Nickie’s Niches November 2022

Artist Song Time Album Year Djam Karet CODE-T1241 4:33 Island in the Red Night Sky 2022 Oak Claire De Lune 7:12 False Memory Archive 2018 Five-storey ensemble Silent Zone 7:15 Presence 2022 Cosmograf Heroic Materials 13:07 Heroic Materials 2022 Haven of Echoes Sirensong 5:58 The Indifferent Stars 2022 Robeone Levels 3:11 Dream Suite 2022 William Ryan Fritch (I) A Pale Mare 4:54 Built Upon a Fearful Void 2021 Maer Sister 5:59 Single 2022 Island In The Red Night Sky by Djam Karet favorite track Code-T1242 Stellar release from veterans Djam Karet. Like many ambient progressive pieces, it is best enjoyed in it’s entirety, as it is mesmerizing and hypnotic. The myriad instruments are both acoustic and electric. Along with space/psych and dipping expertly into world folk elements, and the inclusion of field recordings and chanting at times, it is a fascinating amalgamation. False Memory Archive by Oak favorite track Claire de Lune Yet another fabulous band from Norway, what do they put in their water??? Emotive lead singer and expert band, well-produced and lush post-progressive rock, with folk under- and over-tones. The music is haunting with sometimes a sense of doom, albeit mixed with hope and grandeur. The soaring Clair de Lune is my favourite track, which is not the Debussy piece, although they do play a bit of that one later on in the recording Presence by Five-storey ensemble favorite track Silent Zone Firmly in the classical/chamber/minimalist set, comes this gem from Warsaw. Piano, organ, violins, soprano sax, double bass, and flute comprise the musicians. Contemplative and thoughtful perfection. For some reason, the two titles using “silent/silence,” appeal most to me. Favourite of the two is Silent Zone, which makes me think of watching woolly bear caterpillars in autumn. Heroic Materials by Cosmograf favorite track Heroic Materials Led by multi-instrumentalist Robin Armstrong, Cosmograf is fine neo-prog with strong classical overtones, plus a swing by the 70s. This is a concept release, based around a WWII Spitfire pilot reminiscing on his flights, his battles, his homeland, those he loved there and his regret for how things will never be the same again. Wonderfully cinematic and elegant work.