Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: H
Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks - Tangled Tales

Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks - Tangled Tales

Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks
Tangled Tales
Label: Surfdog Records

This influential and enduring song writer hosts guests a plenty on these12 tracks of clever toe tapping and insightful lazy Americana with a jazzy, country western tilt and swingin’ swagger.

SEE LIVE 5/14 at Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee; 5/15 at Majestic Theater in Madison, WI; 5/16 Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis

Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks WebsiteDan Hicks and the Hot Licks Wiki

Heatbox - System

Heatbox - System

Heatbox
System
Label: Self Released

This amazing vocal juke box is feeling his stride on this incredibly catchy and entertaining release. A strong nod to barbershop stylings create a river of harmonies for this one man soul, hip hop and funk band to riff off of. Live he samples each phrase, loops it and repeats until complete. The classics that this contemporary harmonic hero brings our way include “Pizza Funk” and “I Need A Jack and Coke.” As a bonus the disc also contains the game Heatbox completely created “Ninja Strike.”

Heatbox Website

Horse Meat Disco - Horse Meat Disco

Horse Meat Disco - Horse Meat Disco

Horse Meat Disco
Horse Meat Disco
Label: Strut Records

Get ready to move some bootay! This body bumpin’ double disc collection features London club founders James Hillard and Jim Stanton mixing up select disco era gems followed by a second disc of untouched disco ditties. Get to the dance floor already!


Kyle Hollingsworth - Then There’s Now

Kyle Hollingsworth - Then There’s Now

Kyle Hollingsworth
Then There’s Now
Label: Sci Fidelity Records

This String Cheese Incident alumni has developed a finely designed array of catchy heartfelt melodies and immediately palatable rhythms. Compelling choruses and interspersed electronica electrify these creations with a broad and jam friendly resonance.

Kyle Hollingsworth Website

Rob Zombie - Halloween II

Rob Zombie - Halloween II

Rob Zombie
Halloween II
Label: Universal Music

In case you are unaware, horror specialist Rob Zombie is at the helm of the new Halloween II movie and this is the Soundtrack. We find a mixture of scary movie sound bites, cool classic rock entries and a smattering of new themed songs but not the original theme music.  Rob himself will also be touring this fall coincidentally.

Rob Zombie WebsiteRob Zombie Wiki

Heavy Trash - Midnight Soul Serenade

Heavy Trash - Midnight Soul Serenade

Heavy Trash
Midnight Soul Serenade
Label: Big Legal Mess Records

Surfing through clever escapades into bluesy vintage rock as well as smirking garage punk sojourns. These creative juices again stratified by musical comrades Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray reek of dark mirth and flavorful kitsch.

Heavy Trash WebsiteHeavy Trash Wiki

High Ceiling - Illusions

High Ceiling - Illusions

High Ceiling
Illusions
Label: Self Released

Easy flowing reggae escapades that ascend into effervescent jams and rootsy rock anthems. Fundamentally joyful this Washington act lyrically takes time to delve into socio/political topics of relevance while also managing to organize their own festival - Skok Valley Music Rally.

High Ceiling Website

Jimi Hendrix - Valleys Of Neptune

Jimi Hendrix - Valleys Of Neptune

Jimi Hendrix
Valleys Of Neptune
Label: Sony Legacy

Hendrix is an undeniable legend, but this release is just a side note to his legacy. The few actual newly reconstructed songs are mixed with alternate versions of prior released songs. Although it sounds great and it is a great talking point, I am left only partially satisfied while thinking this was mostly for the moola, not the art.

Jimi Hendrix WebsiteJimi Hendrix Wiki

Wes Hamil - White Man Red Road

Wes Hamil - White Man Red Road

Wes Hamil
White Man Red Road
Label: Babamuse

Envisioned as a soundtrack for a movie with the same title,  Hamil musically introduces us to the award winning culminations of his spirit quests and journeys through Native American ceremonies which ultimately afforded him the opportunity to being a sun dancer. Tribal chants are woven into the guitar driven songs producing a delectably catchy, memorable and enlightening experience.

Wes Hamil WebsiteWes Hamil Facebook

CAS HALEY - Connection

CAS HALEY - Connection

CAS HALEY
Connection
Label: Easy Star Records

Perhaps you remember Cas from his second place finish on the second season of America’s Got Talent in 2007. If you do, then you will also remember his easy flowing reggae style with blues flavoring and his equally enticing vocal stylings. If not, you may want to examine what he has to offer, especially his revisioning of Alicia Keys’ song “No One.”

CAS HALEY WebsiteCAS HALEY FacebookCAS HALEY Wiki

Huun Huur Tu - Ancestors Call

Huun Huur Tu - Ancestors Call

Huun Huur Tu
Ancestors Call
Label: World Village

The 4 man Tuvan supergroup has rounded up another herd of musical exports filled with their amazing throat singing whistles, warbles, drones, hums, groans, and other quirks. Mesmerizing traditional shepherd songs are contemporized and cultivated but manage to retain their distinct cultural colors and vibrancy.

Huun Huur Tu WebsiteHuun Huur Tu Wiki

Mr. Hunter - The Awakening

Mr. Hunter - The Awakening

Mr. Hunter
The Awakening
Label: Mr. Hunter

An EP from a Hoboken, NJ outfit that pours forth pretty straightforward improvisational type jam rock, set apart by female vocals and a spunky spirit.

Mr. Hunter Website

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