Allen Toussaint - The Bright Mississippi

Pianist, vocalist, producer, and composer Allen Toussaint has just begun his sixth decade as a professional musician, but his latest album The Bright Mississippi dips back into an era and music that pre-dates even his lengthy career. The seeds for the New Orleans native's recent album were planted when Toussaint played some off-the-cuff versions of Fats Waller and Professor Longhair tunes while working on other projects with producer Joe Henry. Fascinated by the imaginative rearrangements he heard, Henry gently prodded Toussaint to tackle a full album of songs that stretch back to the early days of jazz. 

Accompanied by a quintet that includes Don Byron on clarinet and Marc Ribot on guitar, The Bright Mississippi's dozen tunes include re-workings of songs by Sidney Bechet, King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Django Rheinhardt, and Thelonious Monk as well as standards made famous by Louis Armstrong. Though playing piano throughout this nearly all-instrumental album, Toussaint often acts as accompanist to the rest of the group, and both Byron and Ribot along with trumpeter Nicholas Payton manage to give their playing a traditional sound without making it seem academic. Pianist Brad Mehldau guests on a particularly sublime version of Jelly Roll Morton's "Winin' Boy Blues," while saxophonist Joshua Redman duets with Toussaint on a low key version of the Ellington Strayhorn tune "Day Dream."

Despite the high-powered sidemen, this is still first and foremost an Allen Toussaint record, and his piano playing here is a mini-lesson in early jazz and New Orleans music, from early two-step and ragtime rhythms right up through Professor Longhair. But more than that, The Bright Mississippi is Toussaint's acknowledgment of the music that helped to form his own unique sound and style.

Various Artists - Keep Your Soul: A Tribute to Doug Sahm

Not since Bob Wills first mixed country fiddles and big band horns has there been such an original from the state of Texas as the late, great Doug Sahm. His seemingly effortless combination of Tex-Mex, blues, country, jazz, and garage rock made for one of the most enjoyable sounds to come out of the 60s. It's this unique combination of styles that threads through Keep You Soul: A Tribute to Doug Sahm.

As with most compilations, there are a few misfires along the way, however the majority of the album's 14 tracks are fitting tribute to Sahm's originals. Among the highlights are Little Willie G's version of "She's About a Mover", with Ry Cooder's overdriven guitar replacing Augie Meyer's nasally Vox organ; Flaco Jimenez's bouncy take on "Ta Bueno Compadre", complete with Meyer's organ along for the ride this time, and Delbert McClinton's honky tonk stomp version of "Texas Me." Also making contributions are fellow Lone Star state native sons Alejandro Escovedo and Joe "King" Carrasco as well as Los Lobos, The Gourds, and a reunited version of Freda and the Firedogs featuring Louisiana pianist Marcia Ball. The final track is Shawn Sahm's dead-on version of his father's "Mendocino". It's maybe not the most imaginative of the lot, but it is an amazing tribute from a son to a father.

Demon in Disguise

After a career as a sideman that included accompanying the likes of everyone from Jerry Jeff Walker to Bob Dylan and Chubby Checker to Ringo Starr, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist David Bromberg went on to lead one of the most eclectic touring bands of the 1970s. Country, blues, folk, bluegrass, rock, R&B, Celtic, and a host of other styles would usually show up in an evening's set as well as a song or two most of the band had never heard, let alone played before. Sadly, by the 1980s and '90s Bromberg had pretty much quit performing, though in the last few years he's started making limited appearances and a few recordings - including this DVD.

Shot with a couple of cameras in a studio sans audience, Bromberg performs 20 songs that not only span his career, but also highlight some of his many influences. Limiting himself to a couple of acoustic guitars, Bromberg deftly picks everything from somber blues to syncopated ragtime, as well as pulling off covers from the likes of Dylan and Ray Charles.

Though he's never been considered a great singer, Bromberg manages to make the most of his limited voice by putting as much emotion as possible into each lyric. Even more compelling are Bromberg's song introductions, and it's here that his talents as a storyteller shine through. You can really hear the joy and passion in his voice as he recounts his first hearing of classic blues recordings, his days in the Greenwich Village of the 1960s, and meeting up with such blues legends as Lonnie Johnson and Freddie King. In one particularly funny story, Bromberg claims he almost lost an eye when blind blues legend Reverend Gary Davis started shooting off his newly acquired BB gun in the concrete basement of his house.

