Our Fresh Picks this week include Joshua Hedley taking country music back to the dancehalls, trip-hop icon Nightmares on Wax (and friends) with an ode to sound system culture, Courtney Hartman's mesmerizing work on motherhood, and singles from Bill Callahan, Black Market Brass & Obi Original, Sampa The Great and more.
Check out this week's suggestions from Music Director Kari Hedlund, Assistant Music Director Malachy Koons, Volunteer Coordinator Dan Gannon and Arts Producer Andrew Dziengel.
Albums
Joshua Hedley - All Hat
A country musician, Hedley has dabbled with varying kinds of country over the years, and this is his tribute and love letter to western swing. Though the album features original and new songs, it transports the listener to an earlier time. This was very intentional by Hedley, who wanted to showcase how broad the country music genre is, and to make sure this art form isn't erased with the passing of time. Through polka (Scott Hall you better be reading this!), waltzes and classic swing, this is a record meant to be heard and experienced best with a partner on a dance floor. All Hat is KAXE's album of the week. -KH
Courtney Hartman - With You
Last Christmas, I spent a few hours on the couch with my sister's newborn sleeping on my chest. Sunlight streamed through the window, time slowed to a crawl, and for a stretch, I thought of nothing else but peace and stillness. For obvious reasons, I have no real concept of what it takes to grow, birth and raise a child, but this album, just like those special few hours, is a glimpse of that world. Written by a new mother, with the help of many other mother-musicians, With You is a window into the intimacy, quiet and care of motherhood. -MK
Nightmares on Wax - Echo45 Sound System
Heads up (and down) for all you fans of Massive Attack, Portishead and the trip-hop sound, cause Nightmares on Wax is back and bringing a laid-back bass-heavy sound. Lots of great guest vocalists ride the rhythms, like Liam Bailey and Greentea Peng, but it is the return of the mighty Yasiin Bey, aka Mos Def, that is getting our heads bopping! Check it! -DG
The downtempo and trip-hop legend, Nightmares on Wax, stage name of DJ and producer George Evelyn, returns with a feature-heavy ode to his early love of dub and sound system culture, with a healthy dose of hip-hop on top. Smokers Delight, Carboot Soul and In A Space Outta Sound soundtracked my teen years, and now through much clearer eyes, I was delighted to find this album exploring new ground but still reminding me very pleasantly of becoming one with my couch. -MK
The Hello Crows - The Hello Crows
From New Brunswick, the Indigenous collective The Hello Crows, released a self-titled debut album at the end of September, and have married the sounds of '70s harmony-heavy rock with a '90s influence a la The Cranberries. Songs like "Come Back to Me," "Let 'Em Go Home," "Warbler" and "Red Flag" feel instantly familiar in their debut to the world. -KH
Singles
Bill Callahan - "The Man I'm Supposed to Be"
Bill Callahan is back with the first single from his upcoming album, My Days of 58. Sometimes, it's easy to take for granted how good Callahan is at this music thing. The neat trick of "The Man I'm Supposed to Be," is how masterful Callahan is at capturing moods. The song starts out as this somber reflection as if it's told from a man at the end of his rope, then like a magic trick, the song flips. As more instruments join in we get an almost joyous Callahan singing about laughing in the face of death. It literally ends with a giggle from Callahan. Excited for what the rest of the album will bring. -AD
Black Market Brass & Obi Original - "I No Be (Colonizer)"
The fourth song from the Minnesota match made in heaven of Afrobeat group Black Market Brass and Nigerian vocalist Obi Original, is a blistering, polyrhythmic declaration of resistance. Obi's voice is next level and he uses it to unapologetically maintain his Igbo culture while living in Minnesota. He and BMB are celebrating the release at The Cedar Cultural Center on Dec. 5 in Minneapolis. -MK
Sampa The Great - "Can't Hold Us (ft. Mwanjé)"
If you didn't already know, no one is going to hold Sampa The Great down. The Zambian rapper and singer is back with a banger of a new single that asserts her role in taking Zambian music worldwide. Welcome to Nu Zamrock. -MK
Ana Grosh - "Freedom"
Bouncy keyboards and beautifully spiteful vocals let us know Ana Grosh is here and has some thing to say: “I cry for you/ you’ll cry for freedom." Soulful breakup songs are the best … am I right? I, for one, want to know more about this artist! -DG
DUG - "Katie"
The Irish-American duo DUG have released their debut album Have At It!, with the single "Katie" out into the world as a way to celebrate. Made up of Californian Jonny Pickett and Irish folk artist Lorkin O’Reilly, the two create folk music with a driving stomp. I saw them while I was in Nashville at AmericanaFest, performing at a Justin Townes Earle tribute in a small record shop and venue, Vinyl Tap. Afterward, I asked if they knew of Charlie Parr, as their sound instantly felt up his alley. They both lit up, excited by the mention of the great Minnesota troubadour as they are fans and have met him along the musical way. "Katie" is the first recorded song I've heard from them, and I look forward to digging into the debut. -KH
