Blues: Illegal Operation – Down
Σύγχρονο blues με φοβερές συνθέσεις, καλή παραγωγή, ωραία παιξίματα και λειτουργική ενορχήστρωση. Όλα σε ισορροπία. Τέλειο.
Rock: Baby Guru – IV
Οι Baby Guru είναι η πιο σημαντική μπάντα του εγχώριου ροκ αυτή τη στιγμή καθώς η επιρροή της (και των μελών της) ξεπερνά τη δική της δισκογραφία και αποτυπώνεται σε μια σειρά από παραγωγές / συμμετοχές σε δουλειές άλλων αλλά και στις solo δουλείες των μελών της.
Pop: The Man From Managra – Half a century man
Το δεύτερο άλμπουμ του The Man from Managra (Coti K) περιέχει μια ακόμα παρτίδα καλοφτιαγμένων ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΩΝ από αυτά που σπάνια συναντά κανείς σήμερα. Κορυφαία ποπ (με την ευρύτερη – παλαιότερη – έννοια του όρου, με τραγούδια με κουπλέ/ρεφραίν, λιτές ενορχηστρώσεις και εκφραστικές ερμηνίες).
World: Trio Tekke & Dave De Rose – Zivo
Οι Trio Tekke πάνε ένα βήμα παραπέρα τον ήχο τους (με βάση το ρεμπέτικο) και με τη βοήθεια του Dave De Rose (εκτός από τη μουσική του συνεισφορά, το βάρος του βιογραφικού του ενδέχεται να ανοίξει κάποιες πόρτες κάτι που ούτως ή άλλως οι Trio Tekke το αξίζουν).
Jazz: Yiannis Kassetas – Northern Lights
O Γιάννης Κασσέτας σε ένα ακόμα κοσμικό ταξίδι με την αφρόκρεμα της ελληνικής τζαζ αλλά και τον Αμερικανό σαξοφωνίστα Craig Handy. Ένα περιπετειώδες άλμπουμ που σε συνεπαίρνει.
Έντεχνο: Σταύρος Ξαρχάκος – Ελεγείες και Σάτιρες
Μια έκπληξη της χρονιάς τόσο για το μουσικό/στιχουργικό μέρος, όσο και για την παρουσία του Ξαρχάκου ως βασικού ερμηνευτή του δίσκου.
Τέλος ακούσαμε το trailer (μόνο) της νέας δουλειάς του Τάκη Μπαρμπαγάλα. Πρόκειται για το Nocturne, το δεύτερο προσωπικό του άλμπουμ (μετά το Phosphorus Hesperus του 2015) που θα κυκλοφορήσει το Φλεβάρη 2018. Θα περιέχει τέσσερις συνθέσεις (η μία διασκευή σε πρελούδιο του Bach).
Με αφορμή την έκθεση "Η Εποχή του Διαστήματος - Ηλεκτρική και Ηλεκτρονική Τέχνη στην Ελλάδα 1957-1989" στο Ρομάντσο (22/6 - 10/9/2017), παρουσιάζουμε εδώ μια συλλογή τραγουδιών/συνθέσεων προερχόμενων από το διάστημα. Τραγούδια/συνθέσεις δηλαδή που "ασχολούνται" στιχουργικά ή μουσικά με τα διαστημικά ταξίδια, τις διαστημικές βάσεις, τα ΑΤΙΑ, τους πλανήτες, κλπ.
Η λογική της συλλογής είναι να συγκεντρωθούν εκείνες οι συνθέσεις που, ενώ μουσικά μπορεί να ανήκουν σε διαφορετικά είδη (electronic, rock, jazz, κλπ), ηχητικά έχουν στοιχεία αυτού που μπορεί να χαρακτηριστεί space ή cosmic music και φτιάχνουν ένα σύνολο που "ταξιδεύει" τον ακροατή.
Απουσιάζουν λοιπόν πολλά από τα "γερά" space χαρτιά όπως πχ τα Αστρόνειρα και ο Τουρνάς, ο Σιδερένιος Άνθρωπος των 2002GR και άλλα (θα υπάρξει συνέχεια...).
7 τραγούδια λοιπόν από τη δεκαετία 2010 (τα πλέον πρόσφατα), 3 από τη δεκαετία 2000, 2 από τα 90s και 4 από τα 70s, σύνολο 16 τραγούδια με θέμα το διάστημα.
