Flat Earth Society: Cheer Me, Perverts! (Crammed)
This vibrant, upbeat big-band jazz ensemble entwines circus, burlesque, lounge, and Cirque du Soleil sounds in its quirky mix — one that counts on 23 regular members.
The title of this second album for Crammed Discs is an anagram of the group’s leader, Belgian composer/clarinetist Peter Vermeersch. It’s a fitting title for an album that sounds joyous and debauched — an album that should vie for best jazz disc of 2009.
Flat Earth Society: “Vole Sperm Reverie” (excerpt)
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Prefuse 73: The Forest of Oversensitivity (Warp)
Rounding out his full-length release from April, Prefuse 73 releases five revised tracks, heavy on sampled/tweaked vocals, from Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian. As a result, each track on this 22-minute EP ends with “Choir,” including two straight-up remixes. If you enjoyed Ampexian, you’ll want to add this as a pleasant compendium.
J Dilla: Jay Stay Paid (Nature Sounds)
Influential producer J Dilla knew how to keep busy, even doing so while battling lupus and a blood disease in a hospital room. Now another partial collection of his work is issued posthumously, this time with beats by Dilla and arrangements by Pete Rock.
High-profile cameos by Black Thought of The Roots and (MF) Doom are among a number of guest MC spots, and the release unsurprisingly works as a virtual mixtape/compilation. Fans will enjoy it, but first-timers should probably start elsewhere.
Venetian Snares: Horsey Noises EP (Planet Mu)
Continuing the theme of über-prolific beat-related artists who can’t (or couldn’t) stop making music, this Venetian Snares EP/single falls on the dancey end of Aaron Funk’s spectrum, complete with an airy refrain in the title track. The four songs do take a few left turns, including the weirdo-rock and synth breakdowns of “Horsey Vag Island” below.
Venetian Snares: “Horsey Vag Island”
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Tags: Aaron Funk, Black Thought, Cirque du Soleil, Crammed, Doom, Flat Earth Society, J Dilla, MF Doom, Nature Sounds, Pete Rock, Peter Vermeersch, Planet Mu, Prefuse 73, The Roots, Venetian Snares, Warp