Anya M. Wassenberg's Blog: Art & Culture Maven, page 11

Ritmo Machine | Eric Bobo (Cypress Hill) & DJ Bitman New Album Out July 28, 2023

From a media release:

Ritmo Machine
Eric Bobo (Cypress Hill) & DJ Bitman
New Album Out July 28, 2023

LISTEN TO EXPERIENCE HERE

Ritmo Machine has just released their new album Experience on Nacional Records. This follows previous singles "Isla del Ritmo", "Malibu", "Psychedelic" and "Fuerza". 

This incredible duo finds Cypress Hill’s pioneering percussionist Eric Bobo, who is also the son of Latin Jazz legend Willie Bobo and also known for his work with the likes of the Beastie Boys, collaborating with Chilean DJ Bitman an acclaimed and celebrated DJ/ producer who holds the unspoken record for the most consecutive performances at Lollapalooza Chile. The two met while working on their own projects with Nacional Records.

I interviewed Eric Bobo for a piece about musical fusions in 2014. 

This energetic and powerful album combines Bobo’s singular hip hop percussion with elements of jazz and R&B all being mixed masterfully by DJ Bitman. Full of emotion and rhythm this will take you on a journey through the street culture with all the energy that comes with it.

Fuerza:

Ten years after their border-crossing culture clash debut Welcome To Ritmo Machine, which brought together an array of celebrated artists including Chali 2na (Jurassic 5), Sen Dog, Ana Tijoux, Money Mark & Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys), their new album Experience celebrates B Boy Culture, Break Beats and the sounds of the streets.

In the words of the Miami New Times, “If you're into golden-era hip-hop, live instrumentation, electro, dub, and Latin sounds, you will love it.”

Call For Entries: The Toronto After Dark Film Festival

From a media release:

Call For Entries:
The Toronto After Dark Film Festival

Final Deadline August 25, 2023

All of us at Toronto After Dark Film Festival can't wait to thrill moviegoers this October 18-22, 2023 with our 17th Annual showcase of amazing new Horror, Sci-Fi, Action and Cult films from around, screening exclusively on the Big Screen at Toronto's Scotiabank Theatre!

Our Call for Film Entries is now on! 

Toronto After Dark welcomes both Short & Feature length submissions of all forms of genre cinema including Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Crime, Action, Thrillers, Comedy, Cult, Underground, Animation, Documentary, Music Videos.

Voted one of the Top 25 Genre Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine, Toronto After Dark Film Festival is also proud to be a qualifying event for the prestigious Canadian Screen Awards!

Our Final Deadline is this August 25, 2023, but Filmmakers are encouraged to submit as early as possible to save with reduced entry fees.

Films can be entered to Toronto After Dark at the popular film submission platform FilmFreeway. Just click here: 

Rock Single | Adam Randy: Don't Play (Independent / 23 May 2023)

Rock Single
Adam Randy: Don't Play
(Independent / 23 May 2023)

Stream It On Spotify

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Randy was aiming for a different sound than his usual when he wrote Don't Play. 

He talks about it in a statement.

"I wanted to write, record and release a song that really rocked and had a driving beat and electric guitars mixed with strings, a bit different than most of my other songs. I got the idea for the music from an obscure Neil Diamond Song called "Diamond Girls" which has a similar vibe and arrangement. The message of the song is Don't Play games with me, or you'll be sorry!"

The song combines a hard groove and metal-style vocals with synth strings and keyboards. It's an interesting multi-layered approach, and the result has polish, but not the kind of manic energy you need to create a menacing vibe.

On the release, Adam Randy sings and plays acoustic guitar, piano and keyboards. He is joined by Kenny Kingsborough on drums, bass and rhythm guitar, with Jon Wood contributing lead guitar. 

The Baltimore based musician is a fan of Elton John, The Moody Blues and Neil Diamond. 

Websites:

Official Website: www.adamrandy.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/adamrandymusicTwitter: www.twitter.com/adamrandytweets

Americana With A Little Help From Rocky Roberts & Friends: Pieces of Time (Wolfe Island Records / 5 May 2023)

Americana With A Little Help From
Rocky Roberts & Friends: Pieces of Time
Wolfe Island Records / 5 May 2023)

Stream It On Spotify Stream/Buy Buck Moon On Bandcamp

Rocky Roberts' day job was once that of a touring guitar technician. He worked with Neil Young's bands, Wilco, Patti Smith, CSN&Y, Paul Simon, Lucinda Williams and My Morning Jacket, among others. Today, he's releasing his own brand of Americana/roots.

Pieces of Time is a four-song EP with an impressive list of collaborators, including Norah Jones in a duet on Buck Moon - check out the full list of friends below.

He talks about the track in a statement.

