Marvin Etzioni: Lay It on the Table, featuring Lucinda Williams

A well know sideman and producer, multi-instrumentalist Marvin Etzionirecruits some of his friends on Marvin Country, his countrified solo release, including Richard Thompson, John Doe and Steve Earle. Today's Top Tune features Lucinda Williams on a languid version of "Lay It on the Table."
by http://www.kcrw.com

HIDDEN ORCHESTRA - DUST, live

HIDDEN ORCHESTRA - DUST, live from Andi Zuber on Vimeo.

Edinburgh-based Hidden Orchestra combine two live drummers, organic samples and dubby basslines to make cinematic, emotive, percussive music. Their sound, resplendent with layers of intense soundscapes, takes audiences on a deep and truly original sonic journey containing elements of jazz, classical, drum’n’bass, rock and hip hop, moulded into a coherent whole.

Debut album “Night Walks”, released on Tru Thoughts in September 2010, has been met with critical acclaim (including BBC Radio 1 Introducing’s “Album of the Month” and iDJ’s top albums of 2010; radio play from BBC R3′s Late Junction, Laurent Garnier, FIP, RTS, NME, Radio 1 Prague and many more worldwide) and sparked a genuine and organic buzz among music fans, with a huge demand to experience the music in a live setting. A deluxe vinyl edition of the album was released in January 2011 on cult German label Denovali Records, and is now already on its second pressing.

The album was part-funded by the Scottish Arts Council, and features a selection of distinguished Scottish jazz/folk/classical guest musicians. An intense and rewarding listening experience, the album encompasses the energy and production techniques of studio-produced beats, but replacing synths and drum machines with natural/acoustic sounds and instruments for an emotionally potent style. Built on contrasts – experimental without losing accessibility, electronic and acoustic, complex and simple, dark and energetic whilst intricate and calm – there is a sense of journey and progression, and, in bandleader Joe Acheson’s words, “the brooding reflections of a solitary walk through the still, restless night”.

Hidden Orchestra have a very eclectic fanbase, which could be born from the fact that the emphasis is on being experimental and accessible at the same time, creating music based on feeling and energy, rather than image or fashion. Impossible to pigeonhole, the band have previously won the guitar/indie/ rock band-dominated T-Break competition to play at T in the Park, while simultaneously being listed by Radio Scotland in the A-Z of the greatest Scottish jazz artists of all time. In addition to their own headline gigs, Hidden Orchestra have supported acts including Aim, Bonobo, Gilles Peterson, Jaga Jazzist, Craig Armstrong, The Bays (…and, ahem, Coolio). Their beautifully-crafted, explosive live show, where the core quartet is augmented with visuals, cello and brass, has cemented their reputation as one the UK’s
most unique and watchable up-coming outfits.

They have recently completed an extensive European tour, playing in 12 countries in March and April 2011. They made numerous appearances on radio and TV in several countries, including national TV in Bulgaria and a live performance on German radio network WDR. This followed the ecstatic response to their tour of the UK last November, which saw a phenomenal turnout for a debut act, with all shows at or near capacity, and garnered outstanding reviews, including an iDJ Magazine spread comparing the experience of their live show to that of the great Cinematic Orchestra.

Upcoming gigs this summer include an exclusive 10-piece lineup on the West Holts (formerly Jazz/World) stage at Glastonbury, and other festivals around Europe including North Sea Jazz in Rotterdam, Pohoda in Slovakia, Outlook in Croatia, Festineuch in Switzerland, and jazz festivals including Copenhagen, Stuttgart, Brecon and Ljubljana.

The band is founded on Acheson’s exceptional musical upbringing and career as an established composer, music producer and radio documentary maker (recently nominated for “Best Feature” at the Sony Awards 2011, as presenter/producer/composer of BBC World Service documentary Sound of Snow and Ice).

by  http://www.hiddenorchestra.com/hidden-orchestra-biography/

Midnite - In Awe (2012)

Image by auka newen via Flickr

Midnite is a crucial roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The band’s music follows in tradition with the legendary roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite’s compositions are characterized as the “chant and call” style which gives their music a spiritually intense and overtly Rastafarian feel. The lyrics are centrally focused on the plights of the oppressed, the inherent faults of the current political, economic and social settings on a global scale, and the redemption available to humankind through a life livicated to Jah. The band was started by brothers Vaughn (vocals) and Ron (keyboard) Benjamin, and has been playing since 1989. They recorded Ras Mek Peace (Before Reverb and Without Delay) while living in Washington, D.C. during the mid-90s. The album was named so, because it was reportedly recorded live in one room with only two microphones. It’s clarity and full sound is thus remarkable. Later, they returned home to St. Croix in the late ’90s to play with local musicians and record at their music studio, African Roots Lab. Midnite frequently collaborates with new artists and has played as the back-up band on a number of African Roots Lab artists’ releases, such as Dezarie’s Fya and Ikahba’s Trodding to Zion. by  last.fm

MESSAGE TO BEARS - Running Through Woodland

  Running Through Woodland by Message To Bears


Message To Bears began in 2007 as the bedroom recording project of instrumentalist Jerome Alexander. 


