Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Elliott Sharp, Thin Edge New Music Collective, Soupcans @ Soybomb HQ, Friday

Adventurous guitarist Elliott Sharp plays a solo set and throws down with TENMC after a panel discussion at 9 pm.  


LINKS
The Music Gallery – Departures Series w/ Elliott Sharp + TENMC + Soupcans
DownBeat Magazine: Elliott Sharp & Steve Buscemi team up for Burroughs tribute
Elliott Sharp site
New World Records site
Thin Edge New Music Collective site
Soupcans bandcamp

Sunday, August 28, 2016

The ARC Sound @ Trinity Common, Sunday

Shake Some Action with Gord Cumming and his ARC Sound crew at 303 Augusta tonight at 9 pm.

Ausmuteants: Band Of The Future






Saturday, August 27, 2016

Whaddya mean you don't know Egisto Macchi

Here's Motovedette off Cinedelic's reissue of Egisto Macchi's Nucleo Centrale Investigativo soundtrack. 

Friday, August 26, 2016

Robert Frank doc Don't Blink screens @ TIFF Bell Lightbox, August 26-31

Laura Israel's film about photographer Robert Frank opens Friday. Watch the trailer and interview with Laura. 




Ticklah cuts a scary good rocksteady album with The Frightnrs

The Victor "Ticklah" Axelrod-produced Nothing More To Say by The Frightnrs is out on Daptone September 2. 




RJD2 @ The Hoxton, Friday

RJD2 cruises in for a show with Memorecks and Jeff Button at The Hoxton tonight – doors open at 10 pm. 




One For The Weekend: Tiny Bradshaw

Here's the Tiny Bradshaw Orchestra's King label swinger Stack Of Dollars from 1954. 

Thursday, August 25, 2016

RIP Rudy Van Gelder, 1924-2016

Sadly, recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder, who help define the sound of Blue Note, has passed away. 




Ginger Baker vs. Chris Ajilo

Ginger Baker had a slight advantage in having Fela Kuti help shape his 1972 version of Ariwo. 



Wednesday, August 24, 2016

GBV dusts off the oldies in San Francisco

Robert Pollard dug deep into his Guided By Voices suitcase to haul out a couple of rarely performed faves. 


Carolyn Mark CD release @ Fitzroy Boutique, Thursday

Carolyn launches her new Come! Back! Special! album for Roaring Girl with NQ Arbuckle from 7–10 pm.



Tuesday, August 23, 2016

RIP "Deadly" Headley Bennett, 1931-2016

Headley's sax solo on Forward March led to Prince Buster's legendary feud with Derrick Morgan.


Luciano w/ Jay Douglas @ CNE Bandshell, Wednesday

Luciano went deep with "Going Home" thanks in part to Lee Perry's production skills and The Congos' voicings.

Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell rock Bourlon

Be sure to grab a copy of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell's latest single Isobel b/w Break Up out now

Monday, August 22, 2016

Jay Douglas opening for Luciano @ CNE Bandshell, Wednesday

Don't miss T.O.'s own Jay Douglas tear it up – without Pablo in a pick-up – Wednesday night starting at 7 pm.

Happy Birthday Peter Laughner

Remembering Rocket From The Tombs co-founder Peter Laughner on his day with a couple of amazing tunes. 


Sunday, August 21, 2016

Camp Wavelength w/ Bruce Peninsula @ Toronto Island, Sunday

Expect to hear Don't Wake The Giant from Bruce Peninsula's score for Sleeping Giant today at 6 pm. 

Bajka's new single "The World" out Sept 9

Bajka reunites with Das Goldenes Zeitalter collaborator Max Weissenfeldt for her new Philophon seven-inch.
Bajka and Max Weissenfeldt (Poets Of Rhythm, Whitefield Brothers) first met each other when they both attended the same school in Munich, Germany. Their first recordings - under the name Das Goldenes Zeitalter - took place in 1998 and were subsequently released as a three-track 12" EP by Jazzman Records in 2006. Fans of 70s vintage Strata-East and Black Jazz recordings should check out Bajka's amazing performance on the epic "A Vision" from the EP which appears at the end of this post.  


Now, Bajka has found her way back to her musical family via the Philophon label, joining a growing roster of talented artists including The Polyversal Souls, Roy X, Guy One, Alogte Oho Jonas, Hailu Mergia, Idris Ackamoor and The Pyramids, Jimi Tenor and Y-Bayani.

