Boston – New Music Jason’s Picks

2023 New Music Jason Prize Shortlist

*2023 New Music Jason Prize* – not sponsored by SmokeCartel.com

As we reach the conclusion of another year, it’s time to take stock of all we’ve gained and lost. Moreover, it’s a time to anticipate all that the New Year promises. Will there be an orderly US Election in 2024, or will they dive headlong into Civil War? More importantly, what is Taylor Swift going to do next? Enquiring minds want to know.

2023 in New Music was a grand exploration of many different moods and mindsets. What touched my soul most vividly are the following five albums. These are my five favourite albums of 2023, in contention for the highly-coveted New Music Jason Prize. Once again they will be listed in chronological order, based on their Release Dates.

Stephanie Lamprea – 14 Récitations

Released: February 10, 2023

My Shortlist begins with the most unorthodox album among all my favourites of the year. Stephanie Lamprea is a Colombian-American Soprano vocalist based in Glasgow, Scotland. Composed in 1977-78 by Greek composer Georges Aperghis, 14 Récitations is series of pieces written for solo voice. Imagining the Sheet Music for these works, while Lamprea inhabits the Music, is a giddy pleasure of the listening experience. If someone wants to gift me a copy, I’d be ever so pleased. She performs as though her voice is not doing what she wants it to do. She halts and stutters while the realization overcomes her, and with it you can hear the fear, the anger, the sadness, and ultimately the despair and madness. Some of the most challenging passages (mostly wordless, but for some broken French) I’ve ever heard are performed with confident bravura. Touches me as a person who lives with Multiple Sclerosis, having experienced the frustration of my body not working properly.

Rahill – Flowers At Your Feet

Released May 12, 2023

This album is the Dark Horse, among all my favourites. Iranian-American Singer/Songwriter Rahill Jamalifard’s debut album Flowers At Your Feet has quietly endeared me to its lyrical charms, having missed it on my Mid-year List. A mostly Downtempo affair, Rahill paints a vivid picture of a young woman trying to make sense of life on her own terms. Family is important to Jamalifard, and she gives reverence, particularly on Ode To Dad. But the album is not without its hooks, from the bouncy “doo-doo” singalong of I Smile For E, to the call-and-response (featuring Beck, inexplicably) of Fables. Not a bad one in the bunch.

Big Blood – First Aid Kit

Released June 9, 2023

South Portland, Maine’s Big Blood is a Family Band, which already feels like it has a weird smell to it. Historically, Family Bands have been created by domineering parents in search of Fame and Glory. I can’t say for certain that Caleb Mulkerin isn’t forcing his life partner Colleen Kinsella, or his daughter Quinnissa to write and sing their latest album, First Aid Kit. My assumption is that it’s a happy arrangement with well-adjusted humans. And the star of the show is thirteen year-old Quinnissa. The voice chimes with ringing clarity right from the start of In My Head. There’s a Ronnie Spector precociousness to her sound as she sings of the teenage frustration of being unable to talk to her crush on 1000 Times. There’s a tonal purity when Quinnissa and Colleen harmonize. When the elder takes the lead, such as with the haunting Makes Me Wonder (for Ma’Khia Bryant) the emotion is just as pure.

Justice Cow – my dad died

Released September 5, 2023

Families are a funny thing. They can be the backbone of who you are as a person. Sometimes in spite of themselves. Jessica Kion’s father taught her how to play piano. As Justice Cow, she has gone on to create the most tear-inducing album of the year. my dad died celebrates the life, and mourns the premature death of her father, due to alcoholism. I don’t know what it would be like to be raised by a parent with such a crippling disease, but I imagine the emotions are mixed, and deep. Kion lays her emotions out in full view right from the start of the record. Waiting For A Haunting imagines a ghostly conversation with her father. Unrelenting lays bare the hardships endured because of her father’s illness, before gloriously dissolving. On Read The Room she regrets the time she lashed out at her father when he was beyond control. On Just Like You, she lists the many things that her father gave her. Despite his downfalls, she endears to be like her old man. Jessica’s voice cuts right to the heart. Devastating.

