El Ten Eleven – El Ten Eleven

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

instrumental melodic post rock – duo or trio playing simple music of tight compositions, sentimental and melodic

Moods

It's like an extended instrumental emo jam, an accessible entry into post-rock

Thoughts

enjoyable if you like that sound, reminds me of something else I can't quite put my finger on (know that's not helpful, it's the sentimental side of the sound). Accessible as a bridge record for those starting into post rock given the quick melodies and agile drumming. Guitar lines are almost robot like in their sequences, simple scales that give a familiar and immediate sound.

Is it the kind of record you need to hear before you die? Not at all but it's got some memorable tracks that would work well on mood playlists.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/El-Ten-Eleven-El-Ten-Eleven/release/720464

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_TV076UGUs

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFCRMonf7lI

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El Ten Eleven – El Ten Eleven

Description: Album Review of El Ten Eleven – El Ten Eleven


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Link Wray – Link Wray

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

The music is an Americana blend of blues, country, gospel, and folk rock elements. This music is characterized by the purposeful use of simplified sounds to reflect the then-current vogue of blues and other roots music being used in many roots rock bands. Wray's guitar-work, composing, and vocals reflected modern rock influences.

Moods

A beautiful piece of Americana that's defined by it's rough passion and original roots rock sound

Thoughts

bluesy folk rock with a country twang. For years I only knew the guy for his earlier instrumental work but I'm happy I checked this later entry out. I took the description in the 'sounds like' description from Wikipedia as it's accurate but bizarre to read, almost clinical in its description. The draw here is the passionate and earthy grittiness found in timeless music of the era. The combination of those sounds produces something distinct and broadly appealing, it's original music that only the American landscape is capable of producing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Link-Wray-Link-Wray/release/6988842

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXrV9mBM7Pk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es-Zws_ggoY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozwlKJO7iuw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZmSZGJggE4

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Link Wray – Link Wray

Description: Album Review of Link Wray – Link Wray


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

World music that combines jazz, African rhythms, and spiritual elements into something distinct.

Moods

Beautiful, original, sultry, spiritual – this is timeless music that transcends classification.

Thoughts

I struggle to describe this as I think boxing it into descriptors would do it a disservice. Instead I've jotted some feelings in the mood section but encourage listening during evening hours, adds to a warm atmosphere with positive spirits. More lively then not.

Great playing throughout. The solos feel a little too defined as opposed to the looseness I prefer in jazz but each has crafted them so well that they never suffer.

Classic and essential listening that welcomes revisits.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mulatu-Astatq%C3%A9-%C3%89thiopiques-4-Ethio-Jazz-Musique-Instrumentale-1969-1974/release/724788

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwLr7FtBlE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjZuX3XBGAo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIjZngfgv10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgilX6AUClY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGeqiB73H90

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Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

Description: Album Review of Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Catfish And The Bottlemen – The Ride

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

stomping heart on your sleeve pop rock

Moods

captures the excitement and energy of a 20 something's life in the moment

Thoughts

it's a solid record overall. Bit 'one note' as far as songwriting goes, general pop rock fare. Songs are high energy, rousing and stomping. Lyrically he sings in a highly personal manner with details of relatable memories about failed relationships, getting drunk, and general adulthood confusion.

Sound like a lot of albums? I'd say where this delivers is on the genuineness of those moments and that it sounds exactly like a good night out on the Lower East Side of Manhattan feels: an exciting energy powered only by the moment.

It's fun if you live that or, if you're like me, a bit removed relive those memories for a bit. I imagine this band would be fantastic live.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Catfish-And-The-Bottlemen-The-Ride/release/8580322

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mLD8FL28Nk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjo34xdVyuY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YRi8PCFqfU

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Catfish And The Bottlemen – The Ride

Description: Album Review of Catfish And The Bottlemen – The Ride


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Bennie Maupin – The Jewel In The Lotus

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Avant garde spiritual jazz

Moods

A spiritual album defined by interplay and pause

Thoughts

chilled out beautiful soulful jazz, hip, I guess you could call this spiritual jazz. I like the use of percussion and keys, it's almost just like traces of just random lines that dissolve into nothing. An avant garde tactic but here it's employed well. Flute is really difficult for me to get right but he nails it, stretching notes into texture.

Some of it gets too avant and free for my tastes like on Mappo and excursion, creates a stirring presence that in my opinion detracts from the spiritual that's on the title track and ensenada ( the latter being the real standout on the album).

