Back to Reality

Delicate ambient electroacoustics, bossa indebted summer soundtracks, cosmic lounge, freak folk, a London nu-soul snapshot and how to sabotage the broligarchy's AI music thievery.

As usual the newsletter paid the price for my recent trip and break in routine, such are my time stresses that any stone thrown in my pond immediately disrupts the calm and then ripples out - I’ve just dropped four seventeen hour days in a row to catch up on various tasks. The fraught gig economy day job, TSMM and parenting are tough to juggle, but hopefully this week’s bumper selection, with less review rambling from me, will compensate, especially for the handful of paying subscribers who help keep the lights on and encourage me to get out of bed at 5am in the mornings to keep TSMM alive.

Last week I went back to the motherland to check in on my elderly parents and show them their granddaughter’s new moves, pehaps the most impressive of which is her newfound fondness for repeatedly pointing, smiling and waving at everybody. I’ve never seen so many smiles or spoken to so many people on a plane or train before.

Oddly enough there is a great park opposite my parents house and on our, and even my solo walks around it in recent times, I’ve been struck by how many people actually say hello, the most striking of which last week was a woman who whilst speed walking and talking on the telephone, broke off her conversation mid-flow to say hello as she came past. There’s something about being in a green space, even an urban one that seems to encourage sociability.

These simple moments of connecting with strangers were genuinely refreshing and heart warming, and reinforced my opinion that on a ground level humanity is actually OK, the problems are mainly rooted at the top of the political and business trees, and as you have to be a rat to win a rat race that’s not surprising. So I urge you to go out armed with a smile and indulge in random greetings and small talk to strangers for the next week and see what happens.

I guess many of you will be hitting the airports in the next couple of months to go off on holiday, but let’s face it the travelling part of travelling sucks. Something of a revelation three or so years ago was my purchase of a pair of noise-cancelling headphones on which I played my especially soothing New Age of New Age Playlist and relaxing Slow Ambient selection. Honestly, I felt like a spectral presence floating through the airport bustle and was oddly soothed on the plane, rather than stressed by the engine noise and “budget” airline’s repeated entreaties to buy snacks, scratch cards and duty free at prices higher than the local supermarket.

Unfortunately due to my newfound family responsibities that involve talking to my partner ocassionally and amusing my daughter, I can’t retreat to these sonic oasis’ on trips any more, but if you’re a solo traveller especially, even if it’s just a train trip, bus journey or an urban hike through crowded streets then I urge you to get your headphones on and play a chilled selection of music, you’ll arrive at your destination and come home from work a lot less frazzled.

If you haven’t yet investigated noise cancelling headphones, or even headphones - there definitely seems to be a generation gap in their popularity, and are tempted to dip your toe in the water then this recent article on buying superseded models at discount prices is worth a read, especially as it focuses on the Sonly WH1000 range with which I’m familiar. I bought a pair of the M4s when the M5 was released at a good discount and now the M6s are released you can now purchase the M4s for €200+ less than the latest model, and being as the improvements have been incremental rather than an evolutionary leap, the M4s are currently a steal as well as sounding great. TIP.

An interesting accompanying read is this recent article on the possible side effects of the overuse of noise cancelling headphones, which apparently can encourage your brain to ignore certain frequencies and hence impair your hearing! The research is in its infancy, but I can’t help thinking it’s a possibility and worth considering - use the nose cancelling option wisely not widely, I certainly am.

Final aside is another fantastic Benn Jordan video, my favourite Youtuber who always makes me wonder what I’m doing with my life. In this video he further explores the world of AI music and introduces his new method for poison pilling music files to corrupt the AI company’s LLM’s which illegally scrape artist’s creations. A lot of the technical aspects flew over my head but the principle, his thoughts and his efforts to do something about this creative heist are admirable, and when you see the CEO of Suno, one of the leading music AI companies, saying things like, “Musicians don’t actually enjoy making music any more” as justification for his existence, then you can’t help but be radicalised by such broligarchy bullshit and cheer people like Jordan on.

On to the music.

