Joni Mitchell - Blue (1971)

 

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Joni's 4th release and one of my personal favorites. Her voice is iconic on this record. It rises and falls over each track, like waves on the ocean, and I get lost in it with every spin. It's a short trip, but always a pleasant one. It borders on sad bastard music at times, but damn if she doesn't make it sound sexy. Acid, booze, and ass. Needles, guns, and grass. Lots of laughs.

Blue

Arthur Blythe - Illusions (1980)

 

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Blythe's 6th record as a leader, and in my opinion his most funky and far-reaching to date. Immediately you get slapped in the face by some of the most driving, foot-stomping tuba playing I think I've ever heard. Blythe's playing is fun and free and it's clear he's having a great time. Oh but the tuba! I might need more tuba in my life. It's not featured on every track, however the songs featuring Stewart are definitely my favorite. Grab this, kick back, and watch the snow fall. 

Illusions

The Dodos - Beware of the Maniacs (2006)

 

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San Francisco's The Dodo's debut effort is still my go-to in their catalog. I like the fuller sound they drifted towards in their more recent efforts, however I just love the feel of this set. The music and vocals just blend so well together. It's just these 2 dudes in a room, jamming the fuck out, and occasionally having a guest play the trumpet. Grab this, be kind to your neighbors, and wash you fucking hands. 

Beware of the Maniacs

Public Image Ltd - Flowers of Romance (1981)

 

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There's much fuss about PiL's 3rd offering. Some referring to it as the most uncommercial album ever delivered to  record company. Well, they should've waited a few years for that gem to actually arrive. I’m sure Johnny boy didn’t give a fuck. Personally, I find this set to be the most approachable out of PiLs entire catalog. The sound is percussion heavy, and sometimes even droning, but so pleasing. I hear an old rumor from a slightly refutable source that at some point during the recording, the band used anything they could get their hands on as an instrument. From a dirty wet box, to beat-up suitcase. But who cares? The record jams and it's obvious by how much fun they're having. Just look at the cover. Spin it, you'll be pleased. 

Flowers of Romance

Allah-las - Allah-las (2012)

 

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Fuzzy psych surfer vibes all over this record. Their self-titled effort offers a dozen sun drenched beach tunes. It's pretty welcoming during these months, when it stops snowing long enough to clear the roads, before it starts again. The production is fantastic, no doubt due to Waterhouse and his love of dated analog equipment. Take this for a spin right after you shovel the walkway. 

Allah-las

CAN - Tago Mago (1971)

 

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CAN has gone through a few style changes throughout its existence. From krautrock, to avant-garde, and ending somewhere near ambient; these dudes made some pretty heady and great tunes. I enjoy their latter works, but nothing hits like the records they did with Suzuki. His voice was the jittery, sometimes mumbling glue that held the albums together, in my opinion. I circle back around to this record every other year or so, and wear it out over the course of like a month. Mushroom is my jam.  The history behind the recording is pretty dope. The band stayed in a castle, rent-free for roughly 3 months. It's also named after an island that has something to do with Crowley? Creepy.  Grab this and freak out. 

Tago Mago

ANMA - Limbus (2020)

 

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Another gem brought to you by Andreas. This time not released on tape but instead fully digital. This collection is ANMA's concept of limbo, or that space between heaven and hell. The tracks are longish and sparse and you can definitely feel the lost floating nothingness, that eventually drifts into what I can only explain as an electronic heartbeat. This collection takes some time to digest, but eventually will wash over you. As previously mentioned, the best time for ANMA is early morning, or late evening, for me. This time I've traded the rain for snow. Have fun with this set. 

Limbus

The Essence - Nothing Lasts Forever (1991)

 

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There's something so familiar about this record. Besides the obvious comparisons, The Essence still hold their own and produce some very haunting, beautiful, and sometimes mournful music. I've been finding this one in heavy rotation, and especially the track September as the most pleasing on the record. It's probably all the snow we've been seeing the last week or more. It's been a nice accompaniment for this winter. 

Nothing Lasts Forever

BPeople - BPeople (1981)

 

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I got turned on to these guys just a few weeks ago, courtesy of the internet and all of it's glorious gems, tucked away in the further reaches of Google. Right out of the gates this smacks you in the face and pulls you in for a short, but excellent ride. It's tender and inviting, but loud and noisy all at once. I've been listening to this at pretty much at all times of the day. Have some fun with this one.

BPeople

Synth Sisters & Nikmis - Synth Sisters & Nikmis (2019)

 

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Collected here is another wonderful set of music from Muzan Editions 2019 Winter release. This tape has a much different vibe then the 2 previous collections, in that it has melody and sound structure as opposed to lush flowing ambiance and droning. 

Side A is 2 beautiful  EDM-esque tracks by the Synth Sisters. Track 1 features a wall of sound driven by a slight heartbeat sound. It reminds me of what it must've sounded like when Roy finally got on the ship and they blasted off into space. All the colors and sounds and vibrations. Disassociated voices floating in and out of his unconscious mind. This means something. 