Alexander creates beautiful soundscapes by interweaving acoustic guitar, piano, electronics, ethereal samples, strings and hushed vocals.


In 2007 Jerome self-released his first set of home recordings (simply titled EP1) which sold out almost instantly thereby catalysing a conversation with the then newly-formed Dead Pilot Records about a re-issue. 

Having discovered a commonly-shared ethos, Dead Pilot Records and Alexander decided to work together again for Message To Bears’ second release (Departures), an album which was overflowing with lush strings and saw the first introduction of voice into Jerome’s recordings. Limited to 500 CDs, the album was packaged in an organic case, wrapped in brown parcel paper and tied together with string. Every single copy also came with an individual, unique old photograph hidden inside. As with EP1, this became quickly out of print.

In the summer of 2009, Alexander played his first Message To Bears live show in Oxford with the help of his close friends playing a wide variety of instruments. They have since shared the stage with artists such as Nils Frahm and Olafur Arnalds.

January 2012 will see the release of 3rd album ‘Folding Leaves’ through Dead Pilot Records (UK) and Nature Bliss (JPN). 


by last.fm

Blockhead - Music By Cavelight

Throwback beats release from 2004, complete with vintage lab review from the woodman! After cutting his teeth producingAesop Rock and the Party Fun Action Committee, Ninja Tune signee Blockhead delivers 14 tracks of instrumental work on this challenging, but highly listenable debut. Those familiar with his work will know that he mixes together jazz, rock, and soundtrack samples with live guitar/violin to create a sound that’s like a dark indy score, kind of like a hip-hop Jon Brion. I’m really enjoying this album, due in a large part to Blockhead’s strong sense of composition and overall cohesiveness of sound, especially evident on the first single “Insomniac Olympics” and “Road Rage Breakdown.” However, the centerpiece is definitely the three-part “Triptych,” which comes together in a WDYSLL sort of way (ed.note: that’s dork-speak for a DJ Shadow reference). Quality listening throughout.

Bonobo 'Stay The Same' feat. Andreya Triana - Live At The Roundhouse

Bonobo's first release was in October 1999 with the song "Terrapin" on the Tru Thoughts compilation When Shapes Join Together.^[2] He released his debut album Animal Magic on Tru Thoughts in 2000.^[3] With this album, completely self-produced and mainly self-instrumented, he became one of the "newdowntempo pioneers"^[4] and his chilled, beat-driven music captivated press as well as many major labels.

Cover of Bonobo

In 2001, Bonobo was signed to Ninja Tune and in 2003, after one album of remixes on Tru Thoughts in 2002, he released Dial 'M' For Monkey. In 2005, Bonobo contributed to the Solid Steel series, with his Bonobo Presents Solid Steel: "It Came From The Sea", the release date was scheduled for October 10, 2005, but was released a week early,^[5] the mix features several exclusive tracks as well as remixes and re-edits.

His third album, entitled Days to Come, was released on October 2, 2006, the first single from the album was "Nightlite", featuring vocals by Bajka.^[6]Following the success of Days to Come his tracks have appeared in a number of media-related items. Days To Come was voted Best Album of 2006 byGilles Peterson's listeners.^[7]

The song "The Keeper" featuring vocals by Andreya Triana was released in September 2009 as the lead single from his fourth album Black Sands, released in March 2010

by wikipedia

Quantic presenta flowering inferno – cumbia sobre el mar

 quantic presenta flowering inferno - cumbia sobre el mar by augenblickproducciones

