Here comes the first week of releases for December and it's a light load this week. Info and links for the ones you want to know about most below, plus some other ones you may not have heard of (but should know) – with audio & video for your listening and viewing pleasure. Click here to see releases from the past several weeks…
AC/DC, Rock Or Bust (Sony)
Beacon, L1 EP (Ghostly International)
Mary J. Blige, The London Sessions (Capitol)
Bonobo, Flashlight EP (Ninja Tune)
An intriguing new three-song release from one of my favorite groove-vibing down-tempo electronic artists, aka Simon Green; it's more choppy and percussive, faster moving and more lushly layered than what I expected. Check out the title track below.
Clarence Clarity, Who Am Eye EP (Bella Union)
Leonard Cohen, Live In Dublin (Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings )
The first high definition full concert recording from Cohen, taken from a show at Dublin's O2 Arena in September 2013; available in 3CD/DVD, 3CD/Blu-ray and Digital Configurations.
Little Boots, Business Pleasure (This Is Music Limited)
Little Envy, Little Envy (South x Sea)
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s, Born, Raised & Live From Flint (Bloodshot Records).
The Nashville outfit brews up muscular, loud outlaw honky tonk and this set captures them live and dynamic. Check out "Buick City" below.
Pixies, Dolittle 25 (4AD)
A deluxe three-CD set released in honor of the 25th anniversary of the alt rock band's seminal second album; it includes all of the album's B-sides, Peel Sessions and demos from the time, along with the original album.
Owen, Other People's Songs (Polyvinyl)
A covers album from the solo project of former Cap'n Jazz, Joan Of Arc and Owls member Mike Kinsella, who re-imagines cuts by Against Me!, Depeche Mode, the Promise Ring and others. Check out a cover of the Smoking Pope's "Under The Blanket" below.
She & Him, Classics (Columbia)
The third album from the duo made up of actress/singer/ukulele player Zooey Deschanel and roots rock troubadour M.Ward is a compilation of vintage covers (the most recent song was written in 1974) recorded by artists like Billie Holiday, Dusty Springfield, Louis Armstrong, and Elvis Costello. This time around, they maintained the lush sound of the originals by recording the new album live, and adding players on brass, strings, piano, bass, guitar, drums and even flute on Springfield's "Stay Awhile."
Silk Rhodes, Silk Rhodes (Stones Throw Records)
Jozef Van Wissem, It Is Time For You To Return (Made To Measure Vol. 40) (Crammed Discs)
Walk The Moon, Talking Is Hard (RCA)
White Arms of Athena, White Arms of Athena (Prosthetic)
Willie Nelson and Sister Bobbie, December Day (Legacy Recordings)
Wu-Tang Clan, A Better Tomorrow (Warner Bros.)
The sixth and what is rumored to be the final Wu album has been in the works since 2011, and features production by Adrian Younge, RZA, Mathematics, 4th Disciple and Rick Rubin. "Ruckus In B Minor" below.
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2014.