John Zorn - The Gift

Well, it's been a while since my last post, but I'm back and ready to deliver another fine gem of an album.

Today's entry is John Zorn's The Gift. which was released in 2001 on his own label Tzadik Records.
Now if you're not familiar with John Zorn, he's definitely an artist who would be very hard to sum up with a few descriptions, but I'll try my best.

Mr. Zorn is a prolific composer, producer, saxophonist (among many other instruments) of avant-garde music. Much of his early music was rooted in jazz, and mixed with a large dosage of experimental styles, such as free jazz, free improvisation, surf rock, metal, grindcore, punk just to list a few. His style, his eclectic-ness, his wide-range of musical styles and musicians that he's worked with have produced a library of close to 200 albums. At times the music he produces can be a harsh, brash style of noise with the flow of cartoon music. Other times, modern classical with operatic vocals, or in this case some smooth jazz, purely calming, and very contrasting to some of his other works. Overall, his genius of musical composition and his pushing the boundaries of multi-genre inspired music can be overwhelming at times for a new Zorn listener. However if there's one thing he'll never be accused of, is making the same album twice.

In 2001 he released The Gift. A slower, very calm Zorn was shown in this album. One that hadn't appeared much (up to that point). The Gift is a very laid back smooth Jazz/Exotica album with very heavy Surf Rock influences all over this beautiful album. This album is one of the best soundtracks to any lazy Sunday, or any other day of the week for that matter. If you're new to Zorn, I strongly recommend you check this album out, it's definitely one his most-accessible records.

Windmills - Keep Moving

Just a little over a month ago, my friend showed me a great local musician named Cory Myraas. He goes by the name Windmills when playing, and so far has one album out.

His 2011 album "Keep Moving" is a very melodic, quite ambient venture. At times, the looping of his guitar is very reminiscent of Robert Fripp & Brian Eno's collaborations. The music creates a very beautiful vivid soundscape, with vocals to accompany it, creating a sort of indie-folk ambient post-rock vibe.

Upon first listen, I was instantly hooked. And with every listen since then, just as hooked.

You can check out his site: http://windmillskeepmoving.bandcamp.com/

And support him, and if you're in the Kelowna area, check him out, if you can. Definitely worth it.

Funkaelic - Maggot Brain

Well in keeping of the tradition of the last and only post thus far, it's time for another mind-blowing psychedlic-funk-rock record! And, probably one of the best of it's kind.

The album today is Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain." Recorded and released in 1971 on Westbound records, Maggot Brain is like exploring the inner depths of the human soul. By the end of the record, the long dark journey leads to liberating the soul, and getting down to the psychedlic funky rhythms of the inner body. A journey perhaps in anyone's quest for finding their true "soul." To tread through darkness until a warmth of joy embraces the body, mind and soul. Thus becoming "free."

When I first discovered Maggot Brain, and on that note Funkadelic as well, I had no idea what to expect, or what I was truly in for.

Funkadelic, led by the charismatic, eccentric and wild front-man George Clinton, was a band who would not only merge heavy use of drugs and funk together, but brought together a gritty soul-infused heavy rock style into the mix. Proving that a "brother" could in fact rock out, just as had (if not more) than any white man playing rock & roll.

The opening title track of the record is a monument on it's own. A 10 minute guitar solo from Eddie Hazel. And as the legend goes, George had fed Eddie some LSD, for which Eddie had a stack of amps, cranked up the guitar and let loose. BUT not before George instructed him to play "as if his mother had died." And although his mother was still alive, what a mother she must've been. Because that brother made his guitar weep like none else!

Songs like "Can you get to that" and "Hit it and quit it" get down to the more funky vibes of the record. Give it time, and you'll find you'll be getting the down to the cosmic tones of the P-Funk.

Another stand out track is the fifth song on the album, "Super Stupid." Taking off where Hendrix left off this track rocks hard. Funkadelic did wonders to the music scene in the 70's, and this album did wonders to my brain. I hope you can find this album, and give it a listen, yet another superb funk band rocking hard.

Demon Fuzz - Afreaka!

My first entry is a rarity (something which will routinely pop up in many of these posts). As an avid music lover, I've found that there is never enough music to discover, old or new. Especially with the former. Finding "new" music of old is one of the great treasures of being a music fiend. Especially if it's a rare gem, that makes the surprise of the discovery that much more rewarding.

In 1970, the group Demon Fuzz formed. And within that year they released their eponymous debut record. The band formed of English emigrants, played  raw-soul, jazz-infused, funk-inspired, psychedelic progressive rock. The multi-faceted genre playing group was soul at the core. Hints of reggae blended in with an occasional pre-doom metal style riff (ala Black Sabbath, of the same time) contrast with the horn section, jazz tempo percussion and the very fun psychedelic funk grooves, this band at first listen, and with every listen afterwards is simply awe-inspiring.

Their only album released in the bands tenure was 1970's "Afreaka!" released on dawn records. There's something different going down on each track. This album is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Unfortunately the band members, after many disagreements decided to end the band in 1972, having released only one album. If you come across this album, I strongly recommend picking it up. You definitely won't be disappointed.

An Introduction...

So first things first. Welcome to my music blog, it's been a long time coming. As a passionate fan of music, the idea to start a blog on the subject has been an incessant ebb and flow in my mind for quite some time. The time has finally come where I will show you some of the stuff that has caught my attention and more times than none, warranted many a repeat album listening.