A small number of new releases out this week as well as a chunk of deluxe re-issues, DVDs, and special compilations as artists gear up for the big six weeks leading up to the holidays. I've included info and links for the ones you want to know about most below, plus some other ones you may never have heard of (but should know), with audio & video for your listening and viewing pleasure. Click here to check out releases that dropped over the past few months …
Brite Futures, Dark Past (Turnout)
Buraka Som Sistema, Komba (Enchufada)
Portugal's worldtronica outfit presents a sophomore album described as "an exploration of the borders between life and death,” and is named for an Angolan religious ritual celebrated seven days after someone passes away, where friends and relatives honor the deceased by drinking his favorite drinks, eating his favorite food, dancing and singing his favorite songs while sharing experiences and telling stories about his life.
The Beach Boys, The Smile Sessions (Capitol/EMI)
Capitol/EMI and The Beach Boys (including original members Al Jardine, Mike Love and Brian Wilson team up to release The SMiLE Sessions — a collection of the band's legendary 1966-’67 sessions for the never-completed SMiLE album. How different will these sessions sound from what Brian Wilson produced in 2004 with his solo Smile? Hard to tell, but these were drawn from the original masters so it could be big. All the physical and digital offerings include core session tracks; the box set delves deeper with early song drafts, alternate takes, instrumental and vocals-only mixes, and studio chatter.
Justin Bieber, Under The Mistletoe (Island)
Blouse, Blouse (Captured Tracks)
Portland's Blouse formed started in the summer of 2010. LA native Charlie Hilton met Patrick Adams in art school and the pair began jamming and recording in a Portland warehouse with Jacob Portrait. Two demos later, they were picked up by Captured Tracks. Check out "Videotapes" after the jump, along with the rest of this week's new releases.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2011.