptique. + un inédit à ce jour, à ma connaissance en tout cas. Très beau "Kissed by you" par ailleurs.

Ce que j'aime chez Tellier, c'est qu'on a droit à des choses assez différentes à chaque fois. Si quelqu'un a un enregistrement des 1ers premiers concerts, période guitare + theremin (extra!), on prend évidemment.
Qui se charge d'enregistrer le show du 30 avril?

DAVID SHEA, Mort aux Vaches (1998?)

Posted by ∞, to end this series.
A good overview of early SHEA's works, from ambient and ethnic sounds to electronica and collage.
Find it here.
Thanks ∞.

SCANNER, The Garden is full of metal (1997, electronic soundscapes)

Derek Jarman's word put into music by Robin Rimbaud aka SCANNER, in one of his good albums of the late 90s. Probably not his easiest work, for those who don't know him.
Try it here.

DAVID SHEA, Satyricon (1997, electronica / ambient)

By request.
Following "The tower of mirrors", it's the other great electronic work by D.SHEA, who was better know then for his sounds collage and concept recordings such as "Prisonner". Beautiful work here, but less various and less successful than "Tower...". Nevertheless it's an essential recording, you can still buy it here, after having listened to it there.
Two different artworks seem to exist, the original being the blue one.

DAVID SHEA, The Tower of Mirrors (1996, electronic soundscapes)

One of the best albums DAVID SHEA made in my opinion. It's the typical "electronic soundscapes" SHEA, SCANNER and some others were producing between 1995 and 2000. Honestly, I have not kept on buying them, the best things seemed to have been produced in their early years, but I may be wrong.
For those who don't know him, it's an "electronic journey", with collage and sounds produced from various sources, from ethnic / fields recordings to basic electronica. This one is probably the most ambient album he produced. It can be compared to a score for an imaginary film.
Try it here (ripped at 192kbps).

PSYCHE, Tales from the darkside (1987, dark vintage electronics)

Released in 1990, this compilation CD is a collection of early songs of this rather mediocre electro new wave band from the 90s, recorded between 1982 and 1987. Actually a very good surprise, it could be described as the gap between early CABARET VOLTAIRE and (very dark side of) early JEAN-MICHEL JARRE, at least on some tracks. Sometimes it sounds distorted and really industrial with scary voices, sometimes it's just good old synth music from the 80s (sounding as if it had been recored it 79). "Another billion eyes" or "a threat" are the highlights of the album, begin with these 2 tracks. Those who, like me, are fascinated by the old japanese machinery (Korg / Roland synths and rythm box) will certainly love this.
Don't be scared and download it here (ripped at 192kbps).

SILVER APPLES, live Paris Nouveau Casino 6.3.2008

Only live performance in France by this classic "minimalist psych rock" band (actually, leader Simeon alone with his sound and wave generators) for its come-back.
A good example of "psych-pop experimentation" : it sounds like pop, it's sung and there are some melodies, but Simeon uses all this electronic trickery that could have been much more experimental and reminds me SUICIDE (but in a funny version).
Of course, there wasn't much to see : just this cool old guy with his samples and wave generators. But that was fun!
Recorded with my own mic and MiniDisc, the sound is ok for a bootleg, and ripped at 192kbps.
Download it here, and don't forget the 2 albums have been beautifully re-edited - on Amazon for instance.

CURRENT 93 (1997, drone / ambient)

Having uploaded the album, I realize that i've already posted it last year - with comments in french.
But, what an outstanding album, I love it!! In my opinion it's the best music produced by the Tibet / Stapleton team, though it sounds much more like the ambient NURSE WITH WOUND than CURRENT 93.
It consists in one long floating ambient tone / drone, divided in 4 parts - only the first one, with its low analog frequencies loop, is a little boring, you'll probably skip this track.
And from the 2nd track to the end, it's nothing less an extraordinary journey in floating sounds : you'll hear analog synths, some kind of flute, bells, voices (and some spoken words by Tibet).
I don't understand why such an album was first issued in a very limited edition of 1000 (sold with a book by Ligetti). It was re-edited in 2002 without the book, you can still buy it here (more than 100 euros on Amazon!).
Before this, download it here (192kbps).

