Eclectic Vibes - June 2009

by Andrew Frey

Ozric Tentacles

Ozric Tentacles

TENTACLES ON THE TERRACE
I have spent years dreaming what it would be like to see the legendary prog/psych wizards Ozric Tentacles at the Memorial Union Terrace in Madison so you can understand my glee when I learned that on June 11 such a dream will become a reality. Not only a simple reality, but the show will be pimped out with lasers and lights ta boot! Ozric Tentacles has been around since 1984 and has produced dozens of releases, but never has reached major status in the US. Perhaps this summer will change that. Also, in case you’re wondering about the name, according to the band, “Ozric” is an old Viking name meaning “divine energy,” and tentacles “is a silly word to put on the end.”
www.ozrics.com


MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 – Backfire to 10 - Spitfire

BLACK RIO 2 - Original Samba Soul 1971-1980 Compiled by DJ Cliffy

BLACK RIO 2 - Original Samba Soul 1971-1980 Compiled by DJ Cliffy

BLACK RIO 2

Album title: Original Samba Soul 1971-1980 Compiled by DJ Cliffy
Record Label: Strut Records
Rating: 9

18 tracks of highly energized funk and soul bands culled from the so called “Black Rio” movement; an amazing and largely unknown happening in Brazil during the 70s. Some great stuff here! Guaranteed to get you up and moving.

(3746) Page Views

BLACK RIO 2 online:


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Leonard Cohen - Live In London

Leonard Cohen - Live In London

Leonard Cohen

Album title: Live In London
Record Label: Sony
Rating: 10

Such entrancing dusky vocals and memorable folk anthems lose nothing in their live format. In fact, because of today’s live production values, these songs may sound better than their studio originals! What a great selection of work and wonderful performance.

(3866) Page Views

Leonard Cohen online:
WebsiteWiki

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Evil Cowards - Covered in Gas

Evil Cowards - Covered in Gas

Evil Cowards

Album title: Covered in Gas
Record Label: Metropolis Records
Rating: 8

This quirky dirky mind candy is the musical undertaking of “Electric Six’s” ineffable Tyler Spencer in conjunction with
William Bates from “Fall On Your Sword.” Impetuous and compulsive these 13 beguiling tracks display cantankerous rock with ample swagger, sway and quixotic lyrics.

(4150) Page Views

Evil Cowards online:
Website

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Nic Fanciulli - Global Underground DJ Series

Nic Fanciulli - Global Underground DJ Series

Nic Fanciulli

Album title: Global Underground DJ Series
Record Label: Global Underground
Rating: 8

A double disc dose spotlight of highly danceable trance inducing house music from one of today’s hottest DJ’s. Exhibiting fresh beats mixed into comfortable rhythms with compelling gyrating momentums.

(3424) Page Views

Nic Fanciulli online:
Website


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Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life

Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life

Lacuna Coil

Album title: Shallow Life
Record Label: Century Media
Rating: 9

I gotta admit, this Italian gothic metal outfit continues to impress. The beautiful and masterfully blended dynamics of male and female vocals and impressive instrumentation with well rounded dynamics make this a worthy addition to their already groundbreaking catalogue.

(3463) Page Views

Lacuna Coil online:
WebsiteWiki

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Paul Gilbert & Freddie Nelson - United States

Paul Gilbert & Freddie Nelson - United States

Paul Gilbert & Freddie Nelson

Album title: United States
Record Label: Mascot Records
Rating: 9

Teaming up two friends, one a guitar virtuoso and one a rock vocalist produces pleasantly entertaining results. This very contemporary rock is not filled with bells and whistles, just really well written straight forward rock n roll.

(3400) Page Views

Paul Gilbert & Freddie Nelson online:
WebsiteWiki

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Prong - Power of the Damn Mixxxer

Prong - Power of the Damn Mixxxer

Prong

Album title: Power of the Damn Mixxxer
Record Label: 13th Planet Records
Rating: 8

Tommy Victor and company present revisioned versions from “Power Of The Damager.” These 13 moshing metal juggernauts from as many different remixing aficionados are refreshed, refueled and ready to pound into your brain with the angst and emotion that breed repeated play.

(3363) Page Views

Prong online:
WebsiteWiki

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Omar Faruk Tekbilek - Rare Elements

Omar Faruk Tekbilek - Rare Elements

Omar Faruk Tekbilek

Album title: Rare Elements
Record Label: 5 Points Records
Rating: 10

Immediately infectious and compelling world beat electronica from renowned Turkish multi-instrumentalist virtuoso Omar Faruk Tekbilek. The 10 sizzling remixes featured here are done by Amon Tobin; Junior Sanchez; Cheb I Sabbah and others. Of note, Omar plays twelve traditional Turkish instruments: ney, kaval, kavala, zurna, oud, aglama, jura, darbuke, def, bendir, davul and finger cymbals. WOW!

(4105) Page Views

Omar Faruk Tekbilek online:
WebsiteWiki

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Wumpscut - Fuckit

Wumpscut - Fuckit

Wumpscut

Album title: Fuckit
Record Label: Metropolis Records
Rating: 7

Grim, terse and bleak German industrial electronica. The music feels as if one is angrily strolling down a dimly lit industrial tube of hypersymbolic overtures nestled into remote areas of your being that are searching for catharsis and the distant yearnings of the narcoleptic playgrounds of sound and rhythmic structures of distant dreams.

(2988) Page Views

Wumpscut online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Fuckit from Amazon
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Zap Mama - ReCreation

Zap Mama - ReCreation

Zap Mama

Album title: ReCreation
Record Label: Heads Up International
Rating: 10

Playfully, chilled out attitudes are in vogue on this joy filled and life affirming wash of multicultural world rhythms with a refreshing vision and soulful vocal refrains. Although a bit heavy on the R&B for my tastes, this is undeniably a stellar release.

(3628) Page Views

Zap Mama online:
WebsiteWiki

Download ReCreation from Amazon
Purchase ReCreation on Amazon