"Buck Moon is an ode to all the great side men/women I had the honour to serve, originally a poem written for a memorial to Ben Keith, the amazing pedal steel player for Neil Young, oh, and Patsy Cline! I put it to music and was so lucky to have Nora Jones sing along with me. Carl Broemel ( My Morning Jacket) also joined the party on guitar and pedal steel."

The song has a nice country swing, with Norah to add her sweet harmonies to Rocky's gravely voice. She's a soft note underneath his lead; it seems like a wasted opportunity not to have her take a verse on her own. 

The musicianship, as could be expected, is impeccable, including H. Chris Brown's lovely grand piano on the song, and a growly guitar solo from Carl Broemel. It's nice to have talented friends.

The musical terrain is familiar, but it's done with polish and lush arrangements that accentuate melodies and the emotions of the song. Wild Riders is a plaintive song about people lost to time. Party Line is a story about family that unfolds over time to a classic mandolin and fiddle combination.

Tomales Bay adds a Latin groove to the mix, a Mexican holiday of a song - something to listen to while you quaff a margarita.

Rocky talks about how the EP came together. 

"Many years, many wonderful friends and musicians. Most of my playing has been in between years as a guitar tech for some pretty great musicians. Even have had the good fortune to fool around playing with many of them.

Later in the 70s, I joined "Aces and Eights". We got to open for Commander Cody, Asleep at the Wheel, New Riders of the Purple Sage and other wacky "Country Rockers". Pretty heady days!

The last few years has been a combo of Rocky & Friends shows, occasionally getting to open for the likes of The Bill Kirchen Bands, Richey Furay of The Buffalo Springfield and Pegi Young & the Survivors at the Iron Horse Saloon. Some Festivals and up on the Island of Wolves with Chris and the gang. 

In the years of the iso-demic, I was fortunate to have a great circle of friends on my block with a studio and their voices to record this new EP of four songs' "Pieces Of Time".

Credits:

Buck Moon: Rocky Roberts - Vocal & Acoustic; Norah Jones - Vocal; Carl Broemel - Pedal Steel & Elec Guitar; H. Chris Brown - Grand Piano; Jason Mercer - Upright Bass; Pete Bowers - Drums

Wild Riders: Rocky Roberts - Vocal & Acoustic; Suzanne Jarvie - Vocal; Tony Sherr - Acoustic Guitars; Benoit Lefebrve - Fiddle; H. Chris Brown - Wurlitzer Piano; Jason Mercer - Upright Bass; Pete Bowers - Drums

Party Line: Rocky Roberts - Vocals & Acoustic; Joey Wright - Acoustic Guitar & Mandolin; Luke Mercier - Fiddle; Jason Mercer - Upright Bass; Teilhard Frost, Suzanne Jarvie, Stephen Stanley - Harmony Vocals

Tomales Bay: Rocky Roberts - Vocal & Acoustic; Bill Kirchen - Acoustic Guitar lead; H. Chis Brown - Squeeze Box; Jason Mercer - Upright Bass; Pete Bowers - Drums; Teilhard Frost - Percussion; Sarah McDermott, Suzanne Jarvie, Stephen Stanley - Harmony Vocal

Web - https://wolfeislandrecords.com/rockyroberts/

Electronica | Gianfranco Pescetti: The Wake (Independent / 20 April 2023)

Electronica
Gianfranco Pescetti: The Wake
(Independent / 20 April 2023)

Stream It On Spotify Stream/Buy On Bandcamp

Electronic dance music blends into an atmospheric treatment with an introspective edge in The Wake. The new single comes from electronic music composer and producer Gianfranco Pescetti.

The instrumental track ebbs and flows in intensity, and he uses a web of layered sounds to achieve a varied sonic flow that retains an overall sense of composition and direction.

A native of the Tuscan Island of Capraia, composer Gianfranco Pescetti lives on the Hawaiian island of Maui today. He comments in a release.

"In writing "The Wake," I sought out to create an instrumental piece that explores the theme of melancholy for a time past, death, and new beginnings. The title has a dual meaning, referring to both the practice of mourning and the path left behind by a boat, a symbol of movement and progress."

Since I can remember I've always approached music from a place of fantasy, emotion, and escapism and while I draw inspiration from various electronic styles, my focus now is on creating a sound that is personal and evocative, rather than adhering to a specific genre/technical approach."

Gianfranco is releasing the single in advance of an album release later this year.

Websites:

Official Website: https://gianfrancopescetti.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gianfrancopescettimusic/Twitter: https://twitter.com/GianPescettiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pescettimusic/

Alt/Punk/Garage | Juniper Avenue: Chuck Rock (Independent / 4 April 2023)

Alt/Punk/Garage
Juniper Avenue: Chuck Rock
(Independent / 4 April 2023)

Stream It On Spotify Stream/Buy It On Bandcamp

What is Chuck Rock, you might ask? It is, apparently, a fiery blend of alt rock, garage rock, and punk. Attitude is part of the package.

