SYNESTHESIA: NOW PLAYING IN THE SAVAGE JUKEBOX JULY 2015

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

NOW PLAYING IN THE SAVAGE JUKEBOX JULY 2015

"PROGENY: HIGHLIGHTS FROM SEVENTY-TWO"
YES
Released May 25, 2015

"TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS"
YES
Released January 9, 1974

"IN ANOTHER LIFE"
BILAL
Released June 30, 2015
NEW 2015 MUSIC: Admittedly, I have only listened to this album once as other albums have taken over my full attention (ahem...Tame Impala). Even so, on first listen, the latest album from vocalist/songwriter Bilal did not make the strongest impression. Despite recording entirely in analog and working alongside celebrated producer/multi-instrumentalist Adrian Younge, the songs seemed to have a certain sonic sameness that made it difficult for me to initially differentiate between the tracks themselves. But, no worries. I don't know the songs very well at all yet. Just give it time, as Bilal is a fiercely idiosyncratic artist who has failed to disappoint thus far.

"TV EYES"
TV EYES
Released October 25, 2006

"MEDICINE SHOW NO. 10: BLACK SOUL"
MADLIB
Released October 26, 2010

"FISH OUT OF WATER"
CHRIS SQUIRE
Released December 30, 1975

"OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW"
JON ANDERSON
Released July 24, 1976

"THE FUN RISES, THE FUN SETS"
VAN HUNT
Released May 4, 2015
NEW 2015 MUSIC: I have only had the opportunity to hear this album a couple of times (primarily due to my near obsessive listening to the new Tame Impala album) but this just may be one of the best albums of the year--at least, it is one of the most unique sounding albums of the year. Seeming like it emerges from the same studio as Sly and the Family Stone's "There's A Riot Goin' On" (released November 20, 1971), singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Van Hunt, a figure that has undeservedly flown very far under the radar, returns with his latest effort where the mix is purposefully muddy, hand claps serve as drum beats, the bass guitar percolates vibrantly and somehow all sense of melody and rhythm has been turned inside out and re-contextualized in a fashion that is often striking to hear. Essentially sounds that we may be used to hearing within a certain context are re-distributed and presented in exciting ways that make the album's 14 tracks sound like an artist's slightly oddball demos or songs from a musician who either doesn't know or care what the current musical landscape sounds like. If you are a devotee of D'Angelo or Bilal, Van Hunt works as a rightful companion. So show him some love, huh?