Isle of View (Music for Helicopter Pilots)

Isle of View (Music for Helicopter Pilots) is a wonderful instrumental track originally released by The Penguin Cafe Orchestra. The track was originally on the Broadcasting from Home album released in 1984.

A mellow downbeat track which slowly builds to a crescendo, pulling you in then ending suddenly to release its hold on you.

The original version by Penguin Cafe Orchestra slowly fades in with the riff being played on guitar while Steve Jansen's version begins with the riff being played on piano. Both versions are outstanding and make for equally pleasant listening.

This simply is a much overlooked, great classic piece of music and Steve Jansen certainly
does it justice. Steve's version is on The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Tribute Album.

if you enjoy either of these versions and are not already familiar with the works of either of these amazing artists, do yourself a favor spend a little time digging into their catalog.

Cheers!


Penguin Cafe Orchestra Isle of View (Music for Helicopter Pilots)



Steve Jansen Isle of View (Music for Helicopter Pilots)

Steve Jansen "Isle Of View" from Mark Johansson on Vimeo.

For Now by Thomas Feiner

Swedish composer / singer / producer, etc etc. Thomas Feiner definitely makes the list of most overlooked artists. Instead of discussing the Opiates album, this focus will be on one single track. A most dark and desperate piece with perfectly coupled lyrics and music.

You may have trouble picking this one up without shelling out a considerable sum. It's out of print and commands a premium price.



Watch the video. Listen to what's being said and wrap the music all around it. It's the whole picture. It paints the story perfectly.


Getting close by going far away
Going far by staying here
To the kind of place
Where loneliness 's travelling best
Leaving ill and well alone
If all fails
All fails
Let the clock strike upon this resting hour
For now
For now
Leaving point despair
Leaving point hope
Getting lost to find a way back home
Getting back by letting go
Make another thought fall
In the flow of things
And death is just a breath away
But so is life
Saying this, but knowing not
Which scares the most
For now
For now
Leaving point despair
Leaving point hope
Whatever worry
Running through the veins
When you go, we go
Whatever worry
Raise the flair
When you're there
You're there
Getting close
Abandoning point home
Leaving point despair
Looking up from the rush of things
In the point of life
That is now
A point of life
For now

Time and Tide by Split Enz

Released in April of 1982, Time and Tide is not only Split Enz at their apex but is one of the finest works in modern popular music. It contains a fairly equal amount of song crafting by both Neil and Tim Finn and includes contributions by other band members as well.

An excellently produced album by master producer Hugh Padgham, the album garnered a 4.5 star rating by Allmusic however my personal rating puts it at an even 5 stars. Great from start to finish.

The opening track "Dirty Creature" kicks things off with some great energy and a bit of funky wah pedal guitar.

"Hello Sandy Allen" cranks up the energy with a tribute to the 7 foot 7 inch Sandy Allen who during the last part of her lifetime was the tallest woman in the world according to Guinness. Neil Finn was impressed when he met her, so much so he wrote about it. A great track.

Track 7 on the CD which is track 1 on side 2 of the vinyl album is "Take A Walk". Another Neil Finn composition and definitely a highlight of collection. Then we move on to "Six Months In A Leaky Boat" introduced to us by the beautiful Eddie Raynor piano piece, "Pioneer". And on it goes. Each track is worth discussing in depth but time and tide space doesn't allow it. Cheers!!!

 Six Months In A Leaky Boat version 1

Six Months In A Leaky Boat version 2

Peter Walker

Peter Walker the east Indian classical and flamenco virtuoso who released several albums in the mid to late 1960's is still performing and doing it very well.

Influenced by Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan among others, Peter studied east Indian raga under both of them. If you enjoy both east Indian ragas and/or flamenco guitar, give Peter Walker a spin. Not only his original recordings but be sure to listen to his contemporary work as well (video below). He's outstanding to be sure.



