I Recommend...

Though they aren't prog, I have to bring up a band I've discovered in my membership with the post-rock experts team.  Shogun Kunitoki are from Finland, and play a hypnotic style of minimalistic electronica (?) created entirely with computers.  Their sound is extremely reminiscent of something modern classical composer Steve Reich might do, basing itself entirely around repetition and hypnotic techniques.  Despite this general approach, the music manages to create a very full sound and an almost upbeat feeling.  It's perfect background music while doing something else, but the slow progressions and lush sound textures make it equally stimulating to focus on.  Their debut album was just released this year, and is entirely worth checking out for anybody with an interest in any sort of ambient or otherwise repetitive instrumental music.

chamberry wrote: I don't think that there's much to add since you decribed it nicely and I still haven't heard it..., But just to add some more info of the band I'll post their biography. Formed in summer 2004 by 4 veterans of the local experimental music scene:Astrid Proll adds up to the new local avant-garde musical movement with a challenging and broad sound. The innevitable conclusion of more than 15 years of musical career. Agustin "Chito" Criollo on Bass guitar, Synths and Vocals; Georgie Castro-Ramirez on Guitars and Alto Sax; Andres Lugo on Synths, Prepared Guitars and Percussion and Fernando Rosado on Drums and Percussion compose this already infamous quartet of Experiemental Prog-Psyche Rock band. It is intended that Astrid Pröll's musical proposal, at times chaotic at times apocalyptic, mirrors the social and political reality that surrounds it. Their debut CD, released on the local indie label Noisex Records, depicts the cornerstone of all future AP's recordings blending some of the most visible influences of tha band together in a "Hallucinating Journey of Epic Proportions through Frenetic Rythms and Blissfull Noise..." This is only the beginning of a new cicle for these not-so-new performers from the local scene. An innevitable evolution towards a musical territory much more faithful to their music's reality. The developing of a work space that will be able to integrate the artist and his endevour. Be that as it may, we will always know it as Astrid Pröll.

I have been talking with Agustín today and he's a very nice guy!  You have to get yourself a copy of this Chamberry!

I also learnt that I am currently (or was at the time of writing) the only person who has mail ordered this album, which also means I am the only person in the UK to have heard it as well (and probably that applies for the US as well).  I feel kind of pleased and privileged about that.  Hopefully if I hype it enough, I can add some more UK people to the list!

I insist on you getting a copy though.  When you do also, please try and review it, as the band need reviews for their press pack!  I'll be writing mine very soon.


Edited by Geck0 - August 27 2006 at 00:32

I don't think that there's much to add since you decribed it nicely and I still haven't heard it..., But just to add some more info of the band I'll post their biography.


Formed in summer 2004 by 4 veterans of the local experimental music scene:Astrid Proll adds up to the new local avant-garde musical movement with a challenging and broad sound. The innevitable conclusion of more than 15 years of musical career. Agustin "Chito" Criollo on Bass guitar, Synths and Vocals; Georgie Castro-Ramirez on Guitars and Alto Sax; Andres Lugo on Synths, Prepared Guitars and Percussion and Fernando Rosado on Drums and Percussion compose this already infamous quartet of Experiemental Prog-Psyche Rock band. It is intended that Astrid Pröll's musical proposal, at times chaotic at times apocalyptic, mirrors the social and political reality that surrounds it. Their debut CD, released on the local indie label Noisex Records, depicts the cornerstone of all future AP's recordings blending some of the most visible influences of tha band together in a "Hallucinating Journey of Epic Proportions through Frenetic Rythms and Blissfull Noise..." This is only the beginning of a new cicle for these not-so-new performers from the local scene. An innevitable evolution towards a musical territory much more faithful to their music's reality. The developing of a work space that will be able to integrate the artist and his endevour. Be that as it may, we will always know it as Astrid Pröll.

The new Dream theater dvd and cd, BUY IT OR DIE!

My recommendation:



Astrid Pröll - Astrid Pröll

Now available is their self-titled debut album and personally I feel it's my favourite album of the year so far.

The band hail from Puerto Rico and play a mix of styles, all definitely progressive and blend them all together to make a wonderful sonic soundscape.

Think of Robert Fripp playing on Third, with Gary Windo playing saxophone, but with a post-rock feel and you have the awesome track "Laboratorio Grotowsky".

Also expect some ambient soundscapes, that remind me of post-rock, as well as psychedelic space rock, on tracks such as "Obígenes del Movimiento" and "Resistencia".

And then there is the avant-garde feel to the whole album, which incorporates some nice samples and incidental sounds, as well as some gorgeous synth.

The lineup (some instruments I don't know, as the liner notes are in Spanish):

Georgie Castro-Ramirez: guitars, alto sax
Agustín "Chito" Criollo: bajo, guitar, synth, vox
Andrés Lugo: guitarra preparada, synth
Fernando Rosado: drums, percussion

Guests

Raúl Gaúd: teclados on "Orígenes del Movimiento" and "Disidente"
Ariel Hernández: ruido on "88MHz"
Bebo Rivera: Fender Rhodes on "Laboratorio Grotowsky"
Milton Barreto: tenor sax on "Laboratorio Grotowsky"

Tracks

1. Pröll 1
2. Catástrofe
3. Perro Negro
4. Disidente
5. Orígenes del Movimiento
6. Resistencia
7. 88MHz
8. Pröll 2
9. Torso
10. Laboratorio Grotowsky

You can hear four tracks from this album on their MySpace site: www.myspace.com/astridproll so check them out!

Finally, the album can be purchased for $12 (using PayPal) from www.noisexrecords.com

Chamberry maybe able to offer further information.


Edited by Geck0 - August 31 2006 at 00:49

....and the second Gilgamesh record, "Another Fine Tune..."

Archangels Thunderbird?

Poços E Nuvens (Brazil) - Província Universo (2001)

 

I have tons of new rec's for you all, but I will go one by one at each post.