Mastodawn

neddyo Apr 7

2026.44

Tomo Katsurada & Misha Panfilov: Eternal Almost

Regular readers of the recommneds probably already have this one in rotation, but just in case... The meeting of the minds between the do-no-wrong Panfilov and the also-do-no-wrong Katsurada (RIP Kikagaku Moyo!) is as excellent as you'd expect. A perfect amalgamation of the pairs' individual aesthetics creating something new and excellent, extending far along the psychfolk and groovejam axes. No way you're not gonna dig this. No way. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 8

2026.45

Work Money Death: A Portal to Here

Insofar as you might find a perfect specimen of spiritual jazz here in 2026, the latest from this Leeds band might just be the one. Equally hypnotic as it is ferocious, this album really takes you there. These four tracks cover over 50 minutes that allow the ear to zoom in on any component - horns, harp, that devotional rhythm section - or wrap around the entire collective with equally heady zone-out potential. It's a masterpiece, more accurately *another* one for WMD . Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 9

2026.46

Ali & Charif Megarbane: Tirakat

This is Habibi Funk 034 and like the rest of the label's releases, it's definitely a delicious bit of funk. The pairing is of the trio Ali from Jakarta joined by the Lebanese Megarbane. The music slides easily along the spectrum between Arabic grooves and 70's-era funk and soul, sometimes finding itself far on one or the other, but mostly with the bopping somewhere in the delicious in-between. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 10

2026.47

Zena: Temesgen

While we're on the subject of globetrotting funkiness, get a load of this UK duo who simply do not miss on their new EP. The bass-plus-synth pair bring their own brand of joyous Ethio-jazz. Their flavor of synth gives it an almost retrofuturistic sound while the bass leads the world-spanner grooves. Heady head-bobbers from a parallel universe. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 13

2026.48

Natalie Jane Hill: Hopeful Woman

There's a beautiful vagueness in the cover art to Hill's latest album. It matches the music perfectly, a sparse folk not overly concerned with the details. You get all you need from her songs, voice, and the strum of her acoustic guitar. The other stuff - well-placed bits of pedal steel, flute, drums, harmonies - make the lovely even lovelier, but from a perfect distance on the periphery. It's all pretty great and a few tracks reach that next listen-to-that-again level of songwriting. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 14

2026.49

Saturno 4000: Arrival

This Berlin-based group isn't necessarily a prog band, but their new album does have proggy bits to it. They're not necessarily a psychrock band, but they do get to outer space on occasion. They're not a funk band, but they do get pretty funky, somewhere in between Turkish grooves and Afrobeat. So, you know, just some more rec-worthy Eurojams. Their debut full-length doesn't even crack 35 minutes over 10 tracks, but, no worries, it's an all-killer/no-filler kind of thing. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 16

2026.50

Studio Kosmische: Electronic Meditation For Inner Space Travel

Kosmische translates to "cosmic" and the latest album from the UK band certainly is. It's space travel as the title suggests, long stretches of weightless floating occasionally interrupted by alien encounters and other-planet weirdness. With multiple sonic threads woven throughout, it plays like a singular suite. A cosmic one. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 16

2026.51

Matt Douglas: Repetition Sketchbook

There's much to bemoan about our current digital age, but there's something to be said for four guys getting together to jam in January and then by the end of March the pristine recordings are released for easy worldwide consumption. That's more or less the story here with the NC saxophonist joined in quartet by Chris Boerner on electric guitar, Cameron Ralston bass, and Matt McCaughan on drums. It's jammy jazz or jazzy jams but really it's just four dudes totally locked in. It's an EP and not very long, but it doesn't need to be. Magic. Enjoy!

neddyo Apr 20

2026.52

Sean Thompson's Weird Ears: Inner Principles

Thompson is, in my opinion, one of the more interesting guitar players to keep an eye on right now. Last year he released a jammy country record, was a principal jammer on the exploratory Shrunken Elvis and shredded nightly as the touring guitarist for Margo Price. His latest expands the pallette even more. It's jazz guitar of various types, from ambient to bluesy to essentially old school jazz fusion. Expanding on his brand of "weird" in the best way possible. Can't wait to see what's next. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 21

2026.53

Cactus Lee: Lee's Dream

Your mileage may vary, but listen to the latest from the Cactus Lee, the sounds that come to mind are the sounds of the FM radio of my youth when my mom was driving me around: Cat Stevens, John Denver, Dan Fogelberg. It's a soft focus rock with a strong undercurrent of folk and country. It's comfy and makes you feel good. The songs are great, some hit-repeat worthy, and his voice is warm and easy. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 22

