Tag Archives: 2009

George Jackson – In Memphis 1972-77

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★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Golden age r&b / soul

Moods

Letting loose with the radio on

Thoughts

George Jackson is dripping soul. His natural charismatic groove makes up for OK songwriting and lyrics. It's an exhaustive collection so works best as background mood-music rather than party singles.

The later tracks, starting with ‘you can't run away from love’, improve with some added grit.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/George-Jackson-In-Memphis-1972-77/release/4175930

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94f8Q0F0vEQ

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George Jackson – In Memphis 1972-77

Description: Album Review of George Jackson – In Memphis 1972-77


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Jon Hassell – Last Night The Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes In The Street

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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?
Atmospheric ambient jazz

Moods
Nocturnal

Thoughts
Alright I need more of this. A spiritual successor to miles’ electric period but with a new world / ambient lean. Uneven on the first listen but liked the title track and courtrais (almost feel this borrowed a bass line from miles).

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Jon-Hassell-Last-Night-The-Moon-Came-Dropping-Its-Clothes-In-The-Street/release/1690867

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Jon Hassell – Last Night The Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes In The Street

Description: Album Review of Jon Hassell – Last Night The Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes In The Street


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Juju & Jordash – Juju & Jordash

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★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
Loose spacey electro

Thoughts
My favorite album of theirs, the analog approach works well here. Tracks cover a range of techno but all are done well.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Juju-Jordash-Juju-Jordash/release/1951138

Listen!

Youtube




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC3q-AQqOhY
Spotify

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Juju & Jordash – Juju & Jordash

Description: Album Review of Juju & Jordash – Juju & Jordash


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Blanketship – Klangwunder / The Sound Of Fun Surrounds You

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★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?
Vintage jazz rock meets found sound DJ

Thoughts
Pretty good, forward thinking collage of lots of different sounds. The second record, klangwunder, was a bit more uneven and sporadic sounding.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Blanketship-Klangwunder-The-Sound-Of-Fun-Surrounds-You/release/2030041

Listen!
Spotify

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Blanketship – Klangwunder / The Sound Of Fun Surrounds You

Description: Album Review of Blanketship – Klangwunder / The Sound Of Fun Surrounds You


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Uptown Funk Empire – The Empire Strikes Back

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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?

A modern update on classic funk, afrobeat with a disco vibe. Kinda like jamiroquai.

Thoughts
A little too polished and not raw enough, sounds good and like the modern touches but think it lacked something.

More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Uptown-Funk-Empire-The-Empire-Strikes-Back/release/1868589

Listen!
Spotify

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Uptown Funk Empire – The Empire Strikes Back

Description: Album Review of Uptown Funk Empire – The Empire Strikes Back


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Bill Callahan – Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?

Singer songwriter with a full band and string arrangements. Fantastic voice. He’s got a somber / sober style, this is the kind of album you’d turn on after a dramatic breakup that took all weekend and now you’re walking in the park on a nice autumn day and you just wanna hear something grounding so you turn this on and you realize it’s gonna be ok. The world keeps turning.

Thoughts
I’ve been meaning to listen to this guy since he’s been a favorite of Mark Richardson. I’m impressed. The music is beautiful for a style I wouldn’t typically listen to. His lyrics are spot on and share a wealth of knowledge. I plan to visit more.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Bill-Callahan-Sometimes-I-Wish-We-Were-An-Eagle/release/1728088

Listen!

Youtube





Spotify

The XX – XX

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?

Precious trio that creates spacious but intimate indie rock

Thoughts

An incredible debut album for modern indie. Its very sparse but incredibly effective, somehow they’re able to sound both as expansive as a desert landscape and intimate as a dark cozy room.

A technically basic album, the dual vocals of Romy and Oliver are hard not to love. Jamie xx has proven himself to be a master of texture and there’s a certain atmosphere that’s captured well here. By letting single notes hang and drift or adding some bits of wobbly bass he creates a distinct and fresh sound.

This album stands the test of time and has left an impression on indie rock.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-XX-XX/release/2546873

Listen!

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Dubphonic – Relight

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?

Trip hop

Thoughts

Mediocre trip hop, nothing I felt I needed to hear again.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Dubphonic-Relight/release/2059645

Listen!

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Swan Lake – Enemy Mine

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⭐⭐

Suggested by a friend for pre-kaputt destroyer, this fell flat on my ears. Lacks chemistry and seemed pretentious, not surprising coming from these drama queens.

Bejar’s lyrics are good, album highlights are tracks where he’s singing.

More Info:

https://www.discogs.com/Swan-Lake-Enemy-Mine/release/1853631

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Youtube:

Portugal. The Man – It’s Complicated Being A Wizard

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⭐⭐⭐⭐

Revisiting this since it first came out almost 10 years ago and it’s no surprise this band had it’s break out. The album keeps a good groove throughout, woven together with interesting electronic textures. I particularly love the first half of opal magic, I’ve listened to it dozens of times and still think it’s a great song. Thematically the lyrics are a little dramatic but it feels like a natural part of his singing style and not pretentious. Recommended.

More Info:

https://www.discogs.com/Portugal-The-Man-Its-Complicated-Being-A-Wizard/release/4905714

Listen!

Spotify:

Youtube:

#VALUE!