GAINSBOURG, CHARLOTTE Stage Whisper (Elektra) cd 17.98
Charlotte Gainsbourg has repeatedly demonstrated her facility as a unique and striking artist on her own, and not just as the daughter of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin. Her work as an actress has intensified over the years, with her starring in the last two films by Lars Von Trier, including one of the most harrowing performances we've seen on the big screen in Antichrist. She collaborated with Air on her debut 5:55 and then with Beck on IRM. Both albums showcased her sensual and languid voice, over very well orchestrated music composed by folks well aware of her musical legacy.
Stage Whisper offers eight brand new songs, a handful of them find her teamed up with Beck again, and she's sounding as great as ever, with songs that make you just want to sway and get lost in their breezy sound. We're reminded of Taken By Trees, Beth Gibbons, and there are definitely moments that hints at her upbringing that echo Francoise Hardy and her mother.
The second half of the disc consists of 10 live tracks from her first ever tour, which took place in 2010. A few of us saw her concert in San Francisco on that tour, and after finding out that this was her first time ever playing live and hitting the road we were amazed by how tight and punchy her live sound was. Most of the live tracks come from her two proper albums, as well as her cover of Bob Dylan's "Just Like A Woman", and a standout duet with Charlie Fink of Noah & The Whale on the song "Got To Let Go".
Fans of her first two albums are going to want this for the new tracks, and for those who have been curious but haven't dived into her musical world yet, this would be an awesome introduction.
MPEG Stream: "White Telephone"
MPEG Stream: "Got To Let Go (Featuring Charlie Fink of Noah & The Whale)"
MPEG Stream: "IRM (Live)"

GAINSBOURG, SERGE 1 2 3 (Doxy) 2lp + cd 41.00

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Aux Armes et Caetera (Mercury) 2cd 34.00

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Aux Armes Et Caetera (4 Men With Beards) lp 16.98
In a career of odd outings, this one is perhaps the oddest, but it works soooo well! This is Serge Gainsbourg's REGGAE DUB record from 1979. But this isn't just a bunch of French cats doing their own take on Jamaican reggae, this one is home-grown in Kingston using some of the finest session players: Sly and Robbie, Rita Marley, Ansell Collins, Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, and Leroy Wallace doing a full on Compass Point / Lee Perry-style dub and dread burner. There's a story that most of the musicians who signed up for this session first cast a suspicious eye on the white man they were to be working for, but once they figured out this was the man behind "Je T'aime Moi Non Plus", a global make-out hit, the ice was broken and the players were fully on board. And what prevents this from straying into full on camp territory is Gainsbourg's allowance of his tunes to be transformed by the musicians while his vocals stay in the laissez-faire mode of being sort of chanted rather than being sung. Of all the later day Gainsbourg releases out there, this one is really worth your time!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Bonnie and Clyde (4 Men With Beards) lp 17.98
We're so psyched that all these amazing Serge Gainsbourg records have been getting the reissue treatment lately, since for the last several years any time you tried to find Gainsbourg on vinyl, that section in the record store would always be empty, or somehow worse, filled with outlandishly expensive imports.
Originally released in 1968, Bonnie And Clyde was labeled as a collaboration between Gainsbourg and his sultry fling of that moment, the illustrious Brigitte Bardot. While she isn't on all of the record, the tracks she does appear on do soar with such sultry and seductive pop perfection. And the tracks where Gainsbourg goes at it alone manage to be equally as suave and swirly, tapping into his masterful ability to bring so much texture and depth in demonstrating the ultimate possibilities of pop music. You can hear so many more contemporary bands in these songs, the influence is irrefutable. Everyone from Air, Stereolab, Beck, Sebastian Tellier, Stereo Total, Magnetic Fields, Jens Lekman, Rufus Wainwright, April March and about a million more have followed in one way or another the blueprints that Gainsbourg created. Bonnie and Clyde perfectly displays Gainsbourg's flair for cabaret inspired lush and colorful pop. Yet another document of the man's musical genius!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Comic Strip (Mercury) cd 15.98
This is the delightful pop themed volume of the fine retrospective compilation series of legendary French vocalist Monsieur Gainsbourg's extensive catalog. Recommended!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Confidentiele (Philips) cd 22.00
Originally issued in 1964, Confidentiel takes on a new sound for Gainsbourg, stripping down the musical backing to simply electric guitar and upright bass (Eleck Bacsik and Michel Gaudry, respectively). Wonderful and relaxed jazz sounds here.

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Confidentiele (Philips) lp 16.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Originally issued in 1964, Confidentiel takes on a new sound for Gainsbourg, stripping down the musical backing to simply electric guitar and upright bass (Eleck Bacsik and Michel Gaudry, respectively). Wonderful and relaxed jazz sounds here.

GAINSBOURG, SERGE du Chant a la Une! (Philips) cd 16.98
The first Gainsbourg album, originally issued in Sept. of 1958. Vocal jazz-pop, many tracks here were featured on the Du Jazz Dans le Ravin compilation (the bulk of said comp were actually culled largely from his first and fourth albums as well as the Confidentiele LP, some of which spilled over onto the Couleur Cafe compilation, which in turn was mostly taken from his second album and the Percussions LP!) Orchestrated by Alain Goraguer, also known for his brilliant score of La Planete Sauvage (Fantastic Planet)!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Du Jazz Dans Le Ravin (Mercury) cd 15.98
Another great volume in the retrospective compilation series celebrating the work of legendary French crooner Serge Gainsbourg. This time it's jazzy Very recommended!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Du Jazz Dans Le Ravin (Doxy) lp 24.00
Now available on vinyl.
Another great volume in the retrospective compilation series celebrating the work of legendary French crooner Serge Gainsbourg. This time it's jazzy Very recommended!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Gainsbourg Percussions (Philips) cd 16.98
The sixth Gainsbourg album, originally released by Philips in 1964. A return to Alain Goraguerâs orchestration and the wonderful sounds produced on his second LP. Extremely lively and playful, this record definitely lives up to its title, as drums and percussion are the driving force behind the music here. Taking the Mambo influence of No2 and bringing forth other worldly influences from African and Latin cultures, Gainsbourg Percussions is a beautiful record, rich in sounds!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Gainsbourg Percussions (4 Men With Beards) lp 16.98
One of the cooler and quite difficult to find early Gainsbourg recordings gets a nice reissue from 4 Men With Beards. Released in 1964, Gainsbourg Percussions marks the end of the singer's smokey jazz cabaret period and sees him expand into his first foray with French pop exoticism. Employing African and Latin rhythms over jet-setting pop numbers like "Couleur Cafe" and "New York-USA", these tracks have a giddy go-go feel with only a hint of haughty colonialism. While not as aurally engaging and innovative as his later sixties period with Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birken, Gainsbourg Percussions is an essential release of his early period and because of its relative obscurity, a welcome reissue.

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Histoire De Melody Nelson (Light In The Attic) cd 16.98
Well it's about time!!!!!! After years of wallowing in the hazy convoluted mists of legend, hearsay, and hipster influence, only to be obtained through ultra expensive imports, rare bootlegs, or ripped vinyl blogs, this long unavailable but hugely influential work by Serge Gainsbourg finally sees its first domestic reissue almost forty years after its scandalous release.
You won't need a translator to understand the sublime perversity at the heart of this concept record, arguably Gainsbourg's most accomplished full studio album. Released in 1971, Histoire De Melody Nelson is a seven song suite about an underage English nymphet (the titular Melody Nelson) and the wealthy lecherous older Frenchman who, after nearly running over her in his Rolls Royce, takes her in, falls in love and eventually deflowers her. And of course, like most love stories, there is a tragic climax. While the story is largely lifted from Kubrick's cinematic version of Lolita, the concept was undertaken in actuality as a symphonic love letter to Jane Birken, the British actress and singer (she sings the part of Melody). Though, not underage when they began their affair, she was twenty years younger than Serge, and their relationship became controversial with the release of their 1969 duet "Je t'aime....mon non plus" (originally recorded with Brigitte Bardot) with its sounds of a simulated female orgasm.
But Melody Nelson is not only Gainsbourg's finest moment, its musical reputation would be nothing without the orchestral arrangements and progressive grooves of Jean-Claude Vannier (see our review of L'Enfant Assassin Des Mouches, to get some highly praised background). The underlying score is less obviously song-oriented and more atmospheric than previous Gainsbourg outings, yet deceptively simple. The opening and closing tracks each at nearly eight minutes mirror each other with a sinewy descending bass groove and classic drum breaks (sampled heavily by De La Soul, David Holmes and Dan The Automator), which set the stage for acid-y guitar fills, swooning strings and Serge's own seductive speak-singing. The closing track ("Cargo Culte") ups the transcendent quality of the climax by adding a mass choir and full orchestra to the swirling tower of sound. In between these two tracks are shorter but artfully arranged pieces of folk-groove, French chanson, acid rock, and cinematic sonic bliss that move the story forward. It's one of those records that slowly grabs you, lures you into its spell, and eventually hooks you, so you'll want to keep listening to it over and over.
Though it was a flop on its initial release - Gainsbourg was largely a singles artist before this point, and the leap from that to concept album, especially one of this perverse nature, was perhaps too wide for French audiences - Histoire De Melody Nelson has gained a significant cult following over the years, perhaps reaching its greatest influence in the nineties with bands like Portishead (Dummy), Pulp (This is Hardcore), Massive Attack (Protection), Radiohead (The Bends), Air (Moon Safari), Blonde Redhead (Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons) and Beck (Sea Change), nearly lifting the basic sonic template of this album wholesale.
This awesome, nicely packaged reissue comes with a beautiful booklet of drawings, essays and interviews, outlining not only the full extent of the making of this amazing work, but charting its larger cultural impact as well.
Reissue of the year!
MPEG Stream: "Melody"
MPEG Stream: "Ballade De Melody Nelson"
MPEG Stream: "En Melody"

