Damn Good Music

mmmm, boris and the saltlicks! need i say more?
"caves of burgundy" was the first song i heard by this band when i discovered them in the kbga library and i was hooked immediately. the entire album "cactusman vs. the blue demon" is a solid eargasm full of splendid americana lovin'!
currently based in santa fe, boris mccutcheon is the lead singer/songwriter and is backed by the band "the salt licks". boris plays the guitar, harmonica, and mandolin - and in my opinion shits musical gold.
http://www.borismccutcheon.com/index.html
 
 

• Artist: boris and the saltlicks
• Title: Caves Of Burgundy
• Album: Cactusman Versus The Blue Demon
• Genre: Rock
• Year: 2006
• Length: 5:15 minutes (4.82 MB)
• Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

My favorite song, 4 People, from there epic album released this summer has all the ingredients of the Solillaquists of Sound that I love. A tight, rhythmic male lead that carefully enunciate every syllable, an intricate solid beat that builds the energy of the song, and an amazing singer that defies explanation. I almost labeled her as a backup singer, but then I thought about how the rest of the band is there to support her. Seriously, once her voice comes on you never want her to stop. A beautiful full range, and a versatile style, she adds a huge amount of soul and awesomness to this song and the rest of there incredible album, No More Heroes. Solillaquists of Sound have pushed themselves ahead of the rest of the artists waiting in line to get into my favorite artists lists (where all the cool kids hang out). Spend some time checking out the rest of the samples of there work at the links below and don't forget to stop by there site. What do you think of this? Is this the best song you've heard all month? If so, leave a comment. If not, let us know why not and what you're loving in the comments. Thanks!

• Artist: Solillaquists of Sound
• Title: 4 People
• Album: No More Heroes
• Genre: Hip Hop/Rap
• Year: 2009
• Length: 4:10 minutes (5.97 MB)
• Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 192Kbps (CBR)

dragon fli empire caught my eye in the kbga studio simply because it was some new hip-hop i hadn't listened to before and i liked the fact that they're out of calgary, canada.  i randomly played this song on air because i liked the jazzy beginning and was thrilled when they threw shout-outs to not only MISSOULA, but also eightrack mind (from bozeman), and crown city rockers (from california)! i've been hooked ever since. i love all 3 bands and i vote for a show here in missoula featuring all 3 plus sweatshop union all at once! we'll call it missoulapalooza!
"the very next morning we said goodbye - hit the road again to the land of big sky - ... - straight to missoula where they're cooler than icecaps..."

• Artist: Dragon Fli Empire
• Title: Ride On (Ft. Raashan Ahmad)
• Album: Redefine
• Genre: kristens
• Year: 2009
• Length: 2:53 minutes (3.3 MB)
• Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 160Kbps (CBR)

shukar collective is another one of those delicious bands that patiently awaited me in kbga's world music library.  i'm always a big fan of music that successfully hodgepodges traditional aspects with a modern flair - and these guys hit the spot! their romanian gypsy music is weird and unique and i have no clue what they're saying at any given point - which is exactly what makes them damn good!
the following is their review from last.fm which i'd say sums up shukar collective quite well:
"The Shukar Collective was born from the meeting of new generation musicians with the gypsy traditions of Shukar founders Napoleon, Tamango and Clasic. Shukar play ursari music (ursar means “bear tamer” or “bear handler”) using spoons, wooden barrels or darabouka to create a powerful and urgent sound that is emotional and soulful at the same time. Urban Gypsy combines Shukar’s original ursari music with the new technology of the collective, resulting in their distinctive sound."
also, check out some of their music videos on ye olde youtube - s.c. - "gypsy blooz" * s.c. - "malademna" * s.c. - "taraf"
 
 

• Artist: Shukar Collective
• Title: Gipsy Blooz
• Album: Urban Gypsy
• Genre: World
• Year: 2005
• Length: 4:07 minutes (3.77 MB)
• Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)