Sampha – Lahai

Released October 20, 2023:

I referred to the Rahill album as the “Dark Horse” of the year, but what’s great about 2023 is how many of my favourites are of the “creeper” variety, in that it took some time to realize the hidden greatness within. Take Sampha’s Lahai: it was released in late October, but it wasn’t until quite recently (after seeing his NPR Tiny Desk Concert six weeks later) that my ears truly opened. Lahai is a delicate masterpiece, with multiple moving parts that work in consort with each other. Nothing overwhelms Sampha’s warm-toned voice, and the vocal arrangements are rich and nuanced. Glorious.

Who will take the Prize? Check back next week, Sunday, December 31 for the presentation of the 2023 New Music Jason Prize at 9 am EST.

The New Music I’m Listening To Egregiously This Week, November 11 – 17, 2023:

Wooohoooo! What a tremendous week in New Music! A glorious mix of “Hotly Anticipated,” and “New Surprises” to get my endorphins flowing.

We have fifteen(!) titles to deeply dig. No walls, only the bridge. My supper dish, my succotash wish! Sing it, baby!

A single to start this week’s findings comes from MC and Producer Deca. The NYC Artist preaches on the frustration of life during wartime on War. Who’s going to get peace, when they’re still getting a piece?

Deca – War

The week began with raised eyebrows at the news of an album from former OutKast member André 3000. The notoriously strange person has indeed dropped a new album, but it’s not what you’d expect. The completely instrumental New Blue Sun features Dre’s newfound love; his big wooden flute. Featuring production from Carlos Niño, the ninety-minute album contains 7 tracks featuring lengthy, expository titles like, “That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control…Sh¥t Was Wild”. New Age/Ambient, and quite meditative.

A multi-instrumentalist based in Iran has amassed an ensemble to create a lush and nuanced album. Arif Mirbaghi’s Mutual Occultation breathes new life in the household, with Chromatic Harmonica, flute, and Accordion providing much of the lead. Textured Production offers the listener much to explore, and begs for multiple listens.

Nicole Brady is a pianist and composer that is from Australia, but is based on Vancouver Island. Her debut album, Lost Palace, was made in conjunction with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The eight tracks are a delicious blend of Classical and modern beat-making.

*Nicole Brady, Royal Scottish National Orchestra – Lost Palace*

Directly from my BandCamp Wishlist, but more accurately from the swinging City of London, duo VÄLVĒ has released their sophomore album. On Tiny Pilots Chlöe Herington provides lead vocals along with an arsenal of instruments, whilst Emma Sullivan brings backing vocals and bass. It’s a very agreeable journey, where harp twists and turns around tight harmonies. Brilliant.

To Detroit we go now, to meet up with Zoos Of Berlin. The Indie quintet has released Busy With People; an eleven-track album that harkens to early New Wave with deep bass and Dance grooves.

The City of Barrie, Ontario was the closest City to where I was growing up, a 40-minute drive away. It was where you would move if you were too intimidated by Toronto, but wanted to assert some independence. My sister works at the McDonald’s in the Walmart. If you’re in town, say hi to Lorri. Meanwhile, check out this compilation from Barrie Label Tarantula Tapes. Tracknaphobia Vol. 3 contains twenty-four bands from Ontario, including Peterborough’s Garbageface, Newmarket’s Bilious, and Barrie’s own Angry Spells. Spanning sounds from Garage Pop, Hardcore Punk. Hip-Hop and beyond.

Alex Walton is a Songwriter and Producer from Boston, Mass, with a brash confessional streak. The Artist wears her heart on her sleeve throughout the twenty-three tracks of I WANT YOU TO KILL ME. Don’t let the title scare you away, because first of all, it rocks and requires full volume. Secondly, the album ends with the anthemic I Don’t Want To Kill Myself Anymore.