Aiko Takahashi - The Grass Harp (Laaps)

I haven’t stumbled across many great start to finish ambient albums of late that appeal to my generally more minimal, electrocoustic preferences. I don’t know if it’s just me but there seems to be a tendency to more full bodied and denser ambient music, whether it’s a cyclical trend or the ambient community unconsciously becoming more agitated and trying to wordlessly say something I’m not sure? Certainly I’m seeing more releases pitched as music that promotes healing and sleep, but which I find anything but restful and soothing, prerequisites for my personal sound baths.

Aiko Takahashi, and particularly Laaps are no strangers in this house, and after last year’s It Could Have Been A Beautiful collaboration on sister (audio+ lavish book) imprint IIKI, it’s nice to hear them teaming up again for another peaceful transmission, this time consisting of shorter tracks.

Information about Takahashi is scarce, but she now lives a split existence between the Slovenian and Italian cities of Nova Gorica and Gorizia. It’s also a handy metaphor for her music which sits on the frontiers of silence and sound; form and abstraction - exactly the sort of stylistically ambiguous music that I’m so drawn to, and so often struggle to adequately describe.

I’m guessing her new home is a verdant, beautiful place as the sounds of its waterways, weather and fauna are in abundance, a natural foil to the minimal instrumentation and processed sounds that are artfully collaged into detailed soundscapes that occasionally tell tales of personal experience, as with the somewhat wistful piano led “Poissons Rouges“, but mostly just are; content to exist, happy in their ephemeral nature but also gently contemplation encouraging when called upon.

It’s a wonderful, start to finish listen and another in a long line of stellar releases from the artist and label, both of whom deserve your attention.

Resavoir & Matt Gold - Horizon (International Anthem)

Chicago's Resavoir are a TSMM approved experimental indie jazz collective led by hip hop loving, indie rocking, jazz trumpeting Will Miller. I wasn’t familiar with Matt Gold but he’s a guitar favouring multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Chicago with some highly credible label references which I’m inclined to trust.

Together they’ve just released your favourite summer 2025 soundtrack, well as long as you're having a hot summer that is. The singles have been jumping out at me for a while and whilst the album has been available physically since May the digital, rather frustratingly, has only just been released, although I have to admit it’s been worth the wait.

Harking back to simpler times when social meant talking to people, the pair take a trip down the West Coast rather than through their Midwest home, creating their perfect road trip mixtape to play in their open top sports car. Eschewing modern digital workstations the pair opt for a decidedly 20th century, classily arranged, mildly orchestral jazz route; deftly weaving percussion, keys, vocals, strings, pedal steel, horns and wind instruments of all descriptions to pleasantly laid back, easy grooving, bossa nodding, smooth AOR winking, yacht rocking, warm and uplifting, soulful jazz effect. Sunday morning and summer lazing never sounded so good.

Simon Herody - Hard Lounge (RWR)

Simon Herody is a new name to me but I’m now following with interest. He hails from the South of France, but has swapped the sun for Berlin’s more testing climes in recent times, although I’m sure there have been musical benefits galore for this talented multi-instrumentalist.

His new LP grew from solo gigs in hotel lobbies where he used to half improvise the sets, probably for his own amusement. I certainly became self indulgent when I was a resident DJ at a Trafalgar Square boutique hotel many moons ago, the audience weren’t particularly receptive to say the least. As a result there’s a distinctly lounge music vibe running throughout, albeit a cosmic kitsch one, and I imagine the hotel guests being more Wes Anderson than the rather awkward, chino clad, newly wealthy.

Vintage synth sounds abound driven by equally dated preset machine rhythms, although there’s admirable attention to sonic detail with all sorts of regular lysergic infusions, restrained but on point jazz licks and some lowkey early 80’s funkiness that rescues the smoother moments from dinner jazz purgatory.

If you like the hipper, collectible end of vintage library music or just want an easy but satisfying jazz injected cosmic lounge trip then this comes highly recommended, but please dress appropriately, cigarette holders and waxed moustaches are particularly welcome.

Max Knouse - Chimpmunk'd Away (Jealous Butcher)

Those paying attention will remember me tipping Max Knouse a few weeks ago when I came across the title track for his now released LP. Well I’m happy, and somewhat relieved, to report after unusually sticking my neck out, that he’s done the business.

