Paysage d'Hiver - Nacht (2004) (Cass.)

Paysage d'Hiver
Nacht (Cass.) (2004, Kunsthall Produktionen)

"Some severe black beauty here, birthed from the darkest reaches of the driven snow. Tobias Möckl creates a biting universe with his music that is both fierce, with walls of blistering sound, and solemn in its periods of untroubled reflection. Such is the barren winter of life, it can sometimes seem, and sooner or later the night will take us all. Dig in before it's too late friends, this is the banger of the season!!" - DD

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REPOST: The Shaggs - Shaggs' Own Thing (1982) (LP)

The Shaggs
Shaggs' Own Thing (LP) (1982, Rounder Records)

"This is my favourite Shaggs record, if only for the sweetness of their Yesterday Once More and Paper Roses. So beautiful it hurts." - DD

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Originally posted on 08/22/10.

Kaoru Abe - Sombre Dimanche (1971)

Kaoru Abe
Sombre Dimanche (1971, Wax Records)

"Kaoru Abe is capable of delivering some pretty righteous blasts. On this (his first solo record, I believe) his squealing and writhing contortions of skronk abound! He's not for everyone, sure, but if you like your jams free-wheelin' and fierce then dig it loud and proud little bebe's!" - DD

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Mark Fell - Multistability (2010)

Mark Fell
Multistability (2010, Raster-Noton)

"More experimental electronics for all you piss puddles, only this time a fully erratic and encompassing assault of sound that you will surely feel snapping inside your head. I mean that literally. Brain meltage is almost definite, so wear headphones and turnt it ch'all!" - DD

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Thomas Brinkmann - What You Hear (Is What You Hear) (2015)

Thomas Brinkmann
What You Hear (Is What You Hear) (2015, Editions Mego)

"Choice droners of all forms will fill your skull on this beaster from Germany's minimal electronic producer Thomas Brinkmann. Recommended for use with headphones at high volume; brain splattering goodness!" - DD

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La Monte Young - The Well-Tuned Piano (1987)

La Monte Young
The Well-Tuned Piano (1987, Gramavision)

"What we have here is a five hour recording of a solo piano piece composed and performed by the father of minimalism himself. It is unquestionably a Herculean expanse of pure, unfettered beauty, covering a vast range of emotions and themes throughout. Highly recommend for droners and sickos alike!" - DD

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Kristian, Shalabi, St-Onge - Kristian, Shalabi, St-Onge (2001)

Kristian, Shalabi, St-Onge
Kristian, Shalabi, St-Onge (2001, Alien8 Recordings)

"Montreal's own Alien8 released this collection of extremely minimal and measured pieces composed by David Kristian (synth), Sam Shalabi (guitar/oud) and Alexandre St-Onge (double bass). I only wish I were around Montreal when these guys were performing here 'cause this is excellent music! Bare and patient, but without doubt powerful. Dig in and drool sweethearts!" - DD

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Terumasa Hino Quintet - Peace & Love (1970) (LP)

Terumasa Hino Quintet
Peace & Love (LP) (1970, Canyon Records, Love Records)

"Some elegant and mellow jazz from prominent Japanese trumpeter Terumasa Hino. Here we have two long tracks, one flowing and one more subdued, with some beautiful instrumentation and composition throughout. Dig it smooth cool cats!" - DD

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The Electric Prunes - Mass In F Minor (1968) (LP)

The Electric Prunes
Mass In F Minor (LP) (1968, Reprise Records)

"Membership and politics aside, I think this album is when The Prunes really hit their stride. Prior to they created some fantastic psych/garage, but after reformatting the group David Axelrod was really able to define some out-there sounds and ideas. This one hits from front to back in a supremely psychedelic way, so take two hits and call me in the morning kiddies. This is Mass the way it was meant to be!" - DD

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Vangelis - L'apocalypse des Animaux (1973)

Vangelis
L'apocalypse des Animaux (1973, Polydor)

"As with Kamikaze 1989 I initially discovered the music on this from the movie Devil Fetus. When I heard the album in full I was mesmerized from beginning to end; Le Singe Bleu promptly became one of my favourite songs and I've since gone on to buy the LP for several people as it pops up often in Montreal shops. Highly recommended, dreamy, electronic minimalism from the guru himself, just at the dawn of his vast career." - DD

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Urfaust - Geist Ist Teufel (2003)

Urfaust
Geist Ist Teufel (2003, Christcrusher Productions)

"Nederland's operatic black metal outfit Urfaust can be challenging, maybe even a little strange, but ultimately very rewarding if given the chance. What started as an ambient project became something that is at times almost shrill, often quite beautiful, and relentlessly melodic. Their ambient tracks are sublime and Vloekwaard's vocals are ineffable. Dig this sweet sweet little kiddies, and get grooovy with yr bad selves!" - DD