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Histoire De Melody Nelson (Light In The Attic) lp 26.00
Now on Vinyl!!
Well it's about time!!!!!! After years of wallowing in the hazy convoluted mists of legend, hearsay, and hipster influence, only to be obtained through ultra expensive imports, rare bootlegs, or ripped vinyl blogs, this long unavailable but hugely influential work by Serge Gainsbourg finally sees its first domestic reissue almost forty years after its scandalous release.
You won't need a translator to understand the sublime perversity at the heart of this concept record, arguably Gainsbourg's most accomplished full studio album. Released in 1971, Histoire De Melody Nelson is a seven song suite about an underage English nymphet (the titular Melody Nelson) and the wealthy lecherous older Frenchman who, after nearly running over her in his Rolls Royce, takes her in, falls in love and eventually deflowers her. And of course, like most love stories, there is a tragic climax. While the story is largely lifted from Kubrick's cinematic version of Lolita, the concept was undertaken in actuality as a symphonic love letter to Jane Birken, the British actress and singer (she sings the part of Melody). Though, not underage when they began their affair, she was twenty years younger than Serge, and their relationship became controversial with the release of their 1969 duet "Je t'aime....mon non plus" (originally recorded with Brigitte Bardot) with its sounds of a simulated female orgasm.
But Melody Nelson is not only Gainsbourg's finest moment, its musical reputation would be nothing without the orchestral arrangements and progressive grooves of Jean-Claude Vannier (see our review of L'Enfant Assassin Des Mouches, to get some highly praised background). The underlying score is less obviously song-oriented and more atmospheric than previous Gainsbourg outings, yet deceptively simple. The opening and closing tracks each at nearly eight minutes mirror each other with a sinewy descending bass groove and classic drum breaks (sampled heavily by De La Soul, David Holmes and Dan The Automator), which set the stage for acid-y guitar fills, swooning strings and Serge's own seductive speak-singing. The closing track ("Cargo Culte") ups the transcendent quality of the climax by adding a mass choir and full orchestra to the swirling tower of sound. In between these two tracks are shorter but artfully arranged pieces of folk-groove, French chanson, acid rock, and cinematic sonic bliss that move the story forward. It's one of those records that slowly grabs you, lures you into its spell, and eventually hooks you, so you'll want to keep listening to it over and over.
Though it was a flop on its initial release - Gainsbourg was largely a singles artist before this point, and the leap from that to concept album, especially one of this perverse nature, was perhaps too wide for French audiences - Histoire De Melody Nelson has gained a significant cult following over the years, perhaps reaching its greatest influence in the nineties with bands like Portishead (Dummy), Pulp (This is Hardcore), Massive Attack (Protection), Radiohead (The Bends), Air (Moon Safari), Blonde Redhead (Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons) and Beck (Sea Change), nearly lifting the basic sonic template of this album wholesale. Reissue of the year!
MPEG Stream: "Melody"
MPEG Stream: "Ballade De Melody Nelson"
MPEG Stream: "En Melody"

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Initials B.B. (Philips) cd 16.98
This is a collection of non-LP singles released between 1965-1968. Featuring many of the tracks which make up the Comic Strip collection released here in the States. Classics include: "Bonnie and Clyde" & "Comic Strip" (both with Brigitte Bardot), "Ford Mustang", "Qui est Inâ Qui est Outâ", "Bloody Jack" and "Docteur Jekyll et Monsieur Hyde", among others. Not necessary for those who already own the Comic Strip collection, but definitely essential Gainsbourg!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Initials B.B. (4 Men With Beards) lp 16.98
Now reissued on (180 gram) vinyl! This is a collection of non-LP singles released between 1965-1968 by the legendary and oh so cool French singer/songwriter. Classics include: "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Comic Strip" (both with Brigitte Bardot), "Ford Mustang", "Qui est Inâ Qui est Outâ", "Bloody Jack" and "Docteur Jekyll et Monsieur Hyde", amongst others.
Maybe not necessary for those who already own the cd compilation Comic Strip, which features many of the same tracks, but definitely essential Gainsbourg, and nice to have on wax!
MPEG Stream: "Bonnie and Clyde"
MPEG Stream: "Ford Mustang"

GAINSBOURG, SERGE L'etonnant (Philips) cd 16.98
Third album, again orchestrated by Goraguer. Originally issued in April of 1961. Strangely enough, barely any of these tracks made it onto any of the American comps, save for "Les Amours Perdues", which made an appearance onto Couleur Cafe. Another Gainsbourg classic, "La Chanson de Prevert" appears here alongside many other whimsically beautiful songs perfect for Spring.

GAINSBOURG, SERGE L'Homme A Tete De Chou (4 Men With Beards) lp 16.98
More long unavailable Gainsbourg gems are available once again, which always makes us happy around here! In 1976, Serge Gainsbourg returned to the concept album format, he had begun with the exceptional Histoire De Melody Nelson. While that story was perverse without being explicit, L'Homme A Tete De Chou (The Man With a Cabbage Head) is downright x-rated and violently surreal, not that you could necessarily understand that if you don't know French. This is another love story gone wrong about an obsessive trist with a black shampoo girl who is beaten to death, but her attacker ends up in the psych ward convinced his head has turned into a cabbage!?! The music is less focused than on Melody Nelson, venturing into a wide range of genres including cafe rock, jazzy prog, disco and most notably reggae and funk (which he would explore more fully a couple of years later on his record Aux Armes Et Cetera - reviewed elsewhere on this list)! It's also not as immediately engaging as Melody Nelson, but it's still one of the weirder French pop concept records this side of J.P Massiera!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Les Annees Psychedeliques 1966-1971 (Le Smoke Disques) 2lp 17.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
If you have any way to listen to vinyl, you should definitely buy this, like right now! Very few items in our store require such minimal convincing that they are absolutely essential, as we've seen this flying off of our shelves as soon as we got them. What more could you want to know: Serge Gainsbourg! Psychedelic Years! Double vinyl! Totally Affordable!
Ok, Ok, some of you need some further convincing. Probably some of you have some Serge in your collections and want to know what exactly is on here, and it's good to know because it's not really that obvious. The title says "Psychedelic Years", but this isn't a greatest hits collection, and probably only a couple of songs will be familiar to casual Gainsbourg fans ("Bonnie and Clyde" and "En Melody" from Melody Nelson). The bulk of the tracks are from French films and TV soundtracks between 1966-1971 and are arranged by either Jean-Claude Vannier (Histoire de Melody Nelson) or Michel Columbier (Initials B.B.), two of Gainsbourg's greatest collaborators. Each providing smoky and stony grooves, some with sexy femme backing vocals, for such films as Cannabis, Anna, Le Pacha, Vidocq, Manon 70, Ce Sacre Grand-Pere, La Horse, Mister Feedom and Si J'etasi Un Espion. Three tracks even contain bonus beats for you record heads. There is not one bad cut on here. So don't miss out as we're not sure how long this will be available. Did we say that THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GAINSBOURG, SERGE Mauvaises Nouvelles des Etoiles (Mercury) 2cd 34.00

