While the temperatures outside are sizzling, there is great music bubbling up from all sides. Here is a look at some recent releases.
Horace Andy -- Serious Times (Minor7Flat5)
While a lot of folks discovered Horace Hinds' unistakable vibrato laden voice via his work with Massive Attack, he's been a fixture on the reggae scene since the end of the 1960s and in the '70s made some of the greatest roots records ever recorded. These 15 tracks were produced by Andreas "Brotherman" Christophersen -- likely the only reggae producer on the Canary Islands -- and are deep and rootsy and feature legendary drummer Horsemouth Wallace and percussionists Bongo Herman, Skyjuice and Sticky Thompson, as well as veteran vocalist Pam Hall and hornsmen Nambo Robinson and Dean Frazer. Add in Sleepy's still-sharp voice and you've got one of the best roots reggae records in recent memory.
Gogol Bordello -- Trans-Continental Hustle (American Recordings)
I admit to having never previously paid even a modicum of attention to this New York gypsy punk outfit. My loss, I guess. This fifth full-length -- and first for American -- is an infectious mix of uptempo rhythms, swirling Eastern European sounding melodies and raggedy vocals. I still know just about nothing about these guys, but I know that when the opener "Pala Tute" kicks in, I'm hooked and want to hear it again and again.
Clyde McPhatter -- Lover Please: The Complete M-G-M & Mercury Singles (Mercury)
If you've never heard McPhatter sing, I pity you. But I bet nearly everyone has heard him thanks to his work with The Drifters. And many consider Billy Ward's Dominoes' 1952 "Have Mercy Baby" -- with McPhatter on lead vocal -- the first soul record. The 44 tracks -- or 22 singles, A and B sides -- collected on this handsome double-disc were recorded after McPhatter left The Drifters and after he scored a massive hit with "A Lover's Question" for Atlantic. But ignore these later sides at your own risk. Sure, there are some strings (gasp!) and some light moments, McPhatter's expressive tenor makes it all worthwhile.
Hamper McBee of Monteagle, Tennessee -- The Good Old-Fashioned Way (Drag City)
The late Hamper McBee was a great backwoods singer found by a folklorist in the early 1960s. His unadorned solo vocal renditions of traditional songs are packed with personality and nary a trace of guile. If you want real roots music, these 29 songs, recorded in 1977 by Charles K. Wolfe and Sol Korine (father of filmmaker Harmony), are for you. My favorites are his careful rendition of "Knoxville Girl," a song I know from the Louvin Brothers and the conversational tracks like "Talk on Drinking Still Mash."
Drivan -- Disko (Smalltown Supersound)
Three-quarters Swedish and one-quarter Finnish, Drivan is dark, cool and mysterious, kind of like a Scandinavian winter. The lo-fi tracks are a mix of acoustic guitars, looped beats, ethereal vocals and pianos and some of them sound as if we're hearing them from another room, sometimes as if bleeding through the wall. I love it. I love the simple arrangements, I love the melodies and I love the blend of electronic and acoustic elements. I can't begin to tell you what they're singing about, but it makes me a melancholy.
Regina --Puutarhatrilogia (Friendly Fire)
While we're in the neighborhood, let's head east to Finland and Regina. With few points of reference, Finland always makes me think of the cold, dreary and dark vignette filmed in Helsinki for Jarmusch's "Night on Earth." Helsinki trio Regina -- which like Drivan mixes electronic and acoustic elements -- must be from the other side of town. These 10 tracks are upbeat, breezy and catchy pop. Again, I have no idea what they're singing about, but all of it makes me want to get to Finland ... and fast.
Debutaunts -- Why Can't We Have Fun (Architek One)
Melodic power-y pop from Atlanta. Catchier guitar pop you won't find anywhere. Recommended for fans of Superdrag and Milwaukee's Trolley and The Nice Outfit. But these southern boys also like some danceable elements mixed with their guitars, and on those tracks, I'm reminded of Swedish bands like Kent and This Perfect Day.
Capleton -- I-Ternal Fire (VP)
One of the great reggae DJs of the past two decades is Capleton, whose latest compilation of tracks from assorted producers is out now on New York's VP. Conscious lyrics abound and musical styles are pretty varied, too. The opener, "Some Day," is laced with acoustic guitars and an almost gospel feel. "Acres" also has some acoustic picking but a one drop reggae beat. "Mama You Strong" is more R&B than reggae but with a one drop and deep bass. For my money, though, Capleton still kicks it hardest on tough reggae riddims like "Babylon Go Down" and "Global War."
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
