Eclectic Vibes - January 2020
by Andrew Frey
Leo Pellegrino blasts his brass in ways you can't imagine! - photo by Andrew Frey
Here’s the question. Will 2020 go to the Mad Dog or the Psychedelic Frog?
WINNERS AND WIENERS
Music was all over the place for me this year, but here’s the cream. My award for Best Dressed and Most Energetic goes to Leo Pellegrino of Too Many Zooz. His fancy footwork, zany moves and sparkly attire have astounded me every time I have seen him perform. Bravo! My Love at First Listen award goes to Cuz I Love You by Lizzo. From the moment I heard that song, I was hooked, (plus it has been a show stopper when performed at karaoke). Lizzo also took my award for Year’s Most Noteworthy Musician thanks to her unapologetic lifestyle and crazy mass appeal. Woot! Yung Bae scored the Most Listens award for his Bae 5 release, which is cleverly sampled full of deliciously danceable disco funk friendly tracks. Soohan took my award for Most Unexpectedly Amazing with his super varied yet brilliant release trānsmūtō. Best Live Performance goes to the riveting multi-instrumental show put on by the southwestern trio of troubadours known as Dirtwire. They play SO many different instruments! Runners up were the wonderfully wacky and wild Wookiefoot for shows in Madison as well as at Project Earth and Shangri La Festival. The Wiener award goes to Tash Sultana. Blow me! In all of my 30+ years of music coverage, I have never been disrespected or treated so poorly.
TOO MANY ZOOZ
Hot off of winning my Best Dressed and Most Energetic award, Too Many Zooz is out on the road again. Offering up their signature Brass House music (defined as a mix of jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, funk, EDM and house music), this band offers a punch to the pelvis as well as a sight for the senses. Shake your wild thing with Leo and his zooz-mates at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI on 2/6 with Birocratic. toomanyzooz.com
TURKUAZ
The vocal harmonies are as sweet as the funk is deep when this Brooklyn based nonet takes the stage. Known for their horny back bone as well as their larger than life therapeutically colorful stage presence, this group knows how to deliver a sizzling show wherever they go! Put on your dancing shoes and scoot to the High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI on 1/30. www.turkuazband.com
ONES THAT GOT AWAY
Each year there are some albums that I missed when they were released, but later came to my attention. Early in the year, Outer Peace, the eighth release from prolific electronic artist Toro y Moi bubbled to the surface as one of the seminal offerings in a growing chillwave genre. Experimental dystopian weirdo rock aficionado Little Fyodor released Pithy Romantic Ballads, a barrage of deprecating brain poking anthems sure to confound and annoy your neighbors. Noteworthy glitch-hop producer Phutureprimitive brought us into Congruence while bass music wizard Opiuo released the mind blowing Syzygy 02. Additionally mega composer Mark Ronson blew our socks off once again with his highly diverse pop mix of Late Night Feelings.
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 is Dolorous through 10 is Jocund
voodoohop - Mamazonia : Odes to the Forest - Vol.1
voodoohop
Album title: Mamazonia : Odes to the Forest - Vol.1
Record Label: Tropical Twista Records
Rating: 10
Want to support the front line defenders of the Amazon rain forest? Proceeds from this wonderful compilation of etheric ethno-tronica, put together by the art collective voodoohop, supports two organisations working with indigenous communities in that area. (www.kaninde.org.br/lista-projetos/ & iieb.org.br/projetos-e-programa…/povos-indigenas-2/ ) The tracks are all good, but Xique Xique, Philosamples and Bliz Nochi got more repeats in my ears.
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