Farhot – New Music Jason’s Picks

The New Music I’m Listening To With Righteous Intent This Week, June 17 – 23, 2023:

Good day to one and all, my friendly friends! It’s time for your weekly New Music Injection, so roll up your sleeve. I have an even dozen recommendations to impart, so sit tight. It’ll just be a little poke.

The week begins with it not one, not two, but three singles to tickle your fancy. First up is the fantastic vocalist Moses Sumney. His first new music since his terrific 2020 album græ comes via the HBO series The Idol. Get It B4 certainly owes some inspiration credit from Prince, if not for the numerical title alone, then certainly for the sensuous falsetto and emotional production.

Moses Sumney – Get It B4

My second single for the week comes from a reliable, if not prolific Afghani Artist, based in Germany. Farhot released a single in March for the Persian New Year. His new track, Bahar 1402 is a downtempo Hip-Hop beat with minimal samples, enough to tickle the ears in a lovely way.

A song that my son and I heard performed last November has been given official release. The band that makes up 40% of Radiohead, The Smile, has released a new standalone single. I recognized Bending Hectic from its bending guitar lines at the start of the song. The track then gives way to an orgasmic transition that leads to a thundering Rock song. Eight minutes of gorgeousity. If I had a ‘Song of the Week’, this would be it.

An Experimental Hip-Hop Artist and Producer from Columbus, Georgia called quinn has once again gotten my attention. His three-track EP, slaps…well, it slaps. quinn’s fragmented production is a perfect frame for his stream-of-thought delivery.

An Artist that has quickly become a regular visitor to my ears recently is Philip Sanderson. Between his experiments in sound manipulation released under his own name, and as Ice Yacht (and others), the man is busy. His latest is a four-track full-length album inspired by the sound of people on trains. Dilly Dreamers is an immersive experience, at times Ambient, others, leaning to something more rhythmic and guttural.

Ye Olde BandCamp Wishlist came through again with some imaginative and exciting Music. NEON is the fourth release from UK Chamber Group Manchester Collective. The title piece was composed by Hannah Peel, and it stretches across three movements. After that are compositions by Lyra Pramuk and Julius Eastman, before closing with Steve Reich’s thrilling Double Sextet.

A new Hip-Hop album came out this week with a lot of emotional baggage. A rapper from Chicago called Tree has been making records for over ten years, but, evidently it wasn’t selling well enough to stop selling drugs. Well, Tree got busted, and is up for a three-year hitch in the hoosegow. FREE TREE was recorded in a Judge-approved 39-day stay of sentencing. There’s a lot of soul searching here, and worth the listen.

A five-track EP from scenic Stowe, Vermont, is giving me tingles. HERMANN is the ‘nom-de-son’ of Lynn Berğkömit, of whom I can find zero information. However, Rzewski Alexanderplatz is a divine mix of Jazz and Classical idioms performed in an oddly quiet manner.

I’ve learned my lesson to not sleep on New Reggae. When you are talking about a specific style of Music that is identified by its rhythm, it’s the responsibility of the Artist to find unique ways to present the sound. Zion Train is a Dub dj and Producer based in Cologne, Germany. They’ve been recording and performing for 35 years, but they sound fresh as daisies on Dissident Sound. Throughout eleven tracks, it will keep you dancing, only pausing to react to the next tasty sonic manipulation.

Brooklyn NY’s Geese is a five-piece Rock Band that has just released their second album. 3D Country is filled with hard-driving tracks and endearing vocals. Mysterious Love is a standout.

pardoner is a quartet from San Francisco that has been active since 2015. Their latest effort is Peace Loving People, a 14-track album filled with high-energy bops full of disillusioned lyrics that are highly relatable.

Holy Locust is a five-piece acoustic band from New Orleans, Louisiana. This week they’ve released their second full-length. Beneath The Turning Wheel spins a dark and emotional tale, with tight interplay between the musicians. Gorgeous harmonies are abundant on this beautiful record, helping to make it my Feature Pick for the week.

*Holy Locust – Beneath The Turning Wheel*

If I was here with you now, I’d give you a lollipop for sticking with me while I do my thing. The stinging sensation should wear off soon.

Take good care of yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To (Not That I’m Bragging Or Anything) This Week, March 18 – 24, 2023:

Greetings and smellutations, dear friends! I do hope your week has been agreeable to your constitution, and you’re coming into the weekend with all limbs intact.

