This post starts with the Bulgarian voices. Yes, those incredible choirs that are capable of sounds that no other human vocal chord can produce. I just was in the mood for the Bulgarian voices and was listening to some tracks. And in the middle of the tunes I opened I found an album of bulgarian children's music. I was curious and pressed play. My little ones started to dance like crazy saying "more" everytime a track stopped... So that's more or less how this all started. And I guess it may just be the beginning.
I didn't know that bulgarian voices were amazing from the very beginning...
Brasil. Sao Paulo, rhythm and fun and the story of an elefant and a little ladybird. This is good for grownups too.
A children's version of the classics of pop and rock? In Brasil it's possible. And sometimes it's better than the original.
Canticuenticos is a nice project from Argentina that mixes music, visual art, and education. The songs are composed on latin american rhythms and atmospheres, are beautiful and funny. And I love the muñequitos.
Showing posts with label Accents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Accents. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Accents of: trip hop #1
I like Trip Hop. I remember the time when Massive Attack, Portishead or Tricky were on the top. I had a particular eye for Tricky; I was living in Milan and Maxinquaye has been my soundtrack for many single nights and metropolitan working days.
Their popularity had been slowly fading, but I think they left an important inheritance in music. An athmosphere, an aura, that can change it all in a track history. I can't tell exactly what it is. It's like being in a dark room and look at a little source of light, and start seeing something without totally understand what it is. Uncertainty, possibility, that's what I find in trip hop. Don't you? So I found some new excellent names that are keeping the style alive, among the most known many others. My little tribute to all of them:
And The Forest Began To Sing[skän] by [skän]
Almost an hour of the best trip hop of all times. Played around the theme of nature and flowers, it's totally hypnotical, and enjoyable. And download is free. Want more than this?
New York City Slut (Up for download) by Recess!
I'm going to follow the work of these australian guys. I like almost all the tracks I heard, and this one is my favourite at the moment.
Le Passage Des Traboules by Mindpleasure & Friends
From France, the art of mixing styles. Can Swing be twirled around a trip hop line? Yes it can, and it's nice and cool.
Their popularity had been slowly fading, but I think they left an important inheritance in music. An athmosphere, an aura, that can change it all in a track history. I can't tell exactly what it is. It's like being in a dark room and look at a little source of light, and start seeing something without totally understand what it is. Uncertainty, possibility, that's what I find in trip hop. Don't you? So I found some new excellent names that are keeping the style alive, among the most known many others. My little tribute to all of them:
And The Forest Began To Sing[skän] by [skän]
Almost an hour of the best trip hop of all times. Played around the theme of nature and flowers, it's totally hypnotical, and enjoyable. And download is free. Want more than this?
New York City Slut (Up for download) by Recess!
I'm going to follow the work of these australian guys. I like almost all the tracks I heard, and this one is my favourite at the moment.
Le Passage Des Traboules by Mindpleasure & Friends
From France, the art of mixing styles. Can Swing be twirled around a trip hop line? Yes it can, and it's nice and cool.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Accents of: September
Back in my place, everything starts again. It's September, a month that I don't exactly love, but there it is. For many many people September will always be 9/11, and all it comes with. For others it's just autumn coming up, everybody back to work, study, lines in the tube, falling leaves, rain ... I don't actually share all that autumn poetry thing, so I try to get some from music.
First of all, a little tribute, thinking about ten years ago.
This is not a new album, but I think it has the right sounds, perfectly fitting the title. A nice mix between jazz and hip-hop, cool and warm at the same time.
Maybe I'll regret this choice...This italian post-rock group it's definitely far from my favourite kind. Too many guitars, too much rock, too much crashes and rides ;)) But they're good, and I like it, yes I do. And maybe you'll like it too. I'm open minded for god sake!
Back into myself. I chose to link a track and not the whole thing just to stick to the title of this post. But this work it's absolutely worth of listening from A to Z. Coolest rhymes on coolest grooves.
First of all, a little tribute, thinking about ten years ago.
This is not a new album, but I think it has the right sounds, perfectly fitting the title. A nice mix between jazz and hip-hop, cool and warm at the same time.
Maybe I'll regret this choice...This italian post-rock group it's definitely far from my favourite kind. Too many guitars, too much rock, too much crashes and rides ;)) But they're good, and I like it, yes I do. And maybe you'll like it too. I'm open minded for god sake!
