Ari Abramowitz’s Top Ten — February 4

by Ari Abramowitz
4 February 2007

1. GAE BOLG – La Ballade de L’Ankou (Dysphorie)

   Bombastic, over-the-top, symphonic, French (Basque?), majestic madness that I can’t tell whether it is a joke or not. Vaguely gothic at points, a la mid-period Death in June, vaguely industrial, a la Laibach, at times, squarely folkish at others, a la Stille Volk. Tony Wakeford of Sol Invictus is mentioned in the acknowledgements, so maybe that gives a hint. Either way, this is a giant earfull.

2. JAMES BLACKSHAW – Waking Into Sleep (Kning)

   Shimmering, dazzling, post-Fahey/Basho modern classical/folk/raga guitar. Some of the best of this type that I’ve heard.

3. CIRCLE – Andexelt (tUMULT)

   Can’t remember if I mentioned this one before, but it’s likely the best, most rhythmic album by one of the more interesting bands in today’s prog and psych world. Thanks to Andee and tUMULt for re-issuing it.

4. BADEN POWELL – Le Monde Musical De (Sunnyside)

   Landmark early album by one of the very finest guitarists to emerge from Brazil in the 50s or 60s.

5. HYPNOS 69 – Intrigue Of Perception (Elektrohasch)

   Tasty, jazzy, stoner rock with a heightened emphasis on jamming, which is a great thing, considering the ace interplay between the guitar and saxophone.

6. HELLA – There’s No 666 In Outer Space (Ipecac)

   Fantastic debut of the “full band” Hella line-up. Everything is tighter, crisper, more intricate than ever. They’ve definitely stepped their post-indie prog rock to another level.

7. HUGO LARGO Mettle (All Saints)

   Fine reissue, originally released in 1988, by this original band playing an arty, jazzy, ambient alternative pop with a two bass, no drum line-up and with some strikingly swooping and diving vocals from Mimi Goese.

8. LEON WARE – Musical Massage (Gordy/Motown)

   Unofficially the sister album to Marvin Gaye’s I Want You, much of which Ware wrote and arranged. It doesn’t have Marvin’s voice, but the creamy, jazzy, silky, sultry flow is every bit IWY’s equal.

9. TIM HECKER – Harmony In Ultraviolet (Kranky)

   Time-stopingly, sublimely, organically, texturedly, engrossingly, immersively and speechlessly beautiful electronic music. Aquariusrecords.org’s review is stunning and poetic, in its own right.

10. INNER LIFE – “The Moment Of My Life” (Salsoul)

    Right up there as possibly the best disco track I’ve ever heard. Stirring, uplifting, soul-filling.