Style: Avant-Folk, Progressive Folk
Moods: Ominous, Forest, Surreal, Dark, Theatrical, Disturbing, Hallucinatory, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Aggressive, Complex, Shadowy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Percussive, Chamber Arrangements, Technical
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar (6 & 12-Strings), Violin, Viola, Oboe, Flute, Percussion, Electric Bass
Comus – First Utterance Read More »
Style: Art Rock, Progressive Pop
Vibe: Anxious, Eccentric, Romantic, Cerebral, Complex, Catchy, Bombastic, Dramatic, Surreal, Slick, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Polished, Progressive, Technical, Rhythmic
King Crimson – Beat Read More »
Style: Space Rock, Heavy Psych, Prog
Vibes: Epic, Triumphant, Apocalyptic, Driving, Fuzzy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Psychedelic, Riffs, Spacey
Hawkwind – Warrior on the Edge of Time Read More »
Style: Jazz-Rock, Prog, Kosmische, Psychedelic Jazz, Space Rock
Vibe: Exploratory, Triumphant, Adventurous, Cosmic, Epic, Groovy, Spacey, Playful, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Complex, Improvisation, Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Progressive, Raga, Technical
Instrumentation: Saxophones (Soprano & Alto), Flutes, Nadaswaram, Mallet Percussion (Vibraphone, Marimba, Hammered Dulcimer), Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums, Percussion, Saz, Keyboards (Piano, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet)
Embryo – We Keep On Read More »
Style: Black Classical Music, Spiritual Jazz, Organic Beat Music
Vibe: Kinetic, Spiritual, Playful, Groovy, Exploratory, Elegant, Intertwined, Retro, Loose
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Percussive, Acoustic, Rhythmic, Dubbed Out
Jahari Massamba Unit – Pardon My French Read More »
Style: Country-Soul, Funk
Vibe: Anthemic, Bittersweet, Triumphant, Political, Satirical, Playful, Groovy, Sunny, Conscious, Heartfelt, Warm, Sentimental, Rebellious, Philosophical
Musical Qualities: Lush, Rhythmic, Polished, Melodic, Lyrical
Swamp Dogg – Rat On! Read More »
Style: Art-Rock, Progressive Songwriter, Trip-Hop, Post-Punk
Vibe: Brooding, Woozy, Grimey, Nocturnal, Angsty, Introspective, Surreal, Shadowy
King Krule – Man Alive! Read More »
Style: Post-Rock, Space Rock, Electronic-Rock, Kosmische-Influenced
Vibe: Futuristic, Nocturnal, Mechanical, Focused, Cinematic, Restrained
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Dynamic, Pulse, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Mogwai – Rave Tapes Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Soul, Baroque Pop
Vibe: Elegant, Ethereal, Smooth, Romantic, Warm, Retro, Dramatic, Cosmic
Musical Qualities: Groovy, Lush, Orchestral, Melodic, Polished
Kadhja Bonet – Childqueen Read More »
Style: Space Rock, Stoner-Prog, Heavy Psych
Vibe: Rebellious, Heavy, Driving, Spacey, Sci-Fi, Triumphant, Confident, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Riffs, Progressive
Hawkwind – Hall of the Mountain Grill Read More »
Style: Soul Jazz, Singer/Songwriter, Jazz-Funk
Vibe: Conscious, Bittersweet, Political, Uplifting, Sunny, Warm, Urban, Sombre, Poetic, Contemplative, Observant, Passionate, Determined, Confident
Musical Qualities: Groovy, Lush, Spoken Word, Technical
Gil Scott-Heron – Pieces of a Man Read More »
Style: Ethio-Jazz, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Jazz Funk
Vibe: Serpentine, Groovy, Warm, Mysterious, Lush
Musical Attributes: Live, Rhythmic, Improvisation, Live, Percussive, Technical
Mulatu Astatke – Timeless Read More »
Style: Funk
Vibe: Anthemic, Gritty, Groovy, Hypnotic, Communal, Confident, Passionate, Warm
Musical Attributes: Rhythmic, Repetition, Technical, Percussive
James Brown – The Payback Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Jazz, Jam Band, Post-Minimalism, Free Rock
Influences: Tishoumaren, Free Jazz, Kosmische Musik, Minimalism
Vibe: Hypnotic, Communal, Psychedelic, Earthy
Musical Attributes: Collective Thematic Improvisation, Live, Loose, Microtonal, Odd Time Signatures, Repetitive, Percussive
75 Dollar Bill – Live at Tubby’s Read More »
Style: New Weird Americana, Post-Modern Appalachia, Jazz-Folk
Vibe: Autumnal, Earthy, Imaginative, Lush, Morning, Peaceful, Rootsy, Rustic, Warm, Contemplative
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Melodic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Improvisation, Progressive, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Fiddle, Drums, Banjo, Vocals, Percussion, Saxophone, Acoustic Guitar, Drum Machine, Percussion, Electric Bass, Organ Synthesizers, Flute
Collaborators: Leo Abrahams, Shahzad Ismaily, Sam Gendel,
Milford Graves, Chris Vatalaro, James Sultan
Sam Amidon – The Following Mountain Read More »
Style: Heavy Metal, Stoner Rock, Doom
Vibe: Heavy, Fuzzy, Anthemic, Dark, Ominous, Paranoid, Rebellious, Riffs, Stoned, Confident
Themes: Alienation, War, Political, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Black Sabbath – Paranoid Read More »
Style: Post-Rock, Experimental Rock
Influences: Dub, Kosmische Musik, Bossa Nova, Lounge, Minimalism, Jazz, Electronic
Vibe: Contemplative, Eclectic, Focused, Futuristic, Impressionistic, Lush, Meditative, Peaceful, Soothing
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Complex, Digital Production, Percussive, Polyphonic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Loops, Headphone Album, Rhythmic, Pulse, Instrumental, Progressive, Polished
Style: Psych / Prog / Experimental Rock
Vibe: Bombastic, Hallucinogenic, Chaotic, Energetic, Psychedelic
Musical Attributes: Progressive, Dense, Complex, Rhythmic, Riffs, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Technical, Odd Time Signatures
Omar Rodriguez Lopez – Old Money Read More »
Style: Abstract Groove, Jazz Fusion, Raga Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz, Ambient Jazz
Vibe: Exploratory, Abstract, Mysterious, Chaotic, Hypnotic, Psychedelic, Suspenseful
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Polyrhythmic, Rhythmic, Dense, Complex, Polyphonic
Featuring Dave Holland, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Bennie Maupin, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Airto Moreira and others
Miles Davis – Double Image Read More »
The free-form psychedelia and tribal “group therapy” of Sunburned Hand of the Man are in great hands with producer Kieran Hebden (Four Tet)—his dubs and cuts transform their usually lo-fi, meandering jams into something much more immediate, without losing any of their exploratory and spontaneous energy. Recommended for fans of polyrhythmic Afro-inspired percussion, dubbed out production, communal sound rituals, and dense psychedelia.
