A well-designed lyric video surfaced for Camae Ayewa's (a.k.a. Moor Mother) "We Got The Jazz," a new single featured in her upcoming release  Jazz Codes Deluxe , which is an enhanced digital version of 2022's excellent Jazz Codes .  From the desk of Stereo Sanctity: “‘ We Got The Jazz ’ is me thinking about how mediocre a lot of popular music is, about its capitalistic structures and how those placements are bought and paid for,”  Ayewa said of the song’s meaning.  “I'm speaking about the whitewashing of who's allowed to participate in jazz, who is allowed to participate in poetry, and asking where the room for innovation is, now and in the future. It’s also me thinking about my jazz band, Irreversible Entanglements, and how we’ve toured the world destroying stages, uplifting audiences, and inspiring everyone on the jazz scene with or without recognition. I'm also speaking about my own influence on the culture.” Jazz Codes Deluxe will be released 5/19/23 ...

To whom it may interest, Electro-propulsive instrumentalists ZOMBI premiered two new tracks via Unacceptable Color , a live music channel that apparently specializes in showcasing an array of fringe artists. Tracks are titled "Improvise, Adapt & Overcome" and "Bodies In The Flotsam" both baring the duo's signature synth-tonal stylings and clean percussion. In spite of the video's visual grain, the session is well produced.  Info was provided by Relapse Records . ZOMBI on Facebook ZOMBI on Instagram ZOMBI on Twitter ZOMBI on Bandcamp Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

So, that's another November billed and submitted for review. It's early 12/1 and I'm an hour into the workday, taking healthy swigs from a lukewarm large cup of 7-11's finest blend and struggling to stay focused on any task that needs to be handled and completed today. Focus has been a problem, something I mean to fix this coming year. Due to the frequent interruptions and fire drills I'll experience over the course of a day, the need for me to pivot at a moment's notice often leaves me unable to keep track of my prior tasks. I'll repeat steps and miss others. It's yet another boundary that I need to be able to set and communicate to workplace peers: "Yes, I'll take care of that in a minute, but please let me finish what I'm working on."  I'm turning 46 in 20 days. You'd think I'd have my shit together at this point. In line with getting ones shit together, "Best Of"s and "Favorites Of"s lists are being c...

Of any OSEES release to pop up over the last few years, (and there are many), 2022's A Foul Form might possibly be the most fuzz-laden and shouty. Clocking in at aggressive 22 minutes at 45RPM,  A Foul Form sounds intentionally designed to emulate the hardcore releases of the past and this iteration of John Dwyer's perpetually evolving art punk outlet absolutely succeeds without abandoning ANY of its signature or creative trademark. A video for "Scum Show" recently surfaced, visuals captured from a show OSEES performed in Paris earlier this year.  The video was provided by Tell All Your Friends PR. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

It's well-past midnight. Officially Tuesday morning. Experiencing a rare bout of insomnia on a work night, which isn't ideal. Figured I'd post some tracks. Enjoy. ____________________________ Meg Baird:  "Star Hill Song" (from Furling releasing 1/27/23 by Drag City ) Courtesy of Drag City. Knife The Symphony:  "Wildling I / Islands" (from All The Wrong Turns Taken To Get Here releasing 1/2/23 by Phratry Records ) All The Wrong Turns Taken To Get Here by Knife The Symphony No Base Trio: "ST [7]" (from NBT II releasing 10/15/22)   Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

I had a good time today. It's not often that over the course of a workday I'm able to direct some attention to my periphery, just enough that I keep to the necessary tasks while engaging with something more worthwhile. In this case, I spent some time today checking out some long overdue songs and artists that I'd meaning to investigate for the past few weeks. It's been a bit since I sorted through browser tabs.  That said, there's a lot to review. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to comment.  ____________________________ Deniz Cuylan: "Hidden Language Of Four" (from Rings Of Juniper releasing 10/14/22 by Hush Hush Records ) Deniz Cuylan · Hidden Language Of Four Courtesy of C L A N D E S T I N E  L A B E L  S E R V I C E S. Deru : "The Dirt" (from  We Will Live On  releasing 10/28/22 by Friends Of Friends ) Courtesy of Terrorbird Media.  Bill Nace : "E:E" (from  Through A Room  releasing 11/11/22 by  Drag City )   Courtesy of Drag Ci...

It's a Wednesday evening of sorting through browser tabs. Some tracks for your perusal:  Russian Circles: "Gnosis" (from Gnosis  releasing 8/19/22 by Sargent House ) Courtesy of Rarely Unable.  Buñuel : "It's All Mine" (from Killers Like Us released by Profound Lore ) Courtesy of Rarely Unable.  Child Bite : "Erect for Dystopia" (from Multicult / Child Bite split 12" by Hex Records ) MULTICULT/ CHILD BITE split 12" by Multicult/ Child Bite Kali Malone : "Living Torch II" (from Living Torch by  GRM Portraits ) Living Torch by Kali Malone Die Welttraumforscher:  "Glücklich. Traurig. Seltsam" (from Liederbuch releasing 8/19/22 by Bureau B ) Liederbuch by Die Welttraumforscher Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

A pleasantly discordant new single from Disco Doom surfaced today called "Mt. Surreal", second single from the band's upcoming album of the same name. While it does take some time for the track to take shape, Disco Doom interestingly blur the line between jamming and improvisation. The track eventually collapses into No Wave-infused dissonance that embellishes the track's tangential extended second half, gentle improv that doesn't alienate or challenge the listener. In fact it's anchored well enough by a repeating bass riff, which stays with you long after the track finishes up. Pre-order link: https://explodinginsoundrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mt-surreal Mt. Surreal will be released 9/16 via Exploding In Sound Records .   Sincerely,  Letters From A Tapehead

