Blues

(Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, BB King)

You Me and Apollo: Cards with Cheats

Valerie
For moments when all you need is a sweet voiced singer with his guitar serenading your quiet afternoon; You Me and Apollo should make really good company. The guy behind this sonic ensemble is Brent Cowles. A pastor's son from Fort Collins, Cowles started writing and creating songs at the age of 14. Thanks to an early start, he developed a beautiful sound that resonates with both quiet and upbeat tempos, mesmerizing vocal work and skillful guitars. Simplicity and intrigue are both present in his work, something that makes you want to tune out the world and simply tune in to his songs.
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Freeky Cleen: Acoustic Blues Jams

Valerie
Blues has always had a special place in my heart so when I found this really cool record from Freeky Cleen, it definitely made me smile. Acoustic Blues Jams is a laid back and simple guitar driven blues jam from a one man band. The project began back in 2004 when Ilya Polishchuk and Alex Okhrimenko decided to create their own recording studio, complete with instruments and systems that they created themselves. This was a big challenge but they managed to succeed. After taking the plunge, Ilya recorded a couple of original tracks which would eventually lead to Freeky Cleen's debut record, Infertility, back in 2005.
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Modifythevan: Welcome to Modifythevan

Valerie
Released about two years ago, Welcome to Modifythevan is still a great compilation folk pop lovers will enjoy. Judging from the great roster this creative commons netlabel supports, you're bound to enjoy something from this record. The label is owned by Robin Grey, who has been featured in our Frostclick blog for his other effort, I Love Leonard Cohen. Composed of several artists and their music; this special album takes 10 tracks from Ben Oliver, Blue Swerver, Johnny Berliner, Madelaine Hart and Richard Godwin, in addition to Grey. The album creates a beautiful mix of folk pop, melodic music you'll love to have running on your player.
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Abdoulaye Alhassane: Sahara Spirit

Natalie
Abdoulaye Alhassane is often called a master of the music of the Saharan cultures and languages; from Songhai, Sonrai, to Tamaschek, Peil, Toureg, and Zerma. More than anything else, however, he is an incredibly talented composer, arranger, producer and has been a part of a highly successful Niger based band, Mamar Kassey, which toured the world gathering countless of rave reviews. Although playing mainly guitar, Alhassane's instrumental entourage includes many Central Saharan strings such as Molo and Gurmi and today brings some masterfully crafted sounds further reminding us that instruments... can sing too.
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ne:o – direkt (live)

Valerie
Ne:o is a German band that mixes a whole lot of genres to create an essentially artistic piece of work. The group recently released a live performance compilation to cap off their German tour last 2009. It wasn't meant to be the last group performance but until today it remains to be seen whether the guys will be getting back together or not. The album is available at Aaahh Records as well as on Internet Archive. Ne:o played songs from previous albums, âne:omuzicâ, âmusikkritikâ and the critically acclaimed, âillojâ. Listening to this band is like taking a wonderful, psychedelic music trip where you encounter layers and layers of sound as well as instruments that beautifully harmonize or mingle with each other. Take a listen.
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Derek Clegg: Here Comes Your Fate, Quick Duck

Gav
Derek Clegg serenades our ears once again with his distinctive brand of Indie-Folk in his new album, ‘Here Comes Your Fate, Quick Duck’. This album is tremendously good for easy-listening and regardless of what you normally listen to, prepare to be temporarily converted. Indie Folk seems to be the foundation of Clegg’s music, although, at times he intertwines genres such as country and rock. His music is never predictable; each track change also comes with a new surprise. This can be partly attributed to Clegg’s impressive repertoire of multi-instrumental abilities. Clegg’s vocals are also extremely versatile, he modifies himself as a vocalist to suit the style of each song.
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jespa: jespa ep

Valerie
British acoustic folk pop act, Jespa or j*e*s*p*a "are an acoustic folk, soul and blues duo based in london, playing their hearts out to everyone who'll listen." That description from their Myspace might sound generic but they do have a great set of cuts to back them up. Their 5 track self-titled EP is filled with lush and melodic cuts that make you wish you had it playing as background music for every quiet and lonely moment you ever have.
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Hot Fiction: Dark Room

Valerie
Hot Fiction is a singing duo from England made up of Andy Yeoh on drums/vocals and Simon Miller on guitars. Now, from the opener "Start if Off," it's hard not to liken the group to another famous duo, The White Stripes. With their pounding drum beats and signature jangly guitars, Hot Fiction is definitely on the right track. Dark Room nicely blends jazz, blues, garage and hardrock into one fine and very hot mess.
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The Black Sunn: GodSound

Valerie
East Baltimore emcee, The Black Sunn, vividly illustrate life's good and bad points. GodSound is the latest offering from this talented emcee. Unlike most hip hop albums, this one resonates with positivity, but it doesn't ignore the reality of life as well. This is the second full length record from the rapper. With its poetic lyrics, dope beats and honest look at life; it's definitely an album worth checking out.
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