STAPLETON / WAKEFORD (1993, industrial ambient)

Curiously not far from the TAZARTES' style, posted sooner, NURSE WITH WOUND's Steve Stapleton and SOL INVICTUS' / ex DEATH IN JUNE Tony Wakeford in their only collaboration. Actually, the album sounds much more like NWW's albums than SI' - an easy version of NWW. For this reason, it's not only a really good ambient / industrial and quite melodic album, but also a very good entry to those who don't know NWW's world or find it "cold" and hard.
I'm not sure it's been re-released since 1993. Find it here (at 192kbps).

GHEDALIA TAZARTES, Transports

Another good record by TAZARTES, "recorded in Paris, 1977 & 1997"; indeed, it seems to have been recorded from various sessions and sources, but once again a brilliant editing gives a splendid unity to the whole. More various instruments than in "Une éclipse...", and some rythmic patterns help this album to be an easier entry to TAZARTES weird and unique musical world.
Be curious and try it here.

GHEDALIA TAZARTES, Une éclipse totale de soleil (1979, experimental?)

For once, a beautiful french title - for a marvelous album. It's difficult music and in the same time, deeply poetic and easy to listen to if you are "in the thing".
Tazartes' work at the time was mostly based on voice basic manipulations, sometimes it sounds tantric, sometimes it screams, and this editing is brilliant, the whole forms a "poetic journey". Everyone should try.
Be warned that the original album consists in the 1st two tracks; the last track, not good at all in my opinion, comes as an addition for the digipack CD re-issue.
Listen to it here (at 192kbps) or buy it on ForcedExposure.com.

RYOJI IKEDA, 1000 Fragments (1995, minimal electronic / soundscapes)

Obviously one of the most convicing examples of minimalist electronic music, created almost only from digital sine waves frequencies (the sound is to be compared to its analog partners PAN SONIC). It's by far my favourite IKEDA's album. It's divided in 3 parts : "Channel X" consists in 9 short parts of sample / cut up sounds; "5 zones" is an extraordinary music soundscape you absolutely must play loud, a kind of classic to me; "Luxus" is a repetitive single tune that has no real interest in my opinion.
Released in 1995, this CD appears 13 years later as an absolute classing (remember how many followers there were in the next years!).
Find it here (192kbps).

MORSEL, Noise Floor (1994, "no-wave" / "avant-rock")

I've seen this unknown band (undistributed in France I think) in 1994, when in Dayton, Ohio. I was there to see this incredible band called CIGAREHEADS I was following in Ohio, in this bar where we were probably less than 20 people in the audience.
They played a very good performance, I bought the CD, and here it is. It's simple to describe it as a mix of SONIC YOUTH / NIRVANA / bands of the Chicago scene of the era, but it's probably more than that. Some tracks are really excellent, the last one is a moving instrumental that you may remember for a long time.
Try it here.
You can hear good tracks from other albums / EPs on their MySpace page.

Question : does anyone have any recording of CIGAREHEADS? Any 45rpm, LPs or live performance are welcome. Thanks!

ELLI & JACNO, Boomerang (pop, 1982)

At last, back again. In the next weeks I'll try to post 2 albums a week, it was impossible to do more in the lmast months, I had too much work.

I don't know if JACNO is known outside from France : he is an essential and unique composer of moving electro-pop classic tunes from the 80s (the best known is "Rectangle", anyone knows it), he had his first punk-rock band very young with his girlfriend ELLI. In 1982 they made this very intimate pop album that is typical of his style. Curiously, it doesn't seem to have been release in CD, so this is an LP-rip. Check out his last albums "French paradise" (2002) and "Tant de temps" (2006).

