Monthly Archives: September 2014
Jonathan Pieslak–Shards
Mostly short, abstract, contemporary, piano works–interesting in varied rhythms. Play!
Kim Halliday–Half Light
This 3rd release from Mr. Halliday is darker, harder in rhythms with more emphasis on electronics (including voice) than his previous CDs. Pieces range from classical to urban/ club music, very varied. Suitable for rock/electronic programming.
SaxoFOLK
As the title implies, folk-inspired pieces for or transcribed for saxophone quartet by quite a variety of composers–Grieg to Piazzolla. Play!
The Touré-Raichel Collective – The Paris Session (Cumbancha)
Super talented Israeli pianist Idan Raichel and legendary Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré join forces again, this time meeting in Paris & playing with Daby Touré on bass & A. Salama on percussion, plus tracks with guests on N’goni, flute, trumpet, & vocals. These are amazing musicians & every track is gorgeous. More information & […]
Budos Band – Burnt Offering (Daptone)
After 15 years together, with blazing horns, heavy electric guitar, & strong percussion, this band is as tight as a band can get. This latest CD is just a bit different though; a bit more Pink Floyd than Fela Kuti, & it occasionally features subtle elements of Native American music; based on the song titles […]
Khun Narin Electric Phin Band – Self-titled (Innovative Leisure)
The phin is a 3-stringed lute, and this type of Thai music is called phin prayuk (though in videos, the lead plays an electrified double-necked version of the instrument with more strings). This band comes from a remote village in Thailand & usually plays at outdoor celebrations with a home-made sound system. The sound is […]
Chancha Via Circuito – Amansara (Wonderwheel)
Third CD from Argentinian producer Pedro Canale; a futuristic digital recreation of traditional South American folk & pop. Listen for Paraguayan harp, Andean pipes, Brazilian rhythms, jungle sounds, heavy synth & percussion, & vocals by several well-known Latin divas. Filed under international
ANTH: World – Psychedelic Planet (Six Degrees)
Here are numerous gems by international artists from the Six Degrees catalog (Vieux Farka Toure, Cheb I Sabbah, Karsh Kale, etc.) creatively, though quite heavy-handedly, remixed by 11 different producers (Bassnectar, Dub Colossus, etc.). Perfect if you’re in the mood. Filed under International
Kiran Ahluwalia – Sanata: Stillness (Kiran)
This Juno award-winning Canadian singer-composer (born in India, now living in NYC) beautifully fuses classical Indian, Pakistani qawwali, & Sahara desert Tuareg blues to create her very own exotic style. Also features her own Indian folk & ghazal style vocals. Also features her jazz guitarist husband, Pakistani-American Rez Abbasi, and Nitin Mitta on tabla. What […]
ANTH: Brazil – Brasil Do Brazil (Ubiquity)
A diverse, premium collection of rockin’ samba, bumpin’ batucada, & other Brazilian flavors, lovingly re-worked by top producers like Bosq of Whiskey Barons, Shawn Lee, & John Beltran (my fav), not to mention major contributions by Tita Lima. Many, many great tracks!
Anelis Assumpção – Anelis e os Amigos Imaginários (Scubidu)
Daughter of the late Brazilian singer & composer Itamar Assumpção, Anelis is the free-spirit of São Paulo divas, mixing sultry vocals with occasionally irreverent arrangements, pinches of reggae spice, and lots of her father’s originality. Nice stuff!
Awa Sangho- Ala Ta (Motema)
Solo debut from this remarkable Malian singer/songwriter & percussionist, and former front woman for the Malian ensemble Les Go de Koteba until moving to NYC in 2011. Beautiful vocals & top African musicians set in a highly polished musical production. The Making of Ala Ta video
Debra Kaye–And So It Begins
Contemporary works for solo & chamber (piano, sax, strings, trombone) ranging from very quiet and gently lyrical (piano) to more robust.
The Year Before Yesterday
Mostly long, abstract works for percussion quartet ranging from very quiet and slow to booming. Sample.
Double Take–American Reed
American, contemporary works for oboe and/or English horn and/or bassoon. Abstract to witty. Play!
John Zorn–The Testament of Solomon
Continuing with his cycle of music for the Gnostic Trio (B. Frisell–guitar, C. Emanuel–harp, K. Wollesen–vibes) covering Jewish themes, this is yet another gorgeous, highly lyrical disc with jazz, classical and folk elements. Absolutely play!
The 442s
Crossover string quartet of classical/folk with fiddle elements. Some trk with voice. Interesting, playful, musical compositions–probably more suitable for folk programming in certain songs.
H. Leslie Adams–Piano Etudes, Part II
As the term “etude” implies, these are stunningly gracious, flowing pieces, with some jazz and modern elements. So many beautiful pieces. Play!
Walter Ross–Triumvirate
Ranging from robust to gracious, nice, modern, orchestral pieces for double bass, or piano or clarinet. Play or sample most!
Kim Halliday–Birdsong in Mix + WRUV track
English composer Kim Halliday here remixes his previous album Birdsong in Mist with interesting electronics and strings, oboe, sax. Ethereal, meandering. Plus a specially remixed track of “Silver” for WRUV, thanking us for playing his music. Play!
Stars, Stories, Song
Interesting instrumental combinations or solos (percussion, sax, marimba, guitar) half with soprano voice. Tunes for sax & marimba especially nice.
Goat – “Commune”
Swedish alternative and experimental fusion music group. Insane world music done through prism of psychedelic rock. A lot like contemporaries Toubab Krewe and Tinariwen. Weird, chant-like vocals over insane guitar parts, with a stellar rhythm section. RIYL: Toubab Krewe, Tinariwen FCC: Clean Play: 2, 3, 7, 9
Death From Above 1979 – “The Physical World”
Second album (debut was over 10 years ago!) by hard rocking duo, is pretty remarkable considering their time spent away from each other. Killer guitar riffs, pounding drums, epic Synth swells, rawk singing. What else do you need to know? Turn it up to 11. RIYL: Queens of the Stone Age, Gang of Four, Wolfmother, […]
Fucked Up – “Glass Boys”
Musically, this is a much broader, concise, sound than their previous efforts, but this is not a new/tamer Fucked Up. This album is super-hard rocking, you can just understand singer, Damian Abraham’s lyrics better. The sound of this album is remarkable. Produced in analogue with producer Bill Skibbe (Dead Weather, The Kills), the mix between […]
Bahamas – “Bahamas Is Alfie”
Third album from former Feist guitarist is way more polished than his previous efforts. Still maintains that laid-back bedroom recording sound, but with strings, horns, and almost no constraints. Imagine Jack Johnson if he had way more talent. Great vocal harmonies throughout. This is a really great album. Imagine Jack Johnson playing JJ Cale songs, […]
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