Music Recommendations

2/16/08
I spend a tremendous amount of time looking for new music. Time that might be better spent practicing, I know. So let me share some of my better finds with you, in hopes of increasing the value of that time spent.

First, this guy’s phrasing is my main inspiration lately:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g753Sv9sUM&feature=related

Meshell Ndegeocello - The World Made Me the Man of My Dreams
I’m not sure if Meshell is crazy, or if she’s toying with her listeners’ minds, or if she’s just writing songs that don’t quite make sense. There are strange religious themes, and futuristic scifi lovemaking. I can’t quite tell what the messages of her songs are— if they have messages— but they manage to be provocative, slightly disturbing, and soothing at the same time. There are incomprehensible languages sung over incredible grooves. Some of the grooves flirt with incomprehensibility, but remain potent and sensual. Her bass playing is goooood. Beautiful synthesizer parts. Incredible musicianship all around. This is Future Music.

Meshell’s last 3 albums before this were pretty outstanding, too. I suspect that this album makes more sense in the context of her other stuff. Newest to oldest, here are her others:

-Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidels (jazz-like… she hardly plays on this one, and doesn’t sing at all!)

Comfort Woman (dubby reggae influenced)

-Peace Beyond Passion (RnB… wonderful… includes the 2 sexiest songs I know of)

Eric Truffaz - Saloua
He’s a French trumpet player. This album is futuristic, too, but I’d definitely call it jazz. Eric’s playing is tasteful, sparse, and atmospheric. Like Meshell’s cd, this one manages to be both edgy and soothing at once. There are beautiful electronic touches, and some distorted guitar mixed very low. A couple of tunes have singing by a poet in English, and by some incredible Arabic singer.

Orishas - El Kilo
This is Cuban hiphop. I’m beginning to think those Cubans are better at everything

Mamani Keita - Yelema
Malian music with a female singer (Mamani), and tasteful modern production.

Zap Mama - Supermoon
Almost too obvious to mention here. Marie Daulne’s music, singing, groove, and vibes are so good. It doesn’t matter that her songwriting is so weak.

There are more, but you’ll have to come back later to get them!