TOP 10 BRITISH COMEDIES OF RECENT YEARS:

1. Brasseye
2. Jam
3. I’m Alan Partridge
4. Nathan Barley
5. The ‘It’ Crowd
6. Garth Merenghi’s Dark Place
7. Man To Man With Dean Learner
8. Extras
9. Saxondale
10. The Office

Also....The Mighty Boosh, AD/BC, Spaced, Black Books, The Day Today, The League Of Gentlemen, The Armando Lanucci Show, Nighty Night.

I cannot honestly explain any of these to you. They are just brilliant, awesome, cutting edge and completely hilarious. Please explore.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO AT THE MOMENT:

• The Chills - Kaleidoscope World
• Black Flag - My War
• Pete & The Pirates - Little Death
• Ya Ho Wa 13 - Golden Sunrise
• Tom Rush - Wrong End Of The Rainbow
• The Shadows - S/T
• Bobby Fuller Four - I Fought The Law
• Les Baxter - The Ritual Of The Savage
• Cleaners From Venus - Midnight Cleaners

Bobb Trimble - Iron Curtain Innocence
Be good to yourself!

Death in June - Brown Book (20th Anniversary Reissue)
Best packaging ever. Must see it (and hold it in your hands) yourself. And a very very good, timeless album inspired by beauty and war. More ‘80s rock that don’t suck balls... Guaranteed.

Bastard Noise - No Skulls Left Unturned
A phenomenally cohesive collection of varied sonic/visual artifacts from pioneering So-Cal noise sculptors. An awesome treat for the already initiated and great introduction for future SKULL SERVANTS.

Necro - Death Rap
Many people hate on/ignore/avoid this gore’n’porn-obsessed NYC rapper/ producer/fi lmmaker, but they’re DEAD wrong. In my opinion this self-proclaimed scumbag is THE BEST rapper in the world and a beyond decent producer, busting out dark & heavy hitting late 90’s style hardcore RAP. This album is his magnum opus, thus far... No it’s NOT real hip hop, it is DEATH RAP. Seriously though... If ‘Mutilate The Beat’ is not the bangingest 2 minutes with the most mercillessly rapidfire lyrical delivery out there, then I really don’t know what is... It’s knuckle-headed, macho, vile, sexist, anti-human and anti-life. AND it’s fucking genius. Sure it’s hit & miss, but when it hits it’s positively deadly.

Hacavitz - Katon
Mexican based horde of blackened death metal maniacs. Ungodly/inhuman musical urgency & intensity. Unholy/posessed vocal delivery. Unusually raw, murky, almost dungeonlike ‘production’. Not very friendly stuff. Not very pretty. Antihuman ultrabrutality at its finest. Props & devilhorns.

Darkthrone - F.O.A.D.
The album title itself (as in Fuck Off And Die) is worthy of worship. These Norwegian veterans just don’t give a damn what anyone might think or expect of them. From the ‘grimmest band on earth’ to garage metal riffmeisters - both an evolution AND devolution. I take it AS IS, no questions asked.

Geronimo - S/T
Well, I must admit I appear on this for like 20 seconds. Regardless of that setback, this is a peerless desolate-space-noise-dirgecore masterwork that should be digested in
contemplative solitary confi nement. David Yow goes off on a psychogenius tangent towards the end... - now that’s one vokilliholic outburst to behold.

Gescom - A1-D1
Shame shame shame. No AUTECHRE record this year. That’s just SO WRONG. Well... Ookay, I’ll shut up for now. We got some new GESCOM jams to help misdisintegrate/ reorganizize our misdismalfunctioneering cranial circuitry. Thank lordy. Or, whothehelleverelse is responsible.

Allerseelen - Hallstatt
An Austrian group that’s categorized as goth/industrial but does not sound like anybody else out there. Lot’s of deliberately militaristic repetition, mournfully desolate atmospheres and obsessively introspective gazing into the inevitable spiritual void. There you go. Look ‘em up on myspace or whatever. I also really enjoy their 2001 album ‘Venezia’... I forgot many others. Save some for next time, ehh?