The "I'll get back to that" portion of my brain results in sometimes 50 browser tabs being open, many of which are YouTube or Bandcamp links for bands and performers that I want to keep track of.  So, I'm sorting through browser tabs. And, so are you.  Horsegirl: "Anti-Glory" (from Versions of Modern Performance released by Matador Records ) Versions of Modern Performance by Horsegirl Sam Gendel:  "Uroko (鱗, fish scales)" (from  blueprint  releasing 10/14/22 by  Leaving Records ) Uroko (鱗, fish scales) by Sam Gendel Courtesy of Julian T. Schoen - Artist, Event & Project Management The Koreatown Oddity :  "Aggro Can" (from  ISTHISFORREAL?  releasing 7/22/22 by  Stones Throw ) Kamikaze Palm Tree:  "Flamingo" (from  Mint Chip  releasing 7/15/22 by  Drag City ) Mint Chip by Kamikaze Palm Tree Pye Corner Audio:  "Warmth Of The Sun" (from  Let's Emerge!  released by  Sonic Cathedral ) ...

"Life got us confused? Where are we going?"  Speaking from personal line of sight, I find myself continually enamored with and challenged by the work of Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother). Following 2021's entrancing Black Encyclopedia of Air ,  Jazz Codes , Ayewa's 2nd LP for Anti-, has been announced with the lead single and video, "WOODY SHAW".  Following sprays of sonorous howls and a lovely red herring R&B set-up, "WOODY SHAW" takes a pause before shifting into a turbulent free jazz backdrop, a cyclical stand-up bass riff anchoring the otherwise discordant sax, drums, and vibraphone.  "Woody Shaw elevator outta town!" Ayewa speaks, "Life got us going up and down. Who's coming? Who's coming for our ratios?"  The video premiered on June 8th. Jazz Codes can be pre-ordered at ANTI- . Official release date is July 1st. All info and links were provided by Stereo Sanctity.  “It’s poetry that drives this album. The stories o...

I'm admittedly way too smitten with OSEES to provide objective critique of any work this band composes and rips through. When new records are announced from John Dwyer and ever-rotating-Co., I immediately order one. Such was the case with their upcoming new album, A Foul Form , which had a rainbow splatter variant available for a hot second. I wasn't quick enough to grab one of those, but I was able to secure a copy on black. Those are now gone as well. If you're a CD fan, A Foul Form is still available at Castle Face . You can also purchase a digital copy from Bandcamp . Otherwise, looks like you're SOL until represses or misplaced copies surface online. Or, if you want to hand over your hard-earned loot to some opportunistic flipper at Discogs .  "Funeral Solution" is the lead single: throat-grating vocal set to an exuberant garage-stomping bounce. The video is appropriately and visually aggro.  A Foul Form is releasing 8/12. Fucking pumped. Info and links...

Side A — Assembled 1/17-2/4 (Written Sunday, 1/30) It's almost 9PM on the final Sunday of the month of January. Sheltered from the outside chill, my headphones are strapped on and I'm reviewing some new singles for this week's mixtape while mentally preparing myself for a demanding and high-pressure stretch of the days till next Friday. Won't be long before the dog needs a walk and we're both stomping through the elements, the crunch of salt and snow our soundtrack.  Apparently, I'd forgotten I'd already purchased Boris's new LP, W , from Bandcamp and I foolishly bought another variant directly from Sacred Bones . So, now I have the "sea blue" and the "baby blue w/ white starburst" variants, the latter of which I'll probably keep sealed. I'm also still waiting on my copy of Sunn O)))'s  Metta, Benevolence. BBC 6Music: Live on the Invitation of Mary Anne Hobbs . I'm supposed to get that this week. It's available ...

Side B — Assembled 1/10-1/14 Still working through the month's offerings.  Enjoy…  ______________________________________________________________________ Allegra Krieger : "Taking It In" (via Clandestine PR) Official Website —  https://www.allegrakrieger.com Bandcamp —  https://allegrakrieger.bandcamp.com/album/precious-thing Northern Spy — (Pre-order)  https://northernspyrecs.com/product/precious-thing/ Precious Thing  releases 3/4/22 ______________________________________________________________________ Die! Die! Die! : "Losing Sight, Keep On Kicking" (via Us-Them Group) Bandcamp —  https://diediedie.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-not-an-island-anymore This Is Not An Island Anymore  releases 2/18/22 This Is Not An Island Anymore by Die! Die! Die! ______________________________________________________________________ God Is God : "The Song Part II" (via mutante-inc.) Bandcamp —  https://godisgod.bandcamp.com/album/metamorphoses ...

Side A — Assembled 1/3-1/7 Following the turbulence of the Holidays and the excessive work schedules leading up to them, music continues to be my long sought-after balm for stress and the monotony of corporate drone'dom. Side A for the first week of January is light and loud, meditative or necessarily aggro. I'm happily excited about some of the records and singles I've had the opportunity to sample so far. Is it naive to assume this trend will continue well into 2023? Probably, but I'm content for now.  Enjoy…  ______________________________________________________________________ Tomato Flower : "Red Machine" (via Ramp Local) Bandcamp — https://tomatoflower.bandcamp.com/album/gold-arc Ramp Local — https://ramplocal.com Gold Arc releases 2/11/22 ______________________________________________________________________ Sea Change : "Is There Anybody There" (via Stereo Sanctity) Twitter — https://twitter.com/SeaChangeartist Shapes Recordings — https...