[193.1] POST-ROCK OF AGES

Very well worth delving your ears into on Myspace is Gavin Harrison - O5ric, who operates on the unpoliced borderlands of post-rock and something 'progressive' that really merits that label. The 2007 album is SoulKatcher. Collaborations with Porcupine Tree personnel and Robert Fripp signify the orbit it is resonating in. I'm also listening to the Tree's new disc, the fine Fear Of A Blank Planet right now, as well as contemplating a review of the peerless Joanna Macgregor at the Exeter Festival (Bach's Goldbergs, Piazzola and African-American spirituals). The new Yes documentary from DVD UK is also being viewed with interest...

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[192.1] CONFUSING YOUR EARS AND BRAIN IS FUN

Among the many radio wonders of the web is Difficult Listening, a programme that runs from 9-11.00pm [local time] on Sunday evenings, RTRFM 92.1, Perth, Western Australia. The presenters are Bryce Moore and Sarah Combes. Its remit is: "Music on the edge: contemporary classical, electronic, industrial, ambient, improv, noise, musique concrete, sound art."

Brilliant stuff. I know I've mentioned it on NFE before, but you just can't have too many reminders of a good thing. And while we're about it, RIP-RIG to Radio 3's Mixing It, and shame on them for taking it off rather than re-inventing it. Merd. The blather about it al being part of a grand plan in which the integrity of the music it was showcasing is preserved elsewhere in a careful programming balance is, evidentially speaking, nonsense.

On a happier note, then... this past week's DL schedule includes:

* Tim Brady GO (8'45") Tim Brady, electric guitar, electronic devices CD: GO (Ambiances Magnetiques: AM 156) http://www.actuellecd.com/

* Jim Denley Masahide's Cave (8'47") Jim Denley, alto sax and recording CD: Through Fire, Crevice and the Hidden Valley (Split: 16) http://www.splitrec.com/

* Fetisch Park Suktion (15'39") Carla Subito, Marlon Shy CD: Alluvial (Extreme: XCD 042) http://www.xtr.com/extreme/

These playlists are stored cumulatively, for the past three months, on the website. To receive playlists via email, follow the link on the website. We are always interested in receiving new music for broadcast.

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[191.1] THE ART OF THE MODERN

"I know that if I am true to the music in me, it must be a music of my agonies and your agonies as much as a music of, what shall I say, of heart-easing qualities. And yet I am quite certain in my heart of hearts that modern music and modern art is not a conspiracy, but is a form of truth and integrity for those who practise it honestly, decently and with all their being."

(Sir Michael Tippett)

Tippett forthcoming performances, via Schott.

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[190.1] WELCOME TO THE REVISED NEWFRONTEARS...

After five years (and quite a few haituses over the past couple) this site has had a bit of an overhaul. The links badly need updating and reformatting, I realise. And the archives are a bit less than user-friendly at the moment. But give me time. What would probably be useful would be a section front-archiving all the reviews to save you from floundering around... or giving up in despair. There's actually quite a bit of useful material buried in this blog (which was kind of innovative when it kicked off, actually). But you'd be hard pressed to find it right now, I admit. One obvious piece of advice: use the search facility for specific artists, composers or musical styles. That should throw up a few surprises. Happy hunting, and bear with me.

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