Now that Bromberg has pretty much given up life on the road, Demon in Disguise might be as close as you'll get to an intimate performance from one standout of the folk/blues scene.

Sugar Pie DeSanto - Go Go Power: The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966

Sugar Pie DeSanto is the Bay Area's secret weapon. This CD kicks ass throughout, highlighting all of her 45s for the Chess brothers' Checker, Argo, and Cadet subsidiaries. She tackles soul, R&B, blues, and even a bit of jazz in her inimitable style. She's sassy, raunchy, and powerful, with a great sense of humor throughout. I'm babbling. So just treat yourself to a copy. Key tracks: "In the Basement," "Soulful Dress," "Slip-In Mules (No High-Heel Sneakers)," "I Don't Wanna Fuss," and "Do I Make Myself Clear."

Pyramids - Lalibela / King of Kings / Birth / Speed / Merging

I first heard the Pyramids a coupla years back on the fantastic two-CD Idris Ackamoor anthology. Now I can finally hear the three original Pyramids albums in their entirety. Highly recommended if you like Afrocentric jazz. Surprise reissues of the year, so far!

Various Artists - Destroy That Boy! More Girls With Guitars

Volume Two in this series (the first is simply called Girls With Guitars) is a corker! I liked Volume One but this one blows it away. Every last tune is memorable. It didn't leave my CD player for almost two weeks (and that doesn't happen very often)! If you like the Girls In the Garage series from years back, you're sure to enjoy this as well.

The Rationals - Think Rational!

Alec Palao finally tackled Detroit's long-locked-away A-Square label a year or so ago, with Big Beat's A-Square (Of Course) comp, promising an anthology of the label's crown jewel, The Rationals, to follow. Well, here it is, folks! This double CD contains 32 tracks by the finest soul garage band ever!! Buy or die! Scott Morgan is America's Steve Marriott. Respect!!

The Who - The Who Sell Out (Deluxe Edition)

Do you really need ANOTHER version of this, perhaps The Who's finest, in your collection? I say you do. You get the vastly-different-in-places mono and stereo mixes of the original LP, all of the bonus tracks from the mid-'90s remix version (sans "Melancholia"), plus a bunch of previously unreleased mixes and demos. The best just got even better!

tip: www.soulfulkindamusic.net is a great source for all your soul discographical needs.

Kluster - 1969-1973

Only a couple hundred of this six-LP box set have been made. All tracks previously unreleased by Conrad Schnitzler, Freudigmann, Seidel, and friends. Spray-painted cover and clear plastic insert. Schnitzler retained the Kluster name after Moebius & Roedelius left to become Cluster. Is that all clear? Also check out the Kluster three-CD set on the Water label. Space electronics for space-minded folks.

Andrew Liles - Miscellany Deluxe

Either a two LP regular version or a three LP deluxe version with t-shirt.  Recordings dating as far back as 1984, mostly previously unreleased, some tracks from cassette-only releases. Andrew Liles is a brilliant and varied experimental artist whose work I highly value. A positive force in a world full of mediocrity. Also check out his album with Diana Rogerson called No Birds Do Sing on Dirter Productions.

Cultural Amnesia - Enormous Savages (Enlarged)

Ten songs from 1981-1983 and five from 2000-2007. Very beautiful synth/pop/rock from England. This collection follows the essential two-LP set put out by Vinyl On Demand a couple of years ago. Originally Enormous Savages was out on LP only, without the modern tracks. This band should not have been under the radar in the early '80s.

Giancarlo Toniutti - La Mutazione

Originally released on the fine Broken Flag label in 1985. Two long tracks that are still fresh and original sounding. Very moody electronics and found sounds mixed in an unmistakably Italian manner. A previously unreleased track from 1984 fills out the rest of the CD. Totally underrated post-Throbbing Gristle industrial. Sticks to the original concept while looking forward.

Luc Ferrari - L'oeuvre Electronique

A gorgeous ten-CD box set spanning Luc Ferrari's career in academic electronics. Many previously unreleased pieces, and a nice 100+ page booklet in French and English. The same sort of presentation as the Bernard Parmegiani twelve-CD box that came out last year on INA GRM. Ferrari's sense of composition and humor in the electronic medium will be missed.

tip: Rodger Collins released Through My Eyes in September. A local and legendary performer famous for "She's Looking Good" and "Foxy Girls In Oakland."  This album is good and worth checking out.

Thee Oh Sees - Help

This record is sure to make several best of '09 lists, and goddamn does it deserve it. Help continues where Master's Bedroom left off and adds a nice polish and a few more ooo's and ahhh's. These guys (and gal) are still on their surfy-garage kick here, drenched in twang and reverb and catchy as all hell. Go buy it, it's ten bucks, comes on pink vinyl, and it's a lot better than whatever you are listening to at this moment.

The Hunches - Exit Dreams

It seems that this record will be The Hunches' last hoorah, and what a doozy it is! Loud, pummeling, jarring, yet somehow completely listenable rock'n'roll. By the time this Music We Like issue goes to print, the band will be no more. Tough luck if you missed their farewell mini-tour.

Eat Skull - Wild and Inside

Killer! They may as well have called the record Tits. This time around Eat Skull has shed some of the screeching, overblown guitar, allowing their lo-fi pop brilliance to shine bright. Think of a younger, ballsier GBV.

Michael Hurley - Armchair Boogie

Reissue of Snock's classic second LP from 1971, originally released by the Raccoon label.  Must have!!!

Idle Times - Get Your Feet Off the Ground

The A side is a total scorcher, while the flip is on the lighter side.  Fronted by Brian Standeford of Tall Birds and Unnatural Helpers. Go see these guys live and try to snatch up their Hozac 7" too, while they still got'em.

Vee Dee - Public Mental Health System

Second full-length from Chicago's Vee Dee. Fans of fellow Windy City natives Plastic Crimewave Sound should enjoy this epic double LP.

RTFO Bandwagon - Dums Will Survive

Twenty eight-minute EP of twisted pop gems.  If you liked that Hole Class record, this might be for you.

Various Artists - Shiftless Decay: New Sounds of Detroit

Comp of bands from Detroit. Human Eye, Terrible Twos, Tyvek, etc.

The Beets - Spit In The Face of People Who Don't Want To Be Cool

Lo-fi pop with few frills, but totally memorable tunes out of Jackson Heights, NY.

Francis Harold & the Holograms - Who Said These Were Happy Times?

Debut LP from these fellas out of Bisbee, AZ.  Obnoxious, noisy punk rock, and the best album cover of 2009 so far.  Check out their singles while you're at it!

Ganglians - Monster Head Room

Holy Brian Wilson, Batman! Quite a bit different than their self-titled debut on Woodsist. Great summer record from these Sacto up-and-comers. Comes with a 7" because the the whole thing couldn't fit on a single LP.

Dog Faced Hermans - Hum of Life

Reissue of DFH's 1993 LP.  For fans of Crass, The Ex, etc.

Nothing People - Late Night

Wash of guitars, simple rhythms, and sort-of Sonic Youth vibe.  That's if SY actually wrote anything more than halfway decent in the past ten years. Zing!

Kurt Vile & The Violators - The Hunchback

Philly's constant hitmaker finally cranks his amp to 10 with marvelous resutls.

tip: I wish that folks wouldn't stand around with their arms crossed and have a bored look on their face at rock 'n' roll shows. 

Keelay & Zaire - Ridin High

West Coast revival?

Finale - A Pipe Dream and a Promise

One more Detroit album. Come on, the Lions didn't even win one game last year...

Roc 'C' and IMAKEMADBEATS - The Transcontinental

Oxnard's still doin' it.

tip: I just take whatever Tunde hands me.

Akron/Family - Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free

Another fine record from these musical polyglots.  This continues to both expand and refine their unique blend of earthy, yet cosmic sounds.

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Sunny swirls of shimmering sonic bliss... their most accessible album to date, pushing the envelope of what pop music can be, and will eventually become.

Mountains - Choral

A lovely record of warm ambient dreamscapes... mellow but not sleepy, rich with subtle detail.

tip: Cumbias make life a little better... try some today!

Fall of Efrafa - Elil / Owsla

These are actually two 2007 releases that I just discovered. Epic brooding melancholic sample-laden Godspeed You Black Emperor buildups that turn into crushing doom-filled melodic epicrust. These are the first two albums of a trilogy based on a re-imagining of the political and mythological overtones of the book Watership Down by Richard Adams. The third and final album Inle should be out in the late fall. The CD and vinyl versions of both of these albums are pretty limited, but well worth the hunt. (FYI... I was able to special order both of them.)

Kylesa - Static Tensions

Kylesa returns with more of their sludgy down tuned southern metal riffs and swarming dual drummers to create another psychedelic-filled punk stoner rock journey.

