Mark's Music Blog

Magical Madjo

2012-01-20T14:09:00.002-05:00

Madjo is a French-Senegalese singer with a wonderful, spirited voice. There’s virtually no info on her on the net, so this entry will have to be brief. She put out her first and only CD, Trapdoor in 2010.and it’s a dandy. The songs are mostly in English, but that doesn’t really matter—her joyful singing transcends language. Her music is mainly catchy pop and will put a smile on your face.

Night of the Living Dead

2012-01-07T13:39:00.002-05:00

The Dead Texan is a duo comprised of Adam Wiltzie and Christina Vantzou. Wlitzie is better known for his work with the ambient group Stars of the Lid and Vantzou is avideo artist. There music sounds like it would be perfect for a soundtrack of a science fiction movie. So far, they only have one cd out, 2004’s self-titled release, however they have a bunch of very cool videos on youtube.

Kiss Me Kate

2011-12-31T12:05:00.001-05:00

Kate Bush’s new release, 50 Words For Snow, is one of my favorite cds of the year. It’s her first recording of new material since 2005, and it’s worth the wait. There are only seven songs in it but the album is over an hour long. The songs are quietly haunting and ponderous. Kate’s voice and piano playing are in superb form here. The album features several guest artists including the bassist Danny Thompson, the drummer Steve Gadd, and the actor Stephen Fry. They all contribute to make this a most remarkable and memorable album.

Angelic Angelique

2011-12-24T11:12:00.001-05:00

Excuse me for being lazy. I’ll keep this post short. Angelique Kidjo was born in Benin and has lived in Paris for a number of years. She has one of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard. Her music is all over the map, from traditional African to jazz, funk, and rock and roll. If you ever get the chance to hear her live, jump on it. She puts on one heck of a show. Just about the whole audience will be up on their feet dancing.

Have a safe and peaceful holidays. And thanks for following my blog!

Atlas Shrugged

2011-12-17T15:05:00.003-05:00

Atlas Sound is the solo project of Bradford Cox, the vocalist of the indie group Deerhunter (an interesting band well worth looking into). He was born in the musical hotbed of Athens, Georgia in 1982 and formed Deerhunter in 2001. He’s been releasing solo cds under the Atlas Sound moniker since 2008. His voice is delicate and has an amazing range. Atlas Sound is spacey, quirky and catchy. His latest release, Parallax was released in 2011. It’s brilliantly produced and is full of earworms like the song Te Amo. Love it!

Wing And A Prayer

2011-12-09T14:59:00.002-05:00

There’s just something about the music of the multi-instrumentalist Courtney Wing that make me want to listen to it over and over. It’s some of the happiest, warmest music I’ve heard in a long time, and instantly puts me in a great mood. He comes from an interesting background—his father is Chinese and his mother is Russian and Icelandic. Wing started playing music as a youngster and when he was in his 20s, he played in a reggae band in Belize and learned flamenco in the south of France. He has a couple cds out and his youtube videos are quite creative.

To Esmerine, With Love And Squalor

2011-12-03T13:15:00.002-05:00

Among the many splinter groups of Godspeed You Black Emperor!, my favorite is the Montreal-based group, Esmerine. Unlike GYBE!, which is focused on layers of guitar, Esmerine is relies mainly on cello, marimbas, and percussion. Their sound is quiet and relaxed, and could be labled neoclassical. Great, late night music. Esmerine has released three cds since their 2003 recording, If Only a Sweet Surrender to the Nights to Come Be True. And 10 points to anyone who gets the reference in this review’s title.

Who Knew?

2011-11-25T21:56:00.003-05:00

Sure, I already knew that Scarlett Johansson was a beautiful, talented actor. I’m a big fan of hers. But I had no idea that she could sing as well. And not just a mediocre voice that a good producer transforms into someone who can sell records based on their name. This girl, er, lady, can sing. She’s performed with the Jesus and Mary Chain and has covered a bunch of Tom Waits tunes. And she’s recorded with Peter Yorn and David Bowie. Not too shabby for a 27-year old. She’s got quite a range, from soft and dreamy to sultry and sexy. I guess you could say I’ve got a case of Scarlett Fever.

The XX Files

2011-11-11T12:28:00.001-05:00

Jamie XX is a side project of Jamie Smith of the lo-fi group, the xx. Jamie started his career as a drummer, but has expanded into using electronic percussion pads and heavy sampling, which create a totally unique sound. He’s become a much sought after remixer for a number of artists including Adele and Florence and the Machine. His mixes are beat heavy and are very trance.

Nudge. Nudge.

2011-11-05T14:50:00.003-04:00

Elbow has been around for a while, yet I haven’t really gotten into them until I heard a couple tracks from their stunning new album Build A Rocket Boys! It’s the group’s first release since their Mercury Prize winning The Seldom Seen Kid. It’s full of catchy tunes and features a somewhat stripped-down sound. The lead singer, Guy Garvey’s voice reminds me a lot of Peter Gabriel. A lot. His songs are catchy, poppy and have great earworm potential . I just can't get the song, With Love out of my head. The group describes their sound as prog-rock without the guitar solos. Now I’ve got to hunt down their older releases to see what I’ve been missing.

Sweet Marissa

2011-10-20T15:01:00.002-04:00

I first heard Marissa Nadler on a recent SoundCheck show on NPR and her performance blew me away. Her lush, dreamy vocals, beautiful guitar work, and mature lyrics caught me off guard. Marissa was born in Boston and released her first cd in 2004. Her voice reminds me a little bit of Hope Sandoval and Joanna Newsom—with a commanding, melancholy feel to it. After her fourth release, she was dropped by her record company. Through a Kickstarter campaign, she raised funds from her fans to produce a new, self-titled cd and a video in early 2011. For some reason, she’s more popular in Europe (they have better taste?) than in the States. If you like what you hear, her cd is available directly from her website: http://marissanadler.com It’s well worth it, as every song on the cd is outstanding.

A Real Gem

2011-10-07T13:14:00.001-04:00

If you’re into quiet, hauntingly beautiful vocals, and meditative, classically influenced instrumentals, then Gem Club is your kind of group. It consists primarily of singer/pianist Christopher Barnes and cellist/bells/singer Kristen Drymala. The two make some heartbreakingly pretty music together. They remind me a little of Bon Iver, but their sound is truly their own. They’re from Somerville, MA and just released their first full-length debut, Breakers, this year.

Bath Time

2011-09-29T21:31:00.002-04:00

Baths is the electronic pop project of the musical genius/producer Will Wiesenfeld. This guy has had musical training from the ripe old age of four and has been recording since his teens. Naturally, he claims one of his main influences is Bjork—the Goddess. But his music only vaguely resembles hers. It’s hip-hoppy, funky and features his wonderful voice. Be sure to check out his youtube vids—they’re not only well produced, but very entertaining. Here’s a guy I’d love to see live. Even though it’s just him and his laptop. His debut album, Cerulean, appeared in 2010.

Shhh…

2011-09-23T16:00:00.001-04:00

Secret Chiefs 3 is a side project of; you guessed it, three musicians from the group Mr. Bungle—a group I’m only vaguely familiar with. The music is unlike anything I’ve heard before. Sort of a blend of Middle-Eastern wedding music with a hint of rock and surf music. There’s very little biographical info on the band out there so I’ll just post a couple youtube vids and hope you enjoy it!

Sun Of A Gun

2011-09-09T13:25:00.003-04:00

Sunwrae is a nine-piece ensemble lead by keyboardist and composer Rae Howell. The group is based in Melbourne, Australia and was founded in 2001. Their music is a beautiful blend of modern classical chamber music, jazz, and cinematic soundtrack. They remind me a little of early Oregon but is much more accessible. It’s gentle, sweeping, and is absolutely mesmerizing. From what I gather, the group hasn’t done a lot of recording—I only found one expensive import on Amazon, but there are quite a few of their live videos on youtube. (If you know how to convert these to mp3 files, you’re golden!)

