Tag Archives: Good Albums

Snarky Puppy – Bring Us The Bright

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Modern fusion big band

Moods

Compositional perfection

Thoughts

They are almost like modern day big band featuring a big ensemble playing music in an orchestrated fashion. It's fusion in the sense that they draw from so many influences (rock, funk, jam bands, classical) while still staying true to jazz. My only fault is also the biggest compliment: their compositions are fantastic but can have the rehearsed stuffiness at times; missing the loose rawness of jazz I'm typically drawn to. They are so tight but I prefer their live studio albums as it adds that looseness.

As for individual tracks:

'Celebrity' is a great track, love the albums Dre g-funk from the keys line to the wompy bass effects.

Has a nice flow, 'strawman's' mellow beginning is a good example of this, drawing from jambands with quick guitar work and Herbie funky keys.

'34 klezma' begins with a yiddish rhythm and rich strings and piano, it's decadent in a classical sense.

Can't go wrong with a snarky puppy release

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Snarky-Puppy-Bring-Us-The-Bright/release/6447917

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGMYxIGIzmM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pZdwTTZuOc

Spotify


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Snarky Puppy – Bring Us The Bright

Description: Album Review of Snarky Puppy – Bring Us The Bright


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

iZem – Hafa

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Danceable global chilled out pop

Moods

A refreshing sun shower

Thoughts

Evidently this is the project of an electro producer though it doesn't feel like an electro record. The lead-off track is a jazzy pop thing I enjoy, not sure what language she's singing but it fits with the basic sax to set the exotic tone. 'Quiver' works with a detached feeling like Drake's music or certain portishead. The spacey 'kulala' is another standout, a swelling keys line and ping pong balls swirl around a peaceful vocal line.

This sits right on the border of the worldly music craze that's taken over pop production but iZem is on the interesting side, exploring the sound with organic instrumentation. It's as if this is an afro focused record that's been influenced by Drake, not vice versa. Vocalists aren't very distinct but I enjoy them, at least the language is varied. He's at his best with vocalists, not always an easy thing to do as a producer.

Meditative, transporting, fresh and enjoyable; recommended.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/iZem-Hafa-/release/9230946

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZrmeKnof44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5v41wqHZYc

Spotify


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iZem – Hafa

Description: Album Review of iZem – Hafa


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Portico Quartet – Portico Quartet

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

modern classic quartet with rock and jazz songwriting structures

Moods

Modern beauty

Thoughts

A true hybrid of genres incorporating everything from rock and electronic to jazz and classical. I'd say you're most familiar approaching this as a jazz album with classical influences. It's difficult for musicians to get that type of combination right but they pull it off in a patient way with effective touches of electronics and overall 'pretty' and 'contemplative' moments. It's richness would lend well to a live setting an I'd be really interested in seeing these guys live. 'Laker Boo' shifts out of the patient structure into something more aggressive and forward.

I like the ideas here but I'm not sure how much I'll revisit this album. I'm curious to see how they evolve, they have the potential for something truly great.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Portico-Quartet-Portico-Quartet/release/3455552

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNXM-114WU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQH0GPL33uc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVLveOhrvG8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnxZEwoMA_k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhoZqMVFRAs

Spotify


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Portico Quartet – Portico Quartet

Description: Album Review of Portico Quartet – Portico Quartet


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Magik Markers – Boss

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Desert spooky kind of spoken word folk with tense instrumentation

Moods

Enlightenment

Thoughts

Enjoyable, reminds me of Sonic youth a bit. The aggressiveness and slight angularity is something I probably would've liked when I was younger but not something I'm as attracted to now, definitely reaching for chiller songs overall.

I like her spoken word lyrics. She's got a kind of all knowing confidence that works really well, it's hard to imagine these songs succeeding without her.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Magik-Markers-Boss/release/8170173

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwmUKg5Sp3Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUu60J19xpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA2cV-s8W84

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrYS9FW73EA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmYEZJ9r8VI

Spotify


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Magik Markers – Boss

Description: Album Review of Magik Markers – Boss


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Florian Kupfer – I Feel You

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

deep lofi house

Moods

Rough LES basement electro

Thoughts

Overall I like the general sound here more than the individual songs. I feel these would work best in mixes, appearing as moments in some type of raw performance setting. All tracks utilize this slight distortion as if the drum pad got a small spill of beer on it and the effects are just slightly warped; things are coming through but something is slightly off. It's rough not so much in tone like industrial productions but in polish as if he's making this live; letting the drum machine go on for too long alone on lemming for instance. It's ultimately effective at building the tension through an uncertainty as it he figuring out how these tracks are going to work.