2026.54

Chris Morrissey: Infinite Source of Heat

Morrissey seems to get stronger with each release, honing his unique sound. It's the kind of sound borne from the combination of a bass player's perspective, the synthesis of his songwriting influences, and an A+ band that's built for jazz improv, but is playing an inventive indie rock of sorts. It's propulsive and dreamy all at once. With a few extra special guests that indicate the kind of talent Morrissey rolls with on the reg. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 24

2026.55

Yelena Eckemoff: Rosendals Garden

Eckemoff is an under-the-radar prolific Russian-American pianist that only puts out the goods. Her roots in classical lead to a certain intellectual flavor in her compositions and a unique creativity in her improvisation. Her latest is a musical ode to Sweden, in a trio with local talent... there's even a song for ABBA! It's more magic from Eckemoff and worth listening front to back. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 24

#newmusic #MusicDiscovery #bluegrass

2026.56

Ezra: Whippersnap

It's been less than a year since I featured an album by this group, but they are already back and continuing to hone their sound. It's strongly (and welcomingly) reminiscent of work put out by combinations of guys like Fleck and Meyer 2-3 decades ago. Bluegrass, jazz, and classical alloyed into a single thing, a very heady thing. Here a piano features prominently, balancing the mandolin, banjo, and guitar nicely. The main attraction here is in the writing, the compositions forging a maturing voice. Keep em coming! Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 27

#newmusic #MusicDiscovery #jazz

2026.57

Allison, Cardenas & Nash: Triological

At first glance, this might look like a no risk jazz quartet whose drummer didn't show, but they decided to play the gig anyway. But give it a minute or two and it reveals something much deeper. Without the rhythmic guardrails of the drums, the trio (bass, reeds, guitar) feels fully weightless and the conversational chemistry of the veteran players is easy to follow. Easy and quite pleasant. Playing all original music, they make it look and sound easier than it is. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 28

2026.58

John Andrews and the Yawns: Streetsweeper

I love how Andrews named his solo effort the Yawns. His sound is so laid back, it's like the bare minimum that could still be called rock and roll. But it's definitely rock, with immaculate slacker vibes. What once felt like a hobby project for a musician often in the supporting role has become increasingly more its own awesome thing and the latest finds him at his best yet. The songs have a noticeable focus, they don't stick in your head, but rather leave you consumed with their overall laid-back energy. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 30

2026.59

Memorials: All Clouds Bring Not Rain

Listening to this one through brings to mind an old favorite band of mine, Apollo Sunshine. Parts of it legitimately sound wonderfully quite similar to that early-aughts trio, but more of the connection is this UK duo's ability to smear together their far-flung influences into a singular theirs-alone sound. Unsurprisingly, I love the heck out of it and you probably will, too. And this is also a reminder that I'm always open for your recommendations, I listen to pretty much all of em, so never hesitate to pass along and I will do the same. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Apr 30

2026.60

Prymek & Sage: Shelter

When you navigate a forest you are moving through the spaces between the trees and in much the same way, listening to the debut full length from this duo is not so much navigating the notes, but navigating the spaces between them. Trading between guitar, piano, clarinet, harmonium and more, the music is sparse and delicate, the gaps between both infinite and finite. It's not so much the instruments as the sounds, layered on top of each other, inverting the spaces and making them quiet. A lovely meditation. Enjoy.

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 1

2026.61

Maston & Greg Foat: Moving Images

Greg Foat is a repeat offender around here. His output is a ratified extreme of quantity and quality: how does he put out so much music and how is it all so damn good? The latest is a collaborative effort with Maston, 12 tracks and 33 minutes, a dozen short bursts of exemplar grooves. It's their modernized take on library music and you feel like you could sit in each piece for an eternity and never tire of it. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 6

2026.62

John Zorn: Alea Iacta Est

Zorn's latest release is a masterclass in the kind of composing only he can pull off. The music moves between a range of genres and feels and energy barriers in a short amount of time, the four movements seemingly containing infinite mini-pieces. But the movement between them is the opposite of jarring, almost imperceptible. Of course, having top notch musicians to realize your genius helps and the band here, Brian Marsella on piano, Jorge Roeder on bass, and Ches Smith on drums, is as good as it gets. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 6

2026.63

Dida Pelled: I Wish You Would

We lean a little New York City around here and today's pick is from an NYC artist I'm always happy to catch around town. Her latest album also features an impressive cast of NYC-regulars - Sullivan Fortner on keys, Tony Scherr on bass, and Kenny Wollesen on drums. The record is a love letter to the blues, the set of standards and favorites almost out of Jorma Kaukonen's repertoire. But (in case the album cover didn't give you the hint) this is the sexy, jazzy blues of an Israeli-born, NYC vocalist/guitarist, a different kind of love letter altogether. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 13