"The World" is driven by the heavyweight drumming of Max, counterpointed by the iridescent voice of Bajka. She reflects the glory of our world by showing the listener through her talent that she in person is for sure part of that glory. On the flip side, "Invisible Joy", Bajka gives her own interpretation of Philophon's own label anthem, which was previously the title track of The Polyversal Souls' celebrated debut album. Listen to Bajka's recording of "The World" below.



Saturday, August 20, 2016

Introducing: Smino

Fast-rising St. Louis rhyme ripper Smino tears up Adelaide Hall with Mick Jenkins on October 18. 


Friday, August 19, 2016

Bob Egan plays final show with Blue Rodeo @ Molson Amphitheatre, Saturday

Steel guitar ace Bob Egan bids farewell to Blue Rodeo's Toronto fans Saturday. Offers a life lesson below.
“Blue Rodeo’s show this Saturday, August 20 at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto will be our final show with our beloved pedal steel player Bob Egan, who is graduating from a highly successful career in music to a job in the public sector he feels is more suited to his new role as a 60 year old father of a 1 year old boy.

Bob has been with us for 17 wonderful years, a cherished band mate and friend, a big hearted man who gives tirelessly of himself, whether it’s through his charity work, his family, his work or his friendship. You always know you can count on Bob.

In over 20 years as a professional musician, Bob was a member of Freakwater,Wilco, and Blue Rodeo, released his own solo material and guested on countless recordings, including The Tragically Hip’s classic, Bobcaygeon. We will miss him terribly and wish him all the best in his new vocation. Love you, Bob.” – Glenn Milchem



An Open letter from Bob Egan

Bob Egan here, writing an open letter to Canada on the cusp of my final show with Blue Rodeo.

These last 17 years have literally been a dream come true for me. From an awkward teen playing the Legion Halls of Central Illinois to a grown man playing on the stages of the world, this journey has exceeded my wildest dreams.

Seventeen years ago on my first day in Canada, as I walked down Queen Street in Toronto, I experienced a feeling I had never felt in my life. I felt like I belonged. I felt surrounded by people I could relate to. I felt at peace. And after 40 years of searching, I finally felt at home.

That day changed my life but it was only the beginning. Over the years, from coast to coast, you Canadians welcomed me into your towns and cities, your homes and your arms. You shared your stories, your celebrations and sorrows, but most of all you shared your love. This, my fellow Canadians, is the greatest reward of my life.

To serve in Blue Rodeo is to experience a level and intensity of camaraderie that is unimaginable. For almost two decades I’ve had the honour of sharing the stages, the dressing rooms, the studios and buses all over this world. In this strange bubble of an existence I experienced the truest and deepest friendships. The support and the love of my bandmates has led to the greatest joys of my life – music, my sobriety, my wife and my new son Leo. For this, I am eternally grateful.

Family has always been the the most valued cornerstone of my life and the embrace of the extended Blue Rodeo family has been a wellspring of unconditional true love.

The bonds we share amongst our children, our siblings, our parents, our spouses and our loved ones run deep in the Rodeo family and I’ll treasure them all my days.

From Blue Rodeo I learned some of life’s most precious lessons – work to bring joy into people’s lives, take a stand for greater good, try to make this world a better place and above all, share the love.

It is with these lessons I embark on the next journey of my life. My membership in Blue Rodeo has opened the doors for me to be of service to my adopted hometown of Kitchener, ON., and I am proud, honoured and humbled by this opportunity.

To you, the supporters and fans, I will be forever indebted for it is you who have truly made me feel at home.

To my bandmates, though our paths may part, the ties that bind us never will.
You will always be my family.          – Bob Egan






Happy Birthday Michael Naura!

Their hair was a bit longer than in 1958, but Michael Naura's Quintet was still getting down in 1974. 

Lambchop takes sharp turn with FLOTUS out Nov 4




Thursday, August 18, 2016

Mad Decent Block Party w/ Diplo @ Fort York, Friday

Check out the Diplo-produced version of M.I.A.'s Bird Song off her forthcoming AIM album out September 9. 


