Letherette - Letherette EPs 1&2 (2010 & 2011)

a very good couple of eps from the beatmaker letherette. very neo-soulish, but with a very expansive range of dynamics. the music has some intriguing melodies etched onto the very light beats, which makes for a very smooth listen. the first ep is purely beats, while the second one has diversity (even a house track!) and a much more funk oriented sound - the percussion also follows suit. very fun and funky music, i love it.

download

Gal Costa - Gal [1969]

Wow, this is amazing.
Coming from DHint's recommendation, this might be the coolest piece of psychedelia I hadn't heard before. I honestly have a hard time believing that this is from 1969.

The fuzziest, wahiest guitars jump in and out from the driving drums and delayed vocals, while woodwinds and tight percussion keep it all grounded in Tropicalia.

Goddamn, this's been a fun genre to explore.

KEEP IT COMING GUYS. LET'S HEAR ALL OF THE GOOD MUSIC.

Arthur Verocai - Arthur Verocai (1971)

there was some chatter in the comments for Will's Stan Getz post regarding Brazilian late 60s tropicalia, so i thought i'd up one of my favorite records from that era. on his self-titled debut, Verocai wrote songs combining folk, pop, psychedelia, soul, and jazz sounds and paired them with lush arrangements (which he did himself, classically trained as he was) and instrumentation that included a 20-piece string section and brass ensemble. the result is a kind of agile orchestral psych-funk with the immediacy and intimacy of folk-jazz teamed with scrumptious backing textures. it's a quick hitter, only 10 tracks and clocking in at about half an hour, but it will probably leave you wanting more. unfortunately, there isn't any... although, some of you hip-hop heads might recognize No Boca Do Sol and Seriado, which were appropriated for MF Doom's Special Herbs series.

sun-kissed

BK One - For the Love of Music (2004ish)

i picked this up seemingly ages ago (when ill! was just a little sniffle) at a Rhymesayers show in Boston - i believe it was a tour-only mix from BK One, label dj and beatmaker extraordinaire. a wide range of hip-hop is obviously represented here (from KRS and Kweli to Snoop and Redman and everything in between), but there are several tracks dedicated to an assortment of funk/soul and reggae/rocksteady. oh, and it's structured around samples from High Fidelity (aka the music snob's magnum opus movie) and it closes with William DeVaughn's "Be Thankful For What You Got," which is an absolutely perfect song in my estimation. the concept may sound pretty rote, but the execution is what makes this a mix i come back to over and again without fail.

it's my go-to cooking record, for what it's worth

Dr. Timothy Leary, Ph.D. - Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out [1967]

Here's some trippy shit.

Dr. Timothy Leary and co. narrate a sort of acid meditation ("Galactic time has labored to produce this moment. Exquisite. All things, all images, move slowly within shimmering nets", etc. etc. etc.). Backing this is a melange of '60s hippy culture--sitars, folky guitars, odd sound effects, bird songs...the whole album would come of as incredibly goofy if it wasn't so goddamn sincere. The record as a whole is a fascinating artifact from a time when psychedelic exploration still had cultural validity.

don't do drugs*

*just kidding.

Henry Mancini - The Pink Panther [1963]

Everyone's heard the title track from this soundtrack. You're humming it to yourself right now, don't even fucking deny it.

Even though the first track has historically overshadowed the rest, the whole thing is essential. If you don't know Henry Mancini well, this is a great introduction. His sound incorporated big band swing, Les Baxter-style exotica / lounge, and jazz. Full of interesting (unique, but never gimmicky!) tone colors and sounds, Mancini was a perfect choice of composers to score the quirky, wonderful movie that is The Pink Panther.

This is primo lounging music.

Download.

Lounge.

Steve Martin ain't got nothin' on Peter Sellers.

Stan Getz - Getz Au Go Go [1964]

This is a recording of the great tenor sax player Stan Getz and his band, performing live with the wonderful bossa nova singer Astrud Gilberto. One thing I love about jazz, and particularly about the jazz of the 1960s, is its ability to be mellow and relaxing without sacrificing complexity or depth. This record is a stunning example of such. Listening to it now, I can just feel myself decompressing (and I just fucking woke up).

One of my favorite parts of this record is the amazing vibraphone. Lacking a piano, the vibes (courtesy of jazz master Gary Burton) are responsible for holding down the chord changes. As such, Getz's warm tenor solos seem to be floating on air, as the vibes drift through the songs.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...

