Jasper Lee - "Veils of Crocus"

Woah. It pays to read the small print. I get release books sent to me with splashy one-page promos for big name releases, but in the late pages of those pdf's are terse one paragraph descriptions of a host of "minor" albums. This morning, I read about Mirror of Wind from Jasper Lee on Noumenal Loom and mention of  "influence from exotica, free jazz and the golden age of holistic LP experiences."

Colour me intrigued. And after listening to the album in its entirety on Bandcamp, colour me hooked. I've embedded my favourite track, "Veils of Crocus" below to spotlight, but it flows so seamlessly into "Primeval Currents" that I strongly recommend just listening to the whole thing.

El Michaels Affair - "Tearz ft. Lee Fields & The Shacks"

Crazy, but it's been eight (!!!!!!!) years since the El Michaels Affair first entered the 37th Chamber. Big Crown - the label responsible for the Lady Wray LP I loved last year - will be releasing the Return on April 14th. Only one track up right now, but it's got breathy vocals from The Shacks and anguished gasps from Lee Fields.

Vincent Ahehehinnou - "Best Woman"

Oh man, this track is straight FIRE!!! That rhythm guitar line alone is enough to send me over, but when that trumpet blazes a solo midway through there's no doubt that "Best Woman" is a killer cut. Do yourself a favour and read the crazy story of Vincent Ahehehinnou's departure from Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou.

Analog Africa FTW, once again.

Children of Zeus - "I Can't Wait"

The description for this track on First Word Records' Bandcamp page is "Hashtag baby making music... This is grown folk shit. Classic slow jam material."

It don't get more apt than that.

(Gyedu) Blay Ambolley - "Simigwa-Do"

This is Ghanian artist Gyedu Blay Ambolley's THIRTIETH (30 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) album [< that's one exclamation mark for each release].

"Simigwa-Do" is the first cut that's been made available from Ketan and it's a terrific slice of highlife brought to you by RR fave, Agogo Records.

Pre-order the double LP now and set your iCal for May 12 when the rest of the goodness drops.

Tennis - "My Emotions Are Blinding"

Oh man. So much good music lately. I'm buried under an avalanche of submissions both digital and physical of late and have been busy digging out.

One of the pure pleasures among the bunch is Yours Conditionally, the new LP from Tennis. Alaina Moore's vocals are so breezy and the song "My Emotions Are Blinding" has such an 70's AM vibe it could fit snugly alongside something from Rumours.

Be sure to check out the album version, but enjoy this live take on KCRW.