Discography
Rainy Day Raga (1966)
Second Poem to Karmela or Gypsies Are Important (1968)
A Raga for Peter Walker (2008)
Echo of My Soul (2008)
Spanish Guitar (2009)
Long Lost Tapes (2009)
Has Anybody Seen Our Freedoms? (2013)
Spirit Callers (2016)



Peter Walker items I have for sale (these may sell out at some point):

Second Poem to Karmela

Compact Disc

Vinyl LP (pink & blue colored vinyl)

$16

Marconi Union

Manchester England has produced some exceptional artists over the years and Marconi Union are probably the best proof of this. Consisting of Richard Talbot, Jamie Crossley and Duncan Meadows, this group has been classified as ambient but it's a loose classification. They are probably better fitted to the "chill" category. Anyway, I hate Pigeonholing artists!



Active since 2003 when their first effort "Under Wires and Searchlights" was released, they've proven to be consistent in the quality of what they produce. It would be impossible (for me anyway) to recommend one release over another. All are spot on musically.

Listen to "The Contact" from "Under Wires and Searchlights" by Marconi Union





They have recently released another album "Dead Air" which is every bit as excellent as any of their earlier releases.



Listen to "Burned" from "Dead Air" by Marconi Union






Marconi Union discography:

  Under Wires and Searchlights (2003)
  Distance (All Saints Records, 2005)
  A Lost Connection (2008)
  Tokyo (2009)
  Beautifully Falling Apart (Ambient Transmissions Volume 1) (2011)
  Different Colours (2012)
  Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Volume 2) (Self-released limited 2012)
  Anomic Jah Wobble & Marconi Union (2013)
  Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Volume 2) (2014)
  Ghost Stations (2016)
  Tokyo+ (2017)
  Dead Air (2019)

Drums and Wires by XTC

This album is still as fresh today as it was on 17.08.79 when it was released. Drums and Wires IS XTC! With Barry Andrews gone and Dave Gregory on board, the band took headed in new directions.

Killer production by meister-producer Steve Lillywhite and equally impressive cover art by none other than Mr. Partridge himself, the whole package is a treat for eyes and ears.

The original release included a bonus 7 inch disc containing Partridge's "Chain of Command" backed with Moulding's "Limelight" both high energy tracks.

There is no fluff and no filler included. Any one of the tracks on it's own would be worth the price of the album.

If this one somehow escaped you, do yourself a favor and give it a spin. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a nice clean original vinyl version, crank that one up. You'll be glad you did.

Making Plans For Nigel

Helicopter

Day In Day Out

When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty

Ten Feet Tall

Roads Girdle The Globe

Real By Reel

Millions

That Is The Way

Outside World

Scissor Man

Complicated Game

Chain Of Command

Limelight

All Eternal Things by Trembling Blue Stars

Here's one you may not have heard of... All Eternal Things performed by Trembling Blue Stars. An ethereal number with a hint of New Order. Lyrically and musically superb!

All Eternal Things from the Seven Autumn Flowers album.

Preview this on Amazon:


Although there is now hope, embers of sadness still glow.
Something hasn't quite flown.
But I know you're there to catch me now.
All eternal things, the moon, the sea, the turning leaves, speak to something within.
And you, ease the longing too.
My reason. My sunlight. My lifeline.
All eternal things and you, how this frightened heart they soothe.
You and the seasons will pull me through.
Will calm and comfort, and always be beautiful.
You and the seasons will pull me through.
I know you won't let go of the string.
I know you won't let this kite be taken by the wind.
All eternal things and you, how this frightened heart they soothe.
You and the seasons will pull me through.
Will calm and comfort, and always be beautiful.
You and the seasons will pull me through.

Robert Rich

Robert Rich. You may not have heard of him but those that have know that this California composer/musician is at or near the very peak of the list of "as good as it gets" artists.

His discography extends from 1982 to 2019 (and counting...). There are many adjectives that could be applied to his recordings, ambient, experimental, world and on and on. What you have to do is listen to his music on as good a sound system as you can get your hands on and kick up your feet. There's no need to say much more. If you need more information about Robert Rich just cruise over to wikipedia or better yet visit robertrich.com.

Below is an edit of "Ibn Sina" an outstanding track from his "Seven Veils" album.