DJ 2-Tone Jones - Shaolin Jazz [2011]

This one shouldn't take a lot of explanation.

Classic bop recordings + the Wu-Tang Clan?

Yes please.

This is one of those rare mash-ups that works just as well as one would like. What makes it click so well is that it's not just a bunch of one-bar loops with some a cappellas (hyperlink leads to some etymology that I found mildly interesting) slapped on top. Rather, the beats are constructed in such a manner as to compliment the vocals fantastically.

Bonus points for how many of the samples you can recognize.

Q. Is the Wu-Tang Clan something to fuck with?

A. No.

Extra: this gallery of Wu-Tang album art redone a la Blue Note records is wonderful, and I believe was the inspiration for this album.

The Bug Vs. Rootsman + DJ /Rupture - Split [2003]

I always had a hard time understanding the "dub" in dubstep. However, when you go back to the right places, there it is, staring at you in its dubbed out glory. This is a fun little split in that it's neither really dub nor dubstep, but whatever it is, it's fun.

The first half, The Bug vs. Rootsman is heavy, distorted, noisy and furious. If you don't know The Bug already, his tracks on this split are pretty indicative of what he would go on to do. Ferocious overdriven electronic snarls, backed by broken dancehall riddims. The vocals are excellent too ('cause what would a The Bug track be without some guest vox?), propelling the piece.

The second half is DJ /Rupture, one of my favorite DJs. His set is meticulously crafted, as always, with the spoken word samples, beats, and ambience.

The split EP is a great pairing, though not one I necessarily would have thought of. Both /Rupture and The Bug have a sort of apocalyptic feel, in this case The Bug is the apocalypse, and DJ /Rupture is whatever comes afterwards.

Lemme know what y'all think of this one.

SOPA Blackout bandwagon

so everyone is finally getting a wind of SOPA (thanks Ford!) and the blackout date is today. We aren't doing that because of several reasons (#1 being this is blogger and a music blog,, with #2 being just how annoying it is trying to access wikipedia). anyway, this post is just to let you guys know the USAs government loves lobby money and that they are trying to setup something similar to the "great firewall of china (clever rite)". so go and tell your senator etc that you dont want anything to do with SOPA and oppose it, want to repudiate it et. al.

go dog

Beck - Hell Yes (Remix E.P.) [2005]

Funky 8-bit remixes of a couple songs from Guerro, by some of the same people that did the Hell Yes remix on Guerolito. Tight, dancey gameboy sounds, but made more organic by Beck's voice. Poppy, but bizarre. I think my favorite track off of here is "Bad Cartridge (E-Pro).

I want this on vinyl so fucking bad (it was released as a 7", I believe). There's something hilariously useless about an analog representation of digital data. And the cover's fucking sick.

BEEP BOOP BEEP

Quincy Jones & Bill Cosby - The Original Jam Sessions 1969 (2004)

Yeah, you read that right. In 1969, Quincy "I Fucking Produced Thriller" Jones was the musical director for The Cosby Show. This album is him jamming with the tight ensemble he put together to use as background music, and it's awesome. But, I suppose I should elaborate.

I don't know Quincy Jones well--his only albums that I can say I've listened to thoroughly are this one, Thriller (it's pretty underground, you probably haven't heard of it), and his big band stuff. All of them are awesome, but I really don't have a clear picture of who he is a musician through these. But, I'm not even worried about it, 'cause they're all formidable beasts of jazz, funk, funky jazz, jazzy funk, et cetera et cetera et cetera.

This one is just laid back, jazzy, funky soul jamming. Groove heavy and mellow, it's not hard to imagine Bill Cosby sitting in his comfy chair (I can only assume he brings one wherever he goes), puffin' on his cigar and tapping his foot approvingly. When he gets up to join in the jam session, in one of the alt takes for "Hikky-Burr" he's on fire--making goofy Bill Cosby noises perfectly within the jazzy context, takin' the band for a ride.

But yeah, rambling aside: if you like funk, vintage jazz, Bill Cosby, soundtracks, sweaters, or tight rhythm section jamming, this is one for you.

HIKKY-BURR!

