The Sun Ra Arkestra Under The Direction Of Marshall Allen - "Points On A Space Age" DVD (director: Ephraim Asili)

The legendary spiritualist/band leader Sun Ra himself may have departed from this world, but his legacy continues on with the Arkestra that he helmed as far back as 50 years ago. This fine (albeit brief) documentary shows that Ra's remaining space-jazz band members are as attuned to the jubilant spirit and cosmic consciousness as their beloved founder, and the group's new members are bringing it to a whole new generation (or three). Now, the music's a bizarre and beautiful combination of free jazz skronk, exploratory bebop, lounge, tribal, and gospel sounds, and this multi-cultural melange stands for far more than simply music. Sun Ra's Arkestra was intending to unify the people of the world for a greater good -- their positive energy is something that's sorely missing from so much of today's technological-oriented world. "Points On A Space Age" collages recent live clips with band interviews (and some necessary archival footage) to present a nice overview and summation of what the Arkestra was/is all about. Get hip to the far-out sounds of what's inside you (and all of us). (MVD Visual)

The Sun Ra Arkestra's label

"Love Sex Fear Death - The Inside Story Of The Process Church Of The Final Judgment" book

This is interesting -- a promo video (by acclaimed video producer William Morrison, who is doing a visual documentary on the Process himself) for a book by Timothy Wyllie detailing the Process Church Of The Final Judgment, coming soon from esteemed subversive publisher Feral House. From the sixties 'cult' group to the nineties' reactivation as a media group led by members of Psychic TV and Skinny Puppy, The Process was an enigmatic phenomenon that touched a number of (in)famous people (for better or worse), and, unbeknownst to many, has probably influenced our entire culture. Besides information from former Process members and reproductions from original Process documents and magazines, the book also features the involvement of Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, among others. Count me in!

Feral House page

J.G. Thirlwell - "The Venture Brothers - The Music Of J.G. Thirlwell" CD

It's kind of refreshing to see an uber-talented composer like Thirlwell getting some major exposure scoring this Adult Swim animated series. What some fans may not know is that he's been active for 30-ish years, recording weird industrial/big-band/soundtracks as Foetus and/or Steroid Maximus. Regardless of his past, this set of tunes from the several seasons of the 'Venture Brothers' series runs the gamut from feisty space-age lounge to tribal jungle swagger to swingin' hard-boiled spy thrillers ('Tuff') to tense classical ('13 BigMon/Boys As Transformers'). Thirlwell's been duly inspired by the music of Carl Stalling (think the original 'Looney Tunes'), as well as some far-out avante garde noise, so expect a lively, upbeat, and intensely visual set of tunes that bumps and grinds like Quentin Tarantino caught in a go-go bar after ingesting far too much peyote. 'Node Wrestling' is packed with gyrating funk -- and is almost humorous, it's so over the top. 'Damion' is a dark little gem worthy of a Tim Burton film. The charmingly-titled 'Assclamp!' is a frenzied bit of drum-and-bass techno with dramatic strings and brass. 'Warped Carousel' is just that - a scary surreal carnival trip. I could go on and on. Suffice to say, this is a wildly-diverse album with more thrills and chills than a rollercoaster. Wow. (Williams Street)

Foetus.org (Thirlwell's official site)

Depeche Mode - "Sounds Of The Universe" CD

At this point in time, I'm not going to convince any of you non-DM fans to buy this. It's really what you'd expect from these oldster electro-rockers -- dark-edged electronic pop, with some hints of subversion among the anthemic hooks and 'ready-for-club-mix' beats. What I can do, however, is present old fans with a hint at what 'SOTU' has to offer. The integration of vocalist Dave Gahan as part-time songwriter hasn't hurt the band at all. And his vocals have really come together in recent years -- he's found his range and strengths. Gahan's now a perfect foil (and duet partner) with Martin Gore, and the two seem to blend their voices almost seamlessly in tracks like the opener, 'In Chains'. The lead-off single, 'Wrong', is a heavier and darker cut with a video that needs to be seen to be believed (I would have linked it below, but dmode.cm has disabled all embedding, sorry!). 'In Sympathy' is a funky little 80's-retro number, and another possible single. 'Jezebel' is the requisite M.Gore ballad, and as such is kinda melodramatic and schmaltzy, but that's DM, right? 'Sounds Of The Universe' is a strong album, for sure, but I can't help but feel that this is by-the-numbers Depeche Mode. Which for some bands, would be career-making. I'm just not thrilled. (Mute)

