Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou: Volume 3- The Skeletal Essences Of Afro Funk (Analog Africa)

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou: Volume 3- The Skeletal Essences Of Afro Funk (Analog Africa) - A sweet combination of funk, soul, psychedelia and rumba colored by their Benin heritage. Their hypnotic Farfisa solos, gritty guitar riffs, distorted bass lines and warm horns will definitely get the party going. Start on  2  3  5  6  11  13

Deerhunter: Monomania (4AD)

Deerhunter: Monomania (4AD) - Monomania finds Deerhunter embracing a willfully raw sound and scrappy punk aesthetic that celebrates a tough/vulnerable duality.  A nocturnal garage rock album full of the layered and hazy vintage guitar sounds. Recommended.Play  3  5  6  8  9  10

Chain and the Gang: Music's Not For Everyone (K)

Chain and the Gang: Music's Not For Everyone (K) - Ian Svenonius' Chain and the Gang want to break free with lo-fi garage beat funk. Humorous spoken/sung lyrics with call/response female backup atop righteous keys, pedaled guitar, deep bass, heavy-hitting drums and hand percussion. Accomplices include Fred Thomas, Arrington de Dionyso, Brian Weber, Tara Jane O'Neil, Veronica Ortuño and Sara Pedal. Get your wicked groove on. Recommended. 1 2 4 6-7 10 11 13

A Hawk and a Hacksaw: Cervantine (L.M. Dupli-Cation)

A Hawk and a Hacksaw: Cervantine (L.M. Dupli-Cation) – For their 5th LP, Jeremy Barnes' A Hawk and a Hacksaw project brings Roma tradition home to Albuquerque, NM. Spanish and Mexican influences join the party, where traditional instruments like accordion, violin, bouzouki, trumpet, tuba, hand drums and more rejoice in dance. The spirit of "Don Quixote" and Spanish novelist Mguel de Cervantes' influential Cervantine style guide the passionate journey. Recommended. Play 1 2 3 5 7

Tim Hecker: Ravedeath, 1972 (kranky)

Tim Hecker: Ravedeath, 1972 (kranky) - Recorded in Iceland on July 21, 2010 at Reykjavik's Frikirkjan Church, Tim Hecker utilizes pipe organ, computer, synthesizer, piano, microphone, and guitar amp feedback to portray how music in its pure form is under attack in a digital age. Serene echoes of organ are confronted by artificial noises, which worm their way into the hallowed halls and ultimately take control. As time passes, the tide slowly turns. The electronics seem to lull into a state of paralysis and death, allowing Air to once again to fill the organ with life. Nearly Highly Recommended. 3 4 9 11

The Luyas: Too Beautiful To Work (Dead Oceans)

The Luyas: Too Beautiful To Work (Dead Oceans) - Quebec quartet The Luyas craft space-age pop that’s sweet and subversive. A galaxy of orchestral elements are combined in measure to yield some really interesting arrangements. Their humming hues and echoed effects glide through varied atmospheres with the greatest of ease. RIYL: Stereolab, Au Revoir Simone Recommended. Play 1 2 3 4 6 9

Sidi Touré: Sahel Folk (Thrill Jockey)

Sidi Touré: Sahel Folk (Thrill Jockey) - The sophomore release from Mali guitarist Sidi Touré's was recorded at his sister's house in Gao, Mali. The nine field recordings feature Touré with a different friend on each piece. Touré's half-fingerpicked and half-strummed style creates both melody and rhythm simultaneously – similar to the late, unrelated Ali Farka Touré. These bluesy, repetitively hypnotic and deeply soulful tracks are truly inspiring. Recommended. Play 2 4 5 6