Music @ PL.PT

Music@PL.PT today and tomorrow

2008-09-06T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hello to all our readers.

As you have noticed lately, Music@PL.PT has not leaked any word on the past few months.... The situation shall continue this way until we release the new Music@PL.PT service.

My day to day life, the lack of sponsorship and other issues has let me down slightly when thinking about promoting Portuguese and Polish music. Early this year the thought of completely closing Music@PL.PT has pumped up to my mind more than once. Luckily, after talking to both readers and artists, I've decided to stick to this site.

Currently, with the support of Mr. Vitorino Araujo, we're working on a new Music@PL.PT, something that will make Portuguese and Polish music proud of. We hope to launch this service still this year, hopefully, before November 2008.

In order to bring you a better service, we are looking for people eager to participate on this project and help us taking these sounds everywhere in the world.
In case you're keen on Portuguese and/or Polish music or cinema, in case you're always there, when a Polish or Portuguese band play live, and in case you'd like to share it with more people..... contact us... we're looking for more people to support this project.

Album reviews, concert reviews, new bands....... you name it!!! if made in Poland or Portugal, Music@PL.PT is the place for it.

for those interested on this project, please contact me @:

musicplpt[at]gmail[dot]com

I'll share with you more info on this project.

Let Portuguese and Polish music fly far far away.....

Goodbye, by Anita Lipnicka & John Porter (PL)

2008-05-22T08:21:00.001-07:00

They have both been around for some time, on solo and with other projects. As a duo, it all started back in 2002. After the release of their debut album, Nieprzyzwoite Piosenki, in 2003, and later, in 2005, Inside Story, the couple Anita Lipnicka and John Porter released early this year their third album, Goodbye, which, according to the band, marks the end of this project.

This eleven track record sees Chris Eckman taking care of production, as previously on Inside Story. The result is a journey throughout the sounds of Americana and country-folk, with beautiful and calm pop painted surroundings.

Goodbye welcomes us with fancy arrangements, catchy choirs and interpretations. The arrangements are fed by dreamy violin and cello sounds, banjo chords and a tantalising blow section. Anita and John then do the rest, singing quite sure of themselves, with their captivating voices, digging deep in your soul, finding that safe and warm place inside everyone's heart. Autumn-sad tunes are followed by happier spring-like melodies, melancholic backgrounds and nicely built textures, decorated with the sounds of several instruments (harmonicas, banjos, guitar, pianos, bass, sax, percussion,.....).

The album is some steps bellow its predecessor but still, it is really worth buying and listening for a good couple of times. Tracks like Lonesome Traveller, Good to See You, Secret Wish, You're Not The Only One and Runner Run will for sure keep you close to your stereo, sitting on the floor, holding a glass of red wine and dreaming.......

Get their album right here.

Old Time Radio, by Anita and John.

Czeslaw Spiewa's Debut (PL)

2008-05-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen.... Welcome to Debiut!!!! Come closer; don't be afraid!!! And join us on this 10 track merry-go-round soundtrack .

Known to be a fan of punk and good pop music, living in Denmark since his early years, 28 years old Polish born Czeslaw Mozil released this year Czeslaw Spiewa's debut album, simply entitled Debiut (Polish for debut).

This long play smells to Balkan breezes (Ucieczka z Wesolego Miasteczka), to theatrical and cinematic aromas (closing your eyes you can find yourself easily in Amelie's world, just this time, somewhere in Krakow). It comes wrapped in colourful circus melodies, sweet candy pop textures (Maszyna do Swierkania or Efekt Uboczny Trzezwosci) and French cabaret-like backgrounds. Then, there is still space for melodic lullabies, punk and rock music inspired firecrackers (Tylem do Przodka, Mieszko i Dobrawa jako ...., Kradziez Cukierka) and the phantom-like choirs (Pozycie Malzenskie).

Debiut is an album totally sung in Polish with lyrics from Michal Zablocki and the internet collective poetry service Multipoezja. Pure joy, melancholy and melody perfumed with several instruments (accordion, piano, double-bass, trombone, guitar,....) that melt together wonderfully. The result could not have been more beautiful and surprising, certainly one of 2008's debuts of the year, together with Iowa Super Soccer's Lullabies....

Ladies and gentlemen, step in and join us on this show.
Welcome to this candy called Debiut!!! Open it and discover it!!!

Now, it's time for Maszyna do Swierkania.

Dead Combo's Latin Playboys (PT)

2008-04-27T04:35:00.000-07:00

Latin Playboys are two lonesome men that wander around the narrow and dark streets of Lisbon carrying with each other, alongside their guitar and double-bass, nostalgia, saudade, melancholy, a bunch of unique sounds and a whole lot more.

After releasing Vol.1 and Vol.2, and last years vinyl album Guitars from Nowhere, 2008 sees these 2 gentlemen, To' Trips and Pedro V. Goncalves, return with yet another fantastic collection of tracks, now with more elaborate and careful arrangements.

Dead Combo have been called several things: from fado to western spaghetti, from cinematic tunes to blues. On this Latin Playboys, they continue walking the roads of the big screen, inspired by the sounds of the world around us, this time taking a short-cut and stepping into the moods of South America (Mexico's mariachi, Argentina's tango) or those of Cuba.

With a guest list that many would dream of (Howe Gelb on Manobras de Maio 06, Carlos Bica on Lisbon Berlin Flight 1001 and Kid Congo Powers on Cuba 1970, among others), this Lisbon-based duo present us with one of their first sung songs (Desert Diamonds / Enraptured with Lust), a phantom-like tale that drags itself throughout five long sandy minutes. The rest is all about bad cop / good cop lullabies, oriental-inspired delicacies, served with angelic choirs (just listen to the superb Like a Drug), cool guitar dancing and cello-driven moments (Putos a Roubar Macas), scents of a dreamy Cuba (Cuba 1970) or simply a couple of instruments running for simple pleasure, dressed out of any taboos, running and playing,...... but always keep on playing (Fuga em Correria).

No one ever thought that 2 men alone with their old companions, the previously mentioned guitar and double-bass, would take this idea so far and with such high standards. Dead Combo did it and it seems that they will continue doing it, in great style, as they got us all used to. at least we hope so.

The album can be bought right here. It comes together with a DVD containing a live performance on Lisbon's Maxime and several videos. In case you'd like to discover a bit more on this band, just visit them at their MySpace and get discover how these Latin Playboys sound like.

And now.... Um Puto a Roubar Maças....

If Lucy Fell and the Zebra Dance (PT)

2008-04-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

If Lucy Fell go back to the year 2004. According to the band it all started when ".....due to their ballet teachers’ lack of professionalism, Helio,.., Makoto, Pedro and Rui ... decide to hang up their ballet shoes and buy musical instruments....."

Today, the choice reveals itself as the most appropriate. 5 young lads rampaging from sunny Lisbon!!! or if you prefer..... no mercy and no damn sweet talks! Just pure beautiful noise rock led by Helio Morais (out of Linda Martini), on drums; Makoto Yagyu (out of Riding Panico), on vocals; Pedro "Gaza" Cobrado, on bass; Rui Carvalho, on guitar; and most recently Joao "Shela" Pereira (out of Riding Panico), on keyboards.

After releasing their first demo back in 2005, this quintet soon had their debut on the way. You Make Me Nervous took If Lucy Fell to several venues across Europe and their music was presented to a much wider audience.

This year, we welcome Zebra Dance; a 10 track record where noise, hardcore, punk, indie and rock all flow on the same pot. For some, an album not that easy to listen to; for others one of the best releases this year.
Explosive, brutal, right on your face!!!!! Makoto Yagyu sings and screams, with an energy that will contaminate many, and for sure leave no one indifferent!!! Helio and the other three, plus special guests Joaquim Albergaria (from The Vicious Five), on La Decadence, and To Trips and Pedro Goncalves (Dead Combo), on She Lives/She Dies, do the rest.

Is it a thunderstorm? A devastating whirlwind? or is it the end? No, ... but it isn't Superman as well..... It's Zebra Dance, If Lucy Fell latest creation, an authentic burst of energy and sound!!!!

If Lucy Fell? .....What if she really fell?
She'd quickly get back on her feet and continue dancing to Zebra Dance.

Oito - The return of Radio Macau (PT)

2008-04-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

With the self-titled debut album released back in 1984, Radio Macau returned this 2008 with their brand new album Oito (8), their 9th release, (8 original albums plus a best of), during a long lasting career with almost 30 years gone by.

Xana, Flak, Alexandre Cortez and Luis Filipe Valentim together with Frederico (Fred) Ferreira (Yellow W Van) and Ricardo Frutuoso (ex-Toranja) decided, this time, to approach music in its simplest way, leaving all the experiments behind and embracing beautiful pop melodies without any hesitation.
The result is an amazing 12 track record, with the lyrics (by Xana, Pedro Malaquias and Vitor (Vitinha) Lucas) assuming a different role, being those behind the sumptuous melodies we find among this 8. The songs? Those are perfumed with colourful and dreamy textures where simple and catchy pop songs drift slowly around ourselves as heavenly bodies, singing lovely 2 to 6 minutes long piano-driven pearls.

Letting the cd play track after track, we come across several potential singles. Este Frio da Manha, Levo-me no Voo das Minhas Asas, Cantiga d'Amor, Os Sonhos Impossiveis, Quando uma Rosa Morre, among many others, are but a few that can illustrate how difficult it must be for Radio Macau to decide on their next single.

A band of great importance on the history of Portuguese music; a band with no need to prove whatsoever to any of us. Nevertheless, Radio Macau released an album far beyond our expectations, showing that, after all, age is nothing but a number on our ID cards!!!

The album is available for streaming on Radio Macau's MySpace. In case you liked it, get it right here. The album also includes a DVD with 12 films by Jose Nascimento.

Cantiga de Amor..... the video

FlyKKiLLer's Experiments in Violent Light (PL/UK)

2008-03-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

3 years after her second release, Silent Treatment, London-based Polish artist Pati Yang is back together with husband and musician Stephen Hilton on their brand new project FlyKKiLLer. The debut album gives by the name of Experiments in Violent Light and sees Pati returning in great shape to sign a highly contagious record, a fresh breeze among today's music panorama.

Supposedly "...recorded by an extra terrestrial called V who created this set (whilst in captivity in the FlyKKllr Institute in Poland) as a vessel in which to pass on her peaceful communications to us earthlings...", Experiments... is a truly melting pot where fierce guitar riffs are bathed with sexy, soul and warm vocals; big fat bass beats meet with schizophrenic and distorted sharp sound textures; psychedelic synths battle with clashing percussion drunk tracks; mutated sci-fi soundtracks crash against thriller sound bites; dark, gothic, experimental and sensual backgrounds are laid on pop, hip-hop and electro inspired tracks.

Produced by Stephen Hilton and Pati Yang themselves this 12 track debut also sees the contribution of David Holmes on the mind blowing remix for the self-titled track FlyKKiLLer.
Our favourite are Fear, Peroxide, Shine Out and the original version for FlyKKiLLer. Be sure of it, once you get to listen to them, there'll a lot of crazy and mysterious things going on.

Experiments in Violent Light was released last year in the UK and this 2008 in Poland. For the Music@PL.PT troops, this is one of the most interesting debuts this 2008 and a project to keep under the radar on the nearest future.

Right next, the promo video for the electric and highly addictive Shine Out, Shine Out.

Flash report with Rita RedShoes (PT)

2008-03-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

Before we introduce you to Rita RedShoes' debut album, here's the video for Hey Tom.

About to release Golden Era, the Atomic Bees' ex-vocalist Rita Pereira and her Rita RedShoes project offer us their second single, after the successful Dream on Girl.

The album, set to see the lights on the 17th of March, will feature 12 tracks. Cinematic, pop and rock music, with Feist and Fiona Apple nearby, singing magical lullabies by your side.

An amazing debut.... 12 good reasons to drop by Rita RedShoes' MySpace and listen to..... Golden Era, for now, available for streaming.

Discover .... Hey Tom

L.Stadt's debut (PL)

2008-03-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

We've introduced you to this Lodz-based quartet last year, by the time we first heard about them. This year, L.Stadt are back, now with their self-titled debut album.

L.Stadt comes together with a total of 13 tracks (including an hidden track). Among these, some of the songs they got us used to (March, Fagot Eyes, Wait, Gore and Velvet) and a bunch of new tracks, including our favourites Loosing, Macca, Londyn and 13 (the hidden track, a very interesting experimental episode).

Like before, these four lads are still difficult to put on a shelf. Their music, more than before, is a colourful sound pallet, drifting among the likes of the Brian Ferry, Leonard Cohen, The The, Velvet Underground, Robert Palmer, Beck and Damon Albarn's band, Blur.

Combining pop and soul scented melodies with more experimental rock tunes, guitar driven tracks with drums meet percussion side clashes, Prince look-a-like whispered sensite sexy chorus with strong and deep cavernous vocals, Lukasz Lach, Adam Lewartowski, Radek Bolewski and Andrzej Sieczkowski deliver within this L.Stadt one of the most mature debuts I've seen around. Influences and comparisons aside, this is a hell of a debut!!!!

This is a record that will have you playing it loud and repeatedly. Songs like Marsz, with its percussion-set tempo (this band plays with drums and percussion simultaneously) and the soulful chorus, the keyboard-driven melody swirls and Beck inspired backgrounds of Macca, the low-paced cinematic pop hymn Wait, the happy merry-go-rounds Londyn and Akademia and, last but not least, the sonorous exercise at track 13, will keep sounding inside your head after the first time you listen to them..... and in case you catch them live, then, it will even be worse....

Get the album right here. Find more on L.Stadt at their MySpace.

Next..... the video for Gore

Waglewski, Fisz and Emade's Meska Muzyka (PL)

2008-02-23T23:01:00.000-08:00

Wojtek, Bartosz and Piotr.... father, two sons and Meska Muzyka.

Wojtek Waglewski, composer, vocalist, guitarist and producer, an institution within Polish music, .....; Bartek, a.k.a. Fisz, painter, radio dj and hip-hop artist; and Piotrek "Emade" Waglewski, dj, producer and percussionist; together with guests Marcin Masecki on keyboards, Bartek "Boruta" Leczycki on harmonica and Envee on tambourine, released Meska Muzyka, a record that gathers 15 tracks with some of the most interesting music this country has seen recently.

After working together on Maria Peszek's debut album and some Voo Voo releases, Wojtek, Fisz and Emade got together again, to sign this first record on their own.
As part of the Strefa Inne Brzmienia series, these three set foot on a musical journey that would take them into the world of country music, blues and rock, coloured by some of the most interesting new urban sounds, where sounds from other locations and projects would inspire their music.

With Wojtek assuming a big share of the lyrics, music and vocals (alone he signed 9 tracks out of 15), Fisz and Emade were left with vocals and lyrics for 6 other songs (Fisz) and production (Emade). In result, 50 minutes of music that will keep you close to your stereo system for long long time, and have you hit replay quite often.

Whereas Fisz brought to this record part of his music experiments and vision (Majty, the high-speed adrenaline Sport, the blues-flavoured Badminton and the slow runner Wakacje), Wojtek Waglewski perfumed it with his voice and guitar that walks with us side by side, during these fifty minutes (Dziob Pingwina, Wladca Kol, Niezmiennie,.....) but this scent is not guitar alone! Emade's percussion gives Meska Muzyka more character and consistancy, not forgeting Boruta's harmonica and Marcin's keyboards.

Meska Muzyka comes together with a 40 page booklet containing interviews with Wojtek, Fisz and Emade, lyrics, photos by Tomek Sikora and drawings by Fisz himself.

Get the album right here.

[previews]

Dziol Pingwina

Majty

Zimno

Trafiony

Meska Muzyka live....

Under the Radar with ..... Walter Benjamin (PT)

2008-02-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

On the first 2008's Under the Radar edition we take some time with a new project that is taking over the alternative radio airwaves in Portugal, conquering more and more fans everywhere.

Walter Benjamin (1892 - 1940) was a German Marxist literary critic, essayist, translator, and philosopher....

Walter Benjamin is also the Lisbon-based folk artist that recently saw the release of his debut full lenght album, The National Crisis, after the 2007's EP The Dog Follows the Bull.

Being part of Jesus, the Misunderstood and Goodbye Toulouse, Walter decided to embark on this new adventure all by himself as these songs had more meaning outside these two bands.

Defining himself as a normal person that loves music and that sometimes, gets his yellow hat on, and starts singing some songs, Walter continues this 2008 the folk "golden era" that Mazgani and Sean Riley & The Slowriders unveiled last year.

These are beautifully written delicate songs, crowded with weeping melodies, sounding melancholic and sad, even though sometimes they shine as much as a nice Summer day. Together with his "cheap" acoustic guitar, the tear dropping piano notes, percussion, synths and other instruments, were are told little and personal stories, mainly on matters of love and death, flavoured with slow paced trembling vocals and a touch of Uncle Sam's folk tunes.

With influences ranging from The Magnetic Fields and Lambchop, down to Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen and Elliott Smith, among many others, Walter Benjamin, the musician, is surely a name to keep an eye on.

The National Crisis, a strongly recommended album, can be bought at Merzbau and enjoyed right here. His first EP, The Dog Follows The Bull can be downloaded right here, free of charge.

For more, drop by Walter's MySpace and listen to the superb Paris.

"..... I want to kill you so much....

..that it even hurts...."

photo by Vera Marmelo.

Best of 2007 - Albums @ PT

2008-01-19T02:04:00.000-08:00

This year, I exceeded myself a bit with this Best of The Year thing. My work kept me away from my computer more than I thought so.....

One month and a half later than expected, ladies and gentlemen, Portugal's 2007 Top 20 Records.

Before that, I'm quite pleased to say that more than half of these bands released last 2007 their debut album. Some, as Lobster, have been around for longer, but their full-length saw the light only last year.

Top 20 Portuguese Albums

20. U-Clic - Console Pupils

19. Umpletrue - Fab Fight

18. Da Weasel - Amor, escarnio e maldizer

17. Lobster - Sexually Transmitted Electricity

16. Norberto Lobo - Mudar de Bina

15. Hipnotica - New Communities For Better Days

14. Cla - Cintura

13. The Partisan Seed - Visions of Solitary Branches

12. DJ Ride - Turntable Food

11. Adolfo Luxuria Canibal & Antonio Rafael - Estilhacos

10.Bezegol - Rude Bwoy Stand

Rude Boy Stand; most likely the best hip hop, ragga, dub album released in Portugal in 2007; most likely, one of the best released in the past few years.

Signing as Bezegol, this DJ, MC and producer delivers here his first solo album, taking a little break from his band Matazoo. Not wanting to limit himself to another hip hop album, another Jamaican-like reggae release or any East side/West side North American influenced product, Bezegol decided, within these 15 tracks, to create something that would take him above all others releasing similar music.
Crossing hip hop with reggae, dub with soul and fado (yes, you read it properly), Bezegol uses his raw, crude and strangely attractive vocals to show us his point of view on society, politics and family.

Moving track after track, we go through some “friendly” reggae tracks (Fire, Roots of Evil), across other dirty and raw ragga beat tunes (Clockwork Bomb, Colision), slow-burnin' soul hymns (Forever Love), to other tunes blinking an eyes to the French hip hop “brothers” with special guests Souljah and Tito on After This, not forgetting the reggae fado-like Let Them Know, perfumed with Pedro Aires’ Portuguese guitar.
The list of special does not finish here. Among others, Rude Boy Stand is perfumed with the contributions of New Max, Condutor, Dj Kronic and Dj Ride.

New skool, old skool…. What the hell!!!!
Rude Boy Stand has arrived and stood strong on 10th!

Fire [Album Preview]

09. The Allstart Project - Your Reward.... A Bullet

Even though, at first sight, you might think The Allstar Project is another super star band, with members from a couple of known rock groups, think twice; TAP are six lads that back in 2002/2003 decided to grab their instruments and come storming down the country with their rampaging and energetic post rock sound!!!

After releasing 2 EPs back in 2003 and 2006 (see reviews on Music@PL.PT), 2007 sees TAP releasing their 8 track full-length debut album.
With influences going from GYBE!, Explosions In The Sky and Mogway, these 6 lads together with their 3 guitar front, bass, piano, percussion and sampling created one of the most interesting debuts this year; a record of many emotions, a record of many faces!!

As the tracks pass in front of us, one after another, it is difficult to keep our emotions low. Some of these tracks kick-off so smoothly, with melodic and melancholic guitars, followed by some piano notes, just to find an immense wall of distortion, feedback and noise ahead of them.

What amazes me about TAP is their ability to create electrifying guitar driven tracks, mix them with unforgettable melodies that dig deep inside our souls and find a little cozy place in there. If not, take a look at the unique Frienemies. It starts with the fingering sound of an acoustic guitar, just to be joined by a Portuguese guitar seconds after. The latter gives this track the soul it had lost ages ago! Together, the two guitars move forth on this quest with Velasquez on the drums, sounding so melancholic and melodic… Then...the acoustic and melancholic sounds just disappear; Now we’re among a tremendous sound orgy.

