Koala Kamaji - Nonsense! My Good Man (2012)

This ones been in the Que for a bit and its time to show some proper love because its just really great stuff. Koala Kamaji are a three piece from Russia that lay down some really wonderful instrumental prog math. Lots of high flying riff magic based in metal town but also the lurking addition of some funk elements via the bass. It sounds a lot better than your probably thinking in your head. Its certainly something to look into on this bright and blustery day.

koalakamaji

Calcius Repton - Futari (2010)

Breath in the majestic sounds of two piece bass and drums. Think you know what it sounds like already? consider that you are very possibly wrong and dive in. What we have on display is some incredibly deft bass guitar playing that seems to take much joy in blurring the lines between prog, math and funk. Great twists and turns to be had here as well some pretty melodically memorable moments. What about the drums? no worries because they are totally on par ripping up the landscape. A must have for any fan of highly technical music.  Stellar.

Racquets / Exchampion

 Getting smacked in the face by music is one of my more favorite things to have happen to me when I have a first run through of an album.

Racquets - occupies a space in music that is electronic but also with live instrumentation. sounds simple enough however this stuff is (((((INCREDIBLY)))) busy, jazzy, occationally funky, and one of our over used words here "mathy". Everyone should be excited about this because it is just something you've gotta check out. The production on those nimble drums just sets my heart ablaze with love. jesus christmas nuts this is one those groups that just as you think they are done doing something sweet THEY DO SOMETHING EVEN MORE BRAIN MELTING. PLEASE!

Exchampion - A side project of Raquets is similiar in some ways but different in some pretty interesting ways. Exchampion while still seemingly having some live instrumentation seems more focused on synth's and different sounds than their main project. I perfer the above better but its kind of like saying I prefer green tea to peppermint tea, both rock me to my core.

please do yourselves a favor :)

The Season Standard - Squeeze Me Ahead of Line

German born Progressive monster right here.  The Season Standard issue forth heavy jazz, funk and electronic elements. Rhythms bring it in a math rock sort of bent but that shouldn't be of concern. Reason being that this is some excellently thoughtful musics that while technical retains its sense of fun.

production? clutch brah.

Trey Gunn also shows up on a track to play touch guitar. unfamiliar? he's just from some up and coming group called King Crimson.

bandcamp

Young Holt Unlimited- Soulful Strut (1968)

I have been listening to a lot of Kool and the Gang lately, and while driving as I listened to their Greatest Hits album, a random song popped into my head, nostalgic and specifically from my childhood, when my family would go on long drives listening to Oldies 103. They played all the hits from the 50's and 60's, and a lot of my pop music background began on these long car rides. I heard a lot of great classics, but the memory of Soulful Strut by Young Holt Unlimited came back as I was listening to an instrumental section of one of Kool and the Gangs tracks.

Young Holt Unlimited began as a trio with bass, drums and piano writing all the tunes. They then began pumping out hits as a backing band for few studios, adding a horn section as they backed singers and all the while writing their own instrumental albums. Soulful Strut, the track and album, were their high water mark, and oh what a great mark. Soulful Strut is just one of those feel good summertime tracks that never gets old. The rest of the album is proving to be just as wonderful. Blam; heres that big hit if you forgot about it (with some random Charlie Chaplin to accommodate):



soulful strut

Funky Drummer Challenge - Minutemen

It is no secret around the swords that I am not a large fan of funk. This is not to say I cant enjoy it just that my funkiness training is lacking. I want to throw George Hurley of Minutemen into the ring for the Funky Drummer challenge. That's right the 80's politico punk funk rockers themselves. In the 80's there was very little to compare them to and as far as drummers go especially in the hardcore filled era many drew inspiration from George's shifting drum styles. One thing is for sure, every drum lick this man did had pure funk flowing through him.

Just check out this video for "Maybe Partying will Help" jesus those magic flowing locks!

Double Nickels on the Dime

Seriously one of the greatest releases of the 80's

The Budos Band

If you were looking for something to have in the background during your top secret ninja training sessions, look no further. The Budos Band are instrumental afrobeat funk, down and dirty and sounding straight out of the 70's. Unlike Fela Kuti and many bands inspired by him, Budos Band keeps their ill shit simple and to the point. Not much dilly dallying here, no 18 minute epics. Just succinct 3-4 minute tracks with a nasty rhythm section, tight horns and style to spare.

The Budos Band - Black Venom by a pagan place

These guys have been around. They played on Amy Winehouses debut album, the one she put out before she went all Charlie Sheen and starting snorting that tiger blood; they back up various bands for the label they are on, Daptone, including the wonderful Sharon Jones; and they have a side project with some horns from other bands on Daptone and together call themselves the Menahan Street Band. All sick stuff.

Heres a nice relaxed Menahan Street Band track for ya.



Budos Band I

Appy Polly Logic

From the Burbs of Philly.
Four Piece
Jazz-Rock Funk Experimental
Saxophone as prominent instrument

Its fresh. Its crisp. Intentions that pay off!

BOOM!

Ui - Answers (2003)

 Post funk jazz rock

 This group owes much to artists such as Tortoise and the 90's new post-jazz crew. However Ui internalizes those feelings and comes out a fun funky post rock beast. Nothing too cerebral going on here, just relax and have a good time. A few songs even push you to DANCE! and when was the last time you could say that about your post rock?




ANSWERS