Takin' Off, Ladies

I am headed up to Portland, and then to Europe for a tour where I get to see some favorites like Ulver, Killing Joke, Voivod, etc., so the blog won't be updated until mid April. In the meantime, go back and pick up anything you may have missed that hasn't been taken away by the feds. If we should meet out there somewhere, feel free to give me stuff, just don't be weird about it. I love you all, see you soon.

Something Else

Really one need only consider the inclusion of Miles Davis and Art Blakey to pique an interest in this one, but it is noteworthy to mention that Something Else is widely considered one of the most important Jazz albums of all time. Julian "Cannonball" Adderley was a giant man with a giant tone and an a keen intuition as a player. Like Basra, I can confidently recommend this one to those folks who aren't Jazz aficionados, but maybe are looking for a few landmark releases to keep around should the occasion arise.

Here

Trippin'

Rock Clef were a hopeful young band of Southern California suburban stoners who chipped in and pressed their own little scorcher of a single in 1983. The A-side is a somewhat generic AOR rocker, but the payoff is the B-side "Trippin'" a somewhat NWOBHM slunkster about getting fucked up. Strange thing about this one is that both songs seem to fade out at awkward places, giving the impression that Rock Clef only wanted to give you a sampling of their rocking prowess. Maybe the only reason to make this was to catch the attention of some shrewd record industry assholes, but needless to say, that didn't pan out.

Trip Out

Life Fucker

These folks may be done by now but Cervix is/was a fantastic young New York band that relives the glory days of Japanese Hardcore with a youthful vigor. Feedback, breakneck speeds, effected vocals, buzzy guitars...you know the drill.

Here

Seventh Temple

Encoffination are one of the few new bands that genuinely excite me. The logo may lead you to believe that Encoffination are yet another Incantation worship band, and sure, on their first EP the influence was more than obvious, but by their second release, Ritual Ascension Beyond Flesh, the band started to expand on the formula and create something of their own. The two members of Encoffination also operate in the Death Metal ressurectionist outfits Father Befouled and Decrepitaph, both of which are excellent, but Encoffination still remains my favorite. Most of the band's catalog is still in print and should be bought immediately, however I haven't seen many copies of this astounding EP titled Seventh Temple of Laodicean Scripture floating around. It is as great an introduction to this special band as any other release. Worship and support Encoffination, they fucking deserve it.

Here

In The Nightside Eclipse

What can I possibly say about this one that hasn't already been stated before? It is one of the single most important releases in the expansive world of Black Metal. It certainly had a profound impact on me. If by some glitch in the universe or some vast cosmic injustice you haven't experienced this monument, then I urge you to drop what you are doing, and spend the next fifty minutes flying through the snow flurries and untamed wilderness of Norway with some beautifully strange Scandinavian teenagers in the midst of the most creative point in their lives, their own celebrated summer of diabolical holocaust. Absolutely mandatory.

Here

Bullshit Detector 1

I think I love the Bullshit Detector series of compilations more than any other CRASS related records. The first of the series was released in 1980. If clumsy punk and British accents are your bangers and mash, mate, dig in and fatten up on bullshit.

'Ere

Bossa Nova Bacchanal

This album was saxophonist Charlie Rouse's only Blue Note date. Bossa Nova Bacchanal teams the seasoned vet up with Kenny Burrell, Larry Gales, Willy Bobo, and Potato Valdez for a joyous date with Latin and Caribbean flavored jazz. This one could prove useful at a laid back party for your most swingin' pals or a night home wooing your most favorite lady.

Here

Into The Autumn Shade

O' forgotten classic of Death infused Doom, O' shrouded monument of 90s heavy, O' benighted pillar of sorrowful pummel.

Here

R.I.P. Ronnie Montrose

SF Native and total badass, Ronnie Montrose.

Cemetery

Another nugget nicked from the treasure trove that is the Terminal Escape blog. Noisy Death Rocking Punk goodness from Chicago. There is something particularly inviting about the general atmosphere of this recording, captures an authentic '80s vibe perfectly. Reminds me of a bit TSOL's better stuff, Cortex, Christian Death and black nail polish.

Boo!

Stormheit

Branikald are part of the notoriously sketchy Blazebirth Hall scene. Mainman Kaldrad operates in Forest. Although Kaldrad's political views are clear, Branikald deals in non-political subjects such as depression, nature, and the esoteric. The music is hypnotic and evocative, not unlike Forest. Stormheit was Branikald's first release, maybe their best. You decide.

Here

Music Machine

These mop tops started out gigging on the Sunset Strip in 1965 as The Ragamuffins but soon after they changed the name to Music Machine. The band had a couple of minor hits but discord settled in. The band essentially split, but foppish dandy-pantsed frontman, Sean Bonniwell signed to Warner Brothers as Bonniwell's Music Machine. The resulting album was really just a collection of unreleased material by the original band. Maybe lazy, maybe a dirty move on Bonniwell's part but either way it is a great record of vintage dated psych pop deliciousness. Farfisa organs, fuzzy guitars, and Bonniwell's exaggerated vocalizings conspire to create a near perfect album. This is my happening and it freaks me out! Bonniwell passed away a few months back and no one told me.

Here