Tuesday, December 15, 2009

((( EVENTS ))) Give coats to poor kids, willya'!?

ROTARACT WINTER - Saturday, Dec. 19 @ Park Bar
*** Help Wayne State's Rotary Club meet a goal of 200 coats for kids in Detroit this winter. CHRIS BATHGATE, AL SCHEURMAN, and THE MOURNING VOICES play.
Park Bar / 2040 Park Ave, Detroit / 8:30PM

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: DVD ))))) Final Flesh!

FINAL FLESH by Vernon Chatman DVD
*** "NEW from Vernon Chatman, a co-creator of some of this millennium's most outre cable television programming (Wonder Showzen, Xavier: Renegade Angel) is a DVD destined to change the way we look at entertainment, pornography and probably the legal system. The resulting film is an epic narrative for our time -- a surreal, apocalyptic My Dinner With Andre. Existential, sublime and ridiculous, featuring unmistakeably porno production values and shudderingly unseasoned porno actors and actresses -- but no actual sex! If your spirit is willing -- the Flesh will freak you!"

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: Vinyl ))))) Animal Collective, John Fahey, Benoit Pioulard, Vampire Weekend, Broadcast & more

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Fall Be Kind EP+MP3 / CD
*** "The Fall Be Kind EP features 5 brand new studio tracks that are every bit as lush and beautiful as those found on Merriweather. The year of Animal Collective continues.

BIG BLACK Songs About F*cking LP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

BROADCAST & THE FOCUS GROUP Investigate Witch Cults... LP / CD
*** NOW ON VINYL! "BROADCAST and graphic artist JULIAN HOUSE (aka THE FOCUS GROUP) present a psychedelic album pulling in a unique sense of melody and love of library music, film scores, electronics and psych-pop colour."

CLUSTER Curiosum LP
*** "Cluster's 6th album, released on Sky Records in 1981, was to mark a departure to pastures new. A decidedly tranquil, almost melancholy album, this is Cluster music at its most serene, a sense of profound humility, stripped down and keenly focused on perfect shapes. This is Cluster's swan-song to the past."

DELTA 5 Mind Your Own Business 7"
*** "A post-punk classic first released in 1979, Delta 5's debut single, backed with a remix by post-punk hero Peter Hook, best known as the bass player for Joy Division and New Order."

JOHN FAHEY America 2xLP
*** "The complete America double album, released on vinyl for the first time ever. Originally released in 1971, America is one of the artistic high points of John Fahey's career. And yet, for nearly 30 years it was not heard in its entirety, as what was originally intended as a double album was pared down to a single LP. Limited edition of 3,000 numbered copies." 180 gram vinyl.

JAVELIN Lindsay Brohan EP
*** "Sounds range from broken dance jams to relaxed instrumental cut-ups, created with love on their MPCs. Long forgotten samples are chopped and re-assembled with drums, wooden recorders, old keyboards, handmade thumb pianos or whatever instruments are readily at hand. The result is a kind of mix tape fantasy where R&B impresarios, amateur booty bass producers and Andean flautists hold equal sway."

NICO Desertshore LP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

BENOIT PIOULARD Lee 7"
*** "A two-song tribute to Lee Hazlewood & The Ink-Spots from Kranky artist Benoit Pioulard. Gorgeous & otherworldly, pairing rich, uncanny atmosphere with solid songwriting, these tunes are marked by a directness & clarity not found in his original compositions." Limited to 300 copies.

VAMPIRE WEEKEND Cousins 7"
*** "Vampire Weekend is back with the first single from the new album."

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) Animal Collective, Jon Mueller, Julianna Barwick & many EXCELLENT int'l comps!

v/a 5 YEARS OF HYPERDUB 2xCD
*** "Honoring past, present and future in equal measure, 5 is comprised of one disc of prior highlights, and one of freshly-composed material contributed by Hyperdub artists and close friends. Including an exclusive track by Burial especially for this compilation."

v/a AFRICA BOOGALOO: The Latinization Of West Africa 2xLP / CD
*** "Rocking the party and ramming the dancefloor is the first priority of this review of Latin styles in classic West African dance music, as it emerged with 1950s anti-colonialism, and ran on gloriously into the 70s."

