The world's largest high-end audio consumer and industry show will be held this week in Munich, Germany. Learn about what to expect and new product demonstrations in this article from What? Hi-Fi. https://www.whathifi.com/news/high-end-munich-2024-preview
I first learned of Hania Rani during the pandemic while learning how to find my way around the Bandcamp website. Mesmerized by her music samples I downloaded "Live From Studio S2 (Complete Sessions)" which has become one of my go-to albums ever since. Rania is a pianist, composer and vocalist from Poland and her piano playing often times seems inspired 'in-the-moment'. Her music is well recorded and inspiring.
Ghost is a new album, just released this early May. I encourage you to check out her new music and back catalog on Bandcamp. Some albums are available via download (in a variety of formats) as well as vinyl and CD (not all are available in a physical format). While my preference is for CD or vinyl the shipping costs from European artists are prohibitive. Therefore thus far my Bandcamp purchases have all been downloads in AIFF format and all sound wonderful. Other formats are available if AIFF is not for you. A splendid album, here are the notes from Hania's Bandcamp website regarding this fine album:
Hania Rani announces her new album, Ghosts, bringing her songwriting and beautiful vocals to the fore and featuring special guests Patrick Watson, Ólafur Arnalds and Duncan Bellamy (Portico Quartet).
Ghosts is the sound of an ever-evolving artist and, just as the album’s title suggests she passes repeatedly and gracefully between musical worlds: as composer, singer, songwriter, and producer. This album builds on Rani’s earlier successes Esja and Home with an expanded yet still minimal setup of piano, keyboards, synths (most importantly her Prophet) and features more of her mysterious, bewitching voice. Its spirit is warm, beckoning one into an ambitious double album that unfolds at an exquisite pace, informed by her revelatory, exploratory live performances.
Ghosts is also an album of collaborations as Rani is joined by Patrick Watson, who breathes unearthly life into the ethereal ‘Dancing with Ghosts’. ‘Whispering House’is written and recorded with her friend, Ólafur Arnalds and casts a peaceful, ineluctable spell; and Portico Quartet’s Duncan Bellamy contributes vital loops to ‘Don’t Break My Heart’ and ‘Thin Line’.
Rani’s lyrics are partially inspired by a two-month residency in a small studio in Switzerland’s mountains, where Rani was working on the soundtrack On Giacometti for a documentary about the renowned Swiss artist. “Where I stayed was once an old sanatorium in an area which used to be very popular, but now there are huge abandoned hotels where the locals say ghosts live. I mean, it's kind of a local belief system – these ghosts even have names! – but once you're deep into nature or some abandoned place, your imagination starts working on a different level.”
“The edge of life and death,” Rani summarises, “and what actually happens in between: this was what really interested me. Even singing the word ‘death’ was quite a shock. It’s such a weird word to say out loud, and people are afraid of it, which I found extremely interesting. Most of the songs probably still talk about love and things like that, but Ghosts is more me thinking about having to face some kind of end.”
Gotta love CD box sets! These two hold all of the band’s original albums plus their ‘greatest’ hits of which there were many. 🎵
A wonderful recording, starring Bolling himself on piano and Yo-Yo Ma on cello. I found this mint CD copy for just $5.99 at Half Price. CBS Records MK 39059.
My early choice for 2024 Record of the Year…instrumental, sound effects, mystery, electronic…says it all. New music from Boris Blank. Must be listened to in its entirety. An amazing sonic masterpiece. Now on your favorite streaming service. Jump in and enjoy. 🎵
For vinyl and CD lovers, this is a reminder of the upcoming Spring edition of Record Store Day on April 20, 2024. Visit your local independent record store and pick up some great new releases from some of your favorite artists or, find new music from artists you've not heard before.
Here is a PDF of the April 20th releases. Enjoy!
Thanks again for subscribing to my music blog!
Doug
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Discovered this jazz gem yesterday on Instagram just as the Eclipse officially began. Its a winner!
I only recently discovered Carla Bley and her music thanks to a story about her in a music magazine. Sadly she passed away in 2023 and left a lot of recorded music to remember her by. I’ll write more about her at another time but check out her music. Wonderful composer and musician. #jazz #orchestra #music