Sunday, September 30, 2012

Tuba Skinny (2012) -Rag Band



Artist:  Tuba Skinny
Albums: Rag Band
Release date:  2012
Quality: mp3 CBR 320 
Size:  138  MB

“ It is apt that Tuba Skinny’s new release has the word “Rag” in it. The music here goes back beyond Dixieland to the early days of jazz when it was better known as “ragtime,” and those who played it called it “ragging” (or syncopating) the beat or song. It also indicated an informal, down-home take on the music. The seven member-strong Tuba Skinny collective definitely has that going for them. This is shake your booty with a cold-one in your hand music. Their take on rarely recorded songs such as the sly come-on “Papa’s Got Your Bath Water On” or Skip James’ cold-blooded murder ballad “Crow Jane” are poignant, yet fun. Occasionally, the beat wanders or not everyone is in tune, but the general energy and joy of the music makes the listener forget such anomalies. And kudos to Tuba Skinny for getting some of the great yet lesser-played songs of the New Orleans repertoire (particularly the Jelly Roll Morton tunes including “New Orleans Bump”) back into action.
Nobody needs to hear another version of “Muskrat Ramble” these days. The only problem with this recording is that sometimes it takes the informal too far. I like my music raw, but the audio quality of this disc sounds at times more like a field recording and less like a studio one. The music can always be heard, but sometimes the vocals are a little difficult to make out, and instruments that should be more prominent fall into the background. Again, that doesn’t take away from the overall feel of Rag Band. Put it on for your next party and see how low everybody can do the “New Orleans Bump.”
  ~ by David Kunian





Sunday, September 23, 2012

Those Poor Bastards (2012) -Behold The Abyss



Albums: Behold The Abyss
Release date:  2012
Quality: mp3 VBR
Size:  73 MB

“Tribulation Recording Company proudly presents its first ever album-novel set! The book (sold separately) is entitled "The Terrible Tale of Edgar Switchblade," and tells the story of a religiously obsessed and mentally disturbed bounty hunter born with cloven hooves. Together with his faithful horse Old Red, they befriend and destroy werewolves, ghosts, prostitutes and other strange creatures.
The accompanying album, "Behold The Abyss," explores the themes of the novel and expands upon several key events. The instrumentation is sparse, broken and filled right up to the brim with misery and ugliness.
When combined, the book and album present a brutal and hopeless picture of humankind's lonely pursuit of spiritual and earthly desires.” ©





Kinoco Hotel - two albums


Artist:   Kinoco Hotel
Albums:  Marianne No Yuutsu / Marianne No Koukotsu
Release date: 2010 / 2011
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 72 / 98 MB

Kinoco Hotel (キノコホテル) is an all-female Japanese indie rock quartet, inspired by the Group Sounds movement of the 60s, formed in 2007. Showcasing matching short “Sgt. Pepper”-esque military style dresses and knee high boots, their music can be classified as a mix of vintage psychedelic rock and post shibuya-kei.




Saturday, September 8, 2012

My Sleeping Karma (2012) -Soma



Albums: Soma
Release date:  October 2012
Quality: mp3 CBR 192
Size:  107 MB

”MY SLEEPING KARMA`s fourth alum "Soma" follows the band’s own individualistic and atmospheric path towards enlightenment. Following the meaning of the album title ("Soma" is the intoxicating drink of the gods), the instrumental Psychedelic Groove Rock of the German quartet enhances the consciousness in a truly hypnotic and bewitching manner. The multilayered compositions move skilfully between heavy rock riffs and enchanting melodic parts with a high level of calmness and beauty. "Soma" is visually complimented by Sebastian Jerke’s artwork that is filled with astonishing details and beauty.  "Soma" offers the perfect movie soundtrack to everybody’s own inner journey. Just be warned, you may never want to leave again!” . (c) My Sleeping Karma




Friday, September 7, 2012

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (2012) -Rattle Them Bones



Albums: Rattle Them Bones
Released:  2012
Quality: FLAC
Size:  334 MB

”Since hitting it big in the '90s during the swing revival, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy have stuck to their retro-guns while finding ways to explore new ground. To these ends, 2003's Save My Soul found the band delving into New Orleans rhythms and R&B, while 2009's How Big Can You Get?: The Music of Cab Calloway featured the music of the legendary Hi-De-Ho man. That album brought them deeper into a hardcore jazz sound and most likely helped them in signing with the Savoy Jazz label for 2012's similarly jazz-inflected Rattle Them Bones. Once again centered around the sweet and lyrical lead vocals of guitarist/songwriter Scotty Morris, the album features a mix of new material, jazz covers, and even an unexpected take on Randy Newman's "It's Lonely at the Top." These are crisply produced, urbane, and always swinging tunes that often have an old-school big-band sound. This impressive large ensemble sound comes via the longtime core rhythm section of pianist Joshua Levy, bassist Dirk Shumaker, and drummer Kurt Sodergren, as well as such featured players as trumpeter Glen "The Kid" Marhevka, and saxophonists Karl Hunter and Andy Rowley. With all arrangements by Levy, the band is also complemented by a bevy of stellar studio musicians who round out several cuts here. Also featured here is vocalist Meaghan Smith, who duets with Morris on the romantic midtempo ballad "It Only Took a Kiss." Longtime fans of the group’s neo-crooner jazz sound, as well as anybody who digs solidly crafted and always swinging traditional jazz and pop, should find much to enjoy here. ~ by Matt Collar, allmusic.com







Saturday, September 1, 2012

Various Artists -The In-Kraut:Hip Shaking Grooves Made In Germany 1966-1974 Vol.1-3



Artist:  various
Albums: The In-Kraut: Hip Shaking Grooves Made In Germany 1966-1974 Vol.1-3
Released:  2005 / 2006 / 2008
Quality: mp3 CBR 192 / 320
Size:  79+140+144 MB

”Marina Records proudly presents The In-Kraut - handpicked soul, beat, now sound, mod and soundtrack gems from Germany -- all recorded between 1966 and 1974. Among them many Kraut-pleasin' obscurities and long-forgotten nuggets that appear now for the very first time on CD. While the musical climate in Germany of the late '60s and early '70s was clearly dominated by horrible Schlagers, nevertheless, records of outstanding class were cut with Teutonic precision….  The guys behind these productions were usually slick jazz players and studio musicians from the tightest orchestras of the country. Somehow these middle-aged men knew how to move the Kraut and adapt their skills to the swinging sixties.
©