A Good Jo-hann

2011-08-24T21:40:00.003-04:00

Johann Johannsson is a remarkable find. I don’t know much about him except that he writes incredible soundtracks to music videos and movies. His music is founded in classical roots but definitely has new-age leanings. It’s lush, and sensual and compliments everything he writes for. I do know he’s from Iceland, yet another amazing musician from this dramatic country. Look for his stuff on youtube--there’s a ton of it and it’s all amazing. You go Jo!

I Want To Take You Higher

2011-08-19T11:39:00.002-04:00

Rob Barber and Mary Pearson founded the indie duo High Places in Brooklyn in 2006. Their music is quirky, sparce, and features layers of electronic effects and minimalist almost jungle-like percussion. The vocals are dreamy and hypnotic. They moved to Los Angeles a year after forming and have done a lot of touring. They have three releases to date.

In The Summertime!

2011-08-04T21:22:00.003-04:00

Okay. This is a no brainer, and most of you have probably already heard of this group. But I like to post a great summer, cruising-in-the-car band every year. This year it’s Foster the People. I especially love their live version of “Pumped Up Kicks” live at SXSW. Just a fun band, pumping out some fun jams.

Deaf Jam

2011-07-28T14:58:00.003-04:00

Deaf Center is a multi-instrumentalist duo—Erik Skodvin and Otto Totland—from Norway. Their music is quiet, sparse, and introspective. A combination of dark ambient electronica, post-classical, and drone music. A lot of their music sounds like a cinematic soundscape to a slow-moving movie. If none of those descriptions make any sense, give them a listen and you’ll see what I mean. Perfect music for late night conversations.

Pretty in Pink

2011-07-15T11:21:00.002-04:00

I recently had the pleasure of seeing the group Pink Martini live and it dawned on me that not everyone knows about this remarkable band. Led by Thomas M. Lauderdale, the Portland, Oregon-based group is another hard one to describe. Take some 40s and 50s swing and combine it with a heavy dose of Latin, Afro-Cuban salsa, Brazilian bossa nova, tango and French cabaret, then toss in a mix of songs from all over the globe including Russia, Greece, Japan, Croatia and points elsewhere, and you’ve got a decent, yet fuzzy picture of what Pink Martini is all about.

The group was formed in 1994 and features the vocals of the energetic China Forbes. They have several recordings to their credit, all of which are worth owning. Each cd has its own sound, but they all have that singular Pink Martini spirit of fun to them. If you ever get a chance to see them live, I can guarantee a most entertaining evening.

Good Things Come in Trees

2011-07-08T15:44:00.001-04:00

After long time vocalist, Victoria Bergsman left the Concretes in 2006, she started recording under the name Taken by Trees. Her music is quiet, stripped down and melancholic, and has been compared to Camera Obscura. Victoria has a wonderful voice and has two albums on the Rough Trade label. Her most recent recording was made in Pakistan with local musicians and as you’d expect, is radically different from her first cd.

A New Leif

2011-07-01T11:25:00.003-04:00

Once again, I’ve discovered an artist who has very little biographical info out on the interwebs. Here’s what I do know. Leif Vollebekk is a Canadian singer/songwriter. He studied Icelandic and Philosophy in Reykjavik, Iceland, and he released his first cd, Inland, in 2010.

Here’s how he describes his sound: "I want to sound like Hank Williams meets Sigur Ros. Hopefully, I'll fail and get somewhere else." That pretty much sums up the general feel of his music. His voice reminds me a little of Jeff Buckley’s. Warning: His song “Don’t go to Klaksvik” is a real earworm. You won’t be able to get it out of your head!

Young and the Restless

2011-06-22T10:20:00.002-04:00

It’s hard to imagine Sarah Jarosz was born in 1991. She has the maturity, presence and songwriting skills of a person far older. Sarah had mastered the mandolin at 10 and was performing live with musicians like Dave Grisman and Ricky Skaggs by the time she was 12 years old. Her sound is definitely bluegrass influenced but stretches far outside the genre. And her voice is sweet and captivating. Jarosz is currently studying at the New England Conservatory of Music, where she has picked up the clawhammer banjo and guitar and is majoring in contemporary voice improvisation. She just released her second album, Follow Me Down, in the spring of 2011.

Let There Be Austra

2011-06-09T16:24:00.002-04:00

Austra, named for the Latvian goddess of light, is based in Toronto and features Katie Stelmanis on vocals and keyboards, Maya Postepski on drums, and bassist Damian Wolf. Their music is dark and electronic and is similar to groups like Glasser and Fever Ray. Stelmanis’ voice covers quite a range, which is not surprising—she was classically trained and joined the Canadian Children’s Opera at age 10. While her delivery is pretty unique, she sounds a bit like Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine.

Austra’s 1st cd was released in May, 2011 and is full of catchy tunes—from dark and quiet to bright(ish) and poppy. On all the tracks, Stelmanis’ voice is up front and center. The production reminds me a little of Bjork’s at times. And it’s all Austra-licious!

A Royal Treat

2011-05-26T21:59:00.003-04:00

Joan Soriano has been dubbed the “Duke of Bachado”. And he definitely deserves the title. From what little biographical information I’ve gathered, he was born in the countryside of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. He built his first guitar from a tin can and fishing line and has gone on to an amazing career in his native land.

Bachada is an indigenous music of the Dominican Republic and is influenced by music from Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Soriano’s voice makes you want to get up and dance. Joan has performed throughout N. America and Europe. I missed him the last time around. Hopefully, he’ll make another North American tour again soon.

Hair Band

2011-05-13T13:24:00.003-04:00

Braids is another band that I find pretty hard to describe. Their music has been categorized as experimental shoe-gazer. Okay, that’s a pretty fair assessment of their sound. It’s dreamy and has a nice rhythm to it. It also has incredible production values to it. Great layers of sounds and very complex, smart, intelligent music. And the vocalist has a distinctive, crisp, voice. Nice and emotive. And I liked them so much, I actually bought their cd!

New Ages

2011-05-07T12:58:00.002-04:00

The band Agesandages is made up of a collective of multi-instrumentalists and is lead by Tim Perry. The band hails from Portland, Oregon and features excellent, cheery vocals and a psychedelic, folky sound. Their first release, Alright You Restless, came out in early 2011 and I highly recommend it. Every tune on it is a gem.

The Wise Old Sage

2011-04-21T22:14:00.002-04:00

Okay, this is a radical departure for me. Sage Francis is a hip-hop artist who I first heard on “The Signal”, the best radio show ever. It’s on CBC and is streamed, for anyone who’s interested. Anyway, Rich Terfry had a brief segment on what he called “pretty hip-hop”. Yes, you heard me right. I’m not a fan of hip-hop or rap. But I immediately glommed on to this guy. I really like this guy and if you want to learn more about him, check his bio on allmusic.com. It’s way too long and I’m way too lazy to condense it for you.

Pure Brilliance

2011-04-14T22:00:00.003-04:00

Puro Instinct is two sisters, the teen-age Skylar the guitarist and her older sister Piper on vocals, along with assorted other musicians. They remind me a little bit of the 60s girl bands but with a more modern sound to them. Puro Instinct released a couple of vinyl records on their own and finally, in 2011, a cd titled “Headbangers In Ecstasy”. Their music is dreamy and innocent with fresh, wispy vocals. I haven’t heard anything as refreshing as this group in a long time. My only hope is that a producer-type doesn’t get a hold of the group and try to market them. He’ll surely try to make them “sexy” and over produce them—and totally ruin the group. Listen to them while they’re still fresh and wonderful!

Through the Looking Glass

2011-03-31T21:08:00.003-04:00

Before I tell you about Glasser, I’d just like to answer a question a lot of people ask me—“How do you find these groups?” Well, I do a lot of digging from a lot of resources. In this case, I went through the entire lineup of all the groups playing Coachella that I’ve never heard of. Then, I listened to samples of their music on youtube. Tedious? You bet. Worth it? Of course. That’s why my motto is: I listen to a lot of crap, so you don’t have to.

