Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Copal - Into The Shadow Garden
CopalInto The Shadow Garden
Label: Self Released
Winding flowing violin and cello are strung into a steam punk fantasy of exotic interwoven Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Nordic nuances while propelled by subtle percussion. Artistically beautiful yet darkly tantalizing, serene and sedate they manage to evoke a contemporary spectacle through romanticized passages from a global past.
• Copal WebsiteCollective Acoustics - bc >= ad
Collective Acousticsbc >= ad
Label: Gah Gah Music
Love at first riff? From the very moment I put this in the player, the silky smooth organic rocktronica created by this experimental trio caressed my musical g-spot. The flowing and dreamy instrumentals are comprised of curious guitars, murmuring and enticing jazzy rhythms and patches of blissful ambience. All played on real instruments. No samples, loops or MIDI here. The highly versatile crew creates in other interesting ways including organs, electric bass and harpsichord plus instruments and devices of their own design.
• Collective Acoustics Website • Collective Acoustics FacebookCarlos GoGo Gomez - New Paradigm Global Music
Carlos GoGo GomezNew Paradigm Global Music
Label: KidLat Records
Railing against the boundaries of what most consider the parameters of music to be this Ifa priest, martial artist and world renowned percussionist manages to surprise and inspire through his attractive shamanic messages and mystical beats. Transcendental drones subtly change and morph into mind-bending expressions of bliss and unity.
• Carlos GoGo Gomez Website • Carlos GoGo Gomez FacebookClub D'Elf - Electric Moroccoland/So Below
Club D'ElfElectric Moroccoland/So Below
Label: Face Pelt Records
Playfully hypnotic global psychedelic rock flows forth from the soul of this effervescent musical collective. Although firmly rooted in Moroccan ‘Gnawan’ music and the trance aspects of it, they also intersperse dub, jazz, free jazz and global improvisation into this rewarding rhythmic adventure.
• Club D'Elf Website • Club D'Elf FacebookPutumayo Presents - Rumba Mambo Cha Cha Cha!
Putumayo PresentsRumba Mambo Cha Cha Cha!
Label: Putumayo World Music
Get out your dancing shoes and get ready to strut your stuff! This time around, Putumayo brings us 10 tracks by 10 different artists descended from the Cuban family tree to celebrate the increasing popularity of traditional Latin dancing music and show off their universal appeal.
• Putumayo Presents WebsiteVarious Artists - Putumayo Presents World Christmas Party
Various ArtistsPutumayo Presents World Christmas Party
Label: Putumayo World Music
Here’s a no-brainer. Twelve light hearted Christmas songs done with a global slant, giving you a chance to hear some seasonal music without it being the same old holiday musical drivel you have heard nearly a billion times. From Jamaica to Cape Verde, they wish you a Merry Christmas.
• Various Artists Website • Various Artists WikiCee-Lo Green - The Ladykiller
Cee-Lo GreenThe Ladykiller
Label: Elektra/Asylum
Cee-Lo Green has become a musical hero of mine. His style, talent, and incredibly smooth voice stand out from all others. As the vocalist for the amazing Gnarls Barkley, he caught my attention. Now in solo form, he delivers a smashing release containing the infectious viral hit “Fuck You” (and the censored version “Forget You”) which has received millions of hits on YouTube. The remainder of the album shines with a timeless soul groove that is filled with layers of flavors and tip to hip-hop happiness.
• Cee-Lo Green Website • Cee-Lo Green Facebook • Cee-Lo Green WikiLa Cherga - Revolve
La ChergaRevolve
Label: Asphalt Tango Records
La Cherga is a group of cross cultural sonic recyclers now based in Australia, but they draw from pan Balkan influences. Founded by a Croatian punk gone dub DJ, this release binds Macedonian Gypsy brass with haunting flute melodies and hip-hop accents in addition to integrating the substantial deep grooving funk, dub, rock, pop, reggae with multiple vocal styles.
• La Cherga FacebookWatcha Clan - Rebel Radio
Watcha ClanRebel Radio
Label: Piranha Musik
A multicultural band singing multilingual lyrics who has as much in common with Afropop and Balkan brass as with drum’n bass and hip hop. Their aim is to destroy boundaries everywhere with ‘Rebel Radio.’ This visionary musical eclecticism beams brightest when they connect the European and Middle Eastern worlds.
• Watcha Clan Website • Watcha Clan FacebookChopteeth Afrofunk Band - Chopteeth Live
Chopteeth Afrofunk BandChopteeth Live
Label: GriGri Discs
Infectious big band sounds driven by funky Afropop that pays homage and tribute to this ‘70s style mega dance sound. The live recording really shows off the versatility and dimension of the band while compelling the listener to jump up and shake their bootay.
• Chopteeth Afrofunk Band Website • Chopteeth Afrofunk Band FacebookProng - Carved Into Stone
ProngCarved Into Stone
Label: Long Branch Records
When bands create seminal music in a given genre, what do they do in the years and releases that follow? Prong guitarist Tommy Victor took time off to play with Danzig and Ministry before revisiting his roots and getting revitalized enough to assemble and pen a contemporary sonic barrage under his old moniker that is ready to flood your senses with signature riffs and aggressive themes. The Prong sound is back and ready to exceed the neck- and finger-snapping experiences of the past.
• Prong Website • Prong Facebook • Prong WikiChoban Elektrik - Choban Elektrik
Choban ElektrikChoban Elektrik
Label: self
Although Brooklyn is their home, this progressive power trio finds their musical roots in Albanian, Macedonian, Greek, and Armenian folk melodies. Choban Elektrik means “Electric Shepherds” and is a name that fits them sublimely. ” Vintage Hammond organs and Fender Rhodes are harnessed along with guitar and bass to further bend and blend genres and global visions within their improvisational platitudes.
• Choban Elektrik Website • Choban Elektrik FacebookView More
Viewing Page 2 - of 5