Everyone likes something free, let's be honest, especially music but not all of us are happy to illegally download, so when an offer like this comes along to sample some refreshingly different music, it's well worth having a look at. I downloaded the previous comp that Leonardo provided and it was an interesting mix. Sure, I didn't get on with all of it but most of it appealed. If the genres match with your taste in music, experiment for a dollar! I'll let Mr MoonJune himself explain it all from his newsletter:
After the great success of the "MoonJune Compilation: $1 and then $2 min. donation for 60 tunes"
promotion launched in November of 2012, I'm now ready to offer another
selection of extraordinary sounds. Over the years I have received more
than 1,500 albums from artists all around the world soliciting a CD
release, trying to find a proper 'home' for their projects. I've done my
best to answer every single solicitation, and to listen to every single
album, although I must admit that some of the listening was done in
'fast-forward mode.' I suggested to some of the artists that they
approach other labels that might be more appropriate for their music, or
that they self-release their albums, and some, simoly I couldn't afford
and they are now on bigger labels.
"Mr. MoonJune Recommends - Volume 1"
will be the first in a series of 25-track compilations drawn from these
submissions plus few tunes from few of my friends, legendary musicians.
It features one track from each CD that over the past few years I have
wanted, even yearned, to release on MoonJune
but couldn't for a variety of reasons: lack of time, the fact that the
label can only release a limited number of albums per year, I'm busy on
tour with a band, or involved with my other two businesses. Except for a
few musicians who are known to fans of progressive music, most of these
artists are only known in their own country or region, and some not
even in their own city; however, they are all musicians whom I respect
and whose music I dig.
The
whole purpose of this compilation is to expose these musicians'
recently recorded music to the constantly growing MoonJune audience, and
also to pay due respect to their artistry. Each track comes with
complete information about the artist and the album from which the tune
was selected, and most importantly a direct link to the artists' sites
where those albums can be purchased. "Mr. MoonJune Recommends - Volume 1"
features the music of legends, special friends I've known for many
years, others I've met and heard on my travels, and artists recommended
by knowledgeable peers, whose impressive albums I'm introducing through
this compilation, including the following:
- I've traveled worldwide and shared friendship and exceptional live music with Chad Wackerman, Jan Akkerman, the late Elton Dean, Beppe Crovella, and the musicians they've been involved with across the globe, many of whom are featured here.
- Some musicians, such as Beledo, the Uruguayan master guitarist based in NYC, with whom I've been good friends for years.
- Some musicians I've friended on my innumerous travels like Ernesto Holman from Santiago de Chile, and John Sund from Copenhagen or they came to visit me in NYC, like Daniele Cavalca from Claudio Scolari's projects.
- Personal discoveries such as the Swedish "mystery" band Nude Fox Ensemble; a Serbian axeman based in Barcelona, Dusan Jevtovic; and El Trio, a power trio from an unexpected tropical latitude, the Dominican Republic.
- A few fantastic guitarists suggested by my reviewer friends, such as Mustafa Dönmez from Turkey and his band Atmosfer, Michel Sajrawy a Palestinian from Israel, and Mark Wingfield from the UK.
- Two phenomenal UK-based musicians, the Swiss guitarist Nicolas Meier and the Israeli drummer Asaf Sirkis, who were suggested to me by my friend the legendary Bill Bruford.
- I had known of Welsh jazz pianist Geoff Eales, but it was thanks to my longtime friends Roy Babbington (ex-Soft Machine and now with Soft Machine Legacy) and Mark Fletcher (Phil Miller, Elton Dean) that I finally got in touch with Geoff.
- October Equus from Spain and guitar fusionist from Luxembourg Claude Pauly, whom I discovered thanks to the great buzz about them on the Internet.
- Finally, one of my absolutely favorite bands on MoonJune, Marbin. I was instantly enamored of the two stunning, brave Israeli youngsters, guitarist Dani Rabin and saxophonist Danny Markovich, when I saw them perform as a duo in their Chicago base two years ago; they were signed to MoonJune that same night!
All the featured music represents in some way the philosophy of MoonJune Records
- progressive music exploring the boundaries of jazz, rock, avant,
ethno, and the unknown - and anything in between. In the world we live
in, with its oversaturated music market, rapidly disappearing record
stores, and a record business that ignores real musicianship, and with
fewer and fewer outlets where quality progressive music can be exposed,
it's becoming more and more difficult for artists to be noticed unless
they have a well-known legacy or they tour frequently and intensively,
which many are unable to do.
This
compilation (the first of many) is my tribute to these musicians and
contribution to their cause. I hope that all who download and listen to
this remarkable music can appreciate the artistry of these musicians and
their determination to keep great music alive. Note that the tunes
chosen for this compilation do not necessarily represent the best tracks
from the featured CDs; they're purely my personal choice.
(Note:
this compilation does not include any artists from Indonesia. Because
they deserve a very special chapter of their own, a special 25-track
compilation of Indonesian progressive jazz-fusion will be launched in
February.)
The
whole compilation has over three hrs of music and iis priced at only $1
(or more - whatever you would like to or can afford to pay) for 25
tunes. The tracks are downloadable in any (or all) of the following
formats: MP3 320, FLAC, MP3 VBR (V0), AAC, Ogg Vorbis, or ALAC. If that
list leaves you scratching your head, you probably want the default, MP3
320, which will play back beautifully in iTunes, Windows Media Player,
your iPod, etc.
More info on downloading procedure: bandcamp.com/faq_downloading
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