Depeche Mode website

Matt And Kim - "Lessons Learned" video

Hmm. I know nothing about this duo, but this video is quite fun(ny)...I am interested in these folks, thanx to this. See what you think. You may have to verify your age, as this contains what some call 'mature content'. Bah.

Between Interval - "The Edge Of A Fairytale" CD

Swedish composer Stefan Strand is a master of deep and sometimes dark electronic ambience. 'The Edge Of A Fairytale' is his 4th album, and it mines a territory that is part cosmic space music, and another part intense cinematic experience. It's an impressive work, from the mystery of 'The Great Void' to the majesty of 'Portals In Time', with it's strings and cavernous electronic swells.
Strand's fusions of light and dark; of gentle, natural landscapes and huge spacescapes, are seamless and mesmerizing. Even his track titles are wonderfully apt, like the drifty 'Atlantis Lost', which echoes a mysterious oceanic atmosphere that may be hiding something down below. 'Leviathan' is another subtle and evocative work, simultaneously expansive and daunting, yet hinting at something else entirely. Beautiful work. Between Interval may not be a major name in ambient circles, but fans of Robert Rich and Lustmord will find sustenance here. Recommended. (Spotted Peccary/Wanderings)

Between Interval website

The Church 'So Love May Find Us' North American Tour

So one of my favorite bands these days is touring North America soon. I plan to be at the Cleveland date if all goes as planned...

The Church also have a new CD due out in May, titled 'Untitled #23', and a pair of import-only Aussie singles/EPs as well, 'Coffee Hounds' and 'Pangaea'. Check your usual import sources for these, or try these links:

The Church direct
Second Motion Records (US label)
The Church official newspage

And check out the pair of classic (and obscure) videos for two of my favorite Church tracks below...

THE CHURCH
'SO LOVE MAY FIND US' TOUR
2009 USA

JUN 10 WED BELLY UP TAVERN * SOLANA BEACH, CA
JUN 11 THU THE ROXY THEATRE * WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
JUN 12 FRI SLIM’S * SAN FRANCISCO, CA
JUN 14 SUN ALADDIN THEATER * PORTLAND, OR
JUN 15 MON THE TRIPLE DOOR * SEATTLE, WA
JUN 18 THU GOTHIC THEATRE * ENGLEWOOD, CO
JUN 19 FRI HARRAH'S * NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO
JUN 20 SAT HOUSE OF BLUES CHICAGO * CHICAGO, IL
JUN 21 SUN VARSITY THEATER * MINNEAPOLIS, MN
JUN 23 TUE SHANK HALL * MILWAUKEE, WI
JUN 24 WED THE INTERSECTION * GRAND RAPIDS, MI
JUN 25 THU THE MAGIC BAG * FERNDALE, MI
JUN 26 FRI BEACHLAND BALLROOM * CLEVELAND, OH
JUN 27 SAT REX THEATRE * PITTSBURGH, PA
JUN 28 SUN THE STATE THEATRE * FALLS CHURCH, VA
JUN 30 TUE RAM’S HEAD ONSTAGE * ANNAPOLIS, MD
JUL 1 WED THE TROCADERO * PHILADELPHIA, PA
JUL 2 THU SHOWCASE LIVE * FOXBOROUGH, MA
JUL 3 FRI TUPELO MUSIC HALL * LONDONDERRY, NH
JUL 7 - TRALF MUSIC HALL *BUFFALO, NY
JUL 8 WED IRVING PLAZA * NEW YORK, NY
JUL 9 THU THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE * RIDGEFIELD, CT
JUL 10 FRI SWYER THEATRE * ALBANY, NY

* Adam Franklin(of Swervedriver) & Bolts of Melody will be our guest support on US dates.
JUL 11 - CISCO OTTAWA BLUESFEST