RECENT FAVES FROM THE RECORD LIBRARY- MAY 2000


As compiled by WFMU's Music Director Brian Turner


TERRY RILEY / Music For the Gift (Cortical Foundation)
More archival 1960's sounds from the guy who Pete Townshend was raving about on his VH1 concert (I think he said something about how hearing Terry made him "wet his nappy".) By far the most gone of the Cortical Riley releases, with tape manipulations, cycles, loops in a most Plutonian mode with collaborations with Chet Baker (!) as good as you'd imagine, really tripped-on-mescaline recordings and a collab for radio with LaMonte Young.

HEFNER / Boxing Hefner (Too Pure)
Smart and literate britpop that definitely should appeal to the Belle & Sebastian contingent, albeit a bit more sharp on the edge and willing to explore the average problems of the sweaty teen. These are singles and odds and ends compiled, and a must hear if you are into the guitar-izations of the likes of Pavement, Wedding Present & VU.

HORACE TAPSCOTT / The Dark Tree 1 & 2 (Hat)
Late pianist Tapscott on a reissued 1991 recording over 2 CDs with John Carter, Cecil McBee and Andrew Cyrille, completely under-appreciated, ultra-spiritual music descended directly from Monk and Ellington with the outer reaching of Sun Ra and the AACM clan.

THE THIRD WAVE / Here and Now (Crippled Dick Hot Wax)
1969-70 recordings of amazing Filipino-American sister team ages ranging from 13 to 19 under the wing of George Duke, initially out on the influential jazz/groove MPS label. Amazing renditions of "Eleanor Rigby" and "Cantaloupe Island" herein.

CASIOTONE FOR THE PAINFULLY ALONE / Answering Machine Music (Cassingle)
The artist title here aptly sums thing up, ultra-personal though at no times over-melodramatic; home 4-track stylings along the lines of Dump, Young Marble Giants and Mountain Goats (with a dash of that John D. humor).

DANIEL JOHNSTON / Rejected Unknown (Which)
On similar yet different lines, Daniel's ultra-personal songs rang out with much bona-fide pain and suffering through the years bringing him legions of devoted fans and just plain rubberneckers. Going eventually from home cassette phenomenon to major-label curiosity, this long-awaited release is the perfect cohesion of all Daniel's fans had hoped for; great songs with a simple, inventive yet loose bunch of musicians who complement him perfectly. He even takes a mock stab at arena-rock that thankfully is aware of its parameters.

MR. OIZO / Analog Worms Attack (Mute)
Gristly and bubbling electronic excellence that sounds like a more friendly version what you would guess could be a mixture of early Cabaret Voltaire, Add N to X, and Mantronik. Haven't seen the supposedly hilarious video, but this is some fun abstract electronic action.

PLEASEEASAUR / As Seen on TV (Alpha-Quadrant Empire of Universe)
In the realm of home techno-technicians, here are a bunch that seem to be lost in space, seeming to be sharing some kind of post-hardcore pipe with Men's Recovery Project and MTV's Tom Green (or one would guess by songs that profess adoration for Ricky Schroeder's new beard). They are about one step away from become doofus fratrock ala the Dead Milkmen with songs like "Paul McCartney's Penis", but they're way too confused to even get there.

VARIOUS / Anticon: Music For the Advancement of Hip Hop (Massmen)
The west coast answer to the Rawkus label is chock full greatness and experimental hijinks. Sole, Dose, Lug, Buck 65 and others all punctuated by interludes from DJ Signify & Mayonnaise. Some great shapes & curves being thrown here.

THE MONKEYWRENCH / Electric Children (Estrus)
A second album from this northwest all-star group featuring Mark Arm and Steve Turner of Mudhoney, and Big Boys legend Tim Kerr among others; solidly rocking garage messiness not too far removed from the 'honey, with more blues action than Blue Cheer. In fact the Groundhogs' "Cherry Red" gets the treatment herein.

RAYMOND SCOTT / Manhattan Research Inc. (Basta)
2 CD collection with phenomenal book edited by our own Irwin Chusid, a monumental retrospective at the primitive electonic sounds of the late composer/inventor. The only other real prominent Scott releases over the last years documented his cartoon music scores and a series of records that were created to lull children to sleep (the latter hints at the weirder side of his music), but neither can prepare the listener for this. With his inventions like the electronium, clavivox, and other sound generators, Scott implemented the heavy shit that was being studied in academic realm over in the French InaGRM studios and plopped it on top of utility company commercials and other montages, some aided by Jim Henson. Further out than any Nurse With Wound, Yahowa, or Jordy record.


Other old/new Bins lists | WFMU Main Page