Back to Glasser. It’s the musical project of Cameron Mesirow. Her Dad is a member of the Blue Man Group which features some incredible music of their own. She says she grew up listened to Motown, new wave, punk, grunge, and ska. Her music features beautiful, almost Bjork-like vocals and sparce electronica backing her up. She’s recently toured with xx and Jonsi (from Sigur Ros), and her debut album Ring was released in 2010.

The Other Pogo

2011-03-26T11:14:00.002-04:00

This isn’t about the much beloved classic cartoon strip by Walt Kelly but about the audio-visual artist. He currently lives in Perth, Western Australia and his real name is Nick Bertke. There isn’t much about him in the way of a bio on the net, except for the tidbit that he worked briefly at Disney. His work is very intriguing. Pogo takes bits of film and scenes from tv shows and does a painstaking job editing them. Then he sets them to music, which is a mix of original compositions and samples. It must take him weeks to edit a two or three minute video. The results are pure genius. If you enjoy them, do a search on youtube—Pogo’s volume of work is enormous. (Warning, his take on "Dexter" is a bit bloody.)

Toro! Toro! Toro!

2011-03-19T10:41:00.001-04:00

Chaz Bundick of Columbia, SC is the alter ego of the group known as Toro y Moi. It’s a chillwave group that that has a dreamy, dancy sound. Chaz recorded a couple albums worth of music back in 2001, but it wasn’t until 2010 that he released his first cd. He sounds a like a cross between Beach House and Panda Bear. I’ve only included studio recordings of Toro because the sound quality on his live recordings is awful.

Comments welcome!

2011-03-17T22:28:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone! I've been posting for a couple years now. And I've only had a few comments on the music I've put up. What's up with that? Please give me some feedback! It's like there's no one out there. I post something and it's like I'm talking to a ghost town or something. If there's no one out there, I'm going to quit posting music. What's the bloody point?

Major Tunage

2011-03-12T11:22:00.002-05:00

Merrill Garbus is the brains and the lungs behind the lo-fi experimental project known as Tune-Yards. She records her voice with a digital voice recorder and shareware mixing software and combines it with found sounds, ukulele, percussion and the results are quite unlike anything I’ve ever heard. It’s dreamy and dancey and a tad spacey. She reminds me a little bit of Bjork but with a soulful edge to her voice. She added a couple musicians to her one-person group and signed with 4AD Records a couple years ago. Tune-Yards has two releases to date.

Guitar Heroes

2011-03-04T09:15:00.002-05:00

The astonishing Rodrigo y Gabriela have quite an interesting history. The two guitarists started out in a heavy metal band in Mexico City. They moved to Dublin where they earned a living busking on the street. Eventually they learned flamenco guitar, were taken on tour with Damien Rice, and the rest, as they say, is history. The duo has released three cds, the third of which hit the number one spot on the Irish charts in 2006. They play everything from traditional flamenco to their interpretations of rock tunes. All in their own fiery brand of blistering guitar work.

OMG

2011-02-26T09:51:00.002-05:00

I find it somewhat amusing that the space-rock group God Is An Astronaut is from the quaintly named town of Glen of the Downs in Wicklow, Ireland. At the heart of the band are the brothers Torsten and Niels Kinsella (guitar/keyboards and bass/guitars respectively). The group formed in the early part of this century (Wow, it sure seems strange to say that), and they added the drummer Lloyd Hanney to round out the band. Some claim that the group is one of the finest Irish indie rock groups of this century. I guess I’d equate that with saying “One of the finest bands to come out of the thumb of Michigan”. Anyway, I’ve never seen the group live, but apparently they put on an incredible show, with spectacular videos accompanying each song. They’ve put out four recordings to date and have numerous youtube vids. Well worth looking in to.

Strings Attached

2011-02-19T10:17:00.002-05:00

Balmorhea was founded in 2006 by Rob Lowe and Michael Muller. The group features various string instruments including violins and cello and is often accompanied by the talented pianist Peter Broderick. Their music is relaxing and has a pastoral, country sound but is definitely classically grounded. Much of it is sweeping yet has a toe-tapping quality to it. They remind me a little of Oregon but with a country tinge. Balmorhea has four CDs out to date, and they’re all worth a listen.

For Pete’s sake

2011-02-11T09:43:00.002-05:00

Peter Broderick is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter from Portland, OR. There’s almost no information about him—in fact, on his myspace page, he’s asking for help on his bio! His recordings mainly feature piano and guitar and his delicately nuanced voice. Much of his music has a Harold Budd feel without being overly New Agey. In some ways, he reminds me of a stripped down version of Nick Drake. I highly recommend his cd How They Are, although at just over 30 minutes in length, it’s not what I’d call a “good value”. However, it’s one of the most hauntingly beautiful recordings I’ve heard in a long time. There are a ton of his songs on youtube—do check them out.

Wash Up!

2011-02-05T11:39:00.002-05:00

Washed Out is the musical project of Ernest Greene. It’s trippy, hazy, dance music and has been compared to groups like Neon Indian and Memory Cassette. I don’t know much about Mr. Greene except that he’s from Columbia North Carolina and released his debut EP Life of Leisure in 2009.

Here Comes The Son

2011-01-28T10:22:00.002-05:00

Ryan Lott is the real name of the musical character known as Son Lux. He was born in Colorado in 1979 and spent his youth moving with his family from city to city. He started playing classical piano at the ripe old age of six and went on to pick up the guitar and drums. His interests spread to jazz and pop and he studied composition and piano at Indiana University. Ryan began composing music for various dance companies.

He eventually took the name Son Lux and started a solo career creating ethereal, dark but listenable music. His debut album At War with Walls and Mazes was released in 2008. The music reminds me a bit of early Genesis and Radiohead and he could easily be part of the 4 A.D stable of musicians. It’s percussive and sparse and unsettling at times, and his voice isn’t for everyone. But the music of Son Lux is certainly unique. And that’s a good thing.

Got Cimbalom?

2011-01-22T11:02:00.002-05:00

The group Cimbaliband is the true definition of World Music. Members of the band include Hungarians, a Serbian, Gypsy, Germans, and a Croatian. Their music is a mixture of Gypsy, Hungarian folk, and jazz, all combined in an energetic amalgam that makes you want to grab a partner and dance. The lead instrument in the group is the cimbalom, which is the Gypsy equivalent of a hammered dulcimer. I didn’t find much information about the band other than the fact that they are based in Budapest, Hungary. I think they’d make the ultimate wedding band!

Modern Math

2011-01-15T11:07:00.003-05:00

The band Mute Math, (also know as MUTEMATH and MuteMath) features the strong vocals of Paul Meany. He was as singer in a Christian rock band and formed a bond with drummer/programmer Darren King. They established a long distance musical relationship, exchanging CDRs until they finally agreed to move to New Orleans and form a real band. Their music borrows from the indie-rock past and is somewhat reminiscent of Radiohead, Coldplay, and a cadre of other groups. Their songs are catchy without being commercial. Another group that I can’t figure out why they're not more popular.

Swingin’ Time

2010-12-17T11:43:00.002-05:00

If you’re a fan of swinging 1920’s style French jazz, then you’ll certainly enjoy Caravan Palace. They describe themselves as an electro-swing group and they hail from Paris, France. The band’s influences include Django Reinhardt, Cab Calloway, Lionel Hampton, and Daft Punk. Their self-titled album debuted in 2008 and was very well received. Get ready to do some major league toe tapping!

The Lion King

2010-12-02T21:34:00.003-05:00

Youssou N’Dour. He’s called the Lion of Africa. After listening to him for about ten seconds you realize why. He embodies what African vocals are all about. You’ve probably heard Ladysmith Black Mambaza, Miriam Makeba, and other fantastic African voices. Youssou is right up there with them with his distinctive, powerful voice.