Back into myself. I chose to link a track and not the whole thing just to stick to the title of this post. But this work it's absolutely worth of listening from A to Z. Coolest rhymes on coolest grooves.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Accents of: vacations!
I'm going on vacation!! Quite late, but better than never... So, I'm leaving tomorrow, destinations unknown, heading South. Ok, I'm already at South, I live by the sea, but vacation is different, souther, more beaches, clearer sea, totally different.
I wanted to leave with a proper soundtrack for sun, fun (poetic license), and stuff:
This is my little gift for the people that can't enjoy the sea sight and sounds, as I do. Waves, waves and more waves. For a hot summer night if you want to be cradled by the sea.
Who better than a ocean scientist can get music out of the sea?
For more traditionalist people, this album is the super classic beach&surf pop music, by a Florida band.
This album is kind of out of my usual taste, but I liked so much the first track that I had to listen the others. And it's good, really good. A pinch of folk but something more than folk.
I wanted to leave with a proper soundtrack for sun, fun (poetic license), and stuff:
This is my little gift for the people that can't enjoy the sea sight and sounds, as I do. Waves, waves and more waves. For a hot summer night if you want to be cradled by the sea.
Who better than a ocean scientist can get music out of the sea?
For more traditionalist people, this album is the super classic beach&surf pop music, by a Florida band.
This album is kind of out of my usual taste, but I liked so much the first track that I had to listen the others. And it's good, really good. A pinch of folk but something more than folk.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Accents of: Bass
Electronic, electric, acoustic, contrabass... when I listen to music the sound of bass is the first line that attracts me. No matter what kind of bass and what genre of music, those vibrant waves full the space of something that lies between melody and armony. Sometimes you could even recognize a music just by the vibrations that your body receives by the bass, without earing it.
Looking for a selection of bass tagged albums I found that there are very few things, but some of them are absolutely worth of a post. Like these:
This man is kind of a genius. This album is not new, but is really amazing. Bass tunes totally fascinating. Beautiful sounds, nice variations of rhythms between jazz and latin classics. I fell in love with this album at the first notes.
Totally different ambient but same great talent. Here you can find a bunch of tunes that celebrate the authentical funky and rock and american electric bass, with a sense of originality that makes each tune a surprise.
Hip hop inspiration, jazzy declination, for another bass player that steps outside of the mass.
I wanted to include in this selection the sound of contrabass. And I found this artist, from Israel, that didn't publish an album but a selection of single tunes, all played with different types of basses. I chose this tune because it's original, well played, and evocative. Try to surf around in his page and you'll find other nice suprpises.
Looking for a selection of bass tagged albums I found that there are very few things, but some of them are absolutely worth of a post. Like these:
This man is kind of a genius. This album is not new, but is really amazing. Bass tunes totally fascinating. Beautiful sounds, nice variations of rhythms between jazz and latin classics. I fell in love with this album at the first notes.
Totally different ambient but same great talent. Here you can find a bunch of tunes that celebrate the authentical funky and rock and american electric bass, with a sense of originality that makes each tune a surprise.
Hip hop inspiration, jazzy declination, for another bass player that steps outside of the mass.
I wanted to include in this selection the sound of contrabass. And I found this artist, from Israel, that didn't publish an album but a selection of single tunes, all played with different types of basses. I chose this tune because it's original, well played, and evocative. Try to surf around in his page and you'll find other nice suprpises.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Accents of: women voices
The magic of a voice sometimes it's what makes the real difference between a good track and a piece of art. I think, for instance, to jazz standards and how much they're connected to the voices who sang them. There are classic tunes that we hardly can separate from the voices who made them popular: Summertime and Ella, At Last and Etta James, The man I love and Billy Holiday, just to say few names.
I was looking for new voices. Something that really could move me in the deep. Not so easy, actually, because there's this instinct of emulation that often flattens the voices to something already heard. But sometimes there's that different something...
Julia Biel has an enchanting voice, soft, but capable of that little rawness that makes it way more interesting. And she knows exactly what she's doin' with it. The entire album is absolutely beautiful.
A totally different atmosphere with this female group. Funky and soul of the best, with beautiful vocals and all the rhythms that it takes.
The reason why I like this brasilian artist is that, unlike the majority of "bossa nova" style singers, she has kind of a strength in her voice that makes her totally personal and recognizable. And all the tunes are extremely nice.
This artist has a warm and strong voice grown in gospel choirs and disciplined on jazz tunes. This album is a nice collection of popular covers and original tracks in acoustic versions.
