Listen Up: Great Outdoors

Welcome back nice weather, get outdoors. <PM>

Gross - Jonwayne

Enough novelty was tied in to the rap career of Jonwayne that his projects would earn buzz, albeit only within the ever-blurring borders of “underground” hip hop. There were his aptly titled, only-available-on-tape-deck Stones Throw mixtapes. There was the Philip Morris lawsuit that followed the Cassette. Then of course there is his name, shared with, but not lifted from America’s favorite cowboy (unlike The Duke, Jonwayne’s moniker is his given name).  But once novelty wore thin, the substance had to pack a punch worthy of the legendary Stones Throw stamp of approval.

The native of La Habra, California began his ascent as a beatsmith before laying his signature voice over his own productions. His first release on Stones Throw didn’t even feature a tracklist, just two sides of a tape cassette, four raps on one, their corresponding instrumentals on the other. Before being told to cease and desist by the world’s largest seller of cigarettes due to their similarities in packaging, the tape was highly sought after, due both to its limited release and Jonwayne’s breakout performance.

The opening track of Cassette, “Gross”, samples Johnnie Taylor’s soulful “I Worry About You” while Jon rhymes about the differentiators between himself and the remainder of the rap game; the worry is addressed to his competition. He flows with simultaneous lethargy and quickness, reminiscent of another portly MC once signed to Stones Throw. References to the Flintstones and shout-outs to his label pop up out of nothing, requiring a momentary rewind in order to fully grasp the line. With his skill set, it does indeed define baffling that his fame has not grown. Cassette should have taken on the hallowed status of his labelmates. Jonwayne’s lack of stardom feels unfair. That is, until you remember that it is very much by design. <PM>

Quick Glance - Holiday - Keath Mead

Sounds like: The structure of and solo from "Let It Be" as sung by Paul Simon, plus samples of ray-guns and UFOs. Produced by Toro y Moi's Chaz Bundick and released on his Company Records label. <EC>

Dust In The Sky - EZTV

No, the torrent site is not getting into music making. As their Captured Tracks bio describes them, "EZTV are three American guys... who make American Music. That's all you really need to know when listening to their first released track," the below "Dust in the Sky." This simple description is apt - the band's music has a timeless American sound of jangly pop with just the right amount of twang in their guitars.

"Dust in the Sky" is the A-side of a 7" due out April 28th on Captured Tracks. <EC>

When I'm Dead And Gone/Lazy Afternoon - McGuinness Flint

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, some of the world’s most talented rock musicians were taking part in an elaborate game of musical chairs. Bands like John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Humble Pie, Cream, and various others contributed to a revolving door of talent, as artists collaborated with their peers to determine the quality of each lineup. On the outskirts of this circle, Tom McGuinness of Manfred Mann and Hughie Flint, former drummer for Mayall, came together in 1970 to form the short-lived group McGuinness Flint.

The band's first release was the single “When I’m Dead And Gone”, a cheery look ahead at a future that does undoubtedly move on without us. Graham Lyle’s mandolin, in one of the earliest contemporary uses of that instrument, keeps the mood light, while his vocals reassure his loved ones not to fret at his eventual passing. "When I'm Dead And Gone" brought the group mild fame, as the song peaked at #2 on the UK charts in late 1970.

Less commercial success came for the single's B-side, "Lazy Afternoon" but it presents perhaps a more accurate introduction to McGuinness Flint. Their debut sounds like the roots-rock normally associated with American South, and the better tracks from their self-titled first album would fit well alongside the likes of the Allman Brothers. The influence of The Band is plainly apparent; the album’s cover even looks like a leftover from Elliott Landy’s iconic Woodstock photo shoots. Imitation is not grounds for dismissal however, and McGuinness Flint offered original songs that file neatly within the Americana genre revitalized by The Band. Impressive work for a group made up of three Brits and two Scotsmen. <PM>

Still As The Night - Eerie Wanda

The Dutch speak better English than most natives - and if Eerie Wanda is any indication - they sing better too. Lead by singer-songwriter Marina Tadic, this four person outfit from Amsterdam has been producing music together since early 2014. Earlier this year, the group took advantage of the opportunity to open for the Allah-Las for parts of the L.A. band's European tour. We should expect to hear more commotion from Eerie Wanda, with several sites reporting an album release for 2015.

Their cover of the original by Sanford Clark is a hauntingly true rendition. Tadic is a siren with Clark's dire words, while blue-lipped backing vocals round out the refrain. Anodyne pauses and sleepy drum beats are appropriate for the love deprived lyrics. Even as spring arrives, this song brings a chill. <TM>

Fishin' Pole - The Mighty Hannibal

R&B in the 1960s was a flourishing genre that didn't demand much innovation. The Mighty Hannibal, born James Timothy Shaw, intuitively understood this - but also pushed on it to render R&B dramas wholly different from what was done before.

Though most famous for his flamboyant funk shows, Shaw showed respect for social and political matters. What may have fueled his sensitivity to diverse themes were the various careers he held during his lifetime. Beyond music, he was an entertainment editor for the Atlanta Voice, bit part actor in off-Hollywood productions, and pimp.

Shaw passed away in early 2014 at the age of 74. He was active in music production up until his death, even contributing to Leon Russell and Elton John's The Union in 2009.

In 2001, the compilation Hannibalism was released by Norton Records. "Fishin' Pole" appears on the album as a good reminder of the lighter, more sensual nature of his music.  We recommend giving it all a listen, but don't be surprised if you're struck by sobering songs along the way. <TM>

Quick Glance - Lê Almeida - Céu do Quintal

Sounds like: If Blue album Weezer , Apples in Stereo, and Jackson Scott had foregone their "a, b, c"s for "á, bê, cê"s. <EC>

march/15 playlist

In like a lion, out like a lamb.

Love On My Brain - Jim Ford

Jim Ford is a southern roots artist remembered for contriving funk themes into his renditions of country music. Ford was born in Johnson County, Kentucky in 1947, but spent most of his adult life in Louisiana and California. He wrote a number of songs over the course of his career, some of which were later covered and recorded by the likes of The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, and Bobby Womack.

During his life time, commercial success never fully arrived for Ford - partly due to the fact he was only able to record one album, Harlan County, released in 1969. Following his death in 2008, Bear Family Records published several previously unissued albums from Paramount and Capitol in addition to compilations of demos and masters.

"Love On My Brain" is a song trying to capture the strange place one finds themselves in realizing they've reached inner peace. String and wind arrangements drive the tune's main euphoric momentum. Ford is happy to sing he's encountered what he'd failed to see for so long: "Found a little bit of kindness is a blind man's walking cane." <TM>