The New Stan Getz Quartet featuring Astrud Gilberto – Getz Au Go Go

The sadness of the rain can highlight even the dreariest of affairs. It can make the best of days a downtrodden experience and it can destroy any kind of plans you had for the outside. Lately, it seems as if life has been just a bit more challenging than usual and it’s definitely begun to weigh a toll on my writing and even hobbies. It never was supposed to be easy, I know that, but still, music finds a way to come shining through; especially when it’s the music of outstanding saxophonist Stan Getz and Brazilian vocalist, Astrud Gilberto. Their live performance was recorded and presented on Getz Au Go Go and it makes for splendid results, beginning with “Corcovado.” Hearing Gilberto switch from English to Portuguese with the calmness of a quiet night behind her, makes it all sounds delectably sweet. Getz acts more as an accompaniment to the lovely words that Gilberto is singing but is aware and ready in prime position to deliver the killer descending line of bliss. Even when life has you down, hearing Gilberto sing, “I who was lost and lonely, believing life was only a bitter tragic joke, have found with you the meaning of existence oh, my love” makes you believe in the power of love and that, it just might, latch onto you one day.


“Here’s That Rainy Day” is one of those standard ballads that is just as melodic as it is breathtaking. The song was originally introduced in a Broadway musical from the 50s but on this one, Getz showcases both his ability at nailing the tender high notes and melting it all with his superb vibrato. Most people remember Frank Sinatra’s many covers of the song but there is nothing better than Getz’ impeccable slurring of notes, his skill in combining the passing tones with the sevenths that float around the harmony, and his breathy approach that always leaves you both in awe and stunned at the richness of his tone. This isn’t the version on the album I have but it’s a different one that features a nice vibe solo on it, before Getz comes back to bring the sad and somber rain – Bryan

Four Tet – There Is Love In You

Maybe it’s just me but it’s been an extremely strong year for electronic music. Sure, it’s been a huge year, period, and it’s only getting better – I imagine 2010 will be special for many different people for many different reasons (phew…) – but I think music will always be able to capture the essence of any mood. And the best kind of music to have is that neutral kind that’s always great, no matter whether it’s rain or shine. Four Tet’s There Is Love In You is without a doubt, displaying what it means to be brilliantly skillful and absolutely gripping, all at once. Music is going to be the biggest headliner in the future, but to make, arguably, the best album in what is music’s best genre, is well, superb.

Four Tet’s There Is Love In You relentlessly drives away at the root of the core to break away any kind of misconceived smoke. The drive is a subtle one that merely hints towards its next movement; it’s like the repetition of techno, but instead of using booming basses, Four Tet blends in a stunning snare and even better instrumentation. And in that sense, it reminds me a lot of LCD Soundsystem’s music: the spellbinding instrumentation, the addition and complexity of layers, the sheer presence to know that placing a handclap on the outside of a shaker would be genius, There Is Love In You is just that, exceptionally remarkable. I look towards “Plastic People” in painting a dreary, mindless, rainy night that’s haunted by a descending, arpeggiated piano line and highlighted by a pulsing, tapping snare:


I had already posted about “Love Cry” and I had already mentioned this album in my top whatever of the first quarter so I’m beginning to think that I’m quite fond of it. “She Just Likes to Fight” is just so transcending and so poignant, that I often, almost, forget about it. It’s a beautiful melody, really, one that weaves around the counter guitar part and the steady tempo of the drums. But when it truly soars is when the music swelters to a steady rise of paced harmony; the pace is where the drive is pulsed and thus, it’s the album’s smooth closer at just over four minutes long. This is an outstanding album; easily one of the best, regardless of genre. – Bryan

Animal Collective – Strawberry Jam

I’m not sure if it’s something that my mind’s subconsciously wrapping itself around but I’ve been loving percussion-driven music lately. Deerhoof features one of the best drummers in the business and now, Animal Collective’s best album was on my playlist all day today. “Peacebone” is a stunning opener, one that grandly introduces the album to the listener: loud, different, extroverted, weird? But “Fireworks”’s stampeding drums – a mixture that creeps the ¾ meter as if they are coming from the back to the front, before it reaches into an almost duple stomp as it reels on – Panda Bear’s fills and play of the hi-hat and snare really bring down the house. It’s about taking things for granted, and only seeing life as we want to see it and how, in the end, we’re all we see if we fail to overcome.


I feel a bit regretful that I’m not posting a video for “For Reverend Green” on here because it’s, without a doubt, my favorite Animal Collective song of all time. As far as melodies goes, it’s superb and as far as overall effect, it’s exceptional; it’s a beautiful song if you haven’t checked it out yet. But “Derek” is where the album closes and at the same time, marks just how perfectly in tune they were to each other in 2007. A few years earlier, Avey Tare and Panda Bear delivered a gorgeous album with Sung Tongs but this album broke the mold in terms of what exactly you could include and then, Panda Bear’s Person Pitch stretched the spectrum with its shattering fusions; with Strawberry Jam, they all contributed flourishing musical moments. It’s Panda Bear’s vibrant and colorful melodies, his tender vocals and the band’s corresponding drums on “Derek”: awesome. – Bryan

Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog

I always had such a difficult time with Sam Beam’s music. His first two albums are so quiet, so reserved, so solemn that I simply couldn’t dig deep into his complex songwriting. A few people I know (whom I trust in a musical manner) regard Beam as one of America’s greatest songwriters and honestly, I wouldn’t disagree with that notion. Although it took me to hear The Shepherd’s Dog to truly fall in love with his music, it is most definitely, some of the most compelling stuff you can find.

So imagine my surprise yesterday when here, at my birthday gathering/celebration, one of my many cousins reached over to the computer and found “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” to play. It had been so long since her and I had even discussed real, meaningful subjects on life and still, she had no reservations when saying that this will be the song she dances to on her wedding night. When I first heard this song, which is the closer here, I always assumed it was about the sad state America lives in, referred as a fat cat who knows he’s the ‘top dog’ but still, views the world from the misty view that there is nothing he can do to overcome it all. She shared that she feels it reflecting the moment where it finally hits you how amazing it is to find that special person that you simply, cannot live without and not just that but, knowing that they can’t live without you, when you yourself see yourself as nothing. That’s where he asks if he actually found his bird, flightless and all, and realizes that yes, she/he is hers/his. The lyrics are everything, here is one with the words included:


And it got me thinking about so many different things in life. How we have people in our lives who we will forever have a strong physical bond with (she is my aunt’s daughter, my mom’s sister, in very literal terms) and yet, we don’t really know them. We talked a lot and I found out that I have an amazing cousin that I need to really talk to more and that family is everything. And while we were here, mostly close friends and family (modest, I hope), it was great knowing that we can all get together, celebrate and rejoice in each other’s company. Thanks to everyone who made it that much more special – even after the rain poured for 30 minutes, even after the meat ran out, even after the beer ran out, even after the friends and cousins left and I was left here alone – it means a lot. Check out my beautiful cake, gifted from another cousin who brought it from the goodness of her heart.
So now, I still had to include another song off this album that I always connected with. One of 2007’s finest cuts, it was, again, where Beam and his new band broke out onto the scene. Critics paid attention because this was a progression in sound, a richer, more layered and textured album that could drawn people in for much more than just its words – and at the core of who it is and what it represents, it is an outstandingly musical album. I’m sorry for going too slow again but “Resurrection Fern” has to be my pick for the best off the album. If you can look up what the plant really is, it’s pretty awesome but as for the song’s meaning, beats me. For me, it reminds us how at the end of the day, all stripped down and with nothing else to hide behind of, we are all the same. We’re all fractured, fragile, frail people that have nothing more but our heart to give to others and through it’s Southern twang and Southern lyrics, too, it’s easily one of the most gripping songs on the album:


And oh yeah, Spain won. Hoo-ray! – Bryan

¡Viva España!

If you’ve been following the world cup, Spain won yesterday to advance to the final against the Netherlands. It was a terrific 1-0 win that continued with the Spanish’s ability at out-playing their opponents through most of the game before finding that timely goal. I especially like Spain and root for them because the U.S. beat them last year in the Confederations Cup semi and I remember it being an outstanding win against a superb, tactically-strong, humble team; so I can definitely cheer them on.

With that in mind, Chick Corea’s 1976 album My Spanish Heart immediately sprung to mind when thinking about what to post. Though born in the U.S., Corea understands his origins and influences in creating an awesome fusion of latin jazz with contemporary electronics. He paid a great deal of attention to the production and synthesis of the sounds and thus, it’s been deemed an out-dated album. And while it definitely does capture a specific sound, it is still creatively impressive music. Check out the third part to one of the suites on the album, “El Bozo”:


It’s a huge departure from where he was four years before that, in 1972 with Light As a Feather. This is another one of his ‘essential’ albums – it’s all good – but it’s interesting to note the sharp contrasts in his music. Here, the music is far more balanced, resting a strong support on acoustics and blends, rather than the overall scope. And it’s admirably showcased with the strong beauty of “Spain”:

Run Run Run

I run to clear my head. I run to get fresh air. I run to reconnect with mother nature. All the other benefits of being a runner, to me, are secondary. I try and run with my MP3 only half the time. There's something special about hearing your each breath, your each step hit the ground. Listening to the air blow past your head, it all helps get you into the zone. And for an athlete, especially runners, and especially ones trying to out run their stresses, getting into the zone is nirvana! But I'm also an audiophile, and If I could, I'd probably listen to music 24/7. But what type of music is good running music?? I'm not too picky, but it always helps to have a pretty upbeat vibe musically to keep you energized. With that said here are a couple selections of new music I'm throwing on my MP3 for my next run.

Relatively new artist Mike Posner signed to J records last year while still attending Duke University, his debut album entitled "31 Minutes To Takeoff" is being released August 10.

"you got designer shades,
just to hide your face and
you wear them around like
you're cooler than me.
and you never say hey,
or remember my name.
its probably cuz,
you think you're cooler than me."


Miike Snow is not a dude, actually its 3 dudes, 2 Swedes and an yankee to be exact. Formed in Sweden in 2007, they released their first album in May of last year. However it's being re-released this year because apparently people did catch on the first time around.

"There is a hole and I tried to fill it up with money, money, money.
But it gets bigger to your hopes, it's always running, running, running.
In your eyes I see the eyes of somebody who could be strong,
tell me if i'm wrong.
Now i'm pulling your disguise up.
Are you free or are you tied up?"


I fell in love with Uffie about 2 years ago when she first signed to ED BANGER records (the home of acts like Justice, and dj Mehdi). She's Miami born, Hong-Kong raised, Paris based and damn hot. She's been out there for a while, maybe with a little help from Pharrell she can get some more exposure. I always loved you first though UFFIE!!! Look for her new album "Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans" which has been out since mid June.

"Sometimes I wake up in my bed
And I don't know where I've been
Heart tells me I trip to a cloud nine
Headache says that things just ain't fine"

Deerhoof - The Runners Four

Ignorance or maybe, naivety? I’d politely like to admit serious fault when I initially heard Deerhoof’s music. One specific example that I still regret is being able to hear them open for Radiohead and thinking, “Whoa, this sucks.” It’s so judgmental and so teenager-ish and above all, a horrible trait to have, but for some reason I didn’t get it. So, yes, I was entirely wrong about Deerhoof because to be very succinct, they’re one of the best bands currently making music.

That concert was in the summer of 2006, during Radiohead’s writing of In Rainbows, so it was definitely amazing seeing them play the earliest demos of “15 Step,” “Nude” and others; but this was also only one brief year after The Runners Four was released and I, completely missed the boat. So now, much later, after a few years of living with them in my house (their CDs and three of them on vinyl), after being able to redeem myself and see them live (this time in El Paso) and love the show, and have autographed art of them on my wall (check the above), yeah they kick ass.

The roaring, thunderous cluster chords of “Scream Team” mixed in with hyperactive tumbling bluesy rock, the dissonance, gloomy opening of “Chatterboxes,” the sustained balladry of “After Me the Deluge,” and the speedy, driving, Queens of the Stone Age-like romp of “You’re Our Two” are just four of the stunning tracks off The Runners Four that I could have heard that night in Berkeley, four years ago. This music isn’t the most welcoming but I don’t think it’s always supposed to be about what we want. Like relationships in life, the music is going to give us everything it has and we have to be able to sort it all out. Check out the album’s closer, in an astounding live version, “Rrrrrrright,” (an intense over-drive that was influenced by the jazz of the Brecker Bros., and pushed over the top with energy) so you can get an idea of how diverse this all is and still, how completely different it is from any other band out there (nobody sounds like Deerhoof):


I always choose “Odyssey” (I couldn’t find the album version but this cover is pretty good) because in my humble opinion, it’s the epitome of what God sounds like when He’s speaking to you. And before we lose most of our crowd, I mean this in the most absolutely spiritual sense possible. Where one can think of purity and the clarity with cleanliness – and I do know a good handful of people that are very simply, outstanding people – if that kind of essence and being has a sound, it’s the sparkling guitar counter melody (most, but more significantly @ the 2:20 mark and on) on “Odyssey.” Here, vocals are given to Saunier as he sings about pirates and companions coming together for an ultimate goal, on top of what is a slightly plucked and an almost acoustic, guitar melody; these are heavenly sounds:


And please Darcy, listen to “Wrong Time Capsule” (2&4 the entire way with free improvisation throughout) and check out how many crazy, rhythmically dynamic and diverse fills Sauiner throws in, while the entire time, never losing beat, tempo or style as the metronome of the band; it’s as if he’s leading the entire project while still playing as its mentor – by the way, the rest of the song is a spellbinding travel into classical music meeting the clash of experimental rock. And as crazy as all that may sound, that’s probably my best definition of what Deerhoof’s sound represents; now that I’m not so foolish, or wait, ignorant, anymore. – Bryan

Beck - Midnite Vultures

I never thought that the first album I would mention by Beck would be this one but c’est la vie (if you know me you get that inside reference, if not sorry.) Back in 1999, I was all about Beck’s Midnite Vultures. It was one of those albums that I forced my dad to buy me way back when I still had a CD walkman to constantly play music on. I hadn’t heard much of Beck and though I was well aware of his nomination for Album of the Year, alongside Radiohead’s Kid A (I used to follow the Grammys), I was intrigued by the descriptions. And I can honestly say that while a personal pick, it’s probably my favorite by him and easily, a winner in many regards.

First, there’s the overall scope of the sound. Funky, with touches of soul, hip-hop, electronic music, synths, disco and Beck’s now trademark idiosyncratic stories, it sparkles with vast diversity. And more so, every single song stands out with stunning melodies and choruses that will have everyone singing. If you can buy in to Beck’s message when he presents his Weird guys with masks wearing pink pants shooting lasers at each other cover and delve into his ambition, it all makes sense. Check out the album’s biggest hit, “Mixed Bizness”:


And what’s crazy, is that even with all of his ‘out there’ and strange ideas, there was always a strong heart at the core of it all. This was before Sea Change, back when we could say Beck sounded happy and don’t get me wrong, he sounds good and fine now but I can honestly say, as a Beck die-hard, that he hasn’t sounded this upbeat since. But still, check out the poetic vibe of “Beautiful Way” in describing (“But you had some change to spare, so you said you wanna spend it on me and shake the blues right out of your hair”)getting your heart shattered the most beautiful way, if possible:


But bottom line, this is a joker of a guy making honestly awesome music. And in the most endearing way, Beck closes out the album with a 70s throwback crooner that recalls Marvin Gaye at his most loving. Only this time, Beck’s singing about getting with his favorite girl of all time and well, sure, his sister too, he thinks her name is Debra. Check out this home-made video for “Debra,” great stuff – Bryan.