Track 2 very much keeps to the same theme. Floating carelessly in space. There's huge walls of sound that are complimented by ping-ponging pads that bounce all over your head. This is definitely the part in Roy's trip when he's suspended in deep sleep for the big jump back home to the 3rd Kind's planet. 

Side B starts off with Nikmis creating some big ass mind opening swells that lull the listener into a false sense of calm, before taking off into a bouncing, almost Nintendo soundtrack vibe. This is the last and final stop for our hero Roy. He's reached the planet. He's wondering if he made the right choice leaving all of his friends and family behind. 

As previously mentioned, Muzan is offering this collection and many others on their bandcamp for a name you price fee. Head over there and spend some of those coins you've collected on this trip. 

Synth Sisters & Nikmis

Ghost - Second Time Around (1992)

 

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I feel that the cover for Ghost's sophomore release captures the serenity of this recording, perfectly. There's still some beautiful freak-outs, but the overall vibe is calmer and more collected, in my opinion. Considering their debut to the world began with Batoh screaming at the top of his lungs, Second Time Around sweetly guides you in before they blast off. 

They used quite the collection of instruments for this record. Some of the more advanced listed are, 'Holy Talking', 'Sympathy', and my favorite instrument of all, which is clearly noticeable through the whole record, 'Smile'. Not to mention the 'some nameless bells and stones' that the whole band took part in playing. I really like the growth with this set. Click below and chill. 

Second Time Around

The Cut - Shadow Talks (1981)

 

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I've had a steady diet of New Wave/Post-Punk the last week or more. It's most definitely because lately I've been filling my head with some of the foulest black metal the internet could share with me. Shadow Talks is so refreshing after all of that darkness. All of the pieces fit perfectly together like a deliciously balanced meal but for your ears. Guilt-free calories. It's best enjoyed around midday, right after lunch kicks in and the clock starts dragging it's ass and makes quitting time feel like an eternity away. The stark keys and jangling guitars blow the cobwebs out of my ears and perks me up to make that final stretch for the end. But mostly it's because the rhythm section is fucking killer and I can't help but shake my ass, so there's that. It's a banger of a debut to say the least. Click below for a good time.

Shadow Talks

Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)

 

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There are no words that I can write that haven't already been written. What I will say is as a child I stopped whenever I heard her voice on the radio. The power behind it just demands your entire attention, it gets into your bones and makes you move. The band of course is super tight as to be expected, as are the back-up singers, which will undoubtedly include you moments into the 1st track. It's hard to believe that this was already her 10th release, because the power on this record definitely felt like a debut statement. But that's what happens with a voice like hers. So grab this and someone close and get into it. 

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Big Youth - Chi Chi Run (1972)

 

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Here's another one for our friend John John. Technically BY's first recording, released shortly before his studio debut, Chi Chi Run is more of a feature of artist produced by Prince Buster, however it still features Big Youth on easily half of the album. There's no pretense about this record, it's just 12 tracks of a bunch of artist having fun around BY. I've just learned that John Lydon and Big Youth were quite the acquaintances and that makes me very happy. Of course this means that I'll have to follow up with some PiL soon. Enjoy!

Chi Chi Run

Spherical Objects - Past & Parcel (1978)

 

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I've been obsessing over this record for the better half of this week. There's something about the cheesy keys and jangly guitars that make this so fucking fun to spin. Not to mention Solamar's weirdo vocals, that's an experience in of itself. They sound familiar, but I can't place from where. It's all just neatly packaged into a great listening experience. Standout for me would definitely have to be Lover Flow and it's absolute perfect placement on the record. Grab it, jam it, love it.

Past & Parcel

100 Flowers - 100 Flowers (1983)

 

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I've been on this angsty teenage punk kick, lately. These guys fit that bill perfectly. The band itself has a collection of silly names, with this one being the most timid, although the factual history behind their name isn't so timid. Sprawling 16 tracks and 41 minutes, 100 Flowers has a unique sound that boarders on the familiar, but is definitely their own. Apparently they were a huge influence on the SoCal scene with their jangly guitar, anxious vocals that yell mostly about sex, west coast shit, and sometimes war. What's not to love? 

When life gets too heavy and you're taking things that you can't change way too seriously, take this for a spin and dance around your living room. You'll feel better afterwards, trust me. 

100 Flowers

B.B. King - Completely Well (1969)

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King has a slew of records from his prolific career and I like to take them slow and easy, just like his playing. By the time this record came out, He had been professionally playing for nearly 30 years, and it clearly shows in this set. The tracks are super tight, and the band sounds warm and comfortable, and King's playing and voice are nothing short of perfect. This collection is most notable as his breakthrough album, with one of his best charting singles, and the most covered song in his catalog. A song which went on to earn him his first of many Grammy Awards, and setting him up for another coupe of decades worth of work ahead of him. Let start the week & month off right with some easy-going beautiful blues music. 

Completely Well