We have a relatively lighter Release Week ahead of us. Looking past the graveyard of “Feb” releases that haven’t quite been nailed down yet, the shortest month of the year begins with a lot of unknown Artists, with a handful of veterans.
Among the known, I’m looking forward to hearing from KMFDM, J. Mascis, and Switch w/Moka Only.
J. Mascis – Right Behind You
An Artist I’ve heard some buzz about from the UK is releasing their debut album on Friday. The Last Dinner Party is a quintet from London that has all the Music trades aflutter in England. Prelude To Ecstasypromises theatrical Pop with a lyrical bent.
Oddly enough, my BandCamp Wishlist is chock full with seven titles on tap. That’s perfect for the first BandCamp Friday of the year. Today I’ll spotlight a New York Artist who has worked with Marc Ribot and John Zorn. Ches Smith is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. His Electronic Large Band album Laugh Ashcomes out on Friday.
Hope your days are bright and beautiful, and I hope to see you again on Friday, so I can share some newly-finagled sounds for our listening holes. Take care of yourself!
It’s a glorious day to wrap up a quiet Release Week. We’re starting to see some snow flying in the air, which is fine, as long as it doesn’t land.
I was able to find a total of 32 songs to recommend; Three Singles and two Albums. Let’s call it a healthy snack of Organic and Electronic sounds. Allons-y!
The Icelandic Vocal Goddess Björk is back with a “New” single. I use the quotes because Oral actually had its birth in the mid-1990’s. Ms. Gudmunsdottir decided to revive the discarded track, and asked Spanish singer Rosalía to join her. Proceeds for the song will be used for Legal Fees to fight International Fishing in Iceland. It sounds like it could have easily fit on Homogenic.
A single from War-torn Jerusalem is making the crowd at My Imaginary Nightclub feel awkward. But they’re ordering more drinks as they dance to Aralkum b/w Zellijby Mozaik Ses. The A-side is a head-nodder, whilst the B-side will have you busting several embarrassing moves.
Playing next for the patrons at Mon Discotheque Imaginaire is a single from UK Producer Iglooghost. Collision Data b/w Diode Teethbegins with a brisk Electronic slap of an A-side that features the wonderful Marina Herlop on vocals. Diode Teeth keeps the energy edgy and dark for all my Goth friends.
The long-held tradition of getting together with friends to create Art continues to thrive, no matter how the Industry winds may blow. The new album from American transplant to Canada Robert Connely Farr is a simple-yet-effective demonstration of this ethic. The Blues guitarist and singer sat down with his friend Jimmy “Duck” Holmes on drums, pressed “Record,” and came up with the thirteen tracks that is Pandora Sessions. Earthy downhome grooves with a whole lot of soul.
My Feature Pick for this week is an Artist that Cult Film Director John Waters described as, “Roy Orbison with a head wound.” Bloodshot Bill hails from Montreal, Canada, and he carries a distinctly American sound. His new album Psyche-o-Billyhas a classic Rockabilly and Country/Western soul, performed by a potentially insane person who emotes with wild yelps and yodels. His background vocals are hilarious singalongs, particularly on I’m A Ding Dong and the “poppa doos” of Tell Me To Go. Great fun for all.
Important Scheduling Note: Now that the Release Schedule is thinning out for the rest of the year, I will be releasing the 2023 New Music Jason PrizeLonglist. The list of my twenty favourite albums of the year will be ready for your eyes on Sunday, December 3 at 9:00 am EST. The winner of the New Music Jason Prize will be announced on Sunday, December 31.
I warned y’all that we had a bustling New Release Week in our stead. I have a smorgasbord of New Music to put in front of you for your edification.
Twelve titles in all, though a few of them are of the single or EP sort, so not as big an investment of time as one might suspect. Strap up!
