Yesterday found this video of the late Turkish baglama master Ali Ekber Cicek performing his most famous piece “Haydar Haydar“.

There’s not a new day without a free download compilation/sampler/release on the internet anymore, increasingly becoming the tool of the trade. First label compilation by Portland’s Circle into Square is a 13 track sampler with electronic, indie, indietronic stuff and electronic hip-hop.

The cult sci-fi surf outfit Man or Astro-man?, the band which molded our psyches with the b-movie, OTR, sci-fi, surf aesthetic while we still were youngins, are reunited.

Tardigrades are polyextremophiles and are able to survive in extreme environments that would kill almost any other animal.

New promo in our mailbox from the 5 piece urban soul & triphop band Si*Sé from NYC. The single from their upcoming Gold EP (out tomorrow) “This Love” gets the remix treatment from Hird.

Eric Lau has a new EP called Kilawatt. The opener features the vocal talent of Muhsinah, another fave, and Oddisee and Kaidi Tatham! Deep jazzy beats!

The Internet is shaken today with news that one half of Gangstarr and jazzy hip-hop originator Guru has suffered a cardiac arrest and is currently in a coma. Our thoughts and prayers are with Guru, hoping he pulls through.

I hereby announce that the rest of my life will be devoted to recreating this moment in time / space: Al Hirt playing the Rocky theme song live at the 1980 New Year’s Eve!