Great, aesthetic and atmospheric textures, sometimes more cinematic but always in crescendo until it reaches climax; energetic and explosive swirling guitar riffs, aggressive sometimes; beautiful and catchy arrangements; battling and throttling drums, leaving you with no time left to take a breath; softly played piano notes merged with electronic scents, sampled dialogues!!!

If instruments could make love, I’d say it sounded like Your Reward…A Bullet!!!

Lasers Go Through Monkeys [mp3]

08.Old Jerusalem - The Temple Bell

On his third release, the singer-songwritter Francisco Silva takes us to The Temple Bell, an album released on the Portuguese independent label Bor Land.

As previously on Twice The Humbling Sun and April, Francisco Silva and his project Old Jerusalem keep sailing in a sea of melancholy, spreading the spectrum of folk music, with mellow and beautiful acoustic songs, intimate and emotive lyrics and stories on love and little insignificant things. This might have to do with the fact that some of these songs were supposed to be released on his second album, Twice The Humbling Sun, and that others came to life during on 2005 and 2006 when Francisco was promoting that very same album.

On this third chapter, Francisco's lo-paced vocals, the acoustic tunes that drop slowly out of the guitar and the introduction of such instruments as cello and vibraphone, among others, take us from reality, carrying us to a very special place where there's no disturbance but those fine and intimate tunes coming out of your stereo.....

The album, with its 11 songs, starts wonderfully with Her Scarf, the first single out of this The Temple Bell, with Francisco on vocals and Ana Figueiras supporting him with her delicate and sweet vocal contribution. This song somehow gives us a taste of what Old Jerusalem is up to now. Next we head to Dayspring (go to Sleep, Now), definitely a close encounter with Kurt Wagner's music. The song evolves slowly with the percussion and the guitar setting up the pace to Francisco's whispered lyrics.

Ruler Of My Heart is one of the most beautiful songs out of Old Jerusalem's third album. A step ahead of the material Francisco recorded before, this little song becomes a giant close to all the other ten tracks.

Throughout these 39 minutes there is still time for Grasshoppers, Boxes, Lunar Calendar and Time Time Time, another three pearls on an album that, unfortunately, does keep up with what we are shown on the very beginning. After Lunar Calendar, and with the exception of Time Time Time, the songs start sounding more to each other, loosing that feeling of novelty we could find on the first five tracks.

Her Scarf [mp3]

07.JP Simoes - 1970

JP Simoes has been around for quite a while. Pop dell'Arte, Belle Chase Hotel, Azembla's Quartet and Quinteto Tati all saw his musical contribution. Now, this charismatic artist has moved forth, on a solo career.

2007 saw the birth of 1970, Joao Paulo Simoes' debut solo album. An album where his words play a major role (".... A minha geracao ja se calou, ja se perdeu,...." on 1970 (Retrato); ".... disfarca, finge nao me ver. Diz que nao pode ser, diz que eu morri num acidente qualquer...." on Se por acaso me vires por ai); where the music drinks inspiration from artists such Chico Buarte, Tom Jobim or Sergio Godinho, from bossa nova, samba and the Portuguese popular music.

The delicate and paced songs and their background vocals, instruments, beats and JP's cool voice all add up to deliver a record we listen sitting on a sofa, with a gin and tonic on our hands.

Fabula Bebada [Listen @ MySpace]

06. Mundo Cao - Mundo Cao

They're five. They play rock music: melodic, catchy and for sure, the one that will put you jumping up and down moving your heads to the guitar riffs and the drums beats!!!

Pedro Laginha, all-time actor, debuts with Mundo Cao his latest role, being a lead singer. Regardless if he sings or just talks throughout part of the songs, needless to say, he does it quite well, transforming some of these tracks in instant hits. Miguel Pedro, on drums, might be a name that sounds familiar to some of you. More than 20 years ago, together with the carismatic Adolfo Luxuria Canibal, they started the band Mao Morta, one of Portugal's finest alternative bands to date. Vasco Vaz, on the guitar, is another member of the cult band Mao Morta. Previous adventure include the heavy metal band Braindead. Goncalo "Budda" takes care of the other guitar. Previously, he was one of the Big Fat Mamma. The quintet would not be complete without Duarte Nuno on bass guitar.

With Adolfo Luxuria Canibal in charge of all the lyrics, the band has dedicated themselves to the other activities. The result is in front of us, with the self-titled debut album, Mundo Cao. An album that sweats rock from all its pores, not disregarding a more "poppy" approach to some of these 11 tracks. Just imagine Mao Morta's songs covered by Pluto but with Zen's, or most recent Hiena's, kickin' arse attitude. Got it? Apart from that, the impression I get is that these songs not only work great on the record, but in case these lads deliver the same energy on stage, they should sound pretty damn good played live.

An album to keep close to your stereo and listen at maximum volume. You'll love it and your neighbours will be thrilled to bits!!!

Da Vertigem Sou Mendigo [Listen @ MySpace]

05. Micro Audio Waves - Odd Size Baggage

Claudia Efe, C.Morg and Flak are Micro Audio Waves (MAN). Together, they decided to greet us with their latest album, Odd Size Baggage, a monument to electronic music made in Portugal.

Gathering the likes of Francisco Rebelo (from Cool Hipnoise and Spaceboys) and Samuel Palitos, these five adventured themselves on this 12 track journey. A journey that took them across the green fields of pop music, wondering through the mysteries of minimal electro and diving into a whole new world of refined and experimental electronic tunes.

Still looking back at their past and not fearing to change, this last chapter is their most ambitious and promising album. Odd Size Baggage not only presents beautiful electro pop moments (Shadow of Things, Down by Flow or the highly recommendable aesthetical ambient Long Tongue), but as well some other incursions to other electronic lands (the “trip-hopster”, groovy Curl Like a Cannon Ball, the 120 mph rockin’ beats of 2 Night (U & I), the loopy spoken word fat beats of That’s Me Man, Half a Man,…..).

This is Odd Size Baggage, a trunk carrying a total of 12 fine tracks.

Long Tongue [Listen @ MySpace]

04. Sean Riley & The Slowriders - Farewell

Rock, blues, folk and country.

Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tim and Jeff Buckley, Neil Young, Howe Gelb, Devendra Banhart and the Doors. Anything in common? Yes, Farewell, the debut album by the Coimbra-based trio Sean Riley & The Slowriders.

Farewell, produced by the Dutch Wout Straatman, is one of the biggest surprises to come out of Portugal this year. It is not that common that a band on their debut album comes up with a bunch of songs - 11 in total - that sound as if they've been around for ages. Afonso Rodrigues (or shall I say Sean Riley) on vocals and guitar; Bruno Simoes, on bass, guitar, percussion, melodica, synths and xylophone; and the ex-Bunnyranch Filipe Costa, on drums, keyboards and harmonica show a maturity several projects haven't achieved after years and years of hard work.

Their music is of beautiful acoustic melodies, sorrow and feelings. Surrounded by silky textures, notes dripping out of the melodica, xylophone and harmonica; dragged, paced and soul warming vocals. It breathes the warm winds of Southern America and drinks inspiration from all the artists mentioned previously.

After the release of the first single, Moving On, I was sure that something special was on its way, I just didn't know that it would be this special!!! The vocals by Sean Riley and the melodies created by Afonso Rodrigues and Bruno Simoes give space to this shiny and special aura, resting above our head, embracing and caressing us. We are taken through some of the memories Mazzy Star left behind; through the sounds Dylan and Tim Buckley taught us to love; through the dry and lonely fields of Bruce "Nebraska" Springsteen. Stories on thousands of nights, departures on the middle of night and difficult decisions. Stories..... 11 of them on this Farewell. Songs as Harry Rivers, Let The Good Times Roll, Lights Out, City Of A Million Thrills and Spider's Blues will be difficult to forget!!!!

Harry Rivers [Listen @ MySpace]

03.Mazgani - Song Of The New Heart

After introducing himself and Mazgani to the world a couple of years ago, when this Setubal-based quintet was featured on the Les Inrockuptibles as one of the 20 best new European bands of 2005, Mazgani released one of 2007's finest records, and definitively one of the most interest debuts, together with Sean Riley & The Slowriders.
Song Of The New Heart, released on Naked Records, gathers 13 tracks that drink inspiration from the likes of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Scott Walker or Nick Drake, among others.
These songs, produced by Shahryar Mazgani and Rui David, are the perfect marriage between acoustic and melancholic tunes with those electric guitar driven (Let Your Lips Blossom In A Kiss and Crazy Wind).

Listening to Song Of The New Heart is like being on an emotional turmoil: Shahryar's voice is both calm and warm, capable of comforting us on those cold and lonely Winter days, but sometimes, is strong and quite alive, as a storm ready to burst, keeping us with our eyes wide-open. Sergio Mendes, on electric guitar, loading these melodies with a rockin' attitude and Hugo Novo, on the keyboards, digging into more intimate backgrounds. This would not be complete without Rui David on drums and Reinaldo Paixao on bass guitar.

Acoustic mellow folk music, broken-hearted stories, sorrow-drunken vocals, whipping guitar chords and dreamy melodies.... Altogether they define the 13 songs out of Song Of The New Heart.

Unageing Games [Listen @ MySpace]

02.David Fonseca - Dreams In Colour

After the release of 2003's Sing Me Something New and 2005's Our Hearts Will Beat As One, the expectation was quite big towards David Fonseca's latest release, Dreams In Colour. After listening to the latter, I must say that it is much better than what I expected.

With three albums up to today, we are constantly surprised by his new songs and the way each record evolves compared to its predecessors. Dreams In Colour is only his most accomplished release so far, the perfect follow-up to his previous two albums. With an handful of tracks, (11 in total), we are taken into a swirl of indie pop, 80's electro, catchy, melodic and heavily contagious dancing tunes, where constant changes in mood take place; songs run in epic crescendos. It's a sea of emotions and amazing pop pearls!!!

Songs like the poppy Kiss me, Oh Kiss me, the mind-blowing dance melodies of Silent Void, the crescendo on This Wind, Temptation and the superb cover to Elton John's Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be a Long, Long Time) are more than the perfect welcome card to one of my favourites this 2007.

This is Dreams In Colour, a hymn to pop music, one of the best pop albums Portugal has seen on recent years. An album suiting those that, like me, love pop music, or those that prefer more alternative/indie music.

Take a deep breath!!! Press play and enjoy. It's all about Dreams in Colour.

Silent Void [Listen @ MySpace]

01.Wraygunn - Shangri-La

Lord, I'll never turn back .... No more..

Ever felt the need for something extra?
Ever felt the need for something that could lift you off the ground, and take you away from the day to day boredom?
Yes? So you've come to the right place!!!

Welcome to Shangri-la, the amazing follow-up to Wraygunn's highly acclaimed second release Esclesiastes 1.11.

If on their previous release, Paulo Furtado and his fellow companions were more into the world of gospel, this time, they've put it behind their backs and went more rock, more blues, more soul, and guess what, there's even a taste of funk, pop, punk and electronic music.

Blues going punk (with the explosive and highly addictive Love Letters from a Muthafucka); pop kissing electronic music; devilish gospel embracing soul (with the divine gospel-like choirs of two amazing ladies, Selma Uamusse and Raquel Ralha). On this third release, we see mainly Raquel Ralha enchanting us with her powerful and seductive vocals. Together with Selma Uamusse they are the voice whispering behind your hear, taking you deeper into the world of Shangri-La.

The album kicks off with Ain't it Nice, the perfect introduction to the 12 chapters to come next. By the second track, and while singing Love Is My New Drug, we come together with Raquel and Selma and their powerful, soulful and melodic vocal contribution, while Mr. Paulo Furtado is left to his guitar. Ain't it Nice reveals as well Raquel's writting skills.

Going forth, we encounter Hoop Hoola Woman, the first track sailing on the seas of calmness; seductive pop, dreamy and catchy..... How beautiful music can be!!!

Until the end, there's still time to discover Work Me Out, a dirty rock'n'roll guitar soul anthem, with Raquel and Selma sounding amazing once again. These two ladies do it again on the closing track, No More, My Lord. This gospel spiced soul version starts smoothly. Then, the chorus sounds louder and louder. The guitar gets noisier, trapped in addictive loops. Altogether, this whirlwind of sounds finished Shagri-La at its best.

And this way we close our best of, with Portugal's number one, Wraygunn and their Shangri-la.

She's a Go-go Dancer [mp3]

Best of 2007 - Albums @ PL

2007-12-21T16:10:00.000-08:00

This year, just like for the 2006 countdown, our "Best of" came a bit late.
Slightly different than last year's, this counting kicks off with the Top 20 Polish albums, with the first 10 albums having a small review.

These choices reflect some of the records I've listened over the past 12 months. Pop, rock, hip hop, jazz, experimental and electronic music, among others. This year there was room for all genres. Hope you enjoy my choices and let me know what you think about them.

Top 20 Polish Albums

20. Plum - Witness of Your Fall

19. Holdcut - Inept Vision

18. Motion Trio - Metropolis

17. Mosqitoo - Black Electro

16. Psychocukier - Malpy Morskie

15. The Complainer & The Complainers - The Complainer & The Complainers

14. Lachowicz - Za Morzami

13. Karolina Kozak - Tak Zwyczajny Dzien

12. OSTR - HollyLodz

11. L.U.C. & Rah - Homoxymoronomatura

10.Pink Freud - Punk Freud

Dressed in improvisation, groove and genius, innovation and ordered chaos, this year Wojtek Mazolewski, on bass, loop and sampler, Kuba Staruszkiewicz, on drums, Tomek Zietek, on trumpet, and Tomek Duda, on sax, delivered us Punk Freud, an album told in 10 chapters where Pink Freud explore their sound further, combining it with new elements, handing us such a fresh sound, so live and so damn appealing. It looks as if these instruments have a life of their own.

Among the wealthy disorder reigning on this record, there is also time for smooth and delicate soundscapes as on Wszystko Plynie, for beautifully driven sax moments as on Sex Przemoc Lek i Niemoc, for trumpet and sax dialogues as shown on Piasek Piasek Kupa Piasku and for chill-out breezes as on Porno Pogoda.

Dziwny Jest Ten Kraj [Listen @ MySpace]

09. Tomek Makowiecki - Ostatnie Wspolne Zdjecie

With two albums out on the streets, the 2002 Makowiecki Band and 2005’s Piosenki Na Nie, Tomek Makowiecki decided to drop by this year with Ostatnie Wspolne Zdjecie.

Within its 11 tracks, we are taken into a world lying under pop sunlight, where streets are painted with delicate melodic colours and bathed with melancholic breezes, whispering tiny little stories as well walk through this album.

Ostatnie Wspolne Zdjecie is pop; a rich, varied and cinematic pop album that blinks an eye, here and there, to other trends. Within it, rich arrangements, catchy chorus, nicely played guitar chords, deep heart warming vocals, full-bodied textures and melodies…. melodies that flow smoothly, embracing us and making us dream of those beautiful and colourful autumn evenings…

Ostatnie Wspolne Zdjecie [Listen @ MySpace]

08.Digit All Love - DigitAllLove

A 10 track album by a 10-piece electronic orchestra.

This Wroclaw-based collective has just released DigitAllLove, their self-titled debut album. A collection of songs that breathe sensibility, intimacy, warmth and relaxing tempos; majestic arrangements, fat downtempo beats, subtle and inspired electronic backgrounds; all served together with live instruments and the sensual and delicate vocals of Natalia Grosiak.

Once we step into DigitAllLove, we get face to face with the likes of Bjork, Massive Attack, Portishead or Goldfrapp. The inspirations are obvious and the album does not intend to hide it as well. Putting aside this detail, DAB deliver an album that is close to being perfect. I say close, for they lack something new here that could take them to another league.

Led by the voice of Natalia Grosiak, the superbly arranged tracks, filled with passionate string melodies, darkened moods and energy, create a very special aura around this release. Listening to DigitAllLove will take you on a journey of discoveries, many emotions and colours. As you go by the aesthetic atmospheres of Run Away, passing through the more jazzy and soul ambients of Candy Castle, the loops of Skinflower, the many contrasts and flavours of Matulu, the saturated beats of Don't Expect Too Much, I U Could and I Learn 2 Be into the angelic, Icelandic cold Navel, you find yourself looking away, widely, into the vast!!! You grab the remote and hit play!!! It is time for the second journey!!!

Run Away [mp3 Preview]

07.Hey - MTV Unplugged

And we come to our number 7.

Kasia Nosowska, Marcin Zabielowicz, Pawel Krawczyk, Jacek Chrzanowski and Robert Ligiewicz got together on the past 10th of September, at the Warsaw’s Teatr Roma, to perform their repertoire, now totally disconnected from the power. After Kayah’s performance on the MTV Unplugged series, Hey are the second Polish band invited to record an unplugged session with this network tv.
With only previously released tracks and two versions (P.J. Harvey’s Angelene and Iggy Pop’s Candy), Hey Unplugged makes it to the top 20 with its songs, completely reviewed and shown here dressed with brand new clothes and incredible arrangements, sounding as fresh as they did the first time I heard them.
String and blow instruments section, percussion, accordion, keyboards and lira, among other instruments, together with Kasia singular voice, the artists’ enthusiasm, the guests’ contribution (Agnieszka Chylinska and Jacek "Budyn" Szymkiewicz (Pogodno) on Angelene and Candy, respectively) and the audience create during these 17 tracks an unique atmosphere and several moments where you love these tracks so much you forget about all the rest; if not, listen to Dreams, Missy Seepy or Mimo Wszystko.

Mru Mru [Listen @ MySpace]

06. Muchy - Terroromans

“…The one and only polish post - beat - power - puff - dance - punk - youthloud - romantic - garage - pop extravaganza…”

Michal Wiraszko, on vocals and guitar; Tomasz Skorka, on bass; Piotr Maciejewski, on keyboards and vocals; and Szymon Waliszewski on percussion have been around since 2004 “giving” music to the city of Poznan and not only!!!
This group of friends released this 2007 their long-expected debut album, Terroromans, after presenting us, back in 2005, with the demo Galanteria.
Last year The Car Is On Fire, with their Lake & Flames, created some buzz over a sound, somehow forgotten by several bands around here. This year, this role was given to Muchy and it seems they are taking good care of it, taking this opportunity to spread their sound all around Poland.

Considered by many as one of the most promising new Polish bands, Muchy managed, with their debut, to come up with 12 tracks that constantly blink an eye to indie rock, where catchy pop-rock tunes and good mood rules, not getting you tired after the second or third time you listen to it.

With the guitar playing a major role on this album, together with keyboard painted backgrounds and fancy melodies, this quartet either takes you back in time, to the 80’s indie-pop, or puts you on your feet, dancing non-stop to songs like Fototapeta or just moving your head to the sound of Piec po Wpol or 21 Dni.

An album quite worth discovering.

Misto Doznan [Listen @ MySpace]

05.So Quiet - Summer and Winter

After releasing, early last year, So Quiet's self-titled album, late 2007 saw this artist hit the stores with a magnificent album, Summer and Winter.

With this release, Warsaw-based Tomasz Bien and his project So Quiet continue playing lo-fi and acoustic ambient music kissed by minimal electronic and melancholic melodies.

The piano is still here, so is the melodica and other acoustic instruments; delicately played acoustic breezes, blowing softly over these thirty eight minutes; little toys dancing and playing together with silence. This time, Tomasz makes more use of his own vocals; intense and sorrow, dragging itself as these eleven tracks evolve.

With Summer and Winter released on Gusstaff records and So Quiet's live performances, let's hope more and more can close their eyes and fly away, on blue fluffy clouds.

September 2 [Listen @ MySpace]

04.Gabriela Kulka - Out

This album was originally released last year, but 2007 saw it being re-released. Given this and the fact that last year, Gabriela Kulka was completely out of my radar, we've included Out on this year "Best Of", on a nice 4th place.

Owner of a fantastic voice - cool and galloping, festive and yet so strong and powerful, emotional and theatrical; piano notes that come dropping smoothly and elegantly, dressed in black and surrounded in smoke as if they'd been all night long playing on the bar right next door.

Her music takes us to the world of Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Ute Lemper or Kurt Weill. We see ourselves surrounded by jazzy, cinematic, classical and pop tunes. The arrangements give this Out another soul, making it reach other skies, making it too small for Poland alone!

Track after track, we discover more of Gabriela and her fantastic music. Diving deeper and wandering through her past releases we notice how amazing has her evolution been, release after release, constantly surprising us with her ironic lyrics and a handful of brand new flavoured sounds.

