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Pop music from out there
I don't want to have a debate about this, so save your genre complaints and 'horse/folk" commentary, OK?
This is simply a short list of interesting pop music recordings I carry, things that might fail to meet the 'roots music' test but are nonetheless interesting, diverse and worthy of your ears. Like all 'categories' I feature, your mileage may vary. Relax and enjoy the trip!
Følg oss hjem, Ole Paus - Leieboerne
$18.99
(cdRoots# kkv-322)
Leieboerne (The Tenants) take a selection of songs by a legendary Norwegian songwriter, add a classic 70s folk-rock sound and ask Følg oss hjem, Ole Paus (Take us home, Ole Paus). The band says 'If you are a tenant you rent, you don't own. The nice thing about renting is that you can rearrange the furniture a bit and then pretend that you own... Renting from Ole Paus brings you into a fascinatingly huge house full of cellars and attics... But we do want to mention all the fabulous stuff we found in the attic that we dragged down into the living-room, that's why there are many songs from Oles earliest period.'
Kropp och Själ - Fagel Roc
$15.99
(cdRoots# pbp-fagel1)
Sweden-based Fågel Roc gets its inspiration from their own home and around the world, and the band of synth-guitar, keyboards, bass and percussion uses an excellent pallat of Latin rhythms, Oriental melodies, western pop, Bagdad rock, and what they call Etnoschlager. They are vocally led by the wonderful Nadia Louis, an Iraq singer now based in Sweden who works in many languages including Assyrian and Swedish.
Taxidoscopio - Kristi Stassinopoulou and Stathis Kalyviotis
$18.99
(cdRoots# res-stassi07)
These Greek artists are producing global pop without peer, mixing local roots with international sounds and modern technology to create, over the course of the last few years, a completely unique aural pallette that relates to almost no one else. fRoots says: '…a completely unique, utterly recognisable and forward-looking style of their own. And in that distillation, it seems to have become more distinctly Greek - a strange, other-worldly Greekness, for sure, but a 21st century Greekness that's modern within its own culture, out there, ahead and rooted rather than just banging off some local language version of what the globised industry dictates. No predictable Greek rock, Europop or hip-hop here then.'
Moonshout - Trans-Global Underground
$coming soon-temp out of stock-14.99
(cdRoots# sky-039)
The 2007 release by this uncategorizable British globalpop band pushes yet more buttons and borders.
Good or Goodbye - Rebekka and the Mystery Box
$19.99
(cdRoots# kkv-296)
Norwegian singer Rebekka Karijords and drummer, composer and producer Peder Kjellsby present a quirky pop recording in the stream where flows Kate Bush, Laurie Anderson and Happy Rhodes. She writes and sings in English, the songs are an unexpected mix of dreamy visions and odd-ball images and the music is post-industrial (does that mean anything?) and even a bit cliched, in a charming sort of way. I have acquired the taste, but an acquired taste it is!
Motion Rootz Experimental 2006 - Village Kollective
$17.99
(cdRoots# jaro-vk)
Three musicians from the Warsaw Village Band and a number of fellow Polish musicians create a brash fusion of electronic sounds with live instruments and singing. Traditional Polish and European roots together with the computer score constitute an integrated circuit, creating a new sound space in which expression of the words of the 'folk' can take full form. Musicians use traditional singing techniques: throat singing from Tuva and yoik of the Sami people. Original melodies also serve as an inspiration for individual creativivity and instrumental improvisation. Electronic music is a merger of electro, dub and drum'n'bass. It's thoroughly modern and not for the tradition-bound, but if you have an open ear, you might want to listen.
Power of the Moon - Talking Water
$17.99
(cdRoots# wp-talk)
Kerstin Blodig and Ian Melrose's latest project has quite a pedigree including Clannad, Sally Oldfield, John Lord, Farfarello, Norland Wind and Kelpie. These two musicians, well-known in the Celtic and Scandinavian world-music scene, are here a true pop-rock band at last, with no apologies.
Meet You There - Oysterband
$16.99
(cdRoots# wp-oyster07)
The 2007 studio album by the Brit folk-rock legends.
