Author Archive: dereksmusicblog

THE TWENTY BEST NORDIC WAVE ALBUMS OF 2015-PART 1.

THE TWENTY BEST NORDIC WAVE ALBUMS OF 2015-PART 1. For the last few years, Norway has one of the most vibrant music scenes. Gradually, groups from other parts of the Nordic region are beginning to make waves. So it makes sense to add a new category to this 2015’s best of series, the best Nordic …

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THE TWENTY BEST NORDIC WAVE ALBUMS OF 2015-PART 2.

THE TWENTY BEST NORDIC WAVE ALBUMS OF 2015-PART 2. GORAN KAJFES SUBTROPIC ARKESTRA-THE REASON WHY VOLUME 2. For the last three decades, Goran Kajfeš has been a key figure in the Swedish music scene.There’s a reason for this. Goran Kajfeš has constantly been  releasing groundbreaking, genre-melting music. To do this, Goran has pushed musical boundaries …

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THE BEST SCOTTISH ALBUMS OF 2015.

THE BEST SCOTTISH ALBUMS OF 2015. It’s at this time of the year, I usually look back at the previous year. 2015 is no different.  So over the last few weeks, I’ve immersed myself in the music of 2015. Somehow, I’ve managed to listen to, and remind myself of, the music I’ve reviewed during the …

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BOB DYLAN-THE BEST OF THE CUTTING EDGE 1965-1966: THE BOOTLEG SERIES.

BOB DYLAN-THE BEST OF THE CUTTING EDGE 1965-1966: THE BOOTLEG SERIES. Most artists never come close to releasing a classic album. Those that do, become part of musical history. For some though, releasing a classic album is often a burden.  They spend the rest of their life trying to reach the same heights. Constantly, they …

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PHALL FATALE-MOONLIT BANG BANG.

PHALL FATALE-MOONLIT BANG BANG. Three years after releasing their debut album Charcoal From Fire, Phall Fatale return with their eagerly awaited, and extraordinary eclectic sophomore album Moonlit Bang Bang. It will be released on Slowfoot Records on 15th January 2016. Moonlit Bang Bang marks the return of this truly cosmopolitan band. Their story began in …

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HARMONIA-DELUXE.

HARMONIA-DELUXE. In June 1975, the three members of Harmonia returned to their studio in Forst for the recording of their sophomore album, Deluxe which was rereleased by Grönland Records on 18th December 2015. Deluxe would become the followup to Musik Von Harmania, which had been released in January 1974. Sadly, this groundbreaking album had failed …

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KROKOFANT-KROKOFANT II.

KROKOFANT-KROKOFANT II. Two years ago, Krokofant were preparing to release their eponymous debut album on Rune Grammofon. It was an exciting time for the Kongsberg based trio. Krokofant were regarded as one of the rising stars of the Nordic music scene.  Great things were forecast for Krokofant, who were being described by critics as one …

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INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL ROTHER-50 YEARS MAKING MUSIC.

INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL ROTHER-50 YEARS MAKING MUSIC. During the early seventies, the German music scene was thriving. It was one of the most vibrant in Europe. Some of the most influential and innovative music was being released by German bands. This included the holy trinity of Can, Kraftwerk and Neu!. Along with Amon Düül II, …

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HARMONIA-MUSIK VON HARMONIA.

HARMONIA-MUSIK VON HARMONIA. Just a week before Christmas, the album that caused Brian Eno to call its makers “the most important band in the world” was reissued on CD by Grönland Records. Sadly, that album didn’t go on to sell millions of copies. Far from it. Musik Von Harmonia, the debut album from German supergroup …

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SENEGAL 70-SONIC GEMS AND PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED GEMS FROM THE 70S.

SENEGAL 70-SONIC GEMS AND PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED GEMS FROM THE 70S. For their final release of 2015, Senegal 70 Sonic Gems and Previously Unreleased Recordings From The 70s, Analog Africa return to what was the musical capital of West Africa, Senegal. It had one of the most vibrant musical scenes in West Africa. That had been …

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MAGMA-KOHNZERT ZUND.