Krolestwo i pol [mp3]

03.Kasia Nosowska - Unisex Blues

It took this lady 7 years to release her next solo album. After the release of Sushi back in 2000, Hey's lead singer, Kasia Nosowska, is back with a pack full of surprises!! To be precise, 14!!!

Unlike her previous records, UniSexBlues does not include Smolik on the production credits but indeed Marcin Macuk, producer and musician (Pogodno).

The difference is felt the minute the record starts playing. Era Retuszera, the first single out of UniSexBlues, has nothing to do with her previous electronic pop adventures. Catchy, filled with punk drunk pop tunes. A track that won't leave many indifferent, as the beats quickly will put anyone's lazy butt on the move!!

With guests Stanislaw Soyka, Jaroslaw Trelinski (Raz Dwa Trzy), Tomasz Duda and Yumiko Ishijima (from the Japanese group Papaya Paranoia), Kasia Nosowska does not limit herself to one kind of music. Rather, she uses all the help available and goes for a walk on the avenues of pop music, hand in hand with electronic beats, delicate spacey melodies and r'n'b. On the way, she has the time to greet some fast arse kicking rock tracks, to visit Goldfrapp (Metempsyho and My Faith Is Stronger Than The Hills), The Cardigans (Kasitet Romans) or a revitalized Patti Smith (UniSexBlues).

Even though the record does not follow a straight line, all the constant "mood" changes do not jeopardize it; on the contrary, it shows us how far this lady can go, how creative she is and gives us nothing but our number three record for this year.

Kasitet Romans [mp3 Preview]

02.Mr. S - Extracerebral

This 2007, Mr. S presented us with Extracerebral, his debut album.

On this 13 track album, released on the British label Artificial Bliss Recordings, this Bydgoszcz-based young artist cruises the vast seas of electronic music, inspired and spiced with jazz performances, downtempo textures, incredibly addictive break beats, electro pop tales and fluffy ambient magical tunes.

This amazing musical pot, together with the warm and delicate vocal contribution of Natalia Braciszewska and the collection of live instruments make this Extracerebral a superb release, moreover being Mr. S's debut, and an album to stick by within the next few months.

Apart from gathering the singles RooM23 and the great Les Enfants Mortes, there is still time for the downtempo pop Hemisphere Left, the ambient and break beat flavoured Super)(nova, Hemisphere Right and the title-track Extracerebral, the sci-fi soundtrack inspired Second Thought, the eclectic beats, rhythm and textures of SuAve, Chernobyl Karma (live) and Coda: Sunscale. The only disappointment comes with HPS, a pop and slightly boring track that distances itself from what we've listened so far, closer to Ania Dabrowska's 2006 release. Still, not enough to take Mr. S his second place.

Super)(nova [Recommended Track]

01.Stealpot - Indian Salon

Szymon 'Stealpot' Folwarczny released his debut album back in 2005. By that time, Mass Mess.Age caught everyone by surprise. An unknown young artist, hailing from Katowice, had just released one of the freshest albums of the year. By then the album gathered several good reviews and made it to countries such as Germany, England or Japan.

This year young Szymon is back with the always difficult second album. After the debut Mass Mess.Age, expectations were high for his next chapter. Indian Salon has just arrived and not only it stands up to our expectations, it is a big step forth towards its predecessor.

For this release Szymon brought together, again, Kasandra Adebowale, on vocals, and Gosia Warszawska, on flute, two artists that collaborated with him on his debut album. Anna Ruttar, on vocals, Junko Nashimura, from the French/Japanese band Mondialito, Damir Radic, Piotr Czyja, Jaszczur and many others joined this second adventure. All together, they brought a brand new sound to Stealpot.

The music now is full of life, rhythm and energy. There's space for electronic pop, nu-jazz and downtempo. The instruments sound so real. Well, they're real now. Percussion, bass, double-bass, hammond organ, rhodes, piano, guitar, a string quartet with two violins, a viola and a cello, and trumpet. Low-fi and calm jazzy textures; vocals running smoothly under trumpet radars; seductive, spacey and delicate oriental pearls. All this takes place on Indian Salon.

Kimi Na Oto [Listen @ MySpace]

We All Hum Sometimes. Zerova's acoustic soul (PL)

2007-12-09T17:29:00.000-08:00

After the release of 2006's album I Think We’ve Lost and Home on the Wall, the track for Home.Pop.Records' compilation, one of our favourite Polish bands, Zerova, are back with We All Hum Sometimes / Acoustic Apples, a 5 track acoustic EP.

As the tittle says it, Zerova went acoustic this time. Letting aside all the bits and bytes they got us used to, Adrian, Pawel, Maja and Przemek created a beautiful lo-fi record, where smooth ambient textures marry with pop and dreamy backgrounds.

During these almost twenty minutes, Zerova reveal us their other side, their other personality. One that is capable of creating beautiful songs, sweating melancholy out of each and every pore, accompanied with delicate guitar chords, accordeon magic breezes, catchy rhodes flavoured tunes and perfumed melodica scents. All this, served together with Maja's and Pawel's beautiful and melodic vocals, sounding better than ever before, more confident and sure of themselves.

Listen to these five songs and discover how these Bialystok lads managed to overcome this challenge, showing us all how capable they are of delivering amazing music, dressed in acoustic sounds only!
What can I say? The closer we get to Christmas, the better it sounds. Zerova's EP just got itself into my top 5 Polish releases this 2007.

I'm humming already, what about you?
Get We All Hum Sometimes on Home.Pop.Records.

[mp3]
I'll Wait Up For You

A little surprise from their 2006 release....

Lobster's Sexually Transmitted Electricity (PT)

2007-12-09T17:19:00.000-08:00

No one ever said it should run smoothly!!!
No one ever said you'd show it to your mum!!!
No one ever said it'd be playing Sunday morning on church!!!
No one???? Fuck no one!!!! Welcome Lobster!!!

Sexually Transmitted Electricity is Guilherme Canhao and Ricardo Martins' Xmas gift for all of us. Under the mask of Lobster these two Lisbon-based lads terrorise those who dare to press the button play and step into this noise-rock crusade.

Guilherme on the guitar and Ricardo on drums are the two men behind this unique and terrorising sound machine. Guitars screaming wildly, contorting in pain. Streams of pure and raw sound waves. Volcanic drum eruptions, enraged and furious. A tremendous sound orgy.

The sound explodes in front of you, violently, yet sometimes smoother, but you keep smilling, happily. You know what has to be done. Volume on maximum and hit the road. Fast like never before, never looking back.

This is not an easy record. No one said it would be.

Welcome these 13 tracks with your arms open wide. Take this beating.... and enjoy it

Sexually Transmitted Electricity can be found here.

[mp3]
Dr. Phil
Sexually Transmitted Electricity
Wave Simulator

You know what? Keep it Brutal!!!!

Tomek's Ostatnie Wspolne Zdjecie (PL)

2007-12-07T20:56:00.000-08:00

With two albums out on the streets, the 2002 Makowiecki Band and 2005’s Piosenki Na Nie, Tomek Makowiecki decided to drop by this year with Ostatnie Wspolne Zdjecie, his best album up to today, and Poland’s pop pearl this 2007 alongside with Kasia Nosowska’s Unisexblues.

As we start working on this year’s Best, we’ve noticed that Poland was lacking some good pop releases. Luckily, Tomek might have heard us and Ostatnie Wspolne Zdjecie arrived to our desk. Within 11 tracks, we are taken into a world lying under pop sunlight, where streets are painted with delicate melodic colours and bathed with melancholic breezes, whispering tiny little stories as well walk through this album.

Ostatnie Wspolne Zdjecie is pop; a rich, varied and cinematic pop album that blinks an eye, here and there, to other trends. Within it, rich arrangements, catchy chorus, nicely played guitar chords, deep heart warming vocals, full-bodied textures and melodies…. melodies that flow smoothly, embracing us and making us dream of those beautiful and colourful autumn evenings…...

Among these 11 tracks, our choice goes to the Air flavoured Glosy Przyjaciol, the catchy pop Nie Jestes Sam, the cinematic Na Moich Oczach … and Z Toba Bylbym...

The version for Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot’s Bonnie & Clyde, sung together with Ania Dabrowska, came as a disappointment, as it does not bring anything special. Still, the other 10 tracks make it quite worth discovering this Ostatnie Wspolne Zdjecie.

Discover the music of Tomek on his webpage or at his MySpace.
The album can be found here.

And now..... Nie Jestes Sam...

Best of 2007 (PL // PT)

2007-12-02T20:29:00.000-08:00

As 2007 is coming to its end, the time for balances is coming.

Music@PL.PT is collecting votes for the following cathegories on Polish and Portuguese bands/artists.

Send us 10 names for each cathergory and for each country (PL and PT) if possible.

Best album of the year

Best track of the year

Best video of the year

Best new act

We're counting with you all for this.

Send us your votes to

musicplpt[at]gmail[dot]com

Thank you for your participation.

Under the Radar with .... Max Weber (PL)

2007-12-02T18:26:00.000-08:00

“…Maximilian Carl Emil Weber was a German political economist and sociologist who is considered one of the founders of the modern study of sociology and public administration…. He was influential in contemporary German politics, being an advisor to Germany's negotiators at the Treaty of Versailles and to the commission charged with drafting the Weimar Constitution….”

This was the German Max Weber; now, it's time for the Polish Max Weber.

Artur Chmarzynski on drums, Kamil Strzyzewski on guitar, bass and vocal and Tomasz Jacak on guitar, bass and vocal are three friends that decided to have a band of their own, after years of playing together sporadically.

Hailing from Mazowsze, Sobienie, this trio is responsible for a sound situated mainly within the alternative rock spectrum. This year these three lads decided to release their debut 4 track demo. Recorded in one evening in a studio over in Warsaw, this reflects their work for the past few months, since they got together back in 2005.

With characteristic, melodic and, yet sometimes, raw vocals, Max Weber sound to dirty guitar riffs mating with melodic, loose guitars, in a room packed with saturated bass lines. There is, as well, space for some shoegazin' attitude as it can be heard on their track Crack of Dawn.

Even though Kings of Convenience, Coldplay or even Madlib are among some of the band members' favourite artists, as you go through their demo and live recordings, you'll unveil other bands that inspired these guys. We're talking mainly of Sonic Youth, Placebo and Smashing Pumpkins.

Do not forget to visit their MySpace where you can find some tracks not available on their demo. The latter can be found here, as free download.

Meanwhile, check them in concert this December:

2nd of December, in Otwock, @ Klub Smok.

Rospuda Valley soundwaves (PL)

2007-12-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

I really do not know where to start with this compilation. Lost Lands, Tribute to Rospuda River Valley, was the way several Polish artists found to alert us on the drama Rospuda River Valley started facing early this year.

Lying in the heart of Poland, this valley captured public attention some months ago, when several Polish youngsters and Greenpeace supporters stood still in front of several machines that were treatning to destroy this natural sanctuary.

In the name of progress, or greed, local deputies and governament wished to build an highway where today, lies one of the most beautiful and untouched natural areas in Poland. House to several animal species and other unique treasures, this valley got not only public attention but, as well, that of several Polish musicians. Among these are Blue Hand, Comx, Enes & Pinknoise, Krypton, Mr. S, Quantifier, Stealpot and The-One. They all said yes and willingly stepped into this noble action.

Lo-fi ambient textures spiced with rockin' breakbeats, cutting edge bass, industrial and minimal techno. This is Rospuda River Valley's heartbeat. While machines still roar on this record as to remind of this iminent danger, other soundwaves take you deep inside Rospuda. If you have never been to this valley, this music will definitively take you there. I've flown across it a couple of times already.

Get this compilation right here. Discover Poland's electronic music cream and some of their new, remixed and revised tracks. Discover Rospuda River Valley.

Support GreenPeace & Rospuda.

"...Lost Lands album is our private interpretation of things happening in our region, by our homeland, inside our life. We are the part of the nature, so let nature be the part of us..."

Caffeine's Last Shot (PT)

2007-11-30T18:55:00.000-08:00

Their self-titled debut album was Caffeine’s first and only release until they faded away into other adventures. Now, 10 years after their first steps, we see their “return” with Last Shot, an online album, gathering a total of nine tracks put together for a supposed second release that would never see the light.

As before, their music continues traveling calmly on the seas of indie rock and those of baroque pop, under deep engraved melodic storms and melancholic nights.

Caffeine were Pedro Falacho, on keyboards, Miguel Falcao, on bass, Pedro Pascoinho, on drums and percussion, Carlos Pascoinho, on guitars, and Claudio Mateus, on vocals, guitars, groovebox and percussion. Their music spoke mainly about love: misled relationships, love problems and problems facing reality. Furnished with rich tapestry, loaded with constant mood twists and turns; the sound of sliding, melodic and wisely maneuvered guitars, catchy chorus, charming and discrete piano notes, compassing bass, warm, surrounding and distinctive vocals.

Out of these 9 tracks, we strongly recommend the indie rebel Rise, the guitar-driven, sound evolving and warm Roll On and the “gigantic” Bad Temper’s Slave.

Discover Last Shot. Regardless whether you knew Caffeine or not, you’ll find these thirty eight minutes quite worthy.

Get the album right here. Artwork included. By the way, this release has Honeysound’s touch, being its little baby, RaroEscuro, first album release.

Polish Funk Vol. I (PL)

2007-11-28T20:15:00.000-08:00

Truth is I’m quite new to Polish music. Until some years ago, Polish music to me was only Skalpel and Warsaw Village Band. Knowing these bands was already a lot, given the distance to my home country and the way, unfortunately, music from countries such as Poland, Czech Rep., Lithuania,…, and even Portugal or Spain,… gets promoted across the rest of Europe and the world. Apart from some genres – Fado in Portugal and Jazz in Poland, everything else is simply ignored.

As some might ask, is there any other good music, apart from the two previously mentioned genres that is worth listening, from countries such as Poland or Portugal? The answer could not be simpler: Yes there is!!!! Yes, there has always been…

Recently, in one of my tours through some record stores, I discovered a wonderful compilation featuring several Polish artists that gives by the name of Polish Funk, The Unique Selection of Rare Grooves From Poland of the 70’s. The surprise couldn’t have been bigger than this. The 70’s were back, in great shape, with several artists I had never thought they could play this way!!!

As the compilation says it, this Polish Funk gathers some of the funkiest tunes dating from the 70’s. Thirty something years gone by and the music still sounds so cool, so captivating, so loose, so dance friendly, so…... so fresh.

Imagine yourself now, discovering that some of the bands you’ve learnt to dislike, are featured on this compilation and reveal themselves completely different to what you thought of them up to today. For those in Portugal, imagine Marco Paulo, back in the 70’s creating some great music, really great, that would blow your minds nowadays? Are you aware of Jose Cid’s recent success? An artist that, some time ago, few would say they listen to his music, and now, everyone really digs it.

After my first contact with Polish Funk and after getting this album, I started looking at the bands playing here. It was then that I found two bands that, normally, I could not stand at all: I’m talking about Czerwone Gitary and Kombi. Jak Ja to Wytrzymam?, by Kombi, and Coda, by Czerwone Gitary, are two great moments among these 13 fantastic tracks. Groovy, funky, fatty beats, Moog driven tunes, dense bass lines make this Coda a really pleasant track to listen to. Kombi’s piece is no exception, making use of synths and completely crowded funky backgrounds.

…. but the album is not only these two bands. There’s space for some jazzier tunes, soul, blues and pop. There’s time for Novi Singers, Big Band Katowice, Abc, Henryk Debich, and Bemibek, among many others. Get acquainted to Polish Funk and the great work the Soul Service DJ Team did here. You’ll just love it!!!!
Simply, the most interesting compilation to come out this 2007.

If you want to get this album, just go follow this link. You'll get Polish, British and North American online stores that will manage to deliver this Polish Funk bomb right to your door.

For previews, just check Soul Service's webpage or their MySpace.

And now, …. on our Tv set….

Let's put up a fight..... Umpletrue's Fab Fight (PT)

2007-11-27T20:53:00.000-08:00

Let’s go back to the year 2003. We’re in Marinha Grande, a Portuguese city known by its glass industry. As many other industrial cities, this one is also growing several interesting music projects. Among them are Umpletrue.

It all started with Carlos Martins, on vocals and programming, and with Jose Duarte on drums. This was another project among those they already embraced and another escape for their creativity. Carlos plays on The Clits, Annette Blade and used to play on ZedIsANeonLight, Processo 13, Pull and Rease. Jose Duarte was also part of Ease and Elo, and currently plays with Dapunksportif and A MANIaCT. For Fab Fight, their debut long play, they were joined by Tiago Granja on guitar and electronic sounds wizardry.

Three years ago, on a DIY spirit, they released the EP Pills, their first release ever. Two years later we would see the release of Fab Fight, once again released on their own. A quick jump over to Budapest and Umpletrue were playing live in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Among those were Adolfo Luxuria Canibal - Mao Morta, ......, - and Antonio Rafael. The performance, the music and the attitude got them a chance to re-release Fab Fight, now on Cobra Discos. And quickly we get to 2007.

Fab Fight gathers a total of 9 tracks. 9 tracks that have absorbed the teachings of 80’s electro pop, late 90’s electronic beats, rock constant mutations and this century’s caotic hability to mix these fragile ingredients so properly getting in the end an album that breathes progressive loop-driven electronic textures, pop-structured songs and some damn fine dancing tunes that work as the perfect invitation for anyone to get him/herself to the dance floor.

Constant hipnotic and fat beats, athmospheric backgrounds served together with female whispered sexy vocals (just check Night Club Dance Routine), catchy lines and some arse kickin' contagious electronic beats.

Once we go through this Fab Fight we are taken into several different rooms. There’s the Mezzanine room, (Such a Good Deed), decorated with more emotional textures, darker, low-tempo and hipnotic soundscapes; the Adrenaline Addict room, (Something, ....) where distorted vocals marry with warp speed progs and minimal electronic tentacles that are sure to pump saturated doses of adrenaline right into your mind.
Budapest in t, one of my favourite tracks, is a lonely guest at the Theatre room. It starts with a kind of perfomance, where someone tells us about this man and a certain woman that keeps asking „Do you want to see me naked?”. All this, wrapped up in beautifully constructed electronic melodies that keep growing until they reach climax.

„..... A Historia deste homem..... Nao sabia de nada e acordou..... Ha uma pessoa que anda por ali, um vulto, uma voz...... queres ver-me nua? Queres ver-me nua? E ela fala, fala, e ele, fica sentado......”

Umpletrue’s Fab Fight was an amazing discovery. Do yourself a favour and discover them as well!!!!!
Check some of their music on their MySpace and right here.

N.Y., their first single, can be seen right next. The album, can be bought right here.

Micro Audio Waves' Odd Size Baggage (PT)

2007-11-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

Claudia Efe, C.Morg and Flak are Micro Audio Waves (MAN). Together, they decided to greet 2007 with their latest album, Odd Size Baggage, a monument to electronic music made in Portugal.

Gathering the likes of Francisco Rebelo (from Cool Hipnoise and Spaceboys) and Samuel Palitos, these five adventured themselves on this 12 track journey. A journey that would take them to breathe the green fields of pop music, wonder through the mysteries of minimal electro and dive into a whole new world of refined and experimental electronic tunes.

Micro Audio Waves go back to the year 2000, when they were still a duo. Years later, Claudia Efe was to join them and this would become the breakpoint on their sound structure. With Claudia on board and with her vocal capacities (she simply goes from spoken work to a hypnotic singing), MAN took off to a different destiny, sunnier, “poppier”, more attractive, more theatrical and less experimental than their self-titled debut album or their second release, No Waves.

Still looking back at their past and not fearing to change, this last chapter is their most ambitious and promising album. Odd Size Baggage not only presents beautiful electro pop moments (Shadow of Things, Down by Flow or the highly recommendable aesthetical ambient Long Tongue), but as well some other incursions to other electronic lands (the “trip-hopster”, groovy Curl Like a Cannon Ball, the 120 mph rockin’ beats of 2 Night (U & I), the loopy spoken word fat beats of That’s Me Man, Half a Man,…..).

With No Waves, their 2004 album, came the international recognition. After winning the Qwartz Electronic Music Award for Best Album and Best Video, they saw John Peel considering their album one of the most exciting releases that year. If recent years looked this way, the future ahead of Micro Audio Waves can only look brighter. After all, they just got nominated for the Qwartz 2008 edition.

This is Odd Size Baggage, a trunk carrying a total of 12 fine tracks. I already checked it in. What about you?

Get the album right here.

And in the end, a superb desert, the video for the track 2 Night (U & I).

Estilhacos by Adolfo Luxuria Canibal and Antonio Rafael (PT)

2007-11-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

Estilhacos just made it to my desk a couple of weeks ago, even though it was released several months ago. Finally I'm able to review another chapter on the works of Adolfo Luxuria Canibal (Mao Morta and Mecanosphere).