Taxidoscopio - Kristi Stassinopoulou and Stathis Kalyviotis
$18.99
(cdRoots# res-stassi07)
These Greek artists are producing global pop without peer, mixing local roots with international sounds and modern technology to create, over the course of the last few years, a completely unique aural pallette that relates to almost no one else. fRoots says: '…a completely unique, utterly recognisable and forward-looking style of their own. And in that distillation, it seems to have become more distinctly Greek - a strange, other-worldly Greekness, for sure, but a 21st century Greekness that's modern within its own culture, out there, ahead and rooted rather than just banging off some local language version of what the globised industry dictates. No predictable Greek rock, Europop or hip-hop here then.'
Will There Be Spring - Maria Solheim
$17.99
(cdRoots# kkv-309)
Norwegian pop, pure and simple, from a fine female vocalist with a quirky sense of timing and arrangement. (Lyrics in English)
Når engle danser - Lunau
$16.99
(cdRoots# go-lunau1)
Danish folk-rock and acoustic pop with a little edginess, played by Katrine Munk Rasmussen on cello, Peter Sund on acoustic guitar, dobro and harmonica and Trine Lunau on accordion and vocal.
Grum - Instinkt
$16.99
(cdRoots# go-instinkt06)
Hard hitting folk-roots-and-rock from one of Denmark's hot young bands, grinding it out on fiddles, bass, drums, flutes, drejelire, bratch, jewsharp and more.
Els Camells No Prenen Cafe - Aisha
$16.99
(cdRoots# gal-camells)
If there really is 'world fusion' out there, this is the band. A group of Catalan musicians pulls in all manner of sources: Arabic, Indian, Sevillian, eastern European, jazz, pop, and a heaping dose of irreverence. Voice, violin, percussion and bass are the roots sounds, with zanfona (hurdy gurdy), kora, more percussion.
Dea - Mau Mau
$17.99
(cdRoots# rd-8126)
The hard driving multi-culti band from Turin are back with a Brazilian inflection that always returns to Italy, particularly the Salento, and France. This 2007 release shows they are still the band to imitate in Italy!
Oba Train - Terrakota
$17.99
(cdRoots# rd-8127)
This Lisbon based band is inspired by the noises of the street and markets, real people’s lives, the world’s social and political issues, blending together North African music and African blues, flamenco and ska, and quotes from the Caribbean and Brazil, always delivered with enthusiasm and a passion to communicate.
Basque Fire - Betagarri
$17.99
(cdRoots# jaro-betagarri)
Basque ensemble performs an energetic, regional version of ska, punk, rock.
Sha - Peeni Waali and Schildpatt
$16.99
(cdRoots# mensch-sha)
The 2006 brainchild of the amazing Fizze of Switzerland. He says: 'Sound-stalking through Alpine and Persian inflections, drum n' bass oriental improvisations, remixes, dubs, ambiances,collages and genuine creations...' Features santur master Alan Kushan.
Squeeze Me: The Jazz And Swing Accordion Story - various
$24.99
(cdRoots# sst-squeezeme)
101 tracks in a 4 CD set, focusing on repertoire rarely spotlighted in jazz. Including tracks from George Shearing, Harry Jones, Bennie Moten, Joe Mooney, Tony Murena, Art Van Damme, Johnny Meyer, Gus Viseur and many others. Such a deal!
OuterRail - ZetaBoo
$16.99
(cdRoots# aito-zeta2)
ZetaBoo arrives for a second round with this down to earth CD, a unique blend of pop, jazz and folk-roots. Composer Jarmo Saari offers songs that are melodic and folky, spontaneous and intuitive. Marko Timonen provides the swinging percussion that is at the heart of this new recording, driving a more relaxed band of vocals, accordion, keyboards, guitars, cavaquinho, trombone, lapsteel, keyboards, citara, and bass (Pekka Lehti) , a bit more subtle than their previous releases. The theme of the disc is the outer rail and homesickness. Says Saari: 'This is like a series of traveller’s landscapes. The journey is more important than arriving. The traveller prefers to follow a flitting butterfly or the advice of a stranger than a tourist map. Boldness and spontaneity are rewarded.'
