Terrace Martin – Velvet Portraits

Synthesis of the greats like Grover Washington, Bob James, David Axelrod, Smoke (everything), Isaac Hayes (Black Moses), Curtis in this latest joint from musician Terrace Martin.

As a player, he brings a subtle, unencumbered style. Playing for the song.

This album really showcases Martin as an accomplished arranger.

Composition, form and style.

Wait till you get to “Push” oh man that track is liquid fire.

My new favorite.

“Terrace Martin on sax, Curly Martin on drums, Brandon Eugene Owens on bass, and Robert ‘Sput’ Searight on Keys, Velvet Portraits also features appearances from Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Thundercat, Rose Gold, Tiffany Gouche, Marlon Williams and more.”

Pick up the LP from Ropeadope at https://ropeadope99.bandcamp.com/album/velvet-portraits

 

 

Mutoid Man “Kiss of Death” – Video

Mutoid Man‘s powerhouse three-piece Stephen Brodsky, Benjamin Koller (drums), Nicholas Cageao (bass) have just released “Kiss of Death” their latest single from the forthcoming LP War Moans (June 2 from Sargent House). The performance video was taken during sessions at God City Studios. The musical DNA of this latest Brodsky project goes deep–thrash, hardcore, punk and all the sexyness of Thin Lizzy. IDK.

As always, enjoy responsibly. Preferably loud and uninterrupted.

Mary Bell: France’s Best New Export

Aside from a liberal approach to sexuality, cheese and other pseudo stereotypical idioms, France has often trafficked in some wicked underground music.

Most recently, Parisian punk band, Mary Bell.

Kind of wish they’d sing in French but I suppose there’s the Imperium of the Exceptional that pushes our punk brothers and sisters to make ‘universal’ their art.

Oxbow – Other People

Somewhere between Neurosis/Mr. Bungle and Curtis Mayfield and Pharoah Sanders lies Oxbow.

After a decade, they return via the resurrected Hydra Head Industries label with an LP that will defy excretatations, WIN end of year lists and be promptly forgotten by the neck-bearded masses for another decade as the band goes into hybernatation in MW job-landia.

Forget the band of the minute wankers, johnny on the spot assholes.

Whatever. I like what I hear.

Below:

“OTHER PEOPLE” the second video from OXBOW’s new album THIN BLACK DUKE, out May 5, 2017, on HYDRA HEAD INDUSTRIES.”

Alfa Mist – Antiphon

UK-based composer/producer Alfa Mist’s latest LP, Antiphon is a labyrinth of sound. Turning and twisting down melancholy jazz breaks flavored by Bill Evans best, and Coltrane’s Naima (one of my favorite records of all time).

But he’s a young cat. Draws strength and energy from hip hop, soul, R&B. Discourse and conversation.

Dreamy and vibrant.

A *Taarradhin record.

*Noun. From Arabic. “A happy situation for all parties involved.”

IDLES – Mother

Didn’t think anyone could top Glenn Danzig?

STFU!

IDLES‘s Mommy complex song is rife with angst and chopped up through box tops attitude.

Endless Boogie – Vibe Killer

Want that open drone note with the bass foundation?

Well, Endless Boogie’s “Vibe Killer” is your huckleberry.

This’ll likely be picked up by Quentin Tarantino for his next film, no doubt used in some driving sequence.

Gonna grab the guit fiddle and figure out that fucking riff stat.

So gooooooood.

Cheshi – Bug Dance

I’m obsessed with guitar pedals. Pedal makers. They’re weird.

They’re weird.

Like the back back room guys in the guitar shop.

So this recommendation came through the fucking fuzziest of click carrot rabbit hole weirdness. Five or six posts deep on IG, copped initially from Sinasoid (they make cables and other audio ‘couture’), finally landing on Bookworm Effects and they’re Laughing Man optical tremolo pedal. [pictured]

For those unfamiliar, Laughing Man is one of the greatest J.D. Salinger short stories and also happens to be my favorite of his.  This tremolo is really sweet sounding too. Gonna add this to my Want list on Reverb.com.

Halfway down Bookworm’s feed, I found a screenshot of the Cheshi EP and curious, went searching.

Wow!

Okay, Cheshi is Indie Rock fronted by singer-guitarist Ashli Cheshire, channeling Johnette Napolitano, supported by a thunderous rhythm section who propel each dynamic shift in the songs with bombastic gusto.

Below is the song “Bug Dance” from their latest release.

Check ’em out at https://cheshi.bandcamp.com/

Second Still “Recover”

Here’s an icy single from LA band, Second Still. The band is playing at Blonde Bar in San Diego on April 1st but if this track is any indication of the sonic territory they’re navigating, I’m smitten.

Now, what article of black clothing to wear?

Neurosis – Live at Union Transfer

I saw Neurosis in 1997 when they were featured on the second stage for the Oz Fest, touring Through Silver and Blood and it was life changing.

Yeah, it was hot. In the parking lot of Mile High Stadium. Black top cooked the gum of my All Stars. I got dared into having my nipple pierced, cuz, well, that was a thing people did at the time.

“Locust Star” was the song that made me a convert. The outro was decidedly more tribal with Steve and Noah and Scott banging the shit out of floor toms. I think they might have only played three songs.

After their set I got to hang out with them. We had beers and smoked cigarettes. They made fun of me for getting my nipple pierced. Well-deserved.

We had beers and smoked cigarettes. They made fun of me for getting my nipple pierced. Well-deserved.

They made fun of me for getting my nipple pierced. Well-deserved.

Well-deserved.

I’ve been following Neurosis and their off shoots for over twenty years and they never cease to leave me in awe. From the last show with Josh Graham on visuals at the Fox Theater in Oakland to a New Years Show at the Great American Music Hall on Dec. 31st 2007 with Saviors and Earth, the band expands and hones their sound with each outing.

This video/performance from Union Transfer is remarkable. Noah Landis mastered the audio and I’m hoping they make this an official release because it’d be worth documenting on vinyl.

Enjoy.