Block Party Set Times
3:00 pm: Gates Open
3:00 – 3:45 pm: Bishu
3:45 – 4:45 pm: Sleepy Tom
4:45 – 5:45 pm: Slushii
5:45 – 6:45 pm: Louis The Child
6:45 – 7:45 pm: Grandtheft
7:50 – 8:50 pm: NGHTMRE x Slander
8:55 – 9:55 pm: Marshmello
10:00 – 11:00 pm: Diplo

The Fleshtones preview The Band Drinks For Free

Watch The Fleshtones play five tunes from their forthcoming 21st album out September 2. 

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Sugar Minott vs. The Persuaders

Reggae great Sugar Minott found inspiration in The Persuaders' 1971 single Love Gonna Pack Up.


Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Saturday, August 13, 2016

One For The Weekend: Johnny Dyani Quartet

On this 1979 recording, bass boss Johnny Dyani is joined by Don Cherry, Dudu Pukwana & Makaya Ntshoko. 

Toots & The Maytals @ Danforth Music Hall, Monday

Here's a clip of Toots & The Maytals performing at Winterland in San Francisco back in November, 1975. 


Friday, August 12, 2016

Patti Smith joins daughter Jesse for Nico salute

Soundwalk Collective's "Fearfully In Danger" is off Killer Road on Sacred Bones out September 2.




Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Boris performs Pink @ Lee's Palace, Thursday

Boris has reissued Pink in a deluxe edition double disc / 3LP set with bonus "Forbidden Songs" like N.F. Sorrow.


Tuesday, August 9, 2016

GØGGS whump Williamsburg

Ty Segall, Charles Moothart and Chris Shaw blasted songs from their self-titled GØGGS debut in Brooklyn. 

Bloodshot Bill w/ CATL @ The Silver Dollar, Wednesday

One-man club-wrecker Bloodshot Bill will be playing songs from his swank new Guitar Boy album.



Monday, August 8, 2016

The Head and the Heart @ The Horseshoe, Monday


The Head and the Heart's Signs Of Light is out September 8. Tonight's Horseshoe gig is now sold out.



Anita O'Day w/ George Arvanitas Trio @ Berlin Jazz Festival 1970

Watch Anita swing hard through "Sunny" with George Arvanitas, Jacky Samson and Charles Saudrais.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Sturgill Simpson @ Danforth Music Hall, Sunday

Watch Sturgill perform Brace For Impact and Keep It Between The Lines with his brass-enhanced band.


Happy Birthday Dorothy Ashby

Remembering harp heroine Dorothy Ashby on her day with the fantastic title track off her Soul Vibrations album. 

Friday, August 5, 2016

Handsome Family's new album "Unseen" due September 16

Listen to "Back In My Day" and "Gold" off the Handsome Family's new Unseen album which you can pre-order here.

The Handsome Family's Rennie Sparks discusses the inspiration for Back In My Day... 
“Back in My Day grew out of my frustration at the new street lights put up around our house in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It no longer gets dark here. We get a half-twilight orange dusk for a few hours and then the sun comes up again. I miss the dark night. I miss the stars and the calm that comes from looking out into black space.

"In this darkness-deprived state I can’t be held responsible for whatever false memories pop into my head, but I truly do remember playing music on rings of ice. I remember trying to fold a map. I remember feeling the entire forest watching me as I wandered off into the pines. Brett says all the instruments used to record this song were actually made from ice. He still wears a wristwatch. It may not be removable. He has seen monsters in the sea.”



Handsome Family – Unseen (Loose)
 SIDE A
1. Gold
2. The Silver Light
3. Back In My Day
4. Tiny Tina
5. Underneath The Falls
SIDE B
1. The Sea Rose
2. The Red Door
3. Gentlemen
4. King Of Dust
5. Green Willow Valley

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Deep digging DJ Format unearths obscure psych gems

Matt Ford continues mining funky marvels from Eastern European countries where many beat junkies fear to tread. 
DJ Format's Psych Out (BBE)
The Quests - Hava Nagila
The Tijuana Brats - Karate Chop
Rainbow Family - Travellin' Lady
The CT Four Plus - Exodus II
49th Blue Streak - Foxy Lady
Bana Pop Band - Jet Pop
Koncz Zsuzsa - Visz A Vonat
La Logia Sarabanda - Todos O Ninguno
Friar Tuck And His Psychedelic Guitar - Louis, Louis
Flamengo - Týden V Elektrickém Městě
Sergio Ferraresi - Time Of Machines
Krzysztof Klenczon - Nie Przejdziemy Do Historii
Aleksandr Sergeyevich Zatsepin - The Shaman's Dance
Pro Arte - Stari Dvorac