Mao Morta’s lead man is back to the records, this time with Antonio Rafael (out of Mao Morta as well). Estilhacos reflects the show these two artists took on stage some months ago, first on Teatro do Campo Alegre, Oporto, and later, throughout the country.

Four years ago, Adolfo Luxuria Canibal released the poem collection Estilhacos on Quasi Edicoes. These, recently came to life, now dressed in black, sorrow and pain. Adolfo’s voice is darker than before, even scary sometimes. Antonio Rafael, on the side, is behind the darkened tones, the scary alleys, the sad textures, the agony and the breath taking melancholic tales. On the piano, synths or computer, all the words by Adolfo are taken, step by step, on a tour through the deep and saturated backgrounds created by the other lost soul on this dark novel.

Classical, experimental and pop. This is Estilhacos, the spoken word tales by Adolfo Luxuria Canibal and Antonio Rafael.

[previews]
De estrelas nada sei
Noite Transfigurada
A filha surda
O tempo que passa
Braga, meu amor

We strongly recommend you to buy this album. Get in one of these two stores
cdgo.com
fnac.pt

Norton's Kersche (PT)

2007-11-13T14:06:00.000-08:00

Kersche [Kér-sxe]

-noun

1. "Word that had origin in a studio night, where names were set loose.

Apparently a meaningless word. Involved in the design of the record and in the aesthetic of the sound, gaining crystal form, polished diamond, transparent...."

Some come up with fictitious languages; others come up with new words. These Castelo Branco–based lads came up with Kersche for their latest album release.

After the release of the 2004 Pictures From Our Thoughts and 2005’s Frames > Remixes & Versions, the time was for change for Pedro, Rodolfo, Alexandre and Leonel. This change arrived with these 40 minutes 11 track long play (one hidden track).

Looking at the sound breezes that come galloping from the vast icy Scandinavian lands, Norton pulled up their sleeves, worked hard, and delivered here their best album so far. Beautiful songs, all sung in English (Our June and Lowlands are instrumental), embodied in silky textures with scents of pop and rock music, drunk in lo-fi ambient electronic backgrounds, surrounded by warm synth-driven melodies and cold Icelandic post-rock winds. Delicate, morning-wake up look-alike vocals, fragile chorus, happy singing guitar strings and those tiny piano notes dropping so smoothly do the rest, perfuming this Kersche so intensively.

This is an album that reveals itself every time you listen to it, stripping itself slowly. New sounds, details and melodies emerge every time you press play!!!

The album guests The Gift’s Nuno Goncalves, Jaguar’s Filipa Venancio, Starlux’s Joao Valente, Manuel Simoes and Joao Santos.

Come and discover Kersche. Listen to the melancholic swirls of Cinnamon & Wine (their first single), to the electro-pop orientated Spherical Hearts and to little pop pearl Pleased to Get Home. I Kersche, what about you!!!

Check them live on the following dates. For more details, just follow this link.

16th Nov. @ Sala Berlin, Zamora, Spain
22nd Nov. @ Sala Mercantil, Badajoz, Spain

[mp3]
Cinnamon & Wine (just follow the link)

The album, right here (cdgo)

Atlantic Waves 2007 - The party is about to start...

2007-10-31T12:38:00.000-07:00

Atlantic Waves festival is back. 2007's edition will continue promoting new artists, among other established ones, coming from the four corners of the World.

Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Israel, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Japan and Australia. All these countries are represented in this cultural melting pot.

From the 1st to the 11 of November, London will be invaded by the music of Saudade, Fado, the unforgettable sounds of the Portuguese Guitar Masters, three Lusophone club nights exploring the new trends on soundclash, techno/electro and ghettotrash. Apart from it, there is still time for three world class experimental audiovisual electronic nights at the ICA, altogether featuring something like 70 different artists in 8 days.

Several artists and acts will perform for their very first time in the UK, so this really becomes a unique chance to get hold of some of the most promising names in Portuguese music, regardless if we're talking about fado, pop, rock or dance.

Do not miss The Grand Divas of Fado, premiering the heavy weights Beatriz da Conceicao and Maria da Fe, plus the great new values of Fado, Aldina Duarte and Raquel Tavares, plus performances by Joana Amendoeira and Mafalda Arnauth.

The Portuguese Guitar will be represented by one of its masters, Antonio Chainho. But he won't be alone on his UK premiere. Custodio Castelo and Ricardo Parreira will receive this London audience for their very first time, together with guitarist Fernando Alvim.

The festival goes on with several other performances. We strongly recommend Zentex, the Finish Lisbon-based producer Jari together with his electronic techno sounds.

Another event not to miss will definitely be the Ghettotrash Lusophone Clubnight.

DJ Marlboro, Frederic Galliano Kuduro Sound System and the youngsters Macacos do Chines, on their UK premiere, releasing their peculiar mish-mash tunes upon everuone!!! Expect kuduro meets techno meets grimme meets..... Check them out on Music@PL.PT's online free compilation, Thirty Something New Tales From PL.PT.

The night would not be complete without Lusophony, The (R)evolution documentary.
"..... With the participation of Caetano Veloso, Cesaria Evora, Lura, Sara Tavares, Gilles Peterson, Carlos do Carmo, Buraka Som Sistema or Sam The Kid, Lusophony, The (R)evolution is a view on identity, rhythms, melodies and dances. This is a documentary on the music which connects some 220 million people in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe. Setting out from the cultural miscegenation between peoples from the 15th century onwards, it explores the way in which lusophone culture has inspired musicians in genres such as Hip Hop, Fado, Reggae, Jazz, Semba, Tropicalia, Kuduro or Morna. This is a unique portrayal of the essence and the magic of Lusophony......"

So, what are you waiting for? Run to the ticket offices and get yourself loaded!!!

For more information on tickets, schedules and venues, please check the Atlantic Waves 07 official website.

Farewell, Sean Riley & The Slowriders (PT)

2007-10-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

Rock, blues, folk and country.

Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tim and Jeff Buckley, Neil Young, Howe Gelb, Devendra Banhart and the Doors. Anything in common? Yes, Farewell, the debut album by the Coimbra-based trio Sean Riley & The Slowriders.

Farewell, produced by the Dutch Wout Straatman, is one of the biggest surprises to come out of Portugal this year (watch out for the next one, by Mazgani to be released quite soon). It is not that common that a band on their debut album comes up with a bunch of songs - 11 in total - that sound as if they've been around for ages. Afonso Rodrigues (or shall I say Sean Riley) on vocals and guitar; Bruno Simoes, on bass, guitar, percussion, melodica, synths and xylophone; and the ex-Bunnyranch Filipe Costa, on drums, keyboards and harmonica show a maturity several projects haven't achieved after years and years of hard work.

Their music is of beautiful acoustic melodies, sorrow and feelings. Surrounded by silky textures, notes dripping out of the melodica, xylophone and harmonica; dragged, paced and soul warming vocals. It breathes the warm winds of Southern America and drinks inspiration from all the artists mentioned previously.

After the release of the first single, Moving On, I was sure that something special was on its way, I just didn't know that it would be this special!!! The vocals by Sean Riley and the melodies created by Afonso Rodrigues and Bruno Simoes give space to this shiny and special aura, resting above our head, embracing and caressing us. We are taken through some of the memories Mazzy Star left behind; through the sounds Dylan and Tim Buckley taught us to love; through the dry and lonely fields of Bruce "Nebraska" Springsteen. Stories on thousands of nights, departures on the middle of night and difficult decisions. Stories..... 11 of them on this Farewell. Songs as Harry Rivers, Let The Good Times Roll, Lights Out, City Of A Million Thrills and Spider's Blues will be difficult to forget!!!!

Currently Sean Riley & The Slowriders are on tour. All the details on their MySpace.

If you like what you've just read, get the album right here:

MusicaOnline (with previews and best internet offer!!!!)
Fnac
CdGo

And now, a little extra on Farewell's recording sessions.....

Slimmy's sexy Beatsound Loverboy (PT)

2007-10-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

".... Beware!!!! Beatsound Loverboy is set free on September 06. The countdown has just started!!!!! ...".

This was last year. Unfortunately it took more than a simple countdown until we could see Beatsound Loverboy hit the stores. Finally it has seen the light.

The London-based Oporto rocker Slimmy debuted some weeks ago Beatsound Loverboy, an 11 track electrifying album, fueled with some of the best rockin' beats I've heard this year.

There are times we need an album just like this: Electro cascades, melodic and catchy lines, heavily loaded guitars, horny and filthy vocals and a quite provocative pose!!! Basically, sweaty, dirty and sexy music.

Once you press play, the self-titled track Beatsound Loverboy kicks in. Slimmy welcomes us with an angelical "... look at the starts... ", an invitation to his world, wrapped in saturated drums, spacey distorted guitars, squeezed and screaming in pain; and 240V charged electro beats. By this time, (with only three minutes gone), you already dove deep into these crazy electro vibes; these rock meets techno meets pop meets house sound orgies. By this time, you already dove deep into this Beatsound Loverboy.

Love, lust, sex, seduction, electro and rock 'n' roll never had such a good soundtrack!!!! Look no further than You Should Never Leave Me (Before I die), the bassy Show Girl, Bloodshot Star, Self Control or the 80's pop driven Set Me On Fire.
Far From You and Good Night Good Souls, are two lonely cuts that show us a more intimate Slimmy, with the electronic put aside and going more acoustic. The latter track will get you back to Earth, back to reality and remind you that this ride has come to an end. At least until you press play again!!

For those following Slimmy's career over the last year, this album might not feel as "fresh" as it should be, as part of these tracks have been around for some time. Still, it's a hell of an album.

This is the world of Slimmy. A world with no boundaries!!! This is Beatsound Loverboy, one of the most dance-orientated rock albums to see the light this year.

[previews]
Beatsound Loverboy
You Should Never Leave Me (Before I Die)
Show Girl
Bloodshot Star
Self Control

Buy the album here:

Musica Online
CdGo
Fnac

Currently Slimmy, together with Garcez, on drums, and Paulo Garcim, on bass and vocals, are taking this album to the road. Catch them live this November on the following dates:

9th of Nov. @ Fnac GaiaShopping, V.N. Gaia
10th of Nov. @ Recepcao ao caloiro, Oliveira de Azemeis
17th of Nov. @ Festival Cosmopolis on MusicBox, Lisbon
23rd of Nov. @ Santiago Alquimista, Lisbon
24th of Nov. @ Patio do Sol - Fabrica da Polvora, Oeiras
28th of Nov. @ Fnac Santa Catarina, Oporto
28th of Nov. @ Fnac NorteShopping, Matosinhos
29th of Nov. @ Chantal's House of Shame, Berlin (DE)

Sex, filth and rock 'n' roll on a damn electrifying track.....
Ladies and Gentlemen, Beatsound Loverboy!!

Under the Radar with .... FlyKKiller (PL/UK)

2007-10-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

"...... The FlyKKiller story is that the songs contained within this album are recorded by an extra terrestrial called V who created this album (whilst in captivity in the FlyKKiller Institute in Poland) as a vessel in which to pass on her peaceful communications to us earthlings......"

FlyKKiller are London-based Polish downtempo, trip-hop singer Pati Yang, together with Stephen Hilton (musical parter of David Holmes, of The Free Association), and Dominic DeGrande, Faye Hamilton and Brian Fairbairn (mainly taking part when playing live).

With an album, Experiments In Violent Light, and three EPs released so far, this collective is on its way to become something quite serious in Her Majesty's lands but not only.... With their mutated hip hop structured tracks, trip hop flavoured backgrounds, experimental fat electro beats, dense and groovy bass sound waves, Pati and Stephen deliver something unique in today's soundscapes.

Combines the likes of a dark shadowed Goldfrapp and The Knife on a rainy Sunday afternoon, Pati's dense and sexy vocals marry perfectly to Stephen's beats creating the marvelous sound behind their debut album, the perfect soundtrack to David Lynch's or Alfred Hitchcock's most terrifying films.

After the release of our 2005 favourite Silent Treatment, Pati has returned in great shape, together with Stephen Hilton to sign one of 2007's most interesting proposals. The time has come for you to discover it now......

While this debut does not make it to Polish record stores, why not get it on the internet, right here:
Juno Records
Amazon.co.uk
MusicNonStop

Get to listen to some of their music on their MySpace. Some previews right next, but before, courtesy of Tomek Myszko, check their interview or BBC6 radio and the live recorded session.

Live Session and Interview @ BBC6
Live Session @ BBC6 and City Centre Social

[previews]

01. Flykkiller
02. Peroxide
03. Fear
04. Sell My Pulse
05. Shine
06. Get All Pulled Out
07. Controlled Environment
08. B Murphy
09. Music For Twelve Wounds
10. Cze Nie Szkoda Cie
11. Flykkiller David Holmes Remix

As good news never travel alone, Peroxide, right next.....

David Fonseca and his Dreams In Colour (PT)

2007-10-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

After the release of 2003's Sing Me Something New and 2005's Our Hearts Will Beat As One, the expectation was quite big towards David Fonseca's latest release, Dreams In Colour. After listening to the latter, I must say that the expectation was met.

Known for some time as Silence 4's lead vocalist, it's been a while since David Fonseca decided to undergo a solo career, and I'm glad he did so.

With three albums up to today, we are constantly surprised by his new songs and the way each record grows compared to its predecessors. Dreams In Colour is only his most accomplished release so far, the perfect follow-up to his previous two albums. With an handful of tracks (11 in total), we are taken into a swirl of indie pop, 80's electro, catchy, melodic and heavily contagious dancing tunes, where constant changes in mood take place; songs run in epic crescendos. It's a sea of emotions and amazing pop pearls!!!

Songs like the poppy Kiss me, Oh Kiss me, the mind-blowing dance melodies of Silent Void, the crescendo on This Wind, Temptation and the superb cover to Elton John's Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be a Long, Long Time) are more than the perfect welcome card to one of my favourites this 2007.

This is Dreams In Colour, a hymn to pop music, one of the best pop albums Portugal has seen on recent years. An album suiting those that, like me, love pop music, or those that prefer more alternative/indie music.

Take a deep breath!!! Press play and enjoy. It's all about Dreams in Colour.

Get it right here. Special limited edition (digipack with 24 page booklet + DVD) on these stores.

[previews out of Dreams in Colour]

Intro
4th chance
Kiss me, Oh Kiss Me
Rocket Man (I think it's gonna be a long, long time) (highly rec.)
Silent void (highly rec.)
This wind, temptation (highly rec.)

[previews out of Our Hearts Will Beat As One]

Who Are U?
Swim II
Cold Heart II
Hold Still II (featuring Rita RedShoes)
Start Over Again II

Enjoy Superstars, the first single out of Dreams In Colour.

The many faces of Esgar Acelerado (PT)

2007-10-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

Esgar Acelerado?
".... An illustrator, graphic-designer and comic-book writer. I live alone. I love a smoke and a cup of coffee. Hate cats, but I'm a nice guy..... .... I also run LowFly, Portugal's smallest record label with releases from artists like Jad Fair, Bonnie Prince Billy, Us Forretas Ocultos and.... .... at last, my day-time job? Art teacher ....."

Some of you might have seen part of his work. The poster for the New Century Classics, The Midnight Reverie Trio and Zerova concert Music@PL.PT organised was his.

But there's more to Mr. Esgar (or Esgar Acelerado) than the poster art he's been sharing with us. Portraits (here and "here"), comics (here, here - responsible for the script of Superfuzz - and here again), records artwork, and a whole other world of drawings (galleries 1, 2 & 3)

It is with great honour that I present you the work of Esgar Acelerado!!!

The colours, sounds and flavours of Lisboa (PT)

2007-10-13T08:41:00.002-07:00

This Summer, the newly born Lisboa Records decided to pay its tribute to Lisbon, the city that sits calmly by the river Tagus.

With Fragil's 25th anniversary as a starting point, some musicians, composers and poets took a chance and accepted the challenge made by Lisboa Records' Tiago Faden.
The idea was to celebrate the city that had seen Fragil grow up during the past quarter of a century.

With the likes of Rodrigo Leao, Paulo Abelho and Pedro Oliveira (all former Setima Legiao), Rui Reininho (GNR), Armando Teixeira, Adriano Filipe, Ricardo Rocha, the bands Dancas Ocultas, The Gift, BCN, A Naifa and Novembro, among others, the 12 tracks on Lisboa are all about elegance, colour, wonder, experiences and discovery!!! An amalgamation of sound and word, embracing pop, rock, fado, electronic music, poetry and spoken word.

The poem You Are Welcome to Elsinore, by the poet and painter Mario Cesariny, is featured on BCN's track (entitled as the poem), giving the impression that it was recorded at the same time as the song itself. Another track to pay attention to is Amalia Rodrigues' Com Que Voz reviewed here by Maria Ana Bobone and Ricardo Rocha.

This is our Lisboa.
The city of colours, light and shadows.
The city of charming narrow streets and typical neighbourhoods.
The city of amazing people, cultural melting pots, poetry, and music encounters.
This is..... Lisboa.

[previews]
Pedro Oliveira and Jose Sousa – Magnifica Luz
Rui Reininho and Armando Teixeira – Estranho Caso do Amante Preguicoso
Rodrigo Leao – Cidade Tejo
Maria Ana Bobone and Ricardo Rocha – Com Que Voz
BCN – You Are Welcome to Elsinore

More album preview right here.
Get Lisboa on this site.

Lisboa, Making of..... and other live recordings.

The music behind Guitars from Nothing (PT)

2007-10-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

People have said they can find traces of Ennio Morricone on it; others, Clint Eastwood’s westerns or even Robert Rodriguez’s imaginary worlds.

I, as many others, have mentioned the so-flavoured “western fado” sound, the spaghetti western colours and all the other unusual and incredibly creative ingredients to be found on their music.

I’m sorry I quite forgot to tell you who I’m talking about. After the release of their astonishing debut album, Vol. I, and last year’s superb second album, Vol. II: Quando a Alma Nao e’ Pequena, Dead Combo are back with Guitars from Nothing, their third album, which after all, is their first one. Confused? Well, you shouldn’t be.

Guitars from Nothing, released some weeks ago on Rastilho, is a 500 copies limited vinyl record that collects To Trips’ first experiments, drawing the path to what would become later on, their first adventure as Dead Combo. We were, at this time, on the year 2002. As you go further on these 20 something minutes, you can feel the soul behind their music, that special feeling and unique sound you experience once you play any of their former releases.

With 13 tracks divided into A and B sides, we are offered a total of 11 new tracks, some of them already presented in some live acts. Without the contribution of Pedro Goncalves’ double bass, it feels so good to discover the first steps of what has become one of the most interesting new acts on Portuguese music.

Ladies and gentlemen, please open up the curtains and let these Guitars from Nothing light up your day. Discover the wonders behind Ribot, Tejo Walking, the melancholy of Electrica Cadente and the colours of Fiji Dreams.

In case you’re arrived a bit too late, drop by their site, where you can listen to these 13 tracks.

"....They play Lisbon, the city of the countryside, chimneys and white domes, sceneries of a lost past, the fado, the loiter western, all together in a voodoo of emotions, the Tagus river, misplaced lovers, abandoned angels in the crossroads of destiny, flowers with misplaced colours, saints, burning hot chambers, naked guitars, thrown on the street, double basses on fire, top hats, chickens on the loose and things that roll on the street...."

Boys and girls....... Quando A Alma Nao E' Pequena

Digit All Love (PL) tunes and beats

2007-10-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

"... Delicate and melodic tunes, downtempo beats with an orchestral flavour, electronic pop with cold Islandic inspiration...."

A 10 track album by a 10-piece electronic orchestra. The name.... Digit All Love.

This Wroclaw-based collective, that gathers musicians from several Polish bands (Miloopa, Mikromusic or Milk, among others), has just released DigitAllLove, their self-titled debut album. A collection of songs that breathe sensibility, intimacy, warmth and relaxing tempos; majestic arrangements, fat downtempo beats, subtle and inspired electronic backgrounds; all served together with live instruments and the sensual and delicate vocals of Natalia Grosiak.

After posting on them last year, now it's time to present you their record. Once we step into DigitAllLove, we get face to face with the likes of Bjork, Massive Attack, Portishead or Goldfrapp. The inspirations are obvious and the album does not plan to hide it as well. Putting aside this detail, DAB deliver an album that is close to being perfect. I say close, for they lack something new here that could take them to another division.

Led by the voice of Natalia Grosiak, the superbly arranged tracks, filled with passionate string melodies, darkened moods and energy, create a very special aura around this release. Listening to DigitAllLove will take you on a journey of discoveries, many emotions and colours. As you go by the aesthetic atmospheres of Run Away, passing through the more jazzy and soul ambients of Candy Castle, the loops of Skinflower, the many contrasts and flavours of Matulu, the saturated beats of Don't Expect Too Much, I U Could and I Learn 2 Be into the angelic, Icelandic cold Navel, you find yourself looking away, widely, into the vast!!! You grab the remote and hit play!!! It is time for the second journey!!!

