Rudi Zygadlo - Ten Craziest Live Gigs

Take the fundamentals of Dubstep, throw in some pop song writing, mix it with some Eastern European Classical and contemporary US Indie and thus you have Rudi Zygadlo. His 'fusion' style song making has earned him the respect of the likes of Mary Anne Hobbs and Giles Peterson to name a few and as he gears up to play Planet Mu at London's XOYO next week, he drop into Pulse HQ to give us his top 10 must see musical influences!

Rudi Zygadlo: Fairly off the top of my head, 10 things worth listening/watching. As these are youtube links I have selected live versions for fun [laughs].

Frank Zappa - Approximate:

Mid 70's Zappa is probably the most joyous Zappa. Having lots of fun here abusing his band.
 

The Bad Plus - Flim (Aphex Twin):

One of my favourite contemporary Jazz bands playing one of everybody's favourite Aphex tunes. Pleasant stuff and one of the best gigs I've ever been to.

Chet Baker - Time After Time :

Mum introduced me to this man. Funny Valentine would be the obvious choice, but this is pretty sexy stuff too. Chet with a front tooth missing here and starting to crumple at the edges but still sounding like caramel. Having too much of a good time. Sounds a bit like Jeff Buckley.
 

Le Mysteres des voix bulgares - 3 Bulgarian Choir Songs:

'World music' on American TV chat shows is sometimes a wincing affair but Im sure the audience never forgot this. Absolutely stunning music. The harmonies are fantastic. Music to die to?

Ry Cooder - That Vigilante Man:

Recalls to mind car holidays in the Dordogne and Hollywood chewing gum.

Pat Metheny - The Orchestrion EPK:

This is not a song. And what Metheny does play this video is pretty boring. But the orchestrion or robotic band he has set up here is absolutely mind boggling. Shame he just plays guitar solos over the top of it. 

Valentina Lesitsa plays Liszt's Totentantz:

Valentina Lesitsa has become a youtube sensation as far as 'classical music' goes. Probably because she's taken the time and money to film herself playing the stunt romantics. Excellent all the same. This is Liszt's variations on the Dies Irea theme. And a lot of this is wowzeee fantastic but it gets a little tiring by the end. Could have stopped around the 9min mark.

Stanley Clarke and Gregory Hines - Bassically Tap: 

One of the best collaborations ever. Stanley Jordan, potentially the founder Slap. With the star of TAP! Greggory Hines providing the percussion with his heels.

Stanley Jordan - Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles):



Another Stanley, another Jazzer. And Yes, he is playing the rhythm and the solo at the same time. His debut album Magic Touch in around 86 was big album. Highlight being his own composition All the children. Great cover of Eleanor Rigby here though.

Rostropovich Plays Bach Cello Suite no. 5:

Nice. More music to happily die to here. Couldn't find my favourite suite. But this is great.

Rudi Zygadlo plays Planet Mu @ XOYO, Friday 11th May 2012

Full line up includes:

KUEDO – LIVE (UK DEBUT)
MACHINEDRUM (LIVE)
THE HOST AKA BOXCUTTER (LIVE)
RUDI ZYGADLO (LIVE)
TROPICS (LIVE)
PLANET MU DJ’S

ROOM 2 HOSTED BY THEM:
SDUK & CNTRST
TRIPPER
BAGHEERA
VORTEX SG

Listen to Rudi Zygadlo on Pulse Radio