The funky Afrobeat collective Antibalas is heating up our wintry KHOL studios with their new release “FU Chronicles.” The album explores the convergence of kung fu and Afrobeat with funky rhythms and restorative melodies.
It was 1997 when Martin Perna formed the band in a Brooklyn warehouse. Since then, Antibalas has amassed a few bragging rights. The 12-piece outfit has opened shows at Carnegie Hall for preeminent musicians such as Paul Simon, David Byrne and Aretha Franklin. This album signals how far Antibalas has progressed during their expansive career by bringing listeners back to their pre-gentrified Williamsburg roots.
Another album perking up our ears is MY BABY’s “LIVE!” In the album, the Amsterdam dance/rock trio captures the energy emblematic of their mesmerizing live shows, full of passion and eccentric outfits. Fans have been clamoring for a live record and “LIVE!” certainly doesn’t disappoint.
We’re also listening to the new Algiers album “There Is No Year,” the namesake of Blake Butler’s 2011 novel. The book chronicles the disillusion of life in a postmodern dystopia. Algiers explores similar themes and critics have dubbed the band’s moody Afro-folk tinged, post-punk sound as “dystopian soul.”
Jackson-based soul and funk band Freda Felcher just released a three-track EP “Got to be Love.” Multi-instrumentalist and composer Leif Routman and vocalist Hilary Camino recently stopped by the KHOL studio to discuss their new release. They told KHOL about the album’s deeply vulnerable, personal textures. It’s an intimate window into Camino’s struggles as a mother. The title track is a song about the isolation of new motherhood and the effects it can have on a partnership and ultimately one’s sense of self.
This week we’re spinning a diverse array of singles from hip-hop to soul, including songs from Black Pumas, Anna Calvi, Pearl Jam, Lupe Fiasco and Stephen Malkmus.
Jazz and Blues Albums
Jeff Parker – “Suite for Max Brown”
JLCO with Wynton Marsalis featuring Wayne Shorter – “The Music of Wayne Shorter”
Sasha’s Bloc – “Club Rendezvous”
Singles
Angela Munoz – “I Don’t Care”
Anna Calvi – “Don’t Beat The Girl Out Of My Boy (feat. Courtney Barnett)”
Black Pumas – “Colors (Acoustic)”
Caroline Rose – “Feel The Way I Want”
Chromatics – “TOY”
Lupe Fiasco – “Hey Lupe”
Mija – “Desert Trash”
Pearl Jam – “Dance of the Clairvoyants”
Real Estate – “Paper Cup”
SebastiAn – “Doorman (Steffi Remix)”
Soccer Mommy – “Circle the Drain”
Stephen Malkmus – “Xian Man”
TORRES – “Dressing America”
Albums
Algiers – “There Is No Year” (Matador)
Recommended Tracks: 2, 9
RIYL: Girl Band, Iceage, Preoccupations, Savages, Photomarty
Antibalas – “FU Chronicles” (Daptone)
Recommended Tracks: Play All
RIYL: The Souljazz Orchestra, The Budos Band, Ikebe Shakedown, El Michaels Affair, Menahan Street Band
Bambara – “Stray” (Wharf Cat)
Recommended Tracks: 4, 3, 7, 9
RIYL: Metz, Heavy Lungs, The Murder Capital, Drahla
The Black Lips – “Sing In A World That’s Falling Apart” (Fire/Vice)
Recommended Tracks: 9, 3, 10, 2
RIYL: Orville Peck, Allah-Las, Sheer Mag, Ty Segall, Tijuana Panthers, Mikal Cronin, The Growlers, Sturgill Simpson, Whitey Morgan, Tyler Childers
The Cuckoos – “I Hate Love” (Self-Released)
Recommended Tracks: 6, 4, 5, 2, 1
RIYL: Foxygen, Ariel Pink, The Doors, The Black Angels, Nick Cave, Ty Segall & The Dandy Warhols
Kate Davis – “Trophy” (Solitare Recordings)
Recommended Tracks: 4, 6, 7, 10
RIYL: Sharon Van Etten, Lina Tullgren, Black Belt Eagle Scout
Martha Wash – “Love & Conflict” (Purple Rose)
Recommended Tracks: 5, 2, 1
RIYL: Sharon Jones, Fitz & The Tantrums, Mavis Staples, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Charles Bradley
MY BABY – “LIVE!” (PIAS)
Recommended Tracks: 1, 7, 9
RIYL: Escort, Khruangbin, Thievery Corporation, The Juan Maclean, Rubblebucket, YACHT, Hiatus Kaiyote
Tall Tall Trees – “A Wave Of Golden Things” (Joyful Noise)
Recommended Tracks: 1, 2, 3
RIYL: Kishi Bashi, Andrew Bird, The Head & The Heart
Various Artists – “The Turning Soundtrack” (KRO Records/Sony Music Masterworks)
Recommended Tracks: 2, 4, 6, 5
RIYL: Mitski, Soccer Mommy, Cherry Glazerr, Vagabon, Girl In Red, Sunflower Bean
Wolf Parade – “Thin Mind” (Sub Pop)
Recommended Tracks: 9, 3, 2, 1
RIYL: Modest Mouse, Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, The New Pornographers, Destroyer, The National, David Bowie, M83, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Chad VanGaalen & Shearwater
