Trax
By Bliss 08/20/2009
OREKA TX, Nömadak Tx World Village)
(3 stars out of 5)
The txalaparta (“tchala-parta”), a primitive wooden xylophone resurrected by Basque musicians Harkaitz Martinez and Igor Otxoa, requires two people just to be played. A certain exuberance is generated in overcoming its loose boards, and results can be exhilarating — particularly since Martinez and Otxoa took their txalaparta and computer to India, Lapland, Mongolia and Sahara for fascinatingly polyrhythmic collaborations with throat singers, Buddhist monks and griots, among others. This worthy disc is soundtrack to the documentary chronicling that journey, “Nömadak Tx,” screening at California Plaza Sunday. nomadaktx.com.
JOE LOPICCOLO, Night (self-released)
(3 stars out of 5)
Local jazz circuit regular LoPiccolo acquits himself handsomely on this smoothly produced follow-up to 2006’s “Live at the Ritz,” which previewed a handful of these 11 instrumental compositions. “Carnival” floats with tropical zest, akin to some of the guitarist’s past work, while his assured flights up and down the frets take on more funk on tunes such as “Mensaje Uno,” “D’funk’d” and “Jab,” as he graciously creates space for bassist Larry Steen, drummer/percussionist Aaron Serfaty and versatile woodwind player Andy Suzuki to shine. LoPiccolo returns to redwhite+bluezz Tuesday. joelopiccolo.com.
NOELLE HAMPTON, Thin Line (self-released)
(4 stars out of 5)
Shawn Colvin fans should seek out this singer-songwriter, whose lightly grained tonal sweetness is reminiscent of Colvin. Formerly based in the Bay Area and now relocated to Austin, Hampton’s sturdily crafted pop tunes are similarly warmed by rootsy instrumentation, including B3 organ, Wurlitzer, cello, acoustic and electric guitars. Bookended by the hooky title track and an aching cover of U2’s “Love is Blindness,” the strongest tracks (“Always the Same,” “Cold Strings,” “Blackwing Butterfly,” “Firecracker”) chronicle a reportedly hellish year of depression with piercing honesty and melodic buoyancy.
noellehampton.com.
THE PINES, Tremolo (Red House)
(4 stars out of 5)
Relocated to Minneapolis after meeting in Arizona, Iowa-bred vocalist David Huckfelt and guitarist/keyboardist Benson Ramsey’s bluesy folk-rock evokes beloved back roads and long journeys spent shambling through existential wastelands. Their taut cover of Mississippi John Hurt’s “Spike Driver Blues” sounds of a piece with their own poetic forays. Helmed by Ramsey’s dad Bo Ramsey (a Midwestern guitarist and producer best known for his work with Greg Brown and Lucinda Williams), the 10 tracks crackle with low-key electricity through the Dylanesque dark. Should appeal to fans of Bon Iver and Ray LaMontagne. thepinesmusic.com.
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