Tracklist
1. Albedo 0.39 - Vangelis (1976)
2. Spacestation 61 - The Flow (2003)
3. Celestial Mercury - Vault of Blossomed Ropes (2014)
4. Close Your Eyes When Orbiting New Planets - 2L8 (2011)
5. U.F.O. - Nightstalker (1996)
6. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun - Andreas Polyzogopoulos (2013)
7. Star Trek - Oasis (1979)
8. Astro-Man Theme - Prins Obi (2017)
9. Cosmos - Mr. Z (2015)
10. Blues From A Far Asteroid - Baby Trio (2012)
11. Jupiter - Sundayman (2016)
12. Up-Celestial Ecstasy - Glafx (1997)
13. 3000 Astra - Fantastikoi Hxoi (2008)
14. U.F.O. - Vavoura Band (1979)
15. Paraxena Nea Apo Kapoio Allo Astro - Diafana Krina (2008)
16. Astral Abuse - Alpha Beta (1971)
Το 2016 είχε αρκετά καλά άλμπουμ. Αυτά τα δύο όμως ήταν τα καλύτερα μου: το ντεμπούτο των Chickn και το υπέροχο τρίτο των Gravitysays_I, Quantum Unknown.
Αμφότερα εκδόθηκαν από την Inner Ear, που συνεχίζει να μας δίνει καταπληκτικά άλμπουμ.
The new album Phosphorus Hesperus by Takis Barbagalas is one of the 2015 surprises.
It’s been two years since the second Manticore’s Breath album and Takis returns to the atmospheric, progressive sound of Will-O-the-wisp to deliver a fully instrumental album inspired by the myth of Phosphorus and Hesperus, the star with the two names.
Phosphorus Hesperus is a progressive-psychedelic album based on guitar, farfisa and flutes. Dreamy and poetic.
There are 4 compositions in total: side A is Phosphorus (3 parts), side B is Hesperus (1 part).
The artwork is again of very high standards with a hard cover and colored vinyl.
There are 3 limited vinyl editions: 300 numbered blue vinyl, 300 numbered green vinyl and 65 red & purple split vinyl including cd, poster and card. There is also a cd edition.
Video - Giorgos Panourgias
Takis has kindly answered a few questions for GREEKAZOID (in Greek the original answers adapted in English by GREEKAZOID):
Συνέντευξη με τον Τάκη Μπαρμπαγάλα - An interview with Takis Barbagalas
G: Phosphorus - Hesperus, Αυγερινός - Αποσπερίτης. Ο ήχος και οι συνθέσεις φέρνουν περισσότερο στο μυαλό τις μέρες των Will-Ο-the-wisp αλλά με ένα πιο ανοικτό και εξωστρεφή τρόπο. Πως προέκυψε αυτός ο δίσκος;
Phosphorus – Hesperus. The sound and compositions bring in mind the Will-O-the-wisp days but in a more extrovert way. How did this record come up?
TB: Η ιδέα για έναν instrumental δίσκο προέκυψε μετά την δημιουργία του τρίτου δίσκου των Will-O-the Wisp. Γι’ αυτό το λόγο στον τέταρτο δίσκο (A gift for your dreams) τα φωνητικά είναι περιορισμένα, ενώ τα μουσικά μέρη μεγαλύτερα. Η ίδια συνθήκη ίσχυσε και στα άλμπουμ των Manticore’s Breath. Μετά από αυτές τις παραγωγές θεώρησα ότι ήμουν πλέον έτοιμος για έναν instrumental δίσκο. Ο ήχος πλησιάζει περισσότερο στους Will-Ο-the-wisp, αφενός γιατί είναι ένας psych-prog δίσκος, αφετέρου γιατί δημιουργήθηκε από τους ίδιους συντελεστές. Η συνθετική λογική, η τεχνική και το κλίμα του δίσκου όμως διαφέρουν εντελώς, με το τελικό αποτέλεσμα να διαφοροποιείται αισθητά από τη δισκογραφία των Will-Ο-the-wisp. The idea for an instrumental album evolved after the 3rd Will-O-the-wisp record. That’s why the 4th album (A gift for your dreams) had extended musical and less vocal parts. The same condition was also present in Manticore’s Breath albums. After these releases I considered myself ready for a full instrumental one. The sound is closer to Will-O-the-wisp as it is a psych-prog record created by the same band members. Yet the approach and technique behind the composition differ and so does the ambience, making the final outcome quite different from the Will-O-the-wisp discography.