John Coltrane - Coltrane (1957)

Trane's first record as a bandleader, recorded while on a "break" from Miles' band (smack is bad for you?). incidentally, he was only paid $300 for this (about $2,300 in 2011 $s), just in case you thought there was ever a time when labels weren't predatory... anyways, it's clear that his time in Miles' group had an impact on Trane, as his economical statements of the head melodies are worlds away from the sheets of sound that are hallmarks of his later playing. the easy swing in his phrasings and the silky tone of his tenor ooze heartfelt sentimentality and emotional content, especially in the ballads. also of note is the rhythm section of Paul Chambers (also from Miles' quintet) and Albert Heath, who effortlessly lay down some tricksy grooves (like the hemiolas in the fiery opener, Bakai). if you're more keyed into stuff like Blue Train rather than Ascension, this is for you.

chronic blues

George Benson - The Other Side of Abbey Road (1970)

This was a newly-discovered gem for me. Recorded just three weeks after The Beatles's "Abbey Road" was released, this is a fantastic R&B infused, jazz re-imagining of a few Abbey Road songs.

Jazz guitarist George Benson is joined by some fantastic folks, including legends such as Idris Muhammad on drums, Herbie Hancock on the keyboards, and Freddie Hubbard on trumpet. Benson's vocals are used fabulously--snatches of lyrics here and there, obscured by reverb, pop in as if to remind you of the Beatles' song that inspired their jamming. When you throw in a string section, great arrangements, and a lovely production job by Creed Taylor, and you've got yourself a fantastic listen for a lazy afternoon.

lolwut

Darkside - EP (2011)

Someone suggested this in a comment, thank you.

Nicolas Jaar's sideproject with Dave Harrington. All the airy, sexy, electro-magic of Jaar, but with some even sexier guitar in the mix.

How many times can we say sexy? This is really good sex music.

Mugison - Mugiboogie (2008)

An oldie but a goodie. Forgot how goodie, till it just came on shuffle.

Slightly eccentric Icelandic man, making raw and heavy blues which recalls the Black Keys' early good stuff. A couple of tracks bite, but for the most part they're all excellent, and the title track is to die for.

Rock outttt

Fnessnej - Stay Fresh, Ey (2008)

Fnessnej is a five piece instrumental group from Germany. That's the easy part to describe. What do they play? Some sort of crowded, chaotic, improbably poppy blend of synth-pop, 8-bit, post-punk, math-rock kinda music. It doesn't work out on paper, but holy shit--this is a fun album.
Constantly dancey, with styles falling away as soon as you recognize them, this is an album you'll immediately put on repeat, if only to figure out what the hell you just listened to. Due to their style being so very everywhere, the album stays fresh throughout. Enjoy.

A MATH PROBLEM WITHOUT AN EQUALS SIGN

Itzhak Perlman - Paganini's 24 Caprices for Solo Violin (1978)

well screw you avax...

I've been on a big Paganini kick lately. For those not familar, Paganini is known primarily for his virtuosicly fast and notoriously difficult violin pieces. I'd argue that it's the classical equivilant of Buckethead, taking classical violin far outside of it's normal comfort zone.

Playing on this recording is Itzhak Perlman, who can (as required) tear his fucking violin to shreads with his lightning fast bow.

This album is Paganini's 24 Caprices for Solo Violin. Each piece studies specific (bruatally fast, impossible) techniques. That said, there's as much to enjoy aesthetically as they are technically. They're light, fun, and energetic.

I think that y'all'll like this one.


BONUS ROUND! Does anyone have a copy of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's recording of Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring from 1978? I need to listen to it for my thesis...

Total Freedom - The Banging Bells of Hell (2010)

it seems i'm always hearing good things about NYC's Ghe20 Goth1k, probably the most frequently lauded club/party of 2011. more than the word of mouth love, this mixtape solidified GG's rep in my mind. it's telling that in a bounce-back year for hip-hop, a mix released in 2010 never left my rotation. the lesson here? the combination of apocalypticism, 808 breaks, and Southern drawl is always a killer.

6 feet long gone, 666 bitch

Røsenkøpf - Dispiritualized (2011)

demo tape (and i mean tape) from psych/noise/goth outfit Røsenkøpf scored them a deal and they're currently readying a debut 7" that will likely blow similar genre releases out of the water in the first quarter of 2012. residing beneath the hiss is a compelling blend of swirling guitar, driving bass, brilliant drum sequencing, and Martin Swope-ian live vocal editing that's as exciting as anything i heard last year. can't wait to hear what's next from these guys.

ground floor

Detektivbyrån - Wermland (2008)

Detektivbyrån, meaning "The Detective Agency", is a folky, electronica-y group from Sweden. Immediately recognizable due to their spectacular instrumentation (lots of accordian and keyboards, therimin, toy pianos, glockenspials...), their instrumental music evokes nostalgia and wonder.