2026.64

Pearla: Song Room

At its base, the sophomore full-length from Pearla is a solo voice and guitar record. And the songs and voice are good enough, sparse observations on love, lyrics that you want to luxuriate in, that you don't need much more. But there is more: when it needs extra sadness, there's some pedal steel; when it needs a beat, there are drums; when it needs airy whispers of electronics, it's got that, too. And when it needs to be just a voice singing those songs and nothing else, well, there's plenty of that, too. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 18

#newmusic #MusicDiscovery #piano

2026.65

Yvonne Rogers: The Button Jar

There are few young musicians I'm as high on as this NYC-based pianist. While she almost exclusively performs as part of a group, either leading or sidepersoning, her latest is a purely solo performance. And while she is undoubtedly a jazz player, the record fully transcends genre. It is as if we have been given a private peek at the inner-voice narrative of a musician's mind: beautiful, complex, focused for a while and then wandering expertly and back again. Piano music at its finest. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 19

2026.66

Adam Schatz: Civil Engineering

Schatz is a guy who is equally comfortable following a script, like when he's backing artists Iike Japanese Breakfast or Sylvan Esso, writing the script, as he does with his art rock project Landlady, and going completely without a script, as he does in this trio with bassist Carmen Quill and drummer Qasim Naqvi. His brand of freeform is an understated one, pieces unfolding in delightfully slow and quiet fashion. Moving easily and often simultaneously between sax, keys, and technology, Schatz creates something unique and compelling. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 20

2026.67

Emily Nenni: Movin' Shoes

Nenni originally hails from Califronia, currently lives and works in Nashville, and recorded this latest album in Memphis. So, when I say it's got an old school sound, it's really three different old schools combined: Nashville country, Memphis soul, and a laid back west coast charm and wit. As with her previously rec'd releases, it's her consistently charming songwriting that pushes this into highest-praise realm for me. And maybe for you, too. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 21

2026.68

La Vacanza: In Riva Al Mare

Don't look now, but is the album of your summer A debut EP from a band from Norway? This one feels more like "beaches of southern Europe" in origin, but no matter. This is 20 minutes of pop-funk perfection, bright sunshiney bass riffs and daydream vocals. Put this one on repeat on your portable waterproof speaker while you're poolside and let the grooves take you to mental vacationland. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 22

#newmusic #MusicDiscovery #jazz

2026.69

Ryan Blotnick: The Woods

On his newest release, Blotnick plays some great guitar and has written some wonderful pieces, but perhaps the best thing he's done is put together a band that gives the material just what it needs. The quartet, largely made up of indie rock touring band musicians, acts like a prism, refracting your standard jazz guitar music into a rainbow of sound. Helium-filled weightlessness to swinging grooves and more, the album providing a nicely flowing set. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 28

2026.70

Evolfo: Of Love

The recs have been dominated by NYC faves recently, and why stop now? This seven-piece manages to sound like about 12 different bands over the course of their new album, often shifting sounds multiple times in a single track. To sum it up in words - psych, prog, classic rock in some combination - would diminish their music considerably. While the influences are there, for sure, Evolfo manages to sound like few others. The second guitar is a cosmic 12-string, there's a saxophone, the vocals work, and they've got the chemistry of many many gigs together. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 29

2026.71

Outer Worlds Jazz Ensemble: The Kármán Line

We always dig a good collab, but there are some names that pop up in the "featuring" slot and you just know it's gonna be some sonic gold worth digging. When it comes to anything jazz out of the UK, Leeds in particular, that name is Chip Whickham, the flute player that is a rec regular. Here he spins his magic webs once again, contributing to a mystical devotional sound that buries layers of rhythmic complexity under seemingly simple melodies. It evokes a 70's era where pop and jazz started to bleed into each other, ranging from zone-outs to deep grooves. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo May 29

2026.72

Jesca Hoop: Long Wave Home

Everyone has a favorite songwriter that they can't believe isn't a household name, or, if you're like me, many favorites. Hoop is definitely on my list, her songs feel like satisfying word puzzles, the across clues of lyrics that the clever and the intensely personal interlocking satisfyingly with the down clues of her sense of rhythm and melody. The new development on her latest is her taking on producing duties for the first time, bringing her unique style and creativity to the entirety. You can feel the crackle of her wit and worldview in every beautifully mesmerizing note. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Jun 1