It is a pity this debut was not released some years ago. Nevertheless, it is a great record and one of the most interesting proposals made in Poland, this 2007.

For more, check their website or their MySpace.

[mp3 previews]

U keep it
Run away

Buy Digit All Love @

Serpent
mp3.pl
Merlin

Another sweet for the weekend. The promo for Run Away:

Rotofobia are back (PL)

2007-10-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

The melodic and loose guitars, the catchy vocals, the well-timed drums , the saturated bass and keyboards are back. Rotofobia are back!!!

One of our favourite bands is back with a brand new self-titled EP, our last week's Album of the Week. Having written on them one year ago, the time has come to bring you some more on this Warsaw trio.

With a 4 track EP on their hands, Rotofobia are here to conquer those that haven't surrendered to their music. Musze Juz Isc and Warszawa, Hard To Say and Going Away were the lucky ones to make it this time (two tracks in Polish and two in English). The result? Four arse kickin' tracks. It's rock meets pop meets punk!!!! All in one place!!! All in fifteen minutes!!!! Sebastian Barc, Arkus and Szymon take us on a wild ride, where chaotic and spiral guitars melt with poppy claps, repetitive chorus and dirty drums. It's damn contagious!!

Even though these three lads sound as if they've been around for several years, think again!!! Their past goes only a couple of years back but their music does not reflect that, showing a band that is quite sure of itself, knowing where they're heading to and what they want for themselves.

In case you don't get any Polish, don't worry, Musze Juz Isc will get you out of your seat in no time and put you to dance as if there was no tomorrow. Then, Going Away and Warszawa will the do same back again.

Still not convinced? Try it yourself by downloading their EP right here. Get it and spread it. The world needs to discover Rotofobia as soon as possible. The salvation is here!!!

Musze juz isc [mp3]

Currently they're promoting their EP on the road. You can catch them on the following dates:

16th of November @ Ucho, Gdynia
17th of November @ Mlyn, Gniezno

Check our agenda for further dates.

You know what? Musze juz isc..... but before, Warszawa, live!!!

Under the Radar with ... Gabriela Kulka (PL)

2007-10-05T12:21:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered how come you've missed something or someone that was just there, in front of you?

Recently I felt it once I ran into Gabriela Kulka and the songs on 2006's Out, her latest album.

This Warsaw-based artist released last year an album that is simply a must, an album that should be featured on everyone's cd collection!!!! I still do not own it but I expect to get it in about two weeks.

Owner of a fantastic voice - cool and galloping, festive and yet so strong and powerful, emotional and theatrical; piano notes that come dropping smoothly and elegantly, dressed in black and surrounded in smoke as if they'd been all night long playing on the bar right next door.

Her music takes us to the world of Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Ute Lemper or Kurt Weill. We see ourselves surrounded by jazzy, cinematic, classical and pop tunes. The arrangements give this Out another soul, making it reach other skies, making it too small for Poland alone!

The pursuit continues!!!
Track after track, we discover more of Gabriela and her fantastic music. Diving deeper and wandering through her past releases we notice how amazing has her evolution been, release after release, constantly surprising us with her ironic lyrics and a handful of brand new flavoured sounds.

With two albums (Between Miss Scylla and a Hard Place and Out) and some demos released so far, Gabriela is something quite special in the Polish music scene, if not even unique.
After bringing you the likes of Julia Marcel (another Polish artist we strongly recommend), today we present you Gabriela Kulka, one of Music@PL.PT's 2007 recommended artists.

Get to listen to some of her music right next. Gabriela's Myspace is here too.

[Out]
Death won't save the day
Krolestwo i pol
Pilot

[Between Miss Scylla and a Hard Place]
Bodybags

In case you like the mp3s, get the albums right here:

Out (CD Baby)
Between Miss Scylla and a Hard Place (CD Baby);

or on her website.

We could not let you go without a small surprise. Gabriela Kulka and, her father, Konstant Kulka on a unique version for The Clash's London Calling.

The works of Anna Bocek (PL)

2007-09-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

Daydream V

Man with curtain II

Nostalgia I

Parisian II

Morning Coffee III

".... Undoubtedly, such mainspring of art for me is theatre - the most important source of inspiration and spiritual experiences both, as a viewer and an artist...."

".... On the one hand, I consider them studies of human nature, emotions, sensual experiences and moods. On the other hand, it becomes the first stage of the world constructed of this scenic reality..... "

Multi-awarded Gdansk-based artist Anna Bocek brings us a world of colour, sensuality, strong emotions and feelings.

Poses, moments and thoughts..... all caught on the colourful oil works of Anna Bocek.

Discover these and many more here.

Check the calendar for exhibition updates.

Out on holidays...

2007-09-01T02:08:00.000-07:00

We haven't shut our door down. At least for now.

We'll be back by the end of September, with plenty of novelties - brand new records bought in sunny Portugal and others from tropical Poland - and some new features to our Music@PL.PT.

So, come and visit us again.

Get a ticket to Terrakota's Oba Train (PT)

2007-08-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Got the tickets? So prepare yourselves!!!!

Get the drums ready. Get your best shoes!! Get your clothes packed. Do not forget!!! You want them comfortable, loose and funky enough!!!

The train is here. The train is at its stop and is waiting for you all!!!

The reggae, roots, dub, African/Jamaican ethnic music inspired collective Terrakota are back with Oba Train, a 12 track album where Romi and partners lay down some of the most interesting and richest music made in Portugal lately. Music made in Portugal but with a scent of the world. Africa, South America, Cuba, Jamaica and others.... they all meet here.

With an album sung in several idioms (Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, Yoruba, Wollof), Terrakota return sounding more confident than ever, with their amalgamation of sounds transforming itself into an unique party we're all invited to, together with special guests U-Roy , Conductor (Buraka Som Sistema) and Ikonoklasta (Conjunto Ngonguenha).

Apart from the the music, their songs tell us stories about the world we live today: racism, capitalism, terrorism, diseases,.... but as well on happiness, joy and hope.

Do you have your bags packed? Got the ticket already? So step into Oba Train and join
Romi, Junior, Alex, Francesco, Humberto, Nataniel, Davide and Ze.

Check Terrakota live on the following dates:

07/09 @ Semintesta Festival, Frascati, Italy
09/09 @ Acqua Viva Festival, Siena, Italy
11/09 @ Festival Lusitano, Salerno, Italy
14/09 @ Grosseto, Italy (not confirmed yet)
21/09 @ Estarreja, Portugal (not confirmed yet)
22/09 @ Cascais, Portugal

04/10 @ Madeira Island, Portugal (not confirmed yet)
05/10 @ Lisbon, Portugal (not confirmed yet)
11/10 @ Guimaraes, Portugal (not confirmed yet)

17/11 @ Galicia, Spain (not confirmed yet)

Listen to the album right here, on their online jukebox. You can buy it as well on this online store.

Under the Radar with .... Julia Marcell (PL)

2007-08-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

"... My name is Julia and I write songs....."

These are the words Julia Marcell used to introduce herself to the world. Sellaband sky rocket, this Olsztyn-based young artist is taking her piano driven melodies to the world; and believe me, her world is getting bigger and bigger!!!

Having written her first song when she was just seven years old, by the age of eighteen two home recordings of hers had already seen the lights as demos.

This year, she's back with Storm EP, a 5 track release that captures some of the most beautiful songs from her repertoire. Starting with captivating piano notes dropping slowly as Julia's remarkable vocals slide, delicately whispered, along these enchanting 3 minutes of music on Twin Heart. Going further more, there's time for my favourite song, The Roads.

Compared to the likes of Joanna Newsom, Tori Amos or Regina Spektor, Julia gathers within these 5 tracks beautifully written lyrics, incredibly delicate and, yet sometimes, intense piano drunk melodies, altogether with violin magic sound powders, viola, cello and her unforgettable voice. 5 tracks perfectly sung in English (no accent at all) make this debut one of the most interesting releases this year, on this side of Europe.

As part of the Sellaband community, she was mentioned by the British newspaper The Guardian as a band to keep an eye on. So far, in a very short period, Julia gathered something like $25000 already. Once she hits the $50000, it is time for the long play debut.

But Julia Marcell is not only Julia Marcell. This project sees Anna Caban, on violin; Adam Bruderek, on violin; Anna Prokopczuk, on viola; Patrycja Taradejna, on cello; delivering their contribution to this extraordinary 5 tracks Storm EP.

Check this young artist on her MySpace, site or at her Sellaband. If so, invest yourself 10 bucks on Julia Marcell. For sure it'll be worth it!!!!

Jack The Ripoff - mp3 download here.

The album can be bought here. Just follow the link.

U-Clic and Console Pupils (PT)

2007-08-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Every city has its preferred style of music. Tomar (or Thomas as it is often called) aimed its batteries to the world of electronic music.

Regardless if it concerns disco, electro, minimal or progressive,... you name it, most likely you will find someone from Thomar doing it, and doing it well.

U-Clic are a trio that drink inspiration from the 70's Kraftwerk synth driven melodies and catchy beats, adding to it guitar riffs, addictive loops catchy pop melodies, coming up with unique digital textures tainted by arty synth driven electro.

The robot like vocals, the spiral soundscapes, the arcade soundtrack look-alike sounds, the cosmic inspired rhythmic, electrified and loopy tunes do the rest.

With the album supposed to come out by late 2005/ early 2006, Console Pupils, saw the light only this year.

Nevertheless, these 3 youngsters do bring us 11 tracks that will leave no one indifferent. Luis Salgado, Filipe Confraria and Goncalo Figueiredo, or as they call themselves, U-Salgado, U-Confra and U-Goncalo bring us tracks like Satellite Club, Pixelised Scenario, Xhuttle, Robot 'n' Roll, Europa or the amazing Zumbido @ Paraizo that easily conquer those that listen to it the first time, transforming this album into something that you will want to keep an eye on for longer.

Addictive, fresh and electric dance orientated music. This is Console Pupils!!!

These are U-Clic!!!

Check their album following this link. Buy it here.

Check them live this August at

15th, Paredes de Coura @ Festival Paredes de Coura
25th, Lisbon @ Maxime

Get Robot 'n' Roll right here.

"...
more than retro, more than futuristic.

it's electronic, it's digital, it's organic, it's analogic....."

On Tour with .... Ladybug & Graftmann (PL)

2007-08-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

Attention, attention!!!! Read all about it!!!!

This week, Ladybug will join forces with Krakow-based singer songwriter Graftmann. Together they will take the Polish Songwriter's London Club Tour to a London club near you.

This unique and truly interesting singer/songwriter event promises to show two of the most interesting new projects Made in Poland.

Ladybug, together with her acoustic guitar and her strong and deep vocals, will fly you through folk inspired acoustic music, stripped down to the bones. You'll be able to see and listen to the melancholic melodies, the beautiful vocals and the acoustic tunes coming out of those naked guitars.

Armed with a harmonica and his guitar, Graftmann will take you and lead you into his vision of the world.
Do not hesitate!!! As he says "...I'm writing songs when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm sleepy. I love music and films. I'm inspired by 80's indiepop, 60's movie stars, disco heartbeats, drunk women, scandinavian animals, polish literature, soft pornography, bad weather and other nice things....."

Do not miss it. Starts this Sunday, the 5th of August.

5th of August @ Bull and Gate, London
6th of August @ Dingwalls, London
7th of August @ The Cross Kings, London
8th of August @ The Pelican, London

Under the Radar with ..... Madame Godard (PT)

2007-07-31T12:57:00.000-07:00

"Madame Godard is no one in special, just a name that sounded better after a couple of experiments. It even was Madame Arlette. They even thought on Russian names,...... it just had to be Madame something....."

They are five, they're from the North of Portugal, from Viana do Castelo, and they sound gorgeous.

Juvenal Vieira, on vocals, theremin and megaphone; Rui Amaro, on guitar, banjo, trumpet and backing vocals; Paulo Oliveira, on keyboards, violin, moog and accordion; Paulo Goncalves, on bass guitar, claps and backing vocals; and Jose Ribeiro on drums and guns are Madame Godard, a quintet that has been perfuming my past few weeks with their amazing mixture of crooner style music, fantastic combination of chanson francaise meets Calexico meets Tindersticks in dark cheap and merry cabaret, amusement park soundtracks, delicate pop songs, whispered catchy chorus, claps claps and more claps, and a wild party, open to everyone, where accordions dance with violins, banjos challenge trumpets for a run up to the skies, keyboards fall in love with theremins.
Altogether they deliver us this amazing party of sounds, of beautiful melodies and great great songs.

The story of Madame Godard, nevertheless, goes back to the late 90s. By then and after a quite successful participation on the Termometro Unplugged music contest, where they finished in second place, we would see them later on Festival Paredes de Coura in one of the most enthusiastic performances, in that festival, that year.

On the year 2001 the band would take a pause, after some internal issues, only to come back last year with a new line-up and a great wish to finish their debut album.

This debut is being worked on, together with producer Paulo Miranda (worked with Old Jerusalem and The Legendary Tigerman among others), and shall see the lights early next year.

Meanwhile, so that you can get addicted too, Madame Godard placed 5 tracks (not final versions) on their MySpace. The fact that these are not final versions makes me happier as they are already fantastic.

Have a look at the beautiful Queens of the Twilight, Love is Poker, Femme Fatale, Le Carrousel and Hardly Alone and fall in love with them.

Under the Radar with ...... Myppa (PL)

2007-07-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

On our second Under the Radar, we continue in Poland, the land of great vodka, bigos and amazing electronic music.

Tonight we step into the world of Myppa. Tonight we step into the word of Marcin Czajka and another project of his.

After getting a degree on Film and Television Academy in Warsaw, Marcin started his music project Myppa. We were then on the year 2005.

One year later, we would see him coming up with Altruistic Behaviours, his debut album under the skin of Myppa. Dig no further than Sigur Ros and all the companions from the vast and mysterious Scandinavian lands of ice.

The whispers of the North European auroras can be heard here. Beautifully constructed textures take us to those imaginary places difficult to reach on our day to day lives. Epic sounds, melancholic and delicate electronic tunes that reach deep in our souls, letting us feel so cosy and relaxed.

Close your eyes and imagine this place where, laying down, you can hear the sea waves kissing the soft bright spots laying on the dark skies. Imagine......

This 2007 may see another of Myppa's releases coming out. Two tracks, Sandcastle and I'm Seven Meters Tall are available at his MySpace, alongside with two other tracks from his debut album.

But this is not all of it......

Recently, I discovered that Marcin Czajka, a.k.a. Myppa, is running another project. This projectgives by the name of Myppa Manila.

Myppa Manila is closely connected to Myppa. This is the project where Marcin delivers the tracks that do not fit into Myppa's profile. Do not let this last sentence make you think of Myppa Manila's as the project handling the rests. Here you can find enchanting melodies, incredibly emotional beats and inspired remixes. Just have a look at the beautiful remixes for Sigur Ros'Smaskifa and Samskeyti. In case this is not enough, listen to Children's Painting and Shiny Nat at his MySpace.

After all, this Under the Radar is not about one band only. This Under the Radar is about Marcin Czajka and his amazing two blossoming projects, Myppa and Myppa Manila.

Get yourself a copy of Altruistic Behaviours right here:
Rhapsody
UK Trance Alliance
TrackItDown

Previews right here.

Nice to Miss You by Sizo (PT)

2007-07-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

"..Sizo lives and breathes as an autonomous entity that delivers its music as an anti-inertia manifesto that seeks to wake up the dazed and the stoned...."

With an EP dating back to the year 2005, Short-Term Proposition, the "..power trio with four guys...",Sizo, returned this year, thundering all their way from Oporto, with Nice to Miss You, a 24 minutes arse kicking 8 track album.

Andre Cruz, on guitar; Joao Guedes, on vocals; Rui Magalhaes, on drums; and Eurico Amorim, on keyboards, will see their debut album , to be released on their own on the 15th of August, hit the stores and hopefully make it to a high number of fans. Nevertheless, in a rather interesting and peculiar way, Sizo made their album available on their website, until the 15th of August.

With producer Jorge Coelho, the 8 tracks on Nice To Miss You are all about post punk raw guitars, naked, noisy and fast rock served together with superb screaming vocals. With melodic and catchy lines, energetic guitar riffs and a hell of an attitude, this is the debut many have been looking for but never achieved.

Our favourite track, Big Three, is available on Fnac's Novos Talentos Fnac 2007 compilation, reviewed here some days ago. An explosive post-punk track that combines two enraged guitars, fantastic chorus lines with Joao Guedes seeing his voice dragged and distorted so beautifully. My Summer favourite track.

See them live on the following dates:

12th of August, Festival Paredes de Coura
24th of August, Pontevedra
25th of August, Guarda @ Sala Escarabajo
21st of September, Braga @ Censura Previa
3rd of November, Braga @ Theatro Circo

For further news, get to visit their MySpace.

Under the Radar with ...... Popo (PL)

2007-07-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first Under the Radar.

The opening honours go to Popo, or shall I say Potrzebuje Powietrza, the Polish for I Need Air (in English). Popo are an indie rock quartet that come rocking from Bydgoszcz to place near you.

Mikolaj Czajkowski, on vocals and bass guitar; Sebastian Loskot, on vocals and keyboards; Tomasz Wojtaniec, on vocals and guitar; and Kuba "Qba" Janicki, on percussion and programming are the masterminds behind the textures and flowing emotions, the catchy melodies and aesthetic sounds they came up with.

Post rock driven, electronic music flavoured, blessed with the magic powders of pop music and haunted by the spectrum of the 80's new wave, Popo are here to conquer a place on the sunny side of Poland's new music scene. Their music is all about freshness and rhythm, sounding new and attractive to those who love indie, electronic or pop music.

Going back to the year 2005, with a pause in between, it was only by mid 2006 that this quartet has had the line-up settled up. With only one EP so far, the 3 track Playground EP released this year, they are about to see the track Get The Bus and Stop to Kidnap make it to Trojka's Piotr Stelmach's compilation Offensywa #2, and hopefully make it to several others that did not have the chance to meet them so far.

The electrifying and highly recommended Get the Bus and Stop to Kidnap, Potrzebuje Powietrza and Hello Disco are waiting for you. Playground EP can be found on their MySpace.

This October they'll hit the road. Catch them on the.....

1st of October, Torun
2nd of October, Poznan
3rd of October, Wroclaw @ Bezsennosc
4th of October, Krakow @ B-side
5th of October, Lodz @ Big Day Over
6th of October, Warsaw
7th of October, Bydgoszcz @ Mozg

Under the Radar........

2007-07-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Today Music@PL.PT introduces a new series on our weekly posts. The Under the Radar series will feature some of the most interesting new acts emerging from both Poland and Portugal.

Under the Radar is covering all the interesting sounds rising from the world of pop, folk, punk, rock, dance, hip hop,...... In case you'd like to have your band reviewed here, please send us some details on it and perhaps we'll meet here, in one of the next articles.

The bands featured here will also be mentioned on our MySpace and LastFm.

Lisboa, Cronica Anedotica by Jose Leitao de Barros (PT)

2007-07-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

Jose Leitao de Barros died 40 years ago, back in 1967.

The director of Ala-Arriba!, A Severa, Maria do Mar and Camoes, among many others is back this Thursday, the 19th of July, on a special screening of the 1930's Lisboa, Cronica Anedotica.

This silent black and white documentary shows Lisbon, its people and day to day life in Portugal's capital, on a series of small episodes, recorded in a poetic and humorous style.

Lisboa, Cronica Anedotica will now see a new life, at MusicBox, Lisbon, when the Flak Ensemble (Flak, Filipe Valentim, Viviena Tupikova, Abel Gomes and Diogo Faro) dress it with a brand new soundtrack (specially prepared for this screening) performed live this evening.

The original soundtrack was composed by Frederico de Freitas, Juan Fabre and Antonio Melo.

Do not miss it. This Thursday, at MusicBox, starting at 23h.

Some sounds available at Flak's MySpace.

Capitao Fantasma and Viva Cadaver (PT)

2007-07-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

The bells are ringing for those who passed away long long ago!!!!

Some of these perish forever, others .......return!!!!!

This 2007 four riders dressed in black have returned from the dead to celebrate the dark alleys, the life of lust, the black & white horror movies and the scary monsters that haunt our dreams....

After the release of Contos do Imaginario e do Bizarro back in 1996, Capitao Fantasma are back with a 14 track album where one can find a new recording for Os mortos, a track that goes back to their 1992 debut album Hu Ua Ua and a cover for Daniel Bacelar's Se Eu Enlouquecer.

