Here’s the second part of the list, this time a little bit more with folk and avantgarde influences.

Pierre Bastien is a wonderful musician. His robotic orchestra and his compositional ability is almost superhuman. In a time where everything is electronic, taking the hard way and creating an unmatched soundscape using mechanics does once again display that technology is only a means to create, and it’s the synergy between the musician and his instrument that counts.

Voila, at last I have an authentic Turkish music to give you. Turkish pop music is pretty much bland and uninspiring
but Turkish folk music with help from Turkish Gypsys takes the best of both sides. Clarinets and Percussion!. Hasan Yarimdunia is a 60+ year old Clarinet player, who was literally born as a clarinet player, because his family has been playing the clarinet for generations and his sons and grandsons still do. I’d like to say he’s a well known and respected musician in Turkey but unfortunately that’s not the case, as he gets basically no coverage from the lame mass media here, In fact his album has been released by the French. Puh. He’s still rocking the weddings playing 3 nights a day in Gallipoli, check this interview with him if you’re interested and if you know Turkish ;).
Buy from Amazon.FR or Read a review in French.

From John Zorn’s Filmworks album that has been featured here before. One of his most accessible quartet combinations with a vibraphone, violin, accordeon and bass. Tango fused with all sorts of eclectic world influences, and no I won’t say any more about how John Zorn is one of the best musicians ever. Here is Masada playing Beeroth live and here’s Electric Masada playing Tehivoh live on Youtube with an incredible extended lineup featuring Jamie Saft on keys and Marc Ribot on guitar.

Is the world being just when Coldplay gets 300.000+ listeners and Tunng gets 4000+ on Last.FM? Ok, that was a rhetorical question, I’ve learned that life isn’t just, so now I’m only being thankful because I can hear stuff like this. Soft and melancholic, this song really brings tears to the eyes.

I’ve featured Koby before, he’s on Tzadik. He plays the guitar and he’s an eclectic bloke, be prepared for something like Masada Rock, only with more influences and a maximal sound. Read a review here.

Vialka – Only the wrong survive
Vialka – Bamako from their soon to be released CD

Vialka’s Curiosity of Popular Customs CD has been released in 2005 as well, but I’ve broken the rule in the past post so I can go on about telling you how Vialka is the most exciting group ever. This is a guitar-drums duo, with drummer Marylise Frecheville also singing, it’s fast, brutal, melodic and cheerful at the same time and watching Marylise drumming and singing is a bliss. Last night I was at Istanbul Jazz Festival watching John Scofield Trio and Zakir Hussein’s Sangam. They sure had some talented drummers but this woman has a charming style unlike any shiny jazz drummer, and if you think Deerhoof’s Greg is the shit, wait till you watch this incredible 9 minute video on youtube, (and unlike my own videos it doesn’t suck)

Black ox orkestar – az vey dem tatn

This is a late addition to part 2, I think this is a beatiful song that needs to be on this list. Featured them here previously so no need to repeat the same things my limited vocabulary allows.