I’ve been listening to great music the last several days while putting finishing touches on the new music room. I wanted to share some. It’s mostly recent stuff. Some of it is brand new!
Julian Lage – Scenes from Above
Julian Lage has a new band and it’s super. The sounds are so good they almost feel wholesome. The mood is so mellow it’s damn near protest. But the Hammond is what enthralls me. It is truly the best Hammond Organ on tape I’ve ever heard.
The organ player’s name is John Medeski.
It isn’t just the notes he plays. It is the sound itself. It is the kind of sound that makes you feel rewarded for spending too much on speakers. It’s pleasant, present, and it vibes. But his notes are great! Don’t get me wrong. His whole sound is just a pillow for the mind to rest and dream on.
Jazz Sabbath (Live)
I’ve been a fan of these guys awhile. This is hard Jazz. But it’s also Sabbath. I heard this before and pre-ordered during a livestream listening party on BandCamp. These are super musicians. Super technicians. There’s amazing skill and experience here. It all vibes. Every second of it. The best Jazz show I’ve ever heard on tape.
I really love how this band is made up of bad ass musicians, but they’re nice enough to let us listen to them have fun. At least, that’s what it sounds like.
John Craigie, I Swam Here
I have also liked John Craigie for a long time. His recent record is so chill, so comforting, so easy to listen to, it’s been getting lots of spins. I don’t know what John’s goals were for this project, but it brings me peace. May not be much for him. But it’s a lot to me. Mellow Americana is a thing with me. As good as it gets here.
Kurt Elling and the WDR Big Brass Band. In The Brass Palace.
This EP is timeless sounding big band vocal jazz but with modern covers. It works for me because of Kurt’s vocals, sure. But damn, the band is insanely good. All-time good. With or without vocals, the band holds a crowd. Me…. I’m crowd.
(Music from the last couple of years getting some spins..)
Hayes and the Heathens (2024)
It’s worth it to mention music that’s been out a bit in entries like this because so many musicians are ahead of their time that their music just now hits. I’d put Hayes and the Heathens up there. But to be honest, their music might have hit in the 70’s too. From the opening track of this album, you’re struck with a particular sense of preferences. I find those preferences easy to get along with. Irreverent country songs never get old. They get better.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Woodland.
David Rawlings is an interesting guitar player, to me. In the same song he can be a drunk noodler or Miles Davis. I love that. It keeps it light in a way I like. It’s supposed to be fun. At least he’s having some.
I’ve been a huge fan of Gillian Welch since “O’Brother Where Art Thou” when she came on my radar. She’s biting and sincere. Melodic. She’s true in ways other musicians aren’t. The truth is refreshing.
Both of them together hit me like the ground after a long drop. Stop me in my tracks, lucky to get up afterwards. Truth and fun, improv and great writing. Wholesome music here. For me and Keri, it’s even instructive. I vibe with this group a lot.
(Oldies.)
Brother Jack McDuff – Moon Rappin’.
My relationship with old or classic music is complicated. I used to like a lot of it. I still do, but it’s not the same stuff as I used to like. I do not know what is good or bad, simply “fresh” to me. I was trying to find early Funk sounds one day years ago and came across Brother Jack McDuff. Since, Apple Music tells me I’m among the top listeners in the world of his music on their service in their replay things. Fine with that. But sad for you fuckers.
His drummer, Joe Dukes, is a key part to Jack’s sound. Joe Dukes is legendary among influential funk drummers. He influenced arrangement and percussion that still happens today. Two legends, one band. At least two.
Carleen and the Groovers – Can We Rap? EP.
I landed in South Carolina in the early 70’s in a musical journey once. I found Carleen and the Groovers there. Stanky excellent funk. I wouldn’t be surprised if this EP was heavily sampled in the hip-hop world. It vibes like that.
Carleen is also a supremely talented drummer here. She used her snare to talk. That’s not easy with the rest of your limbs doing other things. She knew how it would sound before hitting it. It means she knew how to tune them. Played them a lot. You can tell. Her band is beautiful with a lively and stanky groove. Very cozy music in today’s time. But still very stanky.
Want your music up here with words about it?
I love all kinds of music. I’m opening up the blog to write about yours if you’d like. I have time and I’m genuinely curious. I also have great monitoring if you like that, but will rock it on my phone if you don’t. I’m easy. Not after technical perfection. After more friends in songs and musicians. Thanks. Just email. [email protected].
Have a great Sunday and turn it up.
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