In this month’s blog post, I’m going treat you to some of the best tunes and bands I have bumped into while wandering about our awesome catalogue 😉
Genres explored: Pop; World/Brasil; Psychedelic Rock; Indie Pop; Jazz; Experimental Rock; Folk; Singer Songwriter/Argentina; Space Rock; Minimal Techno.
Jenny Wren [Paul McCartney]
As a rotund Radiohead fan that I am, I saw myself lost in a spiritual trip of awe and wonder following other projects directed by one of the best-known music producers alive: Nigel Godrich. My favorite works of the sixth Radiohead include: Talkie Walkie (Air), Sea Change (Beck), The Eraser (Thom Yorke), and his current involvement with Atoms for Peace. The fact that George Martin himself suggested Sir Paul to hire Nigel as his producer for Chaos and Creation in the Backyard gives us some indication of the calibre of his genius. The result? 4 Grammy nominations, including Best Non-Classical Producer of the Year, and Album of the Year.
Vinco [Caetano Veloso]
I was walking along Cuba Street after work the other day while Abraço sounded on my headphones. When this song came up, time slowed down and I was merged with the vibrations inside my ears. It was Friday night, and the Cuba Street Food Market was in full swing; I was a camera, registering life as it unfolded magically in front of me. Invisible as a ghost I floated like a lukewarm cloud through the people admiring each and every nuance of all phenomena. The spell lasted till the final and long cymbal of Vinco resonated and faded away.
Little Zombies [Morgan Delt]
For all us lovers of Psychedelia, Morgan Delt is someone we should all be keeping a close ear at. If you have been enjoying releases like Tame Impala’s Lonerism, Temple’s Sun Structures, Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, or Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s II, then you’ll be in for a delightful trip! This new-wave of young Byrds and Floyds are following up what their heroes left on the table in the Great 60s Banquet, recycling and pushing new dishes with sauces of the past and condiments of the future.
Pink Frost [The Chills]
I’ve been doing a bit of my Kiwiana homework for the past months, and it was so that I discovered one of my favorite bands who defined what is known as the Dunedin Sound. Interestingly enough, I found this song not in any of The Chills’ albums I was digging at that time, but in this compilation of cool songs proposed by MGMT.
Alice in Wonderland [Bill Evans Trio]
I am not a Jazz-head for no better reason than not having dived deep enough in this amazing anti-world of teased amorphous grooves. Last month I had one of those breakthrough moments in which the universe conspires to force us to TUNE IN and CONNECT. This happened driving a car in Wellington, but it served me like the equivalent of seeing the band in a live gig and becoming an instant, die-hard fan.
Squeeze Me Macaroni [Mr. Bungle]
This was one of the albums I could not resist in trying out as it passed through my hands one day. Its cover, the band’s name, and the titles of its songs were crying my name, so I fell from grace and sold my soul to Mr. Bungle. And what a ride! I know nothing about this band and would rather keep it that way. All I suspect is that Les Claypool, creator of South Park’s intro tune and front man of funk-metal band Primus, had something to do with this!
Cello Song [Nick Drake]
Another 2014-discovery has been the sweetness and kidness of Nick Drake. My attention was drawn when I saw the album cover of Bryter Layter being referenced in Japanese experimental-drone-metal band Boris. As a Boris aficionado I HAD to give the original a go, and voilà, I was in love!
We recently acquired his Tuck Box, which includes his 3 official releases (Five Leaves Left, Bryter Layter, Pink Moon) and 2 extra posthumous compilations including out-takes, alternate versions, material from his early days, as well as full-booklets with lyrics, photos and interviews of friends and family.
Igual que Ayer [Lisandro Aristimuño]
As James Blake, Lisandro just makes me drift into a place that I can best describe as Teletubbie-land, in which all is love and smiling-baby-suns. This is an album I have been hearing since its release in 2012, and still adore. Enjoy!
Walking with Jesus [Spacemen 3]
I got given this album as a present. It was fished from the bi-annual Book Sale we throw at the Central Library (which also includes CDs, DVDs, magazines, audioBooks, and much more!). I had no idea who Spacemen were, and so, full of surprise and excitement, I found myself surrendering to their spacey, psychedelic and mellow tunes. From the best album of theirs I heard so far, I leave you to the mercy of this sparse psychonaut duo.
Track A1 (Original Mix) [Richi Hawtin]
I can undoubtedly say that Richie is my favorite DJ. His ever-fresh music, delicate taste, never-ending energy, natural charisma, and of course his unstoppable power, put him straight away up in my standard of electronic musicians. Not only an amazing DJ, he is also a talented producer who is concerned in the many facets that are involved in a night out dancing, as much as the in the release of a new album; fliers/invitations design, lightening, marketing, venue mise-en-place, photography and video, and even the fashion aesthetics are paid meticulous attention to. He is a conceptual artist -offering a full sensorial experience in all his creations and events; a vanguardist, leader and pioneer who not just embraces the latest technology: he designs it; an educator, who is always keen to throw a masterclass in the hottest music conventions; and not least, a rockstar.
Label owner and musical visionary, Richie has always been an adventurer of sound and technology, pushing the limits of techno, while inspiring over a generation of electronic music enthusiasts worldwide.
&nbs;p