A band from Chicago that I recommended back in February is back with another EP. Cel Ray is a feisty Punk combo that is riling up the pit at My Imaginary Sweaty Dive Bar. Piss Park is four tracks, eight minutes, no messing around!

If you were to ask me to name a country that I think is cool, I would immediately respond Czechia. I’ve never been there, and it probably has its downside, but it seems to have, per capita, the largest population of forward-thinking and unique Artists and Musicians in the world. You can give thanks for that impression, in part, to the excellent Independent Label Korobushka Records. It’s not merely the home to my favourite living Artist, Petr Válek, but it seems that every release is inspired, and just to the left of normal. Take this week’s release from Brno’s sinks. born into this only to get through this is nine tracks of punchy, crooked guitar and catchy hooks. Vocals have a slightly Emo, and oddly American sound to them. Slightly like early U2, if Jonny Greenwood played guitar. Don’t sleep on the Czech Republic!

*sinks – born into this only to get through this*

An Artist and Producer from Baltimore has been releasing a series of remixes and mashups called his Trash Series. J.Robb’s sixth volume released this week and it runs the board in terms of style and substance. Jungle beats mix with Downtempo flips of current Club hits. #NoSampleSnitching

It’s an excellent week for conscious, intelligent and experimental Hip-Hop. Including André 3000, four of my favourite MCs are back to rock my world, and I’m also discovering new Artists that fit that mould. From Ninja Tune side-label Big Dada, H31R is a duo based in Brooklyn and New Jersey. Producer JWords and rapper/vocalist maassai combine to create the terrific HeadSpace. Positive courageous vibes.

Also from NYC is a Producer and DJ known as Blockhead. The reason I’m excited for The Aux, aside from the excellent Production, is the many featured MCs. Aesop Rock, Open Mike Eagle, Billy Woods, Danny Brown and Bruiser Wolf are just a few of the great rappers making their presence known. Drop the needle!

Brooklyn’s own Homeboy Sandman has been rocking my world these last few years. His ingenious rhymes and singsong delivery place him well above his peers. His work pace is also prolific, and evidenced by his new release. Last year, Sand released a collection of tracks that he’s unable to monetize for various reasons. This week, I Can’t Sell These Either follows it up, and if you don’t know, now you know.

*Homeboy Sandman – I Can’t Sell These Either*

No surprises here, but my Feature Pick for this week is Danny Brown’s new album. Quaranta. After I discovered Brown, via his features on his Bruiser Brigade label, I’ve been eagerly anticipating a new solo album. Danny is a very astute and funny MC, with a twisted view of life, and this album has him grappling age and sobriety with his trademark sense of humour. Also featuring is the mighty Bruiser Wolf, who could use a new album himself.

Groove is in the heart! And I truly couldn’t ask for another. What about you, friends!

Take care of yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To Expeditiously This Week, September 2 – 8, 2023:

Good Day to one and all, my dear friends of mine! It’s a glorious Friday, the birds are singing, the kids are at school, and the New Music is a-flowing.

I’ve been able to find nine titles to bring to your attention today, with a couple of surprises to send your way.

I’m a little surprised to be recommending New Music from the Oldest Band In Existence, The Rolling Stones, but here we are. Mick and the geezers have a new album coming out in October, and we’ve been given our first taste of New Music in 18 years. With Angry they show us the same spry energy that has made them great, and the songsmithery is not too shabby. Could be one of their bigger hits of these last forty years.

The Rolling Stones – Angry

A Downtempo album was released this week from London Singer/Songwriter Tirzah, in collaboration with Mica Levi. trip9love…??? spotlights Tirzah’s moody voice, set to a backing of lazy beats and dreamy instrumentation.

Darcy James Argue’s 18-piece Big Band, his Secret Society, has been around nearly fifteen years, playing out of New York City. Their latest release, Maximum Dynamic Tension, is a luscious production, with big beefy bottom and shimmering high end. Musically, it is thrillingly dense and agile, with cinematic passages for the Brain Movie in your head.

*Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society – Dynamic Maximum Tension*

Florian Arbenz is an in-demand session drummer from Switzerland who has been releasing a series of Conversations, improvisational sessions with fellow musicians. The tenth of the series was recorded during the travel restrictions of the pandemic with fellow Swiss Artists, including Martial In-Albon on trumpet, flugelhorn and sea shell, and Nils Wogram on trombone. Moody and adventurous.

*Florian Arbenz – Conversations #10-Inland*

To finish up with my Jazzy mood for this week, Black Market Brass is a nine-piece ensemble from Minneapolis. Their new album, Hox, is a hypnotic blend of Afrobeat, Psychedelic guitar, and punchy brass to get your feet moving.

Back in 2021 I discovered a band from Brazil with one of my favourite names. Sophia Chablau e Uma Enorme Perda de Tempo has returned with their sophomore releases d I’m pleased to report that Música do Esquecimento is an excellent use of your time. Uptempo, hook-heavy, and at times aggressive, with Chablau’s confident and stylish voice at the fore.

*Sophia Chablau e Uma Enorme Perda de Tempo – Música do Esquecimento*

Irish singer Róisín Murphy has long been a respected Artist in the Pop field. Her warm alto voice, once as lead of the 90’s band Moloko, has graced tracks with Jessie Ware and David Morales, as well as a handful of solo albums. Her latest, Hit Parade is a collaboration with German Electronic Producer DJ Koze and is thirteen tracks steeped in edgy production and bold sonic choices. Murphy’s voice is divine.

When I made my return to New Music in early 2020, after being distracted by babies and such, one of the first Artists that I was thrilled to discover was a female DJ from Tunisia named Deena Abdelwahed. Her sonic palate is thrilling, and I’m excited to see that she has released a new full-length. Jbal Rrsas جبل الرصاص drowns The Main Room at My Imaginary Nightclub in Eastern melodies, Deep Bass and warped beats.

*Deena Abdelwahed – Jbal Rrsas* جبل الرصاص

A confessional and emotional album crossed my path this week and touched my heart. Boston Singer/Songwriter Jessica Kion has been recording and performing as Justice Cow since 2015. Her latest, my dad died is a direct testimony of the trials of growing up with an alcoholic father, and sorting out the emotions of grief at his passing. Thoughtful and touching. The production and arrangements makes this album rise above its ken, and Jessica’s voice is devastating. It’s my Feature Pick for this week.

May you have a transcendental weekend, filled with joy and bliss. I’ll talk to you again soon.

The New Music I’m Listening To Serendipitously This Week, August 26 – September 1, 2023:

If no one else has had the bizarre pleasure, allow me to be the first to welcome you to September! The chilly mornings, followed by beautiful afternoons and sunsets, with the smell of the leaves changing and falling make it my favourite time of year.

TODAY IS BANDCAMP FRIDAY! Don’t forget to pay a visit to my favourite website and support your favourite Artists!

I have a very healthy ten recommendations to share with you and yours, so let’s get down to it.

If you’re a Music Nerd like me (and if you’re not, why are you reading this?) you are probably aware of the Self-Described “Internet’s Busiest Music Nerd,” Anthony Fantano. Fantano reviews New Music and Popular Culture at The Needle Drop on YouTube. I have great respect for his insight and thoughtful handling of often trite subject matter. Our taste is very seldom aligned, but sometimes he will discuss a piece of Music that missed my attention when it came out.

Such is the case with Jasper Marsalis. He is the son of legendary Jazz Artist Wynton Marsalis. As Slauson Malone I, his Music couldn’t be further from his father’s. After two full-lengths, Malone is back with a new single that was released August 15. Voyager begins with what sounds like Sonar, after which Deep Bass descends. The tempo is established, Jasper begins to sing and rap ninety seconds in, after a sonic eruption. Tasty production throughout make this particular song unfortunate to end, which it does far too soon. Melon loves it, and so do I! Can’t wait to hear more from this intriguing Artist.