Anyway, Youssou is from Dakar, Senegal and inherited his musicality from his mother who was a Griot (oral historian). He learned to sing as a child and formed the group Super E'toile de Dakar as a twenty-year old. He’s gone on to travel the world with this group and has recorded with everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Peter Gabriel, Sting and Tracy Chapman. He also owns a popular nightclub in Dakar. Long live the king!

Where The Buffalo Roam

2010-11-18T21:05:00.002-05:00

If you enjoyed the music of the late 60s, but are totally sick of listening to “classic rock, “here’s a group you may find refreshing. Avi Buffalo was founded by Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg (small wonder he uses the moniker Avi Buffalo, eh?) when he was in high school in Long Beach. He put a band together with fellow classmates and eventually got signed by the renowned label Sub Pop. They released their first album this spring. Their music smacks of Buffalo Springfield (coincidence?) and a bit of the Byrds. It’s low-fi psychedelica with catchy melodies. I have to admit, Avi’s voice gets on my nerve at times, but overall, I find this group charming. Think 60s folk-rock with excellent guitar work. I just missed the opportunity to see them live and I could kick myself. I doubt they’ll become a household name, but I think they’ll develop a loyal following. Count me among those numbers.

P.S. This band is so new, I couldn't find any really good live performances of them. Search youtube in a couple months.

Third Time’s The Charm

2010-11-11T21:49:00.004-05:00

For a tiny island with a small population, Iceland sure has produced some remarkable groups/musicians. Bjork, Sigur Ros, and now Olafur Arnalds. “Olu who?” you might be inclined to say. Well, he’s a very young composer, who’s released two remarkable CDs. This twenty-something's music is hard to describe. Imagine that on my blog! It blends a bit of Eric Satie, jazz, George Winston, and you can sense he's definitely influenced by fellow countrymen Sigur Ros. It’s very meditative and introspective. He also engages the help of the Icelandic string quartet, Amiina. Give a listen to the future of classical music.

P.S. My apologies to all my Scandinavian fans out about the lack of correct accent marks—I’m just not sure how to wrangle that.

You Don’t Know Jacksoul

2010-10-28T21:34:00.003-04:00

And neither did I, until a couple days ago. Thanks to the CBC, I’ve been introduced to a number of excellent groups from our neighbors to the north (or to the south, from here in Detroit). And here’s another one. Jacksoul. This group was founded by Haydain Neale in Toronto, in the mid-1990s. The band produces a catchy blend of R&B, jazz, soul, and just great music. But the real focal point is Neale’s voice. And, what a voice. Unfortunately, Neale was involved in a serious car accident in 2007 and was in a coma for several months. He made a miraculous recovery, only to die of lung cancer two years later. But I’m glad his music will live on. Now, at least you know a little bit about Jacksoul, and Haydain Neale.

Invest in Real Estate

2010-10-15T12:48:00.003-04:00

The quartet Real Estate formed in 2008 and has been hailed as one of the best bands in New Jersey. “Faint praise be damned”, as the Bard of Avon so succinctly put it. Their unique brand of surfy lo-fi pop sound is perfect cruising music. It’s catchy and toe-tapping in a slow-mo sort of way. They're sort of a Manuel Galban goes American rock. To date they only have a self-titled cd which was released in 2009. Hang ten, Dudes!

Pure Poetry

2010-10-08T12:08:00.002-04:00

As most of you know, I tend to post new, relatively obscure bands and musicians. This week, I’m going to make an exception. I recently heard an interview with Natalie Merchant discussing her latest recording and I was very impressed. Natalie was the driving force behind 10,000 Maniacs and has had a successful solo career since the group broke up in 1995. However, she hasn’t released anything in seven years, and her latest, Leave Your Sleep is a dandy.

She sets poems, rhymes, and lullabies to music, with great success. The words are taken from the likes of Ogden Nash, e.e. cummings, Robert Graves, and traditional English and American sources. The instrumentation is a diverse musical odyssey, ranging from The Wynton Marsalis Orchestra and Klezmer, to Appalachian folk and Celtic music. And leading it all is the rich, mature voice of Natalie herself. It’s a two-disc set well worth waiting for.

P.S. If you like what you hear, do a search for Natalie Merchant Leave Your Sleep on youtube. There are many songs including a 30 minute concert of featuring music from the cd.

As Good As It Gets

2010-10-01T15:28:00.002-04:00

When it comes to warm, inviting electronica, it’s hard to beat Ulrich Schnauss. His music combines the soundtracky sounds of Vangelis with the, dare I say it, New Age lushness and relaxing feel of Enya. He likes to keep a mysterious profile so not a heck of a lot of info is available about him, but I know he’s a producer from Berlin, Germany. His debut recording arrived in 2001, and he’s released three cds since then. His music features synthesizers, layers of sounds, mainly softer beats, and excellent production values, along with relaxing, sensuous vocals.

Speed Demons

2010-09-25T12:25:00.002-04:00

Yet another fine group from Athens, Georgia, Maserati was formed in 2001. This quartet creates spacey aural soundscapes that follow in the tradition of groups like Explosions in the Sky and This Will Destroy You. All their songs are instrumental and feature layers of guitar that ebb and flow. The term Post-rock is used to describe their music, which I feel is quite apt. Unfortunately, their amazing drummer passed away not too long ago. They’ll have a hard time replacing him.

Sweet Sixteen

2010-09-17T15:15:00.003-04:00

It seems almost impossible that Nikki Yanofsky is merely 16 years old. The young Montreal based singer already has an impressive resume. She sang several sold-out shows at the Montreal Jazz Festival when she was just 12 years old. She’s gone on to release a couple recordings in both the jazz and pop genres. Because of her scatting ability, she’s been compared to Ella Fitzgerald. Tough shoes to fill. But her scatting is absolutely remarkable for such a young singer. Sure, her voice lacks the depth of a more mature vocalist, but her range and poise are uncanny. Give her a few years and I think she’s going to be famous. Her career also wasn’t hurt when she sang to a worldwide audience at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. All I can say is, “Canada, you’ve got talent”!

A Heavenly Voice

2010-09-10T12:02:00.002-04:00

To say Angel Taylor has a gorgeous voice is an understatement. She has a nice range and has a powerful, soulful tone. Angel started out singing in coffee houses in Southern California. A few weeks before her freshman year in college, she made contact with producer Mikal Blue. He eventually got her signed with Aware/Columbia Records, and helped produce her first cd, Love Travels, which was released in 2009. Her songs are sort of folky pop tunes with catchy lyrics. It’s pretty refreshing to hear a new young singer who isn’t totally overproduced.

If The Shoe Fits…

2010-09-03T14:37:00.002-04:00

Clogs is a classically-trained foursome who met at Yale in the late 90s. Their music is a compelling mix of chamber, jazz, and post-rock. In iTunes, under the Genre heading, they’re tagged as unclassifiable and when you hear their music, that makes a lot of sense. Some of their tunes are pure chamber music, while other selections have a film soundtrack quality them. The group has five recordings to date and they’re all consistently excellent.

It’s Back to School Time

2010-08-27T12:05:00.002-04:00

School of Seven Bells is the brainchild of Ben Curtis and features the dreamy vocals of twin sisters Claudia and Alejandra Deheza. The group debuted in 2007 and has two recordings to their credit. Their music is full of catchy hooks, and hum-along melodies. It’s somewhat spacey and full of electronic psychedelica. It’s hard to compare them with anyone else; you’ll just have to judge them for yourself. (Forgive the sound quality on the live performance—it’s the best I could find on youtube.)

Hard to Beat

2010-08-20T08:46:00.002-04:00

And hard to describe. The group Beats Antique blends such a mind boggling and diverse mix of sounds, it makes one’s head spin. Balkan wedding music, Middle Eastern belly dancing, flamenco, hip-hop, and more, all underpinned by heavy dance beats and electronica. The group is comprised of David Satori (guitar, saz, viola, and percussion), Sidecar Tommy Cappel (keys, toy piano, drums, and percussion), and Zoë Jakes (belly dancer, composer, and arranger). As you can imagine, they produce quite a variety of sounds, from rich and complex, to dance tunes reminiscent of those you’ve heard at Greek and Jewish weddings. Classical belly dance music meets the 21st century. They look like they’d be an absolute blast to see live. There are a ton of Beats Antique vids on youtube. Check ’em out.

