Sunday, December 02, 2007

Si, Para Usted - The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba Vol. 1























You might have guessed if you read this blog regularly that I really like a bit of world music. I feel a bit guilty that I have not written about any for a while so here is a funky collection of rare tracks from Cuba. Mmmm Communist Funk. This album really breaks away from the normal plain bossa nova sound which is connected to the country and gives a spice of Soul, Jazz, Psychedelia and even a dose of electronic experimentation.

The album was compiled by Waxing Deep Radio DJ Dan Zacks who decided to share some of the music played on his show following huge listener demand.

The album is a real treat to behold as most music from Cuba, obviously except the huge Buena Vista Social Club, is impossible to get hold of. The tracks on this album have been remastered from dusty originals found in a Havana warehouse. This is a great album, although it is not up to the standard of the recent Tropocalia collections there is certainly enough great music on this album to spice up any Christmas party.



Si, Para Usted - The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba Vol. 1Irakere
"Bacalao Con Pan" (mp3)
from "Si, Para Usted - The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba Vol. 1"
(Waxing Deep / Light in the Attic)

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Monday, November 26, 2007

Pre - Epic Fits






















London based Punks Pre are loud... really loud. If you like your music fast, angry and noisy then this is a welcome addition to your record collection. Singer Akiko "Keex" Matsuura is also the singer of Comanechi who I saw at the woeful Tales Of The Jackelope festival. Comanechi were not that great, I think Pre are definitely the stronger of the two bands.

The album blasts through 15 tracks in just over 20 minutes, if you like your songs long this is not really for you, but if you like crunching riff heavy punk then this is pretty great. The album is pretty low on melody but high on passion and bass heavy dronage, I think after listening to the albums opener Drool you have a good idea whether you are going to love or hate this album. It takes a Erase Errata/ Liars sound and pushing the sound to its absolute limits.

Im really into punk/metal at the moment, I find it a really inventive genre and if you like something even heavier I would definitely seek out the new Dillinger Escape Plan album, Ire Works which is awesome, I will hopefully be going to see them very soon.

Epic Fits carries on with some of the tribal moods which featured heavily on the recent Health album I wrote about a few weeks ago, altough this album is much shorter it has some amazing funk/punk/metal moments, it can be a hard listen to get into but when you hear it enough it clicks into place how exciting this band is.

If anyone has seen Pre live or have any recommendations for me drop me a comment!


Epic FitsPRE
"Drool" (mp3)
from "Epic Fits"
(Skin Graft Records)

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Epic FitsPRE
"Popping Showers" (mp3)
from "Epic Fits"
(Skin Graft Records)

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Sunday, November 18, 2007

Burial - Untrue





To be honest I have never considered myself a huge fan of dub step, I have dabbled every so often but after hearing this album you might not need to hear another dance record ever again.

Untrue is a fantastic piece of work, dark brooding music but a huge sound this is an album not to be missed. This album is too niche to get too much cross-over success but it definitely worth seeking out even if you are not a fan of dub, this album is not far off a masterpiece.

Sorry about the briefness/lack of recent posts I have been really busy at the moment. Enjoy this track and I will be back soon.


UntrueBurial
"Ghost Hardware" (mp3)
from "Untrue"
(Hyperdub)

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Sunday, October 28, 2007

Efterklang- Parades













Efterklang's second album, Parades is an absolute delight, very rarely do you hear an album that is so epic yet beautifully personal. Imagine Illinois by Sufjan Stevens with elements of Arcade Fire and Sigur Ros and you are kind of there. Oh and sung in Danish.

The band have managed to create such a huge sound it is amazing to think the band have only five members. The orchestration of the album is absolutely fantastic and it really is a crime if this band is not heard by everyone. It is near impossible for me to draw a highlight from this bunch but the albums second track Mirador is near perfect.

Although Efterklang's music might be grand for some peoples tastes but if you are a fan of the bands mentioned above Parades is definitely worth checking out, Parades is definitely a sign that this band has much more to offer, I cant wait to see how these songs are translated live.






ParadesEfterklang
"Cutting Ice to Snow" (mp3)
from "Parades"
(Rumraket)

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Here is a beautifully animated video for the track Mirador


Sunday, October 14, 2007

Nina Nastasia & Jim White - You Follow Me






















On her latest album Nina Nastasia has collaborated with Dirty Three Drummer Jim White and also re-enlisted the production expertise of the amazing Steve Albini, I will never forget walking past Steve's Challet every night at ATP seeing him playing a huge game of poker with various other band members.

Considering other Albini produced albums I have heard You Follow Me is a very mellow affair. I was new to Nina Nastasia's music before hearing this album and I have to admit I am really impressed. She has a really listenable voice with a lyrical flair that her contemparies really lack. Even though the albums production is very stripped down, just consisting of a guitar, vocals and drums there is a great deal of power in the music especially through Nastasias emotive vocals and Whites drumming. Considering the albums quiet sound Whites drumming is very powerful and almost experimental. At some points the drums work as a lead instrument as well as percussion which is very rare with this style of music.

Nina Nastasia's voice is a joy to listen to and has a breathy melody which really grabs your attention, working on different tones and harmonies in songs she really is a fantastic artist. You Follow Me is a really interesting listen, you wont here this level of experimentation in such a stripped form in many albums this year.


You Follow MeNina Nastasia & Jim White
"I Write Down Lists" (mp3)
from "You Follow Me"
(Fat Cat Records)

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Health- Health

























Health's music is nuts, absolutely crazy and I love it! This is not bedtime/ Sunday hangover curing listening this is tribal Drums not Dead era Liars with an electric make over.

The first three tracks scream past you like an earthquake, primal rage in short bursts its not until the forth track in you get some vocals. The vocals seem part of the music rather than leading the songs and it works really well. Crimewave shows this really well, screaming vocals, grinding guitars and drums straight from the Amazon. This is not a tame listening experience for anyone...

The albums 11 tracks clocks in at just over 30 minutes and that is about what you can take before your head explodes, the drumming in this album is exceptional and it really holds the album together. If you are not a fan of the more melodic sounds of the new Liars album and want to hear something a bit more biting this is the album for you. Just don't listen if you have a headache coming on.

HEALTHHEALTH
"Crimewave" (mp3)
from "HEALTH"
(Lovepump United)

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Video for Crimewave: This is a Crystal Castles remix which gives the track different twist. Funky.

 
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