2025.59
Curtis Hasselbring: The Curhachestra
Hasselbring, aka Curha, is often the secret weapon in whatever band he's playing in, on both trombone & guitar. So it makes sense that his own band is full of NYC secret weapons, including a guest appearance by Nels Cline. Curha's unique aesthetic is a sonic collage of traditional rock and jazz motifs, like half a big band got waylaid in a garage. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.60
Futuropaco: Fortezza Di Vetro, Vol. 2
Perhaps the king of Eurojams is the El Paraiso label. Everything they put out is heavy psych heaven. Even when the music is from ye olde USA like Justin Pinkerton who operates out of Oakland as Futuropaco. His latest one-man concoction is, indeed, heavenly. That is, if dense, bang-your-head-rhythm psychrock is your idea of heaven. Trust me, it's killer. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.61
Neil Cowley Trio: Separate Entities
This may be the shortest rec yet. A 3-track EP that's barely 10 mins long. Yet Cowley & his piano trio cover a lot of sonic ground and give a good summary of their progressive jazz+ sound. In some ways, this is the postscript to last year's full length release, but it works even better as an intro to the group. So start here, continue to explore, and... enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.62
Jeffrey Lewis: The EVEN MORE Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis
Probably everything you need to know about Lewis is contained in the opening track to his latest. The embodiment of NYC neuroses laid bare in folk form. Honest, funny and poignant all at once. You'll relate to half of it & probably be glad you don't relate to the other half. It's sweet, catchy, and sure to make you smile and laugh. Enjoy!
Album link in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.63
The Lewis Express with Chip Wickham: Doo-Ha!
The Lewis Express is a coming-together of musicians from various groups and releases on the oft-recommned'd ATA label out of Leeds. Formidable on their own, they're joined by flute groovemeister Wickham and the results are a boogie-down jam. Flavors of the 70's with CTI energy mixed with a peak Herbie Mann sound. It's a mood and a half. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.64
Hooffoot: Phantom Limb
Either the water or the socialized medicine, but they're doing something right in Scandinavia breeding heady shit like this band out of Sweden. Proggy jamjazz, like Miles Davis and Emerson Lake and Palmer's unholy child. Four tracks is all it takes for them to stretch to the outer limits and back again. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.65
Will Johnson: Diamond City
Johnson writes loud quiet songs & quiet loud songs, and man, can he! A songwriter's songwriter, if you're not familiar w/ his many projects, perhaps you caught him on tour with Isbell or before that in Monsters of Folk or New Multitudes. He's in finest form here, one evocative burner after another. Each sure to catch your ear with a lyric or a riff or just a mood. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.66
Dead Meadow: Voyager to Voyager
Dead Meadow has been doing the heavy psych thing for quite some time now and despite some ups & downs, they continue to deliver on their 10th studio LP. It comes weighted with tragedy as their bass player passed between recording & release. Hard not to focus on that fuzzy low end and how it complements some serious guitar riffs and power drumming. Shit rocks. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.67
Bugge Wesseltoft: Am Are
Keyboardist Wesseltoft is prolific as heck and possessing some serious stylistic breadth. As such, this is already his second rec-worthy release of the year and it's appropriately all over the place. Piano meditations, inventive jazz trio work, synthfusion jams, and experimental explorations. Amongst others. It all works, some more than others. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.68
Action & Tension & Space: New Dimensions
Eurojam perfection out of Norway. Your standard guitar, keys, bass, drum set-up takes you on a series of mind-bending, hair-raising psychedelic excursions. It's zone out music you can rock out to and rocking out music you can zone out to. I think you should listen to em all, of course, but this one is a must-listen, one of the so-far year's best. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.69
Rosettes: Lifestyles
The recommneds often looks to Northern Europe for sick psychedelic Eurojams, not for old school soul, but the pocket in this Helsinki band's debut is deep and incredibly comfy. They're not breaking any new ground, but the homage to classic soul, funk, and R&B sounds is undeniably, satisfyingly groovy. It's your perfect weekend launching pad, happy Friday and... enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.70
Rindert Lammers: Thank You Kirin Kiki
Ambient jazz out of the Netherlands. Where some ambient is like a still pond, content to luxuriate in silence, this debut finds lushness in its sparseness. Lammers' bio professes an early love of Genesis and you can feel a hint of that orchestral richness in these five quietly beautiful tracks. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.71
Øresund Space Collective: Alotta Hella down in Estrela
There are jams, there are long jams, and then there's shit like the 3-track, 90 (!) min session from this improvising collective. There's quality to go with that quantity too. You can almost hear someone ask if the tapes were rolling as they come out of their collective trance. You'll be thankful they were when you come out of yours. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.72
Charlie Ballantine: East by Midwest