Extra! Extra!

2010-08-11T19:46:00.002-04:00

Eli “Paperboy” Reed is the latest example of a renewed interest in Motown-era R&B music making. As a young kid, growing up in Brookline, MA, Eli listened to his dad’s record collection of R&B, gospel, and blues music. He taught himself to play piano, guitar, and harmonica. Reed spent some time in Mississippi where he picked up his nickname, “Paperboy”, due to the newsboy-type hat he wore. Eli moved to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago. It was there where he met the soul singer Mitty Collier. He so impressed her he was invited to be the Minister of Music at her church. Reed eventually returned home where he put together his group the True Loves. His first recording was released in 2005 and he has since released a couple more excellent cds. The good news is that R&B is alive and well!

Pining for the Fjords

2010-08-06T11:45:00.003-04:00

Thomas Dybdahl is one of the most popular singers in Norway. Obviously, that doesn’t mean much here in the U.S. His voice has been compared to Nick Drake’s and Jeff Buckley’s. Not a bad comparison, however he definitely has his own sound. His songs deal for the most part with love and loss. Dybdahl released his first cd in 2000 and now has several recordings to his credit. He is starting to attract attention here in this country, but it certainly has been a long time coming. On a slightly different note, anyone get the obscure reference to the title of this blog entry?

Not Harsh, Karsh.

2010-08-01T09:21:00.001-04:00

Karsh Kale was born to Indian parents and grew up in the United States. His music is an original blend of beat-driven electronica and Indian folk. His first outing was with the group Tabla Beat Science and he released his own recording, Realize, in 2001. The song, Light Up the Love, on this cd has to be one of the most beautiful love songs I’ve ever heard. Although it’s not sung in English, the subtle, sensual power of love come shining through. Kale is an incredible tabla player and he’s played extensively with the group Midival Punditz and other like-minded groups.

Horsing Around

2010-07-22T21:56:00.001-04:00

The New Young Pony Club is my pick for this summer’s cruising around with the top down on a hot summer evening band. Their music has a nice, dancy beat, sparse instrumentation that has a Talking Heads feel, talky vocals, and simple lyrics. The perfect combination for mindless background music. The London-based group put out their first cd in 2005 and just released their second recording this year. Play them a couple times and their music really grows on you. Not bad music for working out too, either.

Nuts To You!

2010-07-19T21:12:00.003-04:00

This is going to be a short and sweet review. Okay, maybe not sweet. We're talking about the group Bullitnuts. There's almost nothing on the internet about them. So I'll just give you a brief description of their music and post a few of their songs. They're a spacey, techno, drum & bass, ambient group with a funky edge to their music. I discovered them on Soma-FM on their Groove Salad channel. I looked up their music on amazon.com and was surprised at how much their cds go for. A hundred bucks for a used cd? Wow! Anyway, they only put out three cds in the late 1990s and apparently broke up in 1999. But with the quality of their music, you'd think there'd be reissues. Oh well. Have to turn to youtube to hear any of their recordings. What a shame.

Caro Mia

2010-07-12T21:17:00.001-04:00

Caroline van der Leeuw is a Dutch singer who I recently discovered. Not exactly a catchy musical name. So she understandably records under the name Caro Emerald. She studied music, focusing on jazz, at the conservatory in Amsterdam, and went on to work as a vocal coach. In 2009, she had a big hit in the Netherlands, “Back it up”. As my daughter pointed out, what’s a big hit in a country of, what 3 million people? She does have a point, but in all fairness, this woman can sing. Her music is reminiscent of 1920s Parisian swing. It’s fun, listenable, and catchy. It’s so new, there isn’t a lot available. But enjoy. I think there’s a lot more coming.

Mad About Madeleine.

2010-07-02T17:30:00.001-04:00

The first time I heard Madeleine Peyroux I thought to myself, “Sounds like a cleaned up engineering-wise) version of an old Billy Holiday tune. But upon listening closer, she has her own sound and phrasing. Peyroux was born in Athens, GA, but was raised in Southern California, Brooklyn, and Paris. She started busking on the streets of the Latin Quarter when she was just 15. Her first recording, “Dreamland”, was released in 1996 and is absolutely flawless. It features a group of first-rate jazz musicians, who underplay, which helps showcase her unique voice. Most of the tunes are covers, but also has three original Peyroux compositions. For some unknown reason, she didn’t release another recording for eight years. Her subsequent recordings feature an increasing number of originals and are every bit as good as her first cd.

Eek! A Mouse!

2010-06-19T10:51:00.001-04:00

The experimental group Mice Parade is the brainchild of Adam Pierce. They’re not a new group, but they’re one of those groups that I discovered, acquired some of their music, and then promptly forgot about. The other day I put them on and said to myself, “These guys are great! Why haven’t I been listening to them?” Mice Parade combines elements of jazz, folk, rock and their own genre-bending sound. Most of their early releases are instrumental, but more recently they feature vocals. The instrumentation includes acoustic guitar, keyboards, excellent percussion, vibes, and a whole plethora of other instruments. And their songs are rich and complex. Quite unique. In fact, the only group that I could compare them to is Anathallo. Another personal favorite group that I reviewed earlier. I wouldn’t describe them as the mouse that roared, but one that purred.

Out of This World

2010-06-04T23:19:00.003-04:00

Galaxy 500 is one of my favorite oldies but goodies. They formed in the mid-80s in Boston and were a precursor to both the shoegazer and slowdive movements. Vocalist and guitarist Dean Wareham was the driving force behind the group. Their music is droney, dark, and subtle. Wareham’s voice isn’t for everyone. I guess it’s what you might call an acquired taste. But this group was sadly overlooked in its day. They did a bunch of recording for the Rough Trade label. But by the time Wareham decided to disband the group, the label went bust. Several years later, Rykodisc bought their entire oeuvre and released it on a box set. Dean went on to form Luna, which continued to carry the Galaxy 500 torch. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Note: If you enjoy the music, a ton of it is available on youtube. Search words: “Galaxy” and “Dean Wareham Luna”.

One Cool Cat

2010-05-28T09:31:00.002-04:00

Harry Manx is a unique blend of Indian and Canadian folksy-blues. (I know, that sounds like a pretty odd description). East meets West seems to be somewhat cliché but it’s really to only way to describe his music. His gravelly, soulful voice is emotive and is in a class by itself. You can pick it out the second you hear it. And he accompanies himself on a multitude of stringed instruments—from guitar and lap steel to the Indian Mohan Veena. Harry’s musical journey has taken him around the world. He was born on the Isle of Mann and has lived in Japan, India and Brazil and now calls Canada home. But through it all, he’s managed to record some truly amazing music. A lot of his stuff is available and free to download from the CBC website. I encourage you to check it out. If you need help tracking it down, feel free to email me and I’ll send you some links.

Ten Years After

2010-05-14T10:36:00.002-04:00

It’s hard to believe Olive’s last release was ten years ago. Their music still sounds fresh today. The group consisted of producers Tim Kellett and Robin Taylor-Firth along with vocalist Ruth-Ann Boyle. Their music is sort of psychedelic-soul mixed with a bit of trip-hop. Their entire oeuvre is a paltry three cds, the first, “Extra Virgin” was released in 1996 and their last, “Trickle” sadly was released in 2000. Boyle has a hauntingly beautiful voice with a remarkable range, which plays nicely along with the electronic beats and spacey effects backing her up. Almost all their songs feature brilliant production and overdubbing. I really can’t understand why the group was so short lived. The song “Curious” should have vaulted them to international fame, but alas, they’ve been brushed into the ashcan of obscurity.

