.:.impossible

Yeah, I always was too. Then I heard his music. It wasn't what I'd expected. The guys at the local shop seem to be big fans, so I grabbed a used album and it has grown on me. Plus, Droizd is all over it. Fennesz and Linkous seem an unlikely combination, but the stuff I have heard works on some level. Vague enough?

Any thoughts on that Jon? How did they come together?

Yeah, I thought about ODB's first, and The Pillage. I think I deleted that sentence. I agree though. They would be my second move. Not a fan of the Bobby Digital stuff...

You should be able to find a copy cheap!

Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers) GZA Liquid Swords Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Ghostface Ironman Method Man is always better on other people's albums, but Tical is good. I think most of these are available at yourmusic.com actually. Really, that first round of albums from everyone is great. This is the starting point, and the two releases by Ghostface this year are up there for sure. I haven't been a fan of RZA's own albums, but others may recommend them. RZA has also produced other 'wu families', but this is the source. While you're ordering hip hop, make sure you have a copy of Eric B & Rakim's Don't Sweat The Technique -and- Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em. Amazing.

So there's a Blue Note Finland? I had no idea. Swinger, if you can help me track down more of Pyysalo's music, I'd be grateful. Thanks!

Thanks! I tried to order the disc, but the site is not accepting my card for whatever reason... more proof that Finnish music isn't easy to come by! Damn.

Session in April, disc out in late summer, hopefully. I would like to include a DVD of some concert footage, maybe some studio stuff as well, but we'll see. It seems we're perpetually in debt and adding a DVD is just another couple thousand in the hole. Looking forward to it, whatever you decide to release!

Man, this is one of my points in the 21st thread...

Try searching for "Charlie Brown Christmas" or "White Dolphin Extinct".

What have you heard about this year's Sparklehorse? I haven't heard much surprisingly. Did you know he is recording something with Danger Mouse? Should be interesting, if nothing else. He performed with Christian Fennesz, now he's working with Danger Mouse. He's everywhere.

Damn, and here I was thinking how I liked the cover. I think it captures a certain spirituality. Design is so subjective... I had the opposite reaction from y'all!

Belle And Sebastian has a long line of good albums. I pull them out from time to time. I haven't heard the latest yet. I pick up their albums in the bins when I'm in the mood. Thanks for the recommendation.

Is anyone here familiar with Finnish vibist Severy Pyysalo? My brother gave me a disc of duets with Anders Jormin for my birthday this year. I don't know if I've mentioned it here or not. Highly recommended for those inclined. I just found a write-up at All About Jazz. Click here. Beautiful intrinsic music from two obviously well-studied musicians. This is fast becoming one of my most listened albums. Also released in 2006. I guess it would make two lists for me this year. Easily the most accomplished vibraphone playing I've heard in this four-mallet style. I try to check out as many vibists as I can, even if they aren't necessarily playing in a style that I am interested in. This guy has such a sound. Peaceful, natural, he makes the complex sound so simple. I've been very inspired by his sticking techniques and hear him combining techniques that I haven't heard elsewhere. But it sounds so natural. He doesn't sound like he's recording to wow anyone, which seems to be the case with a lot of tuned percussion. Anyone familiar with Pyysalo, I'd love to get your recommendations for more music, and where to find it! Finnish music isn't easy to come by.

Yeah, I want to check out that Willie. The songs I have heard on the radio are nice. Also want to check out that TV On The Radio... I wasn't a fan of the last one (felt like they were trying to combine too many ingredients if that makes sense), but I've heard good things about the latest. Then again, I heard good things about the last one too... what do you think?

Good news! Early Spring? Late Spring? Fall?

Wow. I'd have never expected to see something like this.

I also liked that Extra Golden album OK-Oyot. Extra Golden is an international collaboration between members of two bands: Otieno Jagwasi and Onyango Wuod Omari of the Nairobi, Kenya based benga band Orchestra Extra Solar Africa, and Ian Eagleson and Alex Minoff of the Washington D.C. based rock band Golden. The musicians met as a result of Ian’s doctoral research on Kenyan music. Danielson | Ships was fun. and what I've heard from the upcoming Deerhoof album sounds great, as always! Think About Life s/t is also good.

Yet I see drivers watching them up and down I-95 all the time. Crazy.

Update?

Up, because I live on the Southeastern seaboard now and would love to live vicariously through anyone who's taking advantage of an early season. I'm scheming on an early-Spring trip. We'll see what happens. I have to fly anywhere at this point. NC just ain't worth it to me. The lines are longer than the runs here.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

So, the rest of my family swears by Sweet 'n Low. This is my Grandfather's recipe. They all mix the drink just like that. I just can't deal with the taste of Sweet 'n Low, except in sweet tea. I went to sugar this year... big deal. It doesn't dissolve the way Sweet 'n Low dissolves, but I think it makes the drink so much better. Sorry Satch... I'm going back to azucar.

Absolutely. To me, this is implied. Now, what musicians do you feel are sincerely doing that today? I personally don't think the future of jazz is going to be a fusion with house music (which should be dead by now anyway... the drugs have changed) or other pop elements. Didn't house music try to bring in jazz influences in the early-nineties anyway? I don't really try to understand what the future of jazz is going to be, and I don't understand why people continue to try to assimilate this music within other musics, as if it doesn't have enough to stand on its own. Mitch had an opinion.

I've been listening to Skip James and Elizabeth Cotten this year, so what do I know about 2006.