Parov Stelar «Shine» [2007]

Austrian DJ and producer Parov Stelar revived the spirit of Mittel Europa in the first decade of the third millennium. His sound is a mix of Fausto Papetti's catchiest groove, downtempo beats à la Thievery Corporation, and a certain je ne sais quoi recalling Nicola Conte's stylish nu jazz.

It once happened to me to be lost in Amsterdam, as one of the best chunes of this album is titled. The circumstances were so embarrassing I can't find the courage to share them here.

I'll make sure to write a detailed memory of that night in my autobiography, which shall be published when I'm dead and can bring no further shame to any of my beloved ones.

In the meantime let your fantasies - - - > go wild.

Babalot «Non Sei Più» [2011]

"What would you think if I sang out of tune, would you stand up and walk out on me?" once asked the famous drummer of a band previously quoted in this corner of cyberspace. If you didn't do it back then, you might as well give Babalot a chance, only to realize that it is, after all, a choice of style.

And stylish is what the new project of this Roman-based band actually is. Mr. Babalot and his friends of a lifetime are a nice bunch of straight sensitive guys, and their music reflects it. The cryptic lyrics include an interesting speculation on the fact that males should consider pissing standing up a privilege and not the norm, and hence should not abuse of the possibility. The music is played with an abundance of instruments and yet it's not clogged, with precious staccatos in 11/8.

Already too big to merit last.fm's coolest tag, their new release is distributed for free by - - - > Aiuola.

Leave a comment if you wanna book them for a night, they'll come for the booze plus travel expenses. (I'm serious).

Sinead O' Connor «Throw Down Your Arms» [2005]

Having made the cheesiest video in the history of image in motion, good ole Sinead is condemned to be quoted forever for that song. Add that she tore the picture of Pope John Paul II, just after singing Bob Marley's War a cappella in a live interview, and you get an idea of  the sort of troubled artist she is.

In 2005 Sinead was back with a reggae cover album, full of classics and recorded at the Tuff Gong studios of Kingston Jamaica, nonetheless. The comparison between the Emerald Isle and the most famous Caribbean island holds quite well. Both are famous for being green, if you allow me explaining the joke.

Throw down your arms and - - - > come.

Via http://sanityisafulltimejob.blogspot.com

Kid Loco «Kill your darlings» [2001]

Jean-Yves Prieur aka Kid Loco is one of the champions of that very peculiar sub-genre known as le trip hop, despite the lyrics in English language. Drug-inspired titles, classy loops, and sensual vocals are the constant refrains of his most famous work.

Beware, this release is highly addictive. Three Feet High Reefer alone will have you humming for ages, until the above-mentioned reefer shuts you down for a while.

Et voilà - - - - > Ici

(via http://fantomesound.blogspot.com)

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Jean-Yves Prieur aka Kid Loco è uno dei campioni di quel particolare sottogenere noto come le trip hop, nonostante in testi in inglese. I titoli ispirati alla droga, loop di classe, e voci sensuali sono la costante della sua opera più famosa.

Attenzione, questo disco dà dipendenza. Three Feet High Reefer da sola vi farà canticchiare per secoli, fino a quando il cannone di cui sopra vi spegnerà per un po'.

Et voilà - - - - > Ici

(via http://fantomesound.blogspot.com)

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour «Fruit» [2009]

When you have all the ingredients to be a cult band you will eventually be a cult band. TAGT has all it takes: a unique and catchy name, a stunning singer who is gifted and beautiful, musicians who play good music with real instruments.

The little mermaid today likes to dance at the sound of The Asteroids Galaxy Tour's music, a perfect blend of easy listening, nu-jazz, and trip-hop, mixed with an avant garde flavour. And it rocks.

If you don't like Fruit next time try eating it.
link removed after DMCA complaint :(

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Quando hai tutti gli ingredienti per essere una band di culto alla fine sarai una band di culto. I TAGT hanno tutto quello che serve: un nome unico e accattivante, una cantante dotata e bella, musicisti che suonano buona musica con strumenti veri.


Oggi alla sirenetta piace ballare al suono della musica dei The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, una miscela perfetta di easy listening, nu-jazz e trip-hop, con un sapore d'avanguardia. E funziona.


Se non ti piace la Frutta la prossima volta prova a mangiarla.
link rimosso dopo reclamo DMCA :(

The Whitest Boy Alive «Rules» [2009]

If you can tolerate songs about love and other similar soppy feelings, this band will surprise you with the coolness and great impact of its sound. Erlend Øye, famous as the redhead of Kings of Convenience, launched this project to have a chance with electric guitars and the classic line up uf a rock ensemble.

The result is delicate, energetic, and full of surprises, and in the end you will be happy that people in Norway do not have problems like the rest of us. Otherwise we couldn't have such a piece of relaxing music.

(Don't follow) the - - - - > Rules!

(via http://sexoparlante.blogspot.com)

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Se riesci a tollerare canzoni d'amore e altri simili sciocchi sentimenti, questa band ti sorprenderà per la piacevolezza e il grande impatto sonoro. Erlend Øye, famoso per essere il roscio dei Kings of Convenience, ha lanciato questo progetto per avere una possibilità di cimentarsi con chitarre elettriche e la classica line-up di un ensemble rock.


Il risultato è delicato, energico e pieno di sorprese, e alla fine sarai felice che la gente in Norvegia non ha problemi come noialtri. Altrimenti non avremmo avuto la loro musica così rilassante.

Non avere - - - - > Regole!