Other / P.S. I love you stuff: Love thyself like there’s no tomorrow. ‘Cuz there ain’t.

Zodiac - Directors Cut DVD
By far the best movie of the year. The academy was too scared to let this one in race.

The King DVD
great movie.

Michael Clayton DVD

Dirtbombs - We Have You Surrounded

Pulp Fusion: Africa Funk – various
An amazing 2-CD collection featuring the best of African Funk and Jazz. Tracks from Manu Dibango, Oneness of Ju Ju, Tony Allen, Lafayette Afro Rock Band and loads more.

Burnt Friedman - First Night Forever
Latin percussion, strings, accordion, synthesizers weld to create something between calm and chaos, matte black and gloss white, dubbed- fuzed jazz and orchestral electronic. I find myself coming back again and again.

His Name is Alive - Sweet Earth Flower: A Tribute to Marion Brown
On this release, His Name is Alive honor the music of Marion Brown, free jazz saxophonist, composer, and one of the great innovators of New Music. Something altogether unexpected and wonderfully received.

Aretha Franklin - Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul
This double CD of sultry, steamy soul is saturated with demos, outtakes, b-sides and alternative versions from Aretha’s Atlantic years 1966-74.

Holy Fuck - LP
Come along for a wild, raw, noisy groovy, ride.

Clutchy Hopkins - Walking Backwards
Ubiquity debut from a very mysterious mult-instrumentalist. Worth investigating.

Zealous Records Presents Soul Sides Vol. 2: The Covers - various artists
A funky, soulful collection of favorites (and not so familiar tracks) covered by Spanky Wilson, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Marcia Griffi ths, Al Green and others. Nice.

Roberta Flack - First Take
If you love classic soul, and you haven’t heard Roberta’s 1969 debut for Atlantic Records, now is the time. Timeless, smart and sexy.

The Duke Spirit - Neptune
Good stuff!

Devotchka - a mad & faithful telling
to be innovative these days is truly difficult. it’s all been done, after all. but not this. the instrumentation and the intelligent lyrics make this one of the most refreshing records this year. sousaphone, accordion, piano, bouzouki, trumpet, percussion and a theremin!! (yeah.). it’s a gypsy mariachi punk folk band with indie sensibilities. and a lead singer who brings it all together. you’ll love this record.

Guilty Simpson - ode to the ghetto
from stone’s throw records - always delivering the fl ava :) always puttin’ the good shit out. detroit’s “hardcore poet” spits grit and grime and won’t back down. madlib produced. J DILLA protege. hold onto your muthafuckin’ eardrums!

Sharon Jones - one hundred days, one hundred nights
sharon and the dap kings are simply a delight. all soulful spank, jitterbug raucous, playful serious, and PURE FUNK!

Liam Finn - i’ll be lightning
i’m definitely a sucker for the pop hooks and the sweet voices. i love the finn brothers in all incarnations. and this second generation finn is keeping the tradition alive and well. just good pop songwriting that feels intimate without being heavy or sentimental. this record is so infectious and listenable. it is completely fun without being fluffy.

Teddy Thompson - upfront & down low
i first heard teddy thompson singing harmony with his pops on tour. the song that hit me was “persuasion”. his sweet, sincere, crystal vocals caught me offguard. his ability to resonate emotion through his voice. this record pays homage to country music in such a way that is so....pure, it is disarming. that someone so young (and from england not tennessee) can interpret these songs without simply imitating---with REALLY understanding the emotion behind them, is amazing. the warmth he brings to these classic country songs will melt you.

Brett Dennan - so much more
(see above reference to sweet voices and wistful songs.....). his soulful phrasing is arresting. there is deep melancholy dripping all through this record and he “sings like a girl”. but i think that’s a compliment. :)

The Redwalls - self-titled
unapologetic ROCK and ROLL! just put it on and PLAY IT LOUD. these guys may not be the most original, but they have spunk. yeah, i like their spunk.

Holy Fuck - self-titled
lo-fi electronic chaos. YES! crunchy good stuff. really. it’s good. really.