Quantic’s reggae-inspired Flowering Inferno project. Unmistakably Quantic with a deep, hazy and tropical sound, this is a must have album for summer and beyond and has so far received acclaim and radio play from Mark Lamarr and many others. Will Holland is one of the most talented and prolific artists in the world of alternative dance music today. Recording under various guises Will first found acclaim as Quantic. As well as Quantic and the Quantic Soul Orchestra Will is one half of The Limp Twins, a duo he formed with Russ Porter. Initially a deejay partnership, it wasn’t long before they started recording, with Russ taking on the vocal duties and Will adding the magic with his savvy production. He has enjoyed consistent success with his Quantic moniker, releasing his first album “The 5th Exotic” in the summer of 2001. It was picked up on by some of the most respected names in underground music. Richard Dorfmiester, Mr Scruff and LTJ Bukem all rated it very highly, not surprising when tunes like ‘Common Knowledge’ and the near classic ‘Life in the Rain’ had blazed across dance floors all over Europe. With elements of Jazz, Funk and Afro blended with tight breaks and Will’s distinctive production “The 5th Exotic” proved irresistible and won him many plaudits. He built on this acclaim with the release of “Apricot Morning” less than a year later, dispelling any talk of “the difficult second album”. His sound seemed to expand in every direction on “Apricot Morning” and he became the first Tru Thoughts artist to collaborate with Alice Russell as well as recording with MC EQ and Bristol’s freshest hip hop crew, Aspects. “Apricot Morning” is a perfect snapshot of everything happening at the jazzier end of underground music in 2002, as proved by Gilles Peterson who ranked it amongst his albums of the year. The release of the album ‘Mishaps Happening’ in 2004 saw Quantic continuing to work with Alice Russell as well as recording two tracks with the legendary Spanky Wilson (with whom he went on to collaborate on a tour and an electrifying album for his Quantic Soul Orchestra…but that’s another story). Quantic released a two-disc ‘One Offs, Remixes and B Sides’ album in 2005, which featured a collaboration with Mr Scruff and remixes by Pilooski and Seiji; and his fifth long player, ‘An Announcement To Answer’ followed in 2006, cementing his reputation as a 21st Century Quincy Jones. Quantic regularly DJs across the world (and we mean the world not just America, Europe and Japan) spreading the unique Quantic sound with each set. His music has been featured on countless compilations and appeared in TV soundtracks, and as ever he has a busy schedule of remixes from respected labels across the board. In 2007 he relocated to Colombia, where he has had a studio built and is continuing to create exciting music at a characteristically prolific rate, taking inspiration from the heady mix of rhythms and sounds on his doorstep. The latest project, Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno, is a summery dub and reggae-inspired affair with an authentic tropical vibe. The album, ‘Death Of The Revolution’ came out in July 2008 and features Will Holland on various instruments with contributions from a host of Latin American musicians, including the legendary Peruvian pianist Alfredo Linares. So far this album has pricked up the ears of many tastemakers and fans alike, including Gilles Peterson and Mark Lamarr (BBC Radio 2), who have been excited and curious about the new progression in Quantic’s music - and impressed that it sounds as stunning and original as any Quantic album to date.
By last.fm

KOJATO & The Afro Latin Cougaritas-ALL ABOUT JAZZ

Image via Wikipedia

KOJATO, one of the most promising projects of modern Afro-Jazz, started in 2010 with an amazing feature on the BAHAMA SOUL CLUB‘s bestseller-album „Bossa Nova Just Smells Funky“. His first track was called „Afro Shigida“ and was one of the highlights on this release. Producer OLIVER BELZ, the man behind The Bahama Soul Club and The Juju Orchestra was deeply impressed by the combined talents of the fabulous keyboard player and arranger ANDRÉ NEUNDORF and the inimitable multi-instrumentalist and singer KOJO EBENEZER SAMUELS. Kojo „the priest of music“ was born 1943 in Monrovia and became one of the most well known musicians from Liberia when he worked with Fela Kuti and Cecil Taylor. Belz says: „So what you get from this man is a spirited joyful player with nothing more than sparkling energy. Spontaneous and immediate with a spot on social critism and illuminating stories full of wisdom and truth. He’s „All About Jazz“, believe me.” So what‘s the difference between KOJATO and other Nu-, Club-, Afro- or whatever-Jazz projects? KOJATO is better! Really, simply great music with a colourful sound, combining afrolicious Bossa-Jazz with 60s Soul and 70s Funk out of temporary fashion. The positive vibes transcends boundaries, language, colour boundaries. It‘s hard to resist. It always moves forward. It’s not doing in and out of flavour, – It’s just gonna be there. The first album „All About Jazz“ comes with 10 tracks of finest Afro Jazz that captures the musical spirit of a lifetime. KOJATO, a world traveller in Jazz finally brings it all together: Afro-, Latin-, Soul-, Gypsy- & World-Jazz. He obviously knows all the routes Jazz can take and defines a new place for the audience to land.

Josh Garrels-Don't Wait For Me

Don't Wait For Me

Heavenly Sweetness Sampler 2 Various / Heavenly Sweetness

Read full review of Heavenly Sweetness Sampler 2 - Various / Heavenly Sweetness on Boomkat.com ©

LEMONGRASSMUSIC

Bonobo

Sunlightsquare-Mutations For Piano

Cyrus Reynolds – Cyrus of the Sun

Cyrus of the Sun by Cyrus Reynolds