Wahwahwahwah...Soft Machine on TV 1967!

Soft Machine keeping it weird on French TV.   It's hard to imagine seeing something like this on TV  in 1967, or now for matter.  Get your face paints out and rock out with the Softs!

Kraan Candy

Those Germans know how to party.  Enjoy Kraan (and some mimes/clowns)!

R.I.P. William Onyeabor

According to the album liner notes for the "Who is William Onyeabor" compilation released in 2013, not very much is known about William Onyeabor.  What is known is he made some really incredible music and he will be missed.  He passed away on Monday 1/16 at home in Nigeria.  

In honor of his work, I give you Atomic Bomb.

Also, the folks that put out the "Who is William Onyeabor" record talk about the process of working with William to put out the compilation.  

Os Mutantes TV 1969

Ran across this most excellent video from Brazilian psychedelic craftsmen Os Mutantes playing live on French TV in 1969.  Song offerings include Bat Macumba and my favorite track Penis Et Circensis from their self-titled album from 1968.

Os Mutantes participated in a musical/art movement in Brazil called Tropicalia (also Tropicalismo) which was met with much political resistance from the Brazilian government in the late 1960s. Legislation limiting freedom of speech and arrests of many of the artists participating in the movement rapidly followed it's inception.  Other Tropicalia artists include Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Gal Costa, all worth checking out if unfamiliar.

May you enjoy this video safely and without political retribution.

BBC Radiophonic Workshop

I came across BBC Radiophonic Workshop recordings in 2006 and recently dug them up again for another listen.  At the time, I didn't know anything about the history or musicians who made these recordings so thought I'd share my findings.  The sound effects, songs, and experiments in sound are very unique and worth a listen.  Also, these musicians were using electronics long before people thought it was ok to do so which makes it cool...not unlike Lou Reed singing about heroin but nerdier.

Read about the history here:  Brief / Extensive



Delia Derbyshire caught my interest though most significantly.  I realized that she contributed to White Noise album in 1969 which is one of the first examples of electronics being mixed with rock n roll, not unlike United Space of America.

One of my favorite tracks from the 1969 album "My Game of Loving" (beware:  there is some hardcore sex samples throughout):


And from some of her work at the BBC:

STSSv2

The second volume of Save the Sound State is ear tested and ready for consumption.  Another nice mix of library, soundtrack, funk, tropicalia, experimental, french pop, and all other interesting sound from all over the world.  Somehow it all works together and is sure to awaken the senses.

On the Menu:

1. Ron Geesin - Troglodyte
2. The Roger Webb Sound - Moon Bird
3. Les Maledictus Sound - Kriminal Theme
4. Lee Hazlewood - Vem Kan Segla
5. African Music Machine - A Girl From France
6. Basil Kirchin - I Start Counting (demo)
7. Kevin Ayers - Girl on a Swing
8. Antonio Adolfo - Venice
9. Caetano Veloso - Tropicalia
10. Cluster - Marzipan
11. Bimbo - Borondong Garing
12. Renaissance - Sounds of the Sea
13. Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information
14. Mystic Siva - Supernatural Mind
15. Fernando Antonio Pearson
16. Neu! - Isi
17. France Gall - Nefertiti
18. Ennio Morricone - Intermezzino Pop
19. Jeff Keen - Song of the Prasticator




**You can also download the mix HERE for your media device of choice

Synth Britannia Documentary

Spend an hour and a half with this BBC documentary about the rise of synthesizers in 1970's Britain.

Soundtrack includes Kraftwerk, Throbbing Gristle, OMD, Gary Numan,the Normal, Depeche Mode, and many other 80's relics.