Eclectic Vibes - March 2020
by Andrew Frey
Joe Russo's Almost Dead coming to the Sylvee
I am generally moist with excitement for all the amazing shows coming this summer!
JOE RUSSO’S ALMOST DEAD
But he’s still kickin! Formed by Furthur drummer Joe Russo, JRAD has become one of the hottest Grateful Dead and Americana folk-rock cover bands touring today. Their improvisational inclinations and jazz fusion flourishes are sure to delight the crowd when they play Madison, WI on 3/13 at the Sylvee. But wait! There’s more. Can’t get enough Dead? Start your day early at 4 pm when High Noon Saloon becomes Shakedown Street and welcomes Dead Tribute band Seaside Zoo. The bears are sure to be jumping! joerussosalmostdead.com
GETTIN’ DOWN WITH SODOWN
Saxophone playing producer, Ehren River Wright, better known as SoDown was one of the most memorable sets I saw at the recent Gem and Jam Festival in Tucson, AZ. His invigorating set wove it’s way down numerous electronic genres while being flavorfully filled with fantastic drops and thunderous groovy beats! Get Down early and catch him opening for the Riddim & Blues Tour with Boogie T & BOOGIE T.RIO on 3/19 at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI. sodown.com
BONGZILLA ZILLA ZILLA
Are you ready to do some spliff riffin? The time is now! Legendary Madison blunt rollers, Bongzilla, have cashed in their kief and are heading out on tour this month in support of the 20 year re-release of their remastered Apogee album on vinyl. Grab your grinder and become one with the cannabis crew on 3/13 at Walker’s Point in Milwaukee and 3/24 at High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI with Ruin Dweller and No Question. facebook.com/Bongzilla
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 is Recusant thru 10 is Effusive
Basher Toe - Pasifika
Basher Toe
Album title: Pasifika
Record Label: Merkaba Music
Rating: 10
Tribal dance music has been a favorite of mine for years and this release from Israeli bass producer Basher Toe (aka Chen Beer) is one of the hottest things I have heard in a long while! He spent time studying various ancient pacific cultures, aboriginal music styles, and tribal storytelling techniques, which he then combined with organic samples, hand instruments, and didgeridoos. These elements percolated, blossomed and erupted masterfully within the raw intensity of modern bass music to produce these 5 top notch tracks.
(947) Page Views
Basher Toe online:
• Facebook
Big Gigantic - Free Your Mind
Big Gigantic
Album title: Free Your Mind
Record Label: Counter Records
Rating: 10
Big Gigantic are such musical wizards! Spanning genres ranging from electronic pop and soul to modern jazz and hip hop, this talented Colorado duo knows how to make the party happen. Their first studio album in 3 years offers up 13-tracks focused on providing uplifting, expansive soul vocals while showing off collaborations with artists including Pell, Felly, TOBi, Jennifer Hartswick, Louis Futon, The Funk Hunters and more. Imagine how Free Your Mind will be when you see them live on 4/3 at the Sylvee in Madison, WI.
(906) Page Views
Big Gigantic online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Purchase Free Your Mind on Amazon
Dub Fx - Roots
Dub Fx
Album title: Roots
Record Label: Convoy Music Group
Rating: 9
Ben Stanford is Dub FX, a Melbourne born street performer, beat boxer and looping artist extraordinaire who exhibits strong poetic lyricism while exploring social, political and spiritual topics. Roots is more of an eclectic reggae album than an experimental loopy electronic release like his prior ones. He hits the dub hard, but amid the relentless bubble rhythm, he journeys through hip hop, soca and more on the way to Roots.
(931) Page Views
Dub Fx online:
• Website • Facebook