Slauson Malone I – Voyager

I have a couple more singles this week. Next up is a tribute Cover Version for the late great Sinéad O’Connor. I was getting annoyed that all the tributes that I had heard were performances of a song written by Prince. Amanda Palmer and a crew from Righteous Babe Records have released a touching and spine-tingling cover of Sinéad’s divorce lament, The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance. Strings leads Amanda’s emotional voice to the full band climax with backing vocals. A truly touching tribute to the Artist and the human that was Sinéad.

*Amanda Palmer and the Righteous Babes – The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance*

I always get an icky feeling when a band gives themselves a name that sounds like it’s designed for shock value. MANNEQUIN PUSSY makes me feel icky, not because it offends me, but because it feels like a cheap attention-grabber. Nonetheless, their latest single, I Got Heaven is catchy, with great harmonies and arrangement. Vocalist Marisa Dabice sings passionately and with fierce power.

A one-track EP has arrived this week from Aussie Egg-Punk “Band” Daughter Bat & The Lip Stings. I first encountered this One-Man Band, who’s real name is Angus Lewis, back in October with the release of a great EP. He’s back with five songs in eleven minutes on his Secret Tape. Rock at its finest!

*Daughter Bat & The Lip Stings – Secret Tape*

A punky trio from Norwich, in the East of England have returned with another EP. Gas Kunst released their debut in January and have come back with the four-song Gas Mark Two EP. A Garage Pop feel with fuzzy guitars , and enigmatic vocals. The closing track, 101.4, sounds like a song I recognize, but can’t quite place. Readers?

South African duo Black Motion has been together since 2010 and has been tearing up real nightclubs and festivals ever since. With their seventh album, Rebirth Of The Drum, it’s time for their stint in The Main Room at My Imaginary Nightclub.

London Multi-Instrumentalist and masked Jazzbo Kofi Flexxx released a debut album this week that is chock-full of guests. Flexxx, who may or may not be Shabaka Hutchings, calls on Billy Woods, ELUCID, Anthony Joseph and others to Feature on Flowers In The Dark. It’s a spry and clever production filled with complicated rhythms and curious melodies.

Also from London is Trip-Hop pioneer The Sindecut. Their career began back in the late 1980’s when they created their sound that combines R&B, Hip-Hop and Reggae. They have recently joined up with Singer/Songwriter Ijeoma to create and release Late. It’s a ten-track album that highlights Ijeoma’s silky voice and luscious Production.

After the weekly bloodbath that is my BandCamp Wishlist was settled, Sheffield’s Pale Blue Eyes won the day. Their second album. This House is a sharp and winning mix of Euro-Dance and Post-Punk. Lyricist and vocalist Matt Board has evoked the passage of time and loss beautifully.

I discovered, this week, perhaps the most unique album I’ve heard in a long, long time. Leo Lackritz is a Producer and Singer-Songwriter from Toronto, Canada. His debut album, Crazy Enough is a wild mix of Electro, Hip-Hop and Bedroom Pop, with shades of Daniel Johnston, Kanye, and my favourite living Artist, Petr Válek. Oh, also, Leo Lackritz is six years old. His father, Robbie, has posted the album to BandCamp (with Leo’s blessing), and the proceeds are going to MusiCounts, a terrific Music Education Charity. The sheer abandon in the creativity, and no one saying “No” to the feral Lyric and Production choices that are being made, make this, hands down, my Feature Pick of the week.

I hope your life is going according to plan, and if it isn’t, that you’re able to find joy in the detours. Be good to yourself, and I’ll talk to you again soon!

The New Music I’m Listening To With Every Available Orifice This Week, February 11 – 17, 2023:

Holy Hell! I have so many New Releases to share with all of you! I came into Today (2/17) already with a dozen new titles. After the deep dive on Friday I have ended up with NINETEEN freaking recommendations for you and yours. It’s a record-breaking week, even with two titles that came out before this week that add to the numbers. No time for small talk, so let’s dive right in.