GAINSBOURG, SERGE No. 2 (Philips) cd 16.98
The second, untitled Gainsbourg album, originally issued in June of 1959. Brilliantly orchestrated by Alain Goraguer, with playful Mambo flair which dominated the style found on the Couleur Cafe compilation! Features a hilarious take on the American Western musical (think Oklahoma), "Jeunes Femmes et Vieux Messieurs"! Wonderful and lively.

GAINSBOURG, SERGE No. 4 (Philips) cd 16.98
The fourth Gainsbourg album, originally issued by Philips in May, 1962. Orchestrated once again by Alain Goraguer. No4 is a bit slicker in production and slightly darker in tone than Gainsbourg's previous efforts -- just a taste of what's to come. Many tracks here were featured on the Jazz and Couleur Cafe collections.

GALL, FRANCE Poupee De Son (Universal / Polydor) cd 16.98
While she sometimes gets overlooked, France Gall is one of French Pop's greatest treasures. She's been making great records from her beginnings way back in 1963 all the way to the present day. This collection draws from her early years ('63-'68) and demonstrates what French pop perfection and fun is all about. With many of these songs written and arranged by Serge Gainsbourg (of course), Gall displays an incredible talent at such a young age, evoking such playfulness, innocence, and smoking sensuality. These early years find her in full on ye-ye girl glory. Her poppiest and catchiest tracks for sure, but also showing the range in her delivery in some of her more slow and midtempo numbers which really floor us the most. These are songs with the same kind of undeniable charm that early works of Nancy Sinatra, Bridgett Bardot, and Francoise Hardy also exuded. An absolute must have for any fan of French pop, and well just great pop period!
MPEG Stream: "Poupee De Crie, Poupee De Son"
MPEG Stream: "Christiansen"
MPEG Stream: "Baby Pop"

GARBAREK, ANJA Smiling & Waving (Virgin Norway) cd 28.00
The daughter of ECM Jazz gent Jan Garbarek follows in her papa's footsteps but chooses to take a different musical path. Slowly sinking into an ultra-lush, shadowy sweetness. Wispy vocals with shades of Stina Nordenstam, the Cardigans, and a bit of Bjork. Ms Garbarek gets some producing and arranging assistance from Mark Hollis of Talk Talk, percussion by Steve Jansen (Japan/Rain Tree Crow), additional vocals by Robert Wyatt, as well as string accompaniment in the form of the London Session Orchestra. If you liked the Emiliana Torrini that we listed a while ago, turn your ears this-a-way. Elaborately layered lounge lullabies tweaked with glitches and samples. Regretably a bit price-y due to its import-only-ness.
RealAudio clip: "Spin The Context"
RealAudio clip: "The Diver"

GARDENIA AZUL Musica Tropical (Rio Vista) cd 15.98
The gorgeous soaring voice of Kathy Elzey graces this collection of twelve tropicalia songs by this Elk Grove, CA trio. "Who is Ms Elzey?" you may ask. Well, she's noneother than the mother of Rose Melberg (Softies, Go Sailor, Tiger Trap, Gaze)! And we can clearly hear that the joy of singing runs in the family. If you attended Ladyfest in Olympia, WA last year, you may have been lucky enough to see Rose and Kathy perform together. Quite magical. In Gardenia Azul, she sings completely in Spanish and is accompanied by Ray Elzey on backing vocals, guitar, bass, requinto and pedal steel, and percussionist Cary Avery (who has also played with the likes of Cal Tjader and Jose Feliciano). Although they have been performing for many years, this is their first album --- and quite a beautiful one at that. And although this cd is mainly only available at their live shows, we are fortunate to have them here at AQ. Hurrah!

GARMARNA Vittrad (Omnium) cd 16.98
Amazing swedish drone, some traditional, some original. Recommended by listmember Alan Korn, this is REALLY GOOD.

GASPARYAN, DJIVAN I Will Not Be Sad In This World (All Saints / Hannibal) cd 16.98
Originally released in Russia only, in 1982, the master duduk sounds of Djivan Gasparyan began to finally hit the ears of listeners in the west thanks in part to folks like Brian Eno who had been fans for years. In '89 this, his first solo record after years of ensemble and orchestra playing, was released on Opa, and it's finally been repressed once again. Without a doubt Gasparyan is a master of his instrument, the duduk, a woodwind instrument traditional to his homeland of Armenia. I Will Not Be Sad In This World is a beautiful record filled with reworkings of several traditional Armenian songs re-imagined by Gasparyan along with the drone backing duduk playing of Vachagan Avakian. The result is a meditative and ethereal wind of calm sound after the storm. Such the perfect record to play when you need to wash everything away, collect your composure, regain your thoughts, reach for a moment of peacefulness. We were recently playing this in the store when a customer was in with her dog who apparently was acting crazy and wild all day. She said it wasn't until the moment this came on that her dog settled down and began to relax. We have to admit it always has that same effect on us. Hypnotizing and cleansing sounds that you can trust. So very nice.
MPEG Stream: "Cool Wind Is Blowing"
MPEG Stream: "Your Strong Mind"