I was looking for new voices. Something that really could move me in the deep. Not so easy, actually, because there's this instinct of emulation that often flattens the voices to something already heard. But sometimes there's that different something...
Julia Biel has an enchanting voice, soft, but capable of that little rawness that makes it way more interesting. And she knows exactly what she's doin' with it. The entire album is absolutely beautiful.
A totally different atmosphere with this female group. Funky and soul of the best, with beautiful vocals and all the rhythms that it takes.
The reason why I like this brasilian artist is that, unlike the majority of "bossa nova" style singers, she has kind of a strength in her voice that makes her totally personal and recognizable. And all the tunes are extremely nice.
This artist has a warm and strong voice grown in gospel choirs and disciplined on jazz tunes. This album is a nice collection of popular covers and original tracks in acoustic versions.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Accents of: Percussion
When I started my research for good percussion albums I realized that my start was at least too vague. Percussions? There are thousands of different percussive instruments, almost everything can be beaten and used as percussion! And also, ethnic and geographical differences make this query even more generalist. So I thought I could narrow my field and make one different post for some of the most important percussions played around the world. Then I decided to go back and be general, for once. For different reasons: 1- not all the instruments I had in mind are well represented in the albums I found 2- more interesting putting different accents altogether and compose some kind of percussive journey. So, here we go:
This is quite an old album, but it resumes everything I had in mind when I started looking for percussions on BandCamp. The author is Louis Cesar Ewande, specialist of Djembé and mandingue percussions. In this album he creates a fusion between african atmosphere and jazz moods, which he developed in the newest creation that you can also find all around webstores.
Take a very big pot. Put in it a bag of afrocuban rhythms, a piece of brasilian sounds, a pinch of reaggae and add fluid electronic and house in large quantity. Mix well. Shake. And this is what you'll get.
Sometimes we forget that percussions are not an exclusive of Africa and african derived populations. There's so much to know about East. These guys took the ukranian traditional music, with all its folkloric intruments, and dip it into modernity using electronic, adding different influences. Definitely interesting and original.
I wanted to inlude a tabla album in this selection and I found it extremely difficult. There are tons of possible choices on BandCamp, but I think that tabla are a little bit "overused" and "missused" just to give music that chillout and ambient touch that I personally can't stand. So I choose one of the purest albums I found to pay honour to an amazing instrument by itself.
This is quite an old album, but it resumes everything I had in mind when I started looking for percussions on BandCamp. The author is Louis Cesar Ewande, specialist of Djembé and mandingue percussions. In this album he creates a fusion between african atmosphere and jazz moods, which he developed in the newest creation that you can also find all around webstores.
Take a very big pot. Put in it a bag of afrocuban rhythms, a piece of brasilian sounds, a pinch of reaggae and add fluid electronic and house in large quantity. Mix well. Shake. And this is what you'll get.
Sometimes we forget that percussions are not an exclusive of Africa and african derived populations. There's so much to know about East. These guys took the ukranian traditional music, with all its folkloric intruments, and dip it into modernity using electronic, adding different influences. Definitely interesting and original.
I wanted to inlude a tabla album in this selection and I found it extremely difficult. There are tons of possible choices on BandCamp, but I think that tabla are a little bit "overused" and "missused" just to give music that chillout and ambient touch that I personally can't stand. So I choose one of the purest albums I found to pay honour to an amazing instrument by itself.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Accents of: Classical music
I think that loving music means being open minded and curious. In this perspective, persons who really love music can't be fans in the very sense of this word. Of course you'll have a favourite kind of music, a favourite album, band, song... whatever. But I'm pretty sure that people who really like music they all listen to classical music. Don't you? There's place for classical all around the Web. And classical has its stars, fans, divas and all the stuff we're used to know in rock-pop system. BandCamp has its classical rooms too:
Li Lu has all it takes to be a star. She's talented, beautiful, charming. She plays her cello with a good mix of passion and intellect. And I love Bach too.
I chose this album among a huge number of classical works not only because these are two of my favourite pieces for piano ever, but also 'cause I've been fascinated by the musician that plays here. Take a look to Tomas James Slater site, and you'll know why.
This is a very beautiful orchestral album. The violin voice is Vera Vaidman's, an artist born in Russia, now living in Israel. Two tracks are directed by Zubin Metha, which I take for great quality warrant. The others are less known pieces written by Edward Elgar, a romantic english composer (1857-1934).