Download the album here. Pay a particular attention to 3 outstanding tracks : "Roulette russe", "Je t'aime tant", "Pour toi".
(LP-rip, 192 kbps - I have not found the original artwork, but it's very similar to "Je t'aime tant" SP)

DOMINIQUE PETITGAND, 10 / 11 petites compositions familiales (1995/96))

Impossible to classify. This magic musical poetry will be much appreciated by those who understand french, as D. PETITGAND records conversations in his family (mother, wife and son) and makes music with it. Often very funny and moving too.
There are 2 recordings here : "10 petites compositions familiales" and "11 petites compositions familiales". Download these masterpieces here.

BETA BODEGA COALITION, various artists (1999, electornica)

Called "Rice and Beans / Psychological Operations in Guerilla Warfare", and packaged with... rice and beans.
Not much to say as I know nothing about the label, except that it's a sort of extreme WARP / SCHEMATIC electronic label of the era, and it's mexican (or pretend to be). Some boring tracks and some outstanding too.
The artists here are : Takeshi Muto, Leekon, Atlajala, Dave Noyze, Goem, Tpm, Patcha Kutek, Needle, El Brujo Oscuro, V8& La Mano Fria.
192kbps rip. Be adventurous and try it here.
(no picture available for the CD artwork)

LATON COMPILATION (1999, electronica)

No picture available.
Usually I don't like compilations with various artists, but I admit that this CD contains some really exciting tracks.
I don't know much about the LATON, except that it's from Austria, the music here is vintage electronica, the artists share the same old sound, in an hypnotic way. Begin with track 2 by Alois Huber, a fabulous one.
The artists here : Pomassl, Alois Huber, M. Soellner, Auralbino, Fon Proof, A. Burger.
Download it at 192 kbps here.

S. TELLIER, Mr. OIZO, SEBASTIAN - Steak (2007, electro-pop)

Sorry but these days I don't have time to post all I'd like to share.
Here is a "lite" post : this soundtrack sounds like a brilliant joke, but maybe only a joke. It's vintage electro-pop music, somewhere between Moroder and french comedy soundtrack from the 80s.
As a bonus, you'll find in the file the new SEBASTIEN TELLIER's single, remixed by SEBASTIAN.
Discover here this electro-pop soundtrack from a movie that nobody (almost) has seen.

PS : someone has noticed that there's one track missing in one of the TELLIER live perfomances I've posted sooner. The reason is that this track has no interest at all, it's a short track from the 2nd album. If you really want it, please ask and I'll try to post it.

ALAIN GORAGUER, La Planète Sauvage (1973, psych pop)

One of my best posts. This is the soundtrack that strongly influenced AIR for "the virgin suicides" - some tracks sound almost the same. It's one of my favourite 70s albums, among some krautrock classics like AGITATION FREE's "Malesh" or IKARUS (sorry for my permanent references to krautrock).The film is an extraordinary and typical psychedelic object from the 70s area, that everyone interested in this culture should have seen - I've seen it maybe 40 times.
You can download the album here, but please, try to buy the soundtrack or the film ("Fantastic Planet" is the english title), it's easy to find on the web.

IMPORTANT : in addition to the CD, I've put some additional music in this file :
> 2 tracks from the film that don't appear on the CD (see excerpt below)
> 1 folk song from the weird film "A TRAVERS LA FORET", directed by Jean-Paul Civeyrac. I don't know the composer, but this song is probably my favourite folk song, though it is very short and simple. In the film, it appears in a magical moment, when the dead boyfriend deeply loved by the girl appears in a dream in her bed. See the trailer here.
> 1 excerpt from Wong Kar Wai's "ASHES OF TIME" (his best film), a moving moment where the actress explains (more or less) that the man she loves has never noticed her. Certainly cheesy but absolutely romantic.

See a clip from LA PLANETE SAUVAGE (containing one of the "additional tracks" of my post :

and here's is the clip from ASHES OF TIME where your find the sound sequence I've pickep up (on minute 7) :