I discovered something this week that isn’t New Music, but gave me more joy than anything I’ve experienced in quite a long time. I heard of this App called Be My Eyes and when I heard what it was, I downloaded it immediately. How it works is, if you’re vision-impaired and require help navigating a situation (reading a label, shopping etc.), you can place a camera-phone call through the app, and a volunteer, who is sighted, will pick up and assist them. Currently there are about 600,000 people who use this service, and about 7 million volunteer helpers. With these numbers, I wondered if I’d ever receive a call, but not 24 hours later, I received my first call. It was Karen from the West Coast of Canada, who is Diabetic, and needed assistance setting her insulin IV. With a little work, I was able to make sure she was putting the monitor where I could read it, and help her with that very basic task. So easy for me, but what a rush of adrenaline. I’m going to float on this for days.
To start off this week’s findings, Kassa Overall is a renowned Drummer, Producer and MC from Seattle. He’s achieved a modicum of notoriety and acclaim, but on his latest single, 2 Sentimental, Kassa laments, “I’m backstage with my eyes on the free snacks. I brought some Ziplocs, ‘cause I’ma need that.” He paints a glum picture of the reality of the life of a working artist, over Guaraldi-esque Piano lines, “hoping I get my advance before I get evicted.” Excellent, honest Wordplay.
On Tuesday, Detroit’s finest MC Danny Brown (fight me, Marshall!) announced his new album, Quaranta, which is due for release in mid-November. He’s teased it with his new single, Tantor. The idiosyncratic track begins with the sound of someone dialing into Cable Internet, like it’s 1997. As you’re connected, the bass-and-drum groove begins immediately, with Danny’s instantly recognizable voice chirping in, with enigmatic effect. Check!
Another single that knocked my socks off comes from the almighty Ninja Tune Records, and Electronic wunderkind Floating Points. The Artist’s (name: Sam Shepherd) new song Birth4000 has been making Summer Festivals, including Glastonbury bounce in unison. Beginning with harsh Electronic Noise it finds finds its latitude, like early Moog patches. Soaring Synths join before dissolving with disembodied handclap into THE DROP. Hope you brought your glow sticks!
It’s not often that I find New Music from Bulgaria, and I have no clue what qualifies as Popular Bulgarian Music in Bulgaria. What qualifies as Popular Bulgarian Music in my house is a new collaboration between friends. Abu Ama and BedouinDrone have recorded together before, and there is a sophisticated easiness to Dalwat Lībiyyā. Ethnic Tribal samples ring out among the pounding beats and thunderous bass on the seven tracks. My Imaginary Nightclub is in negotiations for an extended stay in The Main Room.
In fact I’ve been looking at many Artists vying for time in The Imaginary Main Room. Lots of Electronic Dance Music on this very busy release week. Next up is an Artist from France that I first discovered early last year. Julien Chastagnol is Ruby My Dear, and he’s released a new four-song EP. Lstis energetic Breakbeats paired with piano arpeggios and distortion. It’s a very distinctive path he has forged for himself, and I, for one, approve.
A DJ and Producer from Georgia in the Southern US first caught my attention last year with her “beet tape.” She has been releasing Music steadily since then,and I’m happy to bring to your attention her new mixtape. i used to cry about it first gets your attention with an evocative photograph of a young boy, looking like he is holding a handgun for the first time in his life. quinn’s music contained within is just as evocative. Twisted beats and screwed samples make for some uneasy listening.
A label from Uganda called Nyege Nyege Tapes has been releasing consistently unique and dazzling Electronic Music. This week it’s the debut album from “punk ethnomusicologist” Julien Hairon. As Judgitzu, he is exploring his Celtic heritage, and its relation to Tanzanian Dance Music. Sator Arepois dark and energetic, with thundering bass and field recordings used in looping fashion.
For some reason that I can’t quite fathom I find myself drawn to the many different musical styles out of Brazil. Continuing that trend this week. is Txana Reu Keneya. They are a group of “guardians and messengers of the Amazon Forest,” and of the Hunikuin Indigenous Peoples. Their five-song self-titled album is simply strummed strings, drums and unison voices. There is a plaintive sense of sadness in their gorgeous melodies.
I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m lacking in the essential nutrients that Rock Music provides. A band led by Vancouver multi-instrumentalist Patrick McEachnie has just released a new EP via German label Turbo Discos. On their new 7”, Pack Rat takes the raw energy of Garage or shouty Punk with Poppy choruses among the four tracks of BITE MY TONGUE. Yes, this should do just fine.
