Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Cycle Of Pain - Cycle Of Pain
Cycle Of PainCycle Of Pain
Label: Reform Records
Black Label Society bassist exhibits his latest exploits that fall not far from the tree. Sludgy, grungy metal admittedly grown from the Black Sabbath side of heavy music but also reminding me of Soundgarden at times. Too many musical cameos to mention.
Leonard Cohen - Live In London
Leonard CohenLive In London
Label: Sony
Such entrancing dusky vocals and memorable folk anthems lose nothing in their live format. In fact, because of today’s live production values, these songs may sound better than their studio originals! What a great selection of work and wonderful performance.
• Leonard Cohen Website • Leonard Cohen WikiChill Factor-5 - The Venus Effect
Chill Factor-5The Venus Effect
Label: Electronfarm Records
A contemporary musical hybrid helmed by world traveling, Grammy nominated multi instrumentalist Maurice Oliver. This treasure trove of chilled smooth electronica flirts adventurously with numerous musical combinations from the jazz, hip hop, pop, funk, soul and world beat realms.
Charles Walker Band - Used And Defiant
Charles Walker BandUsed And Defiant
Label: Ehlona Records
Tight, classy kick ass blues from Milwaukee, WI. Deep grooving, high energy music propelled by the charismatic vocals of Miss Shanna Jackson and expertly supported by 4 seasoned career musicians including songwriter and bandleader Charles Walker himself. Music to season your soul with.
• The Charles Walker Band WebsiteChinese Stars - Heaven On Speed Dial
Chinese StarsHeaven On Speed Dial
Label: Anchor Brain Records
Dissonant lubrications disjoint and realign at the sadistic whim of these overlords of musical funk-dissonance. Join this scramble for stability amidst the charming yet volatile excursions into dangerous anti-pop melodies grinning with smart ass punk taunting vocals.
• The Chinese Stars Website • The Chinese Stars WikiCobblestone Jazz - The Modern Deep Left Quartet
Cobblestone JazzThe Modern Deep Left Quartet
Label: !K7 Records
Anchored by lackadaisical and typically repetitive throbbing house beats that glides through smooth free flowing extra minimalistic waves of jazz, funk and fusion spun electronica may be enticing to some, but this ultimately finds me unattached and ejecting in favor of something with more substance, flavor and zest.
• Cobblestone Jazz WebsiteCEPHALIC CARNAGE - Misled By Certainty
CEPHALIC CARNAGEMisled By Certainty
Label: Relapse
Cascades of extreme metal come pouring forth from the instruments of this furious and hard working Colorado concoction. After hammering down the grind on the first dozen tracks of their sixth Relapse release, they end with the epic length, genre spanning “Repangaea.”
• CEPHALIC CARNAGE Website • CEPHALIC CARNAGE Facebook • CEPHALIC CARNAGE WikiCHARMING HOSTESS - The Bowls Project
CHARMING HOSTESSThe Bowls Project
Label: Tzadik
This is a bizarre mixture of intensely creative elements that links female vocals, Iraqi folk, Jewish culture, rock, metal, sex, love, angels, demons, and oodles more in an eclectic fashion. Inspiration here was garnered from inscriptions found on bowls buried beneath Jewish Babylonian houses which allowed group leader Jewlia Eisenberg a culturally poignant and diverse perspective to compose from.
• CHARMING HOSTESS Website • CHARMING HOSTESS Facebook • CHARMING HOSTESS WikiChico Trujillo - Chico de Oro
Chico TrujilloChico de Oro
Label: Barbes Records
I received this CD after I saw their kickin’ set at the Marquette Waterfront Festival earlier this summer and had to spread the word. This release does what it can to relay the exuberance, depth, and passion of their live performance. Their feisty splashy Cumbia explores the boundaries of this encompassing Pan-Latin genre in so many wonderful ways.
• Chico Trujillo Website • Chico Trujillo WikiChico Mann - Analog Drift
Chico MannAnalog Drift
Label: Wax Poetics Records
Except for the effervescent cover of Talking Heads ‘Once in a Lifetime,’ Analog Drift was composed and played entirely by Marcos Garcia who IS Chico Mann. As a member of Anatibala Afrobeat Orchestra he traveled the world and learned all about Afro-Cuban funk which he expertly employs here along with other well chosen influences.
• Chico Mann Website • Chico Mann FacebookCopal - 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 FacebookView More
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