Speed the Band tells stories in a wonderful, lyrical way, and singer Carrie Speed Owsley has the perfect voice for story telling. The band, made up entirely of family and extended family members, is accomplished and the melodies are delightfully infectious. You can check them out by visiting them on Facebook. (Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Read MoreI’ve been enthralled with the sound of Gotye (a.k.a., Wally De Backer) since he’s made it up top on the playlist for KCRW’s Eclectic 24 channel. The late 2011 release from Gotye, Making Mirrors, is full of strange rhythms, found sounds, solid song-craft, elements of hip-hop, electronic music and much more. Underneath all the musical craft, is a sense of humor that is laugh-out-loud funny. Check out the bio from the Gotye web site for proof! Somebody That I…
Read MoreI first ran across the pop-folk duo, Bella Ruse, about a year ago on Jamendo.com where I fell in love with singer Kay Gillette’s quirky pop styling. Jamendo, if you’ve been following along, is a source for music released under one of several Creative Commons licenses (free to download and listen to-some restrictions apply). Complicated Rhythm is from their 2011, more traditionally released, full-length, Kuhzoo, which you can purchase from their web site. You can also find them on MySpace and Facebook. (Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Read MoreNoted for his blending of middle eastern sounds, soul and jazz, Yusef Lateef is at his grooviest, with Nubian Lady. This track is by no-means new. Released on the vinyl LP Gentle Giant back in the early 70’s, it translates perfectly into 2012, where electronic chill meets ambient grooves. I cannot find a source for the CD version of Gentle Giant, which had at one time been re-released by Rhino. If you can find one, please send it to me, as I’d love…
Read MoreSteeped in a mysterious story that lies just beneath the surface, Black Hills Gold from the band Dolorean’s 2011 release The Unfazed, insinuates a deep loss and in some ways, a new beginning. Singer and guitarist, Al James, paints the story with broad strokes, rather than details, and lets the listener decide how best to interpret. That said, the story is decidedly dark. This video, captures the darkness in it’s black and white rendering. As the story resolves in the end,…
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