Hailing from the US’s West Coast, he’s a bit of fixture on the folk fusion scene over there, collaborating with all the right oddball locals to help keep things freaky, and after a series of somewhat meandering releases over the last five years, which felt at times like him trying to articulate his vision, this new LP is a more focussed, mighty fine and lucid statement of outsider intent.

The LP opens sedately enough with an easy slice of heartfelt Americana, although regular lysergic tickles hint of what’s to come and at the five and half minute mark he suddenly erupts into a burst of urgent noise before relaxing and carrying on like nothing happened. Scene set he lets the trippers have what they came for on “Nook Salmon”, his vocals straining and distorting, the melodic round edges hacked off for an altogether more angular trip - watch out. “Chrysanthemum” goes all suitably flower power, paving the way with petals for the title track’s creamy acid-folk ways.

Unsurprisingly with a title like, "Beaverbrain/Kittyjesus" things soon get out of hand again, the heads nodding sagely once more from their smokey corner, before a three track voyage into sparser, pleasantly wayward folk floatiness opens the door to the gently stomping bastard blues of the well named, "Banana, Orange, and Something Else" which sees out this fine, freak flag flying, folk outing.

Hector Plimmer - Infinity Mirrors (Power in Comfort)

I’ve been keeping tabs on Hector Plimmer for getting on ten years, and he’s been putting out a steady stream of solid releases that have moved with the nu-jazz times, culminating in this decidedly modern soul album; you can tell from his sound that he’s a London boy.

On this new release he’s also called in his friends, a veritable who’s who, and who’s about to be, from the capitals music scene, including the TSMM approved and covered Laura Misch, Marysia Osu, Tawiha, Andrew Ashong and a host of new names that I’m now following with interest.

Kicking off with a spiritual nu-jazz floater, the LP then gets laidback and bumpy with soul boy Andrew Ashong, closely followed by the broken soul and distinctive vocals of Julia Biel. Dariés Street-Soul then free flows over Plimmer’s bedtime lullaby, juxtaposing the sweet vibes with his brooding, soulful, grimy delivery.

Next up it’s Tawiha and Osu who provide a sweeter, harp blessed soul injection, before Plimmer lets loose with a firing footwork - D&B sound-clash where, rather like the deep house finale, the only winner is the dance floor. Don’t forget to check the urban poetry of Rohan Ayinde, more great sax work from Misch and the gentle soul of Alexa Harley whilst you’re there. If you want a snapshot of where London’s more cultured soul boys and girls are at these days then tune in.

Pedro Mizutani & Skinshape - Mostrando os Dentes (Nice Guys)

Skinshape is a reliable source of rear view looking soulful endeavour, but also open minded enough to look out across the water from his south coast English home and wonder what else is out there.

On this latest transmission he’s teamed up with Brazilian guitar playing singer Pedro Mizutani to provide a short but sweet summer soundtrack, fusing classic bossa and MPB with a touch of mild exotica. Skinshape uses his multi-instrumental abilities to lay down five easy rhythms which will blow a pleasant breeze onto any summer (in)activities, whilst Mizutani noodles along without a care in the world on guitar whilst singing songs of who knows what in his sweet, soulful, somewhat wistful tones.

Skinshape then thoughtfully taps the instrumentals onto the end of the five tracks if unthinkably the vocals aren’t your cup of tea, or just so you can come out of the bossa crooning closet. Go on, you know you want to.

Don’t Forget TSMM’s Playlists and Podcast.

From ambient sound baths and wellness imbuing new age vibes to underground house via jazz, neoclassical, folk, dub and more, the twenty one TSMM playlists and podcast cover a lot of ground, and are updated regularly.

They’re available on Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon, Youtube Music, Youtube, Deezer, Soundcloud and Spotify (if you don’t worry about them not paying most of the artists on the playlists).

Just hit this smartlink to connect to the various services and TSMM profiles.

Disorderly digging in an algorithmic world. Lesser known, independent & alternative artists. Lazy & hazy vibes. Sign up & turn on.