Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Mike Kukin - Obsessed with Black
Mike KukinObsessed with Black
Label: Headway Music
This album includes terse and formidable electronic music from an artist based out of Moscow, Russia. Featuring a number of guest artists, including Gisu, Lady N and Eva Kade, he takes us on wild rides through the full spectrum techno realms of break beat and drum ‘n bass.
Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family - Land of Fire
Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung FamilyLand of Fire
Label: Black Eye Watching
Rich, Afro-pop rhythms are woven with proverbs and ancient history by this master drummer and his fellow Bizungs (hereditary talking drum masters of Northern Ghana). The sublime rhythms are bolstered on some songs with funky rock interjections and other contemporary craftwork.
• Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family Website • Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family FacebookOreka TX - Nömadak Tx
Oreka TXNömadak Tx
Label: World Village
Unless you are an avid fan of Basque music, you probably have never heard of the main instrument utilized here. It was banned (along with the Basque language) under the harsh Franco rule in Spain. The txalaparta, (pronounced CHOLL-uh-PART-uh) is comprised of wooden planks laid over trestles and struck with sticks held vertically. Although it sounds kind of like a steel drum at times, the driving duo behind this project pushes the boundaries to include throat singing and other folk infusions in their unique compositions.
• Oreka TX Website • Oreka TX Facebook • Oreka TX WikiShye Ben Tzur - Shoshan
Shye Ben TzurShoshan
Label: EarthSynch
Shye ben Tzur is a Hebrew Qawwali singer that has been busy cultivating mystical experiences into contemporary songs. “Shoshan” is a successful experiment employing Hebrew poetry with Flamenco guitars, plus soaring Rajastan vocals in addition to the flavorful Indian and Afro rhythms. The music sways from trance to ecstatic while retaining its open awareness and devotional nature.
• Shye Ben Tzur Facebook • Shye Ben Tzur WikiToussaint - Black Gold
ToussaintBlack Gold
Label: I Grade Records
With smooth soul vibes with an Irie mindset, an all star band provides the flowing funk, rippling rock, and hip-swaying hip hop which. These are beautifully buffeted by the socially conscious, incredibly blissful, and heartfelt vocal offerings of this former Soulive singer.
• Toussaint Website • Toussaint FacebookBrandt Brauer Frick - You Make Me Real
Brandt Brauer FrickYou Make Me Real
Label: !K7 Records
This trio may involve many disparate elements to form and evolve their minimalistic techno treatise, but the finished compositions caress a quirky yet comforting combination of percussion and electronica that makes one swing with delight.
• Brandt Brauer Frick WebsiteChico 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 FacebookFat Freddy's Drop - Live At Roundhouse London
Fat Freddy's DropLive At Roundhouse London
Label: The Drop
These slick party monsters have metered out a taste of what it is to see FFD live. They may be New Zealand natives but you would have no idea of that based on their collision of deep grooves gathered from a worldwide sound overflowing with funk, reggae, ska, dub, blues, soul and tons more. It’s easy to lose yourself in these 6 jammed out versions of their highly entertaining songs which all top 10 minutes each!
• Fat Freddy's Drop Website • Fat Freddy's Drop Facebook • Fat Freddy's Drop WikiKazyak - A Beautiful Brontosaurus
KazyakA Beautiful Brontosaurus
Label: Ground Up Productions
Bebobble-deeing between countrified jams and upstart funky rock may show off a classic jam rock band influence, but this friendly and flowing vision utilizes an ambitious combination of elements to create a memorable recording filled with harmony vocals, salient solos and delectable rhythms that are especially admirable for a trio to produce.
• Kazyak Website • Kazyak FacebookKing Sunny Ade - Baba Mo Tunde
King Sunny AdeBaba Mo Tunde
Label: Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings
I’ve been a fan of this Nigerian native Afro-pop mega legend for quite some time so I was delighted to hear about his first studio album in over 10 years. The second of this twin disc release blasts off with the 31 min title track and if you make it through that on your feet, you might as well call in sick for the week cause you will be shaking and dancing all day and night to these incredible and inviting masterpieces.
• King Sunny Ade Facebook • King Sunny Ade WikiCopal - 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 WebsiteHuun Huur Tu - Ancestors Call
Huun Huur TuAncestors Call
Label: World Village
The 4 man Tuvan supergroup has rounded up another herd of musical exports filled with their amazing throat singing whistles, warbles, drones, hums, groans, and other quirks. Mesmerizing traditional shepherd songs are contemporized and cultivated but manage to retain their distinct cultural colors and vibrancy.
• Huun Huur Tu Website • Huun Huur Tu WikiView More
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