American poet, Gil Scott-Heron , released his first album in 16 years this week entitled, I’m New Here . In the wake of Johnny Cash ’s American series, where cover songs ran prevalent and Cash communicated his mortality through performance, Heron’s album is apparently as rendition-heavy and prone to the same introspective tone. Robert Johnson ’s “Me And The Devil” is treated as modern-day hip hop soul in a voice both worn and engaging, withdrawing authenticity from any popular pseudo-soul crooner. With as much R&B as you hear these days, it’s tragic that none of it means anything. People like Heron are a dying breed, which makes this song even more poignant. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Filmmaker, Paul Rachman , and writer, Steve Blush , the guys that brought American Hardcore to the masses, are working on a new documentary called, LOST ROCKERS . LOST ROCKERS basically exposes the unexposed, examining forgotten or overlooked musicians that, somehow, got lost in the “star-maker” shuffle. Rachman and Blush are in the process of making this film, four interviews with Gloria Jones , Jake Holmes , David Peel and Dr. Israel in the can, and they need outside support to fund the project. They need $15,000 by May 19th. You can find out more at Kickstarter.com . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Some specialty vinyl... Siren Records , Doylestown, PA: AFCGT AFCGT (LP) White vinyl 12" & 7" Sup Pop Released 1.26.10 So far, AFCGT 's self-titled 12" is my favorite album of the year. For Valentine's Day, my wife treated me to a day at the record store. Lately, as we've all been tightening our belts and doing all we can to deal with the dismal economy, record shopping hasn't been that common an occurrence. When you get a rare opportunity you want to make it count, so I was overwhelmed at the store and I was very focused on stretching my dollars as much as I could. But, I saw AFCGT's album on the shelf. Granted, it would've been cool to get something new that I hadn't heard yet, but the only instance of certainty I experienced at the store was when I decided to pick this album up. So, it was meant to be. You have to love creation when it combines "simplistic" with "dynamic." The music itself has an air of DIY...

jj jj n° 3 Secretly Canadian/Sincerely Yours Released: 3.9.10 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

The Village Vanguard is celebrating 75 years this week. As integral as this club was to jazz music in the early to mid-20th century, The Village Vanguard is also the venue for two of my favorite John Coltrane albums, The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings and Live at the Village Vanguard Again! . It's possible that I've gone on and on about the Vanguard recordings in the past, so I'll instead focus on the club. When CBGBs shut down in 2006, it was apparent that nothing in this big, dark, commercial world of ours was sacred. Art and commerce will always be at odds, needing each other in order to stay both stable and relevant, but ready to cancel each other out once the tides turn, the trends whither away, or people just stop caring. In 1977, it was about the music. In 2006, it was about the fucking rent. The Village Vanguard is still an active club, nurturing the newbies and keeping up with the vets. Max Gordon opened the club in 1935; a basement that, acco...

Man/Miracle 's The Shape Of Things is out today via Third Culture Records and features an interesting mix of Naked era Talking Heads and a refined and somewhat aurally considerate Minutemen . The grooves are thick and worldly, the songs quick and dynamic. A review for the album will be up within the next week or so. In the meantime, check out some songs: "Above The Salon "Hot Sprawl" 2.24 Bottom of the Hill SF, CA w/ Rogue Wave and Princeton (Noise Pop) 3.17 SXSW Austin, TX 3.18 Bay Area SXSW Takeover / Beauty Bar Austin, TX 3.24 Tin Can Ale House San Diego, CA 3.25 SLO Art Center San Luis Obispo, CA w/ Titus Andronicus Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Earlier this month, I posted a single from Tunng 's upcoming release, ...And Then We Saw Land . A trailer for the album's release is available and features song snippets. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead