Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: C
Prong - Carved Into Stone

Prong - Carved Into Stone

Prong
Carved 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 WebsiteProng FacebookProng Wiki

Choban Elektrik  - Choban Elektrik

Choban Elektrik - Choban Elektrik

Choban Elektrik
Choban 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 WebsiteChoban Elektrik Facebook

Beats Antique - Contraption Vol. II

Beats Antique - Contraption Vol. II

Beats Antique
Contraption Vol. II
Label: Antique Records

I’m pretty smitten with this prolific (7 releases in 5 years!) group. Dreamy alluring Middle Eastern and Gypsy melodies are married to equally intriguing electronic infusions. Add in violin, belly dancing, live drums and special DJ Pizazz, and viola! Brilliance. 

Beats Antique WebsiteBeats Antique FacebookBeats Antique Wiki

Sidecar Tommy - Constant Flux

Sidecar Tommy - Constant Flux

Sidecar Tommy
Constant Flux
Label: self

Tommy Cappel AKA Sidecar Tommy is best known as being a part of the amazing gypsy-tronic trio Beats Antique. This solo release allows a different aspect of his musical interests to show forth. While still firmly in the electronic realm, we are treated to more chilled, downtempo glitch hop (without the middle eastern element Beats Antique is renowned for). But it is still catchy and quirky and enticing to listen to repeatedly, so we are all good!

Sidecar Tommy Facebook

F-777 - Celtic Dance Machine

F-777 - Celtic Dance Machine

F-777
Celtic Dance Machine
Label: self-published

When you sacrifice your Riverdancer to the Goddess Electronica, something like this is bound to be the offspring. F-777 is Jesse Valentine, an extremely prolific and quite accomplished 20 year old electronic musician that also produces freelance soundtracks for games in addition to these themed dance explosions.

F-777 WebsiteF-777 Facebook

Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics - Cigarros Explosivos!

Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics - Cigarros Explosivos!

Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics
Cigarros Explosivos!
Label: Ashpalt Tango

Sunny days are ahead when you jump right in and start gyrating to this electrifying Balkan and cumbia hybrid. Gypsy brass is fused with Latin inflections and more as this 5-piece produces pulsating poly-rhythm after rhythm, through mood after mood. Tantalizing, titillating, troubadours of world music.

Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics WebsiteJaro Milko and the Cubalkanics Facebook

Big Mean Sound Machine - Contraband

Big Mean Sound Machine - Contraband

Big Mean Sound Machine
Contraband
Label: Angry Mom Records

An instant dance party! They throw down the funk with lots of horns, then pump up the Afrobeat before sizzling up some psychedelia and jazzy gyrations. Recorded live to capture their raw 12-member fury only makes me want to experience this party live ASAP!

Big Mean Sound Machine WebsiteBig Mean Sound Machine Facebook

Mark de Clive-Lowe - Church

Mark de Clive-Lowe - Church

Mark de Clive-Lowe
Church
Label: Mashibeats/Ropeadope

Sophisticated avant soul jazz-tronica that sizzles with intensity. This New Zealand born musician, DJ and producer (who now resides in LA) started playing piano at age 4 and has continued his musical exploration ever since! Layers of flavors, rhythms and instrumentation are conjured for each composition and flow through several diverse styles as well as musical collaborators.

Mark de Clive-Lowe WebsiteMark de Clive-Lowe FacebookMark de Clive-Lowe Wiki

Dirtwire - Carrier

Dirtwire - Carrier

Dirtwire
Carrier
Label: Beats Antique Records

Creaking and groaning southern folktronica landscapes filled with worldly rhythms and electronic ambiance. This makes total sense since this duo, comprised of multi-instrumentalist David Satori (Beats Antique) and Evan Fraser (Hamsa Lila; Stellamara) met at the California Institute of the Arts while studying World Music Composition. The 7 tracks on this EP are packed with dense earthy tones and flavorful rhythms that twist Americana into something new again.

The Dirtwire WebsiteThe Dirtwire Facebook

Cas Haley - More Music, More Family

Cas Haley - More Music, More Family

Cas Haley
More Music, More Family
Label: Mailboat Records

After a freak skiing accident tossed Haley into months of physical and vocal therapy, he was forced to reassess and refocus his career and this process brought new levels of connection with his family which had grown thin after years of constant touring. His new release shows off this family respect topically while allowing arrangements to grow more extravagant and expansive through his smooth mating of reggae, soul, blues and rock. Bravo! (9) Appearing on 11/8 at High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI along with Collin Hauser,Tugg and Cash Box Kings.

Cas Haley WebsiteCas Haley FacebookCas Haley Wiki

Cualli - The Monk of Chunk

Cualli - The Monk of Chunk

Cualli
The Monk of Chunk
Label: Gravitas

Observing the synthesis between humans, technology and the environment, this Boulder, CO DJ has spun together an earcatching web of mystical yet thumping mid-tempo electronica, bedded by field recordings from various international nature locations such as the Amazon of Peru, the Northern California redwoods, and the Himalayas. Delightfully contemporary with just the right amount of global ambiance.

Cualli WebsiteCualli Facebook

R-ODD - Caffeine

R-ODD - Caffeine

R-ODD
Caffeine
Label: Business Casual

Hyperactive sampling with some future funk and vaguely clubbable drops propel this traphop vaporwave entry into repeated listens thanks to its eclectic rhythmic conundrums and squirrely caveats. Released on cassette (as well as digital), there is plenty enough mish and mash to love up no matter what format you choose to listen to it on.

R-ODD WebsiteR-ODD Facebook

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