2026.73

Błoto + Ion D: Atmosfera

Błoto is a terrific psychedelic groove band from Poland. On their latest, they've seriously expanded their sound, largely in electronic direction. Infusing motifs from 80's hip hop, 90's techno into a hefty foundation of old school acid jazz and flecks of good ol' Eurojams, there's a lot going on in here and plenty to places to get lost in for a while. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Jun 2

2026.74

Ista: In Sound to All

At the start of the latest from these Brooklyn rockers, you might get some serious Jack White vibes: masterful riffage from perfectly fuzzed-out guitar. By the end, your comp might be something more like the Family Stone: psychedelic soul with inventive hooks and positive vibes. The real Ista, with production from the singular Sam Cohen, exists in some sweet spot in between. And how sweet it is. Highest recommendation. Enjoy!

Album links in LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Jun 3

2026.75

Sosyete '25: Yaygara

The only problem with a dazzling debut release is that eventually you have to follow it up. For now, it's enough to just luxuriate in the banger-heavy first full length from this UK trio. Mystical and magical and groovy as heck, this is Turkish funk taken to the next level. Enjoy!

Album links at LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Jun 4

2026.76

Gitkin: Where the South Winds Wail

Guitarist Brian J, performing as Gitkin, has doing the world groove guitar thing for almost 10 years now, before it was quite widespread. He's still at it with a wide-ranging collection, almost as if a musical geography lesson in how the electric guitar can be used to get funky in almost any culture. But it's the way it all ties together, as if one singular tapestry, that truly elevates. Enjoy!

Album links at LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Jun 8

2026.77

SUSS: Counting Sunsets

While ambient country has been having its moment for the past few years, these guys were making it sound cool before it was cool. Their latest is 10 tracks titled Sunset I-X and it's an apt visual. The pedal-steel-centric music the sound of beautiful streaky, faded yellows and oranges and the pace is the slow calm of the sun going over the horizon. The motion is barely perceptible, but it gets where it's going. Enjoy!

Album links at LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Jun 9

#newmusic #MusicDiscovery #folk

2026.78

Abigail Lapell: Shadow Child

Lapell's folk is timeless. If I told you she was an undiscovered talent from 50's Greenwich Village or 60's San Francisco, you'd have no trouble believing it. Her latest is a 9 song cycle celebrating the 9-month gestation of her first child. It's simple and personal and beautiful. Another must-listen from the Canadian songwriter. Enjoy!

Album links at LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Jun 11

2026.79

Beck Zegans: Engraving of Armor

Sometimes it's the ones that don't seem to be doing anything special that end up getting the most reslistens. For Zegans, it's all about finding the sweet spot between the lyrics, the voice, and the indie rock sound. The balance between vocals that are almost dreamy and the guitar/bass/drum bombast is impressive. It brings to mind Widowspeak and Courtney Barnett with shades of Wilco. To me, at least. What about you? Enjoy!

Album links at LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo Jun 12

2026.80

Bobby Previte: Second Arrow

Previte is one of those guys that might not always be on your radar but once he gets there, you wonder how he ever left. The veteran drummer has played with many greats over the past couple of decades and always makes the music better. His latest, the first as a leader in quite some time, is far reaching. He's comfortable making music that's quite pretty and then turning around and laying something quite hair-raising on you. Quite! He's put together a band of ringers who are equally comfortable in both modes, and many others along the way. Enjoy!

Album links at LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo 4d ago

2026.81

Bill Orcutt & Mabe Fratti: Almost Waking

There is a version of this album where a different guitar/cello duo make music that is beautiful in the way the two instruments interlock and overlay with expert precision. This is not that album. Orcutt and Fratti deliver a different kind of beauty: the kind of beauty of an old, weathered barn leaning into the farmland or of the damage done by a powerful summer downpour. It's a fuzzy-edged and ragged (mostly) instrumental folk. The guitar has a well-worn distortion, but that occasionally-electrified cello is just as blurry. But, beautiful nonetheless. Enjoy!

Album links at LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/recommneds

neddyo 2d ago

2026.82

Les Big Byrd: Ruin Everything

I think as long as the #recommNeds has been around, I've been pushing this Swedish band. I know I've been digging these guys for a while because the one time I saw them in a rare trip to the US was in a club that's long gone as part of a festival that hasn't existed for a decade. Over that time, their brand of Eurojam has zigged and zagged between the realm of the weird and more focused rock. This one is certainly in the latter, song-centric and driving motorik rhythms, part Beatles, part Neu! with lyrics in both English and their native tongue. Glad to still have these guys around. Enjoy!