Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Leaves' Eyes - Njord
Leaves' EyesNjord
Label: Napalm Records
Regal and fully manifested gothic operatic metal. The ever entrancing Liv Kristine along with her brethren from the mighty band Atrocity has crafted another musical feast of myth and legend from the Norse land. Orchestrating a new level of fantasy and delight.
• Leaves' Eyes Website • Leaves' Eyes WikiPassafire - Everyone On Everynight
PassafireEveryone On Everynight
Label: Law Records
A refreshingly colorful approach to utilizing the reggae vibe and riffs while expanding the overall flavor with jam, funk, prog and hard rock. Hooks that slide into your mind and sincere lyrics that pacify or antagonize as needed.
• Passafire WebsiteZiggy Marley - Family Time
Ziggy MarleyFamily Time
Label: Tuff Gong Worldwide
Bob’s eldest son switches gears and focuses his good grooving reggae melodies towards the youngsters. Friend and family guests here include Rita Marley, Paul Simon, Willy Nelson, Jack Johnson and more! Did you see him singing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
• Ziggy Marley Website • Ziggy Marley WikiFat Freddy's Drop - Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW
Fat Freddy's DropDr. Boondigga & The Big BW
Label: Drop Records
Reggae ribbed rhythms from New Zealand sway with the cool breeze of tropical dances while skipping across numerous global music resonances and inspirations. Infectious ambient soultronica sunsets smoothly slip into hazy jazzy dub pop and future groove friendly hip hop.
• Fat Freddy's Drop Website • Fat Freddy's Drop WikiMahala Rai Banda - Ghetto Blasters
Mahala Rai BandaGhetto Blasters
Label: Asphalt Tango Records
Warning: Listening to this could cause an Instantaneous Dance Infection! Balkan, Gypsy, and Rai styles coalesce into driving compulsions of neck wrecking horn breakdowns and contagious hip swinging parties. Very memorable.
• Mahala Rai Banda WikiRupa And The April Fishes - Este Mundo
Rupa And The April FishesEste Mundo
Label: Cumbancha Records
Tossing an entrancing musical salad filled with Indian ragas, French chanson, Colombian cumbia and a wild Gypsy panache. Headed by the mega-talented Rupa Marya, the multilingual sophomore effort from these San Francisco natives explores the concept of timeless human migrations finding voice through a range of musical emotions.
• Rupa And The April Fishes Website • Rupa And The April Fishes WikiVandana Vishwas - Meera The Lover…
Vandana VishwasMeera The Lover…
Label: Self Released
Vandana’s gently gliding vocals are more entrancing than the tablas in this musical respinning of classic poems epitomizing specific life points in the famous story of Meera Bai. This beautifully delivered traditional Indian devotional music is available with or without story narrative.
• Vandana Vishwas WebsiteVäsen - Vasen Street
VäsenVasen Street
Label: Northside Records
The amazing Nyckelharpa (a fiddle with a keyboard) matched with guitars and viola charm again as this iconic instrumental Swedish folk trio brings us a street-full of songs and mark their 20th year. Utilizing their various vast infiltrations of innovation they still manage to stay rapt in the musical traditions they were born with while shining brightly to the world.
• Väsen Website • Väsen WikiRobert Soko - BalkanBeats
Robert SokoBalkanBeats
Label: Piranha Music
Encapsulating the energy, excitement and amazing confluence of various Balkan dance grooves that erupt once a month at club Lido in Berlin thanks to this renowned DJ. A trailblazer since the early 90s, Soko hosts this international dance party friendly to both his fellow Balkan expatriates as well as the vibrant Berlin club crowds. Current and contagious!
• Robert Soko WebsiteSouljazz Orchestra - Rising Sun
Souljazz OrchestraRising Sun
Label: Strut Records
As the name aptly implies, this is a very jazz centric soul filled multi instrumental offering. Capturing the vibrant emanations from the 60s and 70s and melding Afro and Latin rhythms to their base, this Ottowa, Canada group feeds your ear with the traditional while stoking the contemporary fires of innovation and pizzazz.
• The Souljazz Orchestra Website • The Souljazz Orchestra WikiNext 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 WebsiteSora - Heartwood
SoraHeartwood
Label: Corvid Media
Soothing and refreshing Celtic music spearheaded by this traditionally styled vocalist. Her voice twinkles with delicate splashes of vibrato amidst the lushly melodic atmospheres that bloom from the emotional tales told as the panorama of instruments unfolds.
• Sora Website • Sora FacebookView More
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