Monks: Transatlantic Feedback

Great new documentary of the legendary '60s garage band. Comprised of ex-GI's living in Germany, and making some mind-blowing music. Lots of rare, live German television footage, and great interviews.

Hawkwind - Quark, Strangeness & Charm-Deluxe Edition

Long awaited, fantastic two-disc, deluxe edition of Hawkwind's classic 1977 opus. Heavily influenced by the punk/new wave scene happening in the UK at that time, Hawkwind delivered their answer to that, with a blend of classic space rock, mixed with quirky, Devo-esque vocals by Robert Calvert, and bubbling, futuristic synths. Check out the live version of "Robot" on disc two!

Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra - Chariots Of The Gods?

Nice deluxe reissue of the 1970 soundtrack to the documentary of the same name. This version boasts 10 bonus tracks, and is digitally remastered. Highly recommended!

Prince Buster - Sings His Hit Song "Ten Commandments"

Originally released on RCA Records in 1967, this fine reissue cements Prince Buster's status as the father of Ska & Rock Steady! Nice remastering, rare photos, and liner notes by Roger Steffens. A must have!

24: Season 7

Season 7 of the hit Espionage/Conspiracy/Terrorism series starring Kiefer Sutherland, was a welcome return to earlier seasons. This season had plenty of twists & turns, surprises, and James Bond-esque action! If that wasn't enough, check out my "Cameos" in episodes 22 & 23!!

La Grande Bouffe

If you enjoy the finer things in life such as gourmet food, decadence and orgies, then I may have a good movie recommendation for you. La Grande Bouffe, originally released in 1973, is a true feast of a film featuring the fine acting of Michel Piccoli and Marcello Mastroianni. Shockingly black in its humor, it tells the scandalous tale of four friends who hide away in a French Country villa to fulfill their suicide pact by gourging themselves to death on fantastic meals, cheap sex, and champagne. Not such a bad way to go if you ask me. This film is both sordid and intellectual, crossing the boundaries between art and trash, creating a fine film that is provocative and hilarious.

tip: Check out Wig Out @ Bordello for eccentric theme parties featuring witty, decadent performance art,  Killing Spree @ Medusa Lounge for the best death rock dance party in town, and Sex Dwarf @ Beauty Bar on Fridays with DJ Apollo Staar. I highly recommend local glam rock band FANCY SPACE PEOPLE for a fantastic live show featuring songstress Nora Keyes and Don Bolles of Germs' fame. For movies, the New Beverly Cinema still hosts a fine variety of classic and sleaze-fest double features nightly with the best popcorn in town! Check it out! 

Bobby Bradford Extet - Midnight Pacific Airwaves

Bobby Bradford, cornet; James Newton, flute; Richard Rehwald, bass; John Goldsmith, drums.

Four of five cuts on this disc were recorded live on Los Angeles radio back in April of '77. The compositions are all Bradford's, save for Monk's, "Blue Monk." I must say that Newton was burning bright in '77! The bonus track is a fantastic duet recorded in 2003 between Bradford and Vinny Golia who is heard on clarinet. Bobby Bradford plays every first Friday at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre. Give the LA DJ set a rest and support live musicians.

Phil Ranelin - Living A New Day

Phil Ranelin, trombone, vocals; Donald Bailey, drums; Roger Glenn, vibes; Josh Jones, drums; Calvin Keys, guitar; Carl Lockett, guitar; Dave Matthews, piano, organ; Matt Montgomery, bass.

We almost lost this cat in 2005 to a near-fatal car crash. There's more work to be done and Ranelin's sounding nice on this one. This was recorded in San Francisco with a group of lesser known but talented musicians and the interplay is nothing short of magical. Phil gets some help from two master musicians, label-mate guitarist Calvin Keys and well seasoned drummer Donald Bailey. Ranelin penned some outstanding compositions on this disc, and I couldn't believe the depths this music took me. Phil Ranelin is very active lately with his own group and the musician collectives Build An Ark and The Gathering. Show these guys some love.

