The 2010’s rang us recently. Turns out, they’re excited about new Real Estate. And who wouldn’t be? A new song by the veterans of jangly indie-rock would certainly be an enjoyable addition to any playlist.
Speaking of joyful playlist additions: Pianist Vincent Anthony Guaraldi is responsible for a handful of the most-beloved holiday tunes ever put to tape. And while his trio’s moody soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas has its adherents, the Vince Guaraldi Quintet’s A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a jazz-funk masterwork unlike anything that came before it.
This week’s edition of New Music Friday features the first single from Real Estate’s forthcoming new album and a cut from the new reissue of Guaraldi’s turkey-day classic, as well as Dolly Parton doin’ CCR, a downtempo R&B stunner from Gallant (feat. Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper and Keyon Harrold), the wallop of local indie-punks Seagate and a little drone music for curious ears. Enjoy!
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Jangle Rock/Indie Folk
Real Estate – “Water Underground”
Recommended If You Like: Fruit Bats, Allah-Las, Kurt Vile
New Jersey-natives and veterans of indie-rock Real Estate return with their first new music since the 2021’s Half a Human EP. For “Water Underground,” singer-guitarist Martin Courtney penned a song about writing a song, and the band sticks to their tried-and-true formula – bouncy grooves, jangly guitars and warm textures. Read a review.
Jazz
Vince Guaraldi Quintet – “Is It James or Charlie?” (Bonus mix with whistling)
Recommended If You Like: Ramsey Lewis, Lavar Benson, Mose Allison
Last week, the beloved holiday album (and maybe the coolest album ever made for a children’s program), A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, got the 50th Anniversary reissue treatment. With the album, pianist Vince Guaraldi and co. set a high watermark for the fusion of jazz and funk, and the reissue features extended reprisals and improvisational cuts, like deeply groovy “Is It James or Charlie?”
Rock
Dolly Parton – “Long as I Can See the Light”
Recommended If You Like: John Fogerty, Dusty Springfield, Otis Redding
Dolly Parton’s new record of rock covers is uneven; but with 30 tracks, an album of front-to-back bangers would be a monumental feat – even for Dolly! Parton’s bluesy piano-led take on John Fogerty’s classic CCR ballad is one of several standouts on Rockstar – an apt title for Dolly, but one which doesn’t even begin to capture the impact of the singer, expert songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, entrepreneur and bonafide icon.
Global/Downtempo
Reyna Tropical – “Ya Va Pasar”
Recommended If You Like: Bomba Estéreo, Elsa Y Elmar, Sávila
Reyna Tropical is the project of singer-guitarist-producer-media-mogul Fabiola Reyna (Sávila, She Shreds Media). The groove and percussion-heavy new single “Ya Va Pasar” is an undeniably pleasant journey through paradisiacal rain forest of programmed beats, sublime guitar plinks and nature sounds.
R&B
Gallant – “311!”
Recommended If You Like: Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Butcher Brown
On “311!” Grammy-nominated R&B singer Gallant throws a soulful downtempo party for A-listers of the current jazz-R&B-hip-hop vanguard, with Grammy-nominated producer Terrace Martin behind the board, Grammy-winning pianist Robert Glasper on the keys and Grammy-winning trumpeter Keyon Harrold on the brass. Read a review.
Jazz
Jahari Stampley – “Power” (feat. Jeremiah Collier & Emilio Modeste)
Recommended If You Like: Thelonious Monk, Weather Report, Van Crusen
Winner of the prestigious Herbie Hancock Jazz Competition, 24-year-old pianist Jahari Stampley is on another level. His independently-released debut Still Listening – which features a who’s who of emerging jazz hotshots – is engaging, challenging and often transcendent. Read a review.
Drone/Ambient
Kali Malone – “All Life Long (for Organ)”
Recommended If You Like: La Monte Young, Marian Zazeela, Anna von Hausswolff
Denver-born, Stockholm, Sweden-based artist Kali Malone is a master of monolithic drone-based music. Now that may sound arch (or highbrow), but through subtle shifts in tone, Malone makes enjoyably imaginative music, suitable for all ears. Read a review.
Punk/Indie-Rock
Seagate – “Mind Control”
Recommended If You Like: Osees, Broncho, Television
At just 21-years young, Seagate’s Sam Baglino is already a veteran of the city’s indie scene. On a new six-song EP recorded on mostly analog gear, Seagate – who launched as a brooding, new wave act – go primal and experimental, sounding not unlike something one might find on a rare compilation of early-’70s proto punk. Read a review.
More New Music
Many of the tracks from our New Music Friday series are spinning on our music discovery station The Independent 89.9 HD4 and all are included on our Fresh Squeeze playlist on Spotify.
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