Latest Articles

Wild Thyme Music (1): A Sonic Meditation

A constantly evolving, multi-layered soundscape, tones being sustained until the desire to change them disappears, and melodies that are created from what is heard. 76 minutes with pieces by Pauline Oliveros, Ramón Sender and Randall McClellan.

Relics – Miniatures on Air (1953-2019)

Relics tell stories, take listeners on acoustic journeys or document situations. They can be poems, studio productions, field recordings or something else entirely. 53-minute mix from Paul Paulun's series Fundstück on DLF-Kultur with radiophonic miniatures by Anne Waldman, Helga Goetze, Mark E. Smith, Timothy Leary and 26 other artists.

The Tiger in Your Tank – Addressing Climate Change (1969-2020)

“The ecological catastrophe begins rehearsing in the Sixties,“ writes Allen Ginsberg in 1970; and for more than half a century, political systems have been unwilling to counteract this development. 45 minutes with sounds of protest – uttered by Appleblim, Diane Di Prima, Leslie Winer, Piero Umiliani and others.

Proper Krauts (1971-78)

The stoic, almost machine-like drumming of many West German music from the early 1970s became the trademark of a new sound – different from British pop or American rock and in no way related to the country's horrible Nazi past. 45 minutes with Cluster, Faust, Harmonia 76, Wolfgang Riechmann and others.

Future Japan – Technopop (1979-86)

Yellow Magic Orchestra's concept of combining pop, dance music and Far Eastern folklore quickly became synonymous with technopop in Japan. The band members also contributed to each other's solo recordings and collaborated with other musicians. 49 minutes with Apogee & Perigee, Friends Of Earth, Miharu Koshi, Ryuichi Sakamoto & The Kakutougi Session and others.

Perplex – Electronic Mood Music (1990-97)

After years of increasing intensity on the dance floor, culminating in gabber, around 1992 it was time for friendlier climes. Fifty-five minutes from the advent of personal computers and the internet for everyone – with Acid Jesus, The Black Dog, Cylob, Like A Tim and others.

Reggae? – Some Seventies Soul Fire

Driven by collaborations between producers, singers, and studio musicians in ever-changing constellations, the 1970s mark the transition from ska and rocksteady to a multitude of styles in Jamaica. 46 minutes with Keith Hudson, Norma White & Brentford Disco Set, Sound Dimension, Susan Cadogan and others.

More Poetry of DIY – Using the Means at Hand (1967-2011)

It is a common misconception that DIY music productions are necessarily made without a budget. In fact, their most striking feature is that they aim to create unique listening experiences with the resources available. 36 minutes with works by Blancmange, Gregory Whitehead, Minus Delta T, People Like Us and others.

Reggae From Scratch – Lee Perry (1968-78)

Known for his innovative studio techniques, unique production style and weird tunes, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry combined influences from soul, funk, reggae and dub in the early and mid-1970s. 46-minute mix with 14 tracks from the Perry orbit.

A Dandy From Heaven – Haruomi Hosono (1975-95)

Aware of musical traditions and eager to incorporate the latest technology in his productions, Haruomi Hosono is one of the most versatile and influential figures in Japanese popular culture. 44 minutes with various collaborations and solo works by the co-founder of Yellow Magic Orchestra.

Filed Recordings – Miking the World (1958-2018)

“Listen to your world. It may be more interesting than all the things you buy to escape from it.” 46-minute mix that proves Sasha Frere-Jones’ observation from 1999 right – with field-recordings by Alejandra & Aeron, Bill Fontana, Chris Watson, Paul Bowles and others.

Ambient Japan (1981-2004)

Free of artificial embellishments, well balanced, and designed with attention to detail, some Eighties' Japanese ambient music resembles the concept of the countries' traditional gardens. 51 minutes of music striving to enhance environments – with Haruomi Hosono, Inoyama Land, Masahiro Sugaya, Yasuaki Shimizu and others.