 Listen to an excerpt from "Ibn Sina" by Robert Rich

Rain Tree Crow

Rain Tree Crow. The one-off project of former Japan members David Sylvian, Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri and Mick Karn is arguably one of the most astonishing works ever produced in the genre of popular music. Recording begain in 1989 and the finished work was released on the 8th of April 1991.

What makes this work even more a amazing is the fact that this is largely improvised. In the approximately 8 years since last playing together as a group, these artists had each flowered into incredible writers and performers in their own right. In fact after Rain Tree Crow, each have compiled their own discographies worthy of separate discussions.  

The original intent of the project was to have it be long term, a plan which was eventually abandoned unfortunately. It would have been great to have additional Rain Tree Crow output but indirectly we do have that by way of subsequent work from each member due to regular collaboration among them. 

There's not much that needs to be said about the individual members other than if you're not already familiar with their output you should be. You are advised to begin your JBKS journey immediately.

Arve Henriksen

Arve Henriksen is a multi award winning trumpeter from Norway who has collaborated with many of the most outstanding scandinavian musicians as well as David Sylvian.

His sound is very flute-like and much of his work has been very experimental in nature such as his work with Terje Isungset on Glass and Ice Music (see below).

His work with David Sylvian includes "Before and Afterlife" from the Cartography album an exceptional piece with both a studio and live version.

Another recommended listen is "Hambopolskavalsen" from The Nature of Connections album and is a composition by Gjermund Larsen. Two more tracks which would be recommended to introduce Arve Henriksen to the newcomer would be "Lament" from the Places of Worship album and "Migration" from Cartography. If you love bass in your music you'll absolutely drown in the sub-bass of "Migration". Simply awesome!

Listen to an excerpt from "Hambopolskavalsen" by Arve Henriksen



Ice:


Glass:

Jon Hassell

Let's talk trumpeters. Eeewwww not trumpeters! The trumpet, not everyones favorite instrument. I mean at times it can make your ears bleed! No not Louis Prima. Not Louis Armstrong. Not even the great Miles! This is about chill (not that Miles couldn't chill) but this is about being a bit further afield of mainstream and that's where Jon Hassell comes in.

Jon Hassell who's "Fourth World" musical concept uses minimalism and electronic manipulation of the trumpet to create some of the most unique and interesting musical landscapes since the late 1960's. He's collaborated with the crème de la crème such as Brian Eno, David Sylvian, Peter Gabriel and the list goes on.

If you're new to Jon Hassell's music listen to Last Night the Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes in the Street released in 2009.The title is taken from a line from a 13th century poem by Jalaluddin Rumi: “Last night the moon came dropping its clothes in the street. I took it as a sign to start singing. Falling up into the bowl of sky.” This album is largely improvised and doesn't exactly fit into any one musical category. It's not jazz and it's not ambient. Experience it for yourself.


Here's another one for you... his most recent release. Listening To Pictures Pentimento Volume One from 2018. You can imagine how hard it is to pickup 4 and especially 5 stars on reviews by the critics. This album has done it and once you listen to it you'll see why. This makes for especially outstanding late night sitting in the dark (with only the stereo lights), sipping wine with a cat on your lap music.


With his extensive discography, we could talk all day about Jon Hassell's music. If you're a Jon Hassell noob, give these a spin then move on down through the rest of his output. You'll be glad you did.

Here's some more for you....


Listen to an excerpt from "Light On Water" by Jon Hassell

China Crisis

One of the best artists to come out of the Liverpool area, China Crisis music runs the full spectrum from experimental to pop. Formed in 1979 and currently a duo of Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon. Past members include Dave Reilly, Gazza Johnson, Brian McNeill, Kevin Wilkinson and yes even Walter Becker of Steely Dan fame.

Kevin Wilkinson also was a member of The League of Gentlemen, The Waterboys and Squeeze. Sadly he died in 1999 at the young age of 41.

