Eclectic Grooves

Yeah, I know that it's been way too long since I've graced your presence, but between visits from family and friends, summer concerts and basking in the sun with my sweetheart, I have had absolutely no time or energy left for posting here. Besides checking out the incredibly talented trio of gypsy-klezmer stylists, Shicky Gnarowitz, last week at the Division Clinton Fair and yesterday at The Woods, I have been gathering a list of upcoming shows that I plan on checking out during the remainder of the summer. PDX Pop Now, SMMR BMMR and Music Fest 2010 are three festivals that I plan on attending, but every time I check the local weeklies there are more that hadn't been on my radar yet. Be on the lookout for a breakdown of these shows, as well as an exhaustive list of the bands that I plan to check out during each show. Other things that are on tap at Eclectic Grooves are new features that I have been cooking up in my mind over the past couple months, the long overdue podcast ...

The latest edition of I Hear a New World is available for download here, and at http://ihearanewworld.podomatic.com/. This episode features a wide-ranging set of eclectic styles including psychedelic, blues, free jazz, garage, post rock and afro-funk. Bands that are featured on this episode include Brainiac, Animal Collective, Slint, Reverend Gary Davis and Orchestre Poly Rhythmo. I hope that you enjoy this episode as much as, or more, than I had putting it together. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think of this week's show. I have a friend coming out to visit over the next week, so things are going to be pretty slow on here during that time. Feel free to pillage the archives while you are awaiting the next post.

Well... it has become apparent to me that the popularity of this site has been decreasing considerably over the last several months. My hits have been dwindling since February, and they keep going down at about the rate of 1000 hits a month. I figure that there are many reasons for this shift in popularity: 1) Sporadic posting (Once or twice a month isn't cutting it) 2) Fewer full-album posts 3) Many of the blogs who once linked to me are either gone or have removed my blog from their links, which tells me that they have decided that my blog isn't worthy of space on their site 4) The design of my blog is archaic compared to the Flash and You-tube filled sites that are flooding the internet, which is evident by the amount of visitors who spend two seconds on the site and then move on 5) The blog is cluttered with too many gadgets, players and links to other sites. 6) I haven't featured very much experimental or free jazz music on the site lately, which is the style of music ...

Even though I tweaked my back out while exercising this morning, I decided that I didn't want to postpone the listening party any longer. Since I am icing my back as we speak, I plan on keeping this short today. This episode of Plain Brown Wrappers is brought to you from that corner of my brain that revels in bringing you the most twisted, innovative and head-spinning music that I can possibly muster. It is being transmitted from the overactive brainwaves of a creative genius who just might have you humming these tunes while you sip your morning latte in the back of a crowded Starbucks. Of course you will have to be locked away in your own soundworld, with a pair of headphones that allow you to explore the full spectrum of sound that this album demands. You can't put it on while you carry out the mundane activities of the day such as washing the car or cleaning the house. Give this one some time to sink in as each song slowly unfolds into an intricate web of styles that combine...

The 19th episode of I Hear a New World is available for download at http://ihearanewworld.podomatic.com/. This week's episode of I Hear a New World featured a couple songs on media other than vinyl, as I wanted to take a little break from the norm. Artists featured on this week's episode include Volcano the Bear, Grass Widow, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and John Fahey. At just under an hour, it is the perfect mix to upload to your I-pod for the morning commute to work. I would love to hear what you all think of this week's episode, so please drop me a line. As always, please let me know if any of you want a trackslist for this week's show. I apologize for not posting very much lately, but I hope to post a new Plain Brown Wrappers soon as well as a few full album posts. Keep your ear tuned to Eclectic Grooves for the latest and greatest sounds coming out of my stereo.

The latest episode of I Hear a New World is available for download at http://ihearanewworld.podomatic.com/ . I hope you guys have been enjoying the Stacks of Wax podcasts I've been doing lately. These episodes are much easier to compile than the ones that I record from CD's and Mp3's on my computer. Another reason that I have been more motivated to post the vinyl podcasts is that I have been purchasing a lot more wax over the past year. Because of this, I have been doing the vinyl editions more often. For this episode I have gathered another eclectic batch of wax for your listening pleasure. Artists that were featured on this installment of Stacks of Wax include Sandy Bull, Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, The Intelligence, Jef Brown and Pharaoh Sanders. As always, your comments are encouraged and appreciated. Also, if anyone would like a trackslist to this podcast, please drop me a line in the comments section. Until next time, keep the tunes flowin...

The 17th episode of I Hear a New World is available for download at http://ihearanewworld.podomatic.com. This edition features many vinyl treasures that I picked up at local record stores over the last couple weeks. Artists that were featured on this podcast include Grass Widow, Neil Young, Ornette Coleman, Rev Louis Overstreet and Thee Oh Sees. It features an upbeat mixture of psychedelia, gospel blues, jazz, afro-groove and spanish flamenco. I would love to hear your thoughts about this week's podcast, so please drop me a line. Also, I would be happy to provide a tracklist for this show to anyone who is interested. Keep it tuned to Eclectic Grooves for more amazing sounds in the coming weeks.