The album flows well, exploring Swedish folk in several ways. Though the songs are all fairly similar, in terms of structure and form (you better like 6/8!), each one's instrumentation is different enough to keep it interesting. Unfortunately, the group is now defunct, and this was their only full length album.

This is a good album with which to ring in 2012. Listen to it while taking a walk in the snow.

2012! 2012! 2012!

In The Wee Small Hours - Frank Sinatra (1955)

I love this album.

"In The Wee Small Hours" feels like insomnia, in the sexiest way possible. Pacing with a Winston at 3 o'clock in the morning has never sounded so romantically sad. But of course--this is motherfucking Frank Sinatra, the man with the best voice in recording history. His rich baritone is so full of nuances and subtle inflections that you get lost in them, as he drops straight-up 1950s wisdom on your ungrateful earballs.

And the arrangements! Goddamn! The omnipotent Nelson Riddle hits solidly home with his orchestration that sounds like the night. Ranging from small ensembles to a full orchestra, each song is simultaniously rich and subtle, and accompanies and accents Sinatra's voice. Riddle has done a lot of interesting work, I'd also recommend checking out his soundtrack to Lolita for a very different side.

If you haven't heard this before, you're in for a treat.

SAD FRANK

oh, and happy new year wflm people.

controller.controller - History (2004)

A strong debut EP from an unfortunately short-lived Toronto favorite.

Moody, pulsing, dark and heavy disco-dance. Has one of my favorite tracks of all the time, 'Disco Blackout' - dare you not to dance.

They're gonna cut the lights

Keith Jarrett - Paris Concert (1990)

The master improviser (and occasional master prick) doing what he does best.

Recorded October 17 1988 - hence the first track - and released a few years after. Packed with his trademark vocalizations and interesting improvisations.

Enjoy

La Bottine Souriante - Cordial (2001)

So, in light of some Québecois dude bitchin' in the comments about how "English music isn't Canadian, francophonez 4 lyf, blah blah" (not actually a quote), here's some fucking fantastic French Canadian music.

La Bottine Souriante--"the smiling boot", if my high school French is right--plays traditional Québecois music, with the addition of a jazz horn section, funky bass, and nasty keyboards. Folk music often is portrayed as boring and lifeless, but this is anything but. I dare you to play this and not dance--legitimately impossible.

My favorite track on here is "Le démon sort de l'enfer", which starts of as very straightforward folk, but with each successive verse gets funkier and funkier. However, most every track on here is just as catchy, and will make you move.

OAUY!

V/A - Folk Songs of Canada Now (2011)

Really great collection of folk field recordings, as compiled by Henry Adam Svec, and performed by some of Canada's better known musical talents (such as Olenka Krakus, Laura Barrett and Wax Mannequin).

It's presented less like an album, and more like an academic study, with extensive and informative background information and a free download available on the project's website, which I highly recommend taking a look at. (Fun fact, if you're a fan of Kate Beaton's webcomic Hark! A Vagrant, she's done all the art for this project as well.)

Enjoy, eh

La Mer and Trois Nocturnes - Claude Debussy (1984)

Excuse me for echoing David Toop ("Toooop doggy, dooo-ooo-ooo-ooog!"), but I'd definitely argue that modern music's fascination with texture and tone color can be traced to Claude Debussy. One of my favorite composers, his Nocturnes are easily my favorite of his compositions--lush and rich, they are evocative and abstract without losing their ability to convey awe and wonder.

This particular recording is one of my favorites. The London Symphony Orchestra is conducted by the great André Previn through both the Nocturnes and his equally stunning orchestral work "La Mer". Part of what makes this such a stand-out performance is the recording. EMI's first commercial digitally recorded release, the engineering on this CD is spectacular. The sound stage is enormous, and every part is audible. This naturally adds a great deal to the intricate textures and timbres of the piece, putting Debussy's ground-breaking instrumentation in plain sight.

PROPAGATE BEAUTY.

Age of Mythology Soundtrack - Stephan Rippy & Kevin McMullan (2002)

I was actually playing this game earlier today when I remembered how spectacular it's soundtrack was. On listening, it turns out that the soundtrack to Age of Mythology is just as evocative and entertaining outside the context of the real-time strategy masterpiece.

