1.SYLVAN - On My Odyssey (6:28)
Album: One To Zero (2021)
Label/Distribution: Gentle Art Of Music/Soulfood
www.sylvan.de
With their latest concept album SYLVAN once again deliver warm, well thought-out songs reminiscent of Marillion or Gazpacho - as you can hear here. Overall, the Hamburgers flirt more with prog rock this time, which gives us some rhythmically tricky passages and gripping riffs.
2.BLACK RIVER DELTA California Sun (4:03)
Album: Shakin' (2021)
Label/Distribution: Sofaburn/Cargo
www.blackriverdelta.net
Dreaming of the Californian sun in wintry, barren Sweden can lead to increased blues. But the quartet BLACK RIVER DELTA doesn't surrender to sadness, but injects their songs, which are about being on the road, about alcohol, longing, women, with a strong dose of alternative rock.
3.GRAHAM COSTELLO - Impetu (5:12)
Album: Second Lives (2021)
Label/Distribution: Gearbox/The Orchard/Bertus
www.grahamcostello.com
Scottish drummer/composer GRAHAM COSTELLO and his band Strata serve up modern jazz rock that docks with postjazz, prog and minimal music on their sophomore album "Second Lives". "Impetu" is one of the most powerful tracks on this album and demonstrates the group's somnambulistic interplay.
4.TUVABAND - Fully Mature Thing (3:08)
Album: Growing Pains & Pleasures (2021)
Label/Distribution: Passion Flames/Diger AS
www.tuvabandmusic.com
An atmospheric album from the Berlin-based Norwegian. Her songs evoke the dream pop of the 80s, but add her own personal touch. On "Fully Mature Things" she also proves her good sense for melodies that immediately catch the ear and captivate the listener.
5.WATERSHED - Map Of My Behaviour (4:19)
Album: Elephant In The Room (2021)
Label/Distribution: On Stage
www.watershed.co.za
South African band WATERSHED, who made pop history 19 years ago with "Indigo Girl", are back. On "Map Of My Behaviour" not only Craig Hinds' voice is instantly identifiable, but also their R.E.M.-heavy folk rock. The sway factor is high, but the good production keeps the balance.
6.HUXLEY WOULD APPROVE - Leaden Wings (7:47)
Album: Grave New World - Part Two (2021)
Label/Distribution: Zoundr/N4A/Just For Kicks
www.huxleywouldapprove.com
Rainer Schneider and Joe Bolieiro continue their concept work from 2016: the dystopian story about a man who seeks his salvation in our "brave new world". Musically still a child of Pink Floyd and Roger Waters, the half-ballad "Leaden Wings", for example, shows that prog ingredients à la Genesis have increased.
7. FANGER & SCHÖNWÄLDER FEAT. LUTZ "LÜÜL" GRAF-ULBRICH - Hinterhoff (Icketier Mix) (5:37)
Album: Analog Overdose 6 (2021)
Label/Distribution: Manikin
www.manikin.de
The Berlin School traditionalists from Manikin shake hands with the second important electronic school, the Düsseldorfers. Thanks to Lüül (Ash Ra Tempel, Agitation Free) there is some wonderfully groovy guitar playing in the "Hinterhoff" mix. The Krautrock factor is as high as never with the Berliners.
8.LEVEL PI - Nachtfahrt (5:36)
Album: Electronic Philosophy (2021)
Label/Distribution: Timezone
www.level-pi.de
Cologne's Uwe Cremer reveals his "Electronic Philosophy" to us. Exciting and effective as the "Nachtfahrt", which follows Tangerine Dream of the 80s, is also the whole disc. Interesting motifs, diverse and great electronic history lesson for night headphone trips. The guitar swings too.
9.EMTIDI - The Journey (10:09)
Album: Saat (1972/2021)
Label/Distribution: Pilz/Breeze Music/Cargo
www.krautrock-musikzirkus.de
With "Saat", the German-Canadian duo EMTIDI, consisting of multi-instrumentalist Maik Hirschfeldt and vocal elf Dolly Holmes, succeeded in creating an enchanting second album between Krautrock and Psych-Folk, with Dieter Dierks actively involved. The group's most experimental experience is on the closing track "Die Reise"
10.KALACAKRA - Nearby Shiras (9:15)
Album: Crawling To Lhasa (1972/1993/2001)
Label/Distribution: Garden Of Delights
www.kalacakra.de
A trip to India and Tibet. And a journey into the local colour of Duisburg. Both are hidden on the 1972 album of the Duisburg duo KALACAKRA. Here meditative Indian sounds meet freaky Folg/Psych/Rock'n'Roll, all with a wink. Truly an extraordinary musical journey.
