NURSE WITH WOUND – The Memory Surface - 3-disc edition of The Surveillance Lounge. Dare I say that I’ve come to prefer the NWW who toy more obviously with song and rhythm (Huffin’ Rag Blues being the recent example to cite). Probably heretical to some, but there you go. Great audio journey, but don’t know how often I’ll be returning to it, or the bonus discs.
ALVA NOTO & RYUICHI SAKAMOTO – utp_ (cd, dvd & booklets) – just bought tickets to a ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto at the piano’ solo event at the Queens Hall in Edinburgh in December. I’m sure it’ll be good – but on the strength of this, I’m already sad that Alva Noto won’t be along for the ride. Gorgeous, and cleverly packaged as ever from Raster Noton.
TOM TOM CLUB – Tom Tom Club/Close To The Bone (2cd reissue) - beautifully packaged (good job, Joe) and pleasing to hear again.
MACHINEFABRIEK – Mort Aux Vaches & Slaapzucht & Ranonkel & Gris Gris & Shuffle - a set from 2006, one from 2007, two from 2008, and one from this year continuing my catching up with the activities of Machinefabriek. Ranonkel wins from this batch. Only Shuffle disappoints.
VIEUX FARKA TOURE – fondo – The first of two attempts this month to conjure forth a summery vibe chez nous in face of the persistent cloud, damp and drizzle that marks the Scottish version of the season.
BAABA MAAL – television – My second attempt to… blah blah.
TARWATER – Donne-Moi La Main OST – their first outing for a while, and more song-based than might be typical from film score/soundtracking work
LAURIE ANDERSON – Nothing In My Pockets (book & two cds) – nicely if cheaply packaged diary of audio vignettes. Interesting project, but I began to find Laurie’s telling us what we’re about to hear before we hear it a tad wearing, and the audio snippets themselves are too brief to become immersive ‘events’ in themselves.
THE RESIDENTS – Adobe Disfigured Night - an mp3 download from their new Robot Selling Device site, an early live iteration of their Disfigured Night performance/disc. Crazy. I’m hopeful that more rarities will emerge for download here in due course, my fingers are crossed for an extended Voice Of Midnight instrumental set.