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Space Machine - 3 (2003)

Space Machine
3 (2003, Tiliqua Records)

"Some deliciously drippy, moogerfoogin' analogue electronics from the colossal Masonna. Pretty spaced out (as the name should suggest) and not at all like his much harsher noise work. Includes a 40 minute live set featuring Makoto Kawabata and Nakaya Kouichi, which is not to be missed. Good to put on at parties!" - DD

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Roky Erickson - The Evil One (1981/2013)

Roky Erickson
The Evil One (1981/2013, Light In The Attic)

"Some good 'ol rock 'n roll for all you foolies 'n coolies. The always impressive Roky really delivers on this one, my personal favourite of his. I Walked With A Zombie may well be one of the great rock ballads of all time, but that's for you to decide. This is the reissued version with all 15 tracks. Enjoy it freaky deakies!" - DD

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Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions (2009) (LP)

Sunn O)))
Monoliths & Dimensions (LP) (2009, Southern Lord)

"Menacing and stark, an unflinching fuzz patiently pounds and progresses through moments of profound elegance. The vocals darkly stunning, the choir haunting, the horns enlightened and the composition rich and broad. Featuring an extraordinary group of collaborators, this is truly a formidable listen. Chew it loud kiddies, chew it very, very loud!" - DD

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Brainbombs - Obey (1995)

Brainbombs
Obey (1995, The Releasing Eskimo / Slow Dance)

"Hey baby, you look a little pale. Are you sick? Then dig this scumfuckery and get reaaal puke like! Brainbombs are easily one of the more offensive bands, lyrically, if you're sensitive to social mores (wiki warns "most of the songs depict acts of child rape, extreme sex, torture and murder"). Fortunately I'm not, and aurally this is one of the slimiest, grungiest, most balls-to-the-walls rock 'n roll albums ever made. So chug the sludge if you dare soup heads, but don't say I didn't warn you!" - DD

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Heldon - Heldon IV "Agneta Nilsson" (1976)

Heldon
Heldon IV "Agneta Nilsson" (1976, Urus Records)

"Epic space drawl of the highest grade, Heldon IV is perfect mood music for those lazy, hazy days on the couch. Close your eyes and inhale the euphoric mist of Perspective my ethereal bunnies." - DD

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Various Artists - Sounding The Body Electric (2013)

Various Artists
Sounding The Body Electric (2013, Bôłt)

"Sprawling worlds of sound coalesce in this grand collection of pieces selected as a counterpart to Calvert 22's exhibit of the same name, showcasing experimental approaches to sound and image in Eastern Europe through the 60's, 70's and early 80's. Highly recommended for electroacouster's and concrète tape-heads alike!" - DD

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Various Artists - Hawaiian Steel Guitar Classics 1927-1938 (1993)

Various Artists
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Classics 1927-1938 (1993, Folklyric Records)

"I've spent a significant amount of time over the holidays and throughout the new year thus far listening to and obsessing over this remarkably on point and comprehensive compilation of beauties, featuring all the best in Hawaiian steel from the 30's. I can only hope some of you will enjoy it as much as I have, and note that if you don't like it at all you probably suck at life. Shake on you incurable cankers!" - DD

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Various Artists - Orange Mound (2013)

Various Artists
Orange Mound (2013, Self Released)

"Welcome to 2016 sisters and brothers! I knew leaving for the holidays that I wanted this to be the first post of the new year and here we are. What Mark Francis Johnson has created for us is a stark compilation of some of the greasiest, lo-fi, independent, Memphis hip-hop cassette's from throughout the early-to-mid 90's. My buddy Maxy Poo showed it to me and said it was "one of the sickest rap mixes" he'd ever heard and I can't disagree; it's an excellently grooved out sludger! As one poster put it, "a mix like this is a passport to another world," so don't stall too long foolies. Dig it loud and proud!" - DD

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Willie Nelson - Pretty Paper (1979)

Willie Nelson
Pretty Paper (1979, Columbia)

"Willie Nelson? Yes please, of course! This beautiful, and traditional Christmas album will be my final post of the year as I leave tomorrow for family time. If you don't like Willie's voice then you probably suck. Put this on with the family, get some drinks and play a board game! You won't regret it. Thanks for a great year everyone, happy holidays and I'll see you again in 2016!" - DD

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Various ‎Artists - Christmas Rap (1987)

Various Artists
Christmas Rap (1987, Profile Records)

"Now this is Christmas rap! I believe it was just a cash-grab inspired by the success of Run-DMC's classic Christmas In Hollis, opening track, but it holds up pretty well regardless (w/ some exceptions). Get a blaster on yr shoulder, lay some cardboard out on the living room floor and git cho' self a B-boy holiday dance party underway today!" - DD

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Crew X - Christmas Rap Music (1990) (Cass.)

