HOME OF THE MUSIC ECOSYSTEM
I love a great band name, and I love it even better when a band more than lives up to it. Here is a glorious blend of modern and traditional musics, seamlessly rendered by a tight group with a hot horn section.
Mexican Institute of Sound
“Carnaval” (download mp3)
from “Suave Patria – EP”
(Nacional Records)
“Carnaval” (play)
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What if a female Thom Yorke had an epiphany while crossing the border between Mexico and a sort of Disney-fied Catholic heaven in the Salton Sea? You might find it sounds rather like this. A strange and wonderful record by Y la Bamba produced by The Decemberists’ Chris Funk. Mexico native singer-songwriter Luz Elena mined these songs from much travel and adventure in India, New Zealand, California and beyond. She finally landed in Portland, Oregon where she recorded them all. Out this month on the Tender Loving Empire label. Brilliant and courageous work.
Y la Bamba
“Juniper” (mp3)
from “Lupon”
(Tender Loving Empire)
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TchucbandioniS- “Valvulado” mp3
Here’s a chanting funky latin-rockr, suitable for dance floor clowning or a fine summer’s day BBQ. “Valvulado” is a single from Sao Paulo, Brasil’s dynamic TchucbandioniS – a somewhat mysterious entity I can find little info about on the Googlenets. But I love this track, and it’s all about one gr8 mp3 a day here in Superfanland. So here, my pretties, is a musical offering for Saturday, Sep. 11, 2010. A genre-mashing international jazz funk rock latin burst of flavor. Enjoy.
TchucbandioniS
“Valvulado” (mp3)
from “O Novo Transmissor”
(Tratore)
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Brian Lopez – “Maslow’s Hierarchy” mp3
Brian Lopez‘ voice goes wherever it wants to on this wild exploration of psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory. Its an unusual song topic, to say the least, but you never know where a song will come from, and like any good song, this one wins by its own rules. With a distinctive warble that he carries up and down his range, Tucson, Arizona native Lopez delivers it live on guitar and vocals, backed by a thoughtful and tight combo. Romantic, mystical, and entirely unique.
Brian Lopez
“Maslow’s Hierarchy” (mp3)
from “Rojo – EP”
(Funzalo Records)
Eljuri, Johnette Napolitano – “Jaula” mp3
The venerable Sly and Robbie, names long synonymous with “reggae rhythm section” in Jamaica and around the world, team up with Ecuadorian New York City guitarist/singer-songwriter Eljuri, and the results are magnificent. Blending various rock and latin styles in an organic fusion, this emerges as a record truly deserving of the sometimes dubious label, “World Music.” Effortless and accomplished, passionate yet cool, this album is a winner, and I can see it will def be getting more spins in my world as the seasons turn toward summer. Johnette Napolitano joins in on this single with her incendiary vocals to push it over the top.
Eljuri, Johnette Napolitano
“Jaula” (mp3)
from “En Paz”
(Lovecat Music)