v/a THE BYG DEAL CD
*** "Between 1968 and 1974, BYG might not have been the surefire code to financial fulfillment but the indelible contribution to experimental pop, free jazz, spiritual prog rock and total space music would continue to send positive vibrations through future generations of progressive pop." For more info, see:
http://www.finderskeepersrecords.com/discog_fkr025.html

v/a FREEDOM, RHYTHM & SOUND: Revolutionary Jazz & The Civil Rights Movement 1963-82 2xCD
*** RECOMMENDED "Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and the civil rights movement of the 1960s loom large as self-determination, economic power and musical freedom led to revolutionary jazz artists finding new paths -- both musical and economic. Concurrent with the emergence of the counter culture and underground rock movement in the 1960s and years before the D-I-Y cultural revolution of punk in the 1970s, Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, the Art Ensemble of Chicago and others 'took control' of their own work by recording, releasing and distributing their own music themselves. This album features major artists as well as many hidden gems of records made on very small run cottage-industry jazz labels from this period -- the original DIY records!" Includes a 28-page booklet. For more info, see:
http://www.souljazzrecords.co.uk/releases/?id=17577

v/a PSYCH-FUNK 101 2xLP / CD
*** RECOMMENDED "Funky fuzzy psychedelic tracks from '60s and '70s Nigeria, Iran, Turkey, Russia, South Korean and other exotic countries. But these bands added their own, unique cultural flourishes. The result is mind-bending. Inspiring new investigations into shapes of rhythm."

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Fall Be Kind EP+MP3 / CD
*** "The Fall Be Kind EP features 5 brand new studio tracks that are every bit as lush and beautiful as those found on Merriweather. The year of Animal Collective continues.

JULIANNA BARWICK Florine CD
*** "Admired by Pitchfork & Dusted, Julianna Barwick's melodic vocal arrangements, layers and textures are fascinating and dizzying -- 'warm sunlight rendered into sound'."

CARL CRAIG The Album Formerly Known As... CD
*** "A completely remastered and reworked version of Detroit techno legend Carl Craig's seminal 1995 record Landcruising. Here, Craig reveals his old skool techno side, and features new track 'Sparkle,' as well as new ambient versions of 'Technology' and 'Home Entertainment.'"

JON MUELLER Physical Changes LP+CD+DVD
*** RECOMMENDED "Jon Mueller's mammoth new solo percussion work, Physical Changes, drives the idea of 'pummeling rhythms and frequencies' into oblivion over an elaborate, all-inclusive three format (LP/CD/DVD), as the sounds here are something to be felt as much as heard. Joined by the intense propulsion of James Plotkin (KHANATE), the textural chaos of FRED LONBERG-HOLM (Wilco, Brotzmann, Vandermark), Marcus Schmickler (Pluramon), Dan Burke (Illusion of Safety), Jim Schoenecker (COLLECTIONS OF COLOIES OF BEES) and the stunning landscape film work of DAVID DINNELL, Physical Changes reveals how complex and diverse heavy rhythm can be."

PAULINE OLIVEROS Four Electronic Pieces CD
*** "Sub Rosa presents Pauline Oliveros' early and definitive tape and electronic music of the late fifties and sixties -- all released for the first time ever! Tape pieces, sound as noise, variations on silence, systematic exploration of electronic sounds & more."

ORCHESTRE POLY-RHYTMO DE COTONOU Vol.2: Echos Hypnotiques CD+BOOK
*** Subtitled: From The Vaults Of Albarika Store 1969-1979. "Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo de Cotonou was one of Africa's most innovative groups, capable of playing any style of music, from traditional Vodoun rhythms to funk, sato, Latin, sakpata, psychedelia and Afro-Beat seamlessly. Those astonishing combinations can be heard here, all mixed into a heavy hypnotic sound -- Les Echos Hypnotiques."

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: Vinyl ))))) J Dilla, Tom Waits, Mayer Hawthorne, Dam Funk & more

BR GUNNA & J DILLA Dirty District Vol. 2 12"
*** "A MUST for any Dilla collector! J Dilla's "Do Ya Thang," where Dil offers a few of his most murderous verses over a neck breaking beat from then-unknown producer Black Milk. Plus 5 more tracks from BR Gunna's underrated release, with guest appearances from ELZHI, T3, MC BREED, FAT RAY, and THE DRAMATICS!"

DAM FUNK Burgandy City 12"
DAM FUNK Let's Take Off 12"

*** BACK IN STOCK!

EGON Curse Of The Evil Badger LP
*** "Re-issue of the classic break LP by world renowned DJ & Stones Throw's own Egon."

EL MICHELS AFFAIR Tribute To Black Moses LP
*** "Another exciting tribute / cover release, this time in recognition of the work of the lush arrangements of the late Black Moses, Mr. Isaac Hayes."

