Amoeba Music

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50th Anniversary re-issue of this sublime album by a CTI-label dream team. The title track is arguably the most beautiful jazz track ever recorded; every player lending innovation and tender sensitivity simultaneously. Chet Baker is as great as he ever was here, Ron Carter delivering jaw-dropping invention, Roland Hanna showing why he should have been a household name, Steve Gadd giving everyone lots of room as he steers the forward drive, and of course the incredibly under-rated Jim Hall, the Bill Evans of the guitar. Easily in my Top 5 favorite Jazz albums of all time. Read more

I'm a long-time fan of Phil Elverum's work since The Microphones recordings of the brand new millennium, and have not once been let down by a release. Night Palace finds him ever-refining his singular headphone lo-fi vision, while folding in every flavor that he has tested in the past. His music always feels tentative, even when backed with sheer metal noise, as if he is afraid that the pure gold he's about to reveal will be too much for you to bear and he knows your safety is his responsibility. His lyrics are invariably simple while straining under the weight of the most common and painful conflicts between human beings, or between human beings and the natural world, as Nature is his most prevalent preoccupation. Alternating moments of scratching introspection, light pop strumming about Death and screaming cacophonies, Night Palace still feels of.a piece, which has always been Elverum's most perplexing talent. Don't bother coming to a conclusion, there's no getting to the bottom if it. Read more

Probably best known in LA as the bassist in Jeff Parker's Enfield Tennis Academy IVTet, along with saxophonist Josh Johnson and drummer Jay Bellerose, they have also built an admirable resume in the rhythm sections for Aimee Mann, Boygenius, Andrew Bird, Jenny Lewis, and Phoebe Bridgers. Here Butterss embarks on their 2nd session as a leader for the International Anthem label, which is rapidly growing its catalog of important recordings. IVTet cohorts Jeff Parker and Josh Johnson appear with more assistance from guitarist Gregory Uhlmann (of recent SML project), and percussionist Ben Lumsdaine.Walking a fine line between Jazz and Instrumental Rock, Mighty Vertebrate is super listenable, playful, funky, dreamy, and every track has something interesting to say. Read more

Documented on records since 1949, Marshall Allen has released his first album as a leader, age 100. A Sun Ra Arkestra stalwart since the very early 60's, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Allen gives to the world a joyful, light-full, life-full collection that feels both too long in the waiting and perfectly timed. Neneh Cherry is on board for a lovely ballad and all is well. Read more

Welcomed re-issue of this otherwise VERY expensive and VERY hard-to-find 1970 session from Japanese guitarist Sawada. I mean, wow, this is good! Jumping out of the gate with a super-solid version of Wayne Shorter's "Foot Print," with its Love Supreme bass line and excellent turn from saxophonist Hideyu Kikuchi, Sawada and pianist You Tokuyama. The artwork is crazy cool, as well. There's quite an unusual take on "Last Train To Clarksville" that starts with a slightly cheesy head, but once they start taking it apart, all the pieces shine. Trying to get more in stock, but get it where you can. Read more

It's been a long time coming, but Sun Ra's legacy and influence is finally being recognized and given its proper due. Kronos Quartet traverses the stars along with Terry Riley, Laurie Anderson, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Laraaji, Secret Chiefs, SexMob, Jlin, RP Boo, 700 Bliss, Armand Hammer and more, along with samples from Sun Ra and the Arkestra. There are a couple of uneven spots, but I could listen to the 2nd track, the instrumentals "Maji" (Jlin) and "Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie" (Laraaji), all day long. A joyous, fun and worthy tribute to my favorite Saturnian. Read more

Now in his 80s, Marcos Valle continues to make amazing music. Starting in the 1960s in the world of samba and bossa nova, over the years he has tried his hand at a vast range of styles, with his 80s boogie/funk era especially beloved. Truthfully, nearly all of his dozens of albums are worth hearing, but his latest offers a nice overview of his various approaches to the Brazilian sound. Read more

Paul Williams has written so many incredible songs over his career, and they always manage to tap into universal truths and our shared humanity. His hits for the Carpenters are well-known, but on this collection we get to hear an expansive group of artists interpret his work, mostly from the 60s and 70s, and of course Kermit makes an appearance. Excellent liner notes from Bob Stanley of Saint Etienne. Read more

Ginger Root is the musical project of SoCal native Cameron Lew, who combines synthpop, soul, lounge, and a myriad of other genres into a melodic potpourri sometimes reminiscent of 90s Shibuya-kei. He also makes very cool videos for his songs! Read more

Beautiful pop from this pair of French ex-pats. Strong Brazilian influence, though they draw from many styles and eras. Gorgeous happy/sad tunes with a heavy dose of melancholy underneath the sunshiny exterior. Read more

The first solo album from Nate Amos of the group Water From Your Eyes, this record is varied in genre, production style, songwriting and musical feel. The singles off of it included four gripping tracks: “Perfect Hand” (a song about a ball fitting perfectly in your hand), “I’m All Fucked Up” (about drug-fueled escapades from his youth before he quit smoking weed for good), “Dancing in the Club” (a synthy, auto-tuned love ballad), and “Where’s Your Love now” (depressing lyrics over an incredibly catchy melody. The remaining tracks are far from being album filler, though. This album feels unique, even in the over-saturated field of twangy indie pop. Read more

When the track “Nausicäa (Love Will Be Revealed)” came on while I was driving, I had to pull over the car to see what song was playing. Winter has a deeply unique voice, which might sound familiar to fans of the band he fronts, Geese. This album is worth a listen for its fascinating lyric experimentation alone, but the instrumentation is also clever and compelling. Read more

Folk legend Tucker Zimmerman just put out a new album of mystical, warm-feeling tracks co-written by the immensely popular indie folk group Big Thief, and recorded in a small cabin in New England. Harmonies between 83-year-old Zimmerman’s voice and Big Thief vocalist Adrienne Lenker are gentle and stunning, a perfect mix between Lenker’s idiosyncratic higher pitch and Zimmerman’s gravelly timber. With features and musical assistance from country-folk artist Twain (Mt. “Mat” Davidson) and Iji (Zach Burba) If nothing else, give the track “Burial at Sea” a listen, and try not to be charmed by the tale of a mermaid, vikings and a message in a bottle. Read more