Eclectic Vibes - June 2009
by Andrew Frey
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
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.
(3752) Page Views
BLACK RIO 2 online:
• Purchase Original Samba Soul 1971-1980 Compiled by DJ Cliffy on Amazon
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.
(3873) Page Views
Leonard Cohen online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Live In London from Amazon
• Purchase Live In London on Amazon
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.
(4158) Page Views
Evil Cowards online:
• Website
• Download Covered in Gas from Amazon
• Purchase Covered in Gas on Amazon
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.
(3436) Page Views
Nic Fanciulli online:
• Website
• Purchase Global Underground DJ Series on Amazon
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.
(3469) Page Views
Lacuna Coil online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Shallow Life from Amazon
• Purchase Shallow Life on Amazon
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.
(3405) Page Views
Paul Gilbert & Freddie Nelson online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download United States from Amazon
• Purchase United States on Amazon
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.
(3368) Page Views
Prong online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Power of the Damn Mixxxer from Amazon
• Purchase Power of the Damn Mixxxer on Amazon
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!
(4111) Page Views
Omar Faruk Tekbilek online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Rare Elements from Amazon
• Purchase Rare Elements on Amazon
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.
(2996) Page Views
Wumpscut online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Fuckit from Amazon
• Purchase Fuckit on Amazon
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.
(3633) Page Views
Zap Mama online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download ReCreation from Amazon
• Purchase ReCreation on Amazon