Ben Folds has a new album coming out! That name may not mean much to you, but he is one of my New Music Heroes. This week, he announced his first album since 2015’s So There. What Matters Most has been scheduled for release on June 2, and the first teaser single is Winslow Gardens. Ben’s songwriting hasn’t lost any of its shine, and this track evokes his best efforts with Ben Folds Five in the mid-90’s.

Ben Folds – Winslow Avenue

A release that I missed at the beginning of February came to my attention this week. Noah23 is a rapper and producer from Guelph, Ontario (practically right next door). I’ve known of Noah and his music since I worked at the HMV store in Guelph. Our Hip-Hop expert (and my former cannabis supplier) Mike was friends with Noah, and he always spoke in glowing terms of how talented he is. 23 has gone on to work with such greats as Sole and Kool Keith in his twenty-plus year career. His latest album is Ikosi Tria, (released on 2/3/23), and it’s a multi-producer affair, with Noah’s lyrical flow providing the narrative. Featured guests include DJ Lucas and Killah Priest. If you like your emcees permanently baked, and slightly paranoid, this jam is your jam. This jam is my jam.

Another artist that I missed on 2/3 is Toronto’s Don Kerr. The drummer for the legendary Rheostatics and Singer/Songwriter has released his second self-produced album as Communism. Lovespeech is ten funky and well-crafted Pop Songs, with focus on boundless optimism. Kerr’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s All I Want is a surprising and fun ride through 70’s Guitar Rock, with sparkly harmonies. You can almost smell the hairspray.

Now we can talk about the rest of this week’s New Releases. A musician from the UK called Montana Pete has been recording for over twenty years. His most recent album War Machine came out on Tuesday (2/14). It is my introduction to Montana Pete and the ten tracks feature dirty guitar and bass laying the bed for Pete’s genuine poetry of the proletariat. Plus, you can dance to it!

Nic Mauskovic is a Dutch multi-instrumentalist and Producer. He has been recording his style of Dance-adjacent Music as Nicolini, and his most recent release is Sopratutto. The seven-track EP is lively with shifting tempos, tasty sax loops, and delicious synthetic ear candy. Guesting on vocals is Nushin Naini, and Martha de Barros (from IC-RED).

A pair of UK artists have released a project with interesting and inspiring origins. In mid-2021, London Electronic trio Damos Room and Producer LYAM were in the midst of sharing files in collaboration, when the very-21st Century Problem of Hard Drive Malfunction derailed the project. They’ve since taken the scraps of what they could salvage to create EIN, a five-track EP. It’s an acronym that means Everything Is Noise and these disjointed meanderings belong right at home at My Imaginary Warehouse Rave.

An MC born in Oakland, but based in Brooklyn called Nappy Nina has released her sixth album. Mourning Due is divinely-produced, with skittish beats and microsamples. Nina’s flow is on point. Featured guests include JusMoni and Moor Mother.

Now we shall wander into something a little more esoteric. When I saw the movie Dancer In The Dark, starring Björk, back in 2000, I was filled with joy that the story told of a woman who makes Music in her mind from the sounds of everyday life. She works in a factory, and the Industrial noises turn into this beautifully dissonant musicality. As someone who also makes music in his brain whilst existing, I felt seen. An album released by Brazil’s great Experimental Label, The Church of Noisy Goat, comes from an artist known only as Radek K. Recording as RDKPL on hej tyme tall, the Artist is using the sound of crashing and banging metal and processed with delay and echo. Sometimes harsh, others droning with accidental rhythm and harmonics, it is shockingly organic, and aurally panoramic. Oh, and Dancer In The Dark? Let’s just say that the charming story of the quirky girl gets real sad real quick. Existentially so.

