Den Nya Skivan may sound exotic to non-Swedish ears, but apparently just means 'the new record'. Oh well. What really matters is that Stockholm's psych royalty easily maintains its high standards here, warming our hearts with four hypnotic fresh jams.
Kungens Män - Uppskjutet Uppskjutet
The Kikagaku Moyo touring machine has temporarily been forced to a halt, which makes two new live documents especially welcome. The first one, Live At Levitation, was recorded in Austin in 2014 and 2019. Hypnotic riffs and motorik beats galore, showing off just how well these Tokyo boys have gotten their routine down through their relentless gigging. The second one, appropriately named Deep Fried Grandeur, is even more spectacular. From a special festival collaboration with Ryley Walker in Utrecht in 2018, it's an intergalactic, sitar-heavy monster jam between two dark stars, yours for a cool name-your-price at Bandcamp.
Kikagaku Moyo - Gatherings (live 2019)
Two dear dear orphan girls. Long believed this was actually a Carter Family composition, but no. Huge compliment though... For me, miss Welch wins on points, as her version (the original, and the first song on her first album to boot) is the purest of the two. Close call, I'll give you that.
Gillian Welch - Orphan Girl
Emmylou Harris - Orphan Girl
Just got the sad news that the great U Roy has left us. The pioneer reggae toaster from Kingston, Jamaica, real name Ewart Beckford, was 78. I was lucky enough to see the Originator perform one time in a small club, and boy was he on fire. Miss him.
U Roy - Wake The Town
U Roy - Chalice In The Palace
Gories fans rejoice, 'cause here's a sign of life from Dan Kroha. Don't expect no stripped-down garage rock here though, as Detroit Blues is all about interpretations of ye olde blues and folk, played on a variety of acoustic instruments, including antiques like the diddley bow, the washboard and the jug. Utterly basic, remarkably authentic, and very very cool.
Danny Kroha - I'll Be Rested
Stating the obvious makes for perfect pop. Do you believe this? Sure thing!
The dB's - Love Is For Lovers
Just got the sad news that Armando Anthony “Chick” Corea has left us. The inventive jazz fusion keyboardist, who founded Return To Forever in the early seventies, was 79. Before that, he was a prime member of the groundbreaking Miles Davis electric band, contributing to milestone albums as In A Silent Way, Bitches Brew, and On The Corner. Miss him.
Miles Davis - It's About That Time (live '70)
Got a hopeful and poppy Japanese psychfolk gem from 1973 for you today. Just when you think you've more or less heard it all, you discover an album like Love Songs And Lamentations. Great stuff.
Itsuroh Shimoda - Everybody Anyone
Rise and shine, as we've got some recent jazz for you as well. Got to to pay a visit to the Windy City for that, where young bassist Luke Stewart and his excellent Exposure Quintet are grooving in powerful style. Yet another example of jazz being very much alive and kicking these days.
Luke Stewart Exposure Quintet - Awakening The Masters
Nearly forgotten freejazzers? Check! Here's Charles Tyler (1941-1992) from Cadiz, Kentucky, an old pal of the more famous Albert Ayler. His wild, weird and groundbreaking albums Charles Tyler Ensemble ('66) and Eastern Man Alone ('67) are essential listening for all you daring jazz cats out there.
Charles Tyler Ensemble - Strange Uhuru
Charles Tyler - Man Alone
Bought the somewhat weirdly titled Honyocks In The Whithersoever by the Wygals recently, on the enthusiastic recommendation of esteemed blogging colleague Jonder. Passed me by for some reason when it came out, back in 1989 on the legendary Rough Trade label. Glad I finally got acquainted, as - a certain degree of datedness notwithstanding - it jingles and jangles and warbles and doesn't disappoint at all.
The Wygals - Creature Comforts
