Travis – Some drops serious South American accordion on us. Columbian? Dominican. Francisco Ulloa – “Arturo Pa’l Monte” – Caribbean accordion. I’m pretty hung up on the Accordion, as used in Latin and Brazilian Music, lately. This is right up there with what I’ve been listening to, fast, with a funky edge and thrilling! Travis mentions recalling hearing this song as a child and having hunt to figure out what it was.
Bart – Spacey. Beatlesy with some synth Pop things going on too. Think I’m loving it because of the slowly, unfolding pace. The voices have maybe a little Cheap Trick thing going on (another band I have never really understood, but people love them. Sorry! Cheap Trick is on my list of always overdoing everything – not the connection I am making with this band either, something about the voice). Bachelorette – “Long Time Gone” – Really well produced and sonically full. They maybe also sound a little like an electric Sufjan Stevens. The song has a very patient build, I think they patiently built their sounds too, they are well designed.
Dan – Clare Fischer – “Free Too Long” – I came to this because I love Fischer’s work arranging for Prince and his albums are tough to find, plus he writes a great tune. The track was a surprise because of the intensity he is playing with, its general free-ness, it reminded me of Lennie Tristano a bit and also Fischer influenced Herbie Hancock and there are moments where I hear things I could imagine Herbie playing. I came for a lot of reasons. I came away feeling like I had a new perspective on his playing. It definitely adds something to hear him play freely and maybe it makes the directions he would lean into in the future more interesting because I didn’t really think he had this in him.
Mulatu Astatke – “Green Africa” – What a fabulous album from a classic Ethiopian pioneer. I am always interested in different perspectives on how Music can sound and this really reminded me of Andrew Hill with African instruments and influence. The songs might be a little lighter than Hill’s work, more grooving (tho Hill could groove too!) and with several exciting soloists. The general vibe will give it many more plays, in a variety of settings. Recommended!
Found Sounds 