Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Chinese Stars - Heaven On Speed Dial
Chinese StarsHeaven On Speed Dial
Label: Anchor Brain Records
Dissonant lubrications disjoint and realign at the sadistic whim of these overlords of musical funk-dissonance. Join this scramble for stability amidst the charming yet volatile excursions into dangerous anti-pop melodies grinning with smart ass punk taunting vocals.
• The Chinese Stars Website • The Chinese Stars WikiCobblestone Jazz - The Modern Deep Left Quartet
Cobblestone JazzThe Modern Deep Left Quartet
Label: !K7 Records
Anchored by lackadaisical and typically repetitive throbbing house beats that glides through smooth free flowing extra minimalistic waves of jazz, funk and fusion spun electronica may be enticing to some, but this ultimately finds me unattached and ejecting in favor of something with more substance, flavor and zest.
• Cobblestone Jazz WebsiteCEPHALIC CARNAGE - Misled By Certainty
CEPHALIC CARNAGEMisled By Certainty
Label: Relapse
Cascades of extreme metal come pouring forth from the instruments of this furious and hard working Colorado concoction. After hammering down the grind on the first dozen tracks of their sixth Relapse release, they end with the epic length, genre spanning “Repangaea.”
• CEPHALIC CARNAGE Website • CEPHALIC CARNAGE Facebook • CEPHALIC CARNAGE WikiCHARMING HOSTESS - The Bowls Project
CHARMING HOSTESSThe Bowls Project
Label: Tzadik
This is a bizarre mixture of intensely creative elements that links female vocals, Iraqi folk, Jewish culture, rock, metal, sex, love, angels, demons, and oodles more in an eclectic fashion. Inspiration here was garnered from inscriptions found on bowls buried beneath Jewish Babylonian houses which allowed group leader Jewlia Eisenberg a culturally poignant and diverse perspective to compose from.
• CHARMING HOSTESS Website • CHARMING HOSTESS Facebook • CHARMING HOSTESS WikiChico Trujillo - Chico de Oro
Chico TrujilloChico de Oro
Label: Barbes Records
I received this CD after I saw their kickin’ set at the Marquette Waterfront Festival earlier this summer and had to spread the word. This release does what it can to relay the exuberance, depth, and passion of their live performance. Their feisty splashy Cumbia explores the boundaries of this encompassing Pan-Latin genre in so many wonderful ways.
• Chico Trujillo Website • Chico Trujillo WikiChico Mann - Analog Drift
Chico MannAnalog Drift
Label: Wax Poetics Records
Except for the effervescent cover of Talking Heads ‘Once in a Lifetime,’ Analog Drift was composed and played entirely by Marcos Garcia who IS Chico Mann. As a member of Anatibala Afrobeat Orchestra he traveled the world and learned all about Afro-Cuban funk which he expertly employs here along with other well chosen influences.
• Chico Mann Website • Chico Mann FacebookCopal - Into The Shadow Garden
CopalInto The Shadow Garden
Label: Self Released
Winding flowing violin and cello are strung into a steam punk fantasy of exotic interwoven Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Nordic nuances while propelled by subtle percussion. Artistically beautiful yet darkly tantalizing, serene and sedate they manage to evoke a contemporary spectacle through romanticized passages from a global past.
• Copal WebsiteCollective Acoustics - bc >= ad
Collective Acousticsbc >= ad
Label: Gah Gah Music
Love at first riff? From the very moment I put this in the player, the silky smooth organic rocktronica created by this experimental trio caressed my musical g-spot. The flowing and dreamy instrumentals are comprised of curious guitars, murmuring and enticing jazzy rhythms and patches of blissful ambience. All played on real instruments. No samples, loops or MIDI here. The highly versatile crew creates in other interesting ways including organs, electric bass and harpsichord plus instruments and devices of their own design.
• Collective Acoustics Website • Collective Acoustics FacebookCarlos GoGo Gomez - New Paradigm Global Music
Carlos GoGo GomezNew Paradigm Global Music
Label: KidLat Records
Railing against the boundaries of what most consider the parameters of music to be this Ifa priest, martial artist and world renowned percussionist manages to surprise and inspire through his attractive shamanic messages and mystical beats. Transcendental drones subtly change and morph into mind-bending expressions of bliss and unity.
• Carlos GoGo Gomez Website • Carlos GoGo Gomez FacebookClub D'Elf - Electric Moroccoland/So Below
Club D'ElfElectric Moroccoland/So Below
Label: Face Pelt Records
Playfully hypnotic global psychedelic rock flows forth from the soul of this effervescent musical collective. Although firmly rooted in Moroccan ‘Gnawan’ music and the trance aspects of it, they also intersperse dub, jazz, free jazz and global improvisation into this rewarding rhythmic adventure.
• Club D'Elf Website • Club D'Elf FacebookPutumayo Presents - Rumba Mambo Cha Cha Cha!
Putumayo PresentsRumba Mambo Cha Cha Cha!
Label: Putumayo World Music
Get out your dancing shoes and get ready to strut your stuff! This time around, Putumayo brings us 10 tracks by 10 different artists descended from the Cuban family tree to celebrate the increasing popularity of traditional Latin dancing music and show off their universal appeal.
• Putumayo Presents WebsiteVarious Artists - Putumayo Presents World Christmas Party
Various ArtistsPutumayo Presents World Christmas Party
Label: Putumayo World Music
Here’s a no-brainer. Twelve light hearted Christmas songs done with a global slant, giving you a chance to hear some seasonal music without it being the same old holiday musical drivel you have heard nearly a billion times. From Jamaica to Cape Verde, they wish you a Merry Christmas.
• Various Artists Website • Various Artists WikiView More
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