Classical music didn't die in 19th century! There are still composers that work on it and produce some extraordinary pieces. Boris Skalsky is another one-of-the-kind personality and this work is really amazing.
Li Lu has all it takes to be a star. She's talented, beautiful, charming. She plays her cello with a good mix of passion and intellect. And I love Bach too.
I chose this album among a huge number of classical works not only because these are two of my favourite pieces for piano ever, but also 'cause I've been fascinated by the musician that plays here. Take a look to Tomas James Slater site, and you'll know why.
This is a very beautiful orchestral album. The violin voice is Vera Vaidman's, an artist born in Russia, now living in Israel. Two tracks are directed by Zubin Metha, which I take for great quality warrant. The others are less known pieces written by Edward Elgar, a romantic english composer (1857-1934).
Classical music didn't die in 19th century! There are still composers that work on it and produce some extraordinary pieces. Boris Skalsky is another one-of-the-kind personality and this work is really amazing.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Accents of: Salsa
Fin de semana, time to dance and have fun. I can't think of nothing better than salsa and son for having a real good time in good company. And looking for a good salsa rhythm on BandCamp I found out that there's an incredible number of groups playing latin, but almost none of them is located in the latin nations... so it's basically migrated salsa. Far from being bad, it's interesting cause it's more influenced and has sometimes lyrics that escape from the usual amor, corazon, mi vida.
This band is based in NewYork city, but plays authentical cuban son y charanga, with that perfect tumbao that could make stones dance and a tasty touch of jazz.
Those guys seem to be in Montreal and share mixed latin roots, which come out in the tunes: from salsa to regueton, a fresh and young variation for salsa-bailadores.
Salsa has not only become the characteristic sound of the latin community, salsa is also extremely popular in West Africa, some strange "coming-back" phenomenon. This album is from Benin. Totally irresistible.
Another example of migrating salsa. This ensemble counts on thirteen members (which is more or less the basic number to play good timba), based in North Carolina. Latin director and lead voice, very mixed players, with a good, but little too americanized, sound.
This band is based in NewYork city, but plays authentical cuban son y charanga, with that perfect tumbao that could make stones dance and a tasty touch of jazz.
Those guys seem to be in Montreal and share mixed latin roots, which come out in the tunes: from salsa to regueton, a fresh and young variation for salsa-bailadores.
Salsa has not only become the characteristic sound of the latin community, salsa is also extremely popular in West Africa, some strange "coming-back" phenomenon. This album is from Benin. Totally irresistible.
Another example of migrating salsa. This ensemble counts on thirteen members (which is more or less the basic number to play good timba), based in North Carolina. Latin director and lead voice, very mixed players, with a good, but little too americanized, sound.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Accents of: Guitar
I have to admit it first of all: I am not a big fan of guitars. Better said, I am not a fan of the couple guitars/rock maybe because I totally am not a big fan of rock. But, surprise! diggin' around on Bandcamp I found some guitars that I actually like and even some rock, at proper doses :)
This is Bach, guys! Four croatian musicians that arranged Bach repertoire for guitars. Result is amazing, and you can see that also taking a look to the quartet blog and all the concerts they give around the world.
A totally different way to play guitar. Is rock, is blues, but is also totally north-african with those scales and rythms that make you fly over a sandy desert just after few notes.
Did I mention that I don't like rock? Ok, I can make an exception now and then. This is one. This guy is an excellent guitarist and his music, well, if you love rock, you got to love this.
To me, guitar is blues, definitely blues. I could not end this post with no other styles. So I found this guy from Boston and I decided that guitars are not that bad...
This is Bach, guys! Four croatian musicians that arranged Bach repertoire for guitars. Result is amazing, and you can see that also taking a look to the quartet blog and all the concerts they give around the world.
A totally different way to play guitar. Is rock, is blues, but is also totally north-african with those scales and rythms that make you fly over a sandy desert just after few notes.
Did I mention that I don't like rock? Ok, I can make an exception now and then. This is one. This guy is an excellent guitarist and his music, well, if you love rock, you got to love this.
To me, guitar is blues, definitely blues. I could not end this post with no other styles. So I found this guy from Boston and I decided that guitars are not that bad...
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Accents of: Piano
When I started my search for piano music I thought I'd found so many things that I would have to split this post in several parts. I was partially wrong. I mean, there are many many tracks tagged piano, but not so many are really played on piano.
