Columns
Bell Labs: Shakuhachi In Crisis?
May 2020
In a sequel to his 2013 Bell Labs Flutes In Crisis column, Clive Bell takes a measure of the current state of Japan’s traditional bamboo flute
In a sequel to his 2013 Bell Labs Flutes In Crisis column, Clive Bell takes a measure of the current state of Japan’s traditional bamboo flute
Paul Purgas's research trip to Ahmedabad to investigate the city's early Moog composers is the subject of the new BBC Radio 3 documentary Electronic India. Ahead of its broadcast on 17 May, Frances Morgan caught up with him to hear some original recordings and discuss modernism in India, the afterlives of instruments, and the connection between the National Institute of Design, electronic music and the Indian space programme
John Morrison on how the 1980s black music scene gave Kraftwerk the club-wise edge
“The truth is that Tony could keep better time than any drum machine, but his emigration to Europe coincided with the increasing mechanisation of dance music.” Allen’s biographer and some time musical collaborator Michael Veal traces the ever evolving work of the heart-steady Afrobeat drummer
In this extract Harald covers the work of Swiss pianist and Feminist Improvising Group member Irène Schweizer, from her connections with South African exiles during the 1960s, to her involvement in women’s liberation and gay and lesbian movements
“Henry was not hired to fill the role of a bass player; he was hired to be Henry,” declares fellow bassist William Parker
“Hal came up in a music industry that no longer exists,” observes Alan Licht, in his tribute to the US producer
The pioneering 1960s free jazz saxophonist learnt the high cost of freedom playing for change in New York's subways and parks before his late period rediscovery by William Parker, Cooper-Moore, and others. By Pierre Crépon
“Spiritually, it’s a medicine, too, because if you play the drums with that perfection, you can bring the ancestors close to you. That’s the mystical side of drumming and how it can cure people.”
Haley Fohr of US band Jackie Lynn talks aliases and identity
Founder member of The Scratch Orchestra Carole Finer died on 20 March
“There’s still a way to preserve a space even if there are no venues,” says SHCR's Katy Roseland, whose station is primed and ready for indoor parties
Read a transcript of an interview conducted by Biba Kopf as part of an article on Neu! in The Wire 208, June 2001
Read an excerpt of Joseph Stannard's interview transcript with the the duo
Hasan Shahid reveals the secret history of Cleveland, Ohio's legendary The Black Unity Trio, whose 1969 album Al-Fatihah is set for reissue in late 2020. By Pierre Crépon
The trumpeter shares a full stream of his latest release and talks about his roles as bandleader, community music venue programmer and Sun Ra messenger
Alan Licht examines Genesis Breyer P-Orridge’s legacy of transforming 1960s psychedelic culture into a subversive vehicle for social change
Pat Thomas relays how great African traditions shaped Tyner’s musical education in the face of racist music journalism and white supremacy
Trumpeter, promoter and Heart N Soul affiliate Robyn Steward highlights eight artists from London’s inclusive conscious gig scene