Diego Olivas
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Illustration by Laura Gomez I think, no undertaking is ever as enriching if isn’t done with a purpose in mind. For myself, trying to understand and (most importantly) differentiate what makes Japanese Ambient music different than other ways to music led me to an idea. It’s one that I thank NTS for giving me a…
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Leave it to me to create a post that’s not “evergreen” for a record that positively radiates with fun. Imagine Parliament set their mothership to Japan, and along the way picked up Gang Of Four, then decided that they really like techno-kayo music. Well, The Voice & Rhythm, led by the late, great vocalist and…
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This post might be shorter on info than what I’m accustomed to adding, but it’s not for lack of trying. Lins & Ford’s Lonely Shadow, a record with a miniscule pressing, released decades ago on an independent German label set outside of Dortmund, doesn’t particularly lend itself to much (if any!) information to sift through.…
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Simply impressive. What else is there to say about Tsugutoshi Goto’s City Trickles: 街の雫? Most double-LP’s suffer under the weight of their own reach, but the best one’s justify their length due to the sheer scope of that maker’s vision. And boy does Tsugutoshi Goto have one here. From neck-snapping electro, out-there fusion to impressive…
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There’s something special about Haitian zouk music, if you look in the right place. Mushi & Lakansyel’s Koté Ou, much like the cover suggests, is a meditation on the intimate and quite unique musical style of this Caribbean nation. A product of all the touchstone influences that have set foot in Haiti — latin, French,…
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It’s always a good sign when you’re out of step with whatever’s out there. Someone who really lived this idea was one Robin Scott. Robin Scott & Shishika’s Jive Shishika! was a curious release that got shelved by a company who had no idea what to think of it. Before Paul Simon’s Graceland or Peter…
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Let’s unwind for a moment. When I haven’t been busy occupying my days with writing, my mind and body has literally been going to the beach to unwind. Somehow, I’ve lucked out and am living the coastal lifestyle (without actually living on any sea coast). While I would say it takes a change of mind…
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How much are we a product of our past? It’s those thoughts that were floating through pianist Febian Reza Pane’s mind when he created Dreams Of Ganesha. From the first piano note you hear played to the last sustained note your hear ringing, instant memories of the deeply inward “jazz” music of Keith Jarrett start…
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First, a huge thanks to Kyle for sharing this wonderful album with me. Too smooth for a Disco Tehran party he dj’ed, I can understand why he thought its sound might be appreciated elsewhere. From the first moment you put on Ziad Rahbani’s Houdou Nisbi (زياد الرحباني) you feel an instant pull that just floors…
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Masahiro Sugaya has always been an interesting composer. Based in Tokyo, it’s been his music that’s soundtracked dance theater group Pappa TARAHUMARA’s most known works. Masahiro’s music draws from a mix of minimal, ambient, world, and Japanese traditional styles. So, no one album or song can perfectly distill how varied (in mood and sound) each…
ambient art pop art rock balearic brazilian electro-acoustic england environmental music experimental fourth world Funk fusion japan jazz minimalist mpb neo-folk neoclassical new age walearic