Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Chill Factor-5 - The Venus Effect
Chill Factor-5The Venus Effect
Label: Electronfarm Records
A contemporary musical hybrid helmed by world traveling, Grammy nominated multi instrumentalist Maurice Oliver. This treasure trove of chilled smooth electronica flirts adventurously with numerous musical combinations from the jazz, hip hop, pop, funk, soul and world beat realms.
Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam - Coming Up For Air
Davy Knowles & Back Door SlamComing Up For Air
Label: Blix Street Records
Possessing all the trappings of “The Next Big Thing” including a big name producer (Peter Frampton), slots at a load of summer festivals, and a substantial amount of raw talent, this 22 year old British blues pop guitarist from the Isle of Man is on the fast track to achieving his goal.
• Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam Website • Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam WikiDarkest Hour - Eternal Return
Darkest HourEternal Return
Label: Victory Records
Rolling and thundering melodic metal with a fair amount of technical wizardry ta boot! Born in the mid 90s, the band was among the first to combine their American hardcore/punk fury with the Swedish death metal sound and is the lineage that still propels their music.
• Darkest Hour Website • Darkest Hour WikiDope Stars Inc - 21st Century Slave
Dope Stars Inc21st Century Slave
Label: Metropolis Records
Integrating the enthusiasm and darker electronica imagery of the cyberpunk movement with their overt fascination of vampires while lyrically railing against societies evils and hidden agendas in an anthemic fashion bodes well for this industrious industrial metal force.
• Dope Stars Inc WebsiteglassGhosts - Nevereverything
glassGhostsNevereverything
Label: Self Released
Disenchanted gothic electronica from Madison with flowing female vocals and occasional violin passages over a jittering harsh and unforgiving industrial backdrop. Disturbing throbbings in the lower registers propel the angst filled musical forms into a tumultuous fruition.
Heatbox - System
HeatboxSystem
Label: Self Released
This amazing vocal juke box is feeling his stride on this incredibly catchy and entertaining release. A strong nod to barbershop stylings create a river of harmonies for this one man soul, hip hop and funk band to riff off of. Live he samples each phrase, loops it and repeats until complete. The classics that this contemporary harmonic hero brings our way include “Pizza Funk” and “I Need A Jack and Coke.” As a bonus the disc also contains the game Heatbox completely created “Ninja Strike.”
• Heatbox WebsiteLawrence Blatt - The Color Of Sunshine
Lawrence BlattThe Color Of Sunshine
Label: LBM Music
Brandishing a full spectrum of guitar tricks and treats, this release finds a highly acclaimed acoustic guitar finger-picker emoting melodies and rhythms inspired by colors that are in turn designed to motivate a mood. This is his mode of tickling the oft unused mix of color and light therapy into music structures. Produced by Windham Hill Records founder William Ackerman.
• Lawrence Blatt WebsiteOzric Tentacles - Yum Yum Tree
Ozric TentaclesYum Yum Tree
Label: Snapper Music
Certain aspects and members of this band may have changed over the 25+ years of its existence, but their music and trademark sound has never gotten any less psychedelic or enthralling. Founding and final original member Ed Wynne has recently move to the US with his wife and son (who are part of the live lineup) so we will be seeing much more from them!
• Ozric Tentacles Website • Ozric Tentacles WikiStratovarius - Polaris
StratovariusPolaris
Label: Armoury Records
This first outing after the departure of former bandmaster Timo Tolkki finds this Finnish melodic power metal group revisioned and situated to continue their formidable musical legacy for many more years to come.
• Stratovarius Website • Stratovarius WikiStreet Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club
Street Sweeper Social ClubStreet Sweeper Social Club
Label: Self Released
Visionary guitarist Tom Morello has successfully joined forces with Boots Riley in an effort quite reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine, but not quite as whiney. Heavy grooves with even heavier breakdowns propel the anthems and agendas announced by the witty hip hoppin’ lyrics.
• Street Sweeper Social Club Website • Street Sweeper Social Club WikiVinnie Moore - To The Core
Vinnie MooreTo The Core
Label: RED Distribution
Well versed and well seasoned instrumental guitar rock from a musical virtuoso who has been ‘moonlighting’ as guitarist for the legendary band UFO since 2003! While this album may not shred as metal as his 1986 release, it banters a grace and maturity with the technicality and structure that exemplify him as a leader in this field.
• Vinnie Moore Website • Vinnie Moore WikiVieux Farka Touré - Fondo
Vieux Farka TouréFondo
Label: Six Degrees Records
Standing firmly on his own merits, this son of legendary Malian bluesman Ali Farka Toure leads his musical charge with a graceful, majestic grandeur. The ancient and contemporary African instrumentation and rhythms fill a broader vision as well as purpose with all but one of these modern classics penned by Vieux himself.
• Vieux Farka Touré Website • Vieux Farka Touré WikiView More
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