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Various Artists: Tradi-Mods vs Rockers: Alternative Takes on Congotronics

Crammed Discs
Tribute albums rarely come as perfect—or as heady—as Tradi-Mods vs Rockers: Alternative Takes on Congotronics, which floats in the sweet zone between adventurous and accessible. The accessible is provided by the warm, electrified thumb pianos played by Konono No. 1 and others in Crammed Disc’s Congotronics series, which keep nearly all of the 26 pieces tethered with magical, earthly grooves. Everybody else provides the adventure, literalizing the music’s globalization through transformations into splattering club beats (The Boredoms’ Eye, British dance-haller Bass Cleff ), maybe-too-clever orchestral miniatures ( Andrew Bird, Jherek Bischoff ), breathtaking percussion arrangements (Wilco’s Glenn Kotche), masterful avant-pop ( Deerhoof, Animal Collective, Skeletons ), and even hushed beauty ( Juana Molina ). There’s a little fat, sure, but that can be danced away.Relix A/V
Beth Hart "Baddest Blues"
Beth Hart shares the opening track from her latest album, Bang Bang Boom Boom, live at Relix.
Jamie Lidell "A Little Bit More"
Jamie Lidell sets up in the Relix boiler room and delivers a tune from his 2005 album Multiply
King Lincoln "Coffee"
Duane Trucks is happy to announce his new project, King Lincoln. Watch them perform “Coffee” live and acoustic at Relix’s Online-Video Coordinator’s loft in Williamsburg.
Crystal Bowersox "Dead Weight"
Here’s another song from Crystal Bowersox’s new record All That For This, live at Relix.
Goodnight, Texas "The Railroad"
Goodnight, Texas share a song from their latest studio album, A Long Life of Living, live at Relix.
Warren Haynes "Railroad Boy"
Warren Haynes performs a solo, acoustic version of “Railroad Boy” and explains how he adapted the traditional Celtic song for Gov’t Mule, backstage at the Hangout Music Festival.
Alpine "Hands"
Australia’s Alpine recently made their NYC debut at the Relix office with this song from their new album A is for Alpine.
Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger "The Pequod"
In honor of Umphrey’s McGee’s return to Summer Camp this weekend, we present the group’s Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger performing this version of “The Pequod” from UM’s Anchor Drops.
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Engr May 5, 2012, 21:33:19