Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Jazz
Farmer's Market - Surfin’ USSR

Farmer's Market - Surfin’ USSR

Farmer's Market
Surfin’ USSR
Label: Ipecac Recordings

Improbable permutations of traditional Bulgarian melodies along with jazz, folk, and rock that have been percolated to oblique perfection. The songs often lead with uptempo folk rhythms that are broken with soundtrack-ish ambiance and other delightful distractions.

Farmer's Market WebsiteFarmer's Market Wiki

Lost Dream - The Lost Dream

Lost Dream - The Lost Dream

Lost Dream
The Lost Dream
Label: Craig Sound Productions

This ambitious self-taught multi-instrumentalist composed, arranged, recorded, mixed and produced this release. She also played the entire range of instruments. Attempting to reconcile rock’n’roll with ambient atmospheres around a concept of lost hope sounds good in theory, but unfortunately comes off a bit flaccid and overly subdued.


Putumayo Presents - African Party

Putumayo Presents - African Party

Putumayo Presents
African Party
Label: Putumayo World Music

Celebrating Putumayo’s 15th Anniversary with a great compilation that pays tribute to the spirit of the music that inspired the label’s inception. With 20 million CDs sold, Putumayo’s world music party has been a global hit and “African Party” is another to add their list of success.

Putumayo Presents WebsitePutumayo Presents Wiki

Musicians For Minneapolis - 57 Songs For the I-35W Bridge Disaster Relief Effort

Musicians For Minneapolis - 57 Songs For the I-35W Bridge Disaster Relief Effort

Musicians For Minneapolis
57 Songs For the I-35W Bridge Disaster Relief Effort
Label: Electrovoice

Produced by audio equipment giant, Electro-Voice, the only thing longer than the title of this 3-CD release is the list of amazing musicians contributing to this self-explanatory fund raising project. Dick Dale, George Clinton, DJ Spooky, Calexico, Les Claypool and MANY, many more.

Musicians For Minneapolis Website

Eivind Opsvik - Overseas III

Eivind Opsvik - Overseas III

Eivind Opsvik
Overseas III
Label: Loyal Label

Classic straight jazz turned into an ambient field and then nudged with noise, progressive elements and a few electronica glitches. This Norwegian born and NYC based composer records and plays live with a 4-piece ensemble called Overseas.

Eivind Opsvik Website

Feelin Band - The Sacred Play Of Life

Feelin Band - The Sacred Play Of Life

Feelin Band
The Sacred Play Of Life
Label: Wake The World

Soulful crooning compliments the flowing piano and contemplative writing style with a folk, jazz and jam-infused bluesy backbone. This talented Twin Cities group rounds it out with some occasional Spanish influences.

The Feelin Band Website

Rosa Passos - Romance

Rosa Passos - Romance

Rosa Passos
Romance
Label: Telarc

Sultry and intimate female vocals sparkle and shine, complimented by mellow smooth jazz and bossa nova ripples. This Brazilian native takes time to explore matters of the heart as she expands upon her three decade career. A little mellow for me, but she’s a great singer!

Rosa Passos WebsiteRosa Passos Wiki

Scifi - Scifi

Scifi - Scifi

Scifi
Scifi
Label: Coma Gun Music

Spaced out, mostly non-vocal jam rock that finds footholds in the jazz, funk, soul and techno world. At times the floaty jazzy grooves have whisked me off to a distant planet of fuzz, love and murmur. Delightful!

Scifi Website

Teddy Presberg - Blueprint of Soul

Teddy Presberg - Blueprint of Soul

Teddy Presberg
Blueprint of Soul
Label: Ropeadope Records

A flowing improvisational funk-jam experience created as a musical impression of Portland; all done in one take. Quite an impressive excursion into the instrumental psychedelic jam rock realm

Teddy Presberg WebsiteTeddy Presberg Wiki

Lotus - Hammerstrike

Lotus - Hammerstrike

Lotus
Hammerstrike
Label: SCI Records

Offering fresh, funky, technodellic indie jams that have to date been almost totally non vocal. This time there are several tracks with vocal flaunts to broaden their horizons and stellar trajectories. Upward and onward.

Lotus WebsiteLotus Wiki

 - Theories of Tension

- Theories of Tension


Theories of Tension
Label: Self Released

A many faceted award winning Madison based metal outfit that throws down some prog rock, math rock and extreme jazz compositions in an aspiring manner. Somehow the recording is loose/rough/thin in a few areas which diminishes the exuberant talent contained here.

Website

ZU - Carboniferous

ZU - Carboniferous

ZU
Carboniferous
Label: Ipecac Recordings

Cantankerous jazzy punk and experi-metal rife with overtones, harmonics and indifferent dissonance. This non-vocal trio from Rome breathes new visions of inspired avante art rock with every song penned and every blurry bass note they fondle.

ZU Website

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