To the energy of punk, they add tight musicianship, and a range of moods underneath the driving rhythm section. Chuck Rock, the title track, is a gem with an irresistible rhythm and vocals that growl out the melody.

In contrast to many acts today, it's a full length release with 12 tracks. The North Carolina band is made up of Jeremy Adinolfi (Drums), Luke Baker (Guitar/Vox), Cody Everest (Bass), Graham Levy (Guitar/Vox), and they produce a nice big sound. 

The overall mood is irreverent, and the lyrics are edged with humour (there's a song titled Bumfuzzle...) Musically, they can tackle anything from high energy tracks like Bang! and Everybody-Everywhere, to the melodic guitar-driven interlude in Self and Pity Doubt, and the prog-rockish bits of Tyrant Song.

Miss Shine is a standout track, melodic underneath the crashing cymbals and metallic guitar tone, with the two guitar system producing a nicely layered sound. Acadia ventures into psychedelic territory - at 1:38, a kind of musical interlude.

They're calling this, their second release, "a coming-of-age for the next generation, documented within a week of exhaustion, adrenaline, and sentiment". 

Official Website: https://juniperavenue.bandcamp.com/Facebook: thisisjuniperavenueInstagram: thisisjuniperavenue

Instrumental Psychedelica | King Analog: King Analog (Independent / 26 March 2022)

Instrumental Psychedelica
King Analog: King Analog
(Independent / 26 March 2022)

Stream It On Spotify Stream/Buy On Bandcamp 

Cool grooves with a hypnotic touch, and a retro sensibility, light up this instrumental release from King Analog. 

Solo multi-instrumentalist musician and producer Joe Difonzo is King Analog, an obvious fan of prog rock and heavy metal of the classic era. That's not to say he reproduces the sound - he infuses it into a tight and sped up modern rock mélange. 

Without vocals/lyrics, it's the rhythmic and harmonic changes that keep you interested, and he's a master at cooking up layers of rock psychedelica with a true sense of invention.

Elixir is a highlight of the 7-track release, its haunting melody embellished with a driving rhythm section and what sounds like several guitars. It veers from hard rock to a jazzy fusion and back again.  

Rain takes the tempo down a few notches, with an acoustic and electric guitar and mournful strings, along with electronic sounds. It's an interesting sonic mix.

It's not the kind of instrumental music you'd relax to, necessarily, but it's probably the kind you could play at a party, along with its intrinsic listening value. 

At his home studio, Joe has a range of old/new analog pedals, tube amps, guitars and recording gear used to create the King Analog sound.

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Inventive Rock | Skin On Flesh: Terrible and Sad (Independent / 28 April 2023)

Inventive Rock
Skin On Flesh: Terrible and Sad
(Independent / 28 April 2023)

Stream It On Spotify  Stream/Buy On Bandcamp

The three short tracks on this miniature EP take up less than 8 and a half minutes, but the duo of Laura Jiménez Alvarez (vocals) and Michiel Sybers (bass, guitars) - aka  Skin on Flesh - needs only a few bars to leave an impression. 

The lyrics deal with "intense frustrations" according to the liner notes, and the musical mood matches. 

Terrible and Sad, at just 1:10, is the shortest, and lays down its hard metal punk groove immediately. The Berlin-based ensemble ranges through several moods, from melodic to urgent, driving rock. Aquí Está Tu Pendeja is sung in Spanish, her voice alternating between a sweet high range to a throaty mid-range. 

Alvarez' expressive vocals light up the songs with a sense of inventive phrasing. Se Perdió Mi Corazón (This Is The Part That We Hate The Most) has the hardest rock feel overall.

"We recorded this EP in Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico while we were visiting, we prepared four songs for Terrible and Sad in total, three of them will be released by ourselves. The other one (El Tiempo) will be featured in the new expansion of the video game: Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.

This release is special to us since we had a rough couple of months back in 2021, and we had to let go of some frustrations. The next year we ended bad work relationships, lost most of our savings and Michi finished his MA writing his rock opera album (which was a rollercoaster on its own) before we left to Mexico for a month in September 2022, where we recorded Terrible And Sad."

Skin On Flesh's music can be heard in the short film Hope Circle (2023) (for "Terrible and Sad" and "Aquí Está Tu Pendeja") and a spot in video game Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (for "El Tiempo). They were previously featured in short films "Gallery" (2023) and "Roadback" (2021), along with being recognized locally with inclusion in the Listen to Berlin Compilation 2021/2022.

