Charlemagne Palestine - Karenina
I first saw Charlemagne in Paris, playing strumming music on his beloved Bösendorfer. After the show he came over and shared his cognac with me. He is a time machine. He is the Doctor Who of minimalism. His cuddly avatars sit in teddy bear samadhi as he brings the piano out of the demiurge and into gnosis. Overtones shimmering through space. I've seen him play several times on church organ, synthesisers, crystal glassware and the effect is always the same: TOTAL FUCKING TRANCE. His magick is very powerful, but technicolour and inviting. This particular record is a paean to his dog. Tarka (my familiar) loves it too, she slumps down by the speaker and gets mash up listening to Charlie's falsetto. I met him "officially" when I invited him to play Transmissions festival in Italy last year. We've since played together and have a record coming out. Furlemagne Grumblestine. Tick.