Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: B
Sonia Brex - Naif

Sonia Brex - Naif

Sonia Brex
Naif
Label: Piranha Records

Although classically trained at an Italian conservatory, she transplanted to Berlin and transformed her appeal into a delightful electro-ethno-pop filled with an erratic, eclectic and entertaining energy inspired by her home that spins into kitchy flashes of fun with an upbeat edge.

Sonia Brex WebsiteSonia Brex Facebook

Buddy Guy - Living Proof

Buddy Guy - Living Proof

Buddy Guy
Living Proof
Label: Jive

Buddy Guy is a living legend that continues to create legends; both at his ‘Legends’ nightclub in Chicago and on each of his solo releases. Even though he is 74 years young, he can still spin a high octane blues riff or stomp on a sorrowful chord with enough of a flourish to win a Grammy nomination for “Living Proof.”

Buddy Guy WebsiteBuddy Guy FacebookBuddy Guy Wiki

Everyone Orchestra - Brooklyn Sessions

Everyone Orchestra - Brooklyn Sessions

Everyone Orchestra
Brooklyn Sessions
Label: Harmonized Records

Smooth and flowing as well as rich and varied improv jam-rock featuring a bunch of stellar musicians ranging from Jon Fishman (Phish) to keyboardist/pianist Marco Benevento to saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Dave Mathews Band) to guitarist Steve Kimock, and bassist Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green), among others. They are all harnessed and conducted by the electrifying Matt Butler, the force and vision behind the group.  By managing to focus the collaborative talent in an ambitious but ultimately gratifying direction he has managed to produce a noteworthy and highly listenable release.

Everyone Orchestra WebsiteEveryone Orchestra FacebookEveryone Orchestra Wiki

Mörglbl - Brutal_Romance

Mörglbl - Brutal_Romance

Mörglbl
Brutal_Romance
Label: Free Electric Sound

With a name like this, you may expect punishing death metal, but this is not that. Instead, this French instrumental trio blends a progressive energetic jazzy element with their hard rock and technical metal to create a tantalizing full flavored offering. Additionally, band members Christophe Godin (guitars), Ivan Rougny (bass), and Aurelian Ouzoulias (drums) are each also valued clinicians when not busy crushing and destroying the world as Mörglbl.

Mörglbl WebsiteMörglbl FacebookMörglbl Wiki

Staff Benda Bilili - Bouger le Monde!

Staff Benda Bilili - Bouger le Monde!

Staff Benda Bilili
Bouger le Monde!
Label: Crammed Disc

Filled with high energy and enthusiastic optimism, this group, originally formed by paraplegic street musicians in a half abandoned zoo in Kinshasa, Congo, takes their experience to the next level by showing off exquisite rhythms and lush harmony vocals provided by their seven singers. Energetic and invigorating!

Staff Benda Bilili WebsiteStaff Benda Bilili FacebookStaff Benda Bilili 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

Beefus - The Itching Below

Beefus - The Itching Below

Beefus
The Itching Below
Label: Ys Records

Madison’s musical mad scientists are back with more fractured, nonlinear globular grooves fitted with fantastic farcical lyrics and warbled vocals. Disturbed, depraved, and outrageous musical experiments of the most uncouth kind. And at all times, watch out for that itch.. 

Beefus WebsiteBeefus Facebook

Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective - Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me

Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective - Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me

Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective
Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me
Label: Cumbancha

A curious combination project between popular indie rocker Danny Michel (compared to Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel) and Central America’s Garifuna Collective. But this curiosity has impressive vision and vitality along with infectious beats and tasty lyrics so what’s not to love? Having already earned a Juno Award nomination in Canada (similar to a Grammy), this release has a lot going for it.

Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective WebsiteDanny Michel with the Garifuna Collective Facebook

ASG - Blood Drive

ASG - Blood Drive

ASG
Blood Drive
Label: Relapse

Somewhere between the vocality and alt pop of Jane’s Addiction and the infectious sludge metal of Baroness is where ASG (Amplification of Self Gratification) find their strongest footings. This mega-riffing North Carolina crew knows how to pour on the body-waving grooves and mate them with melodic vocals to scorch your lobes.

ASG FacebookASG Wiki

Maracatu New York - Baque de Brooklyn

Maracatu New York - Baque de Brooklyn

Maracatu New York
Baque de Brooklyn
Label: Nation Beat Music

If there is to be an Ambassador of Maracatu, Scott Kettner, percussionist, band leader and drummer for Maracatu New York and Nation Beat would be a great choice. After years of study and immersion into this style, while living in Brazil he was able to become a master in the field and take the sound worldwide. Experience the evolution of this unique drumming style through the 12 tracks here and expect the unexpected when they slip in a great cover of Led Zepplin’s “Over The Hills and Far Away.” 

Maracatu New York WebsiteMaracatu New York Facebook

Blockhead - Bells and Whistles

Blockhead - Bells and Whistles

Blockhead
Bells and Whistles
Label: Ninja Tune

Snatching snippets across time and genre, Blockhead provides a fine blend of vintage ambiance crossed with contemporary electronica. Surges of warped melodies find home amid the morphed mantras, jazzy infections and serene soundscapes.

Blockhead WebsiteBlockhead FacebookBlockhead Wiki

Brownout - Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath

Brownout - Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath

Brownout
Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath
Label: Ubiquity

Take the Austin-based Latin funk band Brownout, add congas, horns, zest and psychedelics to choice catalog selections from Hard Rock and Heavy Metal godfathers Black Sabbath and you get Brown Sabbath, their funky, salsafied cousins. They make it surprisingly hard to decide whether to bang your head or dance your ass off to these 7 classic tracks.

Brownout WebsiteBrownout FacebookBrownout Wiki

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