Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Year 2014
Alwoods - Long Life Forest

Alwoods - Long Life Forest

Alwoods
Long Life Forest
Label: Altar Records

Beautiful artwork and restrained melodies combine with driving bass lines on this down-tempo dance floor delectation, inspired by the Greek mountainside. Alwoods AKA John Rigas offers us 8 epic length tracks (none shorter than 7 min!) to morph, meld and find inner vision with.

Alwoods WebsiteAlwoods Facebook

Quanta - Dream Before You Sleep

Quanta - Dream Before You Sleep

Quanta
Dream Before You Sleep
Label: Shanti Planti/ self-published

Oozing organic melodies and swampy beats from the quantum corners of consciousness, Quanta takes listeners on a fractal foray into futuristic psychedelic disclosures and stellar electronic mind warps. Hang on!

Quanta WebsiteQuanta Facebook

F-777 - Celtic Dance Machine

F-777 - Celtic Dance Machine

F-777
Celtic Dance Machine
Label: self-published

When you sacrifice your Riverdancer to the Goddess Electronica, something like this is bound to be the offspring. F-777 is Jesse Valentine, an extremely prolific and quite accomplished 20 year old electronic musician that also produces freelance soundtracks for games in addition to these themed dance explosions.

F-777 WebsiteF-777 Facebook

Ester Rada - Ester Rada

Ester Rada - Ester Rada

Ester Rada
Ester Rada
Label: The Eighth Note

Ester Rada is part of a striking wave of smart, talented and ambitious Ethiopian woman that has swept Israel recently. Utilizing acclaimed Israeli producers Kuti (Kutiman/Thru-You) and Sabbo (Soulico) she combines her smooth seductive voice with jazzy retro funk filtered through hip shaking African grooves marinated in reggae temptations to produce an infectious delicacy that will tease you into submission. 

Ester Rada WebsiteEster Rada FacebookEster Rada Wiki

Trey Frey - Refresh

Trey Frey - Refresh

Trey Frey
Refresh
Label: Thebasebit Recordings

Although I am NOT related to Trey, after hearing Refresh I kinda wish I was. Each of his upbeat, wild and crazy chiptune creations was created using two original Nintendo Gameboys running Little Sound DJ. What a zany, but totally effective way to make electronic music!

Trey Frey Website

Mire - Inward/Outward

Mire - Inward/Outward

Mire
Inward/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 WebsiteMire Facebook

Opiuo - Meraki

Opiuo - Meraki

Opiuo
Meraki
Label: Slurp Music

Vibrant snappy funky glitch hop always brightens my day and few have made it brighter lately than this new Opiuo, which was released on his own newly-formed Slurp Music label. His prior efforts have reached #1 chart positions on Beatport, Addictech, and iTunes while the new one has already bumped into the top 10s of many playlists, so the word is getting out!

Opiuo WebsiteOpiuo Facebook

Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics - Cigarros Explosivos!

Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics - Cigarros Explosivos!

Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics
Cigarros Explosivos!
Label: Ashpalt Tango

Sunny days are ahead when you jump right in and start gyrating to this electrifying Balkan and cumbia hybrid. Gypsy brass is fused with Latin inflections and more as this 5-piece produces pulsating poly-rhythm after rhythm, through mood after mood. Tantalizing, titillating, troubadours of world music.

Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics WebsiteJaro Milko and the Cubalkanics Facebook

Soulacybin - Gratitude

Soulacybin - Gratitude

Soulacybin
Gratitude
Label: Merkaba Music

Some music is meant as a journey. Other purely for enjoyment. Yet this one is designed to include an activation. A metaphysical activation for your heart to enhance beyond your ears and mind. The music to push the activation is a succulent dub swirl soundscape of glitch hop and soultronica with mystical blurs and psychedelic bends.

Soulacybin WebsiteSoulacybin Facebook

Beats Antique - A Thousand Faces - Act II

Beats Antique - A Thousand Faces - Act II

Beats Antique
A Thousand Faces - Act II
Label: 10 Spot

Act 1 was a phenomenal look into the hero’s journey and Act II takes you even further while capturing nearly the same intensity, dynamics and imagination, but with other flavors and twists. Hopping and skipping across a vast sea of musical genres, their compositions are invigorated by a broad spectrum of cultural and geographical rhythms, tones and approaches, while undeniably being Beats Antique. Brilliantly beautiful!

Beats Antique WebsiteBeats Antique FacebookBeats Antique Wiki

Brushy One-String - Destiny

Brushy One-String - Destiny

Brushy One-String
Destiny
Label: RiseUp Entertainment, LLC

Millions have viewed the videos of this unique musical sensation from rural Jamaica. His unconventional single stringed guitar playing style gave rise to his name and ultimately his fame. The heart felt blues and soul filling intensity that emanate from his gritty yet warm voice are remarkable and memorable. His simple yet catchy melodies which back his lyrics are filled with the struggle of his experience and when performed are accented by clever percussive taps and knocks on the body of his guitar, which create a full sound and make him musically self sufficient.

Brushy One-String WebsiteBrushy One-String FacebookBrushy One-String Wiki

Delain - Human Contradiction

Delain - Human Contradiction

Delain
Human Contradiction
Label: Napalm Records

Still having a soft spot for female fronted symphonic metal, I was pleased to find that the Dutch band Delain’s newest delivers an ample amount of crashing metal attacks juxtaposed against delicate refrains and floating synth driven atmospheres. Charlotte Wessels demonstrates an emotional but not overpowering vocal approach, which propels their overall musical ferocity and gothic undertow to new heights and depths.

The Delain WebsiteThe Delain FacebookThe Delain Wiki

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