Casual Listening - Sarah Jarosz, Major Lazer, Cacique '97

Casual Listening

a review of cool new music

by Jeff Pinzino

Note: Sorry about the delay on this one – I’ve been having medical issues this week, now behind me. Next week I’ll be on vacation, so there’ll be two weeks worth of reviews when I get back. Oh, and happy birthday Casual Listening, now two years running.

June 19, 2009

! Sarah Jarosz -- Song Up In Her Head (folk)

Jarosz is one of the most talented of the next generation of bluegrass-inspired stars. A full-throated singer, compelling songwriter, and formidable instrumentalist on both banjo and mandolin, she's got a boundless future in music; don't wait for it -- her work now is already amazing.

Listen to Sarah Jarosz "Tell Me True"

! Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People, Lazers Do (electronic)

This is the album to out-cool all of your cool friends this summer. Inspired by Jamaican dancehall beats, Major Lazer uses an unbelievable range of samples (horses, cell phone rings, and of course plenty of lasers) to construct postmodern party music. The grooves are heavy, and sure to inspire nodding heads across the world.

Listen to Major Lazer "When You Hear the Bassline"

* Cacique '97 - Cacique '97 (world)

The Portuguese band Cacique '97 is further proof that the Nigerian jazz-funk style known as afrobeat has become a truly international phenomenon. A big horn section over a driving bassline and multi-layered vocals means Cacique '97 can hold their own among the best Afrobeat bands anywhere in the world. Besides, doesn't everything sound more laid-back in Portuguese?

Listen to Cacique '97 - "Eu Quero Tudo"

Rhonda Vincent - Destination Life (country)

Although Vincent is best known for classic bluegrass, she's got some countrypolitan ballads on this release that Dolly Parton herself would be proud to sing. A couple of Southern gospel tunes round out an exceptional set of roots music.

Listen to Rhonda Vincent "I Can Make Him Whisper I Love You"

Laura Izibor - Let the Truth Be Told (R&B)

Izibor has an enormous voice and a taste for retro-styled soul that set this album apart from the crowd. Hammond organ and horns evoke the Memphis sound, with a clear focus on the vocals.

Listen to Laura Izibor - "Shine"

* highly recommended

! highest recommendation

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Casual Listening -- Anti-Flag, Oumou Sangare, Mos Def

Casual Listening

a review of cool new music

by Jeff Pinzino

June 12, 2009

Follow me on the free music site Lala here

! Anti-Flag – The People or the Gun (rock)

Since the election of Barack Obama, outrage has taken a holiday. Even the Daily Show is biding its time taking potshots at Fox News. Meanwhile, millions of Americans are joining the ranks of the unemployed and kids are still coming home in body bags. Anti-Flag reminds us what righteous anger sounds like. Blistering punk grafted to stick-in-your-head melodies, and uncompromising lyrics that would seem crazier if they didn’t match today’s headlines. Whether or not you agree with the message, you’ll find it hard to ignore and maybe even be a little envious of a political voice that is neither cautious nor measured.

Listen to Anti-Flag “The Economy is Suffering…Let It Die”

* Oumou Sangare – Seya (world)

It’s been an amazing time for music from Mali, with Sangare’s album following weeks after excellent releases from Amadou & Mariam and Vieux Farka Toure. To my ears, Seya is the strongest of the three. With traditional string instruments, dense percussion and Sangare’s powerful voice, this album grooves hard.

Listen to Oumou Sangare “Sounsoumba”

* Mos Def – The Ecstatic (rap)

An exquisite-sounding rap album, with samples of Eastern ecstatic music on several tracks. Mos Def has some bravura lyrical turns and a message that is positive with some political and spiritual elements.

Listen to Mos Def “Quiet Dog”

* Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca (rock)

Dirty Projectors bring an artistic flair to their music that puts them in a league with Talking Heads. Unconventional harmonies, angelic vocals, and instrumentation that layers guitar-bass-drums with violins, electronics, and whatever else happens to be on hand. There’s a complexity here that rewards multiple listens.

Listen to Dirty Projectors “Cannibal Resource”

Fernando Benadon – Intuitivo (classical)

The album, ostensibly of a modern string ensemble with clarinet and percussion, is chamber jazz that threatens to spin out of control but just manages to hold together. In actuality, Benadon has sculpted and assembled the improvisations of the various musicians, recorded separately. Given that compositional task, the cohesiveness of the musical lines is remarkable.

Listen to Fernando Benadon “Inverosímil”

Also of interest this week: Black-Eyed Peas, La Plebe, Iron Maiden, Trey Anastasio & Don Hart

* highly recommended

! highest recommendation

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Casual Listening - Freddie Hubbard, Mariachi Real de San Diego, Elvis Costello

Casual Listening

a review of cool new music

by Jeff Pinzino

June 5, 2009

Follow me on the free music site Lala here

! Freddie Hubbard – Without a Song (jazz)

When the jazz DJ starts naming personnel on some of your jazz favorites, you’re going to hear “Freddie Hubbard on trumpet” a lot. He’s among the most respected horn players ever to play jazz. So for Blue Note Records to unearth and release this live set 40 years after the fact is a musical event in the jazz world. He’s playing at his peak – crisp tone, muscular solos, and with a killer band egging him on (that’s Roland Hanna on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums for those keeping score).

Listen to Freddie Hubbard “Without a Song”

* Mariachi Real de San Diego – Mariachi Classics (Latin)

Mariachi is an art form best experienced in the open air. Mariachi Real de San Diego manages to capture in the studio the elation of the Mexican big-band tradition that comes out at weddings, parades, and other fiestas. Olé!

Listen to Mariachi Real de San Diego “El Tranchete”

Elvis Costello – Secret, Profane, and Sugarcane (rock)

Costello gets a rootsy Americana treatment on this record thanks to producer T Bone Burnett. With dobro, fiddle, and mandolin in tow, Costello picks up a layer of grit that intensifies his songs.

Listen to Elvis Costello “Born on a Day the Sun Didn’t Rise”

Eels– Hombre Lobo (rock)

A werewolf-themed rock set with the barely-under-control energy of the great Chicago blues masters. The fact that the recording fidelity is about that of a voicemail message only adds to the charm.

Listen to Eels “Tremendous Dynamite”

Big Blind – Circus Left Town (blues)

Hot electric blues with interesting tunes venturing way beyond the typical twelve bars. Heavy harmonica drives the sound, which creates an eerie funhouse mirror feel that riffs off the album title.

Listen to Big Blind “Like Me”

* highly recommended

! highest recommendation

Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . Follow me on Lala here

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