Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Year 2013
Zammuto - Zammuto

Zammuto - Zammuto

Zammuto
Zammuto
Label: Temporary Residence

Founder and band namesake Nick Zammuto has been doing some serious innovating for several albums now and this is no exception. Tantalizing experimental progressions of widely varied rhythms and song structures offer no doubt of his visionary talent. Heavily edited for your enjoyment, this is a great example of how experimental music can be intriguing and highly enjoyable rather than callously weird and unapproachable.

Zammuto WebsiteZammuto FacebookZammuto Wiki

Flying Lotus - Until the Quiet Comes

Flying Lotus - Until the Quiet Comes

Flying Lotus
Until the Quiet Comes
Label: Warp Records

Steven Ellison is Flying Lotus (or FlyLo by fans). His experimental laptop compositions are filled with layers of intense expression. The minimalistic beats find a home in jazzy passages of nocturnal awakenings, while subconscious mystical states of unfocused attention draw listeners into journeys of elegant melodic interplay.

Flying Lotus WebsiteFlying Lotus FacebookFlying Lotus Wiki

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Meat and Bone

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Meat and Bone

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Meat and Bone
Label: Mom & Pop Music

Eight long years have passed since their last studio album, but this legendary lo-fi blues crew has again unleashed a caterwauling cacophony that will storm your eardrums listen after listen. Blending punk, hardcore and rusty rock n roll with biting blues, these 12 cuts fling more energy and groovy rhythms than you may be ready for, but the challenge will be worth the effort.

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion WebsiteThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion FacebookThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion Wiki

DJ Sun - one hundred

DJ Sun - one hundred

DJ Sun
one hundred
Label: Soular Productions

DJ Sun is known in Houston for his long running radio show, Soular Grooves (Sat 9-12pm on KPFT 90.1FM), so it’s no surprise that this recording artist and DJ shows off a timeless time-forgotten era of soul, jazz and smooth grooves that are equally as nostalgic as they are future perfect. Dusty delights from a jazzy neverland.

DJ Sun FacebookDJ Sun Wiki

Zebbler Encanti Experience - Psychic Projections

Zebbler Encanti Experience - Psychic Projections

Zebbler Encanti Experience
Psychic Projections
Label: Gravitas Recordings

An audio/visual duo from Boston consisting of Ben ‘Encanti’ Cantil and Peter ‘Zebbler’ Berdovsky.  Encanti takes the lead in musical realms while Zebbler sits as master of all things visual. Together they have woven a frenzy of dynamic compositions that blast through mind-wrenching dubstep drops plateauing in downdempo melodies and cerebral sound progressions. In high demand, Zebbler was architect behind the projection-mapped projects Shpongletron and EOTOtron in addition to acting as VJ for well over 100 international shows for both groups. Something quite special here…

Zebbler Encanti Experience WebsiteZebbler Encanti Experience FacebookZebbler Encanti Experience Wiki

Sidecar Tommy - Constant Flux

Sidecar Tommy - Constant Flux

Sidecar Tommy
Constant Flux
Label: self

Tommy Cappel AKA Sidecar Tommy is best known as being a part of the amazing gypsy-tronic trio Beats Antique. This solo release allows a different aspect of his musical interests to show forth. While still firmly in the electronic realm, we are treated to more chilled, downtempo glitch hop (without the middle eastern element Beats Antique is renowned for). But it is still catchy and quirky and enticing to listen to repeatedly, so we are all good!

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Emancipator - Dusk To Dawn

Emancipator - Dusk To Dawn

Emancipator
Dusk To Dawn
Label: Loci Records

What at first may appear to be simple downtempo electronica unfolds into a plush musical ride elaborated with violin, mandolin, cello, saxophone, hammered dulcimer and more. At the helm of this mesmerizing project is Portland-based producer extraordinaire Doug Appling and this is his newest masterpiece. Enjoy! 

Emancipator WebsiteEmancipator FacebookEmancipator Wiki

Lotus - Build

Lotus - Build

Lotus
Build
Label: SCI Fidelity Records

Sadly, I missed Lotus last month at their Barrymore show. Had I gone I’m sure I would have been treated to selections from Build. Once again they brandish an effortless and ambitious yet extremely danceable prog rock electronica, but are now showing a bolder sophistication that is equally delightful, befitting and welcomed.

Lotus WebsiteLotus FacebookLotus Wiki

Tomahawk - Oddfellows

Tomahawk - Oddfellows

Tomahawk
Oddfellows
Label: Ipecac

After a 6 year hiatus, I was pleasantly surprised to find out their fourth LP briefly hit the Billboard charts. Not sure if that’s due to it being produced by Black Keys producer Collin Dupuis or from the lineup being more stellar than ever with Trevor Dunn (Fantomas/Melvins) on bass and John Stanier (Helmet/Battles) on drums joining Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard) on guitar and the ever phenomenal Mike Patton (too many bands to list) on vocals. The stripped down heavy rock veers to and fro, venturing down dark alleys and introverted assessments, blessed with Patton’s ever morphing and changing vocals while rubbing up against delirious guitar flows and their weirdly urgent thematic repartee. 

Tomahawk WebsiteTomahawk FacebookTomahawk Wiki

Zozobra - Savage Masters

Zozobra - Savage Masters

Zozobra
Savage Masters
Label: Brutal Panda Records

Boldly embracing their doom-metal roots while finding friction in harsh downtuned sludge-metal quandaries, this Boston trio has scorched a new, dark-magical path of angst and intrigue for all to find solace in or scurry from. 

Zozobra FacebookZozobra Wiki

John Brown's Body - Kings and Queens

John Brown's Body - Kings and Queens

John Brown's Body
Kings and Queens
Label: Easy Star Records

Trailblazing in the US reggae scene since their formation in the mid 1990s, this highly-acclaimed and highly-polished group continues to push the scene to new levels. This release features 12 songs by lead singer Elliot Martin that are sure to get the masses grooving from sea to shining sea. 

John Brown's Body WebsiteJohn Brown's Body FacebookJohn Brown's Body Wiki

Clutch - Earth Rocker

Clutch - Earth Rocker

Clutch
Earth Rocker
Label: Weathermaker Music

Ten albums in, and they are still hot as fuck! Self-admittedly wrought with more forethought, focus, and polish than some of their prior releases, Earth Rocker will knock your socks off. Their hard-rockin’ antics and usual sardonic lyrics have never sounded better.

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