New music - w18
Sonic Expeditions: From Yugoslav Bossa Nova to Neo-Soul Dreams - Your Weekly Guide to Musical Treasures
Hey vinyl wanderers! Your favorite musical explorer here, ready to guide you through some absolutely fascinating new releases that have been gracing my turntable lately. From neo-soul dreamscapes to haunting ambient journeys, and from sister-duo magic to vintage Yugoslav bossa nova – we're covering some seriously intriguing territory today. Let's dive in, shall we?
Serebii's 'Dime': Where Neo-Soul Meets Cinematic Dreams
LABEL: Innovative Leisure GENRE: Pop - Folk
There's something wonderfully unpretentious about how Serebii's 'Dime' unfolds. Mower, the mastermind behind this gem, crafted most of it solo before realizing he needed a little help from his friends. The result? A delightfully rich tapestry of neo-soul and shape-shifting melodies that feel like a warm embrace on a cool evening.
What truly captivates me is how the Tropicalia-tinged guitar work interweaves with that Thom Yorke-esque falsetto, creating something both familiar and entirely fresh. And when his grandfather, Allan Watkins, steps in with readings about adolescence on "The Randan" – well, that's the kind of musical moment that makes this old record collector's heart skip a beat.
🎵 Available at: Innovative Leisure Records
If you dig this, try: Arthur Verocai's self-titled album, Tim Bernardes, or James Blake's earlier work.
Penelope Trappes - 'A Requiem': A Dance with Darkness
LABEL: One Little Independent Records GENRE: Ambient - Dark
Sometimes an album comes along that demands you sit in complete darkness, eyes closed, letting each note seep into your consciousness. 'A Requiem' is exactly that kind of record. Created in rural isolation, this isn't just music – it's a ritual, a confrontation with generational shadows that we all carry within us.
Trappes wields silence like a master painter uses negative space, letting her cello phrases and vocal expressions hang in the air like mist in a morning forest. It's deeply affecting without ever becoming overwhelming, a delicate balance that few artists can achieve.
🎵 Available at: Bandcamp
If you enjoy this, explore: Grouper, Julianna Barwick, or Linda Perhacs's 'Parallelograms'.
CocoRosie - 'Little Death Wishes': The Magic Continues
LABEL: Joyful Noise GENRE: Pop
Twenty years into their journey, and the Casady sisters still possess that uncanny ability to create music that exists in its own enchanted universe. 'Little Death Wishes' feels like stepping through a mirror into a world where conventional musical rules don't apply – and trust me, that's precisely where you want to be.
🎵 Available at: Bandcamp
For similar adventurous spirits, try: Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, or Vashti Bunyan.
Jugoton Bossa Nova: Yugoslavia's Brazilian Love Letter
LABEL: The Everland Music Group GENRE: Latin - Bossa Nova
Now, this compilation is exactly why I spend countless hours crate-digging. Imagine walking into a smoky Belgrade ballroom circa 1967, where Yugoslav jazz musicians are putting their own spin on bossa nova rhythms. This collection captures that magical cultural cross-pollination, showcasing how Brazilian waves crashed onto Eastern European shores between 1963 and 1983.
The fact that these rare cuts from Jugoton's legendary archive have been gathered in one place is nothing short of a miracle for music lovers. Each track tells a story of cultural exchange that transcends political boundaries – proof that music truly is our universal language.
🎵 Available at: Bandcamp
If this catches your fancy, explore: The original Getz/Gilberto recordings, Zagreb Jazz Quartet, or any compilation from Mr Bongo's Brazilian series.
Until our next musical adventure, keep those turntables spinning and your ears open to the wonderful possibilities that lie in the grooves. As always, remember: the best records are the ones that make you forget to flip them over.
DJ Ramblin' Man
Check out the FAB 50 playlist on Spotify for all of my recent discoveries!
