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Where I’m Coming From (LP)
Leon Spencer
Jazz Dispensary releases are pretty sparse in between their RSD releases, however, when they get on it they really put out some strong material! This is no exception! Previously rare organ-led jazz-funk record by Leon Spencer starts out with a groovin’ version of “Superstition” and takes off from there. Half covers, half originals, this record smokes! Pretty similar sound to the Idris Muhammad that I reviewed, and flawless pressing cut from the original tapes.
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The Bedlam Stacks (Book)
Natasha Pulley
This is a truly unique story about a journey to a fictional town in Peru during the 1800s, where natural glass in the ground can get so hot that trees will catch fire and ancient wooden statues move on their own. Folklore blends with history and science in this spellbinding book.
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The Way Out (Book)
Alan Gordon
I rarely read non-fiction, but this is an easy-to-read, fascinating book about how to self-treat chronic pain. Gordon breaks down how to un-train your brain from reading recurring physical symptoms as harmful, and he gives about a thousand examples of patient cases in which the process worked. It's pretty convincing, especially since he is upfront about it being a long process that doesn't come easily to most people.
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Super Dope (CD)
Buck 65
It's been 26 odd years since Buck 65's seminal album "Vertex" shook the foundations of indie rap. Here we are in 2023, and Buck 65's youthful enthusiasm on the mic and behind the boards is nothing short of astounding. Inspiration seems to have triggered the kid in him again, and his deep love for the hip hop classics that he grew up with is on full display here. Those expecting abstract left-of-center sounds might be shocked to hear how straight-forward these songs are. Nothing but dusty boom bap beats, quirky rap flows loaded with funny lyrics, and drums that knock like there's no tomorrow. Tops my Music We Like list with ease. And as far as career come-backs go, Buck 65 wins, hands down.
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Akousmatikous (CD)
Salami Rose Joe Louis
The enchanting sounds of Salami Rose Joe Louis have been gracing Bay Area music events for many years, and it's been heartwarming to see her career take off in new and exciting ways. "Akousmatikos" is bouncier and weirder than any of Salami's previous releases, and continues to convey her unique creativity while treading the perfect line between high-concept science fiction and emotional intimacy. I was immediately pleased with this album, but it wasn't until I saw Salami Rose perform the songs live with her incredible new band that I truly understood how special this project is. Recommended headphone listening from one of my favorite Bay Area musicians.
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Leather Blvd (CD)
B. Cool-Aid
Pink Siifu and Ahwlee are both bright talents in the current hip hop scene, and their collaborative work as B. Cool-Aid is a whole vibe that exists in its own soulful universe. Falling somewhere close to the neo-soul rap musings of Nxworries, B. Cool-Aid is one part soul crooning, one part rapping, and a whole lot of everything in between. The album is very long and loaded with lengthy interlude recordings that would generally throw me off, but everything seems to fall into place and it flows the way a proper album should. The music truly sets a mood, and I walked away feeling like I got to know these two musicians as people. Feel-good Summer sounds to smile and nod your head to.
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Gunz, Knivez & Nunchuckz (LP)
Clever 1 & Giallo Point
Da Buze Bruvaz onslaught continues with this latest from Clever 1 aka Agent40oz7 and producer Giallo Point. Clever 1 suits up into spy mode and offers up an action-packed offering loaded with heavy artillery and luxurious lifestyles. But this ain't no James Bond piece, and Clev still finds the time to engage in some good old fashioned shoplifting in-between hits. Giallo Point's beats have always had a secret agent type of feel to them, so he's a natural fit for this project. Brute force hip hop in Da Buze Bruvaz tradition, served to you raw as hell.
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Maps (LP)
billy woods & Kenny Segal
It simply wouldn't be an E. Lit Music We Like list without a tip of the hat to my favorite living rapper, billy woods. The woods winning streak continues here as he re-unites with the ultra talented Kenny Segal for an album's worth of tour and travel stories. Planes, trains and automobiles in a fresh new light, narrated from billy woods' unique perspective and masterful writing style. Kenny Segal cooks up some of his signature creative beats for billy woods to work with, balancing jazzy keys and drums with more experimental electronic offerings. Features a truly beautiful ode to the city of New York on the homecoming track "NYC Tapwater." Highly recommended, as always.
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Motel Hell
This movie was mythicized to me as a kid by my parents, as it scared the hell out of them when they saw it in theaters and they would always bring it up to me when talking about scary movies. When I finally got around to watching it as a young adult with a passion for horror movies, it was actually way funnier than they made it out to be, but I was still blow away by the stellar cast and crazy creative kills. Entertaining to the max, and an absolute joy to watch re-scanned in beautiful 4K.
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San Francisco (LP)
Bobby Hutcherson (with Harold
This was recently reissued on LP from Blue Note!
Choice Track: Ummh
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Psychicemotus (LP)
Yusef Lateef
Yusef Lateef put out and played on a massive amount of records over the course of his career. One who is discussed amongst jazz people, but widely under-appreciated outside of that. This is one of my favorites, which doesn’t get talked about much, because it’s pretty rare, and is not such a straight jazz thing. Couple funky tracks and some that are a little outside, but it is over all pretty digestible. His Impulse records are fairly hard to come by. Highly recommend this to jazz fans!
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Black Rhythm Revolution (LP)
Idris Muhammad
Classic soul-jazz record! Anyone who is into jazz and funk should absolutely have this (and any of his other Prestige and CTI albums) in their collection. OG and older issues are hella pricey! Save a few bucks and buy this. Known for his disco albums, this stuff is earlier. More of that raw Prestige sound.
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