Council Meeting Memo #074 — Mike Harding’s Top 10 for 2023
Hibernation Activities
Bana Haffar: intimaa’ (Touch)
https://banahaffarreleases.bandcamp.com/album/intimaa
Scandalously looked over, this great record shows what a constantly challenging and vigorous artist Bana is. She keeps us on our toes and is always one step ahead… marvellous!
Sam Dunscombe: Two Forests / Oceanic (Black Truffle)
https://samdunscombe.bandcamp.com/album/two-forests
A revelation. “This release is the result of several years’ research into the role played by music in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapeutic practice…” I’m in!
Ted Reichman: ‘Orgelwerke’ (Ash International)
https://theeternalchord.bandcamp.com/album/orgelwerke
Wonderful reworking of discarded vinyl. THE GREAT RECKONING is coming for this fossil fuel-based product, and here’s a fantastic way to work with what others have discarded.
William Fowler Collins: Alone Inside The Walls Of Night (The Tapeworm)
https://the-tapeworm.bandcamp.com/album/alone-inside-the-walls-of-night
Good artists know how to self-edit and show restraint. Here’s one of them.
Claire M Singer: Saor (Touch)
https://clairemsinger.bandcamp.com/album/saor
Each album Claire makes underlines what a unique road she is treading. Her vision is framed with emotive power in a way few others manage. Every home should have one.
Alka: On The Run (Mortality Tables)
One of those glorious moments which are gone as soon as they appear….HUNT IT DOWN!
CM Von Hausswolff & Chandra Shukla: Travelogue (Bali) (Touch)
Bloody hell! Was stunned when this came in and it still turns me around.
Philip Jeck & Chris Watson: Oxmardyke (Touch)
https://philipjeck.bandcamp.com/album/oxmardyke
The generosity of spirit of these two artists produced a gem, in the most difficult of circumstances. Although a bright shining light powered down, it continues to pulse through our universe of listening.
John Krausbauer & Patrick Shiroishi: High Life
https://patrickshiroishi.bandcamp.com/album/high-life
Get the physical if you can find it. A screaming drone of a record from a remarkable pairing, recorded in 2021.
Ulrich Krieger: Aphotic II — Abyssal (ROOM40)
https://room40.bandcamp.com/album/aphotic-ii-abyssal
“Down down, deeper and down.” Sub-pelagic glory from a world we have no right to do anything to but observe and learn.
Mike is the publisher of Touch. Curator & Producer; Lecturer & Publisher; Author & Editor; Moderator; occasional exhibitions / installations / performances. He has been running Touch with Jon Wozencroft since 1982.
