Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Paper Diamond - Levitate
Paper DiamondLevitate
Label: Pretty Lights Music
Paper Diamond is Colorado producer Alex B. While expanding the Pretty Lights empire, this release comes to us without samples but with a funky, spunky flair unique to this release. Spacey synthesizers drive the sweet melodies and catchy grooves. This one has that magic touch.
• Paper Diamond Website • Paper Diamond FacebookFreak Kitchen - Land of the Freaks
Freak KitchenLand of the Freaks
Label: The Laser's Edge
Touted as ‘Europe’s best musical secret’ due to limited distribution, Freak Kitchen has just had their back-catalog released and this one from 2009 is the first in line. The progressive power trio consists of three renowned virtuoso musicians - Mattias “IA” Eklundh (guitar/vocals), Christer Ortefors (bass), and Bjorn Fryklund (drums). When these hard-working musicians are not performing in a band, they are out teaching clinics. The music contains creative progressive rock elements with a healthy dose of Frank Zappa influenced humor plus musical shenanigans and acrobatics galore.
• Freak Kitchen Website • Freak Kitchen Facebook • Freak Kitchen WikiChoban Elektrik - Choban Elektrik
Choban ElektrikChoban Elektrik
Label: self
Although Brooklyn is their home, this progressive power trio finds their musical roots in Albanian, Macedonian, Greek, and Armenian folk melodies. Choban Elektrik means “Electric Shepherds” and is a name that fits them sublimely. ” Vintage Hammond organs and Fender Rhodes are harnessed along with guitar and bass to further bend and blend genres and global visions within their improvisational platitudes.
• Choban Elektrik Website • Choban Elektrik FacebookDistrict 97 - The Trouble With Machines
District 97The Trouble With Machines
Label: Laser's Edge
What a treat! Fronted by 2007 American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist, Leslie Hunt, this extremely melodic and concise prog rock band from Chicago has drawn musical accolades for their adventurous instrumentation and passionate delivery. If you are looking for an excellent contemporary dose of prog fronted by outstanding female vocals, look no further!
• District 97 Website • District 97 FacebookMire - Inward/Outward
MireInward/Outward
Label: self-published
Touted as being the heir apparent to the long vacant TOOL throne of progressive rock, Montreal’s Mire provide a convincing display of aptitude, depth and prowess, while sounding a LOT like TOOL. These complex compositions with delicate dynamics captured my attention from first listen and continue to provide satisfaction as more layers unfold.
• Mire Website • Mire Facebooklespecial - Omnisquid
lespecialOmnisquid
Label: CD Baby
Vascilating between intense Tool level prog metal, and ambient electronic glitches this truly IS the Omnisquid! Weaving a path of ever morphing grooves and rhythms occasionally popping into King Crismson level tinkering and tweaking on their guitars, lespecial delivers twists and turns a plenty, but not so many that the music suffers. Bristling with activity and inspiration there is much to absorb and observe here.
• lespecial Website • lespecial FacebookBaroness - Purple
BaronessPurple
Label: Abraxan Hymns
They ascended to top of the metal heap with their masterpiece Yellow and Green, only to be thrust into temporary oblivion by a tragic bus accident, resulting in among other things fractured vertebrae and near limb amputation. This broke the band into pieces causing the loss of 2 members and a lot of momentum. Their return, Purple, finds their angst, wounds and determination woven into another tantalizing musical tapestry of intense emotion pounding and atmospheric groovy refrains while offering a home to two new members and their own record label. Wish the production was better. (8) yourbaroness.com
• Baroness Website • Baroness Facebook • Baroness WikiVarious Artist - Best of 2015
Various ArtistBest of 2015
Label: BMSS Records
Highlighting the diversity and dynamics of the burgeoning trance and psychedelic electronic scene in Europe, this best of 2015, which was compiled by BMSS Records founder Boom Shankar, holds space for 20 uproarious tracks of noteworthy offerings that paint a wide prospectus of styles and approaches within this musical spectrum. Time to hit the dance floor! (9) www.facebook.com/BMSSRecords
• Various Artist Website • Various Artist FacebookBones Jugs - Don’t Waste A Drop
Bones JugsDon’t Waste A Drop
Label: Bones Jugs
BONES JUGS
Don’t Waste a Drop
(Bones Jugs)
I didn’t know this was an option! Is this Looney Tunes on acid or a 21st century jug band? Horns, honkers, kazoos, banjos, and incredible xylophone are paired with stand up bass, fiddle, guitar, and drums to create an awesome, quirky and unsuspectingly unique combination of dixieland, jugband, ragtime and farcical imagination.
The Gaslamp Killer - Instrumentalepathy
The Gaslamp KillerInstrumentalepathy
Label: Cuss Records
Unclassifiable and ever morphing, this psychedelic stream of consciousness release will find fans in many nooks and crannies of surrealistic electronic experimentation. Not so much a soundtrack as a drive down a musical mystery theater of new discoveries. What new world will this take you to?
• The The Gaslamp Killer Website • The The Gaslamp Killer Facebook • The The Gaslamp Killer WikiYak Attack - The Radiant Kind
Yak AttackThe Radiant Kind
Label: Yak Attack
Livetronica trios that pump out handsomely fresh bumps, funk and jazzy downtempo flips and slips are one of my fave things. Fling yourself onto the dance floor when this Portland crew swings through your town and their motivational beats spring from the speakers and into your hearts.
• Yak Attack Website • Yak Attack FacebookSavant - Jester
SavantJester
Label: Vybz
SAVANT
Jester
(Vybz)
Surprise! To date, Savant (aka Aleksander Vinter of Norway) has composed/produced over 10,000 songs in various genres (most notably metal, orchestral/classical, hip-hop and electronic music) and under several aliases, with many topping charts near and far. Jester hops through genres and styles like a kid in a candy store, spending a moment on one, before being attracted to another and then another. With such a cornacopia of sounds, styles and samples to choose from, every moment of every song ushers forth a new succulent musical morsel for your ears to nibble on.
• Savant Website • Savant Facebook • Savant WikiView More
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