Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: A
Almah - Fragile Equality

Almah - Fragile Equality

Almah
Fragile Equality
Label: Blistering Records

Well flavored and maturely tempered power metal featuring former Angra members. Robust guitar solos are intertwined with pulsating rhythms and urgent vocals justifying the quality and caliber of this melodic power metal fury.

Almah WebsiteAlmah Wiki

Amorphis - Skyforger

Amorphis - Skyforger

Amorphis
Skyforger
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

Finding new ways to awaken my inner Viking! Invigorating anthems with their signature Scandinavian folk metal approach reverberate a dark, powerful beauty and majesty unmatched. This third round with singer Tomi Joutsen integrates a broad stroke of vocal styles with increased progressive rock elements to their musical palette.

Amorphis WebsiteAmorphis Wiki

Arkaea - Years In The Darkness

Arkaea - Years In The Darkness

Arkaea
Years In The Darkness
Label: E1 Entertainment

Terse, intense and vibrant industrialized death metal from Fear Factory alumni Raymond Herrera and Christian Old Wolbers. Although incorporating proven Fear Factory stylings which fans will certainly enjoy overall I find the release safe, repetitive and formulaic.

Arkaea Wiki

Jimi Tenor & Tony Allen - Inspiration Information

Jimi Tenor & Tony Allen - Inspiration Information

Jimi Tenor & Tony Allen
Inspiration Information
Label: Strut Records

Pairing together Finnish experimental musician Jimi Tenor with Tony Allen, an amazing Afrobeat drumming legend, has ushered forth a curious cache of mind warbling avant jazz creations .  Lyrics are spun with experience and dark sarcasm while being treated with tribal beats, horns, flutes, and samples through a wildly unpredictable imagination.

Jimi Tenor & Tony Allen Website

Alo - Man Of The World

Alo - Man Of The World

Alo
Man Of The World
Label: Brushfire Records/Universal

Sublimely mellow rock music tumbled with expertly crafted tale telling courtesy of 4 childhood friends. Since it was by Jack Johnson and recorded at his solar powered studio in Hawaii ALO scored the opening slot on Johnson’s summer tour including Alpine Valley 7/24 and River’s Edge 7/25 and I am thrilled more people will get to hear them.

Alo WebsiteAlo FacebookAlo Wiki

King Sunny Ade - Baba Mo Tunde

King Sunny Ade - Baba Mo Tunde

King Sunny Ade
Baba Mo Tunde
Label: Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings

I’ve been a fan of this Nigerian native Afro-pop mega legend for quite some time so I was delighted to hear about his first studio album in over 10 years. The second of this twin disc release blasts off with the 31 min title track and if you make it through that on your feet, you might as well call in sick for the week cause you will be shaking and dancing all day and night to these incredible and inviting masterpieces.

King Sunny Ade FacebookKing Sunny Ade Wiki

Azam Ali - From Night to the Edge of Day

Azam Ali - From Night to the Edge of Day

Azam Ali
From Night to the Edge of Day
Label: Six Degrees

Lullabies of love; lullabies of anguish; lullabies of rebellion, exile and awareness; such is the dichotomy of these Iranian, Turkish, Lebanese and Kurdish lullabies as presented by this amazing Iranian-born, Indian-raised vocalist. She connected with the spectrum of emotions behind lullabies when she gave birth to her son and realized the tumultuous world that he would be exposed to and live in.

Azam Ali WebsiteAzam Ali Wiki

Atrocity - After The Storm

Atrocity - After The Storm

Atrocity
After The Storm
Label: Napalm Records

One of my long time favorite experi-“metal” bands, this German group has explored many facets of musical and cultural heritage over the years. Their exploration continues by refining their folk fancies, expanding on their impressive song structure, and again including the amazing vocals of Yasmin (frontman Alexander Krull’s sister). Powerful, invigorating, and unique.

 

Atrocity WebsiteAtrocity Facebook

Elikeh - Adje! Adje

Elikeh - Adje! Adje

Elikeh
Adje! Adje
Label: Azalea City Records

Groove heavy and politically active Afro-rock spawned from the unlikely country of Togo. Singer, guitarist, composer and founder of Elikeh, Massama Dogo, was born in Togo, but immigrated to Washington, D.C. in 2000. His D.C. based ensemble fuses indigenous Togolese elements with a contemporary flavor in a powerful and memorable manner including noteworthy guitar work and vivacious horns.

Elikeh WebsiteElikeh Facebook

Strange Arrangements - Polygraph

Strange Arrangements - Polygraph

Strange Arrangements
Polygraph
Label:

Effortlessly stringing together progressive elements of jazz, funk, blues, reggae, and psychedellia are what this Chicago jam rock band does so well. Strong main and harmony vocals really shine as the tangy guitar work and zesty rhythms flow through song after song and have the potential to please listeners for years to come.

Strange Arrangements Website

Putumayo Presents - Arabic Beat

Putumayo Presents - Arabic Beat

Putumayo Presents
Arabic Beat
Label: Putumayo

Once again, Putumayo has put together a well-picked eclectic selection of lesser-known world class artists, this time with a focus on Arabic musicians of today. By incorporating certain Western influences, today’s Arabic music’s upbeat, danceable grooves have an undeniable universal appeal. Get to know Morrocco’s Jalal El Hamdaoui or Algerian performer Cheb Amar along with 8 others.

Putumayo Presents WebsitePutumayo Presents FacebookPutumayo Presents Wiki

Hidria Spacefolk - Astronautica

Hidria Spacefolk - Astronautica

Hidria Spacefolk
Astronautica
Label: Hidria Records

Psychedelic space rock never sounded so good! Born out of a hippie commune in Finland and taking their cue from Ozric Tentacles, this non vocal Moog-a-delic experience will sweep you off on a stellar journey to dimensions unknown in the wink of a riff. See ya there!

Hidria Spacefolk WebsiteHidria Spacefolk FacebookHidria Spacefolk Wiki

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