Deru: Say Goodbye To Useless (Mush)

Deru: Say Goodbye To Useless (Mush) - Los Angeles electronic music producer Deru (aka Benjamin Wynn) marries cinematic compositions and big beats for a digestible yet immensely complex sonic score. Micro sliced beats are manipulated into blips, chirps and snaps to form the throbbing backbone, as ethereal strings, woodwinds, textural electronics and bells add body to the works. Left-field hip-hop and IDM fans will rejoice in this compelling album. Nearly Highly Recommended.

Various Artists: Been Here All My Days (Selections from the George Mitchell Archive) (Mississippi [064])

Various Artists: Been Here All My Days (Selections from the George Mitchell Archive) (Mississippi [064]) – Mississippi presents a vinyl only collection of highlights from a series of Fat Possum 45s recorded during 60s and 70s by George Mitchell. Well known and obscure artists deliver down home blues, mostly of the acoustic variety. Highly Recommended.

Calibro 35: Ritornano Quelli Di... (Nublu)

Calibro 35: Ritornano Quelli Di... (Nublu) – Calibro 35 director Tommaso Colliva taps into the vibe of 60s and 70s Italian soundtracks for this grooving contemporary album which ebbs from smoking to sinister. Cool studio effects color the live instrumentation, as the free-flowing mix of jazz, funk, rock, classical and improvisation sets the cinema ablaze. Recommended.

Perfume Genius: Learning (Matador)

Perfume Genius: Learning (Matador) - Mike Hadreas, aka Perfume Genius, spins poignant, personal tales where disturbing details are softly delivered. Cushioned by reverberating piano, textural synth and brooding organ, the aural sent lingers with ethereal, hymnal airs. RIYL: Antony and the Johnsons, Xiu Xiu Nearly Recommended.

Various Artists: Cloud Cuckooland (Finders Keepers- German Miner- B-Music)

Various Artists: Cloud Cuckooland (Finders Keepers- German Miner- B-Music) - A collection of pre-1974 recordings from Germany's Kuckuck records' psychedelic prog-rock era. The forward thinking experimentations will lift you into the clouds with heady elements of blues, jazz, gospel, ambiance and more. Bizarre samples, dynamic movements, fuzzy guitar and groovy moog are essential ingredients. Recommended.

Various Artists: Palenque Palenque: Champeta Criolla and Afro Roots in Columbia 1975 - 91 (Soundway)

Various Artists: Palenque Palenque: Champeta Criolla and Afro Roots in Columbia 1975 - 91 (Soundway) - The music heritage of Columbia's Caribbean coast stretches back to Africa. Soundsystem DJs of the day refreshed those roots, veering popular Cumbia and Porro forms toward Afrobeat and African psychedelia. Though somewhat uneven for Soundway, it's still Recommended. [nice 28 page color booklet has LP scans and commentary]

Tame Impala: InnerSpeaker (Modular)

Tame Impala: InnerSpeaker (Modular) - The debut from Australia quartet Tame Impala is a bright, psychedelic array of paisley pop, kaleidoscopic guitars and stoner rhythms. Though frontman Kevin Parker's vocals recall those of John Lennon, it's far from derivative. Drop into the gloriously heady, ebullient experience. Nearly Highly Recommended.