Almost 20 years after Capitao Fantasma started this crusade, Jorge Bruto, on vocals, and Tiago Serio (drums), from the original line-up, are back and this time they brought Andre Joaquim, on guitar, and Braulio Alexandre together with them. Together these four men continue spreading their cursed rock 'n' roll and psychobilly tunes with stories on love, sex and alcohol, not forgetting their sweeter side, bringing the stories on monsters, death and violence!!!

During these 38 minutes you will not find an album that smells to a "brand new sound". Capitao Fantasma have drunk from the same fountain as Poison Ivy and Lux Interior, from the Cramps, and the result is obvious. 14 tracks that breathe energy, and lots of it!!!! 14 tracks that are what psychobilly stands for. 14 damn good tracks, that's it!!!!

After all, who needs novelties when you have Viva Cadaver!!!!!

Take part on this amazing horror story on the following dates:

15th of July @ Hey Ho... Let´s Go Summer Fest! [with Marky Ramone], Cine Teatro Corroios

15th of August @ Torres Novas' City parties.

Viva Cadaver can be bought right here. Just follow the link. Deliveries Worldwide.

Do not forget to listen to some of their stories on their MySpace.

Capitao Fantasma - Cidade Suja

On Tour with ...... Terrakota (PT)

2007-07-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

After the release of the refreshing and quite exciting Oba Train, Terrakota's recent new album, the time has come for this collective to pack their bags and hit the road.

On the next few months, we shall see them playing live not only in Portugal but as well in Spain, France and Italy.

Let us all welcome Terrakota!!!!

14th of July @ Festival Serra da Estrela, Portugal

15th of July @ Festa da Diversidade, Lisbon, Portugal

19th of July @ University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain

20th of July @ Festival Delta, Lisbon, Portugal

22nd of July @ Tavira, Portugal

24th of July @ Festigal, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

27th of July @ Burgos, Spain

28th of July @ Festival Fiest'A Sete, France

11th of August @ Peniche, Portugal

17th of August @ Barreiro, Portugal

19th of August @ Castell Visbal, Catalunya, Spain

6th of September @ Acqua Viva Festival, Siena, Italy

7th of September @ Semintesta Festival, Frascati, Italy

11th of September @ Festival Lusitano, Salerno, Italy

"....From TerraKota flourishes a natural music deep rooted in the Black continent, inspired by the Saharan, Caribbean, Hindu and the Western sounds that rise under the Jamaican sun.
In most cases, African music is simply the expression of life through sounds in which the musician beyond imitating the sounds of nature,using natural musical instruments, also reverses this process using the sounds of nature in its music. This is TerraKota's motive.

They use African traditional and popular harmonies and rhythms, playing various instruments from all over the world, further to the usual Western instruments such as bass,guitar and drums. They perform a careful fusion in which every new sound has its space in the web under which the themes develop.
In a time in which the majority of the western modern music variants seems to head to a dead end, many Western musicians are turning to new features from all over the world. They aim to create fresh sounds and give to their music the soul it lacks to find in the Western world in which a single human brain in front of a mega computer produces almost everything. It is as if just like planet Earth,in an advanced stage of degradation,the western music also needed a catharsis,a return to the natural state to be able to breathe again...." taken from their MySpace.

Bolomakoté

Sopakota

Buraka Som Sistema (PT) .......

2007-07-10T14:16:00.001-07:00

These guys are simply unstoppable!!!!

After Glastonbury and Roskilde Festival, Buraka Som Sistema continue their kuduro meets techno meets funk meets drum 'n' bass tour around Europe, hitting some of the most interesting festivals and venues on the old continent..... but not only.

Check out a brand new interview on Fact Magazine, as well as an older article, and other interviews on BBC, and myvillage.com, plus a one page article on Dummy magazine.

So, what are you waiting for? Check them live on....

11th of July w/ Lil'John + Riot + Kalaf (Buraka Som Sistema DJ SET) @ Tamariz, Estoril, Portugal

14th of July @ Exit Festival, Novi Sad, Serbia

20th of July w/ Lil'John + Riot (Buraka Som Sistema DJ SET) @ Fabric, London, England

22nd of July @ LoveBox, London, England

3rd of August @ Festival Sudoeste, Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal

19th of August @ Pantiero Festival, Cannes, France

23rd of August / Lil'John + Riot (Buraka Som Sistema DJ SET) @ Mare de Agosto, Santa Maria, Azores

2nd of September, Buraka Som Sistema DJ SET @ Rock n Coke Festival, Istanbul, Turkey

7th of September @ Bestival, Isle of Wight, England

..... and now....

BSS live @ Tapete, MTV, with Yah! feat. Petty.

and a special 13th of May BSS contribution to the Gato Fedorento show....

Extracerebral by Mr.S (PL)

2007-07-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes music can look just like wine. Some years are just nothing special, with the normal releases but nothing extraordinary. There are others that simply become perfect years, when you expect nothing but vintages.

This just to say that Poland, this year, is having one of these latter years, at least when concerning electronic music.

After the magnificent Indian Salon, by Stealpot, time for another excellent release. This time, the honours go to Mr. S, a Bydgoszcz-based young artist and his debut album, Extracerebral.

This 13 track album, released on the British label Artificial Bliss Recordings, cruises the vast seas of electronic music, inspired and spiced with jazz performances, downtempo textures, incredibly addictive break beats, electro pop tales and fluffy ambient magical tunes.

This amazing musical pot, together with the warm and delicate vocal contribution of Natalia Braciszewska and the collection of live instruments make this Extracerebral a superb release, moreover being Mr. S's debut, and an album to stick by within the next few months.

Apart from gathering the singles RooM23 and the great Les Enfants Mortes, there is still time for the downtempo pop Hemisphere Left, the ambient and break beat flavoured Super)(nova, Hemisphere Right and the title-track Extracerebral, the sci-fi soundtrack inspired Second Thought, the eclectic beats, rhythm and textures of SuAve, Chernobyl Karma (live) and Coda: Sunscale. The only disappointment comes with HPS, a pop and slightly boring track that distances itself from what we've listened so far, closer to Ania Dabrowska's 2006 release.

Keep an eye on Mr.S. He will be performing live on the 30th of August in Szczecin.

Extracerebral can be bought on the following sites:

Extracerebral

Serpent

Audiorascal

Listen to an album mix right on Mr.S's MySpace, some other tracks at his Last.fm or download, right next, the track super)(nova. More mp3s to be found at Wirtualna Polska.

Stealpot's Indian Salon (PL)

2007-07-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

Finally this 2007 is becoming something quite interesting on this side of the Vistula (Wisla) river.

After six months of releases that did not surprise that much, when compared to last year's offer, this Summer has arrived with some of the most interesting releases we might see this year. Rock, pop and especially electronic music are making the wonders to all those listening to the new sounds of Poland. If not, just have a look at new releases by Apteka, Kasia Nosowska, Digit-All-Love, Mr. S and Stealpot, with its second album Indian Salon, released on Vivo records.

Szymon 'Stealpot' Folwarczny released his debut album back in 2005. By that time, Mass Mess.Age caught everyone by surprise. An unknown young artist, hailing from Katowice, had just released one of the freshest albums of the year. By then the album gathered several good reviews and made it to countries such as Germany, England or Japan.

This year young Szymon is back with the always difficult second album. After the debut Mass Mess.Age expectations were high for his next chapter. Indian Salon has just arrived and not only it stands up to our expectations, it is a big step forth towards its predecessor.

For this release Szymon brought together, again, Kasandra Adebowale, on vocals, and Gosia Warszawska, on flute, two artists that collaborated with him on his debut album. Anna Ruttar, on vocals, Junko Nashimura, from the French/Japanese band Mondialito, Damir Radic, Piotr Czyja, Jaszczur and many others joined this second adventure. All together, they brought a brand new sound to Stealpot.

The music now is full of life, rhythm and energy. There's space for electronic pop, nu-jazz and downtempo. The instruments sound so real. Well, they're real now. Percussion, bass, double-bass, hammond organ, rhodes, piano, guitar, a string quartet with two violins, a viola and a cello, and trumpet. All these take part on Indian Salon.

The album opens with On Time, a track that breathes low-fi and calm jazzy textures. Anna keeps this her vocals running smoothly under the trumpet radar. One of my favourites.

Going through these 12 tracks is like embarking on a trip all around the world. The tunes and melodies sound as coming from everywhere but Poland. The fact that the album is sung in four different languages (Polish, English, Croatian and Japanese) also gives a little hand. Among these songs, there's space for some instrumental tracks, especially for Jazzcore in The Rock Opera, a great music exercise where percussion, trumpet, bass and guitar all get together in a true sound jam. Highly recommended.

Worth mentioning the highly seductive Step Into Another Reality, the spacey Indian Salon and the delicate oriental pearl Kimi Na Oto, with Junko whispering, softly, so many words, in so many different colours and shapes.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Indian Salon, Music@PL.PT's favourite album for this 2007 so far, and our album of the week.

You can buy this record on the following stores:

Vivo Records (Poland)

Darla (USA)

Amazon.jp (Japan)

Juno Records (UK)

Penny Black Music (UK)

Shiny Beast (The Netherlands)

Plegion (Russia)

In order to listen to some more of this Indian Salon, check Stealpot's MySpace , Last.fm or next, with the following previews:

On Time

Na Poludnie/Viaje Al Sur

Tiho I Lako

Jazzcore In The Rock Opera

Step Into Another Reality

Indian Salon

Kimi No Oto

European Cinema ....

2007-07-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

Today, while reading the highly recommended Sound + Vision, I discovered the 5 clips Media came up early this year, back in February, at the occasion of the Berlinale (Berlin Film Festival).

These clips were prepared with extracts from several films supported by EU's MEDIA programme. The Pianist, by Roman Polanski, made it here. Unfortunately, no Portuguese film made it to this campaign.

The 4 clips are Joy, Sadness, Love and Love II. The 5th is a compilation of all the previous ones.

Films to be found among these clips include the likes of:

The Pianist by Roman Polanski
L'auberge espagnole by Cedric Klapisch

Les choristes by Christophe Barratier
Billy Elliot by Stephen Daldry

Le Fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Secrets and Lies by Milke Leigh

Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage by Marc Rothemund
The Pianist by Roman Polanski

Todo sobre mi madre by Pedro Almodovar
La vita e bella by Roberto Benigni

Noi albinoi by Dagur Kari
Head-on (Gegen die Wand) by Fatih Akin

Mar adentro by Alejandro Amenabar
Goodbye Lenin by Wolfgang Becker

Breaking the waves by Lars von Trier
L'enfant by Jean-Pierre und Luc Dardenne

Girl with a pearl earring by Peter Webber
La mala educacion by Pedro Almodovar

The Deamers by Bernardo Bertolucci
The Man Without a Past by Aki Kaurismäki

Joy

Sadness

Love

Love II

Compilation

In case you're wondering on all the other titles, just follow this link.

So, what are you waiting for!!!!!

When Poland visits Portugal - Oles, Jorgensmann, Oles live in Lisbon

2007-07-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

The Polish Embassy together with the Goethe Institut present this Thursday, the 5th of July, Theo Jorgensmann and the two brothers, Marcin Oles and Bartlomiej Brat Oles, a German-Polish Jazz trio.

Marcin on double bass, Bartlomiej on percussion and Theo on bass clarinet will bring the sounds of Directions, dating back to 2005 and elected by many as the best jazz album released in Poland that year, or from the most recent Live in Poznan, released this year.

The concert will take place at the Goethe Institut Gardens, at Campo Martires da Patria, 37, Lisbon, as parts of the Jazz in Goethe Garten 2007 Festival.

You can find more info on them right here.

Check some of their tunes right here:

Giuffree - out of Directions
Eternity (preview) - out of Chamber Quinter
Per Rata (preview) - out of Directions

As some others describe them.....

"Marcin Oles plays with a captivating sense of confidence and vigor, never bottling up the improvisers nor backing every statement with stated or implied time."
All About Jazz

"Oles makes powerful statements in either the arco or pizzicato mode. His vigorous execution on the title tune dominates the soundscape."
Cadence Magazine

"Marcin and Bartlomej Oles belong to the most remarkable Polish musicians of the present."
Rheinische Post

"..bassist Marcin Oles and drummer Bartlomiej Brat Oles have become two of that country's most in-demand players. It's not just that they're a first-class rhythm section, but they're fine instant and singular composers as well"
OneFinalNote.com

"..the best hope of polish jazz."
Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland

New releases from PL.PT

2007-07-03T10:42:00.001-07:00

For the last couple of weeks I've received several interesting EPs from some of the newest Polish and Portuguese acts. Next, I'll present you four of these releases. Welcome to the new sounds of The Ossis, Katabatic, Fox Gang and Borges. Apart from it, it is quite interesting to see that all of these bands took part on the compilation Thirty Something New Tales from PL.PT put together earlier this year.

We start with The Ossis and their brand new EP Ossis vs. Wessis.

This Wroclaw-based trio is back with their indie pop and alt rock tunes on this 5 track EP, and this time with a melodica that has given some more emphasis on their music.

They are still travelling over a wide sound spectrum (the 70's, 80's and 90's pop and rock are present within this release) but this time, the band delivers us a couple of songs rich in melody and energy that will catch your attention for sure.

Often Polish bands feel some difficulties singing in English. With The Ossis and, mainly, with Janek, the difference is minimal, regardless if he sings in English or Polish.

Out of these 5 tracks, our choice goes to the opening track, the Polish sung Wroclaw and the the excelent closing track Updating Family Trees.

Discover The Ossis by yourself. Check them out on their MySpace or download two tracks right here.

Updating Family Trees
Wroclaw

Their EP can be ordered right here.

For further info on The Ossis, check the interview Janek gave us some months ago.

***

The first time I heard about this band was by the time I was putting up together the compilation Thirty Something New Tales from PL.PT. I got some information on them and by then, I knew they had to take part on it.

The EP kicks out with 03:17:00, the track Katabatic included on the compilation mentioned above.

With Hugo, on guitar, vocals and percussion, Joao, on bass and synth, Jose, on drums and Tiago, on guitar, this Lisbon-based post-rock noise quartet continues creating a world of their own, where calm and inspiring backgrounds clash with distorted, loopy and noisy guitars. The Munchausen Syndrome is a good example of it.

This release, Vago, comes packed with a 5 track EP plus a short film for the music trilogy O Ceu Aterrou.

O Ceu Aterrou is divided into three parts: Rising Nebula, Falling Purple Blue and Midnight Glow.

Rising Nebula is the introduction to this 21 minutes sound adventure. It starts quietly, evolves throughout its five minutes, creating relaxing ambients, into what comes next, Falling Purple Blue, a track where the percussion and guitar play a more important role. The song picks up where Rising Nebula ends and takes it across several states of mind, ending in a noisy guitar/drum battle.

The EP ends with Midnight Glow, the third part of this O Ceu Aterrou. Spider webs drawn with the sound of fingertips dancing over guitar chords. The rest... is a little suprise.

This EP can be bought at their MySpace, where you can download as well two tracks, 03:17:00 and O Ceu Aterrou - Falling Purple Blue.

***

Wor Jacky is Fox Gang's first release "packed in a nice box" as they put it themselves.
This 4 track EP documents the performance held at Radio Krakow late last year. Out of the eleven tracks recorded by then, only four made it this time.

Wor Jacky is released with the perfect timming, when Fox Gang started to tour outside Krakow and before they embark on a new UK tour this August.

Home Is So Sad, Cheesewire, Wor Jacky and the superb Nichola capture only part of what Fox Gang stands for. The energy, the madness and the never ending party are difficult to pack within these 18 minutes. Furthermore, Ryan's vocals do not look that good in tracks like Home Is So Sad or Cheesewire.

Nevertheless, do not let this take you away from this record. It is worth every penny or zloty. As an habitue to their concerts, I was waiting for this for long. The expectations were high and they managed to overcome it, not letting you down, even though I think this band reached its peak when playing live. Nichola is the track that takes us closer to the ideal Fox Gang. Play it damn loud and you'll get what I mean.

In order to get Wor Jacky, please check their MySpace.

Check them live on the following dates:

6th of July @ Plac Sczepanski, Krakow, PL
15th of August @ Whistlebinkies, Edinburgh - Fringe, UK
16th of August @ Centurion's, Newcastle, UK
18th of August @ The Quay, Blyth, UK
19th of August @ The Tyne Bar, Newcastle, UK

Take a look on EasyJet at Thirty Something New Tales from PL.PT.

Read more on Fox Gang right here.

***

Let Me Take You For a Walk On The Wild Side. The title for Borges' debut EP opens the book in front of you and invites you to take part on this ambient and colourful world of melodies and funny sounds.

It all started back in 2005. Georges Borges, vocals, sampler and synths, Eleanor Azedine, guitar and vocals, Luisa Santiago, bass, synths and vocals, and Ruy de Souza, percussion and rhythm, got together and decided to put together several ideas they had been working on.

Then, in a little room, they composed what turned up to be the Borges EP, a 4 track EP, released on their own and now, re-released on the Dutch label MoocSound under a new name and with an extra track, the hidden track number 5.

The EP, which stars guest Janine on vocals on the tittle track, Let me take you for a
walk on the wildside, is a trip into the world of acoustic sounds, sampling,
pop and electronic music, where delicate melodies, sexy and tempting vocals,
ambient electronic beats and a percussion section marry so perfectly,
delivering us these fine tunes.

Let yourself go with Borges. Catch them at MoocSound or at their MySpace.

Unisexblues according to Kasia Nosowska (PL)

2007-06-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

It took this lady 7 years to release her next solo album. After the release of Sushi back in 2000, Hey's lead singer, Kasia Nosowska, is back with a pack full of surprises!! To be precise, 14 on total.

For a year that, somehow, musically did not want to kick off, Nosowska and her UniSexBlues have certainly shaken the foundations, and let's hope, opened the doors for the other six months still to go..... But, let's go back to this record, her fourth solo release.

Unlike previous records, UniSexBlues does not include Smolik on the production credits but indeed Marcin Macuk, producer and musician (Pogodno).

The difference is felt the minute the record starts playing. Era Retuszera, the first single out of UniSexBlues, has nothing to do with her previous electronic pop adventures. Catchy, filled with punk drunk pop tunes. A track that won't leave many indifferent, as the beats quickly will put anyone's lazy butt on the move!!

With guests Stanislaw Soyka, Jaroslaw Trelinski (Raz Dwa Trzy), Tomasz Duda and Yumiko Ishijima (from the Japanese group Papaya Paranoia), Kasia Nosowska does not limit herself to one kind of music. Rather, she uses all the help available and goes for a walk on the avenues of pop music, hand in hand with electronic beats, delicate spacey melodies and r'n'b. On the way, she has the time to greet some fast arse kicking rock tracks, to visit Goldfrapp (Metempsyho and My Faith Is Stronger Than The Hills), The Cardigans (Kasitet Romans) or a revitalized Patti Smyth (UniSexBlues).

Even though the record does not follow a straight line, all the constant "mood" changes do not jeopardize it; on the contrary, it shows us how far this lady can go, how creative she is and gives us nothing but one of the best Polish records this year, mine so far.

It is quite difficult to highlight some of these tracks. There's the first single, Era Retuszera, the r'n'b break beat spiced Grand Prix, the electro pop of Makro and the catchy dreamy pop of Kasitet Romans. Others include My Faith Is Stronger Than the Hills (out of a Emily Dickinson poem), the title-track UniSexBlues, the electro Metempsycho, the Madonna look-alike Odrobina Dyskomfortu..... Basically, a record where one find easily a single to release.....

This record can be bough right here, on normal version, or just following the link to a special edition. Do it, as you won't regret.

Here are some previews out of thisUniSexBlues.

Era Retuszera
Grand Prix
Makro
Nerwy i Wiktoriańscy Lekarze
Kasitet Romans
My Faith Is Stronger Than The Hills
UniSexBlues
Metempsycho

Novos Talentos Fnac 2007 (PT)

2007-06-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

After all, there's light in the end of the tunnel.....

After all, there's more than just light!!! Fireworks, colours, magic, energy, feelings and light..... lots of light.

Record of the week, the compilation Novos Talentos Fnac 2007 sees 17 new Portuguese bands or artists screaming out loud "we're here". 17 tracks that let us dream with a shiny future for the music made in Portugal.

The compilation opens with Mazgani, the Setubal-based quartet that in 2005 saw one of their tracks, Unageing Games, published on Les Inrockuptibles CQFD compilation. 2 years later and about to release their debut album, Mazgani see Bring Your Love (The morning wind) opening this very interesting release.

