Ben Vida (Moog Voyager); Josh Abrams (Upright Bass); John Herndon (Drums); Dan Bitney (Drums); Jim Baker (Arp 2600)
Style: Future Jazz, Progressive Electronic, Electro-Jazz, Post-Rock
Moods: Spacey, Exploratory, Suspenseful, Abstract, Playful, Responsive, Knotty, Mysterious, Futuristic, Spontaneous, Hypnotic
Style: Organic Music, Psychedelic Jazz, Ecstatic Minimalism, Gnawa
Moods: Ritualistic, Communal, Contemplative, Meditative, Earthy, Transcendent, Psychedelic, Colorful, Soothing, Spiritual, Peaceful
Featuring Ari Brown, Hamid Drake, Ben Lamar Gay, Mai Sugimoto, Jason Stein, Mikel Patrick Avery, Lisa Albarado, Kara Bershad, Josh Berman, and Nick Mazzarella
Natural Information Society Community Ensemble – Since Time is Gravity Read More »
Style: Post-Bop
Moods: Elegant, Intertwined, Airy, Longing, Responsive, Tender, Peaceful, Communal
Musical Qualities: Ballads, Improvisation, Thematic, Acoustic, Melodic, Complex
Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Tenor Saxophone, Electric Guitar, Drums
Joshua Abrams’ Cloud Script Read More »
Featuring Jim O’Rourke, Josh Abrams, Rob Mazurek, Chad Taylor, John McEntire, Julie Pomerleau, & Archer Prewitt
Style: Chamber Pop, Jazz Pop, Lounge Music
Influences: Bossa Nova, Math Rock, Post-Rock
Vibe: Gentle, Breezy, Intricate, Summer, Intertwined, Mellow, Bright, Smooth
Musical Qualities: Lush, Soft, Polished, Melodic
Sam Prekop – Sam Prekop Read More »
a collection of 50+ essential releases from 2021
Deep Rotations: 2021 — 50+ Essential Records Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Loner Folk, Slowcore-Country
Vibes: Contemplative, Bittersweet, Warm, Loner, Mellow, Uplifting, Love, Break-up, Intimate, Heartfelt, Playful, Soothing, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Lyrical, Vocal Harmonies
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – Beware Read More »
Joshua Abrams – Guimbri
Chad Taylor – Mbira
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Repetitive, Sparse, Acoustic, Minimalist
Mind Maintenance – Mind Maintenance Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Ecstatic Post-Minimalism, Psychedelic Trance Music, Gnawa-Influenced
Vibe: Hypnotic, Meditative, Psychedelic, Ecstatic, Spiritual, Cathartic, Mosaic,
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Live, Minimalistic, Acoustic, Instrumental, Polyphonic, Polyrhythmic, Repetitive
Instrumentation: Guimbri, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Harmonium, Drums
Natural Information Society with Evan Parker – descension (Out of Our Constrictions) Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Trance Music, Avant-Jazz, Creative Music, Post-Minimalism
Influences: Gnawa, Spiritual Jazz, Raga, Kosmische Musik
Vibe: Earthy, Hypnotic, Meditative, Cosmic, Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Spiritual, Tribal
Musical Attributes: Polyrhythmic, Acoustic, Minimalistic, Improvisation, Percussive, Instrumental
Joshua Abrams – Natural Information Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Jazz, Creative Music, Post-Minimalism
Influences: Gnawa, Kosmische Music, Spiritual Jazz, Minimalism
Vibe: Earthy, Hypnotic, Exploratory, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Psychedelic
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Percussive, Polyrhythmic
Josh Abrams & Natural Information Society – Representing Read More »
Released in 2017 on Drag City Records Format: LP Review “The world wants an oath but all you can say is: ‘I promise to take up space. I can only promise to take up space” In a society that places such high expectations on individuals to shrink themselves in order to fit into the predominating
Circuit Des Yeux – Reaching for Indigo [Review] Read More »
a soothing vinyl mix for sonic healing & mindful relaxation
Migraine Daydreams [DJ Mix] Read More »
40+ album released in 2019 worthy of some deep listening, plus an accompanying mixtape recorded straight from these records
Deep Rotations: 2019 — 40+ Essential Records + Mixtape Read More »
Released in 2019 on Eremite Records Recorded in 2017 Format: LPx2, Screen-printed jacket
Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society – Mandatory Reality Read More »
On experimental musician David Grubb’s first dedicated songwriter outing, he synthesizes technical bluegrass banjo and fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing with imaginative arrangements, abrupt stylistic shifts, philosophical questioning lyrics, improvisation, and drones. Featured musicians include drummer John McEntire (Tortoise, The Sea and Cake), bassist Josh Abrams (Natural Information Society), and drone violinist Tony Conrad.
David Grubbs – The Thicket Read More »
Doug McComb’s first album as Brokeback is imbued with pastoral Impressionism, experimentalism, and a sense of Zen contentment. The record is mostly centered around his Bass VI, a short-scale bass with six strings that is trebly enough to function in both guitar and bass roles. This versatile instrument is usually wet with chorus and reverb that sculpt a fluid, aquatic tone to complement the slow, tranquil melodies. Outside of some solo pieces Doug is joined by a variety of accompaniment including lap steel guitar, synth, upright bass, Rhodes, vocals from Mary Hansen, and light percussion provided by producer/Tortoise bandmate John McEntire. This is a record that can be appreciated from a passive impressionistic standpoint, as well as under the microscopic attention of an engaged ear. (Follow link for full review)
Recommended for fans of Tortoise or Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti Western soundtracks
Brokeback – Field Recordings from the Cook County Water Table Read More »
On Automaginary, the Gnawa-inspired cosmic jazz of Natural Information Society is augmented by the flowing textures of Chicago new age trio Bitchin Bajas to create an album of enveloping drones and trance-inducing rhythms. (Follow link for full Review)
Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas – Automaginary Read More »
Over the past decade, Josh Abrams has been using his guimbri to create music inspired by the ceremonial music of the Gnawa in North Africa, infusing it with a wide variety of influences from kosmische to minimalism to the avant-garde jazz of his local scene in Chicago. On this album, the focus is on “pure motion” driven by double drummers hypnotically interlocking with guimbri, guitar, keys and harmonium. Each individual plays unique rhythmic figures that push and pull against each other like polyrhythmic tectonic plates, creating constantly changing, yet circular grooves.
Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society – Simultonality Read More »
Meditative jazz explorations of space, rhythm and textures inspired by Miles Davis’ ambient jazz pieces, Gnawa ceremonial music of North Africa, the spiritual jazz of Pharoah Sanders and Don Cherry, and the mutating minimalism of Steve Reich.
Click for full review
Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society – Magnetoception Read More »