GENESIS Yakta Mama (Guerssen) cd 23.00
What an amazing time its been lately for anyone into '70s South American psych. For many of us here at AQ there was no region that delivered colorful psych-folk better then South America. Until recently so much of this amazing music remained unavailable but luckily the reissue craze has put the music of folks like Eduardo Mateo, Congregacion, Embrujo and Alceu Valenca into the limelight they all so deserve. A few lists back we gushed about the Columbian band Genesis and their great self titled record of breezy and mystical psych-folk-rock. Now we finally got our hands on another one, Yakta Mama which was originally released in 1975. And it's just as great if not even slightly more pleasing then that great self-titled offering.
These songs have truly stood the test of time, still glorious and lovely, letting us daydream in the subtle and majestic qualities of their melodies. In putting together these Genesis reissues, the Guerssen label found it impossible to track down any surviving members of the band. It's known that the leader and primary songwriter Humberto Monroy passed away many years ago after a heart attack, and while they for sure should have been one of the biggest names in all of Columbian music, most people there these days have no idea who they were. Here's hoping this reissue helps clue music lovers around the world into the simple beauty of a forgotten gem!
MPEG Stream: "Los Amantes Son Eternos"
MPEG Stream: "Canta Negro"
MPEG Stream: "Tu Y Tus Frutos"

GENGHIS BLUES (OST) (Six Degrees) cd 16.98
We had this before and sold many, but it was always difficult to re-stock 'cause it was being sold by the Tuva Foundation themselves, not a record label. But sad we are no more, because it's just been re-issued on San Francisco-based "world music" label Six Degrees (home of DJ Cheb I Sabbah and Bebel Gilberto!). For those of you new to this, Genghis Blues is the soundtrack to the fabulous documentary movie (of the same name). Blind San Francisco blues musician Paul Pena travels to Tuva (Central Asia) to compete in their national throat-singing competition, a skill in which he is entirely self-taught! A funny, touching movie, and of course blessed with some great music. Lots of blues, lots of throat singing and even throat singing blues, plus some Cuban son-esque tracks.
RealAudio clip: "Sunezin Yry"
RealAudio clip: "Kargyraa Moan "

GERGIS, MARK & ALAN BISHOP Sumatran Folk Cinema (Sublime Frequencies) dvd 22.00
One of two new dvds from the always amazing Sublime Frequencies label, this one, like a visual version of those Sublime Frequencies "RadioÉ" compilations, where the compilers would flip through the radio stations in whatever country they were visiting, capturing little chunks of sound, radio plays, pop jams, folk music, etc. And while this is not quite as short-attention-span as those comps, it's generally the same idea, a sprawling, musical and visual collage of live shows, impromptu performances, local scenery, bits of television shows, nature footage, night markets, street scenes, all woven into a slightly psychedelic expanse of sights and sounds, with of course a KILLER soundtrack.
From live nightclub hip hop workouts (covering House Of Pain no less!), to casual jam sessions, seated around a coffee table, players smoking and relaxing on couches, to funky musical reviews, complete with a journeyman band and a sexy dancing and signing teen superstar frontwoman, to far out sci-fi monster movie clips, to strange performances from variety shows, homeless dudes rocking out on busted old Casio keyboards, lots and lots of birds, chirping and trilling over mysterious dronemusic , violin players weaving a cacophonous tuning-up din, gorgeous haunting classical music complete with the instructor correcting his students, sultry nightclub torch singing, amazing traditional folk music and costumed performances, incredible broken glass dancing, acoustic beach jams, complete with the sound of the surf, children playing, and best of all, just tons of footage of people, and places, playing music, hanging out, doing business, relaxing, dining, traveling, living their lives, all set to an incredibly varied selection of music, from folk to pop, to classical and anything in between.
Includes a bunch of extra footage, more amazing performances, extra footage of some of our favorite bands in the feature proper, as well as a a whole segment of trailers for other Sublime Frequencies dvds.

GESSESSE, TLAHOUN Ethiopiques Vol. 17 (Buda Musique) cd 15.98
Okay, I know that the general consensus from people seems to be that the Mulatu Astatke disc (Ethiopiques #4) is the best in the Ethiopiques series. And yeah, it's a great disc. But to really experience the zenith of Ethiopian popular music from the golden era you really gotta have the vocals. The workouts these singers put their vocal chords through are as unbelievable as they are beautiful. Case in point is Tlahoun Gessesse. And we are thankfully blessed with a full CD of his passionately yodelled Ethiopian funk groove. Gesesse was the most popular Ethiopian singer of the times -- bigger than Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete or any other singers. So great was his vocal stature that he was dubbed "The Voice". Pretty much says it all. And well applied the title is; his vocal control is insane, wavering vibrato all over the place and melisma stacked upon melisma. To boot he's backed by the best in the business: the Body Guard Band, All Star Band, Exhibition Band and Army Band. The usual arrangements of guitar, bass, drums, percussion, horns, piano and incredibly strange organs play the most haunting accompaniment to Gessesse's impassioned vocals. And for what its worth, several of the tracks here were even arranged by Mulatu Astatke. Though Gessesse's career dates back to the fifties, the recordings included here are all from the early seventies. Included is a 30 page booklet with biographical notes, photos (including a two page spread of 45 jackets) and lyrics. This one comes highly recommended!
MPEG Stream: "Aykedashem Lebe"
MPEG Stream: "Sethed Seketelet"

