Aurgasm

northern rock

Whether digging country roots or rocking guitars, these hearty rascals from Greenwich, NY produce incredibly appealing tight rhythms, choral elation and rollicking stomp. Eastbound Jesus has a vibe I cherish at bluegrass festivals: kids running freely, families sharing meals, camping areas for jamming all night, and tents for free lessons. People are real and their good nature is alive. Thoroughly uplifting, Holy Smokes instills a sense of everything being alright even if you’re far from it. Songs reveal boyhood girl troubles, the workingman’s plight, and helpful lore with a refreshing dash of revolt. Open your windows and doors; feel sun-fueled air kite stymie issues. Hang laundry, clean dishes – dance, sing, paint! Let pieces puzzle together as you lead where life takes you.

Folksy romp with humble foundations.
Eastbound Jesus – For the Ride
Eastbound Jesus – Without You
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jazz // thunder

Hopefully your speakers can fully embrace the percussive salvo of Bottom Rhythm Jam. Featuring Indigo Jam Unit‘s drummer, Takehiro Shimizu, and pianist Yoshichika Tarue, led by Kosuke Tsuji, with Gandhi on contrabass, this is the hardest hitting, relentless pounding jazz I’ve ever enjoyed. A ferocious and awesome Encounter binding earthly tremors to your body.

Explosive jazz from Japan.
Bottom Rhythm Jam – Crisis
Bottom Rhythm Jam – Core G
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piano // singer-songwriter

Hollowed by tragedy’s teeth, deep down an echoing well, locked in a space heavy enough to quit my job for six months to deal. Seeking a place, a mirror, a word to bring my next step. Something to hold on to or in me. I look at you. Familiar retreats yield no avail: not Rage, not Björk, not Mezzanine, not Pumpkins not Fiona; nothing is felt. I sift through new. Wasteland post rainforest until I find Something Borrowed, Something Blue. A parallel spilt from her veins; blood, tears, scars pulsating my open wound ravine. Beauty melting, stunning and floating, her lifting fingertips stay or leave. Intensity composed to continue, as rain’s gift is beneath its gloom, in more than a lovely sound.

Eating your heart out.
Amanda Rogers – Infinitely
Amanda Rogers – Lovestricken
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80’s rock // 90’s rnb

Booming kick-ass aerobic fusion of rock anthem prowess laced by R&B harmonies atop honeycomb percussion, sung with authority and confidence bonded by sisters – Alana, Este, Danielle Haim (rhymes with time) merge generations of trial and fun on their free Forever EP. A breathtaking flux of sonic elements cures every moment with first kiss big crush excitement; creating rhythmic floods of emotion highlighted by pivotal layering of vocals transforming singular force to airy chorus in glowing precision.

Phenomenal.
Haim – Better Off
Haim – Forever
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indie pop // eclectic

Contemplative pizazz.
Electric Guest – This Head I Hold
Electric Guest – Troubleman
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acoustic // singer-songwriter

Tender lullabies for tumbles through life.
Nighttime Concert – My Love, Do You Sleep?
Nighttime Concert – Firefly Jar
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cinematic // psychill

Ancient & modern, acoustic & electronic, sacred & sensual, ethereal & worldly… Joshua Penman’s Akara project collapses dualities and guides the listener into a state of aural samadhi with a sonic ceremony called Extradimensional Ethnography. Composing a team of classical musicians, and sweetened by Femke Weidema’s heavenly chanting, this transcendent album is an absolute must-have for fans of globally-flavored grooves with a psychedelic touch. (review by Travis Nobles)

Mystical dancefloor symphonies.
Akara – The Far Shore
Akara – Gelfling
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Cleaning barn stalls on the farm is often accompanied by my Uncle’s radio playing AM stations, and fresh sounds from generations passed inspired me to make a mix where current electronic trends resemble classic gems. Open your ears to 60’s pop, swinging electric beats, rumbling jazz, hazy noir, retro boogie, school band funk, swanky smooth sensations, robotic soul, and a safe moon landing. 2002 ErrorFM

donthink – Classick #57 (58min):

1. Nancy Sinatra – These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ [1966]
2. Cujo – Popsicle [2002]
3. Defcon 5 ft Bluu – Goodbye [2002]
4. Louis Prima – Jump Jive an’ Wail (Tranquility Bass Remix) [1956 / 1999]
5. DJ Git Hyper – Just Face It [1997]
6. Henry Mancini – Lujon [1959]
7. Anjali – Lazy Lagoon [2000]
8. Fingathing – Come on Girls [2000]
9. Mo’Horizons – Do the Boogaloo [2001]
10. Shirley Ellis – The Clapping Song [1965]
11. DJ Shadow – The Newborn Hippopotamus Jazz Rock Machine [2000]
12. Louise Vertigo – Où est la Femme? [1998]
13. Jazzanova – L.O.V.E. and You & I ft David Friedman & Paul Kleber [2002]
14. Michael Jackson – Ain’t No Sunshine (SSY Remix) [1972 / 2001]
15. Avia – Exil Exit [1998]

southern rock // soul

Southern rock bursting with soul! Alabama Shakes amplify my love for music. Their powerful groove and vigorous energy makes me a little less sad about great 60’s acts I was born too late to see live. Janis Joplin meets Nina Simone rocking out with The Black Keys, shedding gleams of hope to shake loose dusty spirits.

Turn it up.
Alabama Shakes – Hold On
Alabama Shakes – You Ain’t Alone
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alternative rock

Of all the songs I love with endless feeling or thought attachable, Kinnie Starr‘s “Friendship and Creativity” goes beyond; joining core values of who I am. Her confrontational statements unsettle then affirm as she slides between tranquil and stern, with music swelling among concerns, confusion, and vehement frustration. It’s her direct, lively, and personal manner that resonates viscerally in me, and this hasn’t been matched since discovery in 2000. She speaks to and of humanity; tying her honest desires into one simple, nakedly exposing wish. (thx, Nelly)

My favorite song.
Kinnie Starr – Friendship and Creativity
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