The ongoing listening series formerly known as MusicMonday continues in its re-imagined form. The Well-Played List features the most listened-to, jammed-out songs, albums and artists of the week as submitted by the CL Music Team along with a rotating crew of tastemakers — local music promoters, record store and venue owners, music fans and scenesters, DJs, musicians, and a radio personality or two; check last week’s here. Audio and video included, along with any applicable show information. And on that note, what are you jamming this week? Tell us in the comments…
LEILANI
Wampire, Curiosity (2013)
A newer Polyvinyl band made up of two Portland musicians – Rocky Tinder and Eric Phipps – who make vaguely vintage, vaguely psych-garage indie rock ala Foxygen and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Interestingly enough, UMO bassist Jacob Portrait produced the Wampire debut, likely why it has that warm woolly analog record feeling. Wampire is most certainly a derivative band; the synth melody of lead-off single “The Hearse” sounds suspiciously like it was lifted from Rod Stewart’s “Young Turks” but given a post-punk revival feel, the dark Krauty groove of “Spirit Forest” could be taken from the Can handbook, and “Trains” sounds like a retro R&B track that you just can’t put your finger on. But songs like “Giants” mix seemingly disparate genres – surf rock drive and Dark Wave sneer – to arrive at rather bumpin’ results. Gotta play this one some more…
Jel, Late Pass (2013) An alt hip hop artist signed to Anticon who does some light non-traditional rapping – more like rhyme-slinging and vocalizing – but is better known for his production known how. That’s what attracted me to Jel in the first place, his fine use of retro drum machines and samplers to get to this sort of seething, roiling trip hop-meets-experimental sequence-free sound.
Video after the jump along with the rest of this week’s new releases …
Ronnie Lane Band, Live at Rockpalast 1980 (2013) Fantastic live recording for German music television program featuring the unsung, underrated hero of Small Faces and Faces, the late Ronnie Lane. Lane’s band at this time featured former Rolling Stones keyboard player Ian Stewart and a couple of saxophonists, which really help round out the loose, R&B-influenced feel of the music. Lane toys with some covers and revisits some old Faces nuggets throughout this magnificent set. A great, rare peek into the charm and charisma Lane possessed in this recently unearthed live performance.
STEPHEN TODD | Mojo Books & Records
James Blood Ulmer, Black Rock (1982) Perhaps the aural equivalent of a Jackson Pollock painting. James Blood Ulmer plays wild guitar. His album covers have electric, neon colors — they’re what caught my eye when I first saw his Freelancing LP, which, overall, is not a bad verb to equate to his playing. Recommended If You Like: Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, blues, free jazz, funk. Available on vinyl at Mojo Books & Records.
Silver Apples, Silver Apples (1968) Spastic home-made synthesizer over drumming that is at times free and rhythmic, while other times primal. The vocals seem like chants or invocations, or “electronic evocations” (the duo’s own words). This album will carry you places, though I take some songs more seriously than others. RIYL: Psych-rock, bong rips, movies set in space. Available on vinyl at Mojo Books & Records
The Durutti Column, Live At The Venue London 1983 (VU/Factory Records 1983) Factory Records’ Durrutti Column is a vehicle for Vini Reilly, a very melodic guitar player, comparable to Johnny Marr. The mood of the album is mellow, melancholy, maybe a little brooding (the first line is “Dreams burnt out forever”). Minimal drumming gives it atmospheric qualities. Buy now, this record slows down time. RIYL: Felt, Joy Division, The Smiths. Available on vinyl at Mojo Books & Records
RAY ROA | founder, Suburban Apologist; freelance local music correspondent, CL & TBT.
I’ve written about an affection for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. in the past, but I could never really pinpoint where that appreciation came from. While contemporaries like STRFKR are leagues ahead of Jr. Jr. when it comes to being patient about implanting sonic nuances, this Detroit-based duo always make it into steady rotation thanks to an unabashed desire to pile hooks upon hooks concerning the trials and tribulations of love over bombastic, almost orchestral dance pop. When Dr. Dog decides to take their harmonies to the disco, they might end up sounding something like Dale Jr.’s latest LP — The Speed Of Things. The New York Times is streaming the whole damn thing.
JOE D’ACUNTO | Thx Mgmt Presents
Turbo Fruits, Get Up Get On Down EP (2009) Been a bend in recent years where some slippery gonzo-styled R&B/RnR has been getting cranked out in garages all over the south.
Otis Redding, “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (1965) The brink truck of life came backing up to drop off a bunch of shit last week, so I had to look back in-order to look forward. Otis Redding helped nudge this ‘lil buster a bit in the right direction.
X priest X, “Samurai” (2013) ’80s synth resurgence has finally caught the jet stream down to ‘ol FLA. Orlando’s X priest X gets the ladies on the dance floor and will even push the most semi-manly of men straight in front of the mirror to iron out some moves.
JERRY DUFRAIN | DJ Lazy, Orpheum co-owner
This is my hip hop week. I have been playing the brand new album fron local emcee Dynasty, A Star In Life’s Clothing.” Released by Jakarta Records and featuring guest appearances from DJ Premier, Skyzoo, Talib Kweli and more. Her record release party is this Fri., Oct. 18 at Orpheum. I’ve also been listening to Dizzy Wright’s The Golden Age mixtape on Funk Volume. An XXL freshman class of 2013 member, Dizzy is labelmates with LA emcee Hopsin, and is one of the most skilled new school emcees that I have heard in a long time. Super catchy, very technical, and great stories. Worth a listen for fans of real hip hop. Hitting the Orpheum with Emilio Rojas this Sun., Oct. 20.