Caught this guy play this week and quite possibly he's what's next in jazz guitar. The album, featuring a great rhythm section, captures the allure. Wonderful tone and smile-inducing playing. He covers both Monk + the Beatles (twice!) with a Lagesque spirit & a Frisellian approach. It's both the straight road and the crooked path. Looking forward to more. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.73
Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto: Electric War
Do you know Little Barrie? Maybe not, which is a crime. Barrie Cadogan's criminally underrated soulblues trio's been cranking out bangers for a while, each seemingly better than the last, which goes double for this collab with Catto. It's catchy-riff-heavy with some Nocentelli funk mixed in. Much to love, beginning to end. Get yourself acquainted. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.74
Romano: Güle Güle
Lior Romano is an Israeli musician with roots in Turkey & Egypt and his debut solo album is a worldly delight of instrumental funkiness that is a delight in any language or culture. Working from a base of synthesizers & keyboards of all stripes , Romano constructs grooves that are both forward-looking and reverent to past masters. One of my fave recent releases, dig it! Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.75
Charif Megarbane: Hawalat
A great companion to yesterday's rec is this latest banger from Lebanese artist Megarbane out on the Habbibi Funk label. It's funky indeed, but with a cinematic scope, the Meters crossed with Morricone out of the Middle East. Although that's just scratching the surface, the sound and the grooves are truly global. So spin it up and... enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.76
Samantha Crain: Gumshoe
There are moments on Crain's latest that could've been found on 70's FM radio. Others on 80's MTV, on an indie rock compilation from the 00's, a second stage at a folk festival in the 10's, and a algorithm discovery playlist in the 20's. It's timeless rock in its own way but mostly it's just a bunch of fantastic songs. Each track here could be a favorite. Find yours. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.77
The hypercreative Simon Hanes who helms bands like Tredici Bacci and personal fave Tsons of Tsunami heads to Brussels to compose a soundtrack in an incredibly creative, immersive way. You should read up on it while you're listening. You'll hear lots of influences from soundtracks of the 60's and 70's and Hanes own sonic fingerprints throughout. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.78
First Beige: Wayside
Sometimes things can get a little complex or esoteric around recommneds HQ but we like to keep it simple sometimes, too. Which isn't to say there isn't a twist or two in today's pick. But mostly it's just a super enjoyable jazzy, dancey indie pop out of Brisbane. There's an occasional Toro Y Moi vibe in there as well. Starts in one place, evolves to another. Cool stuff. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.79
Daughter of Swords: Alex
Alex Sauser-Monnig is 1/2 of Mountain Man amongst other things, performing solo as Daughter of Swords. Their previous release was a lovely, sparse folk, so the latest offering is quite a leap. The emotion-laden songwriting remains but now the sound is anything but sparse - a sonic depth sparkling with creativity, closer to early StVincent or JuanaMolina. Impressive. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.80
Web Web: Plexus Plexus
This one hits a sweet spot for me and I'm guessing if you're reading this for you as well. I mean, what's not to love? The Munich band finds the perfect balance of funk and fuzz, managing to squeeze a surprising amount of kapow! into each one of these 2-3 minute tracks. Bet ya dig... enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.81
Cold Diamond & Mink/Jimi Tenor: July Blue Skies
At its base, this has the feel of an old-school soul record that could've been the result of a heroic crate digging excursion. But give it a minute and it reveals new facets: garage psych here, flute grooves there, some synthfunk... both instrumentals and songs with summer-ready lyrics like the title track. So great ready for summer and... enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.82
NRG: Live at Ronnie Scott's
Sometimes I'll see sick improv at a club in NYC & wonder if those types of things happen in other cities. Well, here's proof that, of course, it does. A collective blending jazz, rock, soul, funk in a session at one of London's big jazz clubs that's mostly make it up as they go. Spontaneity & fun as the players, folks that make the big names sound good, go deep. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.83
EZRA: Froggy's Demise
They aren't the first to do the chamber bluegrass thing, but this quartet of young string players certainly have a way of making it feel like they are. Pretty much a new band, this is somehow their 3rd release, each better than the last. There's a vibrant warmth to their compositions and their ensemble playing. This music tells a story and it's one worth listening to. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.84
Spellman: Herbwise
This album gives the feeling of being in a mostly empty bar late at night, there's a band in the corner fiddling around, oozing pure quiet vibes. Then at others it's like happening upon a completely different band in the middle of an ancient magical forest, spinning pure spirtualism. Guitars and keys make room for primitive flute sounds. It's a mood, for sure. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.85
Uwade: Florilegium
The 1st time I heard Uwade I had to wonder why I'd never heard of her before, like was someone keeping her from me? Well, I'm not going to play you like that. Here to share her lovely voice & wonderful indie folkpop. The production is on point, making the pretty parts sounds prettier & giving the parts with more bite a little more bite. It sounds good, she sounds good. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.86
