universal FICTIVE MUSIC ADVICE

Free Fictive Music Advice for every thinking being, by Dr. Kareem El Kandossy Zivana (Ageing Young Rebel, Keeper of Musical Rebels, Muse of Rebellious Musicians.

(a kind of) disclaimer

The goal of this page is NOT to review musical works or cd's.

This is just an eclectic selection of "maybe-not-so-obvious" (fusion-)music worth checking out (classical, ambient, rock, jazz, house, drum'n'bass, hip hop, world music, ...)

Maybe the listener(s) will discover something previously unknown, and hopefully like it.

The selection will be updated regularly.

Please, feel free to add similar "tips" in the "discuss this entry" section.

12 eclectic tips (in no particular order)

"The Turangalila Symphony", composed by Olivier Messiaen.

In this work one can hear the forefather of the synthesizer.

A strange, but addictive musical work, not for people with a short attention span. It's a pity Messiaen's pupil Boulez doesn't like the work (a Boulez-version would be somthing!), but the performance of the symphony by the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Antoni Wit is one of the best.

(Surprisingly, the work has not yet been used as soundtrack for a Science Fiction film.)

Naxos - 8554478

"Pandit Ravi Shankar" by (obviously) Ravi Shankar.

Classical Indian music: in this case, pure straightforward sitar-tabla duets (Alla Rakha plays tabla).

Perfect music to chill out, to just relax, and an excellent initiation to classical Indian music.

MPG - MPG 74065

"Tala Matrix" by Tabla Beat Science.

More Indian music: this time a fusion of Indian folk-music and modern dance music, with tabla (traditionally for accompaniment only) in prominence.

This is a project of bass-player Bill Laswell, featuring (among others) Zakir Hussain, Talvin Singh and Ustad Sultan Khan.

Axiom Records - PALMCD 2046-2

"String Quartets Nr. 7 and Nr. 8" composed by Dmitri Shostakovich.

In a way, more folk-music: especially in these two string quartes, the influence of Russian folk-music is immediately recognisable.

There is a boxed set available of the complete string quartets, performed by the Borodin Quartet, and well worth listening to.

BMG Melodiya - 40711

"Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of The Cell" composed, orchestrated and conducted by Howard Shore.

A blend of orchestral music with Moroccan folk-music.

The Moroccan music is played by the Master Musicians Of Jajouka.

Having seen the film is not essential. (Some would say luckily...)

Silva Screen Records - FILMCD 346

"Rainbow Dome Musick" by Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy.

Released in 1979, it is now considered an important precursor of ambient (house) music, and was a big influence on the music of The Orb.

Caroline - CRL0001803

"The Best of Gong" by Gong.

This is an excellent introduction to the psychedelic and experimental world of Gong, with mostly work from the early 70's. This is rock music, but expect the unexpected, musically and lyrically.

Charly - CDVAL 118-2

"You Remixed, Phase 1 and Phase 2" by various artists.

NOT just a compilation album, but "remixes" (a better description would be "remakes") of the songs from "You", a concept-album that was part of a musical trilogy, by the weird eclectic ensemble Gong. Participating artists include, among others, The Orb, The Shamen, Youth, Total Eclipse, Astralasia, System 7, 808 State, etc... A mix of rock, techno, drum'n'bass, ambient, dub, and more.

Hypnotic - CLP0118-2

"Xen Cuts" by various artists.

To celebrate its 10 years existence, the label Ninja Tune released this triple cd as a showcase of its diversity.

The first cd is mainly British hip hop and turntable-ism, the second cd is instrumental (a blend of hip hop beats and jazz), and the third one (which has the subtitle "Missed, Flipped and Skipped") is unclassified (weirder) stuff.

Ninja Tune - ZEN CD 49X

"Tourist" by St. Germain.

Jazz meets house music on a release from the classic jazz-label Blue Note. Thanks to sampling, guests include Marlena Shaw, Miles Davis and John Lee Hooker.

Blue Note - 7243 5 25114 2 6

"Essence" by A Guy Called Gerald.

Ethereal and melodiously flowing jazz-influenced drum'n'bass, with some of the most intricate drum-patterns, and the enchanting voices of different guest-singers.

!K7 - !K7088CD

"Solaris" by Photek.

Known for his surprising experimental drum'n'bass with its crisp jazzy drumlines, Photek recycles himself on this interesting techno / house album (only one of the tracks is 100% drum'n'bass, but the drumlines are as crisp and subtle as ever), with some vocal help from the unsurpassable Robert Owens and Simone Simone

Astralwerks - ASW 49831 7243 8 49831 23