We have another excellent week of New Music, and I’ve found nine titles that are enriching my life. Maybe you’ll feel some way about them.

A single from Guelph, Ontario’s Noah23 was dropped on Wednesday. His album that came out at the beginning of February is on rotation at Casa Enemjay, and I’m pleased to see him working with the legendary MC Kool Keith on Forbidden History. Produced by DJ Wardove, it’s three minutes of deep bass and stoned beats, with contemplative samples.

*Noah23 x Kool Keith – Forbidden History*

A multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and producer from Los Angeles made one of the more exciting releases that came out this week. Known only as Low Leaf, she has released her seventh full-length, MiCRODOSE. It comes with a unique energy, as the artist utilizes harp and piano to accentuate sketchy beats and Low’s warm vocals.

I featured an Afghan Artist based in Berlin around this time last year named Farhot, who released an EP on the occasion of the Persian New Year. He’s back again with a single, in celebration of Nowroz 1402. The track features rapper Khan, and excellent downtempo production with winning hooks.

A label from Guatemala with deep spiritual roots called Resueño released their first compilation album this week. Cacao Dance features over thirty artists across 21 tracks of music, spanning over two hours. It’s the work of Electronic and organic artists from around the world who share a connection with Cacao, and its many positive properties. Meditative and calm.

From Olympia, Washington comes a rip-roaring rough and ready Punk trio called Fugitive Bubble. Aggressive, high-energy drums drive Delusion, their ten track, eighteen minute album. Through fits and starts, their singer frolics with athletic enthusiasm.

In the City of Haale, Germany, south of Berlin, is a Punk/ Experimental Label called Turbo Discos, that consistently releases good albums. This week an artist named simply Jonas, has released a lo-fi gem, as UMA VOX. Golden Agers is eight tracks of guitar-driven Post Punk-Pop, with woozy riffs and double-tracked vocals that sound like they are run through a Leslie Speaker. Features a cover of EXWHITE’s Estray.

A hotly anticipated Hip-Hop collaboration between New York’s JPEGMAFIA and Detroit’s Danny Brown is blowing my speakers this week. SCARING THE HOES is JPEG’s production; booming beats and creative rhythm play. Danny’s rhymes are fast and furious.

*JPEGMAFIA x Danny Brown – SCARING THE HOES*

Transcendent vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant is so good she could sing The New York Times Saturday Crossword and make you cry. On most of her latest album, Mélusine, Cécile sings in French, making it largely incomprehensible for me, but the New York Artist’s voice is so evocative, it transmits emotion so effortlessly. Fortunately for a Music lover like myself, she doesn’t just rest on being a pretty voice. She is a dazzling pianist, and has an ear for the Musical road less travelled.

A solo bedroom producer named James Goodson, from Richmond, Virginia, has made an early contender for my favourites of 2023. Recording as Dazy, his new album OTHERBODY is eight tracks, and twenty minutes of the hookiest and clever Pop writing I’ve heard in a long time. Goodson’s double-tracked vocals recall Brian Wilson or Alex Chilton, and the harmonies and arrangements are flawlessly odd and fresh. It also brings to mind the output of The Beatles in the mid-1960’s. With this kind of pedigree it was bound to be my Feature Pick for the week.

Hope you’re able to find something of value to you. If you don’t, maybe just a reminder that you are valuable will suffice. Be kind to yourself!

Smell ya later!

The Beefy New Releases I’m Listening To On This Glorious Day, Friday, March 25, 2022:

I thought when I forcibly removed myself from Zuckbook it would decrease my screen time. Instead, it only increased my time searching on Bandcamp. I believe it to be a healthy trade-off, but I need to be careful on the wallet. Fun fact: Bandcamp gift cards can be purchased and emailed to any recipient (including the good person who has two thumbs and may be typing this). (jaymowil@hotmail.com)

The releases are beefy, indeed. Eleven titles in all; transcending styles, borders, quarantines, and preconceptions.

My first choice for this week was actually released late last Friday, well beyond press time for me. So, it gets moved to this week. My blog, my rules.

Detroit rapper Zelooperz released a great album last year that I’m still enjoying, and he has already followed it up. “Get WeT.Radio” has a slew of producers, notably fellow Michigander Black Noi$e. Zelooperz’s unique delivery is centre stage and he is on a full-on “(mostly)Woke Lover Man” flex. My only complaint is that the cover is not one of his great paintings, instead it’s a beefcake bathtub shot. Ah, well, he is a fine-looking fellow. I can’t fault him.

