Here’s a little round up of things I’m enjoying right now, all from artists and/or websites previously mentioned on this site. In the spirit of the season, let’s call all this a cornucopia of fresh music:
The Northerners , who made my famous almost-year-end “List of Things” in 2012, have released their first official single; it’s called “You” and it sounds really great. A catchy tune with a rolling, head-bobbing rhythm; fans of Alabama Shakes should definitely check this out. It’s available wherever fine digital music is sold.
Makunouchi Bento let one of their always excellent tunes be used to soundtrack a short film by Alexandra Girbea called “∞th floor” (that’s “infinityth” in plain English) [Disclaimer: that’s not really any English, let alone plain]. The music and visuals work well together, and it’s a fun, creative little piece. You can see it out here.
Dub-o-phonic is on fire. I spent a lot of this summer enjoying reggae, including lots of great tunes on this netlabel. As we move into cooler weather around the old Trapezoid homestead, I’m still enjoying the warm vibes from Cyprus.
First, we have Jennifer Paulos with “Revolution.” Jennifer hails from Spain and of her four songs, two are sung in English and two in Spanish. She includes a cover of (and names the album after) the Tappa Zukie track “Revolution.” Her version stamps her personality on the track, but also pays tribute by mixing in quite a few Tappa samples from original. All four songs are followed by dub versions. Second, “Ibel Meets Med Dred” features Jamaican singer, artist, poet and writer Ibel Campbell providing lyrics and vocals to music by Med Dred. Again, all tracks are followed by versions. I wrote about an earlier Med Dred EP which I enjoyed, and this music is every bit its equal. Respect.
Daniel Barbiero has some new music out, this time in collaboration with electronic sound artist Steve Hilmy. Released on the Pan Y Rosas Discos netlabel “Take a Sound. Do Something to It. Do Something Else to It.” is three longer pieces, each with a slightly different feel. The title track is all over the place with sounds, sometimes gentle, sometimes harsh, always interesting. “A Multiplication of Voices” is sparser (with some moments that at times bring to mind flocks of birds, banshees, and/or aliens). The final track “Coda: Watching the Watchers” features a fair amount of cleaner plucked and bowed bass sound, mixed with the usual interesting effects.
So all this and I still have the Oxford American 15th annual music issue to look forward to in December; OA never disappoints. They say this year we can look forward to a magazine “featuring a double-CD and celebrating the musical legacy of Tennessee.” I can’t wait.