New book: A Thousand Threads, a memoir by Neneh Cherry

Three hour mix from Paul Farrier of Shadow Dancer

‪3 Of The Strangest Albums Ever Recorded according to Stephan Kunze

New book: Marguerite L. Harrold's Chicago House Music: Culture and Community explores the rich history of house music in Chicago, highlighting its cultural significance and community roots. Via 5mag

Marshall Allen, a member of the Sun Ra Arkestra since 1958, is releasing his debut solo album in November. He’s 100 years old! Listen to a track from the album called African Sunset

Actress annouced a new album this week called Д​а​р​е​н Д​ж​. К​а​н​н​і​н​г​е​м - out on 15 Nov

Ned Raggett has written about a bunch of Coil albums

For the uninitiated, Lifefiles are creative exchanges between Mat Smith from Mortality Tables and a range of invited artists. Mat provides an inspirational sound file (could be recordings of places, people, objects and moments in time, usually produced by Mat himself) and the artist responds in their own way by cutting, chewing, remixing, sampling or possibly just allowing the contents to seep into their brains before eventual manifestation. Importantly a new corresponding sound file (or multiple files in some cases) is the result. The last two releases are the perfect introduction:

Gareth Jones - LF23 / Void Concrète

If there's one sound that could represent Lifefiles it would probably be grainy. Something that fittingly reflects life. With a source recording made in a concrete void, under a busy bridge, Gareth Jones has produced the prime example.

Allmanna Town - LF24 / C.FXNOISE

On the opposite hand, a few Lifefiles have ventured beyond a single response. While still imprinted with texture, Allmanna Town (Jonas Geiger Ohlin and Phil Dodds) have produced an upbeat response, with wonky keyboards and discordant beats, all inspired by a range of recordings Mat made in the 90s.

Previous contributors to the series include Simon Fisher Turner, Veryan, Xqui, Audio Obscura, Elizabeth Joan Kelly and Sulk Rooms.

To top it all, all profits are given to charity.

Superb article from John Doran for The Quietus: Dread Magnificence: LSD, Selected Ambient Works II & The Psychic Death of Aphex Twin

Acid House Cabaret UK Tour 2024 with Kirk Field, the author of new book Rave New World. Visits Glasgow Glee Club on Sunday 3rd November

Music industry’s 1990s hard drives, like all HDDs, are dying

"Has social media pushed fandom to a point of no return?" - Tracey Thorn decries the negative impact social media has on celebrity

Podcast: "What can we do about club closures?" - clubs in Berlin and the UK are closing quickly, raising concerns about the future of nightlife. Despite having more money in the scene, the decline, known as "Clubsterben," is worsening. DJ duo Surf 2 Glory discuss the effects of these closures on artists and communities

From the Deaf Anthropologist a fascinating insight into the life of Italian composer Giacinto Scelsi who made music focused on a single tone, exploring its depth and vibrations rather than traditional melodies or rhythms. His technique resonates with drone music, which also emphasises sustained tones for meditation and spiritual experiences. For those with hearing loss, Scelsi's approach highlights the physical sensations of sound, allowing for a deeper connection to music beyond conventional listening.

Philip Sherburne remembers Mille Plateaux’s Achim Szepanski

In the latest RA Exchange, Chicago house pioneer Vince Lawrence and law professor Dr. Olufunmilayo Arewa unpack how record companies have undermined Black musicians — and what we can do to enact change.

The Hardest Thing for A Musician to Do - achieving career longevity is a crucial factor of success

"No one's coming to save us" - EDM anarchist Tommie Sunshine on the interconnectedness of all oppression and the importance of nurturing your own sphere of influence - interview with Annabel Ross

The Quietus reveal The Best Albums and Tracks of September 2024

Can You Copyright a Rhythm? asks Isabelia Herrera. Jamaican producers Cleveland 'Clevie' Browne and Wycliffe 'Steely' Johnson argue that their song Fish Market, with its "boom ch-boom-chick rhythm" (aka dembow riddim) has been infringed.

First taste of the Jichael Mackson album Wait For It is positive. Out now on Ilian Tape

Happening Again - music newsletter by Fin

The Canopy (Armageddon Style) / Mystik 808 - this absolute monster of an EP from Om Unit is finally available digitally

Although Ellen Allien's last album was 2020's AurAA she's still been releasing the odd compilation track and EP. Here's a playlist of eight, kicking off with my fav from AurAA, Walking In The Dark.

Tracklist:

1. Walking In The Dark (from AurAA)
2. Rosen (from Rosen EP)
3. Dance and Kill (with Ash Code, from Dance And Kill EP)
4. XTC (from We Are Not Alone Pt 1)
5. Kyiv (from We Are Not Alone Pt 7)
6. Reality (from We Are Not Alone Pt 4)
7. Rave Luv (from Rave Luv EP)
8. Witch Coast - Sad Madona (Ellen Allien Remix)

I mentioned this HATE mix from JK Flesh before, but as it's now had more than 10,000 listens (not all by me either!) you may now download a copy. Comprising new and unreleased tracks, it's essentially the new JK Flesh album.

Chal and Tom ask "Why has the festival bubble burst?" on this week's No Tags

The latest release in Loula Yorke's 'monthly mixtape' series.

Pitchfork's Rob Arcand on Basic Channel's BCD

Alice Coltrane: the high priestess of spiritual jazz

"The Real Reason Why Music Is Getting Worse: Rick Beato Explains"

How jazz played out over Congo's chaotic coup - "the murder of Congo’s first post-independence leader Patrice Lumumba took place as famed jazzman Louis Armstrong was touring the country. The two events were not a coincidence"

Paul from Shadow Dancer has been sharing a lot of mixes

Sarah Davachi in the mix for Bleep with #287 in the series

The winner of this year’s Neptune Prize is Chimet by Mining. Via @DrownedinSound. Here's my review of the album.

Six Tracks #57 featuring Katatonic Silentio, Bill Converse & Patricia, Michael Mayer, Cybotron, dBridge and a JD Twitch remix of Tony Morris

1. Katatonic Silentio - Drip In The Cave
2. Bill Converse & Patricia - Fixer
3. Michael Mayer - Ardor
4. Cybotron - Parallel Shift
5. dBridge - It Takes Time
6. Tony Morris - House Of God (JD Twitch remix)

Sarah Davachi: A Refined Goth - Stephan Kunze interviews the Canadian composer on her love for prog, early music and just intonation

Chilly Gonzales: Why I Regret Giving Birth to the Neoclassical Genre - he's back to rapping

The canny among you will remember Tony Morris's extraordinary version of DHS's House of God from the Huntleys + Palmers 2017 release H​+​P: Clyde Built 3​.​0 Compilation. If that's you, then you'll be excited to know that there's a brand new, fleshed out version available today on Optimo Music, and includes a remix by JD Twitch!

Inspired by the vibe of early 80s films by Éric Rohmer, Patricia Wolf has produced a lovely mix for the Mirror Tapes podcast series

James Hadfield interviews Still House Plants

Philip Sherburne runs through a bunch of fresh new releases in his latest newsletter: Futurism Restated #80: Maps, Veils, Machines

The Neptune Album Prize - 2024 Shortlist - Vote now!