Michael Leonhart & Avramina 7//Scopolamine

Flash back and forward Monday Mail!
What is Monday Mail?

I will add sending me a picture of the record that contains the song you are sending to the list of ways to get my attention when it comes to submissions. This is exactly what Truth & Soul did and yeah, it works:

Long time trumpet player for many of the T&S releases, Michael Leonhart has masterfully created something that sounds like the musical love child of R.D Burman, Fela Kuti, & Beck. A mix of reverb drenched vocals, afro beat horns, and fluttering tablas all work in perfect harmony on The Avramina 7's first single on Truth & Soul.

Truth be told, I am usually deluged with all the newest hits (and non-hits) from indie rockers, popsters and folkers from around the world. Now, that’s cool. I do really like those genres and if you regularly read this blog, you might like them too. That said, what I most enjoy is the mind-blowing variety that comes with listening to EVERYTHING under the sun. So, when an amazingly funky JAM with so much natural GROOVE shows up in my inbox, I cannot resist.

Please tell me you have a cigar you can smoke, a skinny tie you can wear and a desk you can put your feet up on while you listen to this smooth track. It’s by Michael Leonhart aka the youngest Grammy recipient in history. Leonhart, who has performed with everyone from Yoko Ono to Mos Def to Caetano Veloso to Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, has somehow made his music sound at once like a throwback to 70s funk and like a fast forward to some kind of futuristic genre mashup. His newest album is a concept piece called Seahorse and The Storyteller, which, from the few tracks I listened to, is definitely worth checking out. From the Truth & Soul site:

While on the road with Steely Dan in 2005, Leonhart came up with the idea to record a concept record that would meld the styles of Bollywood funk scores, 60's psychedelic rock, and the mythical storytelling of artists like Peter, Paul, & Mary and Donovan. "Seahorse and The Storyteller" is a modern musical opera that in the words of Leonhart, "tells the story of two mythical creatures who meet, fall in love and begin piecing together the mysteries of each others past."

Rad.



Scopolamine.mp3

What’s she doing with that bottle of spraypaint?

The Very Best//The Warm Heart of Africa

Let me start by saying that even though I like The Very Best, I kind of hate Vampire Weekend. This is why I was surprised when, after a friend posted this song up on a social networking site, I loved it. First I listened to it and thought, “that sounds like the guy from Vampire Weekend.” Then I confirmed: “That IS the guy from Vampire Weekend.” Then, I pondered: “Do I like it even though it features that guy from Vampire Weekend?” The answer: a resounding, “fuck yeah!”. Now, I’m waking up in the morning with this jam in my head. It really is just that catchy.

The “guy” in question is Ezra Koenig, who grew up just one town over from me in NJ exactly when I was growing up there. Look at us now.

More importantly, the band in question is The Very Best, which is comprised of African-born/UK-residing Esau Mwamwaya and the boys from UK-based electronic outfit (either unfortunately or awesomely named) Radioclit. As the makeup of collaborators would suggest, the group produces tunes that blend African rhythms with electronic sensibilities.

It’s cold in New York right now…and it’s going to be cold for a while. Blast your heat, close your eyes, put this song on and imagine yourself dancing in the deliciously warm heart of Africa.



Warm Heart of Africa.mp3

When the boys move fast, you should take it slow.

Antibalas Ft. Mayra Vega//Che Che Cole Makossa

A.’s mom got this for me for Christmas and it is SO, SO AWESOME. I think Daptone is by far the coolest label in existence today. Every track is completely flawless; written, performed, recorded, mixed and mastered perfectly. Their artists really are that good.

This is one of my favorites right now. I hadn’t really listened to much Antibalas (which is Spanish for “bulletproof”) before. They’re from Bushwick and they’re modeled on Fela Kuti’s Africa 70 band (Femi has subsequently played with them). They’ve got plenty of chops and accolades, but if you’re the kind of person who pays even a mild attention to theater, you might know them as the backing band from the broadway smash “Fela.”

"Che Che Cole Makossa" seriously brings it. It’s features an awesomely funky beat and Mayra Vega’s energetic vocals. I was falling asleep on the PATH train this morning and when this song came on, it made me want to dance around (don’t worry, I didn’t).

I can’t recommend this comp enough. Just go buy it already. Get it on vinyl if you can.



Che Che Cole Makossa.mp3

The band's on tour in Australia in March, but you can catch them now in Fela.

NOMO//All The Stars

Holy [Local! Music! Friday!], Batman!

Tell me...what is this Local Music Fridays?

While I don’t actually know any of the members of NOMO personally beyond drunk-college-party acquaintance level, a few of them are close friends of close friends. When I lived in Ann Arbor, I would oft pass Elliot sitting on his front steps playing banjo and I once had a delightful breakfast at Clinton Hill neighborhood favorite Mike’s with Erik and the aforementioned close friends. Finally, I have a distinct and funny memory of seeing the band perform inside a giant inflatable art installation made by my friend Soma…and that was pretty fucking cool.

Anyway, all that aside, these guys know how to drop the afrobeat. Their latest album, Ghost Rock, has garnered quite a few accolades and their sound dashes in just the right amount of funk and jazz.



All The Stars.mp3

If you’re here in NYC, you can catch NOMO on Sunday at Union Hall or on Monday at Joe’s Pub.

More about NOMO here.