Monday morning … what better way to wake up to a new day … esp one with autumn in the air … than to listen to some roots reggae. Only one title on this week’s MMMM … hope you like it as much as I do.
Robert Marcey & Familyman Barrett with the Wailers – Wailin’ for Justice (Dread I)Genre/Style: reggae, roots reggae Website:http://dreadimusic.com/ Focus/sampled tracks: Always Eternally, Shame, Dread Lion, Wailin’ for Justice, Love Grows Notes: Very highly recommended… Jeff Koepke (host – The House Rent Party) turned me onto this record. My first thought was, “yeah, right … a “local” record with Familyman Barrett and the Wailers.” But, yes, it’s a Colorado release; written, performed, and co-produced by Greeley resident Robert Marcey – recorded by Andy McKewen at Crucible Studios in El Dorado Springs outside of Boulder … mixed by Jason McDaniel at Airshow Mastering .. and mastered by Jim Wilson at Airshow mastering.
There’s nothing at all online about Robert Marcey that I could find – so I emailed him from his website to make sure he is a Colorado talent. He responded that he lives in “Greality” … and that this is one of several projects he’s producing with several different recognized “brand name” artists.
The obvious question is, “do I like it?” Yeah. I do – very much. Even without the able assistance of such notable players as Barrett and the Wailers, Robert is authentic – in his writing, his storytelling, and his voice. What gets me is that here’s this middle-age white guy from “Greality” sounding like he grew up in the thickest of Jamaican reggae culture – immersed in the life and times and music of Bob Marley and his followers … and maybe he was immersed in it all … there’s no way of knowing because there’s nothing online about the guy that tells HIS story … so we have the music to do that for us, and all disbelief is at least temporarily suspended in the listening.
Pretty Lights “Lonesome Street” from Passing By Behind Your Eyes (2009) Future Jazz Project “Stress” from True By Design (2007) John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light “In My Neighborhood” from Beautiful Empty (2010) Dan Craig “Alchemy (What is This Alchemy)” from Alchemy (2010) Hot IQs “Firecracker” from An Argument Between the Brain and Feet (2004) NEW Weather Maps “Weatherman” from Places (2010) Boulder Acoustic Society “Where Have The Good Ones Gone?” from Champion of Disaster (2010) Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore “New Boots” from Saints & Sinners (2010) The Primroses “The Jungle” from No More Light of Day (1997) The Dualistics “The Optimist” from Crimson (2010) Fuzzy Killing Machine “Forgiven” from Enjoy & Destroy (2010) The Lynn Baker Quartet “Color Line” from Azure Intention (2010) Selasee Atiase “Pray for Me” from African Gate (2010) Asia Jazz Project f/ Molina Soleil & Aju “Reflections of the Sun Pt. 3 (Son Como Sangre)” from Sacred Paths (2009) NEW Air Dubai “Restless Youth” from Wonder Age (2010) Soundrabbit “From the World I Have Known” from Tree Trunk Airplanes (2009) Fierce Bad Rabbit “All I Have is You” from Spools of Thread (2010) The Heyday “Midnight Cold” from Till We See the Sun (2010) Jeff Brinkman “Sometimes” from To the Bones (2010) After Midnight Jazz Band “Hallelujah I Love Her So” from Autumn Leaves (2009) NEW Jubilant Bridge “Power Lines” from Power Lines (2010) Jessica Sonner “Took Your Love” from All We Need (2008) 30db “One Man Show” from One Man Show (2010) Leftover Salmon “Fayetteville Line” from Leftover Salmon (2004) Brad Goode “Nightingale” from Tight Like This (2010)
This is what happens when I take vacations — My inbox got flooded with new releases … haven’t done a MMMM in some time now … so this one is packed with great new and a few classic releases.
Chris Thompson: The Road AheadWebsite for preview: http://www.myspace.com/coralcreek Genre/Style: rock, jamband RIYL: The String Cheese Incident, etc Notes: produced by Billy Nerschi (the String Cheese Incident), includes performances by Keith Mosley (bass), Christian Teele (drums), Tyler Grant (acoustic guitar), Andy Thorn (banjo) and others ….
Matt Shupe – The Greying HeartWebsite:http://www.myspace.com/mattshupe Genre: Folk-rock, modern, alternative RIYL: Nathaniel Ratefliff, Arcade Fire Notes: currently plays in Denver’s only trucker band Jimbo Darvilleand the Truckadours. … a founding member of Six Months to Live, and has played with Kal Cahoone, the Denver Gentlemen, and Moe Perdue.
The Heyday – Till We See the SunWebsite:http://theheyday.bandcamp.com/ Genre/Style: rock, alternative southwestern country-rock RIYL: Gin Blossoms, Reckless Kelly, Roger Clyne Notes: killer harmonies, tight arrangements. one of the region’s most promising up and coming rock bands over the past few years. ep produced by Christopher Jak at the Blasting Room in Fort Collins.
J. Shogren – Bird Bones & MuscleWebsite:http://jshogren.com/media-audio.php Genre/Style: americana, folk, folk-rock Notes: not expressly a Colorado artist, J. Shogren is from Laramie WY, but that’s close enough for me…. this guy’s music kills!
Boulder Acoustic Society – Champion of DisasterWebsite:http://boulderacousticsociety.net/ Genre/Style: rock, americana, roots, adult, dark Notes: best and most solid effort yet – a new direction for the band finds them edgier and more “rock” than they’ve been in the past, while retaining their Americana type rootsiness.