Not So Fast

2010-05-07T09:33:00.002-04:00

Slow Six is a modern minimalist classical group led by Christopher Tignor. The quintet is based in New York City and has produced three distinct cds to date. The “crossover” group borrows a bit from John Cage infused with pleasant electronic sounds, strings, guitar, and keyboards. Their music is quiet, subtly complex, and very melodic. If you enjoy Brian Eno’s Music for Airports,” and groups like the Dirty Three, then this is definitely your cup of tea.

A Really Big Shoe

2010-04-23T09:47:00.002-04:00

Just when you thought Shoegazer was dead, along comes the group Engineers. For those of you not familiar with the term, Shoegazer refers to a style of downtempo music shere the group comes out, and plays with little emotion or movement and stares down at their shoes. Hence the word, Shoegazer. Engineers were formed in London in 2003 and have a dreamy, atmospheric sound to their music. If one had to describe them, I guess you could say they’re a cross between the Beach Boys and early Pink Floyd. Unusual combination? You bet. Their songs have an odd familiarity to them. It’s like you’ve heard them before, but I can guarantee, they’re all originals.

Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Jonsi

2010-04-17T10:23:00.002-04:00

If you’re a fan of Sigur Ros then you probably enjoy the band’s lead singer Jonsi. (Sorry, I can’t figure out how to add all the bizarre Nordic accent marks). Anyway, he’s released two cds over the last couple of years and they’re a study in contrasts. The first was a collaboration with his boyfriend Alex Somers, and is quite stunning. The album is titled “Riceboy Sleeps” and the titles comes from the fact that at the time, Alex was down on his luck and ate a lot of rice and spent much of his time sleeping. It’s moody and atmospheric and is dreamy without being boring. It features layers of acoustic instruments and a children’s choir and rarely does Jonsi’s voice appear. At times it almost sounds like something you’d hear in church. The second cd is a solo project called “Go” and it’s just about the polar opposite of his first recording and that of Sigur Ros. It’s happy and jumpy with a strong dancy beat. I’m not sure if he’s singing in Icelandic or the made up language he uses in Sigur Ros and several of the tunes are in English. I really enjoy both recordings and have been playing them over and over—rather addicting.

The Queen of Swing

2010-04-09T14:57:00.003-04:00

The Susie Arioli Swing Band from Montreal sure knows its way around the music of the 30’s and 40’s. The group consists of two guitarists, a stand-up bass, and a snare drum, all backing up the charming Susie Arioli on vocals. Actually, Susie plays the snare, not so much to add rhythm but to give her something to do with her hands, she confesses. The combination of instruments sounds odd, but it sure seems to work. Her voice is silky smooth, and she doesn’t employ some of the usual tricks other jazz singers use. She sings the songs pretty straight forward, but they sure make you want to tap your foot. Susie and her group opened for Ray Charles at the Montreal Jazz Festival back in the last century (I love writing that), and the rest is history. Growing up she listened to Nina Simone, Chet Baker, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Billy Holliday, but her sound is all her own. Another wonderful musical gift from our Canadian neighbors!

Dosh Darn it All

2010-04-02T09:10:00.003-04:00

Martin Dosh is literally a one-man band. Growing up in Minneapolis, he started taking piano lessons when he was three, switched to drums in his mid-teens, and eventually returned to the keyboards in his early twenties. He’s played in a couple bands and toured with the amazing Andrew Bird for a year. Through the magic of loops, he can make a complete bandful of music. But he doesn’t use tricks for trick’s sake—his music is rich, tuneful, and playful. And it’s great fun to watch him perform.

In the videos I’ve included, Dosh is technically a two-man band. But he does most of the heavy lifting.

Mo Betta Movits!

2010-03-26T11:09:00.003-04:00

Mix some hip-hop with swing, and sing it in the goofiest sounding language on the planet, Swedish, and you’ve got Movits! I don’t know a thing about this group except, once you hear them, you’ll be shouting, “Swing, Sven, Swing”! They did appear on the “Colbert Report”, so I’m not the only one who’s heard of them. As you can imagine, it’s pretty hard to describe this group. They only have one CD out and I’m not sure how easy it is to find. But give them a listen and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. They’re pretty unique and they’re a whole lot of fun. I imagine they get the crowd on their feet dancing, whenever they play live.

P.S. After listening to Movits! a couple more times, I'm pretty sure they're not singing/speaking in Swedish. I think it's all gibberish, like the "Vout" that Slim Gaillard was doing back in the 40's and 50's. It's still a hoot.

Simply Astonishing

2010-03-20T11:05:00.003-04:00

That’s just about the only way to describe the piano playing of Hiromi. I had the good fortune to see her play last night and her performance was nothing short of breathtaking. She played mostly original compositions, and thoroughly charmed the audience. Her playing ranged to blazing, powerful runs similar to McCoy Tyner to soft delicate passages that are totally her own style. On stage she’s bursting with enthusiasm and smiles the entire time she’s playing. At times, she gets so into the music she stands up and continues playing.

And her technique is so remarkable, the audience burst into applause mid-song, several times. They also didn’t wait to the end to give her a standing ovation—they rose to their feet after almost every song. Her approach to playing is at times irreverent—at one point she placed something metallic on the strings to make the piano sound like a harpsichord while she riffed on Pachelbel's Canon. While playing a bluesy tune, she reached into the piano board and plucked to lower strings and did a long bass run. I kept trying to compare her to other pianists, but in the end, I just have to say, she sounds like Haromi.

A Beautiful Melody

2010-03-13T13:31:00.002-05:00

The story of Melody Gardot is truly an example of the human spirit triumphing over adversity. When she was 19, she attended a fashion school in Philadelphia. While riding her bike to school, she was struck by a car and left for dead. While recovering in the hospital over a several month period, she wrote and recorded a number of songs, which would eventually become the EP Some Lessons. It was through her music that she persevered and recovered. Today, Melody is hypersensitive to light and noise and she walks with a cane. She also needs a special electronic unit to help suppress her pain. In spite of all this, she continues to record and perform live.

Her voice and phrasing are both elegant and subtle. And it has a touch of innocence that reminds me of Doris Day. Her songwriting is mature and insightful. I’m surprised she isn’t better known. If she keeps making recordings as fine as her first three, I think that’s about to change.

Crazy Guggenheim

2010-03-05T10:18:00.003-05:00

The Guggenheim Grotto--an oddball name for an excellent duo from Ireland. Specifically, they’re Kevin May and Mick Lynch. As you’d expect from a group from Ireland, they feature great vocals, and their harmonies are hauntingly beautiful. Their songs are catchy folk/pop in nature and most of them have offbeat lyrics. On their recording “Happy the Man”, every tune is a hit. Many of them are earworms, and there isn’t a weak song among them. But Guggenheim Grotto is a group that you really need to see live.

My daughter bought us tickets for Christmas, and we saw them a week ago in Ann Arbor. What a fantastic show. They played just about every tune they’ve ever recorded and it was hard to believe that two musicians could produce such a full sound--at least like a quartet. And they told funny stories in between numbers. Kevin told one about how his five-year old nephew was singing along with the lyric to “Her Beautiful Ideas”. But instead of singing, “Let’s get naked and get under the sheets” he was singing, “Let’s get naked and get under the sheep”. Kids say the darnest things!

Oh my, Omar!

2010-02-26T11:11:00.003-05:00

Omar Sosa, the multi-instrumentalist from Cuba, began studying drums and percussion at the ripe old age of five. When he was in his teens, he taught percussion to young children before forming the group Tributo in 1986. Listening to his piano work, it’s hard to believe it isn’t his first instrument. Omars’s music runs the gamut from fiery Latin jazz to Keith Jarrett improvisations to World to meditative music promoting the concept of world peace. He’s worked with several vocalists in a number of groups, has produced several recordings, and has been nominated for a Latin Grammy. And to top it off, he’s just one cool dude.

