Christo Jota – Moondog

It's the second full-length experimental release by guitarist Christo Jota from Köln, and although he isn’t breaking much new ground with this one, it's such interesting terrain that I don't mind revisiting this particular sound. Guitar-Loops melting in all tracks repetitive patterns put on soft synthiepads, on which the guitar takes off for some spacey melodies. I loved his first release, Mantra, and this second work, Moondog, has nothing to be ashamed of. To help you to discover his universe, let me say that Christo Jota is inspired by people like Robert Fripp, Steve Hillage, Harmonia, Tangerine Dream, and the looping scene with guys like Andy Butler, Zoe Keating etc.

You can listen to both new and older tracks on: christojota.de

MySpace: myspace.com/christojota
Label : fuego.de

Bonus: Steve Hillage - Electrick Gypsies .mp3

Harmonia - From 1974 To 2008

Harmonia? Who the hell are they? In the early ‘70s, I was completely aware of what was going on on German progressive rock music (at that time, not really much people called it Krautrock). I attended gigs from Tangerine Dream, Can, Guru Guru… I listened to Klaus Schulze and Kraftwerk, of course, and some others. But I never heard about Harmonia. Never.
Few weeks ago, my good friend Christo Jota from Cologne gave me a little black and white promo CD from a German group that I should listen to: Harmonia.
I made my research. Harmonia was found in 1973 by ex-members of Cluster and Neu! They made two albums, one in 1974 and one in 1975, with later 1976 sessions recorded with Brian Eno released two decades later… more here or on the band website.
Harmonia Live 1974 just like the title says is a live recording but… without any signs from the audience. Not a problem. The music is based on repeated rhythmic figures and simple guitar harmonies employed as foundations of long, hypnotic improvisations, several reaching 15 minutes or more. The quality of the recording is perfect and makes the performance from the band very attractive. Many repeated listening is requested to extend the state of peace that the music brings.
Live 1974 was released on the UK-based Groenland Records label on October 22, 2007 and the San Francisco based Water Records label in the United States on December 11, 2007.
And guess what? Harmonia is still alive and is touring this summer; latest news here.

Listen via Sneakmove to:

Harmonia - Dino .mp3 from Musik von Harmonia (1974)

Cluster - Caramel .mp3 from Zuckerzeit (1974)

Bonus: Kraftwerk - Computer Love .mp3