Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Azam Ali - From Night to the Edge of Day
Azam AliFrom Night to the Edge of Day
Label: Six Degrees
Lullabies of love; lullabies of anguish; lullabies of rebellion, exile and awareness; such is the dichotomy of these Iranian, Turkish, Lebanese and Kurdish lullabies as presented by this amazing Iranian-born, Indian-raised vocalist. She connected with the spectrum of emotions behind lullabies when she gave birth to her son and realized the tumultuous world that he would be exposed to and live in.
• Azam Ali Website • Azam Ali WikiHindi Zahra - Handmade
Hindi ZahraHandmade
Label: Blue Note
Bursting with musical expression, this Moroccan born, Paris based artist is a whirlwind of talent and creativity. Gently, yet effortlessly floating along jazzy avenues filled with Arabic sounds that are a juxtaposition of rhythmic flavors from East and West, she brandishes her vocal wit with each soulful guitar stroke.
• Hindi Zahra Website • Hindi Zahra Facebook • Hindi Zahra WikiPutumayo Presents - Rumba Mambo Cha Cha Cha!
Putumayo PresentsRumba Mambo Cha Cha Cha!
Label: Putumayo World Music
Get out your dancing shoes and get ready to strut your stuff! This time around, Putumayo brings us 10 tracks by 10 different artists descended from the Cuban family tree to celebrate the increasing popularity of traditional Latin dancing music and show off their universal appeal.
• Putumayo Presents WebsiteVarious Artists - Putumayo Presents World Christmas Party
Various ArtistsPutumayo Presents World Christmas Party
Label: Putumayo World Music
Here’s a no-brainer. Twelve light hearted Christmas songs done with a global slant, giving you a chance to hear some seasonal music without it being the same old holiday musical drivel you have heard nearly a billion times. From Jamaica to Cape Verde, they wish you a Merry Christmas.
• Various Artists Website • Various Artists WikiSystema Solar - System Solar
Systema SolarSystem Solar
Label: Chusma Records
These guys throw down when they party in Columbia. Colliding a countless number of influences, ranging from scratch and hip hop, to dance, to spacey electronica with Afro-Columbian and Latin traditions, makes for an album full of surprises and rhythmic diversity. Taking time to be visually colorful and striking is part of their charm. Live, they present a powerful well rounded and innovative experience. (9)
• Systema Solar WebsiteAtrocity - After The Storm
AtrocityAfter The Storm
Label: Napalm Records
One of my long time favorite experi-“metal” bands, this German group has explored many facets of musical and cultural heritage over the years. Their exploration continues by refining their folk fancies, expanding on their impressive song structure, and again including the amazing vocals of Yasmin (frontman Alexander Krull’s sister). Powerful, invigorating, and unique.
• Atrocity Website • Atrocity Facebook
Brendan Perry - The Ark
Brendan PerryThe Ark
Label: Cooking Vinyl
When Dead Can Dance danced no more, the musical world was an emptier place. But there is hope once again. This key former Dead Can Dance member has unleashed a truly solo effort. He played every instrument, wrote all the lyrics, and recorded The Ark in his own amazing studio in Ireland. The result is a wonderfully haunting and dreamy gothic synth-scape, blissed by Perry’s compelling lyrics and stunning vocals.
• Brendan Perry Website • Brendan Perry Facebook • Brendan Perry WikiFonderia - My Grandmother’s Spacesuit
FonderiaMy Grandmother’s Spacesuit
Label:
An award winning Italian group, creating enticing improvisational electronica grounded in a prog rock underbelly. Musical constellations are filled with horns and fuzzy bass lines that melt into lunar jams in the universal rhythmic quagmire that defies description.
• Fonderia Website • Fonderia WikiSonia Brex - Naif
Sonia BrexNaif
Label: Piranha Records
Although classically trained at an Italian conservatory, she transplanted to Berlin and transformed her appeal into a delightful electro-ethno-pop filled with an erratic, eclectic and entertaining energy inspired by her home that spins into kitchy flashes of fun with an upbeat edge.
• Sonia Brex Website • Sonia Brex FacebookDanko Jones - Below The Belt
Danko JonesBelow The Belt
Label: Bad Taste Records
Smack-ass Canadian hard rock with attitude, intensity, and great grooves. This well tested trio knows how to chew up the traumatic lessons of life and love that our existence hands out to us. Learn and grow from past problems and percolate them into great musical lessons for us all to learn from. Hold on, this one doesn’t stop.
• Danko Jones Website • Danko Jones Facebook • Danko Jones WikiFour Tet - There is Love In You
Four TetThere is Love In You
Label: Domino Recording Co
A charming configuration of frequencies and waves that contort and undulate within this field of unexpected electronic compositions. Kieran Hebden is the prolific mastermind who came into the techno arena with a background in minimalist folk and jazz. But, he has somehow morphed his output into this very compelling ambient dance music.
• Four Tet Website • Four Tet WikiVarious Artists - Putumayo Presents Bossa Nova Around The World
Various ArtistsPutumayo Presents Bossa Nova Around The World
Label: Putumayo Records
Bringing some heat and passion into the cold part of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, we are treated to 12 toe-tapping Bossa Nova tracks from Brazil, France, Norway, South Korea, Serbia, and beyond. They show off the global appeal and popularity for a sound that started in Brazil in the late 1950s.
• Various Artists WebsiteView More
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