G: Κάνεις τις παραγωγές των δίσκων σου, φροντίζεις τα εξώφυλλα, αλλάζεις συχνά εκφραστικά σχήματα αλλά δεν κάνεις live. Σου λείπει η επαφή με τον κόσμο; Σου γίνονται προτάσεις να παίξεις στο εξωτερικό;
You produce your records, design the covers, change frequently expressive vehicles but hardly do any live performance. Do you miss this interaction with your audience?
TB: Τα τελευταία χρόνια, το ενδιαφέρον μου εστιάζεται ιδιαίτερα στη σύνθεση και στο studio. Ως προς το κομμάτι της δημιουργίας νομίζω πως αυτό με καλύπτει απόλυτα. Επίσης θεωρώ πως είναι λίγο δύσκολο να αποδοθεί στο live η όλη εικόνα, που έχω στο μυαλό μου. Ίσως στο μέλλον να κάνω ορισμένες επιλεκτικές εμφανίσεις. Όσον αφορά το artwork και την παραγωγή των δίσκων δίνω ιδιαίτερη σημασία στο να αποδοθεί το κλίμα του δίσκου με τον καλύτερο τρόπο και το τελικό αποτέλεσμα να φτάσει σ’ ένα υψηλό επίπεδο. These last years I am particularly interested in composing and working at studio. As of the creative part I am fully satisfied with this. I consider it difficult to make a live performance as I envision it. Probably in the future we will do some selective appearances. As for the artwork and the production, they are of great significance to me in order to best support the music and achieve a high quality standard.
G: Τι να περιμένουμε μετά; Δεύτερο προσωπικό, WOW, Manticore ή κάτι άλλο;
What to expect next? A second personal album, Will-O-the-wisp, Manticore’s Breath or other?
TB: Η επόμενη κυκλοφορία θα είναι ένας δεύτερος προσωπικός δίσκος, κατά πάσα πιθανότητα instrumental. Υπάρχουν ήδη δύο συνθέσεις έτοιμες και ηχογραφημένες. The next release will be a second personal album, probably instrumental. Two compositions are already finalized and recorded.
G: Έχεις κάποιο "τρελό" μουσικό όνειρο που θα ήθελες να πραγματοποιήσεις κάποτε;
Do you have a “wild” music dream you want to make true at some point?
TB: Νομίζω πως μετά από τόσα χρόνια και τόσους δίσκους έχω πραγματοποιήσει αρκετά από τα τρελά μουσικά μου όνειρα, μέσα από τα οποία αποβλέπω σε μία συνεχή μουσική εξέλιξη. I think after all those years and records I have fulfilled many of my wild music dreams, through which I aim at a continuous musical evolution.
Following the last post reManticore’s Breath there is a song in their album that stands out.
It’s somehow like an interlude and definitely not a representative of the sound of the album.
Yet it is a beautiful song and the first of some “space” tunes I try to present here.
Manticore’s Breath - Astral Lament, 2011
Another space tune here from Fantastikoi Hxoi.
The album is full of Kraut and space influences in any case and still one of the best local efforts.
It’s a private release (digital) that you can find here: fantastikoihxoi.blogspot.com
Vagelis Pitsiladis as already discussed has a very diverse career spanning from Euro-disco to Greek popular music.
His contribution to our space soundtrack is from his 1979 Oasis album, Call me now.
Oasis – Star Trek, 1979
Stavros Logaridis was member of the famous group of the 70s, Poll and then Akritas, the progressive group which left a classic album.
In 1978 he released his first solo album with same name.
From this album comes Snif Snif.
Stavros Logaridis – Snif Snif, 1978
Finally in 1976 Vangelis released a concept album around space, Albedo 0.39.
As he explains on the back cover, Albedo is the reflecting ability of a planet and 0.39 (39%) was Earth’s albedo at the time.
From this album here’s Pulsar which was also used by BBC as a theme.
From new wave to alternative rock, to psychedelic/progressive, to heavy progressive, to…?
Takis Barbagalas definitely likes changes as his 28-year spanning career proves.
First major step was Lefki Symfonia (White Symphony).
The group formed in 1984 and released 2 important and influential albums (Mystikoi Kipoi 1986, Iho tou Pothou 1988) before Barbagalas leave in 1991.
