Nickie’s Niches 19: August 2023

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1. 

   Quintus Interruptus

   by Quicksilver Night feat The Unified One
   This single is a collaboration between Chip Russell and The Unified One, built upon an idea that just wouldn’t give Chip any peace until it was brought forth into the world. It begins with driving percussion and gets right to an infectious electric guitar groove overlaid with the kind of lead guitar tone that I just love. Tasteful from start to finish.

   1. 

      Music From Another Place

      by Wooden Tape
      favorite track

      Godesic Eric

      Contemplative music, obliquely inspired by old TV themes. This is primarily gentle music, organ swells and acoustic guitar, with a bit of a lysergic tinge. Hosts of shimmery, washy sounds, and teensy bits of percussion. I find myself hearing many of these in my mind’s ear while walking about the countryside.

      1. 

         Haar

         by Lauren MacColl
         favorite track

         Haar

         Mostly original with a traditional tune thrown in for good measure, Lauren MacColl plays fiddle and harmonium on these Celtic and Scottish flavoured airs. She’s ably supported by others on cello, piano, accordion, double bass, moog, acoustic guitars and harp. There is a strong scent of the seas and rugged coastlines in this music and it is just enchanting.

         1. 

            …And Yet, The River Will Flow

            by ASTORG
            favorite track

            The Wind Whistles Amongst The Ruins

            Spanish guitarist V.N.M., who also plays black metal, was inspired by nature to create these beautiful layers of acoustic and electric guitars. Primarily drawing on classical, flamenco, and progressive, he presents a montage of soothing, introspective music, which perfectly evokes the environments he drew upon for these tracks.

            1. 

               Les couleurs d’été

               by Perséide
               favorite track

               Les heures vives de l’errance

               There is a deep vein of electric and acoustic psychedelia running through these Canadiens’ release. The production has a bit of a muted feel, which I would say is deliberate, to give it this hushed atmosphere, even in the more rocky pieces. One is left with their feeling of optimism and wonder in tracks like Kaléidoscope, but it is the stripped down Les heures vives de l’errance that haunts my mind’s ear.

               1. 

                  The Simian River Collection 1980-2020

                  by Carl Weingarten
                  favorite track

                  Laughing At Paradise

                  Spanning 40 years of recorded material, this California musician brings a stunning compendium of mostly instrumental compositions. Stylistically, he straddles ambient, fusion, and jazz with some Americana thrown in for good measure, as he utilizes Dobro and slide guitar, albeit in a left of center fashion. Makes a wonderful soundtrack for your day or night.

                  1. 

                     Mares

                     by Annelies Monseré
                     favorite track

                     Shells

                     With her experimental, drone-y, minimalist music, this Belgian multi-instrumentalist creates a dense tapestry, held together by dark and rich folk threads. Here she weaves sonic spells utilizing keyboards, accordion, harmonium, bass, melodica, and a drum computer. The result is mesmerizing, celestial, and lush. Her arrangement of “Sally Free and Easy,” is stunning, but I am choosing “Shells,” as favourite to represent the release here.

                     1. 

                        Seelie

                        by CLANN
                        favorite track

                        The Stolen Child

                        This is very dreamy faerie electronica with hypnotic beats and a haunting female vocalist. In addition to the synthesizers, there is violin coursing through many of the pieces, adding to the general melancholy. This music not only feels cinematic, but is, as there is a connected media project on YT called “The Kin Fables,” utilizing these compositions. The story is one of reincarnation and the return of everything that has been lost.The music throughout is otherworldly, eerie, and addictive.

                        1. 

                           Prima Materia

                           by Agusa
                           favorite track

                           Ur askan

                           Psych/Space/Symph Prog from this phenomenal Swedish outfit. The usual instrumentation is here, albeit superbly played, along with an accomplished flautist. Organ and other keyboards round out the sound. The guitarist is deft and imaginative, bass and drums/percussion are solid perfection, and everyone plays in such a way that each member manages to shine in all the right places, without any overstepping. There are some vocals, satisfyingly spicing up all of the instrumental deliciousness.

                           1. 

                              la Barque Ailée et l’Albatros …quand s’envolent les mots…

                              by Seven Reizh
                              favorite track

                              Odisea

                              This is just superb Celtic/World music, both acoustic and electric, with a Vietnamese twist in the many of the vocals, as well as some Middle Eastern nods. The instrumentation is practically a musical instrument dictionary, ranging from various harps, pipes, guitars, duduk, strings, brass, you name it. A plea to recognize that we are all one on this tiny planet. Absolutely transcendent, and one of my favourites of this year.