The bafflingly named tracks ("Eat Your Potatoes", "Flavor Cats (In the Comfort Zone)", "Ma'am...Some Other Sunset") alternate being mysterious and ambient, and epic and orchestral, jazzy and electronic. The use of live instruments and electronics makes it sometimes difficult to identify the sound sources, but all are evocative of your Norse axemen mowing through Hydras and Egyptian chariots (or something like that).

But really, this is one of those soundtracks (like those I've been posting lately) that stands on its own, outside of the context of it's grafted video-game. Stylistically, I'd liken it to the soundtrack from the first Halo game--ambiently eerie, alien, and ultimately entertaining. So, even if you haven't played the game, I implore you to give this a listen.

I'm all about the norse. what's your mythology of choice?

V/A - Donaueschinger Musiktage (1994-2010)

it's tough keeping up with contemporary composition - it can take years for a piece to be written, premiered, recorded, and maybe released by a label. so besides going to shows, i try to pick up releases from new music festivals, like these from the Donaueschinger Musiktage, to keep me current. unfortunately, that's no easy task either, as the DM has recently swapped distributors and each year's recordings are split up into several volumes released on a seemingly arbitrary schedule. fantastic. nevertheless, i consider these an invaluable resource for trending the avantgarde and as an introduction to up-and-coming composers/ensembles worth keeping an ear on. here are some recent favorites.

1994 vol. 1 (modern pieces for player piano! borderline ridiculous)
2002 vol. 1 (vocal-centric)
2006 vol. 3 (Smolka and Mitterer fuck with the baroque)
2006 vol. 4 (large chamber works from Kagel and Posadas)
2007 vol. 3 (works for large orchestra/electronics)
2010 (new pieces for string quartet; unreleased)

Gogol Bordello + Balkan Beat Box - J.U.F. (2004)

First of all, if you're not familiar with Gogol Bordello or Balkan Beat Box, go familiarize yourself with them.

"J. U. F." stands for "Jewish Ukrainishe Freundschaft"--Jewish Ukrainian Friendship. It's about what you'd expect with these two projects coming together--Eugene Hütz and his oversized personality provide well placed yelps, howls, raps, and singing. Tamir Muskat, the drummer/programmer for Balkan Beat Box lays down techno beats, which are augmented by his drumming. All this provides a great pad for lots of saxophones, percussion, dub bass, gypsy violin, and whatever else these guys had lying around (i.e. bagpipes and shit).

This album isn't as good as either of the groups' best efforts, but it's still a lot of fun. It's pretty consistent, and stands up well to repeat listens. The whole thing is exellently dancy, and never seems to be taking itself too seriously--everyone sounds like they're having a good deal of fun.


culture is a cultural construction

Fela Kuti - Roforofo Fight (1972)

I'm glad that in the past couple years, Fela Kuti's been getting the recognition he always deserved. Throughout his storied life (seriously, look up some of these hijinks), he made a fuck-ton of spectacular afro-beat, each release as good as the next.

Fela invented and popularized afro-beat, with it's mix of African-American funk rhythms, Yoruba drumming, psychedelic guitars, cataclysmic horn lines that hit you like a dump truck made of dump trucks, and long long long long song forms. Holding all this joy together is Fela's versatile voice, full of emotions and character.

This release has some of my favorite tracks--the title track, in particular is glorious.

Oh, and I heard that musical based on his life was real good.

Bonus: this is in a similar vein (with fela's old drummer), and is also fucking sweet. deep cuts from the wflm archives...

Tony Allen + Jimi Tenor

Ectoplasm Girls - TxN (2011)

from Sweden comes this creepy little gem of a record - let's call it dark ambient. the first few tracks settle you in, but the record really takes off near the mid-point - "If Your Mother Asks" (track 7) begins the best run of songs on the album. present are all the sound elements that are hallmarks of this type of music, but they're employed with restraint and to great effect. the strangulated drum loops seem to want to get a party started but never quite get there. it's anti-dance.

fyi, this is really good subway music

Pete Swanson - Man With Garbage (2011)

"Man With Garbage" is the accompanying CD with Pete Swanson's "Man With Potential". I don't know Pete Swanson, but after hearing this li'l bonus album, I'm certainly planning on picking up "Man With Potential".

Atmospheric, ambient, glorious noise. Earsplitting, brain-expanding, aurally-pleasing noise. Try walking around town in a foggy night with this in your headphones.

GAAAARBAGE.

