Music Recommendations, Cheap And Easy: Sounds From The Ground

I just received the latest CD from Sounds From The Ground, 'Brightwhitelight'. For their sixth full length release they closely follow their winning formula: Spaced-out atmospheric dub, clever rhythms, and carefully crafted sounds. (And as I usually prefer, no vocal tracks on this one.) I absolutely love and recommend it, as I do any SFTG CD. (My least favorite are 'Natural Selection' and 'Footprints', but even they are quite good. For $10 you can get it direct from the label, Waveform Records, or most music retailers.

In the Works: Diva's Cupcakes & Coffee

I feel that it's near enough fruition to mention another collaboration with visual artist Thayne Whiting is in the works at an intriguing location: The greenhouse dome at Diva's Cupcakes & Coffee. Gordon Wilkins has converted the kooky building on 33rd a few blocks above Highland Dr into an inviting cafe with fantastic drinks and gourmet desserts. The dome is a lush, relaxing oasis on these crisp winter days, and the patio promises to be a favorite once warmer weather arrives. On top of all this, those of us who live in the Canyon Rim area now have good, local coffee shop option with reasonable evening and weekend hours. Expect a audio visual gig near the start of February.

2009 Sundance Film Festival, 100 Club Party

January 22, I will be presenting a selection of music for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, 100 Club party. This event is not open to the public and I will only be presenting a pre-recorded set. Nonetheless, I'm thrill to be involved.

Thayne Whiting's Project Pared no. 1

I'm very excited to be providing music for Thayne Whiting's visual art presentation, "Project Pared no. 1" this Friday, December 5 from 6 to 9 pm. This will be an outdoor projection event on the plaza at 160 East, 300 South, in conjunction with the December Salt Lake Gallery Stroll. Cold but clear weather is forecast. Dress warm and stop by as you visit the neighboring galleries on Broadway. 

Music Recommendations, Cheap And Easy: The Beloved

I listened to an old favorite this morning: 'X' by The Beloved.

I generally don't care for house music. 'X' however, I find very appealing.

Even though the structure is mostly typical pop (except Crystal Wave, an instrumental DJ journey), I find the sound very original and distinct. The lyrics are sentimental but somehow not sappy or annoying. Instead there is a sense of sincerity I credit to Jon's mellow, unforced vocal style. 'X' is a notch darker than other Beloved albums.

The atmospheric backdrop contributes immensely to each song. It makes me wish Jon Marsh would release an ambient album. Production quality is tops. It is enjoyable on any system, but the listening experience played loud through quality speakers justifies a substantial hi-fi budget.

After more than a decade, I find 'X' a durable favorite, enjoyable from start to finish.

'X' is not too hard to locate for under $15. I also recommend the previous two Beloved albums 'Happiness' and 'Conscience', which are even easier and less expensive to locate.

Correction: Blue Star Gig Time

The two June gigs at Blue Star Cafe will 7:30 to 9:30 PM, Friday 13, and Friday 27.

Blue Star Cafe June Gigs

I'm very excited to announce two June gigs at Blue Star Cafe. 8-10 PM, Friday 13, and Friday 27. These will be outside on the back patio. More details to follow.

May 8 Gig Cancelled

I'll be traveling to California to race the 24 Hours Of Lemons next week, so Thursday the 8th I won't be playing. Stop by on the 22nd instead.

Tonight's Playlist

Another fun set. This week was a bit more up-beat. Here's the playlist:

• Palyrria: Space Blues
• The Orb: Because/Before
• Pitch Black: Unadrumma
• Jef Stott: Saracen (Kemanche)
• Zone Smut: Demented Jack (Incarnate Remix):
  
• Liquid Stranger: Splash Matters
• Morcheeba: Tape Loop (Diabolical Brothers Mix)
• Flexitones: Roaring Lion
• Dreamtree Project (Adham Shaikh): Dreamtree
• Banco De Gaia: Sakarya
• Dzihan & Kamien: Smile (Aromabar Remix)
• Makyo: Suzhou River (Underwater Dub)

Low Density

I enjoyed tonight's set immensely and hope the recording was good enough to post. Here's the playlist:

• Art Of Noise: Camilla - The Old Old Story
• Shpongle: Saudade (Pt. II)
• Bhakta (d2b): Falling Leaf. No Experience
• Woob: Wuub
• Brian Eno: Under Stars
• Ma Faiza, Veet Sandeh: Desert Angel
• Underworld: Skym
• Gods Of Luxury: Empirical Measures
• Bola: Vertiphon
• ESX Trio: Destination 4
• Yello: Blue Green
• Harold Budd, Bill Nelson & Fila Brazillia: No Shade, No Shadow
• Sounds From The Ground: Razz
• Eurythmics: This City Never Sleeps
• Jairamji: Stabilizing Chaos
• Desert Dwellers: Om Namo Bhagave
• Makyo: Suzhou River (Underwater Dub)

I consider bold releases essential, which today is all but one. Even the Yello is essential to me but is probably a bit old and kooky for many listeners.

The Art Of Noise, Brian Eno, Yello, and Eurythmics tracks are all from classic 80's albums. They should be cheap and easy to find used except the AON which has not been remastered yet. Eno's Apollo from 1983 is an ambient milestone that everyone should own.

The Shpongle and Jairamji tracks are taken from Floatation and Arcana, compilations on Interchill Records. Floataion and some other older Interchill releases can be difficult to get but most are worth the effort. If you can't find Floatation, you may want to try this Alchemy comp which has a nearly the full version of Shpongle's "Saudade 2". It appears as "Flute Fruit" on their wonderful album Tales Of The Inexpressable, but tragically edited down to two minutes.

The best place I know for Bhakta (as mentioned in my review) and Ma Faiza is CD Baby.

The Woob, Gods Of Luxury, and Budd/Brazillia releases will be very hard to find.

The only place I know for ESX Trio CDs is Stephane Blok's page. A bit expensive, but I have successfully ordered from him.

Makyo's 'Suzhou River', which you may have noticed appears often in my sets, is available direct from his site. It's a bit spendy for single 20 minute track, but easily worth it.

The remainder are all easy to find through typical channels.