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The Return of Cornershop

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:53:47 -0500

Cornershop is back, and doing more of what they do best. Sung entirely in Punjabi by singer Bubbley Kaur, this is an album focused entirely on funky Indian fusion. Check it out at Amazon.

The Echocentrics

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:15:29 -0500

The Echocentrics:

Check out the newest project from guitarist Adrian Quesada (Grupo Fantasma, Brownout), The Echocentrics.

Dr. Rubberfunk's Hot Stone

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:20:11 -0500

Dr. Rubberfunk's Hot Stone:

Hot Stone from Jalapeno Records’ Dr. Rubberfunk brings smooth funk and soul with a variety of guest vocal performances that offers a great soundtrack to good times.

Reggae Brittania

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:31:00 -0500

Reggae Brittania:

This new BBC series chronicles the development of British Reggae. Check it out on Youtube.

Fitz & The Tantrums - Pickin' Up the Pieces

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:38:00 -0500

Fitz & The Tantrums - Pickin' Up the Pieces:

For this find, I have to credit my friend and band-mate Wes DiIorio. He’s always great at finding those occasional records that have enough mass appeal to get some radio airplay, but enough authenticity to satisfy the discerning ear. (He also introduced me to Arcade Fire years back, who recently won the Grammy for Album of the Year).

Fitz and the Tantrums are making very nice contemporary music with a heavy dose of classic Motown influences. Very much worth checking out if your a fan of 60s soul.

April March and Bertrand Burgalat: RosEros

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:58:28 -0500

April March and Bertrand Burgalat: RosEros:

One of my all-time favorite artist/producer pairings is back with a new single called RosEros. Its been a while since we’ve heard them together. This is a nice French Pop duet between March and Burgalat (though very short at just about two minutes). If you like it, also check out April March’s “Triggers” and Bertrand Burgalat’s “The Ssssound of Music”.

What is Moombahton?

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:18:00 -0500

What is Moombahton?:

Dave Nada’s new genre Moombahton (a cross between Dutch House and Reggaeton) is getting a lot of attention lately. Check out an interview and free MP3 downloads at Fader.

Into Bass and Time

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:24:20 -0500

Into Bass and Time:

Ancient Astronauts are producing Hip Hop sounds for 2011. Check out a preview of their upcoming album on Soundcloud.

Federico Aubele announces “Berlin 13”

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:35:42 -0500

Federico Aubele announces “Berlin 13”

Photo

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:31:18 -0500

Ed Banger All Stars remix MGMT

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:46:00 -0500

Ed Banger All Stars remix MGMT:

This is very interesting and refreshing. I have to admit… when I heard the original version of this song on MGMT’s album, I thought… I could take it or leave it. But I generally dig what’s going on at Ed Banger records, so I thought I’d check it out. The harsh electro sound that I typically associate with Ed Banger is completely absent here; replaced with something much more exciting… 70s soft rock influences. I’ve been longing for a meaningful insurgence of 70s FM Gold influences in current popular music for a long time, so this is great to hear.

This remix does seem to have 2 “movements”. The second half is a very nice, but surely unnecessary tag of analog synth arpeggiation that extends the track out to over 10 minutes in length. It’s fine, but hopefully it’ll be it’s own track once this is actually released. For now, check it out at official.fm.

Stereolab - Not Music

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:00:16 -0500

Stereolab - Not Music:

Ok… those who know me also know that I think Stereolab is pretty much the greatest band in the world. I’ve seen them several times, and have every recording they’ve released. Somehow they’ve managed to make repeated trips to the same well and always come back with something great… album after album.

In April of last year, Stereolab announced an indefinite hiatus. And to be honest, after catching them on their last tour, and hearing the last album, Chemical Chords (both disappointing), I thought it may actually be time.

But Not Music (which was actually intended to be a “sequel” to Chemical Chords, as it was recorded during the same sessions), is much more exciting and adventurous… reminding me that Stereolab can always find a way to offer a new twist on their signature sound. No… it’s not as good as Emperor Tomato Ketchup, Dots & Loops, or Margerine Eclipse, but it’s solid Stereolab… which is already more original and interesting than the vast majority of bands out there. They may never write another Fluorescences, or Cybele’s Reverie, but I do hope they’re not done.

Shawn Lee's Hooked Up Classics

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:04:07 -0500

Shawn Lee's Hooked Up Classics:

Ok… this is one of the most fun albums I’ve heard in a long while. He’s already “Hit the Hits”; now, Shawn Lee “Hooks Up” the Classics; infusing dub to funky retro grooves. Just do it… it’ll make you happy.

Steve Reich's Double Sextet, 2x5

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:35:06 -0500

Steve Reich's Double Sextet, 2x5:

This is a beautiful new collection of work by one of the most exciting composers of our time. Double Sextet, 2x5 even incorporates subtle modern rock elements… but tastefully. If you like this, I also suggest “The Desert Music” by Steve Reich with Alarm Will Sound.

New Single by Cut Copy

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:46:23 -0500

New Single by Cut Copy:

Cut Copy’s latest single, Take Me Over, is a prelude to the upcoming album Zonoscope, due out in February. You can check it out on SoundCloud. Their last album “Lights and Music” was one of my favorite “New Order derivatives” ever. I’m anxious to hear what they do next.

Royksopp's "Senior"

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:45:22 -0500

Royksopp's "Senior":

Royksopp’s newest album, Senior, is available to stream now on SoundCloud. These are tracks that are not easy to get a feel for with just a 30 second sample, so it’s great that SoundCloud provides the opportunity to hear them in their entirety. This is Royksopp’s first completely instrumental album. If you like it, I highly recommend the first Royksopp album, “Melody A.M. .

Properly Chilled New Weekly Podcasts

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:58:43 -0500

Podcast #21 Out Now!
Latest Podcast is Out!

With Properly Chilled’s new weekly podcast schedule, and first listen airing (and streaming) on 101.5 FM WXGR (Portsmouth, NH) Saturday’s from 6-8pm, you’d better believe there’s no rest at the Proper HQ. We like it like that. So expect to hear more and more. This week’s 2-hour show features an awesome live mix by Thomas Blondet in the second hour, recorded at DC’s infamous Eighteenth Street Lounge. We hope you’ll check it out at Properlychilled.com, or drop by Soundcloud and give it a listen. Both destinations will happily share the playlist with you.

Chamber Music

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:04:53 -0500

Chamber Music:

Recent Six Degrees Records Signing To Be Released Next Year:

(From Six Degrees Records)

Chamber Music is a collaboration between Ballake Sissoko, who plays the traditional kora, a lute-harp from Mali, and Vincent Segal, the French cellist who plays for the trip-hop band Bumcello. It is also, quite simply, one of the most elegant and beautiful recordings of “world music” in recent years. At a time when cross-cultural music has tended toward highly-caffeinated electric pop and dance music, Sissoke and Segal remind us that there is room – and maybe even a need – for a quieter, more refined world music.

Click on the above headline to watch them on Youtube.

Crystal Castles teams up with The Cure's Robert Smith

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:00:06 -0500

Crystal Castles teams up with The Cure's Robert Smith:

Anything connected to Robert Smith or the Cure immediately catches my full attention. It’s a true “fan-ship” that goes back to my pre-teen years and persists to today. Some of Smiths past collaborations have yielded mixed results. This partnership with Chill-Wave darlings Crystal Castles promises to be one of the better ones. Coming soon at Amazon.com.

The Sound of Rhythm and Culture REMIXED

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 04:52:06 -0500

The Sound of Rhythm and Culture REMIXED:

This is the follow-up REMIX album for The Sound of Rhythm and Culture. Out in December, it features remixes by Ancient Astronauts, Zeb, Second Sky, Solus, All India Radio, and more. Preview it now at Amazon.com.