humana 3/19/2011 A Library, Cassette
This is a weird bit of loveliness from Lindsay Powell of Chicago, whose voice, whether it be a cappella or minimally accompanied by itself and other instruments, fascinates with chants and other permutations. The last song is a cover of ???Release Me,??? and it ends quite suddenly, which I guess implies the release. 6 is a must-try, and the others are well worth a listen.
MSTiZA 2/10/2011 Cassette, Hip Hop
This cassette release is limited to 250 copies. It’s a mega mix from your faves DJ Quest(SF) on cuts and “records” alongside Fatees(OAK) with his “Bay”ami Bass style. These two hold it down with samples and beats that make you want to whip your hair back and forth. Keep a lookout for Megakut Records. They are takig back cassette culture releasing mixtapes and local side projects from Hip Hop greats, including a slice pulp fiction. Don’t sleep on this!
humana 1/18/2011 A Library, Cassette
Try not to hold it against this band from Northampton, MA that they???re named after a general who allegedly gave smallpox-infested blankets to Native Americans during the French and Indian War. Instead focus on their music, which is well worth listening to for its clever lyrics, vocals that sound like John Lennon, and fine psychedelic guitar, bass, and drums (10 has a great drum solo). Start with 3 and then move to 7 and 9. You won???t be disappointed.
lombard 7/20/2010 A Library, Cassette
Limited to 25 copies, this 2009 cassette release by Los Angeles-area musician David Lucien (aka Internal Improv or [dav’s] Internal Improv) is a quick jaunt through his lo-fi experimental artistry. Super low male vocals, guitar, and tape fuzz begin it all and lead into a twinkly piece with some minimal beats. My favorite is the final piece, “Small,” with its muffled male voice and a lady joining in with the refrain “my body is a failure.” Quite evocative material.
cinder 7/14/2010 A Library, Cassette
SG is Kevin Danchisko, out of Los Angeles. This was a 2009 cassette release of synth music, straight to tape. Subtle melodic prettiness, and textural tones. Rhythmic analog hiss alongside floating keys. Very tranquil, gorgeous and relaxing.
cinder 7/14/2010 A Library, Cassette
A dark duo out of Oklahoma. This is a cassette release, with two 10 minute tracks of dreary drones. Fuzzed and scratchy feedback/amps over a hauntingly evil melancholic drone. From what I’ve read, track 2 is track 1 played backwards!
lombard 5/4/2010 A Library, Cassette
On 2009’s limited (125 copies-now sold out) cassette release “Judo Songs,” Oklahoma project Altar Eagle (aka Digitalis owners and wife-husband duo Eden Hemming and Brad Rose) presents 5 hazy, fuzzy tracks full of spacy beauty. Keyboards may remind you of an ancient church organ or maybe the 1980s or perhaps the 1990s shoegaze or 4AD scene, with barely audible vocals by Eden peeking through and competing with shimmer and buzz. I know the word mesmerizing is overused, but after listening to this upwards of 10 times, it’s an apt description of the relaxed and altered state that this lovely music will put you in.
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