Pokey LaFarge @ Lee's Palace, Thursday

Don't miss Pokey LaFarge and crew tonight at Lee's Palace. Here's what you can expect.

RIP David Baker, 1931-2016

Remembering the Indiana-born jazz composer and educator with his 1976 classic Le Mirror Noir. 

Watch Doug Sahm in Stockholm, 1982

C.W. Stoneking @ The Drake Hotel, June 1

Tickets are now on sale for the Toronto debut of Australian guitar slinger deluxe C.W. Stoneking right here. 

Roots collision crew So Long Seven launches debut disc @ Hugh's Room, Thursday

T.O.'s Ravi Naimpally, William Lamoureux, Tim Posgate & Neil Hendry have hit on a unique blend.

Happy Birthday Johnny Dowd!

Here's "Poor, But Proud" off Johnny's latest That's Your Wife on the Back of My Horse available here.

Before They Were Famous: Steve Wynn & Kendra Smith

Prior to the Dream Syndicate, Steve Wynn and Kendra Smith were performing as The Suspects in 1979. 

Happy Birthday Renaldo Domino!

Celebrating Renaldo's birthday with clips of his classic Not To Cool To Cry and Curtis Mayfield's Move On Up. 

Re-introducing Brazil's Nomade Orquestra

The 10-piece Nomade Orquestra came together in São Paolo in 2012, though they could just as easily have emerged fully formed into our world from a mystical land where spaced out jazz soundtracks daily life and the passing of time is rhythm and groove… such is their elusive, ethereal yet highly accomplished and deeply funky otherness. On April 22, Nomade Orquestra’s self-titled debut album – originally issued in Brazil back in 2014 – will get much wider distribution via the UK-based Far Out label on heavyweight vinyl along with an extended 13-track digital release.

Effortlessly weaving through the disparate sounds of Brazil’s diverse musical diaspora, the group describe themselves and their shared project as ‘the point where different musical expressions and strands meet and interact in a unique way.’ From funk and soul to Afrobeat, Ethio-grooves, dub and hip hop, their sound remains firmly anchored in the world of jazz while taking off to the cosmic stratosphere and incorporating electronic elements, alongside traditional Brazilian styles along the way. If you're thinking 'São Paolo's answer to the Souljazz Orchestra,' you're not that far off.

In line with the bands’ musical and spiritual influences, adopted from age old lineages of the global east, the album’s opening track ‘Samurai’ kicks off the psychedelic party with the strike of a gong. Dreamlike synths, Marcos Mauricio’s arresting piano and André Calixto’s beautifully expressive tenor saxophone shed the first light on this enchanting incarnation of global roots music. ‘Sonhos de Tokyo’s hypnotic grooving bassline is complimented with psychedelic guitar riffs and ominous synth washes, building a sound both tranquil and unsettling. ‘Morning Birds’, features the talents of Otis Trio’s Beto Montag, who brings his deft Marimba playing to the party for an Afrobeat-bent banger that further highlights the varied and deep roots of Nomade’s musical influences. Here's a performance of Morning Birds.



Album closer ‘Garuda’ finds Nomade Orchestra in a more contemplative, mood. Bringing together soaring Chinese flutes, Hawaiian style fuzz guitar, snake charming saxophone and some world class Oud playing from guest musician Luciano Sallun, the track is a spiritual wonder.  It's a fitting conclusion to a highly sensory journey that recalls the spiritual jazz musings of Herbie Hancock and Pharoah Sanders while sounding like the Brazilian take on Taoism. Making music like none other in Brazil, or the rest of the world. Here they are playing Garuda below.

Lucius @ The Opera House, Saturday

Here's Jess & Holly hitting a sweet vocal blend on "Dusty Trails" from their new Lucius album Good Grief.  

Whaddya mean you don't know Jamal Khe

Here's the wicked 80s minimal synth gem "Ana Gharib" by Jamal Khe.

Happy Birthday James Moody

Remembering the great James Moody with a 1966 performance alongside Dizzy Gillespie on Jazz 625.

Trouble Boys author Bob Mehr talks Replacements

If you're in Nashville on April 2, drop by Bob's signing at Grimey's Too (1702 8th Avenue South). 

Rick McGinnis documents T.O. Hip Hop History

Check out Rick's amazing photos of Michie Mee, Maestro, Dream Warriors and the Bar B Q parties right here.

One For The Weekend: Xmal Deutschland

Die Wolken is the creepy B-side of Xmal Deutschland's Schwarze Welt debut 7" for the ZickZack label.

Happy Birthday Holger Czukay!

 Here's Holger Czukay explaining the origin of CAN along with a couple of vintage performance clips. 

