Afrikan Culture (LP)
Shabaka Hutchings
Chill and transportive LP from Melt Yourself Down, Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming saxman.
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Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam (LP)
The Comet Is Coming
Cosmic Jazz/Electronic hybrid face melter.
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Wish - 30th Aniversary Edition (CD)
The Cure
This album came out right before my 14th birthday in 1992 ! I won tickets on the radio to see hear it premiered with a laser light show at the Hayden planetarium in NYC. Then I got tickets to see them live at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island for my birthday. Oh yeah the album is great ! And now you get a 2nd disc with demos / live tracks. I also bought the LP picture disc ! Great memories ...
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Unravelled: 1981-2002 (LP)
Tall Dwarfs
The Tall Dwarfs were a strange duo from the New Zealand 1980's Flying Nun scene. They are somewhat similiar to The Clean but way more lo-fi / experimental. Most songs consist of acoustic or electric guitars or hammered pianos & vocals that seem loud & quiet all at once. This compilation contains some of their best songs ... You must hear this !
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Razzle Dazzlism (Cassette)
Scalpy Gonzales
Scalpy Gonzales is the project of L.A. based musician Bennett Koss. This tape recorded on 4-track Cassette is far out! Bennett attacks his instruments & screams his poetry with a lust for life I haven't heard in years! It's like the Velvet Underground if they lived on a farm in Kansas but only had a banjo & maybe one beat up electric guitar. Download & / or buy this tape now ! ( https://scalpygonzales1.bandcamp.com/ )
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The Escapist Route (CD)
Songs by Thom
This is the 3rd official album from L.A. based indie pop artist Songs by Thom. It was recorded on 8-track reel to reel tape at home. These 14 songs dealing with Escapism expand on his usual guitar jangle & gentle voice with harpsichord, piano, violin, mandolin, banjo, trumpet & kazoo! A light bouncy album with plenty of dark corners - Check it out! ( https://songsbythom.bandcamp.com/ )
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Revolver - Special Edition (CD)
The Beatles
My favorite & the best Beatles album (in my humble opinion). Recorded & released in 1966 the best year (in my humble opinion). Need I say more... It comes with 2 discs of bonus material (outtakes, alternates, new mixes, unreleased, etc).
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Shalom’s Sublimation is one of the most enjoyable, most assured debuts in recent memory. The Brooklyn-based, South Africa-raised artist creates urgent yet catchy-as-hell music that combines elements of power pop, punk, garage, indie, and even ‘90s alterna-pop. Shalom and producer Ryan Hemsworth (Quarter-Life Crisis) have crafted a super tight album that chronicles the ultra-loose and messy experiences of self-medicating, watching creative opportunities fall apart, and getting sick of being yourself. The joy of Sublimation, though, is the journey listeners go on as Shalom finds herself and her will to fight once again. Shalom is one to watch, to be sure, and this album will likely be on many year-end “best of” lists.
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Fever Ray is back with their first album in five years, Radical Romantics. The album title is an accurate synopsis of this left-field electro-pop production; as you’d expect, the songs are glittering and strange, filled with twists and turns both lyrical and melodic, all rooted in a deep love for both the darkness and the (heavily filtered) light. Fans of The Knife will rejoice to hear that Karin Dreijer has recruited their brother and The Knife bandmate Olof Dreijer for the first several songs, creating a vibe that eventually shifts into more buoyant, technicolor sonic territory as the album goes on. Fellow travelers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross contribute, as do Nídia, Johannes Berglund, Peder Mannerfelt, and Vessel.
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Farewell, My Friend (LP)
Thes One
Thes One delivers the strongest instrumental hip hop release of the first quarter of 2023 with this loving tribute to his deceased friend and former partner in People Under the Stairs, Mike Turner aka Double K. The album plays like a photo album of memories of times that Chris spent together with Mike, from hanging on the porch together in the 90s to partying at Chris’ bachelor party in Rosarito. Fans of production from People Under the Stairs’ albums will love the funky sounds on display here, with vibes that are positive and uplifting but also deeply emotional and touching. The album plays out like a cohesive album with a full band sound, courtesy of live instrumentation from a variety of musicians, including the Bay Area’s own Kat 010 and Headnodic. Much more than a collection of beats, this album honors the memory of Double K and gives him a send-off that any hip hop head should be able to appreciate.
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Burnished Sums (CD)
Yungmorpheus
Yungmorpheus is definitely a name to watch in the new generation of buzzing rap talent, and this short but solid EP serves as a sign of great things to come. Relaxed and sophisticated rapping over some very nice production from Joe Armon-Jones, DMH, and August Fanon amongst others. Word is that Yungmorpheus has a number of new full lengths slated for 2023, which feature a pretty impressive cast of collaborators, including Ohbliv, Kutmah, Fly Anakin, and even Mary Lattimore in the mix. Don’t surprised if you continue to see his name pop up in these Music We Like guides, as all signs are pointing towards a busy year for Yungmorph.
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The Remarkable Carmell Jones (LP)
Carmell Jones feat. Harold
Couldn’t close this out without one of the Blue Note Tone Poet honorable mentions. Although this LP was originally released on World Pacific. Superb music and sound quality. Another five-star jazz record from the golden age.
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Drift (LP)
Winston Brothers
A nice release from Colemine. Very funky German group brings some really solid songs. Great musicians on every instrument and all placed very well. Quality horn section. Recommended for fans of Budos Band and Daptone type of stuff.
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Malebox (LP)
Patrick Cowley
Super stripped down, high-quality jams from legendary disco producer. Some dance floor heat on this one.
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Doing It In Lagos (Boogie, Pop & Disco In 1980s Nigeria (LP)
Various
All killer, zero filler. The title says all you need to know. For those that are into this kind of thing, yes, this 3LP set is worth every penny. 2 tracks per-side very nicely ranging in tempo and style throughout.
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El Bueno y El Malo (LP)
Hermanos Gutierrez
A very moody, beautiful record of low-key, reverb-drenched, guitar-driven songs. Not my typical thing, but these guys really knocked me out upon first listen. Produced by Dan Auerbach.
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Super Freak (LP)
Pucho & His Latin Soul
Reissue of a killer record from the legendary Pucho. This one ranges from funk to some pretty heady Latin tunes. Killer
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The Vaults Of Zagora Records Mastermind (LP)
Daniel Vangarde
2 LPs of slamming French disco deep cuts. Amazing comp. Very little filler!
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Aischrolatreia (LP)
Diabolic Oath
I think this band rules and I've got the 4-sided death metal long sleeve to prove it. These weirdos ripped all the frets outta their stringed instruments and proceeded to write some of the heaviest, most oppressive death metal this side of Incantation's glory days. No jazz-fusion flirtation, no goofy chorus pedal wankery, just barbaric death worship brought out from the crypts of reverb-laden murk, laid here on full display in all of its bloody glory. More like this please.
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Fuzz Dance Classics Over The World (LP)
VA
Excellent, handy little comp of Alexander Robotnick's excellent brand of italo disco and synth pop.
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