GIA DINH <> Que Hurong (Dunya) cd 24.00

GIL, GILBERTO Bandadois (Geleia Geral / Warners) cd 17.98
Nice new outing by one of Tropicalia's leading men.
MPEG Stream: "EsotŽrico"
MPEG Stream: "Refavela"
MPEG Stream: "Lamento Sertanejo"

GIL, GILBERTO Cerebro Eletronico (Philips Japan) cd 25.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
WONDERUL! Japanese-only reissue of the third Gil album (also known as the self titled Gilberto Gil album), originally issued by Brazilian Polydor in 1969. Mutantes fans hungering for more should not skip this gem, and who knows how long it will be available to us so buy now or cry later.
"Every bit as in the zone as Gal's epochal '69 testament; musta been something in the Bahian water that year! The Brazilian military dictatorship of the time didn't know what the fuck to make of these records, but they knew they were plenty subversive & placed Gilberto & Caetano Veloso (don't sleep on his '69 White Album either, even though it's never been as hard to find as these two) under house arrest before exiling them for several years. Lanny, again, provides some of the most psychedelic guitarwork the world has ever known & studio wiz Rogerio Duprat outdoes himself on the almost-Dockstadteresque 'Objeto Semi-Identificado'. There's even a Mutantes cover ('2001' or 'Dois Mil e Uno') which out-freaks the original! ... This was Gil's third album, and second in the Tropicálist style. I've yet to hear a bad one from him..." -- Tropicalia expert Jason Witherspoon in the Forced Exposure catalog.)

GIL, GILBERTO Expresso 2222 (Water) cd 15.98
Originally released in 1972, Expresso 2222 was Gilberto Gil's first recording after his two year exile in London. The record opens with a truly riveting, playful, and festive flute and drum instrumental, that harkens to the ceremonial flute music of the Andes. Sadly, it's the last stylistic foray on the record into the spiritual heights of the high mountain tops, but for those uninitiated, let it be the delectable hors d'oeuvre that sends you on your hunt for more. Luckily what is to come is by far one of the greatest statements in popular Brazilian music of the '60s and '70s. When the second track rolls in, we're thrust back, deep into the midst of a more archetypical Tropicalia sound, though the movement itself was considered to be properly dead at that point. It is clear Gil is looking to Africa for inspiration more than classic American '60s rock and roll and pop, a hallmark of the Tropicalia movement. In all cases however, Gil continuously mines funky indigenous rhythms and melodies, and reinvigorates them with a contemporary urgency. Gil's vocal delivery is always vividly commanding, with plenty of flare and pomp alongside a general purity of form and intention. Gil's frantic guitar playing is a true feat to behold and always rich in craft. Anyone who hasn't spent a little time watching Gil shred in his prime on YouTube should do themselves a favor, it is a real pleasure, and frankly a gift. Gil's supporting cast is in fine form as well on this outing with Tutty Moreno providing crisp, inventive drumming and Lanny Gordin delivering a great chugging and supple bass performance. The production is not as wild or intensely psychedelic as Gil's most immediately previous records at that point in his career, generally emphasizing clarity and separation ahead of the sometimes schizophrenically boisterous psychedelia he also dabbled in. Perhaps the record's most luminous moment occurs on "Cada Macaco No Seu Galho," wherein Gil and sometime collaborator Caetano Veloso launch into a frenetic and roiling duet over one of the most gorgeously sturdy yet lyrical Latin guitar riffs ever recorded. Seriously, go there.
MPEG Stream: "Pipoca Moderna"
MPEG Stream: "Expresso 2222"
MPEG Stream: "Cada Macaco No Seu Galho"

GIL, GILBERTO Gil Luminoso (DRG) cd 16.98
Brazil's beloved Gilberto Gil, as one of the originators of the Tropicalia sound, has written and recorded some of the most beautiful and politically-minded music ever made. We are huge fans of his first three records, especially Cerebro Electronico from 1969, but like a lot of the older Brazilian artists, including Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso and Milton Nascimento, Gil has been releasing a series of increasingly bland world-beat and jazz-fusion records for quite a while now.
It seems though, that his recent appointment as Brazil's Minister of Culture, has left him little time to record and rehearse with a full band, and so he has thankfully returned to recording and touring with just his voice and acoustic guitar. If you haven't seen him perform recently, you HAVE to, he's truly a magical presence, and hearing the Brazilian members in the audience sing along to every song is a more rewarding experience than you would expect. There's just so much love. Gil Luminoso is a nice return to form with a few visits back to his older catalog (including "Cerebro Electronico"), but containing mostly new songs. At an hour's length, with just voice and guitar, it runs a bit long, but for the most part, it's quite a beautiful record. So put down that Seu Jorge record and get a dose of the real thing! Viva Gil!
MPEG Stream: "Cerebro Electronico"
MPEG Stream: "Raca Humana"
MPEG Stream: "O Compositor Me Disse"

GIL, GILBERTO s/t (1971) (Water) cd 15.98
Don't let the English-sung lyrics deter you from getting one of Gilberto Gil's finest Tropicalia recordings. Recently reissued in a more affordable version by the Water label, here Gil revisits some of his most popular songs such as "Volkswagen Blues" and "Nega", as well as one some great cover versions of Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" and The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band". Full of the exuberant singing and fuzz electric guitar as showcased on his previous record, Cerebro Electronico, this record is pretty damn Great!
MPEG Stream: "Nega (Photograph Blues)"
MPEG Stream: "Can't Find My Way Home"
MPEG Stream: "Volkswagen Blues"

