Various

Probably one of the most anticipated releases, well by me anyway, this year is the continuation of the Extreme Music series from the Susan Lawly record label. What started with the exemplary assessment of the noise scene in Japan, moved onto the uncharted waters of Africa before hitting the menopausal output of Women has at last gone into Russia for a trawl through the hidden delights of that country. As any true follower of music will tell you there has been a flood of music from this area that has shattered all previous illusions to their musical heritage. Most people are under the assumption that Russian music is still in a time warp circa 1960 – 1970 and that the Beatles and Rolling Stones still rule supreme in their hold over Russian youth. Wrong, wrong, and wrong again. There has been some excellent examples of black / military/ ambient, recordings along with experimental and avant-garde pieces, put out by small independent labels from that country that have trickled there way slowly through to us by very determined distributors. The Extreme Music title is slightly misleading with this latest crop of recordings from various known / unknown artists to grace the stage under the Extreme Music banner. There are further delights in various kaleidoscopes of colour to discover for yourself as the music plays on. Absolutely essential to fans of the series and for discerning connoisseurs of the next big thing. Don’t miss out on this.