Take a chance on "Loteria Vol. 1," a feast of Latin jazz from Oakland’s Gurkestra
Photos of Shipwreck Detective, Infinexhuma, and Leila Abdul-Rauf performing at FALL MASS; a new soul funk hip hop gem from James Wavey; and more
Thank you to everyone who joined us at FALL MASS, White Crate’s first live ambient music showcase. Set in a small, shaded backyard in West Oakland, the show featured local artists Shipwreck Detective, Infinexhuma, and Leila Abdul-Rauf. (Joel St. Julien was originally set to perform but had to bow out due to personal reasons.)
Though each of the artists performing brought their own unique style—Shipwreck Detective with celestial and golden light, Infinexhuma with massively enigmatic noise, and Leila Abdul-Rauf with dusky brass and voiced enchaments—they each complemented each other and made for a memorable day of music.
Peace,
ronny
THAT NEW NEW
Recorded in Richmond and mixed at El Cerrito Studios, Loteria Vol. 1 is the newest Latin jazz album by Oakland’s Gurkestra. Featuring a core quintet of instrumentalists plus two special guests across baritone and tenor sax, timbales and bongos, tuba and flute, and more, the album is a feast of sound produced by Camilo Landau. On first impression, it feels like I ran into some band performing on the street at First Fridays or in the Mission, realized they were several bars above the average busker, and followed them wherever their music led me, drinking and dancing into the night.
Oakland rapper Ally Cocaine released “Summa Y’all”, featuring a fat beat based around “Bitches 2” from Ice-T’s classic 1991 album O.G. Original Gangster.
“Hardcore yet unapologetically fun.” That’s an accurate description of “Jack Tripper”, a hip hop single from producer Brycon and vocalists Amani Jade and Monk HTS.
Artsick, an indie pop punk project formed in 2018 by Christina Riley of Seaside band Burnt Palms, released “Despise,” the first single from the group’s upcoming debut album Fingers Crossed. Out January 21 on Slumberland Records.
For fans of “unadorned 6 and 12-string fingerstyle acoustic guitar,” SF artist Danny Paul Grody released Furniture Music II. “Written in the thick of the pandemic”—which could technically still be now—the music is beautiful, calming, and whole.
SF professional skateboarder and generally super chill musician Tommy Guerrero, who performs with Josh Lippi as indie rock duo Los Days, released “Floating Against the Night Sky”, the first single from their upcoming album, West Winds.
“The guitar-and-drums duo's eighth LP revisits their original goal of capturing the sound and feel of being inside a guitar -- with impressive results.” The Dodos released Grizzly Peak on Polyvinyl Records. Read the full review on Allmusic.
Influenced by Coltrane, Texas blues rock guitarist Chris Duarte appears on “Insight” as the latest collaborator in Funkwrench Blues’ “Need to Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series.”
“Part of me wanted to create our own flamenco and have it be local.” Oakland guitarist David Scott McLean released Te Canto Colores, featuring all-new, all original flamenco compositions. Read more on Oaklandside and attend the album release concert at the Sound Room this Sunday (afternoon show, evening show).
“Coming FromTha Westside”—exactly what it says it’s about—is the newest proud-to-be-from-the-Bay single by rappers FURGOD and Hitta Slim.
Looking for tech house Air? Oakland producer Ion the Prize released “Sexyboi” b/w “Oxytocin,” the first a rework of the French electronic duo’s track “Sexy Boy” and the latter a remix of a track by Billie Eilish.
SF rapper J Duce released City of Fog Vol 3, with guest appearances from Nim One, Equipto, and more.
James Wavey (aka Alleyes Manifest) released Butterflies & Kisses, his third full-length of the year. Don’t think the frequency of releases suggests lower quality output, however, as the new album continues the Oakland artist’s commitment to a unique and always-captivating blend of soul, funk, hip hop, and love-filled mysticism. Featuring fellow Oakland singer-songwriter Yunoka Berry and St. Louis’ 12 to 6 Movement, the album is highly recommended for anyone a fan of funk maestros George Clinton and Dâm-Funk or neo-soul stars Erykah Badu and Solange.
Mexico City collective, club night, and record label N.A.A.F.I released SUCHITOTO by JUANNY DEPP, featuring the Bay artist’s fire, stripped down beats, perfectly suited either for a sweaty dancefloor or solo (or not) bedroom workout.
Bay Area indie pop punk band Kids on a Crime Spree released “When Can I See You Again?”, the first single from Fall In Love Not in Line, their first new album in a decade. Out January 21 on Slumberland Records.
Following a busy spree of re-releases, Vallejo producer SELA. announced Life Unlimited, an album of all-new music recorded live. Based on the previews, this one leans less juke and more ambient house than previous releases. Out December 15.
“I’m slowly learning how to nurture myself instead of tear myself down. It’s a process.” Vallejo artist Tessie release “Note to Self”, a powerful R&B track stripped down to acoustic guitar and vocals.
SF artist Violet Felz released two-minute dream pop track “Unicorn.”
“As a whole, the collection throws 8ULENTINA’s shorter past releases into relief, charting the development of an artist who has articulated their own sound across a wide range of genres and spaces.” DEPARTURE, the latest EP by Club Chai co-founder 8ULENTINA, was featured on the Best Club Music on Bandcamp.
Mill Valley’s Bright Antenna Records released “Pieces” by LA R&B singer Fana Hues.
Once again featuring musicians from across the world, Oakland ambient label Constellation Tatsu announced its upcoming winter batch: Resolve by Melbourne artist Alex Albrecht; Same Place, Another Time by Tokyo artist Soshi Takeda; and Paisajes Imaginarios by Oslo-Santiago duo Julia Gjertsen & Nico Rosenberg. Out Jan 4.
IN THE NEWS
Here’s a roundup of some important news (and not-so-new news) from around the Bay:
Terrapin Crossroads, Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh music venue, announces closure
— Datebook, Nov 5
How it Restarted; How it’s Going: Conversations with SF Dance Music Venues
— Fault Radio, Sep 21
George Horn, Essential Invisible Man of Bay Area Music, Dies at 87
— KQED, Aug 26
CLASSICS
Even though I grew up listening to and loving Creedence Clearwater Revival, I didn’t know until recently that they were formed in El Cerrito and based in the Bay. Alongside Led Zeppelin, the Woodstock anthology, and other classic rock my parents played on repeat, CCR stood out to my younger self as a band with endless hits: like the Beatles but with a scruffier-sounding lead singer and swampier playing style. Now, years later, I wonder if my love was partly inspired by the fact that their music was written and recorded in the region where I grew up.
Pendulum, which I recently revisited, was recorded in San Francisco at Wally Heider Studios. It was not only the group’s sixth studio album, but also the last one recorded with Tom Fogerty on guitar and John Fogerty as the lead songwriter and producer. A little more sonically adventurous than previous outings—with saxophone and keyboards featured alongside the roots rock guitars, bass, and drums—it’s still pure CCR. And well, with the Bay finally getting some rain, it’s a little less sad listening to “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”
SHUFFLE ON
Listen to the Lower Grand Radio mix - Recorded Nov 4.