Back on Track

In spite of my best intentions, this blog has fallen a bit by the wayside this past month. Okay, a lot by the wayside. Thing is, I've had friends and family visiting pretty much nonstop since late July, and that hasn't left much time for anything else, be it work, listening to new music, or writing. And when friends weren't keeping me busy, I've been frequently trying to entertain and placate my overly energetic cat. But, I can't complain. Guests are always fun, and it was a blast getting to show folks places I love in Lisbon and helping them understand why I think living in this city is so amazing.

But, I've been finally catching up on work and also on music today, so I've got some good stuff. One of my best friends from high school, Clark Smith, a saxophonist by trade and training, is now playing in a number of groups out in Denver and one of them, Bokonon, just dropped their first EP, which Clark produced, and has some really great jazz grooves. The EP is available for free download and if you dig jazz, or stuff a little more funky like Galactic, check it out.
Bokonon - Polar Bear Tranqs [divshare]

One of the artists Clark has been working with out in Colorado is Dominic Lalli, an extremely accomplished jazz sax player, who's started moving into electronic music. His electro project, Big Gigantic, has been making some waves lately, and he's able to seamlessly blend many genres of electronic music on a great full-length debut, 'Fire it Up', which is free for download from his official site. At times it sounds like Ratatat, at other times like more classic house or lounge music, at others trance...all over the board, but always good.

Big Gigantic - Fire It Up [divshare]
Big Gigantic - Wish I Knew [divshare]

And finally, to head up north, I got sent some tracks from Montreal-based My Favorite Robot, which has quickly moved onto repeat on my computer. The group, who've just started a label, have a dark, minimal techno sound, similar to a lot of what you'd hear on a Kompakt sampler, but very unique. The atmospheric strings on 'While My Guitar Gently Creeps' build a sense of foreboding behind the beeping electronic sounds and handclaps, while the guitar riff makes the song sound like it would belong on the soundtrack of a futuristic Western film (a serious one, not like 'Wild Wild West'!). My favorite My Favorite Robot song, though, is 'Modest Goddess,' with dark vocals to match its industrial house backing track. If I only had a car right now, I think it would be excellent night time driving music. Check out their label on Beatport and show some support.
My Favorite Robot - While My Guitar Gently Creeps (Original Mix) [divshare]
My Favorite Robot - Modest Goddess (Original Mix) [divshare]