Published on
March 1, 2024
Category
Features
This week’s rundown is by VF’s Kelly Doherty, and contributors Annabelle Van Dort, Emily Hill and James Hammond.
Faye Webster
Underdressed At The Symphony
(Secretly Canadian)
Faye Webster’s fifth album, Underdressed At The Symphony takes the time to laze in its jam-oriented instrumentation. Despite offering hints that Webster is writing about a break-up, her vocals and lyrics retreat throughout, existing mostly as an equal partner to the symphony of the album’s title. Laidback and thoughtful, and featuring a standout collaboration with Lil’ Yachty (“Lego Ring”), Underdressed At The Symphony shows that break-ups don’t always create melodrama, sometimes change is an evenly paced, mindful wander into the future.–KD
Various Artists
Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note Labels
(Numero Group)
Numero Group is commemorating two decades of its acclaimed Eccentric Soul series with another special volume that dives deep into the soul crates. Focusing on Atlanta, this compilation celebrates Jesse Jones’ influential Tragar & Note labels, exploring regional R&B, soul, and funk from 1968 to 1976.–AVD
Acrelid
Illegal Rave Tapes Selektion – 1999 – 2012
(Dance Data)
Digging deep into the sonic archives of John Lee Richardson, aka Acrelid, from 1999 to 2012 uncovered a staggering 134 tracks. These were then lovingly whittled down by Dance Data to produce the first release on wax for the producer. The selection offers a snapshot into his musical musings, which take a weighty influence from the vibrant UK rave scene, whilst unearthing the sheer volume of hours and dedication Richardson spent on honing his sound. Illegal Rave Tapes Selektion is a powerful statement and testament to the producer’s dynamic forward-thinking production style.–EH
Rafael Toral
Spectral Evolution
(Moikai)
Spectral Evolution finds Rafael Toral reconciling the varying parts of his craft into a beguiling whole. Working in distinct phases over the years with guitar, longform sounds, and instrument building, this new work finds the Portuguese artist intertwining these elements and placing the guitar alongside his unconventional custom-made electronic instruments. Taking chord changes from George Gershwin and jazz standards, the results shift in a time signature of their own, forging a sound world that’s enveloping and richly detailed.–JH
Dagar Brothers
Berlin 1964 – The Lost Studio Recording
(Black Truffle)
With the Dagar family’s importance to dhrupad music extending over twenty generations, this release presents a lost gem from Moinuddin and Aminuddin Dagar. Recorded during a tour of Europe 1964 to 65, these two side-long ragas never saw release at the time owing to the tape running out on the tail end of the second raga. Released here, the clarity of this studio recording brings to life the remarkable vocal skills of the brothers as they progress the ragas, building pitch and speed, letting the alap section bloom in their improvisation-rich interplay. A stunning work that’s released alongside a separate and similarly noteworthy live LP of the brothers performing on the same tour.–JH
Mohammad Syfkhan
I Am Kurdish
(Nyahh)
Nyahh presents the electrifying debut of Kurdish-Syrian singer and bouzouki master, Mohammad Syfkhan. I Am Kurdish contains an ecstatic alchemy of Kurdish, Arabic and Turkish songs, infused with boundless spirit and energy. A collaboration between Syfkhan and Irish musicians Eimear Reidy and Cathal Roch (Syfkhan was resettled in Turkey in 2016 after fleeing the Syrian War), I Am Kurdish is a testament to the power of cross-cultural musical connections, forging new solidarities in its wake.–AVD
Ben Frost
Scope Neglect
(Mute)
VF artist Ben Frost returns with his first album in seven years, following an extended stint creating soundtracks for art installations, TV and more. Scope Neglect is a brutally dark record, entangling Frost’s atmospheric and grand productions with a sinister metal heart. From the blistering, stabbing riffs of opener “Chimera”, the outlook is bleak and claustrophobic. Scope Neglect twists and warps the pummeling hallmarks of metal into an intricate, patient collection. The anxiety here comes not from the crushing intensity associated with metal but in the ‘teetering on the edge’ purgatory to be found throughout. Unsettling and daring work.–KD
Sangre Voss
Brogkl EP
(Third Place)
Thinking of Third Place Records, Sangre Voss is the name that springs to mind having kick-started the label’s adventure. The massively underappreciated producer otherwise known as Jim Bremmer has released alone and in tandem with others, namely Will Hoffbauer, on a multiple number of labels from Control Freak through to A-Z. Bremmer’s musical style can be described as all-encompassing but primarily sitting on the left of field house spectrum with a suitable dash of electronica weirdness for good measure. Brogki is no different from this tried and tested formula–ethereal fun and ultimately peaceful squiggly not quite dance numbers.–EH
