ESP Institute Vinyl & CDs

Review: Contemporary classical seems to be having a bit of a moment in the sun right now as it breaks out of its traditional confines and makes a mark on the wider world. Bartellow, who is one-third of the Tambien project and also goes by the name Beni Brachtel in the classical scene, is back on ESP Institute with a second full-length. Noosphere brings together parts of some of his theatrical scores for WUT, Odipus and Antigone and Der Zauberberg amongst others. It takes in cues from Baroque and Impressionism with plenty of sweeping drama and moments of intense emotionality across four sides of sound.

Review: From a cover image wonderfully displaying the proportional difference between humans and the world we call home, to the expansive pedal steel guitar chords that weep their way through the musical destinations here, Raymond Richards encapsulates the vast openness of the US in sound, offering aural interpretations of the beauty and desolation, hope and devastation this wildly rich but painfully unequal country is home to. Track titles are inspired by real pins on the map, although it's unlikely you'll recognise many - we're talking 'Paradise, California' (a swooning, sun-kissed closing overture), 'Astoria, Oregon' (a lilting, vast but quiet slice of ambient) and 'Roslyn, Washington' (which sounds like psychedelic country) rather than more obvious places like Los Angeles, where Richards stomped about with the likes of DJ Lovefingers and Slowdive affiliates Mojave 3 in the late-1990s.

Review: Raymond Richards emerges once again as a musical maestro in Sand Paintings, displaying his unparalleled mastery of the pedal steel. Teaming up with Calexico's John Convertino and an array of eclectic instrumentalists, Richards delves deeper into his contemplative sonic world. From the courageous chords of 'Badwater Basin' to the dramatic landscapes of 'Monument Valley' and 'Saguaro,' each track resonates with emotional depth and cultural richness. While the album expands into grand cinematic gestures, there's a stoic singularity pervading throughout - a lonesome cowboy facing the elements with unwavering resolve. Despite the visceral intensity, a cloaked vulnerability emerges, revealing a profound connection to the world. Sand Paintings is not merely an album; it's a journey through landscapes of sound and emotion, guided by Richards' transcendent vision and honesty.