INFINITE SKILLZ | Emcee; promoter/owner/main dude, B.A.S.E. Inc. Music
Eminem, “Rap God” (2013) Holy style flips, Batman! This is not a song – this is a hip hop wizard attack spell! If this is any indication of what Eminem is going to be giving us on The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (release date 11/5/2013), I’m going to call this the album of the year early.
Pusha T, “Suicide” featuring Ab-Liva (2013) This track gives fans of the Clipse veteran everything thing they want. Clever wordplay from one of the game’s most underrated emcees and creative production that only Pharrell Williams (Neptunes) can provide. Pusha T’s new album My Name Is My Name is definitely worthy of download.
imagiin360, “Pass By” (2012) This is one of the standout tracks from this Tampa Bay area vet’s Citizen Prophet project. It features smooth production from Brixton Bang that this HeadNOKKA Fam/A2BAY emcee rides confidently.
Fang Island, Fang Island (2010) If the Super Mario Brothers soundtrack, Torche, and an ecstasy pill could somehow have a baby, it’d probably sound like this. Great music for lifting weights, running triumphantly in slow motion, and feeling generally awesome about life. (Album cover at right.)
PHIL BENITO | Brokenmold Entertainment
Baths, Obsidian (2013) A strange and beautiful chaotic masterpiece; playing Crowbar Fri., Oct. 18.
Moon Hooch, Moon Hooch (2013) An orgy of drums and saxophones; opening for Mike Doughty at Crowbar Nov. 16.
Deap Vally, Sistronix (2013) Their facebook says it best: “Bad. Ass.”
ADAM KUHN | music fan and scenester with discerning taste
Mind Spiders, Inhumanistic (2013) Taut and snappy garage rock with more than a few New Wave nods, these guys hail from a thriving Denton, Texas scene, and are quickly becoming the worthiest successors to the late Jay Reatard.
The Sugar Stems, Can’t Wait (2013) Milwaukee-bred female-fronted power pop group makes saccharine sweet bubblegum songs about boys and breaking up. Clean guitar sounds, clean vocals and a polished recording add up to the kind of album you can take home to mom.
Gap Dream, Shine Your Light (2013) Ohio dudes play breezy, spare but synth-laden indie rock. Turn it up and pretend summer isn’t over.
DEREK CLARK | Brasky.org
Some time around 2005 I turned to Miguel and told him “‘Chill beats’ … that is what I like the most.” Since then I’ve discovered lifetimes worth of new and interesting music, but the lure of ‘chill beats’ remains and 2013 has been a pretty good year for them. Portland’s popular tape label, Purr Tapes, just released a well-curated collection of 48 tracks (beats?) called Mist + Moss. Mostly it’s sonic fingerfood — average track length is about 2:30 mins. Relevant tags: chillwave (minus vocalists), dreambeats, glo-fi, cloud hip hop (minus codeine’d rappers). Lots of fuzzy textures, instrument sampling, vocal fragments, ambient purrs, and hip-hop/R&B rhythms. To be listened to in elevators or while trudging through Excel spreadsheets alone. The mix starts with a nice surprise – track 1 is Jacksonville’s Sundrenched (heading a lineup that’s almost entirely Pacific coasters). His tune is a fine preview of the collection’s overall vibe.
SARAH GECAN | Daddy Kool Records and No Clubs Entertainment
I’ve got Lorde‘s Pure Heroine (2013) on all the time. The songs are exceedingly catchy with good beats and sassy attitude. The girl’s got talent and makes me wish I had been that cool when I was 16. “Royals” is my favorite off the record so far.
Daddy Kool Records has been playing the BAAMO mix Tales of Highways & Low Roads a lot over the past week. It’s a few-years-old compilation featuring Bay area artists including Sleepy Vikings, Ronny Elliott, Sons of Hippies and others. Every time it’s been played in the store lately, a customer has asked about it, usually recognizing someone’s voice and reminded of a local favorite Our local sscene is fantastic and this CD proves it.
As far as No Clubs goes, Tony keeps raving about Ha Ha Tonka‘s Lessons (2013).” He says it’s a really good mixture of Americana and pop, very well-sung and played. It’s a solid album from start to finish with strong songwriting throughout. An acoustic performance of one of their songs below.
JULIA STEWART / MoonGoddess Entertainment LLC
Greenhouse Lounge, Freak Out/Now Reflect (2013) Jacksonville based, live electronic trio Greenhouse Lounge have been a Florida favorite among the jam community for quite some time. These guys, also Bear Creek staples, released a brand new LP this week titled, Freak Out/Now Reflect. As expected it’s filled with all the high energy dance grooves, break beats and hip hop samples we’ve come to know and love from GHL. Halfway through, the album segues into a beautiful, strategically composed, euphoric journey, perhaps a nod to the album name. “Silhouette” is the star of the album, by far, with its rhythmic percussion, soaring melodic riffs and all around enchanted feel. It’s a softer side of GHL, and it definitely works for them.
The Roots + Elvis Costello, Wise Up Ghost (2013) It’s officially fall. As a music festival enthusiast living in Florida, that means one thing: Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival is heavily on my mind. Per usual, as the summer heat finally gives way to cooler air, my iPod is in constant rotation of everything funk, soul and jazz, i.e. everything Bear Creek. This year legendary hip-hop/neo soul act, The Roots are topping the bill. The Late Night With Jimmy Fallon house band recently put out a collab LP with none other then Elvis Costello, and the result is a solid and unique album. “Walk Us Uptown” contains all the components of a great song with The Roots providing funky backing beats and tight horn section to accompany the raw, psychedelic vocals of Costello.
Spotify Playlist below for your listening convenience…
This article appears in Oct 10-16, 2013.
