Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Mucca Pazza - Safety Fifth
Mucca PazzaSafety Fifth
Label: Electric Cowbell Records
A 2-dozen member Chicago marching band that refuses to behave like one. Amalgamating elements from a variety of genres, attitudes and cadences, this band of musical geeks revel in territories of eccentricity beyond simple classification. Experience their full tilt performances at a variety of Chicagoland summer events.
• Mucca Pazza Website • Mucca Pazza Facebook • Mucca Pazza WikiProng - Carved Into Stone
ProngCarved Into Stone
Label: Long Branch Records
When bands create seminal music in a given genre, what do they do in the years and releases that follow? Prong guitarist Tommy Victor took time off to play with Danzig and Ministry before revisiting his roots and getting revitalized enough to assemble and pen a contemporary sonic barrage under his old moniker that is ready to flood your senses with signature riffs and aggressive themes. The Prong sound is back and ready to exceed the neck- and finger-snapping experiences of the past.
• Prong Website • Prong Facebook • Prong WikiChoban Elektrik - Choban Elektrik
Choban ElektrikChoban Elektrik
Label: self
Although Brooklyn is their home, this progressive power trio finds their musical roots in Albanian, Macedonian, Greek, and Armenian folk melodies. Choban Elektrik means “Electric Shepherds” and is a name that fits them sublimely. ” Vintage Hammond organs and Fender Rhodes are harnessed along with guitar and bass to further bend and blend genres and global visions within their improvisational platitudes.
• Choban Elektrik Website • Choban Elektrik FacebookEveryone Orchestra - Brooklyn Sessions
Everyone OrchestraBrooklyn 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 Website • Everyone Orchestra Facebook • Everyone Orchestra WikiMorbid Saint - Spectrum of Death
Morbid SaintSpectrum of Death
Label: Relapse Records
Wisconsin grown - gurgling, growling, gnarly thrash metal with ridiculous and blistering solos plus breakneck rhythms a la early Slayer, which is appropriate for this 1988 thrash vinyl reissue. Although production values weren’t what they are now, the spirit, energy and vitality of the time soars through every note!
• Morbid Saint Website • Morbid Saint Facebook • Morbid Saint WikiMörglbl - Brutal_Romance
MörglblBrutal_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 Website • Mörglbl Facebook • Mörglbl WikiNickodemus - Moon People
NickodemusMoon People
Label: ESL Music
From hip hop to Afropop to jazzy funk to flamenco among a multitude of other influences, the Brooklyn based Nickodemus connects an endearing amalgamation of world beats, electronica and worthwhile innovation by utilizing and orchestrating his network of collaborators ranging from Puerto Rico to Beirut and beyond. A surprising complexity of approaches and fresh musical infusions.
• Nickodemus Website • Nickodemus FacebookNiyaz - Sumud
NiyazSumud
Label: Six Degrees
The album title, pronounced “soomood,” translated from Arabic means steadfastness, which also represents the thematic lyrical philosophy of this release. Continuing to evolve the contemporary sound of Middle Eastern music, this superstar trio composed of Azam Ali, Loga Ramin Torkian and Carmen Rizzo splashes us with electronically-infused Arabic melodies and entrancing vocals that every global citizen will find mesmerizing.
• Niyaz Website • Niyaz Facebook • Niyaz WikiPutumayo Presents - Arabic Beat
Putumayo PresentsArabic Beat
Label: Putumayo
Once again, Putumayo has put together a well-picked eclectic selection of lesser-known world class artists, this time with a focus on Arabic musicians of today. By incorporating certain Western influences, today’s Arabic music’s upbeat, danceable grooves have an undeniable universal appeal. Get to know Morrocco’s Jalal El Hamdaoui or Algerian performer Cheb Amar along with 8 others.
• Putumayo Presents Website • Putumayo Presents Facebook • Putumayo Presents WikiSamite Mulondo - Trust
Samite MulondoTrust
Label: Musicians for World Harmony
A world-famous humanitarian and musician who plays flute and kalimba, Samite presents us with a charming platitude of bright and flowing instrumental melodies born from East African roots. Beyond this, Samite has dedicated his life to helping others through music. In 2002 he founded Musicians for World Harmony, a non-profit organization that sends musicians and instruments to poverty stricken parts of Africa. Bravo!
• Samite Mulondo Website • Samite Mulondo Facebook • Samite Mulondo WikiBaroness - Yellow & Green
BaronessYellow & Green
Label: Relapse Records
This release has all the trappings of being a landmark, breakthrough album. It debuted at #30 on Billboard’s top 200 and sold over 12,500 records in its first week, making it the highest debut in Relapse Records history. Baroness really show off their vocal prowess and musical composition skills, here. Each song is masterfully crafted to compliment their progressive hard and heavy rock innovations. Bravo!
• Baroness Website • Baroness Facebook • Baroness WikiDistrict 97 - The Trouble With Machines
District 97The Trouble With Machines
Label: Laser's Edge
What a treat! Fronted by 2007 American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist, Leslie Hunt, this extremely melodic and concise prog rock band from Chicago has drawn musical accolades for their adventurous instrumentation and passionate delivery. If you are looking for an excellent contemporary dose of prog fronted by outstanding female vocals, look no further!
• District 97 Website • District 97 FacebookView More
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