Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Next Stop... Soweto - Township Sounds From the Golden Age of Mbaqanga
Next Stop... SowetoTownship Sounds From the Golden Age of Mbaqanga
Label: Strut Records
20 unreleased tracks of rare and obscure 60s-70s compositions from South Africa producing a brief historical overview of the infectious rhythms and jazz inspired beats that were energizing the townships at the time. The wonderful variety of vocals and local styles on this first of 3 volumes make this a winner in any era.
• Next Stop... Soweto WebsiteRare Blend - Sessions
Rare BlendSessions
Label: Tough Steam Music
An instrumental triple threat showing off multiple aspects of their musical prowess and personality via tracks from stage, studio and film. Having already maintained for 15 years, this progressive jazz/jam/fusion group here highlights a solid panorama of their capabilities and strengths.
• Rare Blend WebsiteCarmen Souza - Protegid
Carmen SouzaProtegid
Label: Galileo Music
Curiously comfortable musical flirtations conjoining the surprising influences of West Africa’s Cape Verde with contemporary vigor and vision. The lyrics may be in Creole but her dextrous vocals dance with effortless accompaniment to the jazzy rhythms spiced with Arabic, Polish, Euro and African injections.
• Carmen Souza FacebookWaitiki 7 - New Sounds of Exotica
Waitiki 7New Sounds of Exotica
Label: Pass Out Records
When you think of tropical lounge sounds, you expect what this 1950’s style throwback release has to offer. Dedicated to preserving the Exotica sound and tiki culture they produce lush jazzy flows of flute over a variety of percussion, complimented by bass, piano, sax, etc. Fly me to the tropics!
• The Waitiki 7 Website • The Waitiki 7 FacebookCee-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 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 FacebookEveryone Orchestra - Brooklyn Sessions
Everyone OrchestraBrooklyn Sessions
Label: Harmonized Records
Smooth and flowing as well as rich and varied improv jam-rock featuring a bunch of stellar musicians ranging from Jon Fishman (Phish) to keyboardist/pianist Marco Benevento to saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Dave Mathews Band) to guitarist Steve Kimock, and bassist Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green), among others. They are all harnessed and conducted by the electrifying Matt Butler, the force and vision behind the group. By managing to focus the collaborative talent in an ambitious but ultimately gratifying direction he has managed to produce a noteworthy and highly listenable release.
• Everyone Orchestra Website • Everyone Orchestra Facebook • Everyone Orchestra WikiMörglbl - Brutal_Romance
MörglblBrutal_Romance
Label: Free Electric Sound
With a name like this, you may expect punishing death metal, but this is not that. Instead, this French instrumental trio blends a progressive energetic jazzy element with their hard rock and technical metal to create a tantalizing full flavored offering. Additionally, band members Christophe Godin (guitars), Ivan Rougny (bass), and Aurelian Ouzoulias (drums) are each also valued clinicians when not busy crushing and destroying the world as Mörglbl.
• Mörglbl Website • Mörglbl Facebook • Mörglbl WikiNickodemus - Moon People
NickodemusMoon People
Label: ESL Music
From hip hop to Afropop to jazzy funk to flamenco among a multitude of other influences, the Brooklyn based Nickodemus connects an endearing amalgamation of world beats, electronica and worthwhile innovation by utilizing and orchestrating his network of collaborators ranging from Puerto Rico to Beirut and beyond. A surprising complexity of approaches and fresh musical infusions.
• Nickodemus Website • Nickodemus FacebookGuano Padano - Two (2)
Guano PadanoTwo (2)
Label: Ipecac Records
If you happened to be trapped in a spaghetti Western being filmed by Fellini or Coppola, this may very well be the soundtrack. Surf, jazz, country, folk, blues and attitude fill the songs with ambience, emotion and dynamics. Guest vocals from Mike Patton.
• Guano Padano Website • Guano Padano FacebookSaffron - Dawning
SaffronDawning
Label: Palmetto Records
Kindred spirits finding common ground in the poet Rumi, these veteran musicians fuse contemporary sensibilities with classical Indian and Western jazz influences to create music that is as delicate and richly nuanced as the spice.
• Saffron WebsiteDJ Sun - one hundred
DJ Sunone hundred
Label: Soular Productions
DJ Sun is known in Houston for his long running radio show, Soular Grooves (Sat 9-12pm on KPFT 90.1FM), so it’s no surprise that this recording artist and DJ shows off a timeless time-forgotten era of soul, jazz and smooth grooves that are equally as nostalgic as they are future perfect. Dusty delights from a jazzy neverland.
• DJ Sun Facebook • DJ Sun WikiView More
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