The DMA's @ The Silver Dollar, tonight

Here are Sydney's DMA's performing at Liam Gallagher's Pretty Green shop in Manchester and SXSW in Austin.

Made To Break @ The Burdock, March 31

Here's what you can expect when Ken Vandermark's fearsome foursome present Before The Code in Toronto.  

Just another night in Austin for Jon Langford

Here's the shirtless finale of Bad Luck Jonathan's whimsically chaotic set at the Saxon Pub Saturday night. 

Happy Birthday Moe Berg!

Toasting Moe Berg with an 80s flashback to his Modern Minds days including a Lister Hall show from 1981.  

Whaddya mean you don't know The Tiaras

Toronto's own Jackie Richardson, Brenda Russell, Colina Phillips & Arlene Trotman in '68. 

Watch the new Ben Up video from The Posterz

"Ben Up" is off the Junga EP from the Montreal crew of Kris The $pirit, Husser and Joey Sherrett.

Happy Birthday Gord Cumming!

Raising a glass to Gord Cumming of The Arc Sound with two performances you may have missed.

Jackie Richardson salutes Abbey Lincoln @ Old Mill Inn, Monday

Jackie pays homage to the great Abbey Lincoln as part of Sound Of Jazz Concert Series tonight.  

Happy Birthday Sister Rosetta Tharpe!

Remembering house rockin' Sister Rosetta on her day with a performance clip and documentary.

Don't miss Bombino @ The Horseshoe, Tuesday

The Tuareg guitar ace is showcasing his new Azel album produced by Dave Longstreth (Dirty Projectors).

LINKS
Bombino site
Partisan Records label
Horseshoe Tavern ticket info

Whaddya mean you don't know Ronno

Ronno's one-off Vertigo 45 was cut by Mick Ronson, Tony Visconti, Woody Woodmansey & Benny Marshall.

PJ Harvey finds inspiration in Southeast DC

A Washington drive-by in a Mazda led to PJ Harvey's new recording. Can't wait to see the composer credits.

RIP Steve Young, 1942-2016

"Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" songwriter Steve Young passed away Thursday night at the age of 73.

Happy Birthday Tõnu Naissoo!

Here's the Estonian jazz piano great's performance at Tallinn '67 and his full-length debut from 1970.

Dave Liebman w/the Mike Murley Quartet @ The Rex, Saturday

Here's a stellar clip of saxophonist Dave Liebman tearing it up in Hamburg, Germany on June 8, 1975.

One For The Weekend: Prince Conley

Preview Fumaça Preta's heavy new whumper

Ressaca da Glória & La Trampa are off Fumaça Preta's second album Impuros Fanáticos out April 8. 

Winnipeg's Lytics get busy @ SXSW

The Lytics rocked the Canadian Blast party as a warm-up for tonight's Friends  (208 E. 6th St) showcase at 1 am.

Wednesday March 16 @ FRIENDS

8:00PM SHI 360

8:40PM Humble Giants

9:20PM Wasiu

10:00PM Lucas DiPasquale

10:40PM Wordburglar

11:20PM Horsepowar

12:10AM The Posterz

1:00AM The Lytics

Fiona Smyth's CHEEZ 2 opens @ Gallery 50, Wednesday

CHEEZ 2
at Gallery 50 (50 Gladstone Ave. at Peel).
Opening Wednesday, March 16 from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Fiona Smyth’s CHEEZ was originally a monthly comic/drawing published in Canada's Exclaim Magazine over a ten year period from 1992 to 2002. There were no editorial restrictions on the work apart from the monthly deadline and the colour restrictions of the paper (the art work had to be black and white). Each strip was created shortly before the deadline and numbered in chronological order. The second incarnation of CHEEZ, running online since 2009 to currently, is a weekly offering continuing with the same numbering sequence and restrictive palette.

Visual artist Smyth’s creative process is unrestrained in the CHEEZ series. Recurring motifs and icons inform a non-linear narrative that spans nearly twenty-four years. Feminist imaginings of female bodies are central to this drawing world. Smyth’s stream of conscious approach connects to a long lineage of drawers, cartoonists, and imaginers like Moebius, Giles, Gary Panter, Saul Steinberg, George Grosz, John Scott, Frida Kahlo, and Louise Bourgeois.

A collection of the first one hundred strips was published as CHEEZ 100 by Pedlar Press in 2001
Gallery 50 is offering the sale of individual inkjet prints of the exhibited CHEEZ drawings upon request.

CHEEZ 2 runs from March 15 through to April 3, 2016.
Gallery 50 is open Wednesday to Sunday (1 pm to 5 pm).

Whaddya mean you don't know Butch Cornell

Here's the swingin' Goose Pimples by Butch Cornell's Trio on Rufus Mitchell's Baltimore-based Ru-Jac label. 

