On The Turntable

  • Close
     Gabriel da Rosa

    Gabriel da Rosa :: É O Que A Casa Oferece

    Gabriel da Rosa’s debut album, É o que a casa oferece, arrives at an auspicious time as Brazilian music is becoming more ubiquitous, cresting a wave of popularity that has been building over the better part of a century.

  • Close
    Meg Baird

    Meg Baird :: Furling

    Furling makes the case for Baird, once again, as one of the finest singers and songwriters of her generation.

    Read More
  • Close
    Stella Kola

    Stella Kola :: Stella Kola

    The self-titled debut from the ensemble makes clear an intention to work themselves into a small, yet prolific scene that fully embraces the groundbreaking era of the British Isles electrified folk rapture at the close of the 1960s.

    Read More
  • Close
    Cluster, Brian Eno

    Cluster, Brian Eno :: Cluster & Eno

    1977 meeting of the minds. Brian Eno, Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius.

    Read More
  • Close
    The David Grisman Quintet

    The David Grisman Quintet :: S/T

    The David Grisman quintet’s 1977 eponymous debut. Self-styled “dawg music,” this is where it all began. Jazz, bluegrass, newgrass and beyond.

    Read More
  • Close
    Yo La Tengo

    Yo La Tengo :: This Stupid World

    Essential YLT. Go see them on this current tour. You’ll thank us later.

    Read More
  • Close
    Thomas Almqvist

    Thomas Almqvist :: Nyanser

    Swedish composer and multi-instrumentalist Thomas Almqvist’s 1979 debut, Nyanser, is a Nordic masterpiece of folk, fusion, and world music. A guitarist first and foremost, he plays the record largely himself, his patient and winding passages often leading the sojourn across the album’s majestic thirty-eight minutes.

    Read More
  • Close
    Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção

    Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção :: Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei

    In line with the late records of Jovem Guarda, such as Erasmo Carlos’ 1970-1972 trilogy of later-revered proto-indie, as well as with Os Mutantes’ flavorful Brazilian psychedelia, Rubinho & Mauro Assumpção’s only ever release wanders through daring and often humorous experimentations.

    Read More

Lonnie Holley :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview

On Lonnie Holley’s Oh Me Oh My, the visionary bluesman unearths surreal experiences in hallucinatory, stream of consciousness poetry, backed by feverish, impressionistic jazz, funk and gospel music. Jacknife Lee, the acclaimed Irish producer, assembled the musical backing and incorporated contributions from guest artists, giving Holley’s music a shimmering dreamlike depth. A diverse group of collaborators, including Moor Mother, Michael Stipe, Justin Vernon, Sharon van Etten and Rokia Koné added their voices to these revelatory songs. Today, he joins us to discuss.

Langendorf United :: Yeahno Yowouw Land

The seeds for Langendorf United—a new quintet led by Swedish composer & saxophonist Lina Langendorf—took root in 2013 when she traveled to Addis Ababa, practicing Ethiopian scales and tonalities while studying the music of Mulatu Astatke, Getatchew Mekuria and Hailu Mergia. Ten years later, she emerges with Yeahno Yowouw Land, a smoldering mind-meld of free, spiritual, ethio-jazz recorded over two days with players from Sweden and Norway…

Transmissions :: Sharon Van Etten

Songwriter Sharon Van Etten joins Aquarium Drunkard Transmissions to discuss the 11th anniversary of her landmark album Tramp, her origins, her collaborators, and of course, her time on Twin Peaks: The Return, and why she was worried watching that show with her son in the house.

James and the Giants :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview

Over his many years perched in the tangled branches of American underground music’s family tree, James Jackson Toth has employed many names for his projects, including his own name, the ever-morphing Wooden Wand designation, DUNZA, and more. And now: James and The Giants. He joins us to discuss the personal and sci-fi nature of the record and ponder: What would Neil Young do?

Neil Young :: Time Fades Away (Again)

…a brilliantly raw snapshot, a weirdo masterpiece that trades the celebratory nature of most live albums for uncertainty, experimentation and feral wildness. To celebrate Time Fades Away’s golden anniversary, we’ve compiled an alternate version of the album. Some of it comes from the original Stray Gators tour, some of it comes from much later on. All of it captures the unhinged thrills of the original. Don’t be denied — listen in.

Habibi Funk: The Free Music (Part 1)

The latest installment in the always-winning Habibi Funk series highlights Libyan composer & producer Najib Alhoush’s band, The Free Music. The tellingly titled “Part 1” collection compiles tracks off two 1976 albums from the band, who all in all recorded, and self-funded, ten lps. The premiere selection absolutely smokes—bursting with a technicolor blend of soul, funk, disco, and reggae.

Bandcamping :: Spring 2023

Just in time for another Bandcamp Friday on April 7, we’ve got another selection of recent/recommended releases for your listening pleasure ranging from Agharta-damaged workouts to homemade minimalism. Fill up your cart and hit that “Buy” button.

Wadada Leo Smith :: Fire Illuminations

Late last year Wadada Leo Smith turned 81. The trumpeter and composer has been making records since the late 1960s when he was part of Chicago’s AACM, and he’s recorded for everyone from ECM to Tzadik, doing everything from solo trumpet records to string quartets. But as he gets to an age when most slow down, Smith’s been even more prolific than ever. Last year saw seven discs of string quartets, plus another five of duos between him and musicians like Jack DeJohnette and Andrew Cyrille. And now there’s another set: Fire Illuminations, a digital only release coming out via Smith’s own Kabell Records on March 31.