Ok, so we’ve had our Heavy Metal, so now we just need some Punk Rock. It doesn’t have to be made with rocks (but I would listen to that). I’ve found a split single from two European bands. KLINT, from Schleswig, Germany takes the A-Side of Split with ORRENDO SUBOTNIK. They feature two originals of synth-heavy hard drivers, with a thrashy cover of Government Issue’s Mad At Myself. The flipside is four tracks from Pisa, Italy’s Orrendo Subotnik. What is lacking in bottom end is made up by the charismatic lead vocalist.

*KLINT – split with ORRENDO SUBOTNIK (Side A)*

*Orrendo Subotnik – split Orrendo Subotnik /Klint (Side B)*

Boston’s Pile is a Post-Punk trio that has been around since 2007. Their eighth album, All Fiction is a dreamlike ten tracks that builds at its own pace, with great vocals and brilliant rhythm section.

An Artist from the UK who makes self-described “machine music” has unleashed an excellent long-player. Neil Campbell’s working name is Astral Social Club. His latest album, Occultics consists of five tracks ranging from four to forty minutes. The lead-off track, Tintinnabulum gets the show started with lively rhythm and hypnotic drone. The meditative Sines calms the nerves and engages your sense of focus.

An excellent percussion project crossed my path. POSH SWAT is both the name of the artist and the thirteen-track full length that was released this week by percussionist Ryan Sawyer, fellow percussionist and DJ Andres Renteria and John Dwyer from Thee Oh Sees. Drums!

The lone album from among all my recommendations that you won’t find on BandCamp this week comes from the venerable Classical records label Deutsche Grammaphon (established in 1898). A so-called ‘Classical Crossover’ Artist from Tokyo named Yuki Kojima, under the moniker Yaffle, he has been a go-to Producer for J-Pop Artists, and recently created Music for the Pokémon 25th Anniversary Celebrations. These aren’t exactly comforting credits for Classical Music fans, but After the chaos is not Classical Music. The comparisons ends at its tastefully lush production, and use of strings. Kojima tips his hat more towards Massive Attack’s quieter passages, and singer/songwriters like Damien Rice and Patrick Watson. Lovely.

Oriol Roca is a drummer and bandleader from Spain. He has been recording and performing with his Trio for over twenty years. Their latest album, Live At Jazz Cava, pairs them with Belgian vocalist Lynn Cassiers, for a seven-song set at Barcelona’s Jazz Cava de Vic. It’s dark and moody, with Cassiers’ beautiful and altered voice projecting an air of mystery. The album closes with Carousel, giving all involved a chance to show off their improvisational prowess. Go cats, go!

*Oriol Roca Trio & Lynn Cassiers – Live At Jazz Cava*

A seemingly anonymous Electronic Artist, presumably from New Zealand, has released a terrific five-song EP. Cartridge’s Sweetheart EP is thoughtful downtempo music that utilizes a distinct palate and smart production. The digital-only bonus track, Labyrinth will transport you through time and space.

I get to visit the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe for the first time! The great World Music label Real World has released an album of their local style of Music, known as Gwo Ka. Polobi & The Gwo Ka Masters are led by their vocalist Moïse Polobi, and together, on Abri Cyclonique, they conjure mystical rhythms, with call-and-response vocals and Electronic Piano accompaniment that reminds me of Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters. Polobi’s voice is entrancing.

*Polobi & The Gwo Ka Masters – Abri Cyclonique*

A Producer from Compton, California who is an alumni of the classic Project Blowed label has released a transcendent full-length. AshTre Jinkins’ style of Experimental Hip-Hop, as found on his latest MISSION FAILED is shaded towards the mellow, with curious samples and toit production. Toit!

Stone Filipczak and Victoria Rose are a Singer/Songwriter duo from Baltimore, Maryland. They’ve released their debut album, as @. @ – That’s their band name. While I don’t approve of their name choice, I do approve of the tight harmonies and eccentric melodies on Mind Palace Music. The production is tasteful, with a light organic touch.