Time Flies

2010-02-11T20:44:00.002-05:00

The Horse Flies have been around for a while. They originally formed back in 1979. They're a traditional American roots band with plenty of strings attached. But they also mix in everything from jazz to Caribbean rhythms. The Horse Flies released several albums of original music and then entered a period where they only produced original soundtracks. Well, they just released a new CD and it's a dandy. Welcome back, guys!

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Out of Africa

2010-02-05T12:14:00.002-05:00

Ayub Ogada, the Kenyan singer has been deeply involved in music since he was six years old. He was born to musician parents and went on the road with them at an early age. He eventually moved to London where he performed on the streets. He was invited to perform at Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD festival. He was also invited into Gabriel’s Realworld studios. Ogada has a soothing, mesmerizing voice and he plays the nyatiti—which is a lyre-like stringed instrument. If his voice sounds familiar, it may be because a couple of his songs were used in the film “The Constant Gardner”. His music is full of joy and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This, my friends, is what World Music is all about.

Please note: I’m going to try to update the blog a couple times a week. Probably Mondays and Fridays.

Soul Geek or Geek Soul?

2010-02-03T09:39:00.003-05:00

A nerdy white kid from Ann Arbor, Michigan singing soul? You bet. And he’s good! Mayer Hawthorne grew up listening to his dad’s classic Motown records and originally recorded his soul tunes as a joke. When they were played for the head of Stones Throw records, he thought they might be re-edits of older soul recordings. He eventually signed Hawthorne to a record contract and the rest is history. Think Smokey Robinson. This kid has chops to burn. When you’re watch his videos, it’s hard to match the voice to the person. A definite disconnect. Funny story: When he was interviewed on NPR, he told the interviewer she needed a “Mayer Hawthorne” name. He said, “Your middle name will be your new first name, and the street you grew up on will be your last name.” Now that’s nerdy!

Love to Haiti

2010-01-29T13:37:00.002-05:00

In response to the horrible devastation in Haiti, I thought I’d post some music by a Haitian artist. Emeline Michel hails from the island nation and is considered that country’s Queen of Song. Her style mixes traditional Haitian music with jazz, samba, bossa nova and calypso. Her voice is smooth and she sings in an effortless manner. Hearing her makes you want to hop on the next plane to the Caribbean. Especially when temperatures hover around 15 degrees.

If you haven’t already done so, please consider contributing to the relief effort for Haiti. Hopefully, the country will head in a positive direction once the rebuilding is over.

Some Tasty Stuff

2010-01-22T14:39:00.001-05:00

Lemon Jelly is a spacey electronica duo made up of Nick Franglen and Fred Deakin that I discovered by accident. Deacon is a DJ as well as a designer and Franglen is a producer who has worked with Primal Scream and Bjork. They mix synths, guitar and drum beats with found sounds and recorded robot-like voices to create a mesmerizing, hypnotic sound. Their laid back music is perfect for late night listening and is pretty trippy at times. I don’t really know that much about the group so I’m not going to ramble on and on about them.

Is This a New Avon Product?

2010-01-16T10:21:00.001-05:00

Soap & Skin. Sounds like a beauty product to me. In reality, it’s a singer who’s following in the tradition of Iron & Wine, Sea & Cake, City & Colour with an offbeat handle. She grew up on a pig farm in Austria (I’m not making this up) and has an incredible future in store for her—she’s only 19! Her voice and style of music are somewhat reminiscent of Bjork—and that’s a good thing in my book. Some of her tunes challenge the listener, but her voice is always powerful and engaging. I can’t wait for her to do a tour of the States—I’d love to hear her live. And I think I can explain the unusual moniker. Her real name is Anja Plaschg.

An RIP Holiday

2010-01-09T11:02:00.004-05:00

First, I heard that Vic Chestnutt died over the Holidays. Then I heard that Lhasa died on New Years Day. What a sad holiday for music buffs. Lhasa’s full name was Lhasa de Sela and she grew up with some amazing parents. Lhasa spent her early childhood traveling around the US and Mexico in a converter school bus, with her parents and her brothers and sisters. How cool would that be? They spent many evenings singing around the campfire singing. She totally embraced her Mexican heritage and her first couple cds have a definite Mexican influence. But they’re much more than Latin—they have a New-Age/World Music edge to them. While they’re hard to classify, they’re also very listenable. One thing you’ve got to remember, I’m a huge Bjork fan. So you might like Lhasa if you share my taste in music. Her last cd is in English, which in my opinion, somewhat detracts from her charm. However, Lhasa died soon after she released the cd after a long battle with cancer, so in my opinion this is in her way of saying, “Goodbye.” Goodbye, to a wonderful spirit.

P.S. I heard that it snowed in Montreal for 40 straight hours after Lhasa passed away. I think she would have liked that.

“Tap into the future!”

2009-12-30T12:15:00.002-05:00

If you know where that quote’s from, you get 10 points. But I digress. The subject is Carlos Vamos, whom I discovered while surfing the net. I really don’t know a thing about him, I just know he’s an astonishing guitarist from the tapping school. I posted another tap style guitarist, Erik Mongrain a while back, who’s equally talented. I’d have to say Erik is the McCoy Tyner of guitar, while Carlos would have to be the Bill Evans of said instrument. His playing is precise yet delicate. My one question is, why is this guy not a household name?

K’Naan is O’Kay

2009-12-19T11:02:00.003-05:00

I normally don’t listen to much hiphop, but in the case of K’Naan, I’ll make an exception. He was born in war-torn Somalia but moved with his family to Harlem when he was 13. He eventually settled in Ontario. K’Naan performed at the 50th anniversary celebration of the UN in Geneva, where he chastised the world community for not doing more to stop the violence in his homeland. It was at this performance where he was discovered by Youssou N’Dour. His music is very melodic and he has a distinctive voice. Most of his songs have a strong African tinge to them, and include an appeal for peace.

The Old Vic

2009-12-04T14:48:00.002-05:00

I wasn’t familiar with Vic Chesnutt before I heard he was to perform here in the Detroit area. So I got on line to sample some of his music and was totally blown away. He’s a singer/songwriter from that hotbed of new music, Athens, Georgia. Vic was in a serious car accident 18 years ago, which rendered him partially paralyzed from the neck down. He’s a wonderful guitarist, but it takes a great deal of effort for him to play. His current group consists of Guy Picciotto, Fugazi’s guitarist along with members of A Silver Mt. Zion and Godspeed You Black Emperor. If you’re familiar with these groups you might not think they’d blend well with Vic’s style. But they compliment him perfectly. His music is dark at times and full of joy at others—and his lyrics are quirky and offbeat. He’s got quite an interesting voice and attending one of his shows is almost like a religious experience. I’ve included a clip with a group that’s close to his current band as well as a 26 minute solo performance that’s part of the “Tiny Desk Concert” series on NPR. Over the years, Vic has recorded with everyone from Lambchop to Bill Frisell to Elf Power.

It’s a Bear!

2009-11-19T15:13:00.003-05:00

It’s a real bear finding any information on the group(?) Pandatone. After searching the net, about all I could find is that Pandatone is a project of Trevor Sias and that he lives in New York. His music mixes found sounds, electronica, acoustic guitar and occasionally, voice. The singer Julianna Barwick has a soft, understated voice and adds to the relaxing, quiet atmosphere of the CD “Happy Together, Pandatone’s latest release. The music is perfect for a late-night conversation over a glass of wine. Everything I’ve heard from Pandatone is gentle, smart, and lush. If you could describe it in one word, I guess I’d call it folktronica. While it's slow triphop, it’s also very organic.

P.S. If anyone has more information on Pandatone, please let me know.

A Magical Experience

2009-11-06T17:42:00.003-05:00

The group Here We Go Magic is the concept of Luke Temple and is definitely hard to describe. Musically, the New York based quartet is all over the map—from Afro-Pop to Trance to Psychedelia to Indie-Rock. Despite the wide-ranging influences, all the songs on their self-titled debut album have one thing in common—they all have a hypnotic edge to them. The vocals are superb and uniformly beautiful. The guitars are repetitive which adds to the hypnotic effect. I must say, these songs are very addictive. On first hearing, you might find them boring. But give them a couple listens and I think they’ll make their way into your current play list.

