Eclectic Vibes - September 2009
CD/DVD Micro Reviews by Andrew Frey
Madison World Music Festival
One of the summer events in Madison that I always look forward to is the World Music Festival! This year the festival (Sept 16 20) is highlighted by Basque performers Kepa Junkara, The Mystical Arts of Tibet, and the inspirational electronica of Cheb I Sabbah. I attempted to get an interview with Cheb I Sabbah, but time was too short to do a phone interview and he was heading off to Burning Man. He should certainly be on fire for his performance here. [chebisabbah.com]
[uniontheater.wisc.edu]
MY DINNER WITH JIMI (DVD) (Infinity Entertainment Group)
An award winning and uproarious retelling of one night in London 1967 when the newly arrived pop sensations The Turtles meet their rock heroes Brian Jones, Donovan, Gram Nash, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. Told from the perspective of Turtles vocalist (and screenplay writer) Howard Kaylan, the movie manages to capture a magical moment in rock history with a whimsical touch and historically accurate thrust. Hilarious, stupefying and astonishing!
3 Inches Of Blood
Here Waits Thy DoomRecord Label: Century Media
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 9
Daredevil vocals riding on the unrelenting waves of an unabashed speed metal barrage. Vocalist Jamie Hooper notes of the album. “We are forging the steel that we’ll use to annihilate the heavy metal posers, and in every town we play, the streets will run red with their blood.” Nuff Said. Produced by Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison.
Reader Votes: 0
Jahdan Blakkamoore
Buzzrock WarriorRecord Label: Gold Dust
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 8
A raw, innovative and intense blending of dancehall, roots, R&B, cumbia, hip hop and dub from this Guyana born but Brooklyn raised musical warrior. Teamed with fellow Dutty Artz members Matt Shadetek and DJ /rupture this release strikes hardest when Blakkamoore’s intense and diverse lyrics are melded to mighty dub and dancehall DJ beats.
Reader Votes: 0
The Blue Olives
MarmaladeRecord Label: Self Released
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 9
Upbeat, slick and well juiced blues and blues rock backed with swingin’ sassy horns and a gutsy robust vocal blast. This Janesville powerhouse boasts a 15 year history, playing the area often and gigging weekly at Fin’s in Newville.
Reader Votes: 0
Dujalu
DujaluRecord Label: Self Released
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 7
Part English, part Australian and part Ecuadorian, this Wisconsin trio has corralled their various backgrounds to birth a raw and emotive musical force empowered by spirited female vocals in the context of a supercharged acoustic underbelly sprouted with unexpected rhythms and textures.
Reader Votes: 0
Kyle Hollingsworth
Then There’s NowRecord Label: Sci Fidelity Records
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 8
This String Cheese Incident alumni has developed a finely designed array of catchy heartfelt melodies and immediately palatable rhythms. Compelling choruses and interspersed electronica electrify these creations with a broad and jam friendly resonance.
Reader Votes: 0
Horse Meat Disco
Horse Meat DiscoRecord Label: Strut Records
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 8
Get ready to move some bootay! This body bumpin’ double disc collection features London club founders James Hillard and Jim Stanton mixing up select disco era gems followed by a second disc of untouched disco ditties. Get to the dance floor already!
Reader Votes: 0
Andreas Kisser
Hubris I & IIRecord Label: Mascot Records
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 10
Sepultura’s lead guitarist and musical visionary brings us an opus broken into two discs, the first electric and second acoustic, exemplifying the songwriting skills and depth of this masterful artist who enmeshes his Brazilian rhythmic heritage into these diverse and gratifying contemporary compositions.
Reader Votes: 0
Nuke The Soup
Make Waves Not WarRecord Label: Morada Music
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 5
Mellow, polished and safe adult rock with a splash of jam topped with feel good, well worn backbeats and lead by Mark Davison (Cubic Feet). Parts of this album work for me and the other half falls off somewhere into some land of energetic negligence.
Reader Votes: 0
Portugal. The Man
The Satanic SatanistRecord Label: Equal Vision Records
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 10
Ultra smooth and satisfying vocal croonings melt over the infectious and versatile throwback soul grooves stuffed with piquant electronica that ineffably flow to fulfillment. As a bonus, the CD case is a multi-layered die cut blotter art casualty of rare vintage
Reader Votes: 0