Really dig the first track with a moody mournful vocal that stood out with that distorted bass thump.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Florian-Kupfer-I-Feel-You/release/7327553

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0LVImlFDyg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNNVR4Q3I2I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrfMHgPWymI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JdqOXhHd3I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1OdwGdo4Jk

Spotify


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Florian Kupfer – I Feel You

Description: Album Review of Florian Kupfer – I Feel You


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Post-bop

Moods

Cooking with oli

Thoughts

Damn fine post-bop from damn fine players.

Album opener 'Stolen Moments' is a fantastic track, Yearnin is another good one. Bill Evans is on this but his solos feel a little subdued. However the brass features some fine playing from both Hubbard and Dolphy. The whole thing jives together nicely, recommended for post-bop fans.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Oliver-Nelson-The-Blues-And-The-Abstract-Truth/release/1567084

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44DfWE0gatQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlkkQiZ-gV4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2jqUl27ogY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tNZ6AG0xWc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8yiZvdXJlk

Spotify


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Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth

Description: Album Review of Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Elysia Crampton – Elysia Crampton

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Experimental electro with a Spanish backbeat

Moods

Kinda crazy

Thoughts

A maddening listen at times:  leveraging angular guitars, distortion and repetition to build intensity.

Earlier more melodic tracks like ‘oscollo’ will get more future play from me but interesting overall.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Elysia-Crampton-Elysia-Crampton/release/11876628

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlYom-LzBmo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SxWmN2GkAI

Spotify


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Elysia Crampton – Elysia Crampton

Description: Album Review of Elysia Crampton – Elysia Crampton


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Thom Yorke – Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

yorkes spare and ethereal electro with a bit of techno

Moods

It's as if I'm a passenger in my own life

Thoughts

An accessible entry to Thom Yorke's Solo work. Sparse production wise but he's developing further, it's as if this has the kid a + amnesiac textures with the directnews of hail to the thief.

The hip techno flair on early tracks give this an approachability to those outside of the Radiohead fanboy circuit.  Drifts further towards the end but a good record overall.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Thom-Yorke-Tomorrows-Modern-Boxes/release/6127488

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqbFFVOul50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZe6mUnZWzs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G-8-xaaabE

Spotify


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Thom Yorke – Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes

Description: Album Review of Thom Yorke – Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Durutti Column – The Return Of The Durutti Column

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

electric guitar and bass over a very basic midi drum machine

Moods

A sunny day noodle with friends

Thoughts

Plays like a personal jam amongst friends. There are shapes of songs here and lots of melodic lines to grip on to which keeps it somewhat engaging. I like the basic drum machine, it's like an incompetent robot drummer. Adds this synthesized layer to ‘Katherine’ that adds so basic it stands as a nice supplement to the pleasant, wistful reverb driven guitar playing.

This came out in 1979 and I can see it being hugely influential then as the electric guitar was still finding itself. Listening to it almost 40 years later it holds up well. I think there's a whole scene of bedroom musicians and chillwave artists striving to create the same thing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Durutti-Column-The-Return-Of-The-Durutti-Column/release/807151

Listen!

Spotify


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The Durutti Column – The Return Of The Durutti Column

Description: Album Review of The Durutti Column – The Return Of The Durutti Column


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Travis Scott – Astroworld

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Travis Scott's distinct brand of trap featuring a cast of guest appearances

Moods

Bumped up loud and riding around

Thoughts

Enjoyable but the immediate appeal I found in initial listens is starting to wane (though that's not a comment on Travis Scott, trap rap like this feels very flavor of the moment). I've liked Travis Scott's singles in the past and I'm impressed by the coherent vision he's executing here.

Lyrically he portrays a disconnected drug dude, thing a poppy portrayal of the southern chopped and screwed vibe. It's partnered well with the dark boomy sound of his production.

I like the psychedelic moments, including a production credit from Tame Impala. It's a distinct approach in hip hop production and I hope others try to do more in that vein as I've seen the nu-psychedelic world converging with rap for a few years. Sicko Mode was a great banger in the winter but it's played out now.

Worth a listen for trap fans.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Travis-Scott-Astroworld/release/12358971

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ONRf7h3Mdk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLkQA7iLNUk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LegcNVM_nM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqvCptqhHfs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SLD1ZQZ_4Y

Spotify


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Travis Scott – Astroworld

Description: Album Review of Travis Scott – Astroworld


Rating: 3 out of 5