MAYER HAWTHORNE A Strange Arrangement 2xLP
MAYER HAWTHORNE Maybe So, Maybe No 12"

*** NOW ON VINYL!

J DILLA Wild 12"
J DILLA + FRANK & DANK Everybody Get Up 12"
J DILLA Fuck The Police 12"
J DILLA Welcome 2 Detroit 2xLP
J DILLA Ruff Draft 2xLP
J DILLA Donuts 2xLP

*** BACK IN STOCK!

MI AMI Cut Men / Out At Night 12"
*** RECOMMENDED "Mi Ami's Thrill Jockey debut is a brand new 12” comprised of two new tracks. Their most dynamic track to date, "Cut Men" is a blazing & even joyous raucous commentary on the alienation with American male/"dude" culture. The B-side is a heavy, deep, and oblique dub re-visioning of the A-side." Limited to 750.

JAMES PANTS Seven Seals LP / CD
*** "Seven Seals was made while reading mystical books and the book of Revelations, and inspired by being in the mood to start a cult. This is the cult's soundtrack."

JAMES PANTS All The Hits LP
*** "When not out touring the globe with his band, DJing nights in the Pacific Northwest, or running through the streets with Peanut Butter Wolf, James Pants has put together a journey into the genre-les domain typically classified as library music, made specifically for the visual medium."

JAMES PANTS We're Through 12"
*** "Peanut Butter Wolf's synth funk protege drops a jam from his debut plus three "Other Songs (Not on the Album)"!

TOM WAITS Glitter & Doom Live 2xLP+MP3 / 2xCD
*** NOW ON VINYL!

TOM WAITS Orphans 7xLP
*** HOLY SMOKES! The 7xLP, 180g ea. collection of Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards has dropped! 7 full length LPs, including 6 additional bonus tracks not on the CD, and a deluxe 12" booklet with lyrics. Too sweet to be ignored.

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) Neil Young, Clipse, Dam Funk, James Pants & more

BLAQ POET The Blaqprint 2xCD
*** "Rugged Queensbridge lyricism over an entire album's worth of DJ PREMIER beats, certain to be the defining moment. The bonus instrumental disc gives listeners an extra opportunity to soak in more legendary beats."

CLIPSE Til The Casket Drops CD
*** "Malice and Pusha T reunited with Pharrell Williams on Till the Casket Drops." Feat. KANYE WEST.

DAM FUNK Toeachizown 2xCD
*** "Toeachizown is a modern funk album, created in five distinct parts: LAtrik, Fly, Life, Hood, Sky, citing Juan Atkins, Prince & Dam himself as influences."

EL MICHELS AFFAIR Enter The 37th Chamber LP / CD
*** BACK IN STOCK! "As a part of the same Brooklyn funk/soul revival led by groups like the Dap Kings, Budos Band, and Menahan Street Band, El Michels Affair delivers full instrumental reinterpretations of classic tracks by the Wu-Tang Clan."

J.ROCC Taster's Choice 1 CD
J.ROCC Taster's Choice 2 CD

*** "A vintage mix of hip hop, funk, and breaks from the funky president J.Rocc of the World's Famous Beat Junkies. The art of the DJ is elevated every time he graces a set of turntables."

JAMES PANTS Seven Seals LP / CD
*** "Seven Seals was made while reading mystical books and the book of Revelations, and inspired by being in the mood to start a cult. This is the cult's soundtrack."

PEANUT BUTTER WOLF 45 Live: A Classic Rap Mix CD
*** "Peanut Butter Wolf put together this PB Wolf personally hand picked the 18 classic Hip Hop cuts and blended them together for an insane mix of rap 45’s."

NEIL YOUNG Dreamin' Man Live '92 CD
*** "The complete live performance of Harvest Moon drawn from various solo acoustic shows he performed in 1992 before the album release."

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: Vinyl ))))) Nite Jewel, Michael Hurley, Andrew Bird, Pains of Being Pure at Heart & more

ANDREW BIRD Anonanimal 7"
*** "On the heels of Noble Beast, ANDREW BIRD delivers a collector’s edition 7-inch for the track “Anonanimal” featuring two alternative takes. Features the B-side cut “See the Enemy.”

BLAKROC Blakroc LP / CD
*** Wikipedia sez: "Blakroc is an upcoming rap rock collaboration album by Ohio-based blues rock band The Black Keys and several hip hop and R&B artists."