Greg Dulli @ The Great Hall, tonight

Greg tried covering David Bowie's Modern Love with the Afghan Whigs but never felt it sounded right. 

Greg Dulli on the road
Mar. 15 - Toronto, ON – Great Hall
Mar. 16 - Detroit, MI – Marble Bar
Mar. 17 - Cincinnati, OH – Woodward Theatre
Mar. 18 - Chicago, IL – Old Town School Of Folk
Mar. 19 - Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center
Mar. 21 - Seattle, WA – Triple Door
Mar. 22 - Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
Mar. 23 - Portland, OR – Doug Fir
Mar. 25 - San Francisco, CA – The Independent
Mar. 26 - Los Angeles, CA – Teregram Ballroom
Mar. 29 - Dallas, TX – Kessler Theater
Mar. 30 - Austin, TX – Central Presbyterian Church
Apr. 01 - New Orleans, LA – Preservation Hall
Apr. 02 - New Orleans, LA – Preservation Hall

Whaddya mean you don't know Marva Broome

Marva cut Mystifying Mama with the Art Ensemble of Chicago in Paris back in 1972.

Quantic's Tropical Elevation Tour 2016

Expect a career-spanning Quantic selection including new tracks Curuba & Creation (below).

Quantic Mixes 
Caja y Guacharacha: Cumbia, Puya & Porro link
Cali Cartel: Smokin' Colombian tipica joints link
Lost and Longing: Cape Verdian Mornas & Coladeras link
Vacilon: Boogaloo vs Guajira link

Tortoise @ Lee's Palace, Saturday

Tortoise have been tearing it up in Europe (see below) en route to tonight's triumphant Toronto return.

Here's a mix Jeff Parker put together for FACT Mag

Tortoise on the road
03/12 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
03/13 – Montreal, QC @ Fairmount
03/14 – Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse
03/15 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
03/16 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
03/17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Littlefield
03/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
03/19 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
03/20 – Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
03/22 – Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall
03/23 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House Revival
03/24 – Indianapolis, IN @ Radio Radio

No Flash, Please! book launch w/The Dundrells & The Lawn @ The Horseshoe, May 15

The Dundrells (below) and The Lawn are reuniting for the launch of Derek Von Essen & Phil Saunders' new book.

Happy Birthday Sonny Boy Williamson

Remembering the blues harp master on what might be his birthday with some rare performance footage. 

Long Branch 7" release @ Dakota Tavern, Friday

T.O.'s Long Branch launch their debut single – recorded and mixed by Don Pyle – at the Dakota from 7pm to 9pm.

One For The Weekend: Liam Hayes

"Fokus" is off the Slurrup (Fat Possum) album by Liam Hayes, aka Plush.

Peter Case @ The Dakota Tavern, Thursday

Peter Case returns to Toronto to play songs from his latest album, HWY 62. 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. —  Peter Case, founding member of The Nerves and leader of The Plimsouls, and the first troubadour of the post-punk era, returns with his first album of new songs since 2010’s Wig! The Nerves’ 1976 “Hanging On The Telephone” EP, its title song covered by Blondie, remains a classic and has earned the band a strong following of young fans around the world. The Plimsouls’ song “A Million Miles Away” is a garage band/power pop classic. Case’s debut solo album, produced by T-Bone Burnett, earned him his first Grammy nomination and spearheaded a songwriter movement, now dubbed Americana. Twelve solo albums and two more Grammy nominations followed, including one for his 2007 album Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John.

All along, Case had continued to tour consistently. His latest recording, HWY 62 – released by Omnivore back in October – collects tales from his journey, and brilliantly encompasses every facet of his diverse and critically acclaimed career. Much like a travelogue, HWY 62 includes pieces of Americana, blues, pop, and folk—all anchored by Case’s knack for creating the perfect hook.

The album takes its title from the highway that connects Ciudad Juarez with Niagara Falls, Ontario. Case was born a block from it, in the Buffalo area. “I always saw HWY 62 as my gateway to the country, my doorway to the west,” he says.

Guests joining Peter on the trip include D.J. Bonebrake (X), Don Heffington (Lone Justice), Ben Harper and others. The album was co-produced by Case and Grammy winner Sheldon Gomberg (Eleni Mandell, Rickie Lee Jones, Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite).

“Everybody says I’m a troubadour, since I perform alone and bring the tales. The challenge was to make a “troubadour album” that rocks with electric energy — Ben Harper and D.J. Bonebrake were key to that,” says Case. “HWY 62 connects east with west, north and south. I’m connecting three-chord rock ’n’ roll, to all kinds of American music, bringing together stories I’ve lived and found along the way, music about now.”