Musketeer Gripweed – Dyin’ DayWebsite:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Musketeer-Gripweed/317290984151 Genre: rock, jamband Notes: killer artwork and some smokin’ blues/r&b/gospel flavored jam highlight this local Loveland/Fort Collins/Denver based record produced and recorded by Jason Larson at Backbone Studios in Loveland.
Rebecca Folsom – Smoke & Tears (single)Genre/Style: folk, singer-songwriter Notes: Rebecca sent this to me with the note: “Hi Chris, Here is a new song we just recorded called “Smoke and Tears” inspired from what we’ve all been going through up here w/ the Fire. We are all so thankful to the fire fighters! Our house is damaged, but still stands. We hope to get home in a month or so. Give it a spin if you like it.” Jenn Cleary – Back to the WheelWebsite:http://www.jenncleary.com/ Genre/Style: folk, blues, singer-songwriter Notes: recorded, engineered, mixed and produced by John McVey at Coupe studio (Boulder). I have to say I’m not a Jenn Cleary fan – despite the accolades she’s received *Telluride Blues Festival Solo Acoustic Competition Finalist 2010, *Colorado Blues Society Best Self Produced CD Competition Finalist 2011, *Sundance Film Festival Performer 2009, 2010, 2011. However, if you’re a fan of such local female acoustic blues pop singer songwriters as Julie Hoest and/or Vicky Taylor from the mid-90s, you might find a couple of songs on here you like.
Jubilant Bridge – PowerlinesWebsite:http://www.jubilantbridge.com/ Genre/Style: folk Notes: I was actually pretty impressed by this release, marking off five tracks as “recommended.” It is definitely FOLK, and it is very nicely recorded by Steve Avedis at Colorado Sound studio in Denver and mastered there by Tom Capek. I especially liked that they included the wonderful Judy Collins song “Send in the Clowns.” All throughout, the acoustic and electric mountain dulcimer work was compelling and to my ears cutting edge for the instrument and the style of music.
Michael Adam – The Maybe EPWebsite:http://www.reverbnation.com/michaeladam Genre/Style: singer-songwriter, adult contemporary, acoustic-rock/pop Notes: of the four non-demo tracks on the EP, the most recommended are the artist’s recommended focus track, NYC, and track 1, Wind in the Willows.
Fierce Bad Rabbit – Spools of ThreadWebsite:http://fbrmusic.net/news Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USeU9_7WwyU Genre/style: rock, indie/alternative, pop Notes: uhhhh…. last year’s debut made it to the top of my list for best DIY rock album of the year. Three listens in on this one and they’re back up near the top again — this band does not seem to be capable of producing a bad record – seriously. Very “radio friendly,” I’ve noted seven recommended tracks (a lot for any album!).
Brad Goode – Tight Like ThisWebsite:http://www.bradgoode.com/ Genre: jazz Notes: I realize that not a lot of jazz gets played outside of the specialty shows, but I’d like to encourage you to give this one a listen. “… Goode tips his hat to trumpeters past with reinventions of vintage material such as the title track, recorded by Louis Armstrong’s Hot 5; “Changes,” a showcase for Bix Beiderbecke with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra; and “Reverse the Charges,” composed by one of Goode’s trumpet heroes, Freddie Webster. The five Goode originals include “Summary,” a tribute in 3/4 time to saxophonist Eddie Harris, Goode’s late friend and mentor; and “Bob’s Bounce,” a hard-bopping salute to Delmark Records founder Bob Koester, who issued Goode’s very first album in 1988.” http://music.colorado.edu/2010/08/09/brad-goodes-new-album/
Lynn Baker Quartet – Azure IntentionWebsite:http://www.reverbnation.com/lynnbakerquartet Genre: jazz, mainstream Notes: From his bio: Malcolm Lynn Baker is the Director of the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music Program at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver, where he directs the Lamont Jazz Orchestra, coaches combos, and teaches Jazz Improvisation and Composition class, Jazz History classes, and Jazz Techniques classes. Lynn is an award-winning composer, performer, and educator winning the 1987 Westside Composer Award (Minneapolis, MN), the 1995 COVisions Award for Jazz Composition, the 1980 Ruth Loraine Close award in performance from the University of Oregon, and the 2005 Downbeat Magazine award for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Education.
RECORDS FROM THE PAST ADDED to the Library
Mary Stribling – Lilting Little Heart Website:http://www.marystribling.com Released: October 2009 Genre: blues, bluegrass, jazz Notes: exceptional. highly recommended. Mary is one of our treasured legends in the acoustic music world.
Julie Hoest – Where I’m Standing Genre: acoustic, folk-blues, singer-songwriter Released: September 1996 Notes: recorded by Jim Ratts (Raven Studios), mastered by Tom Capek (Colorado Sound) Several very tasty tracks on this one. I know lots of folks along the Front Range who remember Julie’s work fondly. Can’t say as I’ve heard much from her over the past decade though…. Julie? You there??
Vicki Taylor – Out of the Blue Genre: blues, singer-songwriter Released: 1996 Notes: notable guest players include: Mark Diamond, John Magnie, Ellen Audley and others … produced and recorded by Charles Sawtelle, mastered by Tom Capek (Colorado Sound). Listening to this in the background while multi-tasking there was nothing on there that made me reach for the “next” button — that in itself is impressive at my office LOL.
Robert Marcey & Familyman Barrett with the Wailers – Wailin’ for Justice (Dread I)Genre/Style: reggae, roots reggae
Chris Thompson: The Road Ahead
Lynn Baker Quartet – Azure Intention
Mary Stribling – Lilting Little Heart
Julie Hoest – Where I’m Standing
Vicki Taylor – Out of the Blue
Chris K's Colorado Playlist 