GIL, GILBERTO s/t (Cerebro Eletronico) (Water) cd 15.98
Finally available domestically, Cerebro Electronico (Also known as s/t (1969)), is Gilberto Gil's most wild and exciting Tropicalia outing. Mutantes fans hungering for more should not skip this gem. If Gal Costa's 1969 psych-fuzz groove album floated your boat, get ready for this. Another raucous and wild slab of political subversion that later caused his and Caetano Velosos house arrest and subsequent political exile for many years. Featuring some of the most psychedelic guitarwork the world has ever known, studio wiz Rogerio Duprat outdoes himself on the almost-Dockstadteresque 'Objeto Semi-Identificado'. There's even a Mutantes cover ('2001' or 'Dois Mil e Uno') which out-freaks the original! And some fucking awesome whistling on "Volks Volkswagon Blue." Those unsure of where to start on Gilberto Gil's long musical career should begin right here! Highly Recommended.
MPEG Stream: "Aquele Abraco"
MPEG Stream: "Vitrines"
MPEG Stream: "2001"

GIL, GILBERTO s/t (Frevo Rasgado) (Water) cd 15.98
Gilberto Gil's Frevo Rasgado is as true an archetypal expression of Tropicalia as one is going to find. As is always more or less the case with defining a genre, some portion of the mental gymnastics hinges on construction and projection. As humans trying to categorize things we like, we often blur the edges and collapse differences in service of our desire to be able to declare unequivocally: "I like Alternative!" Or Shitgaze, or Go-Go, or whatever crackpot concoction you've got brewing. So, all that said, this record does an incredibly good job of presenting a thorough and accessible example of a genre that is surprisingly elusive, now 40 years past its zenith. And perhaps what makes it elusive is the breadth of influence it incorporates, mixing bossa nova, rock and roll, Bahian folk music, myriad African forms, and even a brand of Portuguese blues called fado. The pastiche is so rich in fact that it's pretty easy to lose track of the ingredients in the blend. A good pair of headphones will certainly help you tease the detail out of the auxiliary percussion tucked under the horn section, or pull a thread of whistling out of a dense flute section. For those inclined towards this kind of sonic excavation, this record is a true pleasure.
But enough hemming and hawing about genre, because this record is much more. It's a gorgeous collision between two of Brazil's greatest auteurs. Gil, the once exiled pop star with more than 20 records under his belt, and the current Minister of Culture in Brazil, head to head with Rogario Duprat, something of a Tropicalian Phil Spector, and undeniablyÉ a fucking wizard. And both are in fine form, confident in their skills, expansive in their vision, technically inventive, and generally charming. Many of the melodies and the phrasings will be familiar to anyone whose spent time with the rest of the Rogario Duprat catalogue, especially A Banda Tropicalista Do Duprat, another classic from '68. However, Frevo Rasgado shows Gil also exploring a moodier and more atmospheric terrain. In particular the tracks "Ele Falava Nisso Todo Dia" and "Luzia Luluza" balance Gil's typically boisterous and winning vocal approach with a pensive, rainy-day production and arrangement aesthetic resulting in a sweet and sour treat you don't find often. Their sentimental gravitas is absolutely the stuff of soundtracks. Grab it before Wes Anderson does so you can have the pleasure of imagining or living the magic, before its potential is fixed in celluloid. Frevo Rasgodo is less of a guitar record than some of Gil's other records. Instead the many and varied horns, flutes, strings, and percussive ephemera drape the song structures in counterpoint, drawing your attention to the far reaches of what each song's core could imply. It's in this distance perhaps that the magic lies. Between whatever spare version of a song Gil first cooked up, and the spacious context and gallant style Duprat places it in. Anyone whose imagination has been piqued in regards to '60s and '70s Brazilian music by the likes of Animal Collective or Devendra Banhart should spend time with this record and uncover the origins. It's a full spectrum gift that keeps on giving.
MPEG Stream: "Ele Falava Nisso Todo Dia"
MPEG Stream: "Luzia Luluza"

GIL, GILBERTO s/t (Frevo Rasgado) (Universal Brazil) cd 19.98
1968's Frevo Rasgado is a truly archetypal expression of the finest the tropicalia movement had to offer. Gil's confidently expansive and inventive songwriting paired with Rogario Duprat wizardly approach to arrangements and the studio place it firmly in the canon. Many of the melodies and the phrasings will be familiar to anyone whose spent time with the rest of the Rogario Duprat catalogue, especially A Banda Tropicalista do Duprat, another classic from '68. However, Frevo Rasgado shows Gil also exploring a moodier and more atmospheric terrain. In particular the tracks Ele Falava Nisso Todo Dia and Luzia Luluza balance Gil's typically boisterous and winning vocal approach with a pensive, rainy-day production and arrangement aesthetic resulting in a sweet and sour treat you don't find often. Their sentimental gravitas is absolutely the stuff of soundtracks. Grab it before Wes Anderson does so you can have the pleasure of imagining or living the magic, before its fixed in celluloid. Frevo Rasgodo is also less of a guitar record than some of gils other records. In instead the many and varied horns, flutes, strings, and percussive ephemera drape the song structures in counterpoint, drawing your attention to the breadth of the mix in full-spectrum glory.
MPEG Stream: "Ele Falava Nisso Todo Dia"
MPEG Stream: "Luzia Luluza"

GILBERTO, ASTRUD September 17, 1969 (Rev-Ola) cd 15.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Rev-Ola brings us the sweet summer breeze early this year by reissuing this pop-jazz gem from Astrud Gilberto. Famous for her refreshingly lackadaisical vocal debut on Stan Getz's "The Girl from Ipanema", September 17, 1969 marks her last recording date with the Verve label (released in America as "Let Go", with a different song order), as the Bossa Nova craze that had invaded America since the mid-sixties was waning. Filled with more contemporary covers than Brazilian standards, including songs by the Bee Gees, The Beatles, The Doors and Harry Nilsson, the album's standout track is the eight minute opener, a cover of Chicago's "Beginnings", a beat-heavy groover that fans of Wax Poetics will drool over. But the Brazilian cuts are still strong with "Let Go (Canto de Ossanha)" popularized by Elis Regina, being a return to the soft samba vibe that made Gilberto famous. It'll be easy to cringe at some of the more obvious pop interpretations like "Light My Fire", but most of the time her choices work. It's better to think of it like this: without Astrud Gilberto, there would be no Nouvelle Vague!
MPEG Stream: "Beginnings"
MPEG Stream: "Let Go (Canto de Ossanha)"
MPEG Stream: "Summer Sweet"

GILBERTO, ASTRUD Talkin' Verve (Verve) cd 12.98
Verve sessions, many never before on cd, from the Brazillian jazz vocalist ("the dreamy she-voice of bossa nova" it says here) famous for "The Girl From Ipanema." Includes covers of songs by Chicago and the Bee-Gees, along with sambas in Portuguese, etc. Much fun.

GILBERTO, ASTRUD Verve Jazz Masters 9 (Verve) cd 12.98

GILBERTO, BEBEL Momento (Six Degrees) cd 15.98
Yes, we've been a little out of seasonal sorts what with the extra early daylight savings time this year, but we truly know that spring is in full bloom by the arrival of the bright and breezy third album from Bebel Gilberto. It's a definite charmer for fans old and new. A particularly hot one-two punch comes at the album's midpoint when Gilberto turns on a dime from the groovy thumpin' finish of "Cacada" to the gentle wispy beauty of "Night And Day". Effortlessy captivating.
MPEG Stream: "Cacada"
MPEG Stream: "Night And Day"

GILBERTO, BEBEL s/t (Six Degrees) cd 15.98
From the speed with which her new cd is flying out the door, Ms Gilberto clearly needs no introduction.
Her admirers are sure to be happy campers once they hit 'play' on their cd players 'cause her self-titled sophomore effort is another heart-melter! Overall, it takes a slower tempo than her debut Tanto Tempo, but is no less bountiful in the grace and elegance department. Definitely for those looking for something 'soft 'n' romantic'. Her lovely, breathy vocals draws you near as her splendid backing band swings along effortlessly holding the world at bay. Crikey, did I really write that?! Shows you the effect of Ms Bebel. Os Mutantes alert: Ms Gilberto opens the album with a dreamy cover of their song "Baby"!
MPEG Stream: "Baby "
MPEG Stream: "River Song"

GILBERTO, BEBEL Sem Contencao Remixes (Six Degrees) cd ep 7.98
Alas, Bebel Gilberto's lovely voice gets completely buried beneath a mass of heavy, choppy beats not once but twice, and then as if to make up for that, there's an acapella remix version with Bebel going ba-da-ba endlessly. Very unnecessary (unless you're looking for some vocals to sample). Better to stick with her "Tanto Tempo" album.

GILBERTO, BEBEL Tanto Tempo (Ziriguiboom/Crammed/Six Degrees) cd 14.98
Joao Gilberto's daughter releases an album of bossa nova originals and well chosen covers including tracks by Chico Buarque, Baden Powell, and the classic "So Nice (Summer Samba)" by Marcos Valle. Bebel's helped out along the way by Mario C (Beastie Boys), Thievery Corporation, and Amon Tobin, but their more techno influences are kept to a minimum on this simple, exceedingly pleasing album. If you want sunny day mellow mood music, this is it. If you want something more complex and unpredictable, try Caetano Veloso or Joyce.

GILBERTO, BEBEL Tanto Tempo Remixes (Six Degrees) cd 16.98
Ms Gilberto's popular album "Tanto Tempo" gets a proper remixing by such notables as Peter Kruder (minus Dorfmeister), King Britt, and 4Hero. So much more satisfying than the less than thrilling "Sem Contencao" remix ep that came out shortly after the album.

GILSON, JEF The Best Of... (Jazzman) cd 17.98
The last time we were this jazzed (sorry, couldn't help it!) about a jazz reissue of an artist we had very little or no knowledge of beforehand, was the great Lloyd Miller collection, A Lifetime In Oriental Jazz. So it makes perfect sense that Jazzman, the amazing label who brought us Lloyd Miller, is now introducing us to the musical world of Jef Gilson, a talented French musician, arranger, band leader, sound engineer, music teacher, label owner, and multi instrumentalist. The songs that make up this best of collection are some of the most irresistible, suave, soulful and surprising that we've heard in any form in such a long time.
Spanning a period from the early '60s into the '90s this shows so many different facets of Gilson's recording career. From bebop, to orchestral pop, to multi cultural intersections, to hypnotizing operatic excursions. This is forward thinking jazz, filled with exquisite playing but more importantly an endlessly creative and explorative mindset that has left every track on this collection feeling so fresh and alive all these years later. This is one of those records we would like Yo La Tengo to check out next time they were in the store, as we could really imagine Ira and Georgia at home in their living room reading and relaxing while the sounds of Jef Gilson provided the perfect ambience to a crisp fall morning.
80 minutes of music, 32 pages of in depth liner notes, this might just be a contender for reissue of the year! Highly recommended.
MPEG Stream: "Up To The Light"
MPEG Stream: "Un Pas, Deux Pas, Cent Pas"
MPEG Stream: "Blue-Bizz"