Attention Nick Drake Fans

2009-10-30T15:00:00.001-04:00

Did you ever wish he were still alive? Or at the very least, someone would discover a huge cache of his unreleased music? Well, I recently made a great discovery. I was watching the film “Away We Go” and noticed a blurb on the DVD box that read something to the effect of, you’ll enjoy the beautiful, original soundtrack. As I listened I thought to myself, hey, all they did was lift a bunch of Nick Drake tunes. How the heck is that original? Well, lo and behold, after doing some research, I found out the soundtrack was actually by a newcomer, Alexi Murdoch. The Scottish folky has a soft, tender voice and his songwriting reminds me of where Nick Drake would be if he were still around. He only has two releases, “Time Without Consequence” and “Away We Go.” They’re both excellent.

These Guys Are Nuts!

2009-10-23T12:50:00.002-04:00

I discovered the Canadian indie group, The Acorn, about a year ago and I just love their sound. Their music sounds like what the Talking Heads would be producing, if they were still around. The Acorn is very percussive and features excellent, slightly off-beat vocals. The title of their first full-length recording, “Glory Hope Mountain” is an approximate translation of the singer Rolf Klausener’s mom’s name--Gloria Esperanza Montoya. Several of the tunes including “Flood” have a definite Honduran influence. But, uniformly, the whole album is outstanding. I’d have to give it a five out of five star rating. If The Acorn was an American group, I’m sure they’d be riding the charts.

Genre Bender?

2009-10-15T17:02:00.004-04:00

When I first listened to The Antlers, I thought they sounded like Noise Rock. Then as I got further into the recording, they sounded more folky. So I guess they'd have to be called Noise Folk (have I coined a new term?). The lead singer, Peter Silberman, has a sweet falsetto voice, which reminds me of Jeff Buckley. And the songs are frequently quiet and gentle, with the occasional infusion of blistering layers of guitar and various noises. But overall, the music is very contemplative and peaceful, and is usually fairly stripped down with a minimal amount of instrumentation. The Brooklyn-based singer started recording solo in his bedroom, but has expanded to include a full group. (He actually made a recording “The February Tape”, in a bathtub in just an hour.) I haven’t heard it, but I do enjoy his more recent music.

Little Jackie=Big Fun

2009-10-09T21:08:00.004-04:00

I’m not into rap. Okay. That said, I’m a huge fan of Little Jackie. I’d classify them as a combo of rap, R&B, and dance. They’ve got great vocals, excellent back-up musicians, and nice sense of humor. Listen to “The World Should Revolve Around Me”, and I think you’ll hop on the proverbial bandwagon. Here is a sample of their lyrics: "This kind of knowledge can cause a depression_So I bide my time with philosophical questions_Not for nothing, but what came first?_The chicken nugget or the Egg McMuffin?" I'd just like to know, when are they coming into town. They'd be great to see live!

Got stories?

2009-10-01T09:37:00.004-04:00

James McMurtry has, that’s for sure. The Texas singer/songwriter is the son of novelist Larry McMurtry and an English professor mom. While that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a good singer, it does lend him some songwriting skills. At first blush, he sounds pretty country. But if you’re not a huge fan of the genre, like me, you have to look beyond the southern twang of his voice. His songs are like finely-crafted short stories. They range from kids bragging about leaving their small town, to depictions of a visit to his grandparents on Memorial Day. All imbued with a wry sense of humor. Think of him as sort of a Texas version of Bruce Cockburn. And his voice has a homey, old pair of boots sound to it. It does grow on you.

Call of the Wild

2009-09-18T12:09:00.002-04:00

Tanya Tagaq is a singer that defies description. She’s categorized as an Inuit throat singer from Nunavut, Canada but she’s much more that that. While she sings in a traditional, aboriginal style, she also blends contemporary sound with her voice. You can find her on a couple Bjork cds including the soundtrack to Drawing Restrain and has toured with her as well. Her voice takes a bit of getting used to and could be listed under the challenging listening category. The first brief video has her vocalizing a seal hunt—hard to imagine, but check it out. It’s absolutely riveting. The second is a short documentary of Tanya working with the Kronos Quartet. Explore more of her music on Youtube. Her voice is pretty amazing, and yes, it’s pretty wild as well.

Before there was New Age music…

2009-09-10T11:07:00.002-04:00

A friend introduced me to the music of Stephan Micus in the late 1970s, well before the term “New Age” was around. At the time we dubbed this type of music, ethereal. Stephan was a pioneer, and continues to be one today. He has spent his life traveling the world collecting rare and unusual ethnic/folk instruments from various cultures. Through the miracle of multi-tracking, his recordings sound like they’re produced by a small ensemble. Even though some of the music he produces sounds electronic, Stephan is a stickler for all things acoustic. His music is relaxing and meditative and often features subtle chanting, without being boring. And since his music is on Manfred Eicher’s ECM label, they’re virtually flawless. I hadn’t listened to him in years for whatever reason. But a couple days ago, I heard mention of his name and had another go at his music. Once again I was thoroughly captivated by him. I’ve posted two examples of his studio recordings (since his live music doesn’t feature overdubbing). I think you'll enjoy him.

Ya Gotta Like Mike!

2009-08-24T21:58:00.003-04:00

If you like energetic folkies like Howie Day, Niell Finn, Newton Falkner, and Justin Nezuka, then you'll like Mike Doughty. His music has plenty of soul, catchy hooks, and best of all, irreverent lyrics. And I really enjoy his sound. They've used his songs for "Grey's Anatomy," so he does have some street cred! Heck, I may be late to the Mike Doughty party, but I'll bet you're later! Just saying. Stay tuned.

I’ve Got Fever

2009-08-20T20:23:00.003-04:00

As in Fever Ray. It’s not actually a group, but a side project of Knife's Karin Dreijer. It shares some of the musical flair of Knife, but seems to be a bit warmer and inviting—if that’s possible from a pretty cold, science-fictiony sounding group. I remember the first time I saw Peter Gabriel with Genesis on TV and though, well this is sort of creepy. Same with Weather Report live.

Fever Ray could easily fit into the stable of 4 A.D. groups from the early 80s. They have a dark, quiet, and haunting sound like Dead Can Dance and This Mortal Coil. And Dreijer has a lovely voice. The instrumentation is pretty sparse, and seems to be there just to accent the vocals. As with many of the groups I enjoy, they have a sound that’s hard to describe, and are unlike anything you’ve ever heard before.

Sorry about the dupe on the song. Fever Ray is too new to have a lot of songs on Youtube.

Need more?

2009-08-13T23:04:00.002-04:00

If you enjoy any of the music I like, here are a few places where you can discover some incredible tuneage on your own. One is the excellent music show on the CBC called “The Signal” hosted by Laurie Brown. The second is SOMA-FM--a website that streams several channels of great music, from electronica to chill, to spy music. Here are the links:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ (Click on The Signal with Laurie Brown)

http://somafm.com/

Enjoy!

Let’s Talk Soul

2009-08-12T23:10:00.004-04:00

Alana Davis. I really don’t know why she hasn’t caught on. She’s got a wonderful voice. I saw her briefly in concert, where she had issues and left the stage after two songs. But she was great and I hope to see her again. However, whatever her issues were, she was great. Alana proved to me in a few minutes that she can belt out a tune. You really can’t compare her with anyone else that I can think of. Her voice compels you to want to get up, grab someone, and and dance. One thing I must say, Alana has a lot more poise, maturity, and soul than a lot of the pretty young things that are trying to pass themselves as the next Aretha. This chick’s got it. Sorry kids--give it a couple of years or so. In the mean time, I suggest you listen to Alana for some lessons. This woman can sing.