Posts tagged ‘microtonal’

April 12, 2014

Rubio out 4/19 + news & reviews

Spectropol is excited about the release of Marcus Rubio’s “I don’t think I see a difference” next Saturday (April 19). It’s a compelling album of banjo/voice-centered deconstructed pop songs that’s as pleasing as it is challenging.

Here’s a tiny teaser:

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Here’s a cool piece on Marcus from last summer.
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Meanwhile, here’s a nice review of LiL’s THE SPACE BETWEEN from What’s Up! Magazine.

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And here are some thoughts on the tracks of Possible Worlds Vol. 2 from the esteemed Music Street Journal.

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Get the albums here:

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January 16, 2014

new Paul Rubenstein

Soundtrack to Travels With H:  a series of short films by Raeshma Razvi

 

A beautiful collection of tracks from instrument maker and microtonalist composer Paul Rubenstein.

Stream the album or purchase the download or CDR from the bandcamp release page.

Check out the films here.

“I was very excited to work with Raeshma on this project. We had worked together some years before on her documentary film, “Home”. “Travels with H” is about the continuing influence of the medieval Persian Sufi poet, Hafiz. It is less a portrait of Hafiz and his work directly than it is about contemporary people and how his work resonates through their lives today. I attempt to mirror this in the music by drawing on Persian scales and technique and filtering it through a modern lens through the choice of instruments, use of electronic effects and drawing on other musical styles.

This project gave me the opportunity to re-visit musical ideas from my time in Bakshish, my collaboration with Viren Kamdar in the 1990s in Seattle. “The Garden Still Sleeps” is a look back at one of our pieces from that time, “Sleeping Garden”. “Alice’s Journey” is a tribute to Alice Coltrane, especially the work she did in the 1970s with Pharoah Sanders, particularly “Journey in Satchidananda”, one of my favorite albums of all time.

I am very grateful to Raeshma for the opportunity to create this music, and for her generous hospitality, and thanks to her husband Raj as well. ”

-P.R.

Check out his earlier Spectropol release (Solo Trios) here.

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December 26, 2013

recent reviews

Here’s a round-up of some recent reviews.

Andrea Borghi – Musica per Nastro in Wonderful Wooden Reasons and in Kathodik (Italian)

C Dufallo/P Derivaz – Bass Violin, & Vincent Bergeron – Il y a seulement des apparitions in Monsieur Délire

J.C. Combs – Gazing,  Andrew Young – Inkplaces,  & Joel Taylor – Night Stories in Vital Weekly

Get the albums:

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November 15, 2013

Possible Worlds Vol. 2 microtonal compilation is available

The latest installment in our ongoing presentation of some of the finest contemporary xenharmonic (not 12-tone equal tempered) music available. Spanning five continents and showcasing a diversity of styles/genres, these twelve tracks provide multiple entry points into worlds inhabiting novel pitch space.

With music by Jacky Ligon, Mirjam Tally, Lewis Krauthamer, Lois Lancaster, Karen Keyhani, Christian Molenaar, Todd Harrop, Scott A. Moore, D. Edward Davis, Claudi Meneghin, Michael Vick and Kraig Grady.

November 11, 2013

Possible Worlds Vol. 2 sampler

Check out this sampler track from Spectropol’s upcoming (11/15) microtonal compilation, featuring excerpts from Jacky Ligon, Mirjam Tally, Lewis Krauthamer, Lois Lancaster, Karen Keyhani, Christian Molenaar, Todd Harrop, Scott A. Moore, D. Edward Davis, Claudi Meneghin, Michael Vick and Kraig Grady.

October 31, 2013

Possible Worlds Vol. 2 slated for 11/15 release

As promised earlier, there are three more microtonal compilations on the way. The first will be ready on 11/15 and is packed with xen/micro/JI wonderment! Have a look at the playlist:

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More information will be available leading up to the release, and before long the next two playlists will be made public as well (for December and early 2014 release).

And if you haven’t heard Vol. 1 from 2011, check it here:

October 6, 2013

“aos rios urbanos” (George Christian) released

George Christian (Brazil) shares a beautiful and exploratory collection of guitar-based microtonal and processed pieces. Use the link to our Bandcamp site below to access the name-your-price download or limited edition CD-R.

“new sadness, or requiem for regina celi” features Kyland Holmes.
Mastered by Leo Moura. Photos by Davi Karamazov.

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September 19, 2013

Plans for microtonal compilation(s)

The response to the call for micro/xen/JI works was overwhelming. Because I received such a large collection of interesting and quality pieces, and because I’m not in favor of putting out a marathon playlist, Spectropol will be releasing two or possibly three separate compilations a few months apart starting in late October. These may be Possible Worlds Vol. 2-3 (or 4); or I may title them separately.

Stay tuned! [I will contact individual artists.]

July 28, 2013

One year of Micropangaea (bonus track)

It’s been one year since the release of Brendan Byrnes’ Micropangaea, an album that made Igloo Magazine’s top releases list for 2012.

Read the Igloo review.

We’re celebrating by releasing a bonus track! Glacial Reef was part of Byrnes’ original playlist but was only recently completed. It’s now available as part of the album download as well as a single free download for those that already have the album.

download/purchase Micropangaea

More about the album (and the new track) at Kerstin Hovland’s HTML 5 Micropangaea site.

Also, join us with the ‘Can this even be called Music?’ blog crew for a Micropangaea listening party (via Grooveshark) August 4 at 4PM EST!

Here’s CTEBCM?’s review of the album.

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July 22, 2013

call for microtonal works

Spectropol records is seeking audio submissions for a compilation of xenharmonic/microtonal/JI tracks of any style composed/recorded since 2010. The compilation will be a free net-only release in fall 2013 – no money will change hands, but the project will be widely publicized.

Artists featured on the label’s 2011 Possible Worlds compilation should hold off from submitting works (this time around). There is no guarantee of inclusion on the project; as with Possible Worlds, we are planning to showcase a wide range of styles/approaches from a diverse group of international artists. Tracks exclusive (somewhat) to the project are preferred but not required.

Please send perusal links (not attachments) for up to two streaming or downloadable audio files by August 21, 2013 to skiks.bh@gmail.com. Tracks should be stereo and preferably between 2 and 8 minutes in duration. Please reference “Spectropol compilation” in the subject line; text related to the tracks/artists will be requested at a later time.

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Check out the Possible Worlds compilation here: