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Caracoles (LP)
Orquesta Akokán
Another fantastic album from this modern group that crafts classic sounding mambo and salsa for a large ensemble. The arrangements are as classy as ever, and the tunes, playing, and recording are top notch too. Classic Cuban flavors a la Perez Prado, Beny Moré, Tito Puente, and so many other all-time greats. Bueno!
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New Strategies For Modern Crime Volume 1 & 2 (LP)
Prefuse 73
Two spectacular new albums packed with classic crime soundtrack vibes, from Guillermo Scott Herren. Like a chameleon, he keeps changing his sound to reflect his current interests and inspirations, and these new volumes are some of the best work he's done yet.
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Colours & Light (LP)
Project Gemini
Great new psychedelic rock grooves, combined with nods to vintage soundtracks, library music, acid-folk, classic funk, and more. Sounds both retro and current, this pleasantly trippy voyage is a really great listen from start to finish.
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Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain (LP)
Raveena
Beautiful mellow neo-soul from this lovely Indian-American singer. Hints of other genres make this an interesting listen, but it's her sweet, soulful vocals that steal the show here and tie it all together beautifully.
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Exploring Together (LP)
Saphileaum
Magnificent new LP by this producer from Georgia (the one in Eastern Europe). Mellow organic grooves with nice ambiance and some global elements (scales, rhythms). For me, already a big fan, this is his best release yet!
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Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace (LP)
Shabaka
Now dropping both his last name (Hutchings) and his previous main instrument (sax) to primarily focus on flute & clarinet, this revered UK jazz man travels to new terrain here on this solo LP. With plenty of guests such as Carlos Nino, Jason Moran, Esperanza Spalding, & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, he creates a softer, floatier, more global vibe than his previous work with Shabaka & The Ancestors, Sons of Kemet, & The Comet Is Coming.
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Small Medium Large (LP)
SML
This one caught me by surprise... I usually dig everything on the mighty International Anthem label, but this quintet's debut is next level! Covering ground from funky Herbie Hancock type zones and Fela-ish afrobeat grooves to wilder modern electronic terrain and the soulful side of Art Ensemble of Chicago's bluesy freeform improv, this is a masterpiece of modern music. Referential and reverential but never sounding cliché, this is a fantastic debut from bassist Anna Butterss, synthesist Jeremiah Chiu, saxophonist Josh Johnson, percussionist Booker Stardrum, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann.
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I Too Am A Stranger (LP)
The Sorcerers
Another terrific release by this Leeds trio, blending their funky influences to create the perfect hybrid of Afrobeat, Ethio-funk, classic US soul, library exotica, and sweeping 1970s soundtrack vibes. Non-stop grooves with exotic harmonies and memorable melodies... Nice!
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Queen of Eyes (CD)
West of Roan
A couple living on an island off the coast of Washington crafted this earthy, rustic folk gem indebted to classic UK folk, old ballads, and mythology. It's truly lovely, their boy/girl harmonies just the right amount of raw and polished. Wonderful stuff, for mellow moods when you have a craving to hear a pair of voices interlock in beautiful harmony.
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Maisha (LP)
Zawose Queens
Brand new debut that spotlights the timeless traditional folk music from Tanzania. Created by this mother and daughter duo (who are a daughter and granddaughter of Tanzanian musical legend Hukwe Zawose), there's a real magic to this material. Ancient African zones rich with history and substance, and released on Peter Gabriel's Real World label.
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Pinball (CD)
MIKE
MIKE has been on a crazy generational run. This project is just ridiculous how hard it goes. It's no small achievement the way he's bringing together worlds that may seem like polar opposites via music. No performative bs, just genuine and undeniable good energy.
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Forever, Ya Girl (LP)
keiyaA
Recently released on wax! I still listen to this album like it just came out. The lyrics are moving as they maintain an element of playfulness and a strong sense of honesty. The production mirrors this lyrical approach. Incredible body of work from this virtuoso.
Also there's a really clever re-imagining of 94 East's 'When You See Me' on here titled 'Do Yourself A Favor'.
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2MM DON'T JUST STAND THERE! (LP)
Sideshow
I don't know how to explain this album for real. I just know that I love it.
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Land of Sleeper (LP)
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
Heavy uptempo doom metal with echoing voices throughout every song that send you on a nice little trip through the cosmos.
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In The Jingle Jangle Jungle (Book)
Joel Gion
The very sexy tambourine player for The Brian Jonestown Massacre & star of iconic music doco "Dig" recalls his exploits, excesses, & intakes...you will be entertained!
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Me and Mr. Jones: My Life with David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars (Book)
Suzi Ronson
From Mick Ronson's wife Suzy, the stylist behind David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust look, an electrifying memoir taking readers through a legendary and enduring chapter of pop culture history! Ziggy & The Spiders From Mars shows & glam androgeny were all new & amazing to legions of kids looking for something to believe in back then...and now...radical stuff!
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An Ideal For Living - A Celebration Of The EP (Book)
Corey du Browa & Friends
A nerdy but thorough history & evolution of the "not quite single, not quite LP"...lotsa sleeves you've never seen & lotsa records you'll wanna get! With a "totally subjective" list of the top 200 EPs...of course! I'm going for The Clean's "Boodle Boodle Boodle", what's your pick?
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Dark Luminosity: Memoirs Of A Geezer, the Expanded Edition (Book)
Jah Wobble
John Wardle will forever be known as Jah Wobble thanks to Sid Vicious, but he is one of the greatest bass players and has played with (the original) PIL, Can, Brian Eno, U2, as well as releasing some stellar solo stuff...his debut "Betrayal" is incredible! The book traces his journey from the early London Punk scene to his current elder statesman status, and doesn't gloss over personal issues (chronic alcoholism especially). Funny & fascinating!
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