Roland P. Young - Isophonic Boogie Woogie

Roland P. Young was 1/3 of the Bay Area trio Infinite Sound in the mid-'70s. I have to thank Quincy for letting that record fall into my hands. We record people know how to share sometimes. So, in 1980 Mr. Young decided to record this underground electro-acoustic voyage completely alone. You will hear voice, kalimba, soprano saxophone, clarinet, electro clarinet, bells, chimes, and drones. The beginning cut, "Crystal Motions," is worth the price of the LP alone.

Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue (50th Anniversary Edition)

Sometimes the classics are worn like a pair of shoes you couldn't bear to slip your feet in again. Example, Coltrane's A Love Supreme. Don't get me wrong, I love the record but people won't let it rest. What about Crescent!? Wise One!? Kind Of Blue is a classic that I haven't felt tired of one bit. For a beginning listener there are four paths laid before you: Miles, Cannonball, Coltrane or Evans. With ears of green I strode the trails of the first three and only in the last year or so have been losing my mind in the ineffable world of Bill Evans. This record I stand behind as the beginning to my understanding and ceaseless mania of what Rahsaan called, "black classical music." So Kind Of Blue, I salute you and I wish you the listener happy trails.

Khan Jamal Creative Arts Ensemble - Drum Dance To The Motherland

Khan Jamal, vibes, marimba, clarinet; Alex Ellison, drums, percussion; Dwight James, Fender bass, double bass; Monnette Sudler, guitar, percussion.

You should cop this one if you come across it. Jamal and Co. recorded this live in Philadelphia circa '72, draped in Afro-centrism and righteousness. Imagine a thicker echo-laden Sun Ra or a pissed off Mwandishi. This is perfect for you hipsters endlessly diggin' for Ra sides. Go scare the Topanga Canyon heads at the next love in with this platter.

tip: RISE w/ Mark Maxwell on KPFK, support  Dwight Trible, The Gathering, and shop Rick Ballard's GROOVEYARD in Oakland.

Great Northern - Remind Me Where The Light Is

Klaus Voormann - A Sideman's Journey

this cd is full of special guests. paul mccartney, ringo starr, yusuf (cat stevens), dr. john, members of manfred mann, bonnie bramlett, jim keltner, van dyke parks, albert lee, joe walsh, and several others help klaus celebrate his 70th birthday.

Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream

CageThe Elephant - CageThe Elephant

Nickel Eye - The Time Of The Assassins

this is the solo project of the strokes' bassist nikolai fraiture.

Dear Zachary

Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man

tip:  myspace.com/consumingthearts - help keep the arts in schools.  please.

Get Down Low! - The Soul Of New Orleans '65-'67

Funky bass, thumping drums, nasty singing, killer songs, and dirty recordings.

Fats Domino - Fats Domino Sings Million Record Hits

Most of Fats Domino's original LPs for Imperial are not in print on CD. This one, like many others, contains songs not found on most hits collections. I say any Fats is good Fats.

The Rolling Stones - Between The Buttons (UK)

I'm not the biggest Rolling Stones fan. Between The Buttons is my favorite album of theirs. Lyrics leaning in a not so nice way toward ladies, everyone at their most inventive instrumentally, and the last album produced by Andrew Oldham.

The Ventures - "Surfing"

The Ventures are often incorrectly labeled a surf band. But when they wanted to, The Ventures could deliver one fine surf album. Sinister sounds. Listen to those liquid guitar tones.

Slim Harpo - Rainin' In My Heart

Put on your sunglasses and listen to this.

tip: Listen to some vinyl and let the ghosts out.

Pet Shop Boys - Yes

Neil and Chris definitely deliver on this album. It is very reminiscent of Very. They sample "Tchaikovsky" in the second track, "All Over the World," and somehow pull it off and maintain that electronic token PSB sound. I enjoyed this album all the way through and especially liked "Did You See Me Coming?" (track four) and "More Than a Dream" (track six). Four stars to PSB!!

Thieves Like Us - Play Music

This album is for fans of electronic pop such as Glass Candy, Chromatics, and New Order; which they did base their name on. I feel it is like a New Order album with soft vocals similar to that of Erlend Oye. An album that didn't entirely take off due to its later release in the States, but it is one that needs to be discovered over here sooner rather than later. It's definitely an album you can drink wine and dance in your apartment to!!

Cat Dancers (2007)

This documentary blows you away!! I immediately thought, "OK, this documentary is just about two quirky people that find each other and love to dance and invent the art of dancing wtih cats"....and then it hits you extremely hard in the end. The catapult (no pun intended) really gets you at the end with tragedy after tragedy. I give so much credit to Ron Holiday for what he has endured. A must see that will leave you in awe and tears!

The Wrestler (2008)

I really had my doubts going into this...I just didn't think that Mickey Rourke could deliver. But you really feel for his character and sympathize with that whole "washed-up-has-been" feeling that every rock star, celebrity, or anyone that encounters popularity for a short amount of time endures. It is heavy in dialogue and really channels into his embodiment of the entertainment world as a wrestler. Not just on the surface, but within the physical and mental struggles of fallling into that role. This film won me over and is a must see for those that doubt it!

Jason Lytle - Yours Truly, the Commuter

Three years ago, after 14 years of being a band, the members of Grandaddy called it quits. Fortunately, with Jason Lytle's ethereally beautiful "solo" album, Yours Truly, the Commuter, it's as if the band never really left. Now, granted, this is largely due to two reasons. For one, Jason Lytle - as far as I remember - was the principle singer and songwriter of Grandaddy during its existence. Second, because of the aforementioned, the record retains the signature Grandaddy sound fans knew and loved. A sound filled with dreamy lo-fi vocals, gauzy keyboards, orchestral strings, and earnest lyrics dealing in isolationism, the 9-5 routine, heartbreak, and regret. The title track, "Yours Truly, the Commuter" is evidence of said sound. It bounces along with its neo-psychedelic pop and lyrics directed at would-be detractors of Lytle post-Grandaddy ("Last thing I heard I was left for dead/Well, I could give two shits about what they said/I may be limping/But I'm coming home.") There is also "Birds Encouraged Him" and "Fürget It" which recall the somber detached ballads of the classic Grandaddy record The Sophtware Slump. Overall, Yours Truly, the Commuter is a beautiful neo-psychedelic pop album, and while it is not anything new or ground-breaking - music wise - per se, it is certainly testament to the talent of Jason Lytle, and the old adage, “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”

Passion Pit - Manners

It's safe to say that love is a form of inspiration for artists and musicians alike. Case in point: In 2007, Michael Angelakos, singer/keyboardist for Passion Pit, made a six song mix-tape for a then-girlfriend who "put up with him,” as a Valentine's Day gift. Ultimately, these six songs would make the rounds at Emerson College, where Angelakos was attending, become very popular and eventually would be known as the Chunk of Change EP (released in '08 by the Frenchkiss label.) With '09’s Manners, there are a few debuts for Passion Pit; for one, it’s their debut full-length album. Secondly, it marks Passion Pit’s debut as a full-fledged band, ultimately graduating from the one-man bedroom project of Angelakos. Yet, Manners’ story doesn’t end there. This album is good; in fact, it’s really good. Manners is an amalgam of sounds that shouldn’t work together, but ultimately do. It’s Aneglakos’ sugary falsetto over electronic indie-pop with synth-pop hooks, horns, a little '80s soul & funk, and at times, a children’s choir thrown in for good measure. There's "Sleepyhead" which, aside from being the only remaining track from the Chunk of Change EP, starts off with this crazy sampling of "Oro Mo Bhaidin" by Irish harpist Mary O' Hara, and leaves you in an electronic indie-pop synth induced elatedness. Likewise, "The Reeling" is an addictive synth-laden electronic indie-pop song that will make you want to dance. Believe me. I did, and I don't dance. Elsewhere, on “Eyes As Candles,” Angelakos playfully sings about how fleeting love can be ("Why do I always need to need you when you’re fleeting/Where do you go when I’m around.") Sure, love sucks, and it hurts at times. But, when it doesn't, who says it can't be addictive and fun? However, one thing is for certain, Manners blends infectious pop melodies, pulsating beats, and head-bobbing grooves so seamlessly that it makes falling in and out of love the most enjoyable thing ever.

Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - Outer South

A few "Music We Like" books ago, I talked about Conor Oberst's [a.k.a. Bright Eyes] recent "solo" endeavor Conor Oberst, and how much I thought it was a solid alt-country/Americana album. Well, a year after the fact, Conor Oberst returns with his backing band, The Mystic Valley Band, to release Outer South. Much like its predecessor, Outer South dabbles in the alt-country/Americana genre. While there are similarities, there are also some differences. As I mentioned, the sound is the same. The songs are swaggering, angst-ridden, alt-country-esque numbers dealing in regret, love, heartache, and, well, drinking. However, one major difference between Outer South and Conor Oberst is the fact that it's more like a loose collective of friends and musicians that enjoy playing together and not simply Conor Oberst and some backing musicians. Evidence of this is in the liner notes. Oberst, for Outer South, penned ten of the 16 songs, while a few members (Nik Freitas, Jason Boesel, and Taylor Hollingsworth) of the Mystic Valley Band penned the remaining six respectively. Furthermore, they don’t simply pen the songs, but also step up to the spotlight to sing them as well. Songs like Nik Freitas' "Big Black Nothing" with its handclaps, and alt-country strut ("Big black nothing/Fooling anyone/Big black nothing/Put a halo around what you’ve done.") Or Jason Boesel’s energetic “Eagle on a Pole” ("Don’t you ever trust an eagle on a pole/I’ve seen pictures of my face from where I swear I did not go/Look like laughing/Look like stealing/But I will never know.") Yet, it is Oberst, with songs like the barroom swagger of "Slowly (Oh So Slowly)" or the earnestness of "Cabbage Town" that ultimately, steals the show. Overall, this album - much like the last - demonstrates why Conor Oberst is such a talented and revered singer-songwriter, who still has much more introspective stories up his sleeves.

Mono - Hymn to the Immortal Wind

I first heard of the Japanese post-rock band Mono in '04 when they released their third album Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined. Even though, it was only eight songs, the album itself was massive. Needless to say, after that first listen I was a fan. It’s been five years since Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, and Mono only seem to get better with each album. With their concept album, Hymn to the Immortal Wind, Mono further cement that idea. Guitarist, Taka Goto, wrote the songs to Hymn, based on the stories crafted by writer Heeya So, much like a film composer - scene by scene. Ultimately, giving the album an overall theme: memory, its transcendence, and movement in the universe. Recorded with Steve Albini at the helm of production, and the largest chamber orchestra [around 30] ever used by Mono. The instrumentation is massive, incorporating piano, flutes, organ, strings, tympani, and glockenspiel. It is grandiose, yet never borders on pretentious. In fact, it may be one of the best records Mono has written. You Are There being the other. For example, "Ashes In the Snow" starts off with a glockenspiel and some guitar feedback, segued into some guitar, then at two minutes strings, guitars, bass, and drums combine to make this beautifully majestic wall of sound, ultimately hitting its peak eight minutes in, and crashing down gracefully. Much of Hymn is like this, and yet, it never gets boring or repetitive. To put it simply, Hymn to the Immortal Wind is a sonically epic album with a beautiful all-encompassing sound that leaves you stunned and elated that such beauty in the world exists. Besides, this album proves that actions speak louder than words, or better yet, music speaks louder than words.

