James Younger - "Monday Morning"

I only recently discovered this little slice of pop (rock) perfection, despite the fact that Vancouver artist James Younger released it in December of last year. The Bandcamp listing for Youngers says an album is TBD (it just might be called Feelin' American based on the pic on Soundcloud), but the contact info is for Light Organ Records, a label that has consistently delivered the goods and were responsible for my #6 record of 2011, Louise Burns' Mellow Drama. So the stage is set for big things from young James. And finally, we've got a Monday morning that won't fill us with dread.

The Cairo Gang - "Take Your Time"

When I first listened to Tiny Rebels from Bonnie "Prince" Billy backing band (BPBBB?) The Cairo Gang, I had to do a google search on "Take Your Time" because I was convinced this little slice of trippy psych-folk was a cover from an obscure seventies-era Haight-Ashbury act. Nope. The track below is an original but you'd be forgiven for thinking that the "time" The Cairo Gang is taking comes from the past. Ultimately the songs on Tiny Rebels suggest what you'd get if you put Fifth Dimension and Sweetheart of the Rodeo in a blender. This musical smoothie's got something a little stronger than echinacea mixed in. Tiny Rebels comes out July 23rd on Empty Cellar.

Abahambi - "Abahambi"

Somehow, with all the crate diggers out there, there are still treasures being unearthed. This 1975 afro-psych-funk slice from Abahambi's Freeway record out of Johannesburg is the best thing involving the Black Pearl since Jack Sparrow's first voyage.

Yosi Horikawa - Vapors

I previously posted the Wandering EP from Horikawa, and now I've got to share the full-length Vapors. It's another stunner, with some slow builds and some that just hit you across the head from the start. If you catch Horikawa's Vapors, the only cure is to listen to more Vapors.,

Myron & E - "Clap Sing"

Tell the world about it.

The Rub - The Rub EP

To paraphrase Bill Shakespeare, here's the Rub.

Painted Palms - "Upper Floors"

"Upper Floors" is some top-shelf material. Swirling guitar, echo-y vocals and an insistent danceable beat. The whole Nothing Lasts Long EP is available here for PWYC. Support Painted Palms and good music.

Gruf The Druid - "Driving Home (ft. DJ Brace)"

It has been more than a minute since Gruf last dropped a cut, but take a minute to listen to the title-track from his long-coming long-player. Cuts by DJ Brace!

Vic Mensa - "Orange Soda"

Personally I'm an A&W Root Beer guy but I drank up this new Vic Mensa joint like a thirsty man.

Demigodz - "Raiders Cap (SCOPIC Remix)"

You can peep the original here if you haven't heard it, but I'd recommend giving the SCOPIC remix a listen. He takes all the symphonic hardness of the original and mellows it out a bit with a funky swagger and some killer horn lines - without losing any energy.

JJUUJJUU - "A Forming"

The only time I've ever heard reference to juju, the connotation is that it's "bad juju" (and probably totally racist). But this particular JJUUJJUU is the good stuff.

Remy Shand - "Killing Fields"

Killing Fields. Totally slayed to discover Remy Shand's got some new stuff to hear. FINALLY. Dude pulled a Brian Wilson on us and I'm glad to see he's moved from the bed to the couch to share this cut.

Lizzie and the Yes Men - "Deserts"

The b-side to "The Broadwalk" is as good, if not better than the A cut. Seriously "Deserts" is an oasis of sound.

HT Heartache - "Hearts Are Toys"

HT might not believe in love at all, but I do, and I love this song. Can't believe it took almost three years to discover it.