The Carolina Chocolate Drops – Genuine Negro Jig CD (Nonesuch)
The Carolina Chocolate Drops are as much about revelation as revival. On their Nonesuch debut, the trio brings exuberance, humor, virtuosity and an infectious acoustic groove to its exploration of a near-forgotten brand of banjo-driven string band music originating more than a century ago in the foothills of North Carolina.
Various Artists – Preservation: An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program CD (Preservation)
The complete roster of artists includes: Louis Armstrong, Andrew Bird, Terence Blanchard, Pete Seeger, Dr. John, Blind Boys of Alabama, Brandi Carlile, Cory Chisel, Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle, Merle Haggard, Richie Havens, Jason Isbell, Jim James, Angelique Kidjo, Amy LaVere, Anita Briem, Del McCoury, Buddy Miller, Paolo Nutini, and Tom Waits.
Freeway & Jake One – The Stimulus Package CD (Rhymesayers)
Produced entirely by veteran G-Unit producer Jake One, The Stimulus Package showcases some of Freeway’s most dynamic and engaging work to date. Since his breakout Roc-A-Fella debut Philadelphia Freeway in 2003, Freeway has been regarded as “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.”
Matthew Ryan – Dear Lover CD (Dear Future)
An alt-country singer/songwriter in the vein of Josh Rouse and Ryan Adams, Matthew Ryan funnels his rasped vocals and passionate lyrics into a steady stream of somber, melancholic albums. The Nashville Americana songsmith’s self produced 2009 album Dear Lover was previously only available digitally, but is now available on CD.
Witch – Lazy Bones [Reissue] CD (QDK Media)
Another out-of-nowhere African ‘70s rock discovery in the Blo mold. Completely unknown band from Zambia, privately pressed on a small local label, this five-piece electric band plays a strong electric African underground style. Originally released in 1975.
Amanaz – Africa [Reissue] CD (QDK Media)
Reissue of 1975 album from these Zambian heavy psych rockers.
Art Museums – Rough Frame CD/LP (Woodsist)
New release from the cult new wave band. The Art Museums are into: art, poetry, Whaam! Records, and films about Mods. The Art Museums are not into: flared trousers, drip coffee, or dirty sneakers.
Dan Black – ((Un)) CD (The Hours Entertainment)
Debut release from the Paris-based Englishman. ((Un)) melds the musical attributes of Paul’s Boutique, Hatful Of Hollow and Supa Dupa Fly with a lost ‘80s sci-fi soundtrack.
Blackalicious – Nia [Reissue] CD (Quannum Projectss)
Reissue of the 2000 full-length debut from the hip-hop supergroup featuring Lateef, Lyrics Born of Latyrx and DJ Shadow.
Blackalicious – A2G [Reissue] CDEP (Quannum Projects)
Reissue of their 1999 7-song mini-album that’s packed with thunderous beats and hypnotically off-kilter rhyme schemes.
Jamie Cullum – Devil May Care CD (Candid)
Jamie Cullum’s Pointless Nostalgic album was a worldwide hit when it was released in 2002 and he is now recognized as one of the top stars in the jazz/mainstream scene.
Excepter – Presidence 2xCD (Paw Tracks)
Presidence is the eighth LP in as many years by Excepter. A double compact disc, the album explores the long-format side of the band, focusing on continuous live performance and extended compositions.
Field Music – Field Music (Measure) CD/LP (Memphis Industries)
Following a self-imposed three-year hiatus, Field Music return with 20-tracks of artful English pop.
Adam Green – Minor Love CD (Fat Possum)
Recorded with long time producer/friend Noah Georgeson in a luxurious pool house in L.A., Minor Love finds Green enlisting the talents of Rodrigo from Little Joy and other hangers-on, like his brother Joel (and look-a-likes Joe Steinbrick and Greg from Megapuss). The album showcases a tender side of the often arrogant and emotionally unavailable bully/singer.
Juliana Hatfield – Peace & Love CD (Ye Olde Record)
A new (mostly acoustic) release from Hatfield.
John Jorgenson Quintet – One Stolen Night CD (Pharoah)
New from the founding member of the Desert Rose Band, The Hellecasters, and six-year member of Elton John’s band.
Ali Akbar Khan – Vol. 5 – Signature Series (Rag Darbari Kanada) 2xCD (Ammp)
Ali Akbar Khan (1922-2009) is one of this generation’s most legendary Indian classical musicians. Considered a “national living treasure” in India, he was admired by both Eastern and Western musicians for his brilliant compositions and his mastery of the sarode (a beautiful 25-stringed Indian instrument).
Fela Kuti – Gentleman/Confusion [Reissue] 2xCD (Knitting Factory)
Fela Kuti – Koola Lobitos/The ’69 L.A. Sessions [Reissue] 2xCD (Knitting Factory)
Fela Kuti – Live With Ginger Baker [Reissue] CD (Knitting Factory)
Fela Kuti – Open & Close/Afrodisiac [Reissue] 2xCD (Knitting Factory)
Fela Kuti – Roforofo Fight + 2 Singles [Reissue] CD (Knitting Factory)
Knitting Factory resurrects several rare albums from the prolific Afrobeat legend.
Laurie Lewis – Blossoms CD (Spruce And Maple Music)
Blossoms blends sophisticated lyrics, unexpected folk hybrids, twangy country, traditional and contemporary bluegrass and a cappella harmonies topped off with melded tinges of jazz join to create a joyful compilation of songs.
Lightspeed Champion – Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You CD (Domino)
New from Test Icicles’ guitarist Dev Hynes. Hynes draws on baroque ‘60s pop, girl group harmonies, classical music, jolting ‘70s guitar and synth sounds, classical piano, Serge Gainsbourg, Greek choruses, Todd Rundgren, and even musical theatre.
Local Natives – Gorilla Manor CD/LP (French Kiss)
Drawing a line from the vocal stylings of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young and The Zombies through the more esoteric edges of post punk and Afrobeat, this California five piece have communally crafted a brand of indie rock all their own.
Moon Duo – Escape CD/LP (Woodsist)
Debut album from the San Francisco duo comprised of Sanae Yamada and Erik Johnson (Wooden Shjips). Inspired initially by the legendary John Coltrane and Rashied Ali, Moon Duo counts such variant groups as Silver Apples, Royal Trux, Moolah, Suicide, and Cluster as touchstones.
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More CD (Glass Note)
This West London indie rock quartet, have created a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills & Nash with the might of Kings of Leon and the harmonies of Fleet Foxes.
Robert Pollard – We All Got Out Of The Army CD/LP (GBV Inc.)
Another month, another new album from the prolific singer/songwriter and former leader of Guided By Voices.
Ike Reilly – Hard Lucky Stories CD (Rock Ridge Music)
A groove oriented, melodic album, Hard Luck Stories is full of corroded R&B, furious punk-blues, lounge-pop and classic rock. Features a duet with Shooter Jennings “The War On The Terror And The Drugs.” David Lowery of the band Cracker also joined Reilly in the studio.
Scanners – Submarine CD (Downtown/Dim Mak)
Venerable UK rock outfit return with their sophomore full length. Produced by Stephen Hague who has worked with New Order, Siouxsie & The Banshees and Peter Gabriel.
Tony Sly – 12 Song Program CD (Fat Wreck Chords)
Solo album from No Use For Name’s Tony Sly. Abandoning the signature electric guitar and aggressive rhythms of NUFAN, Tony sets out armed with only his soothing and captivating melodies, guided by acoustic guitar and a smattering of various other classical instruments.
Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore – Dear Companion CD (Sub Pop)
Dear Companion is a collaboration between three Kentucky musicians; the songs were written and performed by Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore, produced by and featuring Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket.
Story Of The Year – Constant CD (Epitaph)
Known for their kinetic live shows and ridiculously catchy songs, Story Of The Year have always been famously ballsy in their mixing of glossy production, big rock hooks and honeyed melodies with searing metal riffs and intense screaming.
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra – Kollaps Tradixionales CD/Deluxe CD+Book/2×10”+CD (Constellation)
The band has lost none of its raw and frazzled anthemic power and continues to forge bold new ground in its search for a unique hybrid of punk, blues, psych, folk and modern orchestral idioms. Also available as a deluxe package that includes a CD copy of the album, a special 16-page art book of found image collages by Efrim Menuck and filmmaker/photographer Jem Cohen with a foil-embossed cover, and a limited edition silkscreen poster.
Tindersticks – Falling Down A Mountain CD/LP+CD (Constellation)
Picks up where the band’s wonderful return to form on The Hungry Saw left off, delivering a follow up that brims with similar texture, swinging from exuberance to melancholy and back, with healthy tinges of Northern Soul and Stuart Staples’ inimitable deadpan voice anchoring the album throughout.
Jason Urick- Husbands CD/LP (Thrill Jockey)
Jason Urick is highly regarded in the Baltimore music and arts scene through his work in WZT Hearts and also his work at the Floristree space where he has curated many shows and also co-curated the Once, Twice: Festival Of Electronic Music And Art.
Various Artists – Classic Appalachian Blues From Smithsonian Folkways CD (Smithsonian Folkways)
This compilation features musicians from the southern Appalachian region. It includes artists from deep in the mountains as well as from the foothills leading up to them.
21 tracks.
Joyo Velarde – Love And Understanding CD (Quannum Projects)
Debut album from the Quannum soulstress.
Wu-Tang Clan – Return Of The Wu And Friends CD (Gold Dust)
A collection of various Wu-Tang Clan songs and unreleased Wu-Tang remixes all produced by Mathematics. Features vocals from the entire Clan including Ghostface, Raekwon, RZA, GZA, ODB, Method Man, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck and U-God.
Vinyl:
Dum Dum Girls – Jail La La 7” (Sub Pop)
First single from the Dum Dum Girls’ forthcoming debut I Will Be (due March 30th).
The Soft Pack – The Soft Pack LP (Kemado)
Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl.
U.S. Girls – Go Grey LP+MP3 (Siltbreeze)
Conjures up ambient aerosols while luminous kaleidoscopes of sound sizzle, peak, and explode. A journey of lush vistas, warm currents, and complex beauties.
