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New Releases:
 Live Phish - Manchester NH 10/26/2010 (3 CDs) - From Phish's acclaimed 2010 summer tour. This show was originally released during Phish's 2010 Summer Tour (unmastered) and was available only through the band's online store. We chose the best of the summer, fully-remastered them and are making them available for the first time to retail in a limited release of 500.
 Dub Is A Weapon - Vaporized CD - "It can't be done, man!" That's what Dave Hahn, mastermind behind Dub Is A Weapon, heard when he fi rst fl oated the idea of a live dub group, as he and his mates listened to some prime 1960s King Tubby cuts in the band van. "Everyone seemed to think you could only do dub in the studio," Hahn recalls. Hahn set out to prove them wrong, with skills learned live and on the road, and with help from a Jamaican beatnik percussionist (who recorded with Bob Marley), an old high school friend, and young upstarts from the Brooklyn scene. Together they've honed their live take on the genre's spaced-out grooves, a sound felt in full force on Vaporized. Read our review of this CD here.
 Garage A Trois - Always Be Happy, But Stay Evil CD - "Garage A Trois skew grittier and more psychedelic with the current lineup, combining heavy-riff distortion with a rough-and-tumble funk delirium." The New York Times. Garage A Trois features Seattle-based saxophonics master Skerik, Brooklyn-based sound-sculptor/keysman Marco Benevento, punk rock vibraphone hero Mike Dillon and New Orleans funky drummer/beat master Stanton Moore. As has become the band s primary focus in its current incarnation, a laser sharp focus was given to capturing Garage A Trois sinewy, fourth-dimensional, polychromatic instrumental songwriting. A massive draw in clubs and festivals around the U.S., this latest recorded output from Garage A Trois will only help fuel the fire for a growing legion of fans amassing around the most dangerous instrumental band on the scene today.
 Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Here We Rest CD - Here We Rest is the second album from Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, and Isbell s third. Their 2009 self-titled debut received high praise from the press, including Rolling Stone, Spin, Paste, Details, Washington Post and many more. Blurt gave the album at 10 out of 10 rating and said, From the playing to the arrangements to the lyrical depth of emotion on display, not to mention the rich Southern soul vibe coaxed from the if-walls-could-talk confines of Muscle Shoals Fame Studios, this eponymous platter is a scorcher. An Alabama native, Isbell comes from a tradition of Southern music. His thoughtful songwriting and warm, soulful voice are genuine, natural abilities that shine through in his songs, which blossom with the 400 Unit - keyboardist Derry deBorja, guitarist Browan Lollar, drummer Chad Gamble and bassist Jimbo Hart.
Rebirth Brass Band - Rebirth of New Orleans CD - Brand new release by New Orleans' most recognized brass band. These guys tour the world bringing their funky street sounds to admiring crowds. Eleven newly-recorded tunes that celebrate the music that makes New Orleans great.
 Eric Lindell - Cazadero CD - He produced his debut album, Bring It Back, in 1996, and in 1999 he won the John Lennon Songwriting Competition with his original piece "Kelly Ann." That same year, Lindell decided to move to New Orleans to pursue music in a different location. The move was a beneficial one, as Lindell soon hooked up with Galactic's Stanton Moore and begin playing shows around town, frequently enlisting drummers Johnny Vidocovich and Harold Brown (from War) to sit in. He issued a self-released, self-titled record in 2002, but the following year saw him move to Sparco Records, where he released both Piety Street Session and EP Volume 1. Tragic Magic followed in 2005 and sparked serious interest from Alligator Records, which released Change in the Weather in 2006 and Low on Cash, Rich in Love in 2008. Lindell continued his prolific output with 2009's Gulf Coast Highway, another album of blue-eyed soul and confident guitar work. Cazadero is hot off the press and ready to enjoy!
 John Mancini Band - Sun King CD - Sun King draws its influences from reggae, afro pop and funk, to soul and classic rock. Produced in Baltimore, MD, with Chris Bentley (acclaimed for his work with The Bridge), John Mancini Band's follow-up to their 2009 debut, JMB, will please lovers of classic songwriting and extended instrumental grooves. Just over 50 minutes in length, Sun King has tight hooks, lush arrangements and surprising lyrics throughout.
 Bootsy - Tha Funk Capital of the World CD - Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer and legendary bassist Bootsy Collins, known worldwide for pioneering funk music with James Brown and Parliament Funkadelic, releases his first new album in four years, Tha Funk Capitol of the World! Collins collaborated with fellow P-Funkers George Clinton and Bernie Worrell on the record, along with an all-star lineup of musicians and cultural luminaries including rappers Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, and Ice Cube; actor Samuel L. Jackson; banjo phenom Bela Fleck; the Rev. Al Sharpton; scholar Dr. Cornell West; and guitarists Buckethead and Catfish Collins - Bootsy's late brother. Engineered in part by Dan Monti (Guns n Roses, Metallica), the album also features a tribute to Garry Shider, the late guitarist and musical director of the P-Funk All-Stars.
 Younger Brother - Vaccine CD - The core trio of Simon Posford, Benji Vaughan and Rou Campbell are royalty on the international trance scene, revered for their mind-bending solo DJ-ing, as well as various offshoot projects, but most of all for the bold, progressive music they make together as Younger Brother. With their new album, Vaccine, they're all set to cross over into the mainstream, with a collection of expansive, anthemic songs real songs, molded according to their own unique digital process which warrant radio airplay just as much as dance floor action.
Younger Brother's third album, recorded with it s U.S. band lineup (Marc Brownstein/Disco Biscuits, Joe Russo/ Furthur, Tommy Hamilton/Brothers Past), is the boldest chapter in their story to date: Vaccine sounds like no other record ever made, marrying top-quality, stadium-size songcraft to pulsing beats and sound palette of full-tilt electronic music. It's a remarkable album, which variously may echo Nick Drake, Talk Talk, Kraftwerk, or even Coldplay, but never sounds like anything but itself.