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

In 2006, former nursery-school teacher Natasha Khan (a.k.a. Bat For Lashes) released the hauntingly beautiful fairytale filled Fur and Gold. With Two Suns, Khan expands on the fairytale. According to Khan, Two Suns’ overall theme is about her "desert-born spiritual self," and 'Pearl,' her "blonde, destructive, self-absorbed femme fatale alter-ego." A theme Khan manages to pack into 11 songs quite well. On album opener, "Glass," Khan sings about the dichotomy of good and evil ("To be made of glass/When two suns are shining/The battle becomes blinding/To be made of glass.") There's also the "Big Sleep" which features a stunning duet with enigmatic singer Scott Walker. Elsewhere, on lead single "Daniel" with its '80s-influenced electro, Khan sings of the perseverance of a Jersey-born Reseda transplant who ultimately, with the help of a maintenance man/karate guru, gains confidence in himself, and kicks the Cobra Kai’s ass…Um, actually, I don’t know if that’s true, but it would be pretty great. (Besides, in the video, she hugs a CGI of said Reseda transplant.) However, that's beside the point. In all seriousness, what I do know is this: Two Suns is as equally beautiful, wistful, and eerie as Fur and Gold. One can only hope that Natasha Khan (a.k.a. Bat For Lashes) continues to conjure up such hauntingly beautiful worlds for us to visit, albeit through her music and daydreams, but still.

Patrick Wolf - The Bachelor

Originally, Patrick Wolf wanted his coming of age release, Battle, to be a double album. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out for him for whatever reason. Ultimately, the album was split in half. The Bachelor is the first half of that proposed double album. (The other half, The Conqueror, will be released later next year.) Now as far as I remember, Patrick Wolf's music has always had a penchant for melodrama. At times his musical statements have been over the top and unconventional. Yet, this is what makes Patrick Wolf so damn endearing. At least to me it does. Besides, throw in the fact that he's a musical prodigy who started playing violin, and other instruments, at the age of eleven and you have no other choice but to check him out. The Bachelor is theatrical, wistful, and eccentric. Not to mention The Bachelor mixes traditional Celtic and English folk with techno-pop à la Depeche Mode with help from ex-Atari Teenage Riot man Alec Empire. With such disparate genres, one would think the album would be a joke. However, it works on all of those levels. Take "Hard Times" which incorporates guitars, violins, a pulsating beat, and lyrics calling for a revolution ("Through these hard times I work harder/Harder/For resolution/Show me some revolution.") Ultimately, expanding on said sound with "Vulture" which deals with the demons involved in the business ("Losing my head to Hollywood/My liver to London/My youth to Tokyo/Still, on with the show.") When it's all said and done, The Bachelor is a magnificent edition to the already impressive catalog of a 26-year-old musical prodigy. And, if The Conqueror is as good as this was, then it's only going to get better.

tip: Check these labels out on the internet for quality independent releases: 
Track Number Records www.tracknumberrecords.com
Great Minds! [Formerly, Number 3 records] www.greatmindsrecordings.com

Also, if you're looking for a place to listen to '80s music on a Thursday night head on over to Skinny's Lounge (4923 Lankershim Blvd.) in North Hollywood, and listen to DJ Vox play quality music for your nostalgia dancing needs. Skinny's Lounge: great atmosphere, friendly staff, no cover-charge, classic '80s movie always playing, old school Nintendo available for play, 21 & over, Ladies drink 2-for-1 before 11pm, and it's all from 10pm-2am. 

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Cryptomnesia

One of my co-workers said it best when saying: "This is what the Volta should be doing!" referring to Omar Rodriguez-Lopez's new album (Cryptomnesia) compared to his main band, The Mars Volta. In this new group, three members of the Volta team up, drummer Zack Hill and synth bassist Jonathan Hischke from the experimental band Hella. The new additions give this band a rhythm section that simply cannot be touched and breathes a new and darker life into Omar's arrangements. ooooh Smeeg-a-leet

Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid

In this big, overstuffed genre known as "Rock" it is very rare that anybody actually produces quality Rock 'n' Roll. Dan Auebach has done so. He has taken the blues, added '60s garage mentality, and swung the hell out of it. Well done, sir.

Yusaf Islam - Roadsinger

The former Cat Stevens comes out swingin' with his best album in decades. A beautiful simi-return to his '70s writing style. Even his videos have the word "Cat" hidden in them. It's not "The Wind," but worth a listen.

Little Richard: Live at the Toronto Peace Festival 1969

The KING himself dropping all kinds of crazy rock knowledge on Canada. Needs to be in any rock enthusiast's collection.