A band that has been getting a lot of buzz currently in the UK (or maybe it’s just the NME being its usual blathering self) is HotWax. The trio from Hastings is finely tuned, with smoking bass, fierce guitar, and snarling vocals on their second EP Invite me, kindly. I love Grrl Gang Rock.
Wanna get weird? Let’s get weird. I’ve found a fantastically fucked-up One-Man Band. Brian Chippendale is the mastermind behind Black Pus. The musician from Providence, RI uses drums, harsh electronics and furious babbling on IMPROVISED CURSES. It’s fist pumping, life affirming anarchy.
Back in June I heard a track that I, of course, recommended, from London’s Sampha, and I’ve been singing it around the house ever since. The Mercury Prize-winning vocalist (not me) has returned with his new full-length. I fell in love with Sampha’s rich baritone, and the Production on Lahaithat is just as rich. Sampha’s voice soars with confident falsetto, and plenty of heart. My FeaturePick for the week.
I hope it’s a lovely Friday for all, and that the week has been easy and breezy.
Based on the cover art of the majority of the seven titles I discovered this week, I can only assume that there is a global shortage of colour printer ink. Coincidences are fun!
A single to start off my recommendations today comes from London’s Archie Fairhurst. As Romare, he released one of my favourite albums of 2020, “Home”. This week he has released a two-song single, “Walking In The Rain”. The A-side is a mid-tempo that incorporates acoustic guitar, bass, and simple drums, with Moby-esque Electronic accoutrements. The flip side is “A Hold”, and it has moved directly into heavy rotation at my Imaginary Nightclub.
New Instrumental Hip-Hop artists have the misfortune of trying to follow the greats of the genre, like Dan The Automator and Kid Koala. What else is there left to explore in crate digging? How do you move the art beyond J. Dilla? Profane is a DJ and producer from Vancouver who’s first name may or may not be Dan. His response to my short-sighted questions is “Snares N’ Roses”, an eight-song full-length. It’s full of turntable trickery, smart breakbeats, and wobbly bass. It’s a thrilling endorphin rush.
Sol Cabrini is a Chicago born and based actor and musician who performs as Sol Patches. They have been recording since 2016, and their newest album is “Ordinary Circles.” The sound is Electronic in nature, punctuated with Sol’s introspective vocals, both sung and rapped. The production is engrossing and thoughtful.
Hip-Hip fans may know a rapper and producer that made a bit of a splash around 2008-10. Anthony Hamilton was signed to Interscope, had a hit with “Brooklyn Girls,” an alliance with Lupe Fiasco, and even had a track produced by Eminem. Unfortunately, Mental Health issues forced Hamilton to put Music on the back burner. He’s now returned to Music, independently, and he has splashed onto BandCamp with five New Releases. Of the five, I need to recommend “Affirmative Action,” his new 17-track album. Hamilton has produced a engrossing and evocative document, with cunning rhythm and word play.
I’m happy to be able to recommend Terence Etc.’s new album this week. The Brooklyn artist has self-produced an excellent R&B document in, “V O R T E X.” It’s peppered with Electronics and African rhythms, and horns. Terence’s voice is confident and strong.
I’ve learned, through the last couple of years exploring New Music, that London and Chicago are the two major Ports of Call for that big umbrella of Music that can be considered “Jazz”. London has come through again this week, via a trio that calls themselves Szun Waves. The three are producers and/or members of other groups, including the Portico Quartet. Their new album, “Earth Patterns,” is a meditative seven tracks, with searching saxophone and surging cymbals.
“Greetings blessed people. The world is in trouble. It is I and I’s responsibility to respect and protect Mother Earth. To spread positive vibrations, to speak knowledge and the truth. To spread more love, brothers and sisters. Love is the key. Love is everything. Love is the only answer. Love each other, and love yourselves.” Thus begins Chad Dubz’s new full-length, “Universal Vibrations,” and it may as well be my Aspirational Code of Conduct, and it is my Feature Pick. Within the nine tracks the listener is engrossed in Dub bass, evocative samples, and consciousness-raising lyrics.
New Music Jason’s Picks 