 Scarlet>Fire Steal Your Face Ts for MEN & WOMEN - Our friend Taylor Swope has created another uniquely awesome Tshirt design! We have different versions for the guys and gals. Officially licensed by the Grateful Dead.
 AND we've added her popular Calaveras Day of the Dead Steal Your Face T's in kids sizes! 2T, 4T & 5-6T
Coming Soon:
May 3 : Galactic - Another Side of Midnight: Live in New Orleans CD
BeatleJam - Live at the Keswick Theatre CD
Last Week:
 The Heavy Pets CD - It's no wonder the Huffington Post named the Heavy Pets 2010 self-titled release one of the top 10 albums of the year. The collection plays out like a Pandora radio station with a little bit of something for everyone. The 12-track album packs a lot of surprises in each radio ready song including soaring multi-part harmonies, juicy solos and even a special guest appearance with John Popper of Blues Traveler. You will love it and your girlfriend will try to steal it --that is if she doesn't already own it first.
Also available: The Heavy Pets - Whale (2 CD)
 Dark Water Rising CD - Just as the deep, dark waters of the Lumber River ebb and flow along the banks of North Carolina, so does the music created by Dark Water Rising. As a 6 piece ensemble, each member of DWR brings a bit of character and deep-rooted soul to create a fresh, organic sound; one that fits indiscernibly into to a single genre alone.
Dark Water Rising takes the listener on an adventure through life with their debut album, "Dark Water Rising". With youth and wisdom on their side, DWR has witnessed the powerful effect of their music on people of all ages.
 Andy Shaw Band - Own Resolve CD - Own Resolve exhibits some of the best of what the Andy Shaw Band has to offer. Tight vocal harmonies, reggae groove, and touching lyrics, the album represents a band that has fully grown into their unique sound. The album opens with the first track We All Belong, as tight 3 part harmonies quickly excel into a reggae feel and something different. It's this different blend of an almost alt country tinge that is in the veins of this new album. Grown from natural inspirations on jam, reggae, blues, and pop, the Andy Shaw Band has found a way to make their songs exhibit them seamlessly, without coming off as poor substitutes. The album is a great combination of songwriting and groove, and looks to push the boundaries of how those elements interact. Also available: Andy Shaw Band - Ways of the World CD
 Strange Arrangement - Polygraph CD - This offering by the Chicago quartet has shades of funk, southern boogie, jazz, 70's pop, and reggae arranged around all original rock n roll, with plenty of jams to interest Phish and Widespread fans. "Polygraph", a ten minute Rhodes piano led pop anthem epitomizes the band's ability to change time signatures and even genres within a single song, in a seamless transition that keeps the groove going, with lyrics and harmonies that have you shower singing.
 Hot Tuna - Steady as She Goes CD - Hot Tuna is back with their first all-new studio album in 20 years! Founding members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady masterfully blend Americana rock with blues and acoustic folk on a record that hits their full spectrum of styles from electric and acoustic Hot Tuna to their days in Jefferson Airplane. Reaching a zenith of their historic career, Steady As She Goes is an absolute masterpiece.
During their more than four decade long career Jorma and Jack have created some of the most significant music of our time and Steady As She Goes proves that they remain one of the most innovative bands in American music. Recorded at Levon Helm's studio and produced by Grammy-winning producer Larry Campbell, the album captures the energy of their live performances with Barry Mitterhoff on mandolin, drummer Skoota Warner (Cyndi Lauper, Matisyahu, Santana) as well as Campbell joining them on guitar, fiddle, organ and vocals. Steady As She Goes is an iconic record that Hot Tuna fans have been waiting for!
 Easy Star All Stars - First Light CD - The first full-length album of original songs from EASY STAR ALL-STARS. The band that brought you Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread and Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Dub Band. The band have built a huge following around the world, and have played shows in over 30 countries on 6 continents. This new album is an important step in the band's story, demonstrating a wide range of approaches to reggae, from progressive to classic, roots to futurist, confirming the All-Stars place as one of the most influential acts on the US reggae scene.
FIRST LIGHT features 14 songs created by all of the members of the Easy Star All-Stars, along with guest appearances by Cas Haley, Junior Jazz, The Meditations, Tony Tuff, Lady Ann and Daddy Lion Chandell.
 Flashback with the Grateful Dead CD - Formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area, the band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, jazz, psychedelia, and space rock. Also know for live performances of long musical improvisation."Their music," writes Lenny Kaye, "touches on ground that most other groups don't even know exists." This budget price disc features 10 classic tracks from throughout the Dead's career, including "Truckin'" and "Touch Of Grey."
 Radiohead - King of Limbs CD
Upcoming Events:
April 29-May 1 - Some Kind of Jam 6 - Schuylkill Haven, PA
May 20-22 - The Hangout - Gulf Shores, AL
May 27-29 - Groverfest - Ferguson, NC
June 3-5 - Smilefest Reunion - Pinnacle, NC *
*Look for the Home Grown Music Booth at this event!
Video of the Week:
Dub Is A Weapon - Vaporized trailer
Thanks for reading! Treat yourself to some good music this week.
Lee Crumpton |
Medeski Martin and Wood - Let's Go Everywhere CD
Eric Lindell - Low On Cash, Rich In Love CD
The Bluegrass Tribute to Neil Young
Jeff Bujak - Peaces of Man and Machine CD
Never A Dull Moment: 20 Years of the Rebirth Brass Band
Arrested Development - Since the Last Time CD
Darol Anger & Mike Marshall - Woodshop CD
The New Mastersounds - This Is What We Do T-Shirt
