What the CL Music Team is listening to on this fine Monday to rocket launch the work week. Click here to check out previous entries.
Scott - Beach House, Bloom (out tomorrow, May 15, via Sub Pop)
Dreamy and subtly dark, the second Beach House longplayer from veteran Seattle kool-kid label Sub Pop finds this duo mixing it up only slightly, and adding a few new textural wrinkles without mucking up their deceptively simple sound. Conceived as a front-to-back listening experience, Bloom meanders through a varied emotional spectrum that recalls much heavier-handed acts like Jesus & Mary Chain and Cocteau Twins without ever sacrificing Beach House's airy, infectious, somehow always vaguely French-sounding aural personality. Put it on as background music, and you'll feel everything else start to fade from focus as the intriguing collection of synthy sounds draws you in.
Gabe - Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, Rufus and Chaka Khan (1975)
Bona-fide soul/funk classic from one of the genre's very best bands. Sultry, sexy forceful vocals by the inimitable Chaka Khan are the focal point of this fine album but the band holds their own in backing Chaka. The perfect jolt of slick soul to get me through this sluggish Monday morning.
