Top 10 Albums of 2009

Dec 12
2009

After finding so much good stuff in Audible Oddities Top 10 of 2009 list, I decided to put one together myself. I was halfway curious just to see what it was going to look like, and have posted so little here lately that it seems an apt way to get back to it. I’ve decided not to number them, it’s hard enough to limit the list to 10 11 let alone try to assert some hierarchy between releases which for most purposes probably shouldn’t even be listed together. And yes, I’ve HAPPILY paid for all of them, and continue to encourage everyone to own their taste. Support what supports you.

Christopher Barnes – Five Song EP
Deru – Genus
Kettel – Myam James Part 2
Luke Vibert – We Hear You
Lusine – A Certain Distance
Ochre – Like Dust of the Balance
Patrick Watson – Wooden Arms
Philip Glass – A Madrigal Opera
Proswell – Konami 2009 Remaster
Shugo Tokumaru – Rum Hee
Yagya – Rigning

East on a Golden Wind / America’s Film Legacy

Aug 31
2009

East on a Golden Wind by nkurence

After quite a long slumber I’ve started fiddling with noise again. Got a new track up on SoundCloud, East on a Golden Wind, mastered by the savvy & sublime Christopher Leary @ Melograf Mastering. Super pleased with the results and speed, prices are extremely reasonable as well.

 

In other news I’ve come across what looks like an amazing book, America’s Film Legacy by Daniel Eagan, a guide to the 500-odd films in America’s National Film Registry via. the Library of Congress. From what I understand, it’s the first such attempt of it’s sort and is garnering some high-level acclaim from the likes of Francis Ford Coppola and Leonard Maltin. If you’re a film buff, it’s likely worth a look. According to the publisher it’s being slated for a November release, and is currently available for pre-order. More information here.

Jake Mandell 3 Albums + 3 Eps Free

Jul 26
2009

Parallel Processes

There’s a good chance this could be a case of new to me, old to you as often happens with web content, especially with things that are years old. But this was so cool I couldn’t resist…

Jake Mandell, proprietor of Love Songs For Machines (an IDM legacy in it’s own right) has made 3 full length albums and 3 eps available for free on his site, including Parallel Processes and Quondam Current. If you’ve never heard of him, which I suppose is vaguely possible, check it out, it’s free–how can you go wrong with free??? If you like it, make sure you pick up Love Songs For Machines (just writing this is making me feel all kinds of nostalgic).

Some really interesting info in his bio too–definitely a guy who’s passionate about his work, and it really shows. Would love to hear him releasing again. I think he and James Horner could have done an insane collab on the new Tron score :-\

NK Apparel / Kashiwa Daisuke

Jul 25
2009

hoodie
Just received a number of Ochre’s shirts + a hoodie produced via. Spreadshirt, and am so thoroughly impressed with the quality I’ve decided to create a couple NK items, in both mens & womens styles. The printing method being used is a transfer called Flock. It resembles a very thick silk screen. I had a couple shirts made this way almost 10 years ago and they’re still in great shape. I’ve ordered twice with Spreadshirt now, and had shipping confirmation within 24 hours. Quite an excellent solution for POD, it seems. Check the offerings here. All NK merchandise is commission free (at cost), if you care. Many items have multiple design placements, signified by +, ++ etc.

Otherwise noteworthy I discovered Kashiwa Daisuke last week. He’s got a really interesting style going- for example on his album 5 Dec. I hear influences including Steve Reich, Juno Reactor, Venetian Snares and Proswell to name a couple – all sort of riveted together with a bubbling acid jazz vibe. Definitely worth a listen, 5 Dec. is his most recent release, but in my current state it’s somewhat jolting (I’ve been digging into Program Music I mostly, which is a gorgeous album–far more melodic than his newer works).

Ochre’s new album arrived today–I already knew it was amazing, Acrid Avid Jam Shred is a staple of my life, Clarence Park is still my favorite Clark album, and between Gridlock’s Formless and Speedy J’s A Shocking Hobby I think there’s enough static energy to spark some sort of small fusion reaction.