Crew X
Christmas Rap Music (Cass.) (1990, Silver Bells Music)

"Clippity clap, tippity tap!! As far as hip hop goes this "shit" is "whack". Fa la la la la la la la la laaaa!! Ya hear?! If there seems to be too many la's in there it's because there is. Rap?! But fear not fuglies. As redonk as this "entirely recorded on a casio w/ Christmas demo's" tape be, there is a saving grace in the closing moments that has officially made its way onto my "fav x-mas songs of all time" list. That's right, it's The Christmas Rap! Dig in foolies 'n coolies!" - DD

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Smokey Robinson & The Miracles ‎- Christmas With The Miracles (1963)

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Christmas With The Miracles (1963, Tamla)

"Some glistening and warm soul for a nice relaxing Christmas. The Miracles really kill it here, so gather 'round the fire and groove on these hearty jammers!" - DD

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Matt Wilson - Matt Wilson's Christmas Tree-O (2010)

Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson's Christmas Tree-O (2010, Palmetto Records)

"Excellent jazzer comp of 14 Christmas classics for all you beats out there; including covers of The Chipmunks, Lennon and Charlie Brown! Get a little toasty with some White Russians this season and jam on these honkin' skronkers!" - DD

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Billy Vaughn And His Orchestra ‎- Christmas Carols (1958) (LP)

Billy Vaughn And His Orchestra
Christmas Carols (1958, Dot Records)

"This feels like the staple Christmas album, the one every Christmas movie after 1958 took it's songs from. It's warm, glowing and full of joy. Love is all around us, so forget about corporate greed hang-ups and religious ties, put petty squabbles aside, curl up with your family & friends, have a few drinks (alcoholic or otherwise) and spend some quality time with the people you love!" - DD

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The Roches - The Roches (1979)

The Roches
The Roches (1979, Warner Bros. Records)

"The Roches will not appeal to everyone. There is something undeniably quirky or goofy about their music, some would likely say corny. Yet there are moments, and for me an underlying current, of satiric warmth and genius. Songs like Hammond Song or Damned Old Dog overflow w/ narrative mastery and vocal power. In the end you may hate this album. The first time I heard it I fell in love, the second I bought my own copy, and each time since it's become more and more important to me. Good luck!" - DD

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Note: This will be the last album I post this year outside of Christmas tunes. I wanted to stop at 44 posts, but also wanted to beat my previous years (aside from 2010 when I was jobless and spending a lot of time at home listening to music) so I will post a few Christmas albums I've been into this year and hopefully you enjoy them. It's been a fantastic year for BT and it couldn't have happened without all of the incredible feedback I've received from everyone. Thank you so much for the continued support and interest!! And here's to a successful 2016 as well, happy holidays everyone!

Hailu Mergia and the Walias - Tche Belew (1977)

Hailu Mergia and the Walias
Tche Belew (1977, Kaifa Records)

"Some more deliciously grooved out Ethiopian beauty; here we get a nice soulful jazzercise from organist Hailu Mergia and his excellent band. For more goodies I suggest a dig through the Éthiopiques series, so many remarkable jams! Now tune in and vibe sweet babies on these funky rhythms!" - DD

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Kourosh Yaghmaei - Back From The Brink (2011)

Kourosh Yaghmaei
Back From The Brink (2011, Now-Again Records)

"Excellent compilation of tracks from Iranian rocker Kourosh Yaghmaei. I hadn't heard him until this came out and have been in love with it since (incredible beach music), so hopefully you'll enjoy it too. Please grab, and dig these groovy sounds!" - DD

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Various Artists ‎- Colonial Vipers (1982)

Various Artists
Colonial Vipers (1982, Trumpett)

"Pretty svank electronic comp from '82. I initially grabbed this to get more Muziekkamer (if anyone knows where to find more let me know) and decided to share as I don't think it's readily available online (could be wrong). There are definitely a few duds (Nine Cirkles, lyrically, are the dumbest shit - at least on this) but overall a good haul of tracks from Trumpett. Heave, ho and swallow ya repulsive pukes!" - DD

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John Hegre & Maja S. K. Ratkje - Ballads (2006)

John Hegre & Maja S. K. Ratkje
Ballads (2006, Dekorder)

"Subtle barely begins to describe the intricate weave created here by these two monsters of sound, both eclectic masters of composition. The thing I like most about the album is that, unlike many of its ilk, there seems to be almost no tension. Everything is warm and smooth and mixes effortlessly into the fabric. Sleep tight little munchkins, and svelge dette milky godhet." - DD

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