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Bennie-Maupin-The-Jewel-In-The-Lotus/release/13642739

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U69QwzAhz4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG1LcUuxp5A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgwLP5jcjjs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW_t-kgs9pw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A78fDGSj5w

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Bennie Maupin – The Jewel In The Lotus

Description: Album Review of Bennie Maupin – The Jewel In The Lotus


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Laurel Halo – Dust

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

electro art pop

Moods

DIY hip electro lounge music

Thoughts

Sexy, layered electronic productions with real instrumentations (sax solo here or drum line there) that provide welcome accents. Halo can write, her voice isn't particularly strong but it's fine in these abstract streams of conscious; provides a bedroom intimacy. 'Moontalk' is a good example of when this all comes together well.

Uneven but more good than bad, an accessible introduction to her sound.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Laurel-Halo-Dust/release/10500770

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrjeMN_U1hw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y9AQfqnUvs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcZ-JK8EZlw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvkdCnK-aCE

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Laurel Halo – Dust

Description: Album Review of Laurel Halo – Dust


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Electro rap

Moods

Vince Staples best? Rap that incorporates the interesting parts of electro

Thoughts

I admire hybrids where artists take sounds from a genre's fringes and incorporate them into a popular format. Kanye gets a lot of credit for that with Yeezus but I like this better. Production is what makes Big Fish such a worthwhile record with Staples leveraging a variety of electro producers to create a quilt that is intense, booming and always engaging. His rhymes are direct in delivery, creating a steady presence and interesting juxtaposition against the variety.

The result is a great modern Rap record with a youthful but wise energy. It's uneven but one that's bursting with provoking ideas on what makes effective music. I prefer that to the world of over polished pop without soul and have rewarded it with reslistens.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Vince-Staples-Big-Fish-Theory/release/11271320

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l9kzS_B7gg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLpH78k5A9A

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6iAzyhm0p0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa4vBlzMaeQ

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Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory

Description: Album Review of Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Ahmad Jamal – Blue Moon – The New York Session

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

post bop

Moods

A modern, rhythmic post bop delight played by a master

Thoughts

I feel like Ahmad Jamal is one of the best kept secrets in jazz. Of course jazz fans know him, but outside not a brand name.

Here we have a decidedly modern jazz record compositionally played with a heavy rhythmic focus by the awesome Herlin Riley which interplays nicely with Jamal's expert piano playing – melodic and with a natural swing, quick if the band pushes him, easy if not.

There's a lot to like here. Worthy of deep listening as well as energetic atmosphere if more removed settings.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Ahmad-Jamal-Blue-Moon-The-New-York-Session/release/3624058

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcUvkO4A5Vo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qkaEf4C6FI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS2Lvw8HV84

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

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

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Ahmad Jamal – Blue Moon – The New York Session

Description: Album Review of Ahmad Jamal – Blue Moon – The New York Session


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Four Tet – Anna Painting

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

solid electro techno

Moods

Four Tet at his most accessible and danceable on this tight EP

Thoughts

Four Tet has such an admirable discography as he's able to cover a range of styles well. Here he's more accessible than his sometimes  experimental self delivering tracks that you can't help but move too. Slight long individual track durations keep you locked in with their hooky movement. Rhythmic, loose feel due to his organic production methods. I always find a lot to enjoy on his releases.

Ends with a nice ambient number.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Four-Tet-Anna-Painting/release/14099064

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBxmnfI4ryk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8v2Wra-YoU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCuPRW0P74s

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Four Tet – Anna Painting

Description: Album Review of Four Tet – Anna Painting


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

The Ramsey Lewis Trio – The In Crowd

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

swinging bop

Moods

Effortless cool, the quintessential jazz dinner-party album

Thoughts

I've been searching for this for unpretentious but engaging jazz and the trio here nails it. There's a comfortable loose feel to this, as if they know what they've got is gold.

When I refer to jazz dinner albums it means bop but not so technical that it's distracting. This succeeds with it's cool, samba like swing, busy downtown vibe and appropriate moments of somber builds.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Ramsey-Lewis-Trio-The-In-Crowd/release/4746742

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsFST-7Hx-Y

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_SwYDL5Imc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm4-JSKi9k0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX8BS_nINfI

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The Ramsey Lewis Trio – The In Crowd

Description: Album Review of The Ramsey Lewis Trio – The In Crowd


Rating: 5 out of 5