Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Year 2012
Putumayo Presents - Arabic Beat

Putumayo Presents - Arabic Beat

Putumayo Presents
Arabic Beat
Label: Putumayo

Once again, Putumayo has put together a well-picked eclectic selection of lesser-known world class artists, this time with a focus on Arabic musicians of today. By incorporating certain Western influences, today’s Arabic music’s upbeat, danceable grooves have an undeniable universal appeal. Get to know Morrocco’s Jalal El Hamdaoui or Algerian performer Cheb Amar along with 8 others.

Putumayo Presents WebsitePutumayo Presents FacebookPutumayo Presents Wiki

Samite Mulondo - Trust

Samite Mulondo - Trust

Samite Mulondo
Trust
Label: Musicians for World Harmony

A world-famous humanitarian and musician who plays flute and kalimba, Samite presents us with a charming platitude of bright and flowing instrumental melodies born from East African roots.  Beyond this, Samite has dedicated his life to helping others through music. In 2002 he founded Musicians for World Harmony, a non-profit organization that sends musicians and instruments to poverty stricken parts of Africa. Bravo!

Samite Mulondo WebsiteSamite Mulondo FacebookSamite Mulondo Wiki

Baroness - Yellow & Green

Baroness - Yellow & Green

Baroness
Yellow & Green
Label: Relapse Records

This release has all the trappings of being a landmark, breakthrough album. It debuted at #30 on Billboard’s top 200 and sold over 12,500 records in its first week, making it the highest debut in Relapse Records history. Baroness really show off their vocal prowess and musical composition skills, here. Each song is masterfully crafted to compliment their progressive hard and heavy rock innovations. Bravo!

Baroness WebsiteBaroness FacebookBaroness Wiki

District 97 - The Trouble With Machines

District 97 - The Trouble With Machines

District 97
The 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 WebsiteDistrict 97 Facebook

Dynohunter - Techtonic Drift

Dynohunter - Techtonic Drift

Dynohunter
Techtonic Drift
Label: self

Uniting the conventional DJ performance with a live band has been the ticket to success for a new wave of livetronica musicians, and this Boulder based power trio plans to be a force to be reckoned with in this realm of versatility and innovation. Gotta love that Coloradotronica sound!

Dynohunter WebsiteDynohunter Facebook

Guano Padano - Two (2)

Guano Padano - Two (2)

Guano Padano
Two (2)
Label: Ipecac Records

If you happened to be trapped in a spaghetti Western being filmed by Fellini or Coppola, this may very well be the soundtrack. Surf, jazz, country, folk, blues and attitude fill the songs with ambience, emotion and dynamics. Guest vocals from Mike Patton.

Guano Padano WebsiteGuano Padano Facebook

Philm - Harmonic

Philm - Harmonic

Philm
Harmonic
Label: Ipecac Records

Behold, another side project from legend/drummer extraordinaire, Dave Lombardo.  Although not even remotely as fever pitched as his Slayer days, this is still heavy and his beats are amazing. Overall, this release works best in the noteworthy experimental atmospheric interludes, but resides too often in forgettable post-hardcore or post-apocalyptic delirium. Thankfully, this release has multiple dynamic options. 

Philm FacebookPhilm Wiki

niceFingers - Intercontinental Beat Collection

niceFingers - Intercontinental Beat Collection

niceFingers
Intercontinental Beat Collection
Label: self

The beatslinger duo of Nick Waterhouse and Dave Schneider is niceFingers. The intercontinental part of their release is just that, collaborating musically across continents. Dreamy soundscapes are lushly decorated with pulsing bass and a fresh outlook.

niceFingers WebsiteniceFingers Facebook

Staff Benda Bilili - Bouger le Monde!

Staff Benda Bilili - Bouger le Monde!

Staff Benda Bilili
Bouger le Monde!
Label: Crammed Disc

Filled with high energy and enthusiastic optimism, this group, originally formed by paraplegic street musicians in a half abandoned zoo in Kinshasa, Congo, takes their experience to the next level by showing off exquisite rhythms and lush harmony vocals provided by their seven singers. Energetic and invigorating!

Staff Benda Bilili WebsiteStaff Benda Bilili FacebookStaff Benda Bilili Wiki

Bomba Estereo - Elegancia Tropical

Bomba Estereo - Elegancia Tropical

Bomba Estereo
Elegancia Tropical
Label: Polen Records

Bogota’s hottest band infuses highly danceable cumbia with pleasant doses of electronics, allowing their take on Colombia’s Afro-Latin roots and beats to be unique and memorable. Their explosive moniker, named for the monster sound systems that power the local parties in Bogota is the perfect attention getter and sets the tone for the amazing cross pollination of influences and energies, jumping from chicha and champeta to dancehall vibes and beyond. 

Bomba Estereo WebsiteBomba Estereo FacebookBomba Estereo Wiki

Magnum - On The 13th Day

Magnum - On The 13th Day

Magnum
On The 13th Day
Label: SPV/Steamhammer

This isn’t a ride into virgin territory. In fact, after 34 years and 17 studio albums, this Birmingham-based melodic hard rock band is continuing to build their long lasting and impressive legacy. That said, this is a solid, highly listenable addition to their history and manages to largely avoid falling into the corny kitsch trap. 

Magnum WebsiteMagnum FacebookMagnum Wiki

Norska - Norska

Norska - Norska

Norska
Norska
Label: Brutal Panda Records

Tuned-down doom metal must be so fun to write. Loud, slow, huge, harsh, throbbing, epic, determined riffs and beats compliment the often harsh, but sometimes spacey vocals to produce a low end cacophony of dynamic delights. Contains members of and on tour with YOB this fall.

Norska WebsiteNorska Facebook

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