Risastova - Kristian Blak and Yggdrasil
$15.99
(cdRoots# tutl-risa)
The ensemble Yggdrasil embarks on its 25th year with an ensemble of musicians from Faroe isalnds and Estonia, and featuring Kari Sverrisson. They perform modern interpretations of traditional Faroese skjaldurs, ballads and hymns. There are also unusual compositions by Kristian Blak.
Rautavaara - Ville Ojanen
$16.99
(cdRoots# seita-009)
Ville Ojanen is a chameleon in the field of Finnish folk music. He plays his fiddle like a Finn but creates his own contemporary music out of various local and global elements, where traditional acoustic instruments interact with modern technology, creating a contrasting tension. In one moment the colors of Ojanens fiddle and viola are Arctic and archaic, the next they turn beautiful like a frosty night in the Finnish winter. This is uniquely Finnish contemporary pop and folk.
Fel es Egesz (2 CD set) - Transsylvanians
$16.99
(cdRoots# wp-trans06)
Fél es Ègesz is the 6th CD by this powerful Hungarian roots'n'rock band. They describe the 2 CD set as 'Hungarian Speed Folk - two sides, different pulse frequencies- CD 1 is for stagedivers, CD 2 is for slowfolkers. Bastard arrangements of Bartók and Rimski-Korsakow, an excerpt from a Hungarian rock-opera, Jimi Hendrix' rock-classic 'Fire,' and the infamously legendary film-song "Gloomy Sunday." And the two greatest Hungarian poets of the 19th century, Arany János und Petöfi Sándor, are invited to the party. Tradition revitalised with the power of rock and the freedom of punk.'
Amore e Odio - Banda Bassotti
$17.99
(cdRoots# matson-bassotti)
Heavy ska, roots and rock from an Italian band of guitars, bass, drums and horns - they're political, passionate and loud (think Negu Gorriak, Les Negresses Vertes and The Clash). If you have the 'need for speed,' this is the band for you.
Da questa parte del mare - Gianmaria Testa
$17.99
(cdRoots# hm-testa06)
The 2006 recording by the Italian troubadour with echoes of Paolo Conte and Leonard Cohen in his vocal delivery and his poetry. Musicians featured on the album include guitarist Bill Frisell, Gabriele Mirabassi on clarinet, Greg Cohen on bass and Paolo Fresu on trumpet. The booklet contains English translations of the lyrics.
1000 Years of Popular Music (2 CDs, 1 DVD) - Richard Thompson
$28.99
(cdRoots# sst-1000)
Thompson presents what he considers the great songs of the millennium, from 'Summer is icumen in' and 'King Henry' to 'Cry Me A River' and "Oops I Did It Again.' An acoustic pleasure, with Thomson on guitar and vocals, Michael Jerome on percussion and Judith Owen on vocals. 2 CDs and DVD (NTSC - North American format)
Every One Tells a Story - The Real Stormin' Norman
$14.99
(cdRoots# sn-1)
Best known for his work in the 70s are the pianist, composer and second voice in the legendary NYC band Stormin' Norman and Suzy, Norman Zamcheck returns with his 2006 solo release of new songs.
Top Quality Bones And A Little Terrorist - Britta Persson
$17.99
(cdRoots# amigo-2042)
A curious Swedish pop recording (sung in English) by a unique voice with a unusual song writing style. She accompanied by a mostly acoustic ensemble that is equally comfortable with rock, pop and jazz.
Sett - Tonje Unstad
$18.99
(cdRoots# kkv-305)
Pure pop music from a great young Norwegian voice, this 2006 release is her debut recording. Lovingly constructed and produced by KKV's Erik Tillsted with a small band of guitars, bass, drums, piano and horns.
Empires and Us - Steve Skaith
$17.99
(cdRoots# wp-skaith05)
Former Latin Quarter frontman Steve Skaith leads a politically charged folk-rock ensemble with Javier Gámiz - Lead guitar and backing vocals, Beto Tenorio - Bass, and Ricardo Serrano - Drums.
