Dusted Magazine, October 2004

Every Friday, Dusted Magazine publishes a series of music-related lists compiled by our favorite artists.

Listed: Tarentel

Bay Area instrumental ensemble Tarentel released their debut EP (as a quintet) in 1998. Since then their steady productivity has resulted in an impressive number of recordings from Tarentel proper as well as a number of related side projects. Among these Lazarus, Howard Hello, Rumah Sakit, Sonna, and many others. Their most recent album, We Move Through Weather (Temporary Residence) finds Tarentel pared down to a trio (Sonna's Jim Redd completes the line-up on drums), and closer to their live sound than ever before on record.

Jefre Cantu-Ledesma: Laptop, Guitar, Organ, etc.

1. Faust -The Faust Tapes
Cut and paste psychedelia from German free rockers. Sound jams and catchy pop songs are happy neighbors with field recordings and scary ass vocal mumblings. No songs titles on this one, and apparently no overdubs or post-production. Only 2 tracks, both of which rule.

2. Albert Ayler - Lorrach, Paris 1966
A no holds bard sonic avalanche brought to you by gentlemen kind enough to wear suits and ties while melting your brain. Ayler's sax playing is incendiary, burning up with a religious convection. The addition of Michel Samson on violin (?!?!) is completely bizarre, giving the whole concert an otherworldly feel. Saxophone, trumpet and strings practically soar around the room. fascinating stuff.

3. Nuno Canavarro - Plux Quba
God bless Jim O'Rourke for reissuing this CD. An almost lost gem of early electronic pop music composed with no computers by this mystery man from Portugal. Originally released in 1988, one has to wonder what the heck this guy was thinking. Or taking for that matter. Implying the later discoveries of sound hackers such as Oval, Mouse on Mars, and O'Rourke himself (not to mention leagues of 'bedroom electronica' albums). Plux Quba is a rare and beautiful work. A combination of wispy vocals, percussion and playful synthesizer melodies, its a record I hear something new in every time I listen.

Danny Grody: Guitar, Organ, etc.

4. Fela Kuti
Said to be the godfather of 'afro-beat' music, Fela emerged from an extremely politically oppressed Nigeria. He wore gaudy fur coats (think Miles Davis electric period - who he took some musical cues from), surrounded himself in bedazzled women, had a self-governed Katakuta Republic, and tore it up with some of the most ferociously groove-heavy 'James Brown' expansive trance inducing music to date. And if that's not enough, he made 356 court appearances, was imprisoned 3 times, and had 77 releases under his belt! Check out his Army Arrangement record - hott!

5. Morton Feldman
Studied under John Cage and was particularly interested in western classical instruments - piano, violin, clarinet, vibes, etc.... The closest way to describe his work is like a painting - he seemed really focused on texture and colorations between instruments, adding fragments of melodic clusters - none of which ever seemed to repeat exactly the same way. He was also really into indeterminate structures and stretching an idea out as long as possible. You can really hear this kind of suspension in his later work, which became increasingly longer in duration. I recommend his Rothko Chapel - super romantic and Baroque in feel.

6. Necks
On a more current tip, I've really been enjoying this Australian group. I'm partial to their earlier more acoustic work as a trio, comprised of double-bass, drums, and piano with the occasional organ - here is where they really shine. The recordings are arranged in long transformative sections that usually clock in around an hour, with a strong emphasis in augmenting rhythms and tasteful melodic themes that never overwhelm. Look for their Sex record. I also heard they recently did a soundtrack that's had some praise.

Jim Redd: Drums, etc.

To be listened to loudly:

7. Le Fly Pan Am - N'Ecoutez Pas
Miles above their other records, its pop music garbled up and spit out. Percussive nonsensical vocals, along with the occasional wail and backing ews & ahs, combine with non-stop bass & drums, ratty organs, contact mics, a laptop, and a punk aesthetic to great effect. As energetic as their live show, catchy as hell, and nice & dirty. The 1st, 3rd, and 9th tracks are top notch.

8. 7 Seconds - The Crew
My 1st LP. I had shared a collection of KISS and AC/DC cassettes with my older brother for a couple of years, but this was the first record I purchased, and the first music I discovered on my own.

9. John Coltrane - Meditations
1st track, 1st listen: Are you kidding me? What the fuck is happening? Two horns, two drummers (one in each channel), piano, and standup bass. Quintessential ensemble-style improv. No parts -- just a fog of gorgeous, relentless rhythms and melodies. At times, recapturing the mood of A Love Supreme, but infused with the freedom of the expanded sextet.

One we can all agree on.

10. This Heat - Made Available: John Peel Sessions
Kindred spirits from before I was born, they're a mathematical-punk-rock-improv conundrum. More ratty organs, phenomenal trio playing/listening, controlled chaos, tons of energy, and some gorgeous ambient stuff. The 1st, 4th, and 6th tracks are band favorites.