Websites:

Official Website: https://www.skinonflesh.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/skinonfleshbandTwitter: https://twitter.com/skinonfleshInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinonfleshband

Pure Rock | Sanjay Michael: Rocking Into Midnight (Independent / 7 July 2023)

Pure Rock
Sanjay Michael: Rocking Into Midnight
(Independent / 7 July 2023)

Stream and playlist the single "I Should Have Never Let You Go" on Spotify.Stream and playlist the lead single and title track "Rocking Into Midnight"

If straight ahead guitar rock with a sense of polish is your cup of tea, Sanjay Michael fits the description. The native of Singapore has been in love with rock since his childhood. He comments in a statement.

"I sought to recreate the kind of 'monster' albums that I listened to when I was younger - a large collection of hit singles that were carefully curated and arranged so that the album was a journey in itself. I worked with both the keys and the sonic textures of each song so that as you listen through, each new song is a pleasant surprise.

The use of tube amplifiers will distinguish this album from a lot of other rock offerings out there because a lot of artists want to use emulators or simulators to explore their palate. But for me the formula is set - a Les Paul through a 100w Marshall, just like the first time I heard Def Leppard's Hysteria. So with this locked in, a lot of the creativity comes from playing with different techniques, using varying dynamics, and so on... When you're committed to the sound, the foundation of the album is strong.

I know that rock is not a popular offering in the current mass music market. I would say this means it has nowhere to go but up, but only if we rockers believe in it. The wall of sound from electric guitars is an experience like nothing else, so it can offer a powerful, uplifting, experience. And of course, the chorus, which is the starting point of the lyrics for me."

City Blues is a highlight of the release, an atmospheric track with a passionate delivery.

One thing I'll mention re: production is that the vocals need to be higher in the mix. It seems to be a prevailig issue with a lot of music that's been released recently. I heard a lot of lyrics, and stylistic delivery, but I couldn't tell at all what it might have meant. And, honestly, the vocals were more interesting than the guitar work, which was fine but unremarkable.

Personnel: JOEL SEAH Drums; SANJAY MICHAEL all other instruments and vocals

Official Website: www.sanjaymichael.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/SanjayMichaelRocksTwitter: twitter.com/SMichaelRocksInstagram: www.instagram.com/sanjaymichaelrocks

Indie Rock | Petty Human Emotions: Petty Human Emotions (Self-Titled) (Independent / May 19 2023)

Indie Rock
Petty Human Emotions: Petty Human Emotions (Self-Titled)
(Independent / May 19, 2023)

Stream "Sorry" on Spotify Stream "Untitled" on Spotify

Jangly guitars over a solid rhythm section, and angsty vocals that dwell on modern dysfunctionality - the appeal of Petty Human Emotions is well worn rock grooves with a feeling. Musically, the band ranges from the simple accompaniment of Something New to the more elaborate hard rock arrangement of Untitled.

Based in Los Angeles, the band is unapologetically melancholic, with lyrics about love and loss that expose vulnerabilities and emotions. It's a sound that is haunting and memorable in softer songs like Mae, It's Over and Something New.

Sorry is a standout track that adds keyboards and a syncopated groove that works well with the band's atmospheric sound. 

Watch their music video for "Sorry":

 
James Nardiello, guitarist and vocalist, founded the band - and he also plays the theramin. He had some thoughts on the album in a statement.
"This is a collection of songs that share a tone and a feeling more than anything else. The feeling at the forefront of this project is simple melancholy, longing and loneliness. 
I felt inspired to include instruments that aren't typical of the rock genre or to use them in ways that may be unconventional to experiment and execute this. The songs are all tied together musically and thematically in a more abstract way than I had previously written records."
Nardiello originally conceived of the project as a solo outing, and recorded it with Max Dickenson, who contributed the instrumentation he couldn't. But, he realized it would require a full band for live performance. Live, the band consists of drummer Bruce Elmer, lead guitarist Austin King, bassist Ayden Bongiovi and key player Ian Phillips. 
The Time It Takes has a classic alt rock vibe, blending a harsher take on vocals with melodic riffs on the keyboard.
It's interesting modern rock for discerning ears, with a fresh kind of sincerity that gives it replay value.
Personnel: James Nardiello - Guitar/Vocals/Theremin (Tracks 1 & 2)/Air Organ (Tracks 1 & 2)/Keys (Tracks 6, 9 & 11)/Drums (Track 10)/Xylophone (Track 9)/Toy Cat Keyboard (Track 9)/Trumpet (Track 1)/ Bass (Track 11) Max Dickenson - Lead Guitars/Drums/Bass/Keys/Mellotron/Cello/Violin/Theremin/Accordion
Tracklist: 1.) Something New; 2.) I Want; 3.) Madison Ave.; 4.) Mae; 5.) Sorry; 6.) Moonbird; 7.) The Time It Takes; 8.) Goodbye; 9.) Untitled; 10.) All That I Can Be; 11.) I'm Still HereWebsites:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pettyhumanemotionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pettyhumanemotions/Watch the lyric video for "Untitled":