BRACKLES Rawkus 12"
*** two adventurous, Day-Glo tracks shamelessly built to drive people mad on the dancefloor. This new single recalls the eclectic nature of Brackles' DJ sets and his love of two-step garage.

BURNKANE You Know 12"
*** "Burnkane is a recent Planet Mu signing and a new artist morphing the dubstep template beyond recognition. Burnkane treats a typical pop format it until it's dubbed out into something strange and narcotic."

NEKO CASE Blacklisted LP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

FALTY DL Bravery 2xLP / CD
*** "An impressive combination of melodic synths, glitzy garage samples, and complex programmed beats and effects. Plaintive synths, hiccupped vocals, big bass, jazzy chords, chicken-scratch guitar, dubbed-out vocals and sassy disco."

MICHAEL HURLEY Ida Con Snock LP / CD
*** "A new album of recordings sung and played by one of the last remaining ramblin' American folk troubadours, backed by IDA, recorded at Levon Helms' studio in Woodstock, NY. Seven originals and five loving covers of '50s rock 'n' roll, C&W, and vintage folk."

NITE JEWEL Want You Back 12"
*** "NITE JEWEL is a remarkable combination of revisionist Bronx pop and hazy musical impressionism." Deep bass, 1980s-style synth jams, warped ala ARIEL PINK.

PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART Come Saturday 7"
PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART Higher Than The Stars 7"
PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART Higher Than The Stars 12"

*** Can't stop! Won't stop!

THEM CROOKED VULTURES Them Crooked Vultures 2xLP / CD
*** NOW ON VINYL!

TOM WAITS Mule Variations 2xLP
TOM WAITS Real Gone 2xLP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) Radian, Blakroc, Black Devil Disco Club, Sean Patrick & more

THE ALIENS Luna CD
*** "Comprised of ex-Beta Band personnel and armed with a bottomless bag of psychedelically inclined rock and acid-dipped electronics, inspired by Sergio Leone and Serge Gainsbourg, Brian Eno and Brian Wilson, Larry David and Ol' Dirty Bastard."

BLACK DEVIL DISCO CLUB Strange New World Of Bernard Fevre CD
*** "In 1975, Bernard Fevre released The Strange World of Bernard Fevre: an album so far ahead of its time that people struggle to believe it was really recorded over 30 years ago. Fevre has once again unlocked his magical cabinet and made available new mixes of the original tracks, along with previously unheard compositions."

BLAKROC Blakroc LP / CD
*** Wikipedia sez: "Blakroc is an upcoming rap rock collaboration album by Ohio-based blues rock band The Black Keys and several hip hop and R&B artists."

FALTY DL Bravery 2xLP / CD
*** "An impressive combination of melodic synths, glitzy garage samples, and complex programmed beats and effects. Plaintive synths, hiccupped vocals, big bass, jazzy chords, chicken-scratch guitar, dubbed-out vocals and sassy disco."

MICHAEL HURLEY Ida Con Snock LP / CD
*** "A new album of recordings sung and played by one of the last remaining ramblin' American folk troubadours, backed by IDA, recorded at Levon Helms' studio in Woodstock, NY. Seven originals and five loving covers of '50s rock 'n' roll, C&W, and vintage folk."

NURSE WITH WOUND Space Music CD
*** "The sounds you are hearing are NOT marmots eating your tweeters, though you are best advised to apply volume lightly at first. STEVEN STAPLETON’s astral weeks have been spent distilling sounds into sipping moonshine. Celebrate the space escapade with chilled cocktails and green friends!"

SEAN PATRICK Yellowcake CD / DELUXE ED. CD
*** "An instinctual examination of pure sound... the simplicity of the human voice... a wordless evocation of mood, relying primarily on looped bells & whistles, as if demonstrating that a certain transcendence is possible through the deceptively simple act of repetition."

RADIAN Chimeric CD
*** "Radian's first album in years is not a polished album. It is raw, broken, dark at times, and much more free. Steady, multiple rhythms, layered on top of each other disappear into chaos and turn back into discreet structures in the next moment, with rock references executed with the precision of a sequencer; mutated, restructured."

DAVE SHARP'S SECRET SEVEN 7 CD
*** Secret Seven brings Jazz, World Music and Rock together with a grooving sound for all ears. Inspired by the Meters, Galactic, Zawinul Syndicate and the music of India and Africa, Secret Seven brings jazz and world music together for the masses.