Crucial Listening

Sleepless Lagos, echoes of heaven, beastly synths. The sound artist and violist discusses three important albums. Ibukun's picks:Black Brunswicker – Wilder PathsRyan J Raffa – GinkgoKMRU – as it still isIbukun's new album Mantra is out via Phantom Limb's "Spirituals" imprint – check it out here. Head over to Ibukun's personal Bandcamp for more. He's also on Instagram and Twitter.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Beauty in djent-adjacency, solo-Jeep-screamo-touring, "bad guy" music. The multi-genre multi-instrumentalist discusses three important albums.Angel's picks:The Contortionist – LanguageSuis La Lune – HeirRush – Hold Your FireThe new Fire-Toolz album, I am upset because I see something that is not there., is out now on Hausu Mountain. Check it out on Bandcamp. Fire-Toolz had a website and is also on Instagram and Twitter. Oh, and check this out – a video for "Above All Else I Want To See" by the guest of last episode, Babak Ahteshamipour.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Fishing the sound, math rock imposter syndrome, maximalist gratitude. The Athens-based sound and visual artist discusses three important albums.Babak's picks:Black Midi – SchlagenheimRyuichi Sakamoto – asyncMachine Girl – U-Void SynthesizerBabak's latest album, Mind Flaying Flavored Flails, is out now on Jollies. Check it out here. Go explore the accompanying virtual exhibition over on New Art City. Babak has a website and is on Instagram.Donate to Crucial Listening on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Nostalgia rushes, unhurried solo guitar, Pharoah jumps in. The American trombonist and composer discusses three important albums.Kalia's picks:Grouper – Dragging A Dead DeerFloating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Contemporary Orchestra – PromisesJeff Parker – ForfolksKalia Vandever's new album, We Fell In Turn, is out 31st March on AKP Recordings. Kalia has a website here and is on Instagram.Donate to Crucial Listening on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Uncomfortable DJ sets, sacred ratio songs, the "best band in the UK right now". The primary member of The Brian Jonestown Massacre discusses three important albums.Anton's picks:The 13th Floor Elevators – The Psychedelic Sounds Of The 13th Floor ElevatorsAlice Coltrane – Turiya SingsThe Soundcarriers – EntropicaliaThe latest (and 20th!) BJM album, The Future Is Your Past, is out now. Their website is here. Follow Anton on Instagram and Twitter.Donate to Crucial Listening on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Communal grief, tapes from the Halal Meat Shop, time-space departures. The Hyderabadi Muslim American poet, musician, interdisciplinary artist discusses three important albums.Sham-e-Ali's picks:Alice Coltrane – A Monastic TrioNusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Live At The Royal Albert Hallvhvl – myrrhSham-e-Ali's new album, Moti Ka Sheher, is out now. Check it out here. She's got a website and is on Instagram.Donate to Crucial Listening on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Ruinous beauty, hauling a bass sax up the stairs, Hendrix's face, worlds of breath. The saxophonist and composer discusses his important albums.Colin's picks:Hendrix – Band Of GypsysPeter Brötzmann / Bill Laswell – Low LifeEnya – Shepherd MoonsSam Cooke – Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963Colin's new album Chimæra I is out now via ROOM40. You can also grab it on Colin's Bandcamp. Colin's website is here.Donate to Crucial Listening on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Intuitive resonance, cataclysmic dualities, bandleader grace. The UK-based saxophonist discusses three important albums.Xhosa's picks:Sonny Rollins – With The Modern Jazz QuartetShirley Horn Trio – SoftlyBalimaya Project – Wolo SoXhosa's latest album, Ibeji, is out now on Stoney Lane Records. Listen here. His website is here.Donate to Crucial Listening on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Heart wrung like a towel, Skullcandy bass, the magic of music boxes. The Beirut-based multi-instrumentalist, video artist and puppeteer discusses three important albums.Yara's picks:Aphex Twin – DrukqsColleen – Et Les Boîtes À MusiqueDaniel Johnston – Hi, How Are YouYara's debut album, Home Recordings 2018 - 2021, is out now via Hive Mind Records – check it out here. She's on Instagram – @microwave.blues.Donate to Crucial Listening on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Visions of hell/paradise, two G's in eggs, bizarre lemonade. The composer/multi-instrumentalist from Austin, Texas discusses three important albums.Mari's picks:Jim O'Rourke – EurekaRobert Ashley – Private PartsSOPHIE – ProductThe fabulous Strawberry Season by More Eaze is out now via Leaving Records. Check it out on Bandcamp or Boomkat. Mari is on Instagram and Twitter.