Other tracks that surprised me include indie rockers Sizo, with Big Three, the delicate and marvelous pop of Dream on Girl, by former Atomic Bees lead singer Rita Pereira and her new project, the quartet Rita Redshoes. Norberto Lobo and Mudar de Bina, Dj Ride and his collection of scratch and funky groovy beats on My Definition, the summer reggae moods of Freddy Locks and Bring Up The Feeling, the grimme, dub and hip hop inspired trio Macacos do Chines and its Inspiracao (Macacos do Chines were featured on Music@PL.PT's online free compilation with the track Suor no Dancefloor) , the indie, post-rockers Riding Panico, the Coimbra-based lads Sean Riley & The Slowriders with the pop paced Moving On, the fado inspired Contado Ninguem Acreadita by Deolinda, and last, but not least, the quartet hailing from Lisbon and the ukelele delicate pop stories of Rita Braga.

As you can see, a compilation worth discovering. This album can be bought right here, for only 3 EUR. All the sales' revenues are to be given to AMI, for humanitarian causes, so please contribute and get yourself one of these albums.

In case you'd like to listen to it by yourself first, drop by this web page and listen to the album. I already did and recommend it strongly.

If you liked what you just listened, check the following bands on their myspace. You'll see that it's worth while, and that after all, there's more than just these 17 bands.

Recommended bands/projects/artists (PT)

Borges
Ela nao e Francesa, Ele nao e Espanhol
The Moss
Projecto Fuga
Voodoo Economics
Katabatic
Green Echo
The Clits
Tape Loading Error
Hiena
Bangguru
Peltzer
Woman in Panic
Governo Sombra
Azevedo Silva

Polish Cinema at the Lisbon Village Festival (PT/PL)

2007-06-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

A bit late, but still on time to let you know about the 2007's edition of the Lisbon Village Festival (LVF).

This festival kicked out on the 7th of June and will be among us until the 24th.

In this second edition, the Sao Jorge Cinema is once more the main stage of the event, hosting the VIDCF - Village International D-Cinema Festival and also the Village Lounge parties with DJs. The Portuguese Communications Foundation and the Galveias Palace complete the list, being dedicated to Village Art.

For us here at Music@PL.PT, this festival becomes more important as not only shows several Portuguese short films (mainly animation) but include a showcase on Polish cinema. The choice, unfortunately, is not as vast as it could be, letting aside some of the most interesting films Poland saw during the last few years. On the big screen, Lisbon will have the chance to see the works of Andrzej Wajda (Ashes & Diamonds/Popiol i Diament and Kanal), Krzysztof Kieslowski (The Scar/Blizna and Short Film About Love/Krotki Film O Milosci).

Worth checking the latest work of Jan Jakub Kolski, Jasminum, one of the most interesting films to come out of Poland last year, and Life as a Fatal Sexuality Transmitted Disease (Zycie Jako Smiertelna Choroba Przenoszona Droga Plciowa), by Krzysztof Zanussi.

For more info on this titles, please check this link or download the PDF on all the showcases right here.

June
19th @ 19.45, Ashes & Diamonds/Popiol i Diamentand (A. Wajda)
20th @ 19.45, The Scar/Blizna (K. Kieslowski)
21st @ 19.45, Jasminum (J. J. Kolski)
22nd @ 19.45, Life as a Fatal Sexuality Transmitted Disease/Zycie Jako Smiertelna Choroba Przenoszona Droga Plciowa (K.Zanussi)
22nd @ 23.45, Short Film About Love/Krotki Film O Milosci (K. Kieslowski)
24th @ 19.45, Kanal (A. Wajda)

Hayden Berry - What Do You Believe In? (UK/PL)

2007-06-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Today Krakow is a city where one constantly runs into foreigners. There are those here on vacations; there are those just passing by, and then, those that once came and for one reason or another decided to stay.

Hayden Berry is a singer/songwriter hailing from West Yorkshire, England. He is one of those that decided to stay and good for us he did so.

Likened to some heavy weight alt-country, singer/songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tim Buckley, Neil Young and Nick Drake, Hayden has been around the music business for more than 15 years. Some years ago, he decided to embarked on his own, writing and performing melancholic acoustic/folk songs. Songs that talk about lost loves, about politics, about hope and personal journeys.

In Krakow, he can often be seen playing live with Teresa Lipinski. This lady, owner of a beautiful and remarkable voice, has brought a whole new life to Hayden's music, making it sound "more complete".

After the 2004 debut album Music from my Mountain and last year's Moving Along, this year sees What Do You Believe In? presenting a renewed Hayden Berry.
The album kicks off with Can You Feel It? and right here, we meet 2007's Hayden Berry. A new path has been drawn and the melancholic side put slightly away. White, the following track, keeps on the same path. On the way, there's still time for some catchy tunes, and yes, pop tracks.

The album keeps rolling and suddenly, we dive, though shortly, on the seas of melancholy he's so good coming up with. Then, we take a trip back on time and visit the tunes from the flower-pop/hippie era. All spiced up with the sounds of an extra French horn and keyboards.

With Music from my Mountain, Hayden signed one of his best albums so far. Have a look at his MySpace and judge it for yourself.
Listen to my favourites Can You Feel It?, We Two Boys Clinging and Pull Down The Flag, plus another track out of Music from My Mountain, The River of Your Eyes.

In case you're interested on Hayden's music, drop him a message.

Shangri-La by Wraygunn (PT)

2007-06-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

Lord, I'll never turn back .... No more..

Ever felt the need for something extra?

Ever felt the need for something that could lift you off the ground, and take you away from the day to day boredom? Yes? So you've come to the right place!!!
Welcome to Shangri-la, the amazing follow-up to Wraygunn's highly acclaimed second release Esclesiastes 1.11.

If on their previous release Paulo Furtado and his fellow companions were more into the world of gospel, this time, they've put it behind their backs and went more rock, more blues, more soul, and guess what, there's even a taste of funk, pop, punk and electronic music.

Blues going punk (with the explosive and highly addictive Love Letters from a Muthafucka); pop kissing electronic music; devilish gospel embracing soul (with the divine gospel-like choirs of two amazing ladies, Selma Uamusse and Raquel Ralha). On this third release, we see mainly Raquel Ralha enchanting us with her powerful and seductive vocals. Together with Selma Uamusse they are the voice wispering behind your hear, taking you deeper into the world of Shangri-La.

The album kicks off with Ain't it Nice, the perfect introduction to the 12 chapters to come next. By the second track, and while singing Love Is My New Drug, we come together with Raquel and Selma and their powerful, soulful and melodic vocal contribution, while Mr. Paulo Furtado is left to his guitar. Ain't it Nice reveals as well Raquel's writting skills.

A couple of weeks ago, when I first listened to Go Go Dancer, this album's first single, I was left a bit in doubt. The track, at that time, failed to conquer me at first listening. Today, together with Love Letters from a Muthafucka, Hoop Hoola Woman, No More, My Lord and some other tracks, this is among my favourites. Then again, can you really list any track that you would not include here?

Going forth, we encounter Hoop Hoola Woman, the first track sailing on the seas of calmness. Seductive pop, dreamy and catchy..... How beautiful music can be!!!

Until the end, there's still time to discover Work Me Out, a dirty rock'n'roll guitar soul anthem, with Raquel and Selma sounding amazing once again.
These two ladies do it again on the closing track, No More, My Lord. This gospel spiced soul version starts smoothly. Then, the chorus sounds louder and louder. The guitar gets noisier, trapped in addictive loops. Altogether, this whirlwind of sounds finished Shagri-La at it's best.

Shangri-la includes guests Vidal (Blind Zero) and Matt Verta-Rey (Speedball and Heavy Trash).

Get this album right here.

Listen to some previews right next, or at Wraygunn's MySpace.

Ain't It Nice
Love Is My New Drug
She's a Go-Go Dancer
Love Letters From a Muthafucka
Everything's Gonna Be Ok

Couple Coffee live at Antena 1 (PT/BR)

2007-06-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

Couple Coffee are Luanda Cozetti and Norton Daiello.

With two albums released so far, Co'as Tamanquinhas do Zeca! (2007), a tribute to the singer songwriter Zeca Afonso, and Puro (2005), this Brazilian duo is about to play live, this Thursday, at Antena1, on a concert broadcasted live from Teatro da Luz, Carnide, Benfica, together with Sergio Zurawsky, on guitar, and Ruca Rebordao, on percussion.

In order to listen to it, just follow this link. This will be a good chance to listen to some of the new tunes out of Co'as Tamanquinhas do Zeca!.

The show starts at the following hours, on the 14th of July.

15h,Lisbon
11h, Rio de Janeiro
10h, New York
23h, Tokyo

You can still catch them that evening (22h) at B.Leza, Lisbon, together with special guest JP Simoes.

The next day, on the 15th of June, it will be JP Simoes inviting Couple Coffee, this time at Espaco Zambujal, Sesimbra.

Buraka Som Sistema heading your way.... (PT/ANG)

2007-06-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

There's no better way to say hello rather than with our favourites Buraka Som Sistema.

After putting this Summer's first Portuguese music festival, Oeiras Alive! 07, on fire, where they presented themselves with a drummer and percussionist, Buraka Som Sistema are heading to some of Europe's finest music festivals.

June 22nd
Buraka Som Sistema live @ Glastonbury Festival**, Glastonbury, UK
** BSS will play twice, in two different stages during this festival. Check them at the Glade Stage and at The Dance Village... East.

July 7th
Buraka Som Sistema live @ Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark

July 14th
Buraka Som Sistema live @ Exit Festival, Novi Sad, Serbia

July 22nd
Buraka Som Sistema live @ LoveBox, London, UK

You can catch them as well on the following showcases and DJ Sets:

June 16th
Lil'John+Riot (Buraka Som Sistema DJ Set) @ Modular Records/Wireless Party Aftershow, London, UK.

June 18th
BSS SHOWCASE @ Fnac Almada Almada

June 30th
BSS SHOWCASE @ Fnac Coimbra Coimbra

July 5th
BSS SHOWCASE @ Fnac Colombo Lisboa

July 21st
Lil'John + Riot (BSS DJSET) @ Fabric London

August 19th
Lil'John + Riot + Kalaf (Buraka Som Sistema DJ Set) @ Pantiero Festival, Cannes, France

Meanwhile, these youngsters have re-released their debut EP, From Buraka to the World, now with two extra tracks, D...D...D...D..Jay and Wawaba (v. 1.8). Their EP can be bought right here.

For all those in Poland eager to discover more on this phenomenon, check this article on Exklusiv.PL.

Check them at their MySpace. Some sweets right next.....

Yah! feat. Petty

Preview for Shy Child's "Noise Won't Stop (Buraka Som Sistema Remix)"

Bonde Do Role - Gasolina (Buraka Som Sistema Dub)

Adventures In The Beetroot Field @ Fabric

We're back......

2007-06-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

After several weeks only updating the concert database, videos and other sidebar items, Music@PL.PT is back.

Lots of things took place during this time not allowing me to update this blog properly. I hope to make it more frequently now.

Meanwhile, I'm looking at introducing some changes here. Hopefully you've noticed some of them: The Recommended Festival bar. Every week, we'll propose a festival (music, theatre, cinema,......) taking place in our PL.PT universe.

Using Music@PL.PT's Last.Fm site, we've included our playlist with some of our favourite tracks coming from both PL and PT. Have a look at it, and let us know what you think about it.

New features to follow will include The MySpace Discoveries, an item presenting you some of the most interesting new proposals to be found at this service, Our Favourites So Far, a feature to include our favourite albums of the week, with a link to a site where these can be bought and last, but not least, Labels Under The Radar, a monthly article on a label that has been taking either Polish or Portuguese music forth.

Hope to count on you for some more suggestions or ideas. I'm looking at changing the blog's header as well. Ideas are welcome.

Apart from that, I'd like to thank all those that dropped by the concert Music@PL.PT organised last month, gathering The Midnight Reverie Trio, New Century Classics and Zerova. Thank you all, for it was a big success. Thank all the information services that decided to give a hand.

A very big tks for these three magnificent bands and their support after I was refused both some equipment and sound technician by the club where this event took place. A very special thank you to Pawel Dusza for driving almost two hours to get some of this equipment.

Hopefully this has not been the last event we've organised.

Take care

Romeu

Zerova, New Century Classics and The Midnight Reverie Trio live .....

2007-05-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

Within a couple of days, Krakow will host a magical music evening, celebrating the new sounds of Poland together with Zerova, New Century Classics and The Midnight Reverie Trio.

These three bands will spread their music at Tytus i Koka, on Music@PL.PT's first concert evening.

This will be a unique occasion to check Zerova live, on its premiere in Krakow, playing together with two local bands on which we deposit big hope, New Century Classics and The Midnight Reverie Trio.

Whereas Zerova released their debut album on Herb Recordings last year, New Century Classics got their first EP out a couple of weeks ago. Check here for review. The Midnight Reverie Trio are working on their first release. Hopefully it will be presented on their concert, this day, at Tytus i Koka.

Get ready for an evening where calm sounds of Iceland met those of artistic Paris, where guitars in screaming journeys ride side by side with subtle piano notes, where accordion melodies meet those of a wild french horn, and where computer bits meet distorted loop sounds.

That day is coming!!!! Discover the new sounds of Poland, this May, on the 12th, in Krakow, at Tytus i Koka.

Doors open at 20h. The show starts 30 minutes later. Entrance fee - 10 PLN.

I'd like to thanks Esgar Acelerado for the beautiful poster he handed out for this event. Thanks, as well, to Cracow-Life for their words and to Faza, from B-Side for all the support given.

The Midnight Reverie Trio

The Midnight Reverie Trio are Sonia (on the French horn), Scotia (on accordion) and their loop pedal. Together, this colourful and magic trio plays this enchanting and melancholic pop blend of eastern European folk melodies and carnivalesque reveries, that take you on a musical journey to the heart of Pigalle and lets you fall in love with their calm and catchy tunes.

“….. They’re a street circus band, waiting for their circus…”

Hala Targowa (Circus Theme No.2[mp3]

New Century Classics

Sometime ago, we referred to this band as one of Krakow's best kept secrets. Now the time has come for all of you to discover them.

New Century Classics is a Krakow-based post-rock, indie pop quintet that started their music adventure last year, back in May.

Together, they have taken the mission to compose some of the most beautiful music Krakow has listened recently. Delicate and melodic, yet sometimes so emotional and of such strength.

With Anna on synths, bells, guitar, ibook and egg, Antonello on percussion, Dana on violin, synths, laptop and egg, Marek on guitar and synths, and Mateusz on lead guitar, they brings us the soundtrack for our busy days, for our tormented hours.

Their music has the same effect on me as that of Sigur Ros, Michael Nyman or Mogwai. Melodies in continuous spiral. Dancing lullabies. Instruments that bleed incredibly passionate music. Guitars and percussion galloping as wild horses.

Live this quintet sounds even better. Their music gains another life. It aspires for something huge, something beautiful...... Suddenly we are taken by our arms and we find ourselves in Neverland.

A Small Missunderstanding[mp3]

Zerova

2004 was a good year for Polish music, especially for a certain little town, located somewhere in the North of Poland, by the name of Bialystok.

Adrian Jakuc-Lukaszewicz (progs, vocals, accordion, synths and and other keyboard instruments), Maja Chmurkowska (piano, vocals and other keyboard instruments) and Pawel Dudzinski (guitar, melodica and vocals) landed on this corner of Eastern Europe to give us one of the most interesting debuts last year, under the name of Zerova.

Just as many artists decide to isolate themselves in search of inspiration, Zerova did the same. Taking themselves to the countryside, their music was then gifted with the cold whispering winds of the Baltic Seas, with the relaxing ambients from Iceland, with the melancholic and smooth electronics from Sweden and Amelie Poulain's beloved Paris, and the mysterious folk sounds of darkened Poland.

In their music, one can find influences from the sounds of Scandinavia but not only ....... Sigur Ros, Mum, Yann Tiersen or Orb ......... all of them, found space in their music. Enchanting melodies, ghostly whispers, hypnotising synthesizer backgrounds and a marriage between sci-fi soundtracks and folk bring us the unique sounds of Zerova.

I Think We've Lost was released on the British label, Herb Recordings, home to Myppa, another interesting Polish project, and can be found at the following online stores iTunes, BeatPort or imusiclabel.

Fukka'jo[mp3]

Home.Pop.Compilation (PL/..)

2007-04-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

The young label Home.Pop.Records released last March their third record, this time, a compilation.

Home.Pop.Compilation is quite unique on its own way. Mainly dedicated to pop music, ambient and minimal electronic sounds, we can find on these 15 tracks some other interesting proposals that fall completely out of this spectrum (bands like Brzask!, AGD and Pustki) and still we feel this as a whole.

According to Tomasz Bien and Tomasz Bednarczyk:
"...Although it showcases many artists representing various music genres, it is a coherent and, for us, a very personal record. We invited our friends to participate: young musicians collaborating with Home.Pop.Records, still searching for their place, people we are very indebted to or artists whose work we find motivating and whose music we like and appreciate....."

Home.Pop.Compilation gathers 15 previously unreleased tracks, combining demo versions with some older material, kept in the closet up to now, and other tracks specially recorded for this occasion.

Among these artists we can find some known to Music@PL.PT: Silver Rocket, Tomasz Bien, Tomasz Bednarczyk (both responsible for Home.Pop.Records) and one of their projects At Home, Old Time Radio, Zerova (one of last year's Music@PL.PT revelation band) and Pustki. The others, come as a good suprise.

The album starts with I, a track by the two Tomasz, Bien and Bednarczyk. Their music walks by large green fields of minimal and ambient music. It seems that we opened that tiny wooden music box, and the ballerina keeps dancing and swirling, again and again, to the fragile electronic music drops of I.

Zosia Esden and Marcin Dymiter bring us Osadzona. Under the name of Esden and Emiter, this duo continues on the same fields of ambient electronic music. The subtle and delicate voice of Zosia, the minimal sound blips and piano notes that go on during these three and a half minutes transform this song in something so fragile, so little and so beautiful.
This track is a preview of their upcoming album.

The third track is courtesy of Julia, a young girl from Sweden. En minut till slut takes us to the sounds of Stina Nordenstam, with cold winter textures being drawn by a delicate and fragile voice.

Silver Rocket came along with Karolina Kozak (of the Polish band Dr. No) and Bogdan Kondracki for this Escape. Different to the tracks presented up to now, this song is closer to what we saw on last year's Silver Rocket album. Yet, more melodic, with Karolina wispering, singing and repeating I wanted to go away so delicately and catchy. Never before five words sounded so well. Special note for the sax and the keyboards that keep company to Karolina so perfectly.

Old Time Radio were one of the bands that recorded a song specially for this compilation. Sparkle is a nice song, but does not bring anything new to what we were expecting from OTR. This could be, quite easily, a b-side to any single out of the 2006 album Downtown.

One of our favourite Polish bands, Zerova, delivers Home on the wall. This track, specially recorded for this compilation, brings us Maja and Pawel on the vocals, singing over delicately built ambient and dreamy textures, where fragile bits drop slowly as an old clock going "tick tack, tick tack....."

Pasmanteria were one of the bands I didn't know anything about. Daniel Witnicki welcomes us with 50 seconds of ambient electronic music and pleasant weird sounds that keep coming out of the speakers. Psi detektywi opened my appetite for this project.

AGD is another project I didn't know. Winda do Suszarni could be the instrumental version of a Tom Waits song. Jazzy with some slightly bizarre tunes (in a good sense), this is the perfect visit card for those that, just like me, do not know this band. This song, on a slightly different version, appeared six years ago on their album Echolokator.

On Pustki's Oranzada, nothing better than their own words. ".....We've always wanted to make a song that would make an ideal soundtrack to a gangster movie. And we associate this atmosphere with the streets of San Francisco. Some guy escapes, he's being chased by a police car, they turn into a side alley and land in the rubbish dump. This is what this song's about..." . The track was recorded back in 2002.

Blus is Brzask!'s share on this album. Completely out of the pop, ambient, minimal electronic music circle, this band delivers a fresh and interesting post-punk proposal. With an interesting vocal contribution, this guitar driven, bass maniac track lands here just as Tim Burton's aliens did on Las Vegas...... quite well.

Polpo Motel's proposal is one the most interesting tracks to come out of this record. Mortal Angel brings the collaboration between Olga Myslowska and Daniel Pigonski (of Elektrolot). Dense and dark ambients accompanied by Olga's remarkable voice, pleasants buzzes and a constant drumming, take us to some of the 70's and 80's pop. Suprising and beautiful.
This song is a preview of their forthcoming debut album.

Tomasz Kowalski drops us Petardy. This young artists, member of At Home, unveils the perfect soundtrack for a fairy tale movie. Sounding so lovely and delicate, as if these sounds were coming out of a little magic music box.

Tomasz Kowalski drops by, once again, now together with Tomasz Bien and their project At Home. Dissolve travels amidst a dense, blurry and endless sound curtain. Guitar chords provide guidance in the middle of these beautiful noises that comfort our mind and ears and keep us hitting the repeat button. Simple........ and amazing.

