hearts of space | news

PGM 1341 'A STEVE TIBBETTS CELEBRATION' : mar. 24-31

As we slog wearily but hopefully through the last storm of winter and welcome the transition to spring, it’s a good time to reconsider the music of the singular Minnesota guitarist and composer STEVE TIBBETTS—a man who fully lives the life of an artist, while still being a responsible citizen, a compassionate family man, an entertaining storyteller, an international traveler to the mountains of Nepal and the jungles of Bali—and a serious, open-minded musician.

As you might expect from someone with such broad and diverse experience, STEVE TIBBETTS’ music is multi-faceted, wide-ranging, and absolutely unique. He plays both electric and 12 string guitars in a non-standard tuning, and cites influences from jazz, rock, and world music, as well as his lifelong musical partner, percussionist MARK ANDERSON, and producer MANFRED EICHER of his longtime label ECM Records.

On this transmission of HEARTS of SPACE, we focus on his more delicate and contemplative acoustic music, on "A STEVE TIBBETTS CELEBRATION."

We'll feature selections from his 2022 ECM Anthology HELLBOUND TRAIN; from his 1984 ECM album SAFE JOURNEY; and from SELWA, his 2004 collaboration with Tibetan nun and singer CHÖYING DROLMA.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]

 

PGM 1340 'STAR TRACER' : mar. 17-24

More than a hundred years into the evolution of electronic music, and a lot has changed, but some things remain the same. Synthesizers, samplers, Digital Audio Workstations, sound modification tools, and now music software and “plug-in” processors—have opened up an unlimited new creative environment—while the ancient principles of melody, harmony, and rhythm have been joined by the creation of virtual space. And when it comes to virtual space, electronic images of our cosmic environment continue to inspire what we like to call “spacemusic.”

On this transmission of HEARTS of SPACE we’re back to our happy place, with a program of interstellar electronics called STAR TRACER. Music is by S1GNS OF L1FE, ALPHA WAVE MOVEMENT, SUBDREAM, DREAMSTATE LOGIC,TERMINUS VOID, JONN SERRIE, TOM MOORE & MIKE CLAY.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]

PGM 836R 'SUSPENSION' : mar. 10-17

Floating...through the long transition between winter and spring. In times of uncertainty, we hold back, restrain action, and wait. Patience and experience help us endure the time. We relax, observe the signs, quietly mark the changes, remain ready...for what comes next.

In music, a suspension is an extended tone connecting one chord with the following chord, often marked by a temporary dissonance. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a floating journey for a time of transition and temporary dissonance called SUSPENSION.

Music is by LUDOVICO EINAUDI, RUDY ADRIAN, ROBIN GUTHRIE & HAROLD BUDD, BRUNO SANFILIPPO & MATHIAS GRASSOW, and FRANK VAN BOGAERT.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]

 

PGM 1339 'SECRET SOUNDS of TIBET' : mar.3-10

The otherworldly sound of Tibetan Buddhist chant: coarse and guttural in tone, yet powerfully calm and focused. For centuries it was a secret sound heard only in remote monasteries high on the Tibetan Plateau. It found its way west in the Tibetan diaspora, after the Chinese invasion and occupation of the mountain kingdom in 1951.

Along with the deep vocals came a full complement of unique metal instruments, from 16’ longhorns and powerful crashing cymbals, to resonant bowls, and delicate bells of astonishing clarity. A new genre was created by progressive Tibetan monks and adventurous western musicians like HENRY WOLFF and NANCY HENNINGS, with their groundbreaking 1972 album “TIBETAN BELLS.”

On this transmission of HEARTS of SPACE, we immerse ourselves in authentic Tibetan chant and cross-cultural creative hybrids, on a neo-Tibetan/Himalayan journey called SECRET SOUNDS OF TIBET.                                                       

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]