Gossip – Vertical Rhythm

I absolutely love this band and I love this new record. Pure post-punk-funk-electro-pop perfection…

Lloyd Miller – Gol-E Gandom
Salah Ragab & the Cairo Jazz Band – Neveen

Spiritual Jazz: Esoteric, Modal & Deep Jazz from The Underground 1968-1977

This collection was originally released through Jazzman in the UK in 2008, but recently got a stateside release through a partnership with Now-Again, a Stones Throw subsidiary. The music contained here carries the “Spiritual” title, not necessarily because of its religiosity, but more so because of the feeling it evokes. This is jazz music that is clearly inspired by post-A Love Supreme Coltrane and the African turn (expressed in the music of Randy Weston, McCoy Tyner and others) in post-bop jazz in the mid 1960s. It sometimes flirts with the avant-garde, but rarely goes into the kind of aural histrionics that groups like the Art Ensemble of Chicago excelled at.

Instead this music is often contemplative, at times plaintive but often will rolling rhythms at slightly odd time signatures that you wouldn’t generally have seen in American jazz (though most of the artists appear to be from overseas, the vast majority of this music was recorded in the US), except on similarly styled labels such as Tribe or Strata East. (more…)

Ocote Soul Sounds feat. Tita Lima – Vendendo Saude e Fei

Fabulous and funky new record from Martin of Antibalas and Adrian of Grupo Fantasma.  Mostly instrumental record featuring a mix of afro-latin based rhythms and a golden stunner with vocals from Brasileira Tita Lima “Vendendo Saude e Fei,” one of my favorite tracks of the year.

Personally, I think Jeff was a better guitarist and Tim was a better songwriter, but the real question is, pound for pound between father and son, which of the legendary Buckley’s was the better singer?

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Francoiz Breut – Les Jeunes Pousses
Francoiz Breut – Mouchoir De Poche
Francoiz Breut – L’Enticelle Ou La Contrainte Du Feu

This record was released in France late last year through T-rec, which is how I procured my original copy.  It’s finally been released stateside so this seems like a good time to do a full review of the record.  A l’aveuglette, her fourth album, is her best work yet, all in French (which I unfortunately don’t speak and can barely pronounce but simply love to hear) and lyrics all written by Breut for the first time in her career.

Breut’s music often is compared to artists such as Calexico, Nick Cave and other how shall we say, “dark romantic” musicians.  This record certainly has a certain mood to it in parts, (especially due to some short instrumental tracks that I could personally do without, but understand their inclusion in the complete work) but largely it’s a record that shines and sounds like a springtime afternoon or early summer evening. (more…)

Lee Fields – Honey Dove

If you love Sharon Jones’ modern soul sound, you cannot sleep on this record from “Little JB” Lee Fields. Trust me, this is a dynamite record, that’s right…I said DYNO-MITE!!!

This event was held July 11th, 2009.  I was very lucky to be one of the many DJs involved with the 1st Funk Rumble Block Party.  I missed some of the early performers, including a DJ set from Jeremy Sole, but got there in time to see most of J. Boogie’s Dubtronic Science out of the Bay Area, including a dedication of their version of “They Reminisce Over You” for Michael Jackson.

Ant

Vala

is a bad mamajamma

Anthony Valadez took to the wheels and as usual just rocked it.  AntVala is one of the most skilled DJs around, good party rockin’ set that included unexpected selections…I’m still trying to wrap my head around him playing “Don’t Stop Believing” (more…)

Jarvis Cocker – I Never Said I Was Deep
Jarvis Cocker – Caucasian Blues

For his second proper solo release, Jarvis Cocker is clearly not playing around.  This is not to say that he’s cleaned up his act at all, I simply mean that for a man that has rarely held anything back lyrically, he’s really pushed himself towards wild, reckless, abandon on Further Complications.  In a similar fashion to Nick Cave’s Grinderman project, this record presents Cocker fronting an often tough, muscular and very rocking group, in nice contrast to the largely smooth and demure affair that was his first solo release.  The first single “Angela” roars with garage fuzz, as do the aptly titled “Fucking Song,” the lyrically deplorable (and I mean that in the best possible way) “Caucasian Blues,” the title track, “Homewrecker,” (which musically sounds like it could have been borne out of an alternate session for the Stooges Funhouse record, minus the Asheton wall of sound, RIP) and the mostly instrumental “Pilchard” which sounds like it would make for a killer opening live show number.  (FYI Jarvis comes to LA July 27th!) (more…)

Camera Obscura – The Sweetest Thing

One of my clear favorites for this year and a perfect record for this season,  even though it was released in the spring.  I’m not sure if we’re still calling this “twee-pop” or not, but Camera Obscura always deliver solid 60’s style pop sounds and their latest LP is a sugary sweet summery affair. Standouts include “The Sweetest Thing,” “Honey in the Sun,” “French Navy” and the title track.

They were in Los Angeles back in June and stopped by KCRW for a performance, which I highly recommend watching.  In addition to the fine music and their Glaswegian accents, which are truly adorable, one of the members sole purpose on multiple songs is tambourine duty and you just have to love that…