Warren Ellis
Nina Simone’s Gum
Allen & Unwin (2021)
Chewing gum is not the most distinguished habit to have, which is probably why I loved doing it in the most unsuitable places as a prepubescent before it was taken over by the despicable indulgence that is smoking, which in my book looked way cooler, preferably in combination. The core protagonist of this book used to indulge in both as well and given her iconic and undisputed status, the enthusiastic reception of her oeuvre and her feisty demeanour, was never running danger of being scolded for it. The author Warren Ellis is commonly revered as being a fulminant musical artist in his own right with many of his emissions and incarnations having etched themselves into quite a few of my all-time favourite lists. Needless to say, the two of them convening at the Nick Cave curated Meltdown Festival at the dawn of the new millennium was going to leave an impression, which Warren Ellis captures in this tome, centred around a piece chewing gum Nina Simone planted on the Steinway piano as if it belonged there before she channelled her alchemy in a thunderous performance. It would not be Warren Ellis if he did not venture to pick up the … Read more
Nala Sinephro
Space 1.8
Warp (2021)
I’m a real sucker for any records that are themed somewhere in the vicinity of space/cosmos area of things. So, … Read more
Demonztrator
Sinister Forces Of Hatred
Ossuary Records (2021)
Sinister Forces Of Hatred is the second album from Helsinki-based thrash metal ensemble Demonztrator. Formed in 2016 as a covers … Read more
Frontierer
Oxidized
Independent (2021)
So, here’s the new Frontierer. I’ll cut it as is right out of the gate – it’s a disappointment. I’ve … Read more
Pat Metheny
Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)
BMG (2021)
I’m inclined to believe that anyone even just vaguely familiar with the fusion area of jazz has heard of Pat … Read more