I’m Not There - soundtrack
as eclectic as the movie, but a little easier to slide into. a swooping collection of bob dylan tracks done by a host of innovative and surprising interpreters--from stephen malkmus to cat power to willie nelson & calexico. a haunting rendition of “knockin’ on heaven’s door’ by antony & the johnsons pierces right through you.

Pete Rock - NY’s finest
drpping thick producer and cratedigger, pete rock has been doin’ the do since the ‘90’s. i love the jazzy smoove vibe he has on this record. features little brother and redman among others. styles p rocks and so does raekwon and masta killa.

Andy Bey - ain’t necessarily so
one of the most underrated jazz voices, andy bey’s newest live album is smooth as a breve latte. like joe williams or johnny hartman, his voice is just.....pure silk. yet he is so remarkable in his musicianship and his ability to wrap himself around a song. Steven Bernstein - diaspora suite an original and adventurous composer. this is the fourth volume in his series for john zorn’s tzadik label. he has gathered some of the most talented bay area musicians together to create a work that echoes tradition as well as innovation. AND.....all my homies are on this record! :)

El Barrio: Sounds From The Spanish Harlem Streets - various artists
more amazing music from the fania label vaults. salsa and boogaloo from all the new york masters: ray barretto, tito puente, eddie palmieri, orchestra harlow and other gems from lesser known artists who packed just as much of a punch.

Lizz Wright - the orchard
sweet earthy soul/jazz chanteuse. lizz wright has more of a raw folk/blues feel to this record than her others. she cowrote many of the songs with toshi reagon, who plays and sings also. this record gets deeper with each listen. her voice has such sophistication for someone so young. she does an amazing version of bernice johnson reagon’s “hey mann”. and a heartbreaking rendition of “strange” to close out the album.

The Chapin Sisters - lake bottom lp
i don’t know if they are related to harry. OR tom. or if they are even sisters. but they have the most beautifully dark and delicious harmonies. sweet and soothing--until you listen a little closer to the words. then it becomes even more intriguing. careful, don’t drift off while they are singing--there is more there than sweet melodies that will seep into your psyche.

Strange Breaks & Mr. Thing - various artists
great collection of funk, soul, jazz songs for “modern living”. defi nitely funk-aay....!

The Million Dollar Orchestra -
better days bringin’ back the disco beat and the dance party is ON. slap it on and watch your feet MOVE.

The American Boogie Down - various Eccentric Soul: The Outskirts of Deep City - various artists
another gem in the numero uno label group’s amazing collection of rare and undiscovered music.

Ashford & Simpson - hits, remixes & rarities
these two totally rocked my world. more from the amazing RHINO archives coming out all the time. worth your trouble if you stumble on ‘em: frankie lymon, patti austin, joe tex, and way more. the rhino vaults rule!

Blind Boys of Alabama - down in new orleans
features allen toussaint, the preservation hall jazz band, and plenty of down home soul-infused gospel wailing and serenading. the real deal.

i also liked what everyone else liked too: Cat Power, Kelley Stoltz, She & Him, the entire Ethiopiques series (get them all. really.), Dungen, Buriel, There Will Be Blood (soundtrack). watch out for..... Jim, Son of James, The Dodos (out of SF), No Age, The Parson Red Heads, White Widow II and.... Lyrics Born - everywhere at once, Del - the eleventh hour, Ray Ricky Rivera - neighborhood fame

DVDs
Damages TV series season one.
glenn close is SO good. creepy and engaging.

Days of Heaven (Criterion Collection) DVD
one of the most beautiful films ever. (and i’m still in love with richard gere)

The Last Emperor (Criterion Collection) DVD

And – we’re excited to introduce AMOEBA RECORDS!
A place where the music that moves us can find the home it so richly deserves. It’s a logical extension of our stores and another way of sharing music with people who share our passion!

Out now and available at Amoeba Music:
Stephane Wrembel Trio w/ Special Guest David Grisman – Gypsy Rumble
Brandi Shearer & The Robin Nolan Trio – Rendezvous at the Nightery

Coming out Fall, 2006:
Gram Parsons Chronicles, Vol. I: Flying Burrito Brothers, Live ‘69
Brandi Shearer & Jim Campilongo Electric Trio