Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Strange Arrangements - Polygraph
Strange ArrangementsPolygraph
Label:
Effortlessly stringing together progressive elements of jazz, funk, blues, reggae, and psychedellia are what this Chicago jam rock band does so well. Strong main and harmony vocals really shine as the tangy guitar work and zesty rhythms flow through song after song and have the potential to please listeners for years to come.
• Strange Arrangements WebsitePhutureprimitive - Kinetik
PhutureprimitiveKinetik
Label: Native Harmonix
Phutureprimitive is the moniker of producer/song writer Rain who utilizes hypnotic grooves and lush bass heavy textures to provide listeners with dense and detailed electronic compositions. One of my first ‘finds’ on Bandcamp, but one with a huge future thanks to scoring the opening slot for part of Shpongle’s summer Stateside tour. Appearing May 10 at the Majestic Theater in Madison.
• Phutureprimitive Website • Phutureprimitive FacebookMörglbl - 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 FacebookWookiefoot - Ready or Not
WookiefootReady or Not
Label: Wookiefoot (self)
Wookiefoot (one of my all time favorite bands!) continues on their cosmic musical consciousness exploration journey by offering another ever-evolving excursion into anthemic New Age-ish euphemisms gone hippy pop reggae bluegrass jam funk. Will they be the Shangri La for your soul too? Don’t miss their tour this fall!
• Wookiefoot Website • Wookiefoot FacebookBeat Fatigue - Malfunktionality Part One
Beat FatigueMalfunktionality Part One
Label: Adapted Records
So many of my favorite things all rolled into one! Clever guitar jams are imbibed with funky bass lines and blues stamina while pushed out on the dance floor with groovy electronics. This Amsterdam based DJ, producer promises much more to come with Part 2!
• Beat Fatigue WebsiteFine Alarm Funk - Abandonearth
Fine Alarm FunkAbandonearth
Label: CD Baby
Even though the album is themed as, “A DIABOLICAL journey to the center of the Earth and the subsequent DESTRUCTION of the planet!!!” you probably aren’t expecting what this 9 member heavy funk outfit from Vancouver has cooked up for you as they blast through a barrage of breakneck Balkan brass n punk infused musical roller coaster rides while vocally sounding like a gruffer Gogol Bordello. Surprising and refreshing!
• Fine Alarm Funk Website • Fine Alarm Funk FacebookBrownout - Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath
BrownoutBrownout Presents Brown Sabbath
Label: Ubiquity
Take the Austin-based Latin funk band Brownout, add congas, horns, zest and psychedelics to choice catalog selections from Hard Rock and Heavy Metal godfathers Black Sabbath and you get Brown Sabbath, their funky, salsafied cousins. They make it surprisingly hard to decide whether to bang your head or dance your ass off to these 7 classic tracks.
• Brownout Website • Brownout Facebook • Brownout WikiSkydyed - A Quantum Dream
SkydyedA Quantum Dream
Label: Skydyed Music
This vibrant Colorado trio draws on rock, funk, and jazz roots to create a diverse and dynamic sound that weaves together organic live drums, bass and guitar with cutting edge electronic production. Delectably dancey and festival friendly this release brings an upwardly element to their play and interplay.
• Skydyed Website • Skydyed FacebookBig Gigantic - Brighter Future
Big GiganticBrighter Future
Label: Big Gigantic
Fantastic funky grooves and ass kicking saxophone bolstered electronica are trademarks of this Denver based superstar duo and this is no exception. This time though, they bring aboard a number of mostly vocal contributors to create a more sophisticated and multifaceted approach to their overall sound, while still managing to bring the party.
• Big Gigantic Website • Big Gigantic Facebook • Big Gigantic WikiDubFX - Thinking Clear
DubFXThinking Clear
Label: Convoy Unltd
Melbourne born street performer, beat boxer and looping artist extraordinaire Dub FX (aka Ben Stanford) gives us a potent and powerful dose of his unique artistry with Thinking Clear, which shows off his soulful lyrical exploration of social, political and spiritual subjects while injecting the additional live instrumentation of a bass player, pianist, percussionist and a 3 piece horn section to his groovy vibes. Recorded in his own Treetop Studios and offered on his Convoy Unltd label, this release builds on his grassroots busking success that propelled him into selling over 200,000 records and receiving 100 million and counting YouTube views after performing in 40 different countries and at numerous festivals. Bravo!
• DubFX Website • DubFX Facebook • DubFX WikiCualli - The Monk of Chunk
CualliThe Monk of Chunk
Label: Gravitas
Observing the synthesis between humans, technology and the environment, this Boulder, CO DJ has spun together an earcatching web of mystical yet thumping mid-tempo electronica, bedded by field recordings from various international nature locations such as the Amazon of Peru, the Northern California redwoods, and the Himalayas. Delightfully contemporary with just the right amount of global ambiance.
• Cualli Website • Cualli FacebookView More
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