My Feature Pick for this week of plenty comes from London, via Portugal. Raquel Martins moved to England when she was 17, and has released her second EP. Empty Flower’s four tracks showcase Raquel’s confident and agile voice on a downtempo bed of tasteful instrumentation. Martins brings her upbringing, steeped in Brazilian Jazz, to play with a subtle hip-hop mentality. I’m itching to hear more.

This week was one of those weeks that makes me wonder if I should post about New Music on a daily basis. But then I remember that I don’t want to. Too much pressure. This is my pleasure, and it will remain so, as long as it doesn’t feel like a chore. When you get weeks like this, that are chock full of yummy goodness, it makes it better to have them all together on the same post. It’s like a Department Store for the deranged, but not like your local Walmart. The harmless kind of deranged. Am I right?

Be good to yourself!, ya weirdos!

The New Music I’m Listening To This Nurturing and Friendly Week, November 26 – December 2, 2022:

A great and grand Friday to all! The Winter weather continues to chill, but the New Music is warming my heart.

The musical pickings were thin this first week of December, but I was still able to find six new titles to add to my life. Take my arm, let me guide you.

I missed an album last week from the fantastic Hip-Hop MC Jean Grae. Back in the late 90’s she was known as What? What?, and featured on tracks from The Herbaliser, Pharoah Monch, and The Roots. Her release Please Send Help is touted as, “A Holiday Guide of Meditations, Talks, and Needed Things.” It is eleven Spoken Word/Self Help/Comedy tracks designed to help out with Holiday visits back home, or social gatherings in general. Helpful nuggets such as, “Do you need to get the fuck out of there right now?…Have you thought about volunteering yourself for a store run, or all the store runs? Store Runs. Do them. Get the thing.” Useful advice from your cool older cousin.

A Musician and Producer from the UK got my attention this week. w00b is an artist from somewhere in England named Paul Frankland who has been recording ambient and ambient-adjacent Electronic Music since the last century. 7007 is an EP that features six new tracks, plus one ‘alternate version’ of the first track, Glow. The artist wears his Trip-Hop heritage proudly, while dabbling in the cold impersonality of Vaporwave. In heavy rotation in the Chillout Room of My Imaginary Nightclub.

My next recommendation came with such a unique energy to it that I simply couldn’t let it pass. Thank ‘copy-and-paste’ for making my life easier with this Japanese artist. マッチャポテトサラダ , or Macha Potato Salad, is a Producer and Beatmaker from Japan. Their latest release is アニメーション・トリッピング, within its fifteen tracks is ambitious hyperpop filled with danceable fun mixed with glorious freakouts. Incidentally, the title translates, according to Apple, as ‘Ani me cone tripping gig nni me cone.’ Couldn’t have said it better myself.

I seem to be in a bit of an Electronic Music mode this week. The term “Intelligent Dance Music”, or IDM, has been embarrassing since the 1990’s, as the Music it describes usually is not particularly intelligent, nor is it very danceable. I cringe when it’s used to describe Music. Anyway this particular dumb guy really likes this new album by Pittsburgh, PA’s TOBACCO. He has been recording Experimental Electronic Music for over fifteen years, and his latest album, Skids and Angels is more Aphex Twin than Daft Punk, though it does drift in wonderful ways.

An about-face is in order. It comes in the form of the Singer-Songwriter from England that I noted on Tuesday from my BandCamp Wishlist. Maja Lena’s second album PLUTO is ten beautiful tracks of lush and tasteful production, led by Marianne Parish’s glorious crystalline voice.

A husband-and-wife duo from Boston (Hello Boston!) have been making Music together for nearly thirty years. Robertson Thacher and Erica Fletcher, with their band, Nurse & Soldier, have just released its latest album. Let’s Spend The Day Together utilizes an intriguing musical canvas that includes organ and piano with distortion and dissonance, and it’s my Feature Pick this week. Pretty 12-string melodies and vocals help make this a must listen.

*Nurse & Soldier – Let’s Spend The Day Together*

That is everything for the week. Don’t forget about BandCamp Friday! I’ll be talking to you again soon. Stay healthy and warm, and look out for each other!