Playlist Week of 2016-04-30

* La Sublime Porte: Voix d’Istanbul 1430-1750 (Hesperion XXI/Savall) (Alia Vox SACD)

* Stockhausen: Ceylon/Bird of Passage (Chrysalis LP)

* Subotnik: Silver Apples Of The Moon (Nonesuch LP)

* Suzanne Ciani: Buchla Concerts 1975 (Finders Keepers LP)

* Keith Jarrett: Death And The Flower (ABC/Impulse! LP)

* Jayson Lindh: Ramadan (Metronome/CTI LP)

* Jayson Lindh: Cous Cous (Metronome/CTI LP)

* Spring Heel Jack: The Blue Series Continuum: Masses (Thirsty Ear CD)

* Tangerine Dream: Sorcerer OST (MCA LP)

* Lucifer: Black Mass (MCA LP)

* Gentle Giant: In A Glass House (WWA LP)

* Gentle Giant: The Official Live Gentle Giant: Playing The Fool (Capitol 2LP)

* Hatfield And The North: Hatfield And The North (Virgin LP)

* National Health: National Health (Visa LP)

* Kraan: Andy Nogger (Passport LP)

* Mainstream: Quiet Sun (Antilles LP)

* Heldon: Third: “It’s Always Rock’n Roll” (Urus 2LP)

* Heldon: Live in Paris 1975 (SouffleContinuum LP)

* Tortoise: A Lazarus Taxon (Thrill Jockey 3CD+DVD)

* Opeth: Throat of Winter (Roadrunner 7”)

* Electric Wizard: Electric Wizard (Rise Above LP)

* Yob: Catharsis (Relapse LP)

* Boris: Akuma No Uta (Southern Lord CD)

* Boris with Merzbow: Rock Dream (Southern Lord 2CD)

* Boris: Pink (Southern Lord CD)

* OM: Advaitic Songs (Drag City2-45RPM LP)

* OM: Ababa Dub (Alpha & Omega) (Drag City 12”)

* OM: Garden of Gethesemane (Alpha & Omega) (Drag City 12”)

* White Hills: Glitter Glamour Atrocity (Thrill Jockey LP)

* Wolf Eyes: I Am A Problem : Mind In Pieces (Third Man LP)

* Grails: Black Tar Prophecies Vols.4, 5 & 6 (Temporary Residence 2LP)

* Watter: This World (Temporary Residence LP)

* Krakatau: Water Near A Bridge (Trouble In Mind LP)

* Dahga Bloom: No Curtains (Captcha LP)

†=iPod/iTunes

‡=car

Commentary:

One of the most amazing things about the YouTube Vinyl Community -- a self-selecting group of record nerds who make videos about their obsession -- is the phenomenon known as "VCLT," which stands for the "Vinyl Community Love Train." This is what we call it when someone sends another VC-er records in the mail for no reason at all except to spread the vinyl love.

Now, believe me when I say that I did NOT get involved in the VC so that people would send me free records. No. I have plenty of records. In fact, one of the first things I did after I joined was to send stuff off to some of my favorite video-makers. It feels good to give a gift for no reason! Of course, I will admit that I also hoped that these folks would check out my channel, maybe give me a quick shout-out and help me get it off the ground. And, indeed, that did happen -- but it is this extraordinary spirit of generosity in the Vinyl Community that makes it so special and I have tried to keep the Love Train going over the years while also receiving numerous gifts from people all over the world. It truly is an amazing thing.

What's even more amazing is that the Vinyl Community is not just about the people brave enough to get on camera and babble about records. There is a huge group of folks who only watch and comment on videos -- but they also get in on the Love Train action. A guy who goes by the handle "MrTrendkill2" has been a faithful commenter of mine ever since I started and is a fellow Opeth fanatic. Not too long ago, he sent me their super-limited-edition seven-inch single from 2003, "Still Day Beneath The Sun" b/w "Patterns In The Ivy II" (Robotic Empire) -- a rare (and, needless to say, not inexpensive) slice of wax. I'm still blown away by this.

Then, yesterday -- totally out of the blue -- I got another package from MrTrendkill and dang if he didn't send me another hard-to-find Opeth seven-inch: "Throat of Winter" (Roadrunner) -- a Record Store Day exclusive from 2011, limited to only 1000 copies. But not only that, the sleeve is signed by the entire band! Holy cow! I am not worthy! He also sent me an interesting LP, No Curtains (Captcha), the latest from the heavy neo-psych band, Dahga Bloom. Favorite track (and title): "Adolph Hipster." Killer! Thank you so much, MrTrendkill, just amazing!

Anyway, here's a video: