Ananda Shankar - And His Music

Imagine combining John Williams, Ravi Shankar and Parliament Funkadelic...

Ananda Shankar's fusion of Indian classical and western film-scores, with a bit LOT of funk, makes a wonderful sound. Ananda's approach at musical composition takes the best of both (East & West)  worlds. Due to the wide variety of musical influences on Ananda, his music can be  enjoyed by a vast population of musical followers.

Ananda's work, as beautifully crafted and organized as it is, sounds like it belongs in an epic bollywood from the 70's! In fact, I'm sure some of it ended up in at least one Raj Kapor movie. Being that this album was produced in the 1970's, it is reasonably psychedelic. It's no 13th Floor Elevators, but it sure does rock! :)

Namaskar, SrimanPreview

Emeralds - Split w/Sam Goldberg

Last weekend I attended Moogfest, a synthesizer based music festival local to Asheville, NC. I only bought a saturday ticket but somehow I managed to get in all three days. Emeralds was among the finest, along with Matmos, Omar Souleyman and a few others.

Emeralds displayed an act of enthusiasm I've never seen in an experimental group/solo act. John Elliot and Mark McGuire where "rocking the fuck out" from start to finish. Start being the band's procession on stage, blasting The Crypt Jam while singing along (and rocking out). I was with a friend who was experiencing Emeralds for the first time. I can't explain the feeling I got when I saw her reaction.

This album is a perfect blend of experimental and zen drone. I personally feel it is Emeralds at their best! Their half of the album reminds me of What If God Was On The Subway?/Smoke This Now, a split with Sunburned Hand of the Man, released the same year. If you dig this album, also check out the 2009 mega-hit EP, What Happened.

 Zaggin

Houses - All Night

Houses is a chill little duo from chicago. With the peaceful surroundings of remote Hawaii, they produced some of the most relaxing music I have ever witnessed. All Night sounds like Washed Out taking a much more ambient direction. This album is perfect for mostly all activities involving a bed. The male/female vocal duet adds the perfect touch to this tranquil oasis of baby-making.


“I got laid off from my job at the end of last year and decided I needed a change. My girlfriend put in her two weeks and we moved out to a little cabin in Papaikou, Hawaii. It’s a pretty remote place outside of Hilo (i.e no plumbing/electricity/gas). We worked for meals during the day cultivating microorganisms and learning the basics of sustainable living. We drank showered and cooked with rain water. In our downtime, she would paint and I would record."


सोअक  आईटी उप

White Rainbow - New Clouds

It's been far too long since the last post. Sorry about that y'all, the past two weeks have been real busy!

In relation to his other work, this album is a bit surprising. The reason I say that is because of previous works. It is also just a surprising album from start to finish. I am always amazed at what I hear (both old and new) in this alum.

The sounds of this album are magnificent! Unlike Prism of Eternal Now (2007), a more mellow album, New Clouds is a subtly-crunk tour de force. I look forward to Forkner's future productions!

Les' Go