Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Chico Mann - Analog Drift
Chico MannAnalog Drift
Label: Wax Poetics Records
Except for the effervescent cover of Talking Heads ‘Once in a Lifetime,’ Analog Drift was composed and played entirely by Marcos Garcia who IS Chico Mann. As a member of Anatibala Afrobeat Orchestra he traveled the world and learned all about Afro-Cuban funk which he expertly employs here along with other well chosen influences.
• Chico Mann Website • Chico Mann FacebookKing Sunny Ade - Baba Mo Tunde
King Sunny AdeBaba Mo Tunde
Label: Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings
I’ve been a fan of this Nigerian native Afro-pop mega legend for quite some time so I was delighted to hear about his first studio album in over 10 years. The second of this twin disc release blasts off with the 31 min title track and if you make it through that on your feet, you might as well call in sick for the week cause you will be shaking and dancing all day and night to these incredible and inviting masterpieces.
• King Sunny Ade Facebook • King Sunny Ade WikiHuun Huur Tu - Ancestors Call
Huun Huur TuAncestors 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 Website • Huun Huur Tu WikiTitans Eve - The Divine Equal
Titans EveThe Divine Equal
Label:
I love thrash metal as much as anyone, but this throwback thrash quartet brings back all the things I don’t love about the music. Starting with the poor cover art, it continues with the cheesy logo and predictable song names. This group has cookie cutter repeat written all over them. I’m sure they worked hard on this, but to no avail, as I have seen and heard this hundreds and hundreds of times before.
• Titans Eve Facebook • Titans Eve WikiAzam 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 WikiView More
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