Shai Maestro: Solo: Miniatures and Tales
It's all there in the title, solo piano, with little pieces (ie miniatures) interspersed with longer explorations (the tales). It's a study in contrasts, all the ways of musically point-counterpoint-ing: tempo, mood, volume... In the end, it's mostly just lovely, introspective, and calming. Beautiful piano as balm in a not-always-beautiful world. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.87
Maia Friedman: Goodbye Long Winter Shadow
When you talk about music being *lush*, this is it. Chamber folk rich in ornamental instrumentation: strings and reeds and vocal harmonies. All in service to Friedman's voice and songwriting - love songs and existentialism. The result is like a sonic flower garden with varied textures, colors, and musical aroma. Put on your headphones and... enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.88
Michael Grigoni & Pan-American: New World, Lonely Ride
Just in time for your weekend zone-out is this enchanting duo record that weaves pedal and lap steel with acoustic guitar and a touch of synthesizers. It's an ethereal delight: sparse, floating meditations of strings. File alongside Mary Lattimore, Chuck Johnson, and William Tyler. Absolutely gorgeous. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.89
André Drage: Journeyman
Ah, this one I really love. Norwegian musician with the first release on his own label and dang, I'm looking forward to what's to come. This has hints of Zappa and Eno and Terry Riley. Dreamy groove and afro-ambient and bits of weirdness thrown in for good measure. At its highest moments it gets quite transcendent. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.90
Frente Cumbiero: Inconcreto & Asociados
Cumbia is almost always a deeply enjoyable groove on its own, but it also has a lump-of-clay quality that allows it to take all sorts of forms. Here's an excellent example. At times, it morphs into almost Balkan brass, either an intentional style mashup or a dance-ready demo of how sounds from corners of the globe just mesh. All that and much more. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.91
Soft Power: Space To Breathe
After a short been-too-busy pause, we're back! And what better way to return than with a band from northern Europe? These ain't heavypsych vines, though. This Finnish outfit finds a heady balance between the funk and progressive jazz. Occasionally edging psychedelic but always maintaining the groove, like Miles Davis leading the JB's, via Helsinki. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.92
Black Market Karma: Mellowmaker
New one from Stanley Belton has a killer mishmash of psychedelia of both the old school 60's and modern day varieties. He's a one-man show here and the result varies from low-fi bedroom noodling to a denser orchestral sound. It's straight from the UK, natch, and all expertly done, a pleasure backwards and forwards. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.93
Hooveriii: Manhunter
Summer's here and the time is right for rolling the windows down and cranking some rock and roll. LA's Hooveriii (pronounced "Hoover three") has got you covered with their latest. This thing is littered with nasty riffs, plenty of F-yeah! guitar, bass, keys, and drums, and just enough boundary pushing to keep it interesting. Turn it up, my friends. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.94
Kate NV: Room for the Moon Live
I saw Kate NV live once, she was solo with a laptop & console, singing & dancing to samples & electronics. Twas pretty good! This - a live recording of a one-off show with a 8-person band - is something else altogether. It sparkles with spontaneity. They deconstruct + reconstruct her music, fleshing out the influences of groove, ambient, jazz. A revelation... Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.95
Toby Hay: New Music For The 6 String Guitar
If you believe that there can never be enough gorgeous meditative acoustic guitar music (and I'm personally of the opinion that there can never be enough gorgeous meditative acoustic guitar music), here's some gorgeous meditative acoustic guitar music for ya. The title says it all. Hay's guitar is a soothing melodic balm in these worrying times. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.96
Mei Semones: Animaru
Bio says "jazz influenced indie" and given 3 words, sure, that accurately describes Semones. But that might also sell it short. If there's a sonic dimension that has an overlap of Andrew Bird + Deerhoof, you might find her there. Sweet string-laden whimsy & unexpected freak-outs both have a place, along with some lovely guitar & Japanese lyrics. This one's for smiling. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.97
Florry: Sounds Like...
I first heard these guys at Woodsist fest last year, which was a perfect fit for this Philly rock band. The album is perfectly twang-heavy, a laid-back country rock for the age of legalized weed. It crackles with guitar and pedal steel, getting out "there" just often enough while not taking themselves too seriously. It rocks, it's fun, it's easy to love. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
2025.98
TWÏNS: Healing Dreams
An easy-to-love release out of Berlin. Listening to Miro Denck's newest is like listening to a playlist of my favorite sounds on shuffle. It hops all over the place - from exotica to Zappaesqueness to psychedelic jazz and more - you have to remind yourself that it's the same album/musician. The good news is, it's all quite good, making for a more-than-pleasant listen. Enjoy!
Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds
As we approach the midway point of the year, a reminder that the #recommNeds are also available in Instagram form if you prefer to get your under-the-radar new music recs in that manner.
Stay tuned for my first half of 2025 picks...
https://www.instagram.com/recommneds?igsh=MTFmOXVvNWdycWI3OA==
neddyo