Casual Listening
a review of cool new music
by Jeff Pinzino
! NOMO – Invisible Cities (world)
A musical layer cake - the base is Afrobeat (heavy, horn-laden funk) filled with improvisational jazz and iced with bells, gongs, and other creative percussion that give the music a psychedelic sheen. It's a brilliant combination, either for dancing till you drop or a hypnotic journey to another plane.
Listen to NOMO’s “Invisible Cities” on MySpace
! Ziggy Marley – Family Time (kids)
Family Time bears the mark of a great kids album in that its stands on its own as good music. This is serious reggae, and for as naturally as the hopscotch beat and positive lyrics come together, it’s surprising that there hasn't been more reggae for kids.
Listen to Ziggy Marley “ABC”
* Spring Creek – Way Up On A Mountain (bluegrass)
Dense vocal harmonies and solid picking make for a magnetic album with traditional style. The chemistry between the members places this ensemble among the most promising of next-generation bluegrass.
Listen to Spring Creek’s “My Love is Way Up on a Mountain on MySpace
Yusuf – Roadsinger (folk)
The former Cat Stevens always appealed to the widest of wide-eyed idealists (full disclosure - I tend to fit that description). Roadsinger contains songs of peace and the spiritual journey, sung with a gentle voice that still inspires hope.
Listen to Yusuf “Roadsinger”
Peaches – I Feel Cream (dance)
Peaches pairs sexual shock value with irresistible club-shaking dance music. It's the same formula that made Madonna a success in the 1980's, with the intensity cranked up several notches. Parental discretion advised.
Listen to Peaches “I Feel Cream”
* highly recommended
! highest recommendation
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