Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: B
Staff Benda Bilili - Bouger le Monde!

Staff Benda Bilili - Bouger le Monde!

Staff Benda Bilili
Bouger le Monde!
Label: Crammed Disc

Filled with high energy and enthusiastic optimism, this group, originally formed by paraplegic street musicians in a half abandoned zoo in Kinshasa, Congo, takes their experience to the next level by showing off exquisite rhythms and lush harmony vocals provided by their seven singers. Energetic and invigorating!

Staff Benda Bilili WebsiteStaff Benda Bilili FacebookStaff Benda Bilili Wiki

Lotus - Build

Lotus - Build

Lotus
Build
Label: SCI Fidelity Records

Sadly, I missed Lotus last month at their Barrymore show. Had I gone I’m sure I would have been treated to selections from Build. Once again they brandish an effortless and ambitious yet extremely danceable prog rock electronica, but are now showing a bolder sophistication that is equally delightful, befitting and welcomed.

Lotus WebsiteLotus FacebookLotus Wiki

Beefus - The Itching Below

Beefus - The Itching Below

Beefus
The Itching Below
Label: Ys Records

Madison’s musical mad scientists are back with more fractured, nonlinear globular grooves fitted with fantastic farcical lyrics and warbled vocals. Disturbed, depraved, and outrageous musical experiments of the most uncouth kind. And at all times, watch out for that itch.. 

Beefus WebsiteBeefus Facebook

Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective - Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me

Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective - Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me

Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective
Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me
Label: Cumbancha

A curious combination project between popular indie rocker Danny Michel (compared to Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel) and Central America’s Garifuna Collective. But this curiosity has impressive vision and vitality along with infectious beats and tasty lyrics so what’s not to love? Having already earned a Juno Award nomination in Canada (similar to a Grammy), this release has a lot going for it.

Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective WebsiteDanny Michel with the Garifuna Collective Facebook

ASG - Blood Drive

ASG - Blood Drive

ASG
Blood Drive
Label: Relapse

Somewhere between the vocality and alt pop of Jane’s Addiction and the infectious sludge metal of Baroness is where ASG (Amplification of Self Gratification) find their strongest footings. This mega-riffing North Carolina crew knows how to pour on the body-waving grooves and mate them with melodic vocals to scorch your lobes.

ASG FacebookASG Wiki

Maracatu New York - Baque de Brooklyn

Maracatu New York - Baque de Brooklyn

Maracatu New York
Baque de Brooklyn
Label: Nation Beat Music

If there is to be an Ambassador of Maracatu, Scott Kettner, percussionist, band leader and drummer for Maracatu New York and Nation Beat would be a great choice. After years of study and immersion into this style, while living in Brazil he was able to become a master in the field and take the sound worldwide. Experience the evolution of this unique drumming style through the 12 tracks here and expect the unexpected when they slip in a great cover of Led Zepplin’s “Over The Hills and Far Away.” 

Maracatu New York WebsiteMaracatu New York Facebook

Blockhead - Bells and Whistles

Blockhead - Bells and Whistles

Blockhead
Bells and Whistles
Label: Ninja Tune

Snatching snippets across time and genre, Blockhead provides a fine blend of vintage ambiance crossed with contemporary electronica. Surges of warped melodies find home amid the morphed mantras, jazzy infections and serene soundscapes.

Blockhead WebsiteBlockhead FacebookBlockhead Wiki

Brownout - Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath

Brownout - Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath

Brownout
Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath
Label: Ubiquity

Take the Austin-based Latin funk band Brownout, add congas, horns, zest and psychedelics to choice catalog selections from Hard Rock and Heavy Metal godfathers Black Sabbath and you get Brown Sabbath, their funky, salsafied cousins. They make it surprisingly hard to decide whether to bang your head or dance your ass off to these 7 classic tracks.

Brownout WebsiteBrownout FacebookBrownout Wiki

Dub Kirtan All Stars - Bhakti Juggernaut

Dub Kirtan All Stars - Bhakti Juggernaut

Dub Kirtan All Stars
Bhakti Juggernaut
Label: self

What began as a one off performance instigated by David Starfire and FreQ Nasty (Darin McFadyen) in a Buddhist temple in Los Angeles has taken flight and blossomed into this full on Bhakti Juggernaut! Melding sacred Sanskrit chants and mantras into drum n bass electronica sprinkled with conscious hip hop lyrics and a host of guest musicians sets the stage for this inspirational uprising of the highest order. Be blessed!

Dub Kirtan All Stars WebsiteDub Kirtan All Stars Facebook

Little Fyodor and Babushka - Truly Rejected

Little Fyodor and Babushka - Truly Rejected

Little Fyodor and Babushka
Truly Rejected
Label: KEN ROCK

Nothing gives me a hard on more than Little Fyodor and Babushka releasing a 7”! And after 20 years of musical self dejection and fatalistic floundering the duo emerge with another round of hopeless cynical caterwaulings certainly capable of creating an aneurysm in less than one bat shit crazy chord or confounded utterance. You won’t find another like this.

Little Fyodor and Babushka WebsiteLittle Fyodor and Babushka Facebook

Baroness - Purple

Baroness - Purple

Baroness
Purple
Label: Abraxan Hymns

They ascended to top of the metal heap with their masterpiece Yellow and Green, only to be thrust into temporary oblivion by a tragic bus accident, resulting in among other things fractured vertebrae and near limb amputation. This broke the band into pieces causing the loss of 2 members and a lot of momentum. Their return, Purple, finds their angst, wounds and determination woven into another tantalizing musical tapestry of intense emotion pounding and atmospheric groovy refrains while offering a home to two new members and their own record label. Wish the production was better. (8) yourbaroness.com

Baroness WebsiteBaroness FacebookBaroness Wiki

Various Artist - Best of 2015

Various Artist - Best of 2015

Various Artist
Best of 2015
Label: BMSS Records

Highlighting the diversity and dynamics of the burgeoning trance and psychedelic electronic scene in Europe, this best of 2015, which was compiled by BMSS Records founder Boom Shankar, holds space for 20 uproarious tracks of noteworthy offerings that paint a wide prospectus of styles and approaches within this musical spectrum. Time to hit the dance floor! (9) www.facebook.com/BMSSRecords

Various Artist WebsiteVarious Artist Facebook

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