THE KLF- Stadium House (The Trilogy)

I can honestly say that the best, most exciting news of the year was The KLF announcing their return, after 23 years, and it's exactly what the world needs right now. Some next level, other paradigm pranks, pop trance, trickery, rave renaissance, house hip hop who knows what!
If anyone can save us from this mess, I believe it's the KLF. I truly do.

OPUS FINIS- Sanctum of Cognition

I somehow missed this when it came out in 2014. A Miami duo, formed in 2004.
And they've released music on both Wierd Records and Mannequin, two great labels.

Darkwave philosophica rantus!

I AM STRANGE- SUN RA

Strut just released Sun Ra's early 45 definitive singles, from 1952-1961. Forward thinking space bop and intergalactic interpretations of jazz. An absolute must have.

N E O N B O Y S - r u n n i n g i n t h e s h a d o w s

All girl Portland punk. Didn't release much. A 7", an EP, in the 80's. All quality.
I've been in the mood for this as of late.
If only shadows could catch us, or squeeze us with open arms...

QUAY DASH- Transphobic

Best rap I've heard in a while. Classic 90's East Coast sound, with a modern twist.
Everything about this is 100. Queen of NY is not an understatement.

Suzanne Ciani interviewed by Letterman, 1980

My favourite synth wiz in the world, Suzanne Ciani, amazing David Letterman with her electronic wizardry. 1980

HELEN - WITCH

Italo disco perfection... And an ode to a witch!

Anne Clark- performing Sleeper in Metropolis live, 1984

Anne Clark's first two records are perfect, melancholic masterpieces.
'The Sitting Room' ('82) and 'Changing Places' ('83) are simple spoken words over synth sequences. 'Sleeper in Metropolis' would definitely be in my top 50 songs of all time.
Here's Anne performing it live, in 1984

R.I.P Marlene Marder

R.I.P Marelene Marder, guitarist and sole constant of Swiss punk band Kleenex/LilLiput.
One of my favourite bands from that era. The best call and responses of all time lie in these simple yet distinct punk gems. Thank you to Kill Rock Stars for putting out the 2 disc retrospect of the band, back in '93.

THE VANISHING- LOVESICK

I lived in San Francisco in 2002, and sporadicly till 2006. This was a period that produced some of the best bands in the U.S at the time, and it all took place here and in Oakland, pre tech takeover.
The Coachwhips, Erase Errata, Deerhoof, Oxbow, Tussle, Hella, Numbers, The Vanishing etc played shows in people's basements, dive bars, parks and the many great venues that were around back then.
The Vanishing were my favourite.
I got to see them play regularly.
I was in the right place, at the right time. Bay area 2002.

LENA PLATONOS- Bloody Shadows From Afar

One of my favourite releases/ re-issues from last year was Lena Platonos' 'Gallop' LP, released by the excellent label Dark Entries label.
Lena, a pianist and composer, was one of the pioneers in the electronic music scene in Greece during the 1980's.
'Gallop' is essentially a spoken word record foregrounded to the sound of synths and 808 rhythms.
Recommended

the SCREAMERS

A top 3 punk band for me (+ Germs and Crass)

The Screamers are pure punk perfection. Original synth punks. 

L.A. 

T H E W A K E

One of the best post punk bands in the history of the universe.
The Wake should have been as big as the Beatles. But the world is what it is so...
The most perfect music. Pace, melody, tone, vox, words, conjure... Tick tick tick tick TICK.

Felix Kubin- Die Fähigkeit Des Körpers

I just revisited my records collection on a trip back to Australia. I have some gems! I forgot the vast speckles and hues of the treasures I own.
I came across a couple of Felix Kubin records, one being his 'The Tetchy Teenage Tapes of Felix Kubin'. It's a collection of youthful experiments orchestrated with a Korg MS-20 Synthesizer.
What results is the uninhibited freedom of a young kid blurting young kid things over steady, wonky stabs of synth and simple drum machine rhythms. Totaly genius music, from the early 80's.

XOSAR- Holographic Matrix

I'm psyched about this record. New Xosar, just released today. Trickling techno with a warm wobble.
Xosar is from Berlin. She's a great DJ and producer.
Best release of 2016 thus far.