Currently based in Los Angeles, Claude Fontaine has released a record that blends Jamaican Rocksteady with the sounds of Brazilian Tropicalia. The album is out now courtesy of Innovative Leisure. Several songs feature Jamaican guitarist Tony Chin (Soul Syndicate, Dennis Brown, King Tubby) which lends it not only credibility but the right feel for an often spoiled rocksteady groove. The single “Hot Tears” vibes somewhere between Kingston Jamaica and an infamous Dub Club session, complete with melodica melodies. Dance over to the track “I’ll Play the Fool” and the homage to Brazilian Bossa is evident by way of the unmistakable “cuica” and guitar rhythm. Her voice delicately laments throughout the record, which features several roots-reggae musicians, and blends together for a perfect fusion that bridges the revolutionary sounds of 70’s Jamaica with Brazil of the same era. Check out the video for “Cry for Another.”
É. Arenas La Fila De Tommy’s Out Now on El Relleno
Eduardo Arenas just released a 45 celebrating Tommy’s Burgers. The 7? record is called La Fila de Tommy’s (the line at Tommy’s) and features two tracks dedicated to the legendary chili burger aficionados.
Arenas celebrated the record with a 4/20 release party at the Moroccan Lounge in Little Tokyo. The crowd was enthusiastic as Arenas’ band carefully maneuvered between songs from his 2016 record, Nariz, and his ‘cumbia-quebradita” joints. These dance cuts were met with dancing, jumping, moshing and of course, blazing. I may or may not have been on stage providing some additional percussion on some of the dance songs and witnessed Arenas toss containers of 4/20 grass-supplements onto a very receptive crowd.
Side A of the record features the single titled “La Fila de Tommy’s.” This song is driven by a powerful quebradita rhythm and a pumping overdriven organ. It’s a party anthem and everyone from Oxnard to Riverside gets a shout out! Side B features a ‘rebajada’ (or slowed down) version of the record where the hook is simply, ‘chili, chili, chili.’ Basically this record feels like the revival of Mexican carne-asada back yard parties in defiance of a Trump-era bigotry because everyones invited to this party, no need to hablar Español to enjoy this record. And as Arenas told me at the Moroccan Lounge, the day of the show, he’s just having fun with his solo career because he’s in Chicano Batman.
The Budos Band are back with their new album V and it is set to drop on April 12 via Daptone (pre-order). This record mixes the heavy rock vibes from 2014’s release, Burnt Offering, with the Afro funk grooves from their first three albums. The horns in the track “Maelstorm” sludge through psychedelia influenced rock and roll grooves while the opening track “Old Engine Oil” sits in an alternate universe where Black Sabbath is led by Fela Kuti. I’ve been a fan since their first release in 2005 and almost 20 years later they continue to evolve, taking those willing, on a cinematic journey of a landscape where vintage soul, afrobeat and metal are one and the same. Kudos Budos!
The experimental punk and “future jazz” band, Zeta, is currently on their “Mil Años en Tour” Tour. They started up the US West Coast, and will finish up their dates in Florida. Coming from Venezuela by way of Miami, Florida, their amazing work ethic is evident in their complex songwriting and constant touring. Zeta incorporates the aggressiveness of punk hardcore, the textured expanses of post-rock, fluctuations of meter and beat in jazz, and Afro-Latino rhythmic percussion. They have been featured on Audiotree and Little Elephant, two popular musical platforms who feature notable bands through live sessions. Little Elephant is known for pressing limited vinyl copies of every band’s performance. These guys are one of the most consistent and hard-working musicians in the industry right now. However, Zeta is more than just guys making music. They are artists who create a positive community wherever they go, and share culture through food.