These first albums were closer to new wave (their sound became harder after Barbagalas left).
Lefki Symfonia - Mystikoi Kipoi (Secret Gardens) from the album with same name, 1986
In 1994 Barbagalas released a new album and single with Red Mist, the new band he formed with former singer of metal band Selefice. The sound is heavy like the grunge and alternative rock sound of the era.
Red Mist - Empire of All from their 1994 single (the song was also included in the album)
Barbagalas then makes a u-turn and deep dives into 70s psychedelic/progressive sound.
Will-o-the wisp seems to be the best vehicle for his artistic quest.
Formed in 1997 Will-o-the wisp released their first self-titled album in 1999.
Will-o-the wisp - Elbereth (Lonely Queen) from their first album, 1999
Another 3 albums follow (Second Sight in 2000, Ceremony of innocence in 2004 and A gift for your dreams in 2007) were the sound becomes even richer and the compositions move towards a pure progressive form reaching high standards on their last album, A gift for your dreams.
Will-o-the wisp - Nature Boy from A gift for your dreams album, 2007
The same team, that is the Will-o-the wisp composition since 2005 (Takis Barbagalas: guitars, Agelos Gerakitis: vocals, Kostas Pagonas: bass and Kostas Kostopoulos: drums), has started a parallel project under the name Manticore’s Breath.
Manticore's Breath - Devil's Hunger from 2010 EP
Their first 10inch was released in 2010 including 2 songs indicating a shift towards more heavy progressive forms.
Their 2011 album Death Breath actually established the new direction with 6 new tracks with heavy guitar riffs, a tight rhythm section and haunted vocals.
The album is released in 600 vinyl copies (sold out) and cd.
Manticore's Breath - Your truth is a dead God from Death Breath album, 2011
...of Nikos Grapsas, born 1957 in Lefkada island, Greece.
Nikos Grapsas has been a member in some of the most important Greek bands including Paralos, The 4 Levels of Existence, Dynameis tou Aigaiou (Aegean Forces), Trihordo, Avaton, Nearhou Paraplous. He has a rich solo career too as well as many collaborations with great composers like Hatzidakis, Markopoulos, Stavrianos, Halaris etc.
Besides his classical studies, his passion for folk and traditional music of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans makes him expand his studies to cover Byzantine music and the Turkish and Arabic music systems. He is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer.
So here are the "4 levels of existence" of Nikos Grapsas:
LEVEL 1: Heavy Progressive/Psychedelic
The 4 Levels of Existence was a heavy progressive/psychedelic band of the 70s. Grapsas played the guitar, sang and contributed in compositions. They recorded only one LP which was released in 1976 in only a few copies.
Many consider this a masterpiece of the 70s progressive rock. As the years past this album became very famous among collectors all over the world and changed hands for more than 800$.
The album has been re-issued in LP, CD, mp3 format. Check the official site.
But the story does not end here: in 2009 a representative of the American rapper and producer Jay Z calls the ex-band members to ask permission to include a sample of their song in the forthcoming Jay Z album Blueprint 3. Permission granted and some 33 years later their music contributes to a worldwide smash hit.
So here’s the original: The 4 Levels of Existence – Some day in Athens [1976]
…and here’s the same song sampled: Jay Z – Run this town [2009]
LEVEL 2: The Traditional/Byzantine/Folk
As mentioned, Nikos Grapsas had a genuine passion for traditional music. During early 80s he and fellow musicians Tsiamoulis, Klapakis, Zevgolis and Tambouris, create a band, Dynameis tou Aigaiou (Aegean Forces) focusing on alternative interpretations of traditional songs of the Mediterranean and the Balkans but also creating original ones in the same spirit.
Byzantine scales, Balkan rhythms and ecclesiastic chant is present in all 4 of their recordings. The use of almost forgotten traditional instruments and the element of improvisation on traditional routes creates an influential example that many bands or artists followed in the next years.
Here’s an original composition from their second album. The lyrics belong to Nobel prize winner, poet Odysseas Elytis:
Dynameis tou Aigaiou – Kokkino Alogo (Red Horse) [1987]
Level 3: The Electro/Ambient/World
In 1988 Panagiotis Xydias and Giannis Papadakis form Avaton, a band that focuses in ancient Greek music seen from a cultural exchange prism and influenced by Indian music, Armenian music and music of the Minor East. Nikos Grapsas soon joined Avaton and contributed in their 1st album with same name, released in 1991 by Manos Hatzidakis record company, Seirios.