K.Flay - I Stopped Caring In 96 (2011)

I just saw K.Flay open up for some hip-hop shit. The hip-hop shit was good, but K.Flay was fucking great--easily one of the coolest performances I've seen for a while. Getting back from the venue, I looked up her recordings, and what do you know? Also awesome.

I've been so fucking hooked on the three volumes of her mixtape "I Stopped Caring In 96". It's not really the kind of stuff I usually listen to, but it's so fucking good--the beats are dirty and Fresh (with a capital 'F'), and her delivery, somewhere between spoken word and rap, is smooth and full of cool lines.

PARTY IN MY PANTS

Station W.E.F.U.N.K.

So this really isn't the type of thing usually posted here, but fuck it, it's worth posting here. Based out of Montreal, WUFUNK Radio is a weekly radio show featuring live vinyl mixes of vintage funk and hip-hop mixes. Using lots of deep cuts of killer tunes, this is one of the most consistent internet radio stations I've ever ran across.

Best of all? A huuuuge fucking archive of past shows.

Make My Funk The WEFUNK; I Wants To Get FUNKED UP!

Post your fave web radio sites in the comments, plz.

Isao Tomita - Snowflakes Are Dancing (1974)

Riding the wave that originated with Walter/Wanda Carlos' "Switched On Bach" (a masterpiece of applying synthesizers to classical music) came Isao Tomita. The Japanese producer used a staggering array of state-of-the-art (at the time) synthesizers, including the same Moog that Carlos used on "Switched On Bach".

Tomita's subject for his synthesizer translation was Debussy, and I can't think of a better composer to be given this treatment. As one of masters at orchestration and timbre, I'm fully convinced that if Debussy was born today, he would be all over synthesizers.

Tomita's interpretations are fairly loose with their subject material in a fantastically creative way. Lush, rich soundscapes are created with his analog stallions, all retaining the evocative beauty that is inherent to Debussy's wonderfulness.

Hello, Angus.

The Olivia Tremor Control - Black Foliage: Animation Music Volume One (1999)

so the olivia tremor control are back, and their newer songs sound as magical as the ones contained withing their first two albums. things are looking good, and i thought i'd share their second album, which many say is a culmination of what sounds they were all chasing - and i'd agree if i didn't think their first album was just as good. this album has all of the classic elements of the band - an adamant aptitude towards experimentalism while maintaining an incredibly high standard of pop songs. all the influences are here; from the dada movement, baroque pop melodies to the beach boys harmonies, the olivia tremor control have managed to orchestrate it all in such a colorful blend that it is impossible to call this anything but a classic. lovely sound, please do listen.

download

also, will, u coo

Fool's Gold - Fool's Gold (2010)

I caught a show by these cool cat's a couple years ago. Playing with two very good bands (Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Local Natives), they stuck out as being particuarly wonderful. Maybe it was their burning sage in a cleansing ritual on stage before hand (always a classy move), or possibly the end of the show, with the whole band drumming as they marched through the crowd. Or it could have been the saxophone's elementally pentatonic lines, while the singer's falsetto hebrew. Or maybe it was the acid. Or the Afro-pop guitar solos?

Regardless, this is a fun little album, and I think y'all'll enjoy it.

As a side note, I picked up the Red Hot Chili Pepper's newest live show (they just teamed up with Nugs.net, the group that manages live releases for every jam band out there (HEY BANDS! DO THIS TOO!)), and was suprised to see that not only are they touring with Fool's Gold, they bring up the sax player to do a few songs with them. So if you're in Europe (maybe?), check it out.

Getatchew Mekurya & The Ex & Guests - 2007

Dudes, this is awesome.

Getatchew Mekurya is an Ethiopian jazz saxaphone player. Particuarly active in the fifties and sixties, he was "one of the first musicians to record an instrumental version of shellela, a genre of traditional Ethiopian vocal music sung by warriors before going into battle. Mekurya took the shellela tradition seriously, often appearing onstage in a warrior's animal-skin tunic and lion's mane headdress".

So that's pretty cool on its own.

But, when people started looking back on the awesome Ethiopian jazz scene a couple years ago, he caught the attention of The Ex, an anarcho-post-punk band from the Netherlands. They did a few albums with each other (not full on collaborations, but one with The Ex as a backing band for Getatchew, and another one where he solo'd on a few songs of their's, or something like that).