Flesh and Armor - Liam Bailey
$15.99
(cdRoots# bok-mr01)
Pure pop with American roots - not my usual catalog addition, but I make exceptions for musicians with a wry outlook, an unusual voice and a certain sense of production restraint. Liam and his team of musicians have all of this working for them, so if you have the occasional, selective soft spot for intelligent pop music like I do, you might want to give this one a listen.
Elementary Level of Faith - Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-elf)
1987
Les cathedrales de l'industrie - Malicorne / Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-cath)
Cathedrals of Industry is the recording that turned the tide in French folk-rock, a high-tech experiment that infuriated some old (folkie) fans with its electronics and sometimes calculated mechanisms. But it is also the recording that placed Malicorne in the new European avant garde, bringing the nation into the 'new roots' movement that Britain had already started.
Soul of a Man - Knut Reiersrud
$17.99
(cdRoots# kkv-soul)
The Norwegian guitarist's 1998 take on soul, blues and gospel is, as always distinctive and surprising. Always a step ahead, Knut employed samples of legendary blues performances together with rock-solid band of Paolo Vinaccia, Auden Erlien, Bugge Wesseltoft and Reidar Skår. The album is more of a band album with Knut's electric guitar virtuosity in focus. Three of the songs were written exclusively for him by Mac Rebenack and the late Doc Pomus, and the most convincing song on the recording, the title track, is an original. Completely unique and different.
Orgia - Jaume Sisa
$17.99
(cdRoots# medi-sisa)
Jaume Sisa was an important part of Musica Dispersa and is a folk-rock artist with a very idiosyncratic style. His first album Orgia was a prime example of psychedelic rock - the Spanish way - with Sisa followings his whim much like Incredible String Band. The vocals and harmonica playing is a little indebted to Bob Dylan, but a lot stranger. Elsewhere there are kazoos, piano, tablas, recorders, snippets of tapes, and even occasional strings and brass. The same year, 1971, that Musica Dispersa was released, he also put out this great solo album. Crazy acid folk with lots of humour and weird vocals by Sisa himself.
list of lights and buoys - Susanna and the Magical Orchestra
$17.99
(cdRoots# rune-2034)
Norwegian duo of Susanna Wallumrød (vocals) and Morten Qvenild (keyboards) features nine low key, sparse and austere original songs (sung in English) plus highly personal interpretations of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' and Leonard Bernstein's 'Who Am I'. Unique contemporary pop music from Scandinavia.
Seventh and Trade - Clare Fader and The Vaudevillains
$16.99
(cdRoots# fader2)
Singer and writer Clare Fader and company are back with their second release, and it is, if anything, weirder, darker and more quirky than the first. It's part cabaret, part Jaques Brel, perhaps a skittering dose of The Doors without the amplifiers and leather. The Vaudevillains: Aaron Bachelder, drums; Andy Mabe, upright bass; Brad Cokendolpher, guitar; and Mary K. Elkins, cello.
Zumbi - Andrea Marquee
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-marquee-zum)
High-tech Brazilian pop by great singer interpreting contemporary songwriters like Caetano Veloso and Jorge Ben, with a strong African element.
Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up - various
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# bs-belize)
It's pretty much guaranteed that this is like nothing you have heard before: funk, reggae, brukdown, disco and soul all boiled together in the obscurity of Belize City and served up in 16 remastered tracks from original tapes and 45s made in Belize in the 60s and 70s.
Deliveren - Seven Aksu
$temp out of stock-17.99
(cdRoots# ada-deliveren)
2001 release from the Turkish diva usually performs purely pop contempory music, but on Deliveren she manages to find a bit of the roots-influence she had many years back. Not for those with a need for real roots, but for those who just love a great vocalist no matter the source, this might be for you.
8 Armed Monkey - KTU
$temp out of stock-16.99
(cdRoots# te-ktu)
Finnish accordionists Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen (Kluster) join Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn (percussion and guitar from King Crimson and duo TU) for a round of agressive, loud and utterly unclassfiable new music.
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