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New Releases:
 ALO - Sounds Like This CD - In April 2011, ALO convened at San Francisco's Mission Bells studio with no plans other than to make some music together. With studio owner/longtime collaborator David Simon-Baker assisting behind the board, the band opted to take the same improvisational tack towards recording as they do on stage. Any distinctions between pre-production and real recording would be shed, allowing for ALO's instinctive spontaneity to make it to track.
"We thought, what if we started recording from the get-go," Gill says, "instead of rehearsing, making songs, and then going into the studio. We decided to start the whole process all at once, with the intention of wanting things to feel really live."
"Without a clear roadmap, we hit a lot of dead ends," says drummer Dave Brogan says, "which forced us to create our way out of the morass. I think that helped us look to within ourselves rather than outside influences to bring the music to life."
The band all based in the Bay Area, bar Gill, who resides in sunny Santa Barbara, were also able to utilize a lifetime's bag of tricks in a way the previous album's sonic scope only suggested.
 The Wood Brothers - Live Vol 1: Sky High CD - The 7-track CD was recorded live during their Fall tour and features songs from the provocative and charming Smoke Ring Halo, along with tunes from their first record, Ways Not To Lose, plus a Mississippi John Hurt gem, "Pay Day". 1. One More Day
2. Smoke Ring Halo
3. Glad
4. Stumbled In
5. Payday
6. Made It Up The Mountain 7. Luckiest Man
 Where in the World is Away? - by Michael Franti & Ben Hodson - On April 18th, in celebration of Earth Day, Michael Franti released his second children's book "Where In The World Is Away?"- a story about the importance of recycling, reducing waste, and re-using what we can. With illustrations by Ben Hodson who collaborated with Franti on his debut children's book, "What I Be".
The self-published book will be available in hardcover. It comes with a humorous read along CD featuring Franti, his son Ade, friend Addison Savage, singer Jolene Rust, and Spearhead band mate J Bowman. The books are printed and manufactured in the USA using environmentally-friendly soy ink on elemental chlorine-free, sustainably harvested, recycled stock!
"I read to both of my sons every night of their childhood," said Franti. "Reading is a precious time when we get to be close to our children and pass down stories, both real and make believe, that shape the way they view the world. I hope that this book inspires families and children to make recycling as much a part of their lives as brushing their teeth before bedtime...only more fun!" says Franti.
After visiting a garbage dump in Bali while filming the video for his song "Hey World" and seeing hills of garbage as far as the coastline, Franti was inspired to pen "Where In The World Is Away?". The book's message is a simple one; just because we throw away our trash and it's taken off somewhere else doesn't mean it really goes away. It's up to us to recycle, reduce waste, and re-use what we can.
Coming Soon:
 Everyone Orchestra - Brooklyn Sessions CD - Now, for the first time, Everyone Orchestra has taken the conducted improvisation concept mastered in their legendary live shows into the studio on Brooklyn Sessions. Conductor Matt Butler invited past collaborators--musical friends like drummer Jon Fishman (Phish), keyboardist/pianist Marco Benevento, Al Schnier (moe.), Jen Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), guitarist Steve Kimock, saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), vocalist/percussionist Jans Ingber (The Motet), mandolinist Jamie Masefield (Jazz Mandolin Project) and bassist Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green), to join him for several days of exploration and co-creation. The results range from hard-hitting grooves that take unexpected twists and turns ("Boots"), to sweet and expansive ("Pensive"), all with a spirit that is both liberated and focused. READ OUR REVIEW
 Santana - Shape Shifter CD - Carlos Santana's 36th album is mostly instrumental, though the track "Eres La Luz" features vocals from Santana band lead singers Andy Vargas and Tony Lindsay. His son Salvador Santana also plays piano on the album's final two songs, "Canela" amd "Ah, Sweet Dancer."
The guitarist has dedicated Shape Shifter to Native American Indians, acknowledging "Australia's 2008 apology to the Aborigines and President Obama's signing of the 2009 Native American Apology Resolution." As Santana says, "I encourage any and all countries (that have not as yet done so) to acknowledge the first people of their land, and make this a collective global effort." Santana has been slowly compiling songs for the instrumental project for many years.
Last Week:
 Warren Haynes Band - Live At The Moody Theater (2CD/DVD)A stunning 3-disc 1DVD/2CD package capturing the band's blazing performance in Austin, TX on 11.03.2011.
The 2.5-hour show, shot in HD and recorded in 5.1 audio, features several cuts from Haynes' GRAMMY-nominated, Billboard Top 20 solo release 'Man In Motion' as well as Hendrix's "Spanish Castle Magic," Steely Dan's "Pretzel Logic," Sam Cooke's classic "A Change Is Gonna Come," Warren's live staple "Soulshine" and more. Guests include the Groove Line horns and 2012 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Ian McLagan of The Faces.
The Warren Haynes Band features a hand-picked band including R&B kingpins Ron Johnson on bass, Terence Higgins on drums, Nigel Hall on keyboards, Ron Holloway on saxophone and Alecia Chakour on vocals.
 10ft Ganga Plant - 10 Deadly Shots Vol II CD - A secret West Coast Cessna lands and the start of a special weekend begins. It's time to dust off the vintage equipment and instruments. The day starts with a tape machine calibration to +6 250nWb. The Gibson Super 400 plucks a bass line as the drums make a drop. The Hammond growls in the space as the Jazzmaster links with the piano to set the pulse; all the while the Hofner thumps a melody down low.
This record was recorded on 1975 MCI JH-16 tape machine. The tracks were all mixed on a Trident 80B console with various spring reverbs and tape echo devices where they met with 1/4 inch tape machine that was then delivered to Kevin Metcalfe for mastering in London. This is the making of very special record featuring our longtime friend The Aggrolites keyboard king Roger Rivas! We now present to you 10 Deadly Shots Vol.II.
Let the Music Hit!
Upcoming Events:
May 12 - NC Brews & Music Festival - Huntersville, NC
May 12 - Spring Fling - Sanford, NC
May 17-20 - Orange Blossum Jamboree - Brooksville, FL
May 18-19 - Happiness & Harmony - New Castle, VA
May 25-28 - Amberland - LaFayette, GA
May 31-June 3 - Wakarusa - Ozark, AR
June 7-10 - Bonnaroo - Manchester, TN
* Look for the HGMN Booth at these events!
Video of the Week:
ALO - Sounds Like This album preview video
Thanks for reading! Treat yourself to some good music this week.
Lee Crumpton |
