Inside No. 9, Season 4, Episode #41: Crate Digging
Here is a collection of music from nine recent records I’ve found while out and about in both the UK and Switzerland. All of these recordings are ripped from vinyl to include all the dust and decay of up to 50 years. It’s a trip from psychedelic jams to avant jazz. Enjoy.
Druid’s Leafy Nest
Angus Maclise & Tony Conrad
Dreamweapon III
c.1968
Boo-Hooray 2011
Ultra lo-fi recordings from the late 1960s. Beautiful dirge jams a la ‘The Legendary Guitar Amp Tapes’, with a smoky hint of early Sunburned Hand of The Man. Dropped on a screen-printed LP of previously-unheard recordings of Angus MacLise and Tony Conrad from the MacLise tape archives. Lavishly presented in a silkscreened sleeve, purple paint on brown card. Released on Boo-Hooray in an edition of 500, to accompany the DREAMWEAPON, The Art and Life of Angus MacLise 1938-1979 exhibition, May 2011. Long out of print I managed to snag a good second-hand copy from Bel-Air Records.
CHO-ETSU
Maki Ishii
Split LP with Toshi Ichiyanagi
1973
Edition RZ 1991
The opening side of a wonderful split LP with legendary avant-garde composer/improviser Toshi Ichiyanagi comes from Maki Ishii, who spent his time between Tokyo and Berlin. Maki Ishii was at first influenced by Western avant-garde before attempting to merge European compositional tactics with Japanese music elements.. Cho-Etsu is for shakuhachi, shell horns, harp, percussion and electronic sounds (TOKK Ensemble, Tokyo). Recorded live at the Akademie der Künste, Berlin in October 1973. The use of space and silence is intoxicating, especially after the barrage of analogue rumble from the previous track. This is just a section of the long composition. This definitely needs a reissue as more people need to hear both of these pieces.
Part I
Winfried Mühlum-Pyrápheros
Musica Nova Contemplativa
1970
Blume 2019
Blume is definitely a key player in recent reissues and originals in contemporary music. Sadly the runs are stupidly limited so it’s often hard to grab something before it goes and then resurfaces on Discogs for three times the original price. Out-of-print for almost 50 years, this edition represents its first ever reissue in any form, complete with an interview between Winfried Mühlum-Pyrápheros and Stefan Bremer conducted for the occasion of this reissue, and newly commissioned liner notes by Bradford Bailey. Includes printed inner sleeve and an original insert that functions as obi; Edition of 300. The fullness and intensity of the strings on this records are intoxicating, making for a short palate cleanser before more craziness ensues.
Wavering Twilight
Amelia Cuni & Werner Durand
Already Awake In The Night
2004 & 2010
ini.itu 2011
Another stunning release from the late Amelia Cuni and her life partner Werner Durand. Brooding sine waves, echoed voices, with additional sarod from David Trasoff take us on somnambulant rambings. Pressed on only 250 on small Belgian label ini-itu. The music is based on the Hindustani Raag Lalit and its modulation to Raag Todi. The pictures painted clearly evoke the dying light and the feeling of entering into another night and the possibilities held by its dark beginning. Don’t drift off as things are about to emerge from the undergrowth.
Version I
Anthony Braxton
For Trio
1977
Arista 1978
Recorded on Sept. 22, 1977 at Streeterville Sound, Chicago, IL. Anthony Braxton (Middle), Henry Threadgill (Right Channel), Douglas Ewart (Left Channel). Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Performer [Hub “T” Wall], Gong [Gongs], Percussion, Instruments [Little Instruments], Bass Flute Piccolo Flute, Flute, Soprano Clarinet, Soprano Clarinet [B♭ Clarinet], Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone [E♭ Soprano Saxophone, B♭ Soprano Saxophone], Alto Saxophone, Bassoon, Performer [Ewartphone]. And voice. This is a mass of delicate sounds intertwining, shining alone and mutating into new forms. Primordial soup sounds dripping with invention. This trio is simply incredible.
Lato a, parte I
Roberto Cacciapaglia
Sei Note In Logica
1979
Superior Viaduct 2024
This is one of my favourite records of all time and one of my desert island discs. It has so much going on and brings me joy and exhilaration with every listen. A rare record that is both immediately affecting while growing in complexity and wonder with each listen. Superbly presented on vinyl again, this time courtesy of Superior Viaduct, although I am disappointed not to get the complete version with the acoustic sides. Originally released in 1979, Sei Note In Logica (Six Notes In Logic) is Cacciapaglia’s second album. Sei Note presents a singular, sinuous piece. The composition is based on a finite set of musical notes, yet this limitation is the point of departure for a grand tour of possible combinations and enthralling timbres (marimbas, strings, reeds and human voice). Picked up in the incredible Disc-A-Brac, Lausanne.
Horizontes Iejanos
Oksana Linde
Travesias
1991
Buh Records 2025
Entering bold, thick synth tones with a slab of magic from Oksana Linde. Horizontes Lejanos was composed for the concert Travesía Acuastral, presented by Linde in February 1991 at the Casa Rómulo Gallegos during the 3er Encuentro de la Nueva Música Electrónica. This event, produced by Maite Galán in collaboration with the group Musikautomatika, was a milestone in the development of an experimental electronic music scene in Venezuela, which at the time was one of the most vibrant in Latin America. Buh Records are definitely worth a follow, putting out fascinating releases from their base camp in Peru.
I Need Speed
Brainbombs
Sonic Protest Live 7”
2024
Total Black 2025
Brainbombs have one of the best sounds going, however, I’ve always found them lyrically problematic, with the shock-gore exploitation running a knife-edge between being utterly unacceptable and pure punk. Whether intentional or not, it’s both challenging, liberating and crushingly uncomfortable. Here is a great, grimy recent live recording that contrasts with Linde’s sonic healing. This is truly a sonic protest. Pressed on random colour vinyl (mine is clear) and super limited (200) as always. I picked this up from the mighty Industrial Coast, and this leads perfectly into the final chapter of this mix.
Destino Scifosi Part I.
France
Destino Scifosi
2024
Standard In-Fi
Finishing with a big bang of “savage electric hurdy gurdy” from the unbeatable France. I wish it wasn’t so hard to nab these records. They appear in stupidly small numbers and then disappear before you know it. I was lucky enough to grab a copy from the awesome Resident Records in Brighton. Only 500 copies. Offset printed covers, promo sticker on protection sleeve. Recorded live at an outdoor amphitheatre situated in a valley in southern France in 2022. Sounds absolutely stunning. I had to include all of side A as it’s such an intoxicating jam.
Inside No. 9 is an attempt to share unique narratives through the mixing of 9 songs. Every episode will showcase a new theme, opening up new tributaries of discovery. Inside No. 9 is presented by Peter Taylor, a former features writer for Foxy Digitalis from back in the late 2000s. Peter is a visual artist and musician and has been creating music as MAbH since 2008.
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