These are:
I liked this album because it has some brilliant intuitions, and a nice general atmosphere. From Nashville.
Blues in its original essence. Blues the piano, blues the voice, rythms and rhymes. Guess what? From New Orleans!
Afshin is a composer that lives in Atlanta but mixes some differents roots. This work is a little "old" (2003), but still very very attractive.
A four pieces suite for piano solo. A classical and still avanguardist and emotional way of interpreting this instrument. By a russian composer.
And yes, there'll be a second part...
These are:
I liked this album because it has some brilliant intuitions, and a nice general atmosphere. From Nashville.
Blues in its original essence. Blues the piano, blues the voice, rythms and rhymes. Guess what? From New Orleans!
Afshin is a composer that lives in Atlanta but mixes some differents roots. This work is a little "old" (2003), but still very very attractive.
A four pieces suite for piano solo. A classical and still avanguardist and emotional way of interpreting this instrument. By a russian composer.
And yes, there'll be a second part...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Accents of: 5/4
Music is not just 4/4, a guitar, maybe 2, and a guy who screams on it. Music time is more similar to life time, sometimes is slow and regular, sometimes is syncopated, sometimes it changes suddenly, unexpected. That's when it reminds me of a 5/4 or 7/8 or whatever...
I digged looking for that kind of unexpected and that's what came out.
An interesting album of a Spanish band that sails on odd times with sort of a lightness.
Nobody knows how to play on odd times, very odd times, as arabic musicians. This is a nice example of fusion between two different music worlds from an artists that melts Beirut and Detroit.
Who says that odd times make music hard to listen to? Screaming Maldini is the answer.
This album is an intricate journey in the life of an italian drummer who loves to play with odd times, but also with strange melodies, and short flashes of real life made music.
I digged looking for that kind of unexpected and that's what came out.
An interesting album of a Spanish band that sails on odd times with sort of a lightness.
Nobody knows how to play on odd times, very odd times, as arabic musicians. This is a nice example of fusion between two different music worlds from an artists that melts Beirut and Detroit.
Who says that odd times make music hard to listen to? Screaming Maldini is the answer.
This album is an intricate journey in the life of an italian drummer who loves to play with odd times, but also with strange melodies, and short flashes of real life made music.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Accents of: Trumpet
I surfed, and digged, and searched. But it's not been easy to come out with trumpets that really took my attention or made me want to add the tracks on my playlist.
Here's what I liked best:
Very good idea giving voice to some underestimated names of jazz, particularly trumpet jazz. And very good sound. Definetly on the playlist.
Staying in New York, some more jazz with this beautiful ensemble. Don't miss the free track
Queensborough Bridge Stomp.
From France an original acoustic ensemble: vocals, violin, cello, bass, trumpet and drums. Not exactly easy listening, but fascinating.
High quality jazz, between Brooklyn and Toronto. With trumpet and fatherhood feelings in first line.
Here's what I liked best:
Very good idea giving voice to some underestimated names of jazz, particularly trumpet jazz. And very good sound. Definetly on the playlist.
Staying in New York, some more jazz with this beautiful ensemble. Don't miss the free track
Queensborough Bridge Stomp.
From France an original acoustic ensemble: vocals, violin, cello, bass, trumpet and drums. Not exactly easy listening, but fascinating.
High quality jazz, between Brooklyn and Toronto. With trumpet and fatherhood feelings in first line.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Accents of: Cello
I love cello. It's an instrument capable of amazing things.
Surfing around I found some cello players you maybe want to have in your playlist.
Takenobu is a bandcamp celebrity. And if you get around NY area maybe you could see him performing live. I'd say he reminds me of Sakamoto, but I might sound obvious.
Here's another web music star. Zoe Keating is a red headed woman with a cello and a lot of electronic to develop her ideas. She sold a lot of music, and guess why: she's good!
What can you do with a drum and a cello? You can do this! Or at least, they can.
Free download. Don't miss it.
Surfing around I found some cello players you maybe want to have in your playlist.
Takenobu is a bandcamp celebrity. And if you get around NY area maybe you could see him performing live. I'd say he reminds me of Sakamoto, but I might sound obvious.
Here's another web music star. Zoe Keating is a red headed woman with a cello and a lot of electronic to develop her ideas. She sold a lot of music, and guess why: she's good!
What can you do with a drum and a cello? You can do this! Or at least, they can.
Free download. Don't miss it.
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