MAGMA-KOHNZERT ZUND. In 1969, Christian Vander had a vision. His vision was “humanity’s spiritual and ecological future.” What he saw worried him. So Christian Vander decided to share his vision of the future. The way he chose to do this, was through music. Christian Vander was a classically trained drummer, and in 1969, ormed what would …

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HAWKWIND-THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING…YOUR CAPTAIN IS DEAD.

HAWKWIND-THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING…YOUR CAPTAIN IS DEAD. As the sixties drew to a close, one of the pioneers of the British space rock sound were formed in November 1969. This was Hawkwind, whose career would span six decades. During that period, Hawkwind’s lineup is best described as fluid. Over forty musicians have played a …

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IRMIN SCHMIDT-ELECTRO VIOLET BOX SET.

IRMIN SCHMIDT-ELECTRO VIOLET BOX SET. After eleven years and eleven studio albums, Can called time on their career in 1979. By then, Can were rightly regarded as one of the most innovative bands of the Krautrock era. They had enjoyed an almost unrivalled longevity. Can were formed in 1968, by Holger Czukay and Irmin Schmidt. …

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KATHRYN JOSEPH-BONES YOU HAVE THROWN ME AND BLOOD I’VE SPILLED-VINYL EDITION.

KATHRYN JOSEPH-BONES YOU HAVE THROWN ME AND BLOOD I’VE SPILLED-VINYL EDITION. In the history of the Scottish Album Of The Year Award, Kathryn Joseph recently became the first artist to win Scotland’s most prestigious music award with a debut album. That debut album is Bones You Have Thrown Me and Blood I’ve Spilled, was released …

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MIAOUX MIAOUX-SCHOOL OF VELOCITY-VINYL EDITION.

MIAOUX MIAOUX-SCHOOL OF VELOCITY-VINYL EDITION. Following up a critically acclaimed debut album is never easy. It never has been, and never will be. That’s why many artists labour long and hard over their sophomore album. In some cases, three years pass by. During this creative struggle, an artist is said to be suffering from second …

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ADMIRAL FALLOW-TINY REWARDS-VINYL EDITION.

ADMIRAL FALLOW-TINY REWARDS-VINYL EDITION. Often, the hardest thing about forming a new band is coming up with a name. It can be a long and tortuous process. Especially, in the internet age. A new band have to ensure the dot com address hasn’t been taken. If it has, it’s a case of starting the process …

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ERLAND DAHLEN-BLOSSOM BELLS.

ERLAND DAHLEN-BLOSSOM BELLS. Back in 2012, drummer and percussionist Erland Dahlen released his long-awaited, and much-anticipated debut album Rolling Bomber. By then, the forty-one year old was a veteran of the vibrant Nordic music scene.  When Rolling Bomber was released, Erland Dahlen was a veteran of countless bands, including HET, Boschamaz, Kiruna, Morris, Piston Ltd, …

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BOZ SCAGGS-A FOOL TO CARE-VINYL EDITION.

BOZ SCAGGS-A FOOL TO CARE-VINYL EDITION. 2015 has been the year of the comeback. Some of the biggest names of yesteryear have returned after a lengthy absence.  The year started well with critically acclaimed comeback album  from Bob Dylan. Then recently, Dave Gilmour, released his first solo album since Pink Floyd called it a day. …

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ALICE COOPER-THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1969-1983.

ALICE COOPER-THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1969-1983. It was in Detroit, Michigan, on February 4th 1948, Vincent Damon Furnier was born. He would go on to become one of the biggest names in music, after changing his name to Alice Cooper in 1968. After that, Alice Cooper’s career has spanned five decades and twenty-six studio albums. This …

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RICHARD THOMPSON-STILL-VINYL EDITION.

RICHARD THOMPSON-STILL-VINYL EDITION. Not many musicians enjoy the longevity that Richard Thompson has. His professional career career began in 1967, when Richard was just eighteen. He had just left the William Ellis School in Highgate. That’s where Richard Thompson formed his first band, Emile and The Detectives with future Strangler Hugh Cornwell.   It was …

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