What Are You Listening To? June 2018

[JazzyRandy]

Royce da 5'9" - The Book Of Ryan (2018)

Though Royce has 20 years in the business and a generally well-respected oeuvre, this is the first album of his I own. This one has received constant acclaim since its release, I was looking for something new to buy and voila.

All the lyrics here deal with very personal issues for Royce (the "Ryan" of the album title) from his childhood to his adult addiction to his parents and more. Combined with some inspired production, this is a very good Hip Hop album.

 

[lpfreak1170]

Florence + The Machine - High As Hope (2018)

 

[Unsomnambulist]

La Batteria - s/t (2015)



"Cinematic Prog-Funk."

 

[axolotl]

^ Interesting. A hint of spaghetti Western livens up the sauce.

https://labatteria.bandcamp.com/album/la-batteria

Edit: Might reco for fans of Friends of Dean Martinez.

 

[Nickyboy]

La Batteria - s/t (2015)



"Cinematic Prog-Funk."

Come for the posting, stay (intrigued) by the description.

With a description like that, would you please explain it further? Perhaps to something I could say "OH! Yeah, ok. I get it now!"

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Come for the posting, stay (intrigued) by the description.

With a description like that, would you please explain it further? Perhaps to something I could say "OH! Yeah, ok. I get it now!"

From Exclaim! Magazine:

The ambition of La Batteria's eponymous debut is epic. Granted, it doesn't have quite the same production value as Rome, the spaghetti western-inspired album that Danger Mouse spent five years making with composer Daniele Luppi, but the spirit is quite similar. La Batteria sees a quartet of talented Italian musicians — namely guitarist Emanuele Bultrini, drummer David Nerattini, bassist Paolo Pecorelli, keyboardist Stefano Vicarelli — gather in Rome with a bunch of vintage equipment and a shared love of Alessandro Alessandroni, Bruno Nicolai and Goblin. Most of the results are period-perfect. The prog-funk of the Patchani Brothers-assisted "Formula" is practically begging for Lucio Fulci visuals; "Incognito" sounds like Astor Piazzolla and Isaac Hayes collaborating on a Blaxploitation theme; Mellotron, organ and a mix of shredded amp electric and classical acoustic all click on the dramatic "Dilemma," while "Vice Versa" sounds like the kind of spy film funk championed by the Herbaliser Band.

There is a little something holding it back at times, though. While the harpsichord and wordless feminine cooing on "Manifesto" hit all the right baroque pop buttons, or evoke something from an Ennio Morricone western, there's a cheesy '90s rock guitar tone on there that makes it feel a bit too much like Evanescence. Worse, "Espresso" is nondescript library funk. Yet, these moments are easily overlooked in the context of what they tried to achieve. They have the style and skill down, and as their vision is further honed as a unit, so shall be the vividness of their cinematic evocations.

 

[JazzyRandy]

Tom Harrell - Roman Nights (2010)

 

[axolotl]

I very much recommend Directions To See A Ghost, which is even better, IMO.

I know it's July, by the way.

I came back here merely to say, Directions to See a Ghost is actually the one I have heard. In fact, I have it in my collection.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

I know it's July, by the way.

I came back here merely to say, Directions to See a Ghost is actually the one I have heard. In fact, I have it in my collection.

Then I absolutely recommend Passover, too. I believe I've rated their first two albums 5 stars.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Louis Prima - Capitol Collector Series

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Louis Prima - Capitol Collector Series

Zeeba, there is now a July thread, and this June thread is locked, Mr. Fancy-Pants Admin!

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Zeeba, there is now a July thread, and this June thread is locked, Mr. Fancy-Pants Admin!

Well if it's locked, how did I post

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Well if it's locked, how did I post

You must use your powers for good.