Shit really catches on fire with this live DVD, though. Each half of the equation (Ethiopian free jazz + post punk) clearly influences the other, and ends up creating a sound unlike any other I've heard.

Sometimes biting and raw, the saxophone is like a screaming spirit over the edgy, rough guitars. Sometimes funky, the horn section delivers afro-beat style epic lead lines. Sometimes jazzy, Getatchew spits hot fire atop of the punk structure.

This fucking rules.

Pet Sounds in the Key of Dee - Presented by Bullion (2007)

first things first, what a hilariously shooped cover. now, i fucking love dilla, and i fucking love pet sounds. so for me to be finding out about this album so late is kind of embarrassing - my cred has now suffered. anyway, excellent production (albeit a bit compressed - but hey, you can do that if you call it a mixtape) by english producer bullion. the mix here is as satisfying as it is fun to listen to. if you are acquainted with both pet sounds and dillas work, you will love this treat. in terms of what period of dilla bullion aimed for, it is for the most part pre-donuts (but after the dee[troit]) mixed with some donuts goodness and some of what was evident in jay stay paid. killer basslines and snares to die for. very nice album. the track "you still believe in dee" is a particular favorite of mine. enjoy.

download

PJ Harvey - To Bring You My Love (B-Sides) (1995)

You guys.

Not sure why these were released as b-sides, because every track is golden. She starts unapologetically, immediately screaming her desire to "wanna bathe in milk, eat grapes, Robert DeNiro sit on my face", and continues her ruthless and reckless energy throughout.

It goes to some strange places, but the entire thing is worth two tracks in particular - Maniac, which channels the same vibe of her better known single Down By The Water, and Harder, which evokes the best moments of her Rid of Me album days - which are two of the sexiest, rawest, oh-god-I'm-so-turned-on vocal performances alive.

Mmmmmm yeahhhhhh

Protect IP Act - Call your senators

from http://americancensorship.org/:

"The US Congress is considering America's first system for censoring the Internet.

Despite public outcry, the Internet Censorship bill could pass at any time.

If it does, the Internet and free speech will never be the same:"

so go to the website so that they can connect you with your senators and just say you oppose the protect IP act. you call them and they connect you after some quick bulletpoints. no hassle and just zip codes required, the email is for american cencorship to send updates.

Neil Young - Dead Man (1995)

I recently added the 1995 movie "Dead Man" to my list of movies-I-need-to-see-but-have-heard-the-soundtrack-to. It grows and grows and grows.

I don't know anything about the movie but for the liberal use of film excerpts. Normally I'm not a fan of dialogue over music in soundtracks, but it fits Neil Young's ambient, improvised guitar jahms like a glove.

The soundtrack was recorded in one take, with Neil Young improvising while he watched the film. And, since he's Neil Young, Neil Young plays his slow, grungily atmospheric guitar in such a manner that I don't need to see the movie at all.

Just let Neil Young's guitar talk to you.

Edit: And now people are saying that Gibby Fucking Haynes is in this movie? I need to see it right now.

Satanstompingcaterpillars - The Most Wonderfulest Thing (2002)

precursor to black moth super rainbow and tobacco, satanstompingcateripillars is the original pseudonym under which tobacco started experimenting. more like bmsr than his solo stuff, this music still retains the properties which make the rest of his music so unique and likeable - good rhythms coupled with psychedelic vocoder treats. good for those who like this type of music. not the most astounding, but perfect for these calm winter times.

download

Matana Roberts - Coin Coin Chapter One: Gens de Couleur Libres (2011)

wow. the best avant-jazz i've heard in 3 or 4 years, and not for lack of trying. this is an INTENSE record, with each track capable of multiple shifts in style; brutal, crushing lows; and dizzying, blissed-out highs. filling in the spaces is next level musicianship, interesting instrumental combinations (check out the distorted guitar/violin duo in "Song for Eulalie"), and plenty of overdubs/audio treatments. it's actually quite refreshing to hear jazz discoursing with technology in a meaningful way. maybe it's cliche, but the depth of feeling is what pushes this album over the top, especially the raw, unrestrained vocal work. and, of course, the swing is the thing; if you like the swirling chaos of Mingus's soulful large ensemble improvisations then this is right up your alley. so do yourself a favor - take an hour out to kick back on the sofa with your vice of choice and experience this amazing record from start to finish. by the time the last song comes on, you'll feel like you've earned it.

my picture will never be taken

Pablo Moses - A Song (1980)

When I was on my big dub kick last month, someone mentioned this album in the comments. I tracked it down (shit's been out of print for years!), and oh man. This is easily some of the best reggae I've heard.

