WRUV Reviews

B-3 trio led by Brooks(dr). D.O.G. is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the instruments played by members. Recorded in a live show in Cecil’s(West Orange, NJ). Mostly covers of pop hits.

Zollar(tpt)leader is a four decade veteran jazz musician. Female vocals on #3, 6, &10. New York based. Member of Duke Ellington Band(memorial). A mixed bag.

Title says everything. Most compositions are by illustrious reed players from the 30’s thru the 60’s. Recommended for folks who are just touching their big toe in jazz waters.

A wonderful sampling of contemporary examples of diverse traditional styles of Cuban music; rumba, guaguanco, son, cha-cha, jazz, salsa, & changuii. All good!

Cuba full liner notes (pdf)

Don’t be fooled by the “lounge” bit. This is good modern Arabic music by artists from Lebanon, Palestine, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Jordan & Israel, plus Anglo-Egyptian Natacha Atlas.

Arabic Lounge full liner notes (pdf)

Massive Attack is back with their fifth album, Heligoland.  Following their ‘09 release Splitting The Atom Ep, Heligoland puts the rest of the puzzle pieces in place.   A number of guest artists featured on the album adds a nice diversity to the tracks.  The album has a dark, urban feel, mixing in elements of dub and trip hop with a dark lounge sound.  An excellent album for a walk on a rainy night on the dark city streets

Lid Emba’s latest, Terminal Muse: Red, is part one of a three disc set.  Limited to a hundred copies, this disc is a bit rare.  Keeping to their usual sound, Terminal Muse: Red is very much an industrial/dark ambient/IDM album.  One thing about Lid Emba is they go far out but still keep a good beat much like Skinny Puppy.  If you like lurking in the shadows and you’re into the darker side of life, lace up your 20 hole Docs and get grooving to this one. 

RIYD: Skinny Puppy, T.A.G.C., Aleph Requiem         Check Out Tracks:2,3,4

The Reasons We Try, the debut from Nini and Ben is a mix of folk, country , and rock with mostly female vocals from Nini Fabi.  A haunting voice that sounds a tad like Norah Jones.  The album seems centered around Nini’s voice with the instruments taking a more subtle roll.  This is a pretty good debut and you can expect more folksie goodness from this band.

Failure’s Union third album, In What Way, is pretty standard alt rock.  Male and female vocals do help to  mix it up a bit.  The album is not bad, but it’s a bit bland.  Still worth a listen though.

Check Out Tracks: 4,9

The latest from Locksley, Be In Love, is indie with a Doo Wop punk edge to it.  Very upbeat and fun to listen to.  You can definitely hear the Clash influence in the music as well.  An excellent album.

All Tracks Good