Devil Makes Three - Do Wrong Right

This is by far my favorite DM3 record to date. Another great bluesy country record filled with plenty of raucous punk spirit. Throw it on and grab some whiskey!

Deathspell Omega - Manifestations 2000-2001 / 2002

Two great collections of out-of-print and rare material from these French avant-garde Black Metalers. The first (2000-2001) contains tracks from LP splits with Moonblood and Mutilation, plus tracks from the Black Metal Blitzkrieg comp. The second (2002) contains eight previously unreleased tracks from planned comps and splits.

Laudanum / Stormcrow - Sacred Death

Finally, a new Laudanum release! One of the most crushing heavy live bands ever to tear apart my eardrums! This is a great record that contains two new tracks of noisy, sludgy mayhem from Laudanum, plus more stenchcore from Stormcrow. 20 Buck Spin can do no wrong.

Book of Belial / Embers - Tales of Sorrow and Death/Wrath

An amazing split with Portland's crusty black metal Book of Belial and Oakland's melodic, blackened metal Embers.

Morne - Demo 2008

Atmospheric, dark crust punk from Boston featuring ex-members of Filth of Mankind, Grief, Disrupt, etc. A must for fans of Amebix, Antisect, Neurosis, or Sacrilege. Also keep an eye out for their split with Warprayer from England, which is also on No Options.

Orcustus - Orcustus

Cold, misanthropic Norwegian black metal at its finest.

Witch Hunt - Burning Bridges to Nowhere

More anarcho punk with dual female/male vocals from Philly.

tip: Go to Eli's Mile High Club. Best punk/dive bar in the 510.
Obey Tom McQuown.

Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown

Green Day released another '70s-style epic rock opera, but this time got the music right! I liked 2004s American Idiot, the story arc flowing through the whole album, the multi-movement songs, occasionally differing meters, but the sound of the instruments just seemed too compressed, too much of a typical mainstream rock record. With 21st Century Breakdown, however, Green Day seemed to keep the good parts of American Idiot, while making the record feel more like the Nimrod sessions; flushed out as much as possible with anthemic choruses and slick ballads, but still maintaining the sound of each individual instrument. I have been a fan of Green Day since I was nine years old, and was extremely pleased to see all of their albums reissued on vinyl. Though I am sad that Lookout Records was nowhere to be mentioned, to have 39 Smooth and Kerplunk reissued with 7-inches inside was pretty rad.

Mika Miko - We Be Xuxa

Los Angeles quintet Mika Miko add to their collection of buzzy punk rock songs with their latest album. Featuring a couple songs from their 666 EP, the grrrls (and now boy drummer) continue to blaze through songs within two minutes of beginning. Their use of the sax and production reminds me a bit of The X-Ray SPEX, while their bass and guitar riffs are reminiscent of Erase Errata.  If Mika Miko ever come to your town on tour, GO SEE THEM! They are one of the best live bands around these days, seriously.

Mirah - (a)spera

Her first proper solo record since 2004's C'mon Miracle, Mirah returns with another amazing record full of sophisticated melodies, sweeping soundscapes, and Mirah's most refined lyrics to date! This is a perfect record for autumn months when the East Bay weather goes from warm to cloudy and calm to gusty and back again. A true gem.

Death - ...For the Whole World to See

Unearthed for the first time since being recorded in the mid-70's, Drag City released one of the most listened-to albums in Amoeba Berkeley for this year. Blasting through seven tracks in a little over 25 minutes, this band of three Detroit brothers goes between kicking out the jams like a proggier version of The MC5 to getting funky like early Parliament. And if you ask one of our rock floor clerks if they are the same group as the Florida metal band, prepare for one nasty scoff.

Make Me - House of Brakes

One of my favorite Oakland bands is back with their sophomore record. Zola, Claire, Jeremy, and Wes have developed their sound a lot since their debut, yet still know how to have fun with this new batch of songs. Though their previous release was much more innocent than this one, both in lyrical content and arrangement, House of Brakes is a little more grown up with angular guitar lines, complex drum fills, rich backing vocals and more mature lyrics. Plus they are all sweethearts, so buy their record and see them live!

Video Games At Amoeba!

In addition to having the finest selection of music and movies, Amoeba has added video games to its arsenal of used buying and selling! This makes me so happy because now I don't even have to go to a game store to check out a great selection of multi-platform games! Just stay away from the Wii section! I call dibs!

tip: Best place for lunch: Everette and Jones' BBQ Stand on University and San Pablo, a-mazing!