Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Snoop Lion - Reincarnated
Snoop LionReincarnated
Label: RCA/Red
“The only way to get love is to give love,” states Snoop Lion (the reggae version of rap icon Snoop Dogg) at the beginning of Reincarnated, his chart-topping first musical venture into reggae. Embracing a change of perspective in addition to lifestyle, he traveled to Jamaica to immerse himself in the Rasta of it all. In conjunction with the album, Snoop released an acclaimed feature-length documentary of his journey and career, explaining his change of perspective as well as how the songs on this release came into being. Maybe not be best reggae or dancehall album ever, but this release contains some big name guest appearances and a couple unbelievably catchy songs that will be retained in your brain for many days to come. But with 1.7 billion views on YouTube alone, this may be nothing new to you.
• Snoop Lion Website • Snoop Lion Facebook • Snoop Lion WikiTrey Frey - Refresh
Trey FreyRefresh
Label: Thebasebit Recordings
Although I am NOT related to Trey, after hearing Refresh I kinda wish I was. Each of his upbeat, wild and crazy chiptune creations was created using two original Nintendo Gameboys running Little Sound DJ. What a zany, but totally effective way to make electronic music!
• Trey Frey WebsiteRyanosaurus - Conscious Comfort
RyanosaurusConscious Comfort
Label: Merkaba Music
Australian producer Ryan Whare (aka Rynasaurus) weaves a fascinating release by combining a variety of tantalizing instrument and foley recordings with glitchy digital elements. His exploration of a variety of emotions, burbling and warbling textures, and distant psychedelic universes tickles the mind and spit shines the soul. And don’t we all need at least a little more of that?
• Ryanosaurus FacebookRigzin - Transition
RigzinTransition
Label: Self Released
Death. The importance of the moment of death has been recognized by Tibetan Buddhism for 1000’s of years. This is a pivotal doorway to our eternal consciousness. How we approach this becomes our life’s final journey. Transition offers 15 tracks of etheric prayers, uplifting mantras, and thought provoking chants spun with ancient as well as contemporary interfaces that are designed and offered in support of this process of dying.
• Rigzin Website • Rigzin FacebookVarious Artists - Rhythm Code II
Various ArtistsRhythm Code II
Label: Planti Shanti
Is the sum greater than the whole? Shanti Planti is an auditory collective that invokes healing vibrations for the mind, body and soul. Comprised of 13 visionary DJ minds from the mid tempo psychedelic electronic realm, this compilation finds common ground amid the ancient eastern rhythms, glitch-hop, dub and organic bass congealed here.
• Various Artists Website • Various Artists FacebookR-ODD - Caffeine
R-ODDCaffeine
Label: Business Casual
Hyperactive sampling with some future funk and vaguely clubbable drops propel this traphop vaporwave entry into repeated listens thanks to its eclectic rhythmic conundrums and squirrely caveats. Released on cassette (as well as digital), there is plenty enough mish and mash to love up no matter what format you choose to listen to it on.
• R-ODD Website • R-ODD FacebookRandom Rab - Formless Edge
Random RabFormless Edge
Label: Random Rab
Smooth and flowing, mostly instrumental, electronic compositions, free from drops and jagged edges as well as the convulsions of pop music. Abstract organic sounds are painted across a haunting and experimental landscape wound with analog frequencies and fidelity, resolved to an uncommon yet transformational vantage point.
• Random Rab Website • Random Rab FacebookRed Baraat - Sound The People
Red BaraatSound The People
Label: Rhyme & Reason Records
Bhangra beat music has many avenues to choose from and the crazy twists and turns that this now 6-piece outfit infuses it with is undeniably spectacular. Their brassy global perspective and experimentation continues to push the musical boundaries of psychedelic, jazz, hip-hop as well as what can be accomplished on individual instruments. (9) Appearing with Tribu Aharu and Charanga Agoza’ on 8/16 at Central Park in Madison, WI.
• Red Baraat Website • Red Baraat FacebookGreatest Showman: Reimagined - Various Artists
Greatest Showman: ReimaginedVarious Artists
Label: Atlantic Records
The Greatest Showman was a landmark musical film and the songs it contains are iconic. Ripples of it’s popularity have been shaking the musical universe since it was released. Now you have the chance to hear 13 tracks reimagined by some of today’s top pop artists including Kesha, Kelly Clarkson, Panic! at the Disco, Pentatonix, P!nk, and Willow Sage Hart (P!nk’s daughter). Sure it is a commercial Christmas pinata, but the original songs are strong enough to offer a fair amount of candy and glee in this new light. (8) press.atlanticrecords.com/the-greatest-showman/
Dirtwire - Road Goes All Night
DirtwireRoad Goes All Night
Label: Beats Antique Records
Sometimes instruments plays a big roll in what a recording sounds like and there are few releases that have more a unique sound than this. I saw them last fall at Shangri La Festival and they were quite enthralling thanks in part to Mark Reveley’s Whamola bass and Greek tanbur as well as Even Fraser’s Kamole ngoli and bass ngoli plus David Satori’s bowed banjo and guitarjo. Throw in a harmonica, and smear on some southwestern grit and the folktronica that this trio of talented multi-instrumentalists produce will excite and captivate!
• Dirtwire Website • Dirtwire FacebookGriz - Ride Waves
GrizRide Waves
Label: Griz
Some of the fattest, most exciting beats I have heard in a while! Griz’ 5th studio album is riding BIG! Bigger beats, bigger sounds, and bigger collaborators (Snoop Dog, Wiz Khalifa, Bootsy Collins). While the vibes are high, the grooves are deep and the beats are blasting, Griz covers a lot of other territory too, reflecting his immersion into societal influences, culture amid a pleasant variety of soundscapes and musical approaches. Maybe you will be lucky enough to see him on May 17 at Armory in Minneapolis, MN
• Griz Website • Griz FacebookGramatik - Re:Coil, Pt. II
GramatikRe:Coil, Pt. II
Label: Lowtemp Music
Exactly two years after the release of the first part of this Re:Coil, electro-funk pioneer Gramatik delivers Pt II. As with the first, these tracks are all collaborations, except the final which is solo. Showing off many faceted styles and approaches to the electronic genre with such luminaries as DeFunk, Big Gigantic, and Beat Fatigue insure many memorable jams. See him do his thing live on 11/15 at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI with Balkan Bump, Opiuo.
• Gramatik Website • Gramatik Facebook • Gramatik WikiView More
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