Roberto Carlos Lange — Way

from Vesicle Pisces (2011)

Here’s a quiet, thrilling piece of drone from Robert Carlos Lange, aka Helado Negro. A sort of rumbling electro-acoustic odyssey, glued together with pipe organ, a subtle pleasure for your ears. It’s also free for the taking at his bandcamp.

Roberto performs this Friday 12/23 at The Stone in NYC, as part of the dublab/Luaka Bop night of programming.

Chinese musicians, Grand St subway platform

YACHT at Santos Party House. Never fail to impress.

Nightlands — Trouble

from Covers (2011)

The other day I was checking up on Nightlands (aka Dave Hartley) and saw that, 1.) it would appear he’s working on a new LP, which I’m really stoked to hear, and that 2.) he released, some time ago, a recording of his Lindsey Buckingham cover ‘Trouble.’

I am posting it here to commemorate the night I saw him play ‘Trouble’ at Glasslands. I yelled out “best cover ever!” after the song, to which Dave replied “best SONG ever!”

I had a stupid grin stapled to my face the rest of the night.

(previously noted Buckingham, including the original)

Gene Chandler — Just Be True (live)

An electrifying live version of this classic ballad, as the “Duke of Earl” serenades a crowd of screaming, shouting, squealing Chicago girls. Seriously. This is a must-listen! Like other Chandler tunes, this track was produced by Curtis Mayfield.

Computer Magic — The End of Time

from the Spectronic EP (2011)

Popped through the Free Music Archive yesterday and stumbled on some Computer Magic — aka a blond girl from Brooklyn named Danz, who’s pumping out her computer-assisted tracks at a furious pace, and it’s all sounding synthetically delicious. This jumpy jewel will have you pogoing off Mario Bros clouds and gliding through lines of golden coins.

She just performed at Brooklyn’s Bruar Falls and Union Hall with a live band, which I missed, but never fear, she’ll be at The Gutter in Williamsburg on Feb 26th (yeah, it’s a bowling alley). Until then, why not charge up with yer own video game soundtrack and start Danz-ing?

tumblr / facebook

Live set by Dustin Wong on WFMU right now… it’s amazing!

(it’s a rebroadcast so you can grab the original audio o’er at the Free Music Archive)

Lilian Hak — Rebels Outlaws Misfits

from Old Powder New Guns (2010)

Dutch singer Lilian Hak is in NYC to promote her new album Old Powder New Guns, a curious pastiche of old film samples (Chaplin, Hitchcock and the like) paired with top-notch jazz players and her cabaret singing. (…and her amazing hair.)

According to her website, she composed the album in a friend’s 22nd-floor apartment in Bangkok. I don’t know how much Thai spirit got into these songs but I do love the production on this tune, especially the old film samples and the pizzicato on the strings. Not crazy about the lyrics but hey — I’ll imagine they’re in Dutch.

Like what you hear? Catch her on WFMU this morning (Tues!) from 9am-Noon Eastern time, on the show This is the Modern World. Tune in!

Lilian’s bandcamp — myspace — website — flickr — buy it

Those Darlins — Cannonball Blues

from their debut album (2009)

These girls (are they even drinking age?) put on a rollicking good show at Bowery Ballroom last week, jumping, shouting, strumming and crowdsurfing (while playing guitar!) Check ‘em out if they’re coming to your town.

Keepaway at Brooklyn Bowl, Sat Feb 6th

Nice show, bad sound. It’s a cavernous place.

Jimmy McGriff & Lucky Thompson — Freedom Suite Part One

from Friday the 13th, Cook County Jail

Saturday music… the unbeatable Jimmy McGriff working his way through a nice slow track with rhythm builds. Happy convicts, for sure. Enjoy. Get the full album here.

Michiko of IQU w/ talkbox, Seattle c. 2004

from G Stonebraker

Blues Control @ Death By Audio

Williamsburg 1/9/10