Patryk T is the artist that follows. One More Night Outside The Home continues the same path At Home did before. A dense and melancholic sound texture, more melodic this time, a guitar that lends some notes to it. Lo-fi and ambient pop at its best.

The compilation ends with the two Tomasz, the Bednarczyk and the Bien, and their loopy exercise track, that welcomes us whenever hitting the Home.Pop.Records homepage.

As a whole, a very interesting proposal. A record worth buying!!!

Next, the track list and the mp3 for the first track, by the two Tomasz.

01. Bien_Bednarczyk - I
02. Esden_Emiter - Osadzona
03. Julia - En minut till slut
04. Silver Rocket - Escape
05. Old Time Radio - Sparkle
06. Zerova - Home on the wall
07. Pasmanteria - Psi detektywi
08. AGD - Winda do suszarni
09. Pustki - Orenzada
10. Brzask! - Blus
11. Polpo Motel - Mortal angel
12. Tomasz Kowalski - Petardy
13. At Home - Dissolve
14. Patryk_T - One more night outside the home
15. Bednarczyk_Bien - II

This album can be bought at Home.Pop.Records online store.

The Temple Bell by Old Jerusalem (PT)

2007-04-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

Francisco Silva is back with his project Old Jerusalem. This time, on its third release, this singer-songwritter takes us to The Temple Bell, an album released, once again, on the Portuguese independent label Bor Land.

As previously on Twice The Humbling Sun and April, Francisco Silva keeps sailing in a sea of melancholy, spreading the spectrum of folk music, with mellow and beautiful acoustic songs, intimate and emotive lyrics and stories on love and little insignificant things. This might have to do with the fact that some of these songs were supposed to be released on his second album, Twice The Humbling Sun, and that others came to life on 2005 and 2006 when Francisco was promoting that very same album.

On this third chapter, Francisco's lo-paced vocals, the acoustic tunes that drop slowly out of the guitar and the introduction of such instruments as cello and vibraphone, among others, take us from reality, carrying us to a very special place where there's no disturbance but those fine and intimate tunes coming out of your stereo.....

The album, with its 11 songs, starts wonderfully with Her Scarf, the first single out of this The Temple Bell, with Francisco on vocals and Ana Figueiras supporting him with her delicate and sweet vocal contribution. This song somehow gives us a taste of what Old Jerusalem is up to now. Next we head to Dayspring (go to Sleep, Now), definitely a close encounter with Kurt Wagner's music. The song evolves slowly with the percussion and the guitar setting up the pace to Francisco's whispered lyrics.

Ruler Of My Heart is one of the most beautiful songs out of Old Jerusalem's third album. A step ahead of the material Francisco recorded before, this little song becomes a giant close to all the other ten tracks.

Throughout these 39 minutes there is still time for Grasshoppers, Boxes, Lunar Calendar and Time Time Time, another three pearls on an album that, unfortunately, does keep up with what we are shown on the very beginning. After Lunar Calendar, and with the exception of Time Time Time, the songs start sounding more to each other, loosing that feeling of novelty we could find on the first five tracks.

The Temple Bell is one of my favourite albums released in Portugal this 2007. Listen to some mp3s right next, or visit Old Jerusalem's Myspace for some other tracks.

Her Scarf
Dayspring (Go To Sleep, Now) - preview
Ruler of My Heart- preview
Grasshoppers
Boxes- preview
Summer of Some Odd Year

The album can be bought here.

Find Old Jerusalem live on the

27/04/07 @ Matosinhos, on Fnac Norteshopping
29/04/07 @ Oporto, on Casa da Animacao
11/05/07 @ Portalegre, on the Centro de Artes e Espectaculos

Paulo Praca's Disco de Cabeceira (PT)

2007-04-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it happens this way.

Unexpectedly, we come across one of those albums that not only suprises you, seduces you, but becomes one of those objects you want to carry with you all day long, keeping it close to yourself. This happened recently with Paulo Praca's debut solo album Disco de Cabeceira.

This release is all about love, emotions and ironic pop stories that sometimes gain courage and become rock hymns.
It is all about 12 songs of pure and beautiful simplicity, melancholic moods, beautiful melodies, catchy refrains and fragile wispered words. This Disco de Cabeceira is just like pop music painted in light blue, side by side with delicate passionate pink backgrounds, surrounded by inspiring green tones.

After being involved in several other projects (Plaza, Turbo Junkie and Grace), the time has come for Paulo Praca to go solo. With lyrics mainly (one of the tracks is signed by Ana Deus) by the poet Walter Hugo Mae, we are taken into his world of pop and melody with such remarkable tracks as Nao Te Quero Faltar, (Diz) A Verdade, A Virgindade Da Patricia, Jack O Estripador, A Forca Da Nossa Voz, Guerra Ao Coracao or A Princesa Que Nao Quis Ser Salva.

For all those that keep saying music sung in Portuguese in not interesting at all, think twice!!!! Listen right next to some previews of Disco de Cabeceira.

Check some more on Paulo Praca on this e-card or at his site.

Disco de Cabeceira can be bought right here.

Nao Te Quero Faltar
As Mocas A Janela
(Diz) A Verdade
A Virgindade Da Patricia
Jack O Estripador

IndieLisboa: the capital under the sign of independent film

2007-04-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

Undoubtedly one of most exhilarating local film events, IndieLisboa is back to celebrate its fourth edition with a programme that includes over 300 titles.

The Austrian experimental music documentary Life in Loops by German-born director Timo Novotny was chosen to open the festival, setting clear from the very start the independent orientation of the showcase, which this year will also feature five European films competing for the Film Grand Prize (€7,500), alongside another wave of European titles spread throughout the festival’s sidebar sections.

Europeans in competition include emerging filmmaking talents who have won acclaim in international festivals, such as Hungarian director Agnes Kocsis, who will present her Cannes 2006 entry Fresh Air; Sweden's Jesper Ganslandt, onhand with his Venice 2006 intimate teenage drama Farval Falkenberg; France's Laurent Achard, winner of the Best Director award at Locarno last year for Demented; Germany's Stefan Krohmer with Summer '04 (Director's Fortnight 2006); and Switzerland's Jeanne Waltz, with the Berlin 2007 entry Pas douce.

The new generation of indie German directors (Christoph Hochhaeusler, Romuald Karmakar, Ulrich Kohler, Aysun Bademsoy, among others) will share the spotlight of the Independent Hero sidebar section with Japanese director Shinji Aoyama, while another section will be dedicated to the seven titles co-financed by Austria's New Crowned Hope Festival, which includes Venice 2006 winner Daratt – Dry Season by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun and the unpredictable love story of the Taiwanese/French film I Don't Want To Sleep Alone by Malaysian-born director Tsai Ming-Liang.

On a more commercial register, the Observatory section will screen two Portuguese titles: Floripes by Miguel Goncalves Mendes and Rio Turvo by festival regular Egdar Pera.

IndieLisboa will also organize the second edition of Lisbon Screenings: Portuguese Premieres (April 20 – 22), which aims to present a series of new films from local filmmakers to international sales agents, distributors, festival representatives and critics.

More Portuguese artists will be represented on the Short Film Competition. China, China, by Joao Pedro Rodrigues and Joao Rui Guerra da Mata; A Ilha Da Boa Vida, by Merces Tomaz Gomes; Jantar em Lisboa, by Andre Carrilho; Kitty & Julio, by Claudia Rita Oliveira; Primeiro Voo, by Nuno Bernardo and Sobe, Adensa, Esgarca, Desce, by Ana Eliseu and Mathilde Neves.

Music made in PT will make its premiere as well with Otavio Ribeiro's Nu Bai - O Rap Negro, and Filhos do Tedio, by Rodrigo Fernandes and Rita Alcaire.

For the little ones, on IndieJunior, a Charlie Chaplin's film with Coty Cream in charge of the sountrack, live.

The program can be downloaded from here.

Original article taken from CineEuropa and written by Vitor Pinto. Edited by Music@PL.PT.

Inept Vision by Holdcut (PL)

2007-04-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

We've talked about Holdcut recently. It is time to talk about this young man once again.

This April saw Holdcut releasing Inept Vision, the latest album to an existing extense list. 15 tracks of break-beats, hip-hop, downtempo, jazzy textures and ambient moods. Real life soundtracks, fast forward world music zapping and songs dressed in such gigantic proportions.

Inept Vision sees as well a superb list of special guests joining this cause. Edas, Dj. Krime, Dj. Primeminister, Duze Pe, Magdalena Dziegiel and Seledyn enrich this album in such manner. The sound expands itself, crossing new frontiers. The music sounds more organic than before. It smells to curry, to Ali Baba and to the Orient Express.
This is music that tells stories.... about you, about me, about them... music that perspires emotions and takes us to a world of fantasy, where dreams come out of television screenings.

Inept Vision has arrived with its incredible beats and scratches, cut & paste techniques, scents and melodies. Altogether, one of his most accomplished releases so far and a good suprise for this 2007. Our five stars go to the tracks We Were Here (with Magdalena Dziegiel and Duze Pe), Furious Feelings, Abstract Moment, Friendship? (with Magdalena Dziegiel) and Forgot Music (feat. Seledyn).

Check it out temporarily right here. Permanent address should get back to shape quite soon.

Discover right next, the promo video for Inept Vision.

Goc and Miles From Reality (PL)

2007-04-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

M.oon Label just got a new record out.

Miles From Reality is the release by the 21 years old Olkusz-based Tomek Goc.

Breakbeat, chill-out, house and jazzy flavoured electronic music is the menu offered to us on Goc's recent mini-album.
With almost 30 minutes of music spread on 9 tracks, we step on-board on a journey of relaxed textures and colourful ambients(Inatomiser, Drump, Silent and Stiff Morning), downtempo world spiced tunes (Ada and E-Kasetony), break beats (Pracnipirt) and house-inspired breezes (Tripincarp).

The most accomplished track gives by the name of Miles From Reality. Warm soul vocal samples under an hypnotic downtempo landscape.

Just relax and sit back. You're about to go Miles From Reality....

The album is available, for free download, at M.oon Label.

Listen to the following tracks right here.

Miles From Reality
Ada

Co's King's Meal (PL)

2007-04-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

....Jestes glodny?
Need some more fat?!
Starczy dla wszystkich.
Eat it!....

CO, aka Maciek Kujawski, has released recently King's Meal, a 12 track musical experience of rich tapestries and influences.
Electronic and experimental music with spiral cracking noises, robot-like dance music and hip hop, among many other styles, are part of this weird but amazing album.

With guests The Complainer, Deuce and Miss Hawaii, Co delivers an album that may not conquer that many after first time listening, but for sure will do it better after a second or a third time.

Kicking off with the beats of thriller-like Blow, we go past Angel Twins, an hallucinating electro screaming exercise that will drive its way right deep into your mind. Next, it is time for a close encounter with The Complainer and his experimental noise tribute to Hank Williams on the machine driven Hank.

We're driving fast now, going through the likes of the bizarre electro seductive So Slowly, the "poppy" Feel Free featuring Deuce, No More Wool and to Co's vision on Polish Rap, together with Miss Hawaii.

After the golden duo, Golden Blow and Golden King, we get to the industrial tunes of and to the LCD friendly CoilRoLlLlLlL. Repetitive lines, tunes that keep banging and banging on your head. Damn fu**in' good!!!!

King's Meal finishes with Kick & Kill, the perfect dessert for all of you kings out there. Crazy electro beats and arse kickin' vocals, played on fast-forward mode.

King's Meal was released on Mik Musik. Get it right here.

Do not resist!! Offer no resistance!!! Let your body dance to King's Meal.

Pink Punk Freud (PL)

2007-04-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Their backgound goes as far as yass or punk rock. Their music embraces rock, jazz, klezmer, drum'n'bass and downtempo, among many others.

Dressed in improvisation, groove and genius, innovation and ordered chaos, this year Wojtek Mazolewski, on bass, loop and sampler, Kuba Staruszkiewicz, on drums, Tomek Zietek, on trumpet, and Tomek Duda, on sax, delivered us Punk Freud, an album told in 10 chapters where Pink Freud explore their sound further, combining it with new elements, handing us such a fresh sound, so live and so damn appealing. It looks as if these instruments have a life of their own.

Among the wealthy disorder reigning on this record, there is also time for smooth and delicate soundscapes as on Wszystko Plynie, for beautifully driven sax moments as on Sex Przemoc Lek i Niemoc, for trumpet and sax dialogues as shown on Piasek Piasek Kupa Piasku and for chill-out breezes as on Porno Pogoda.

For Pink Freud it all started back in 1998 when four young lads decided to band, but not just a band...... Almost 10 years later we have among us not a promise but a fact. Pink Freud have been taking their sound throughout Europe and their records collecting positive critics everywhere.

On Punk Freud there is still some time for a new revision of Charles Mingus' Canon and other moments of inspiration and dynamism. Dziwny Jest Ten Kraj, Velvet and Police Jazz are a perfect example of that.

After last year's Contemporary Noise Quintet's debut, this year's jazz world kicks out on its best with Pink Freud.

Check their cover for Nirvana's Come As You Are right here, together with Jazz Fajne Jest (together with a remix by Peepol) right next. Listen to some other tracks at their MySpace.

Buy their album and support Pink Freud.

Come As You Are
Jazz Fajne Jest
Jazz Fajny Jest (Peepol rmx feat. Mika Urbaniak)

Check our agenda for Pink Freud live in concert.

New Century Classics EP (PL)

2007-04-01T15:00:00.001-07:00

Never thought I'd go back again to New Century Classics that early.

Never thought I'd be so suprised, again, in one of their concerts.....

New Century Classics (NCC) played this Sunday at Lubu Dubu, presenting their debut EP. This was the best occasion to see how this band had evolved since last time they played live, about one month ago.

Once the concert finished, I must confess that it looked like one year or more had just flew in front of me. How come NCC changed so much in just one month......

All those interruptions between their songs are gone; they sound more sure of themselves, much more confident.
The sound?.... This one sounds great, powerful, carrying emotions one can only dream of. Their music can, perfectly, drive you to a state of ecstasy. The swirling sounds, the blasting and tempting melodies, those catchy guitar chords and that melancholic crying violin........

There was time to see Anna on the synths, guitar, egg... Dana on the violin (the sound of her violin gives such a touch to their music), guitar and synths, Marek on guitar and synths, Antonello (the only one that stood with the same instrument throughout the whole gig) on percussion and Mateusz on lead guitar and, as it couldn't be any other way, giving a hand on the keyboards. One hour after, I felt as if it was Saturday morning; a beautiful sunny Saturday morning. I was sure I had seen one of the most interesting concerts this year...

Now back to the EP. New Century Classics released this Sunday their debut EP, curiously entitled EP. As we mentioned before, their debut features Sandbox Love, Children Of An Uncertain Future and Radom Acts OF Happiness (these three tracks can be found at their MySpace), plus Drift Motion and A Small Misunderstanding.

I'll start with the last two. Drift Motion is an exercise that starts softly, with delicately played guitar chords. Beautiful long distorced guitar feeds open space to Antonello's bangs and drums, this time more controlled, until we hit the fourth minute and all their energy is released.

A Small Understanding is one of their typical tracks. The music keeps growing and growing and then.... as fireworks colour those dark and solitary nights, as thunders create that mix of fear and astonishment, so does their music create such feelings. It iluminates, astonishes but does not create fear. Indeed it gives space to hope and satisfaction.

The first three tracks, now re-recorded with Antonello's arse kickin' percussion sound better than ever. I've listened to these five tracks several times nd I just can't let go. It's quite difficult to let go. Their music gets deep into your bones. Their music opens its arms and holds you close, not letting you go. Surrender!!!!

Discover New Century Classics, one of our favourite bands for this 2007.

Listen to part of their EP at their MySpace.

This month on Blitz and Machina (PT/PL)

2007-04-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

This April, the monthly magazines Blitz and Machina brings us the following:

Blitz

This month's cover goes to Da Weasel. An exclusive interview with the band that is about to release Amor, Escarnio e Mal Dizer, their latest album.

There's still time for some discussion on the music industry today. Sales' numbers versus the astonishing increase of concerts and events.

There is still some time to talk with Teresa Salgueiro, of Madredeus, and then, some album reviews. To be found on this number, the new album by Blasted Mechanism, Da Weasel, U-Clic and Blind Zero.

Machina

This Polish pop-culture monthly magazine brings us some interviews with the Polish writter Hubert Klimko-Dobrzaniecki, the film director Wojtek Kasperski and the musician Tymon Tymanski.

An article on the Warsaw-based indie pop band Plyny (about to release their debut record this month), on Jerzy Grotowski, Robert Kusmirowski, Krzysztof Scieranski, Mika Urbaniak, Kasia Urbaniak and Urszula Dudziak.
There is still some time for Kazik Staszewski talks on the Polish cinema, and then the album reviews.
Pogodno, with two pages dedicated to them and their newest Opherafolia. Available as well, the reviews for the latest albums by O.S.T.R., Blue Raincoat, Brak, Habakuk and Houdini.

Good reading then.....

Noite/Nuit by Tiago Sousa and SRX (PT/FR)

2007-03-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

Merzbau just got a new album out. Noite/Nuit is a split EP with the artists Tiago Sousa, member of Goodbye Toulouse and Jesus, the Misunderstood, and the French artist with Portuguese origins Sandra Reignoux, aka SRX.

Tiago Sousa, after his solo debut with Crepusculo, returns on this split EP with three melancholic tracks completely dominated by his piano. The perfect companionship for those long and cold winter nights, his music is of several faces, carrying dark tones dressed in light blue silk.
A Espera would perfectly suit one of those black and white mute thriller films, where this character follows someone in this never ending alley.

His share on Noite/Nuit ends with Folha Caduca, another moment of melancholic crescendo, quiet and beautiful music.

SRX is Sandra Reignoux. With a delicate and trembling voice, she starts her share on this Split EP with The Amazonian Sky, a song where piano notes fall side by side with
chorus in constant loop. Simple, beautiful and catchy.

Pieces for Portugal is an exercise where spoken-word meets a lonely piano. Both, closed in a dark room, singing solitude within darkness, expressing her fear and other emotions. Better Than continues on the same path. Words throw out, quietly, softly, delicately as if we were walking on thin ice.

In 2005 SRX released By the way, Ordinary things on the French label Another Record.

Discover these two artists @ Merzbau.

Download Noite/Nuit right next. For more information, just follow this link.

01 - Arvore Ancia
02 - A Espera
03 - Folha Caduca
04 - The Amazonian Sky
05 - Pieces for Portugal
06 - Better Than

Azevedo Silva - Tartaruga (PT)

2007-03-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

Last year Azevedo Silva delivered Claraboia, his debut, featuring 4 original tracks and a cover for Daniel Jonhston's Devil Town.

This year he brings us Tartaruga, his first long play. Splitting his time between Madcab and his solo career, Luis Silva found time to release these 11 tracks under the name of Azevedo Silva.

One again, a close encouter with slow paced, melancholic, lo-fi, acoustic and intimate music all sung so beautifully in Portuguese.

The album kicks off with the one minute intro Ao Mar. Then, Frio e Fome, an acoustic guitar driven track of such melancholy and beauty. Words that carry emotions; words that tell a story; words...... throw to winds..... Silva's voice drags itself slowly and mournfully. One of Tartaruga's pearls.

Vai Com a Chuva continues on the same mood and so do Bloqueio and Abutre. On the latter, with the acoustic guitar on his hands, we are told about the awful episodes some of us have to go through in real life. Tough reality, accompanied by the melancholy of Azevedo Silva's voice and the sad and delicate melodies.

Inimiga is more of a instrumental track. The few repeated lines dropped in-between the guitar chords seem more as an instrument rather than any other thing. ".....porque a vinganca se serve fria. Porque e' vinganca, sossega filha....."

Liberdade lives among echoes of cold lands' winter times and ghostly wispered sounds. Until Sorrir, the last song, we still have time to listen to the very personal and intimate Palavras de Ninguem, a song carried on the first person; the instrumental Do' and Deus Panico. Sorrir is the perfect soundtrack for our everyday's life in a city in rush: beautiful acoustic guitar chords that tell us to lay back, take a deep breath, relax....... and smile...

Tartaruga is an album that breathes sadness, loss, hope and saudade...
Tartaruga is here to be discovered. Get it right here.

Listen to Frio e Fome here.

Find more on Azevedo Silva on his MySpace.

"...Sim, eu sei que vou partir p'ralem. Tambem sei que vais herdar a dor de alguem que nao veras. Mas tudo tem seu tempo, perpetuo movimento, esse nao vai parar, jamais recuar. Agora eu penso no futuro e em tudo o que eu deixei p'ra tras. Amor, eu penso no futuro, nao sou capaz... Nao sou capaz....."