HOT HALF DOZEN 10.3.23

A huge 290 songs, videos and albums submitted this week. I picked 6 – 2 in Spanish and the ret in English that range from A Graham Parsons reprise album to electro jungle pop from Bolivia

290 songs albums, videos submitted for review this week

The Complete Reprise Sessions, album by Graham Parsons. In remembrance of his death 50 years in California, here is the last album released in his name. 48 songs, all remastered and re-released. The album gives us the full-range of the outlaw  trying to blend counterculture music of San Francisco and LA with country-music. The result is some of the most striking and creative music produced in revolution of the 60’s and 70’s . Stream on Spotify 

The Light, single by Dessy De Lauro.  Produced by Kasey Philips (Chris Brown) the female half of  the unique Parlor Social jazz band steps out with an uplifting solo  single. Available everywhere on Oct. 13.

Side Effects, single by Xoë Wise.  Lushly produced, sophisticated arrangement, strong emotional pull at your gut while keeping you happy with her voice. Different and very entertaining. Stream on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Kacharpayita, single/video by Luzmilax Carpio. This maybe an acquired taste but hundreds of thousands of happy listeners have acquired it. The hypnotic Bolivian arts brings the Andean culture directly to your ears by seamlessly blending folk rhythms, and modern electronics with an angelic voice full of joy and energy. She occasionally brings birdsong  vocalizations and traditional instruments to the mix. A truly unique and wonderful stretch across genres, generations and continents. Stream on major platforms. Spanish.

Callejera, album by La Perla. Often referred to as the 3 Colombian drum witches, La Perla is a one-of-a-kind percussion and vocal trio that smashes the jungle and a modern dance party together. They make you move and shout out, . The lyrics are impossibly fast, but eventually you find yourself singing with the. Stream on Bandcamp https://bit.ly/3tqYy0Q. Other albums on Spotify.  Spanish.

What Do You Want It To Be, album by Estomance. Estomance contemporary art pop project/ border band composed by producer Manuel Calderon (El Cosmophonico), instrumentalist, singer Adria Del Valle and renowned vocalist Paulina Reza who are the essence of music sin fronteras. Constantly crossing the border between the US and Mexico, they bring a ethereal, luxurious mixture of Spanish and English story-telling songs in this 8-song album recorded in 2022. They are on-tour now in the US and a must-see. Stream on Spotify.

Patrik O’Heffernan