Still performing but mostly staying close to home, they released a studio album of new material in 2015, the first since 1994. But, lets talk about the early material, in particular Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms and Working with Fire and Steel. Good examples of the conundrum of China Crisis. Is it pop music or is it experimental... I would say both... experimental pop. Take a listen to "Feel To Be Driven Away" (see below).

Some of the more experimental tracks like "Cucumber Garden" and "Dockland" dont even approach the realm of "pop" while other tracks such as the well known "Arizona Sky" are quite mainstream.

As stated China Crisis is one of the best artists of the era.

See more from China Crisis


Listen to "Feel To Be Driven Away" from China Crisis


I am a cobra
A snake that is
Reluctant to talk
Or live on grass

Passing through electrical fences
Uniform and opposition fade

I travel distance, make my
I make my exit by the tree

I hide behind chairs
Feel driven away
Too smart to answer
Questions, always questions

LFZ

This 2015 release from LFZ makes an excellent contribution to experimentation and minimalism. The almost 25 mins of title track takes you from quiet ambiance of fair winds to a more intense guitar cacophony and then gently lets you back down to the following seas.

A necessary addition to any collector of experimental music.

From Stimulus Progression:
Two 20+ minute long tracks. Fair Winds & Following Seas is a multi-movement piece for electric guitar, some synthesizer, and a plethora of analog and digital effects. It is an instrumental journey through the conceptual phenomena of life and death. Some parts are reminiscent of Fripp & Eno, others Riley-esque minimalism and improvisation with aspects of New Age ambience. The piece culminates in dark and stirring doom riffs without knuckle dragging and sets you down softly via meditative synthesizer tones.

Infinite Regress is another expansive piece, this time for live programmed sequencer, which plays upon rhythmic variable, repetition, analog manipulation, and filtering.

Listen to soundbytes from LFZ

LFZ Fair Winds & Following Seas Infinite Regress

reverse side

Science Fiction

This California duo only has 2 releases. They were privately released and originals are nearly impossible to come by. Terrible Lizards from 1981 is considered an experimental classic.

Secret Agent Man (yes a Johnny Rivers cover tune) from 1980 is the same... extremely rare and difficult to come by. Don't expect this version to be anything like the original. It's definitely unique!

Both of the rarities have been re-issued and are available on 1 cd.

From their label:

“Terrible Lizards” and “Secret Agent Man,” are two inimitable records both privately released in 1981 in criminally limited quantities and the sole output of Northern California duo, Science Fiction. These records have become the stuff of legend, fetching insane prices from collectors and sometimes being so rare as to completely fall through the cracks of experimental and avant pop awareness.

“Terrible Lizards” contains two long form pieces that are at the intersection of Anton Bruckner and Gavin Bryars. The A-side is made up entirely of bleary tape loop manipulations – beautifully meditative musique concrete spaces similar to William Basinski. Side B employs more tape loops, but with a more compositional sensibility. A woman’s voice on loop is accompanied by a plaintive piano improvisation and a fuzzed out guitar solo a-la Eddie Hazel’s psychedelic meditation on Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain.”

Listen to soundbytes from Science Fiction

Science Fiction Terrible Lizards Secret Agent Man

reverse side

Spike

If you like the early to mid 1980's music check Orange Cloud Nine. Dutch home recording master Spike Wolters recorded these tracks between 1980 and 1984. These eclectic tracks will take you back to a time when new artists were coming out of the woodwork.

These tracks are down to earth and NOT overproduced, a problem with many of the releases of the period. Do give this one a listen!



Listen to "The Golden Eye" from Spike Wolters

Spike - Orange Cloud Nine New - factory sealed CD

Reinhold Molitor

Wait! Who?? A German guy of course and a guitar player at that. Reinhold Molitor is the brother of Bodo Molitor. Ahhh of course, stupid me, I should have known....

I would bet you most likely never heard of Reinhold (or his brother Bodo). Now look at the album cover... mmm what could this be all about?

On this album he covers a few Donovan tunes. One of them is "Sun and Foam" which was originally titled "Sand and Foam" from Donovan's "Mellow Yellow" album.