Sunburned Hand of the Man – Fire Escape Read More »
Originally released in 1971 on CjR Recorded December, 1970 Superior Viaduct Reissue (2019) Style: Free Funk, Free Jazz, Abstract Groove Vibe: Energetic, Triumphant, Groovy, Confident, Rebellious, Black Pride Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Live, Loose, Raw
Joe McPhee – Nation Time Read More »
Style: Synth-Funk, Soul
Vibe: Conscious, Groovy, Political, Poetic, Spacey
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – 1980 Read More »
Style: Soul, Jazz-Funk, Singer-Songwriter
Vibe: Conscious, Groovy, Lush, Lyrical, Passionate, Philosophical, Political, Sunny, Triumphant, Uplifting, Urban, Accessible, Bittersweet, Catchy, Confident
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – Bridges Read More »
Style: East Coast Hip-Hop, Boom Bap, Jazz Rap
Vibe: Conscious, Uplifting, Groovy, Confident, Urban
Lyrics/Themes: Philosophical, Political, Black Pride, Racism, Spiritual, Islam
Musical Attributes: Lyrical, Sampling, Beats, Turntables, Live Instrumentation (Rhodes, Electric Bass)
Mos Def – Black on Both Sides Read More »
Style: Abstract Funk, Jazz Fusion, Spiritual Jazz
Lineup: Eddie Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Bennie Maupin, Lenny White, Billy Hart, Buster Williams, Pat Gleeson
Vibe: Cosmic, Exploratory, Groovy, Atmospheric, Spacey, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Polyrhythmic, Odd Time Signatures, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Eddie Henderson – Realization Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Soul, Psychedelic Funk, R&B
Vibe: Confident, Conscious, Sensual, Sexy, Romantic, Groovy, Headphone Album
Musical Attributes: Rhythmic, Lush, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Technical
Originally released as a cassette on Atlantic Rhythms Records in 2018 Original vinyl pressing (2020), limited to 300 Format: LP Blacks' Myths by Blacks' Myths
Blacks’ Myths – Blacks’ Myths Read More »
Released in 2014 on Svart Records Recorded 2011 Format: LP
Sonny Simmons & Moksha Samnyasin – Nomadic Read More »
Style: Organic Beat Music, Jazz Fusion, Future Soul-Jazz
Vibe: Warm, Personal, Groovy, Breezy, Colorful, Eclectic, Comforting
Musical Qualities: Loops, Sampling, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Improvisation, Melodic, Rhythmic
Jeff Parker & the New Breed – Suite for Max Brown Read More »
Fontanelle’s Vitamin F feels heavily indebted to the dense, psychedelic grooves of Bitches Brew and the Mwandishi albums, and while it doesn’t quite reach the majestic heights of those legendary records, it’s definitely a worthwhile slab of wax for fans of polyrhythmic funk, winding improvisations, and spacey keyboard atmospheres.
Fontanelle – Vitamin F Read More »
Released in 2012 on Sargent House Format: LP, White Vinyl Style: Trip-Hop, Downtempo, Synth Pop Instrumentation: Fretless Bass, Vocals, Drum Machine, Synthesizers Vibe: Warm, Heartfelt, Mellow, Groovy Attributes: Melodic, Rhythmic
Big Sir – Before Gardens After Gardens Read More »
Released in 1972 on Curtom/Buddha Records Format: LP
Curtis Mayfield – Superfly (Original Soundtrack) Read More »
Originally released in 1994 2013 Light In the Attic Reissue Format: LPx2
Digable Planets – Blowout Comb Read More »
Released in 1974 on Atlantic Records Format: LP
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black Read More »
Originally released in 1994 on Thrill Jockey Records 2016 reissue Recorded November 29 thru December 5, 1993
Tortoise – Tortoise Read More »
Groovy soul instrumentals decorated with sweeping orchestral arrangements, jazz soloing, and psychedelic guitars, all inspired by William Blake’s writings.
David Axelrod – Songs of Innocence Read More »
Style: Drone-Mantra, Drone-Metal, Stoner Metal
Moods: Spiritual, Devotional, Desert, Meditative, Epic, Monolithic
Musical Qualities: Slow, Droney, Dynamic, Fuzzy, Riffs, Heavy
Style: Soul, Singer/Songwriter
Moods: Conscious, Spiritual, Passionate, Uplifting, Bittersweet, Christian, Peaceful, Political, Sentimental, Warm
Musical Qualities: Lush, Groovy, Lyrical, Suite, Melodic
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On Read More »