The title track ("A Song") is epic, dark, and so quintessentially reggae with cutting synths, a big chorus, driving bass, back-beat guitars, and I believe timpanis (timpanii?) from time to time. But, on an album this good it's just not possible to pick a favorite. So I won't.

I know I've thrown a lot of dub and reggae your way recently, but trust me--this one is essential. And out of print.

Love it, please.

Daphne Oram - Oramics (2007)

i won't ruin the trip and say too much about Oramics besides that it's probably the best random discovery i've made in 2011, and if it had been released by Four Tet, FlyLo, GLK, or Boards of Canada it'd be on everyone's year end lists. it's worth mentioning that the album art above is from the 4xLP deluxe gatefold that was released this year (the version available below is the inferior 2007 2xCD). it'll set you back around 50 bucks, but if you like the up it's definitely worth the purchase.

[removed by request of Clive, who i pissed off]

Alice Coltrane - Ptah, the El Daoud (1970)

Alice Coltrane's third solo album is sheer beauty. Her simple and sparse rhythm section sit comfortably in common time, setting a support upon which Alice - appearing on both piano and harp - and her horns explore a myriad of minor and pentatonic melodies. Their phrasing is moody, melancholic and haunting. Tunes like the title track and Blue Nile prove catchy and syncopated, while the absolutely gorgeous Turiya and Ramakrishna remains my ultimate remedy - if you're anything like me, nothing will sooth you like this song.

One can read alot into this album, recorded whilst Alice was actively engaged with several eastern concepts of spirituality, practices which she infused into her music. To me, the mysticism is in her musical phrasings; this is truly divine.

Om.

Laibach - Volk (2006)

I used to complain about how their weren't any albums consisting entirely of industrial techno covers of national anthems.

Then I found this album. Consisting of fourteen tracks--Germany, America, England, France, Israel, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Russia, Poland, Norway, Japan, the Vatican, and China--the lyrics are bleak, and highly critical of nationalism. Hell, they even give Norway shit!

That said, it's subtle. That's not I word I throw around with industrial music often, but the beats never seem gratuitous or forced. Apart from that, though, there's all the wonderful, epic things you would expect from Laibach: heavy synth beats, drum machines, a threatening voice chanting politically charged rhetoric about nationalism (people used to give Laibach shit for their nazi imagery, but track one really puts that myth to rest), atmospheric pads, and a general sense of menace.

OOOH SAY CAN YOU SEEEE?

Abner Jay - Folk Song Stylist (2010)

Mississippi Records' collection of his early tracks. Musically jumps around from gospel to folk to blues, but all tracks are united by his seriously powerful vocal performance. I can't recommend this enough.

Enjoy.

Ashkenazy & Rubinstein - Chopin's Nocturnes (1997, 2000)

a nocturne is music to be played at, or that is evocative of, night. Chopin's sets are easily the best in the genre. why? well there's very little overt complexity here: the form is a simple ABA, with two contrasting themes; the (mostly) uncomplicated harmony is supplied economically by arpeggiated chords in the left hand. you've probably come up with more complicated melodies singing to yourself in the shower. so what makes these so fucking excellent, then? the eastern-European lilt also heard in Bartok, Rach., and Scriabin? the impressionistic tone colors of Debussy, Ravel, and Gershwin? hell if i know. Rubinstein said "Chopin was a genius of universal appeal... [His music] does not tell stories or paint pictures. It is expressive and personal, but still a pure art. Even in this abstract atomic age, where emotion is not fashionable, Chopin endures. His music is the universal language of human communication. When I play Chopin I know I speak directly to the hearts of people." well shit then.

a note on the recordings: Rubinstein's collection is the best available. he plays it the way i think Chopin would, with delicacy and impeccable phrasing that shapes the melodies and emphasizes interesting harmonies. Ashkenazy's interpretation is more dramatic, with lots of exaggerations in tempi and contour. it makes for an uneven set (he absolutely butchers the Bb min.), but his highs are probably higher than Rube's, especially where power and flair are concerned (F, Ab). also included is a mix of modern-ish nocturnes and ephemera influenced by Chopin that you might also like (parent discs available if you ask nice).

Rubinstein disc 1
Rubinstein disc 2
Ashkenazy disc 1
Ashkenazy disc 2
bonus stuff