His gravelly rough voice ties in nicely with the roots music he plays. This is a long forgotten gem from 1969. Give it a spin.

Listen to "Sun and Foam" from Reinhold (lyrics below)

Reinhold New - factory sealed CD

The sun was going down behind a tattooed tree And the simple act of an oar's stroke put diamonds in the sea And all because of the phosphorus there in quantity As I dug you diggin' me in Mexico. There in the valley of Scorpio, beneath the cross of jade Smoking on the seashell pipe the gypsies had made We sat and we dreamed a while of smugglers bringing wine In that crystal thought time in Mexico. Sitting in a chair of bamboo, sipping grenadine, Straining my eyes for a surfacing submarine. Kingdoms of ants walk across my feet, I'm a-shakin' in my seat in Mexico. Grasshoppers creaking in the velvet jungle night, Microscopic circles in the fluid of my sight, Watching a black-eyed native girl cut and trim the lamp, Valentino vamp in Mexico. The sun was going down behind a tattooed tree And the simple act of an oar's stroke put diamonds in the sea And all because of the phosphorus there in quantity I dug you diggin' me in Mexico.

Joy Division

"I know someone who works in a record shop where I live and I'll go in there and he'll play me "Have you heard this single?". Singles by, er the group called The Tights, so an obscure thing... and a group called, I think, er Bauhaus, a London group. That's one single. There's no one I completely like that I can say "Well I've got all this person's records. I think he's great" or "This group's records" it's just, again, odd things. " - Ian Curtis

Ian Curtis died at 23 on 18 May 1980 which coincidentally was the same day that Mt. St. Helens erupted with 24 megatons of thermal energy. Out of the ashes of Joy Division arose New Order which went on to become a 1980's and 1990's producer of consistently great albums.

Both Joy Division albums, "Closer (1980)" and "Unknown Pleasures (1979)" have become classics and the original copies extremely collectible. Both have been re-issued in recent years on 180g vinyl with true to the original packaging.

In March 2018 their extended play "An Ideal For Living" sold on Discogs for an astounding $3387 !!

Another interesting item released is the 1980 Komakino flexi disc. I just happen to have an extra copy which I've owned since it was released and you can acquire it for yourself below.


Listen to "The Eternal" from Closer by Joy Division
(lyrics below)

Komakino (flexi disc) new old stock - mint condition flexi disc in plain sleeve

Substance 1987 - New Order (cassette tape) used - very good condition - tested

Procession moves on, the shouting is over, Praise to the glory of loved ones now gone. Talking aloud as they sit round their tables, Scattering flowers washed down by the rain. Stood by the gate at the foot of the garden, Watching them pass like clouds in the sky, Try to cry out in the heat of the moment, Possessed by a fury that burns from inside. Cry like a child, though these years make me older, With children my time is so wastefully spent, A burden to keep, though their inner communion, Accept like a curse an unlucky deal. Played by the gate at the foot of the garden, My view stretches out from the fence to the wall, No words could explain, no actions determine, Just watching the trees and the leaves as they fall.

Lewis

And now from the depths of obscurity... Lewis, also know as... Lewis Baloue... and Randy Duke... and his real name Randall A Wulff.

He recorded a few albums in the 1980's including L'amour in 1983  and Romantic Times in 1985 and then... quickly slipped off into the obscurity. Then... in 2007 a record collector found L'amour at a flea market and started doing some research as well as sharing tracks with friends.

Then a second record collector found Romantic Times and the plot thickened.

Interest in these recordings continued to increase until they were re-issued in 2014, but where was Lewis? Eventually found to be living the quiet life in Canada, he refused the back royalties he was due.

Don't be fooled by the covers and titles. These are 2 very unique and interesting albums. Definitely downbeat and mellow but nothing like what you would expect judging from the cover art, oh and in 2014 an original copy of Romantic Times sold on Ebay for $2000. Imagine that. From a guy few people have ever heard of.


Listen to "Cool Night In Paris" from L'Amour
(I almost expect Leon Redbone to start singing)

L'Amour CD - new factory sealed

Romantic Times CD - new factory sealed