A producer from San Francisco got my attention this week with their new release. rainsdeaf is the artist name for this high-energy DJ. Their new album, “rhythm industry”, doesn’t stay in one place for too long, which makes it so engaging to listen to. Anything else I could tell you would be pure speculation.

I’ve found a great new MC from Charlotte, NC, via Ohio. jaH-Monte OF MELENATED PEOPLE has been releasing records since 2020, and his new one, “Here, There & Everywhere” is some heady and smooth rhymes, with production from Fly Anakin, Ohbliv, and a bunch of others.

*jaH-Monte OF MELENATED PEOPLE* –
*Here, There & Everywhere*

OK, I’m not saying that you should take some time for Brazilian Music, but it is punching well beyond its weight category. And it does well in many disciplines. As far as not being able to understand what they are singing, Music has the ability to transcend meaning. Didn’t you know that?

Apropos of nothing, from Valencia, on East coast of Spain, on the Balearic Sea (and not from Brazil), comes La Culpa. The band is a four-piece of the Rock tradition. Their eight-song self-titled debut was released this week. I smell a strong Pixies influence to their sound. Boy-girl unison vocals punctuate in a charming way. Beautiful cover. It’s a winner.

And we’re back to Motor City again. Detroit DJ and producer Chef Mike has been behind the ones and twos for over two decades. He refers to his recent release, “Kitchen Confidential” as, “Rando instrumentals vol. 1”. The truth is, if any rapper were to take these ten tracks as the basis of their own album, they won’t have lost. Smart samples, and a keen sense of rhythm. Tasty.

Another Hip Hop producer, but from a different culture. Afghan-born Farhot is based in Hamburg. His new single, “Nowroz 1401”, was released in celebration of the Solar New Year, as celebrated in Afghanistan. Three tracks that utilize samples of Afghan Psychedelic Pop records of the 1960’s. Unique and enticing.

The pandemic has been hard for everyone, for myriad reasons. I can only imagine the special challenges a eight-piece Jazz-Funk combo could be struggling with. From the sounds of it, UK band Speedometer has risen to the challenge. They have released a three-song ep, recorded remotely, and featuring half a dozen additional guest musicians. “Lockdown Sessions – Ukraine Crisis Appeal” leads off with a brilliant track, “Kashmir”, which utilizes sitar and trumpets in a call-and-response fashion. Get on up!

*Speedometer –*
*Lockdown Sessions-Ukraine Crisis Appeal*

Also from the UK, a singer with an exceptional voice, Reginald Omas Mamode IV. He has released his fourth album, after previous critical successes. “Stand Strong” is a personal testament, with warm and bright production.

*Reginald Omas Mamode IV – Stand Strong*

Oh my, so many releases this week! I’m so happy with what I’m hearing this week. Also, I’m learning. Did you know that actress Lisa Bonet has a very talented half-sister? It’s true. Kadhja Bonet is a critically-acclaimed singer and multi-instrumentalist. She has released a single this week, in anticipation of a new LP. “Dear Gina” was also produced by Bonet. Woozy synth-bass and broken beats accompany her velvet voice. Released by the almighty Ninja Tune.

If you can believe your eyes and ears, Czech ‘Artist-with-a-capita-A’ Petr Válek has released a Pop album! If you don’t know Mr. Válek’s work, he toils in many mediums, but is known for his short videos where he demonstrates instruments he’s created. Some make the most breathtakingly beautiful sounds, others…simply breathtaking. This week he has released “Orange Album. Over fifteen tracks, Petr turns down the noise (kinda), and shows off his skill creating songs; spanning numerous styles, which I believe to be spontaneously composed while recording. Does humor belong in music? Yes, with one exception: Limericks.

My final pick for this week. Phew! Are you all still with me? A band from Tel Aviv, Israel called El Khat made my brain collapse to its knees and weep with pure joy this week. Lead by Eyal el Wahab, the group incorporates strings, horns, synths, and homemade percussion. The grooves on “Albat Alawi Op. 99” are so flawless and natural. “Djaja” gave me Third-Degree Stank Face. A no-doubt early frontrunner for Album Of The Year.

What a tremendous week in New Music! March is ending strong, and April also looks to be full of great stuff to look forward to. Enjoy the bounty, friends, and take care of yourself!