The lyrics belong to ancient Greek poet Sappho (in ancient Greek)
Avaton released their 2nd album (without Grapsas) in 1993. Their 3rd album, Ex Adokito (Unforeseen as it was) includes new versions of the 1st and 2nd album compositions (including Grapsas compositions from the first album). There is a 4th release in 2001, Cosmon, based on Heraclitus and Epicurus words.
Here’s Avaton - Aerion Epeon Arhomai (With a Few Celestial Words I Shall Begin) [1996]
Level 4: The Solo journey
Nikos Grapsas moves from rock to eastern traditional music with ease. Here are two examples from two of his solo albums.
Perdika mou (My Partridge) from the Mia Kori Apo Tin Amorgo (A Fair Maiden from Amorgos) album of 1996. A double album including 13 songs, with traditional instruments but original orchestration.
The other side on Nikos Grapsas solo career is the one trying to unite eastern and western influences. Mikri Erotes sti Lypimeni Poli (Young love in Sad City) album was released in 1997 and finds Nikos going electric again (after 4 Levels of Existence days) but also maintaining lot of traditional elements resulting in a unique blend of music.
Here’s To telos enos kalokairinou erota (The end of a summer love) from this album
Demetrio Stratos (or Efstratios Demetriou) is one of a kind!
Born in 1945 in Egypt by Greek parents, he studies piano and accordion at Conservatoire National d'Athènes. At the age of 13 he moves to Cyprus and then Italy where he attends Politecnico di Milano University.
In 1972 he forms one of the most successful Italian progressive/jazz fusion bands, Area.
His vocal explorations gain him a worldwide status and collaborations include: Mogol, Lucio Battisti, John Cage, Andy Warhol and others.
With Area but also on his solo works he continues to explore the possibilities of vocal spectrum. He studies ethnomusicology, compared musicology, Asian chant, psychoanalysis and focuses on the relationship between vocal sound and the psyche and the limits of spoken language.
Here's Giro, Giro, Tondo from Area's LP of 1976 Maledetti
His voice and technique is studied and documented by professor Franco Ferrero who claims:
“Looking at what I have found during the emission, the vocal folds did not vibrate. The frequency (for a human voice) was very high (vocal folds do not succeed to exceed the frequencies of 1,000–1,200 Hz). In spite of that Demetrio obtained not one, but two not harmonic hisses, one that descended from 6,000 Hz, and the other that climbed from 3,000 Hz. Therefore, it could not be supposed that one hiss was the next harmonic of the other. I observed also the emission of three hisses simultaneously”
Check his "flautofonie" technique live in this video (demonstration starts at 2:25)
Demetrio Stratos is using overtone technique and other chant techniques to achieve diplophony, triplophony and even quadrophony, that is to produce multiple sounds simultaneously using the human voice.
Check his diplophonies and triplophonies in Investigazioni from Cantare La Voce album of 1978
Vangelis is one of a kind. Started his career in Greece in the 60s with a garage/pop band named Forminx, then formed Aphrodite’s Child, worldwide famous psychedelic/progressive band (their album 666 sold over 20 million copies) and then went solo to become one of the pioneers of electronic music, won the Oscar for Chariots of Fire OST, was awarded by NASA, became Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in France etc etc… You can find his full bio here and here.
Below you will find 5 distinct moments in his career that prove his genius in whatever he was involved with.
1. Our Last September - The Forminx This is a mellow track from the early days in the 60s. It's a Vangelis composition from their first album.
2. The Four Horsemen - Aphrodite's Child Written in 1970 for album 666 but released some years later it is considered a prog masterpiece.
3. The Dragon - Vangelis Early 70s from the album with same name. This album is an unofficial release as Vangelis did not approve it. A hypnotic groove. Masterpiece.
4. Astral Abuse - Alpha Beta Alpha Beta is Vangelis, Argyris 'Silver' Koulouris (Aphrodite's Child guitar player in 666) and Vilma Lado (Greek 60s singer). They only released this single in 1971. It's only 2 songs but it is something very unique. Julian Cope puts this under Kraut Rock tag and he's right.
5. Queen of the Universe - Socrates Socrates (Drunk the Conium) was a Greek hard rock/progressive Greek band from 70s. Vangelis produced their album Phos and also played keyboards.
