Badi Assad

Badi Assad
Wonderlandwww.BadiAssad.com
Classically-bent Brazilian singer/guitarist Badi Assad has that same Euro-cosmopolitan speech that places her as a world traveler but her voice is of an exotic angel mesmerizing old souls into new dances. On Wonderland she tackles the taboo and covers some stunners like Tori Amos’ “Black Dove” transporting the gifted into the enchanted. My picks: “1000 Mirrors,” “From United States Of Piaui,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Zoar” and “One More Kiss, Dear.” Gig alerts! Badi Assad weaves classical Oct 21 @ San Francisco’s Florence Gould Theater, Oct 23 @ Santa Cruz’s Kumbawa Jazz Center, Oct 25 @ Stanford’s Dinkelspiel Auditorium and Oct 26 @ Stanford’s CSMA Mountain View.

Sharam
Sharam - Dubai GU29www.DeepDish.com
Global Underground breaks new ground again with the solo debut of Sharam Tayebi better known as part of Deep Dish. Born and raised in Iran he becomes a standard bearer for the album’s namesake Dubai that is one of the world’s fastest growing cities with world records being broken on a continual basis. This double disc mix set features songs and remixes done in deep sexy vibe to echo an ultra modern city that also serves as the gateway to the Middle East. My picks: “Sugar,” “Majorca Roots,” “Together We Rise,” “Stilettos (Pumps) - (Dave Audé Pumps Dub),” “Eiffel Nights,” “Connected (Spider & Legaz Remix)” and “Who’s Watching” featuring Nadia Ali. Gig alert! Sharam portals the enchantment of the Gulf Coast Oct 14 @ San Francisco’s Ruby Skye.

Easy Star All-Stars
Radiodreadwww.EasyStar.com
These superbly gifted musicians enliven the ethereal rock gods of Radiohead introducing their hypnotically beautiful compositions to new audiences while expanding artistic boundaries of reggae for a whole new generation. My picks: “Paranoid Android,” “Subterranean Homesick Alien,” “Exit Music (For A Film),” “Karma Police,” “Electioneering” and “Lucky.” Gig alerts! Easy Star All-Stars visit planet Earth Oct 13 @ San Francisco’s Slims, Oct 14 @ Santa Cruz’s The Catalyst and Oct 15 @ Sacramento’s Harlows.

Buddhist Monks of Sakya Tashi Ling
My Spirit Flies To Youwww.TheBuddistMonks.net
Another world trippy journey awaits on this stunning collection of chants and mantras from the Buddhist monks of Sakya Tashi Ling located in Catalonia, Spain. Recorded to share their message of peace and love with the masses they have indeed struck nirvana with incredibly sexy beats featuring hypnotic chanting and sultry vocals with exotic undertones. My picks: “My Spirit Flies To You,” “Om Sai Ram,” “Emotions,” “Urban Buddhism,” “Mystic Eyes,” and “My Spirit Flies To You (HSP Pop Radio Remix).”

Tom Petty
Highway Companionwww.TomPetty.com
On Highway Companion, Tom’s third solo and eighteenth career disc, he delves more into the personal and introspective offering gems for mulling. From “Saving Grace” “I’m moving on alone over ground that no one owns/ Past statues that atone for my sins/ There’s a guard on every door/ And a drink on every floor/ Over flowing with a thousand amens.” My picks: “Saving Grace,” “Down South,” “Jack,” “Turn This Car Around” and “The Golden Rose.” Gig alert! Tom Petty travels down familiar paths Oct 27 @ Berkeley’s Greek Theater.

Acoustic Africawww.Putumayo.com
Want to make a big difference in Africa? Look no further than Putumayo’s latest compilation Acoustic Africa featuring some of the best singer-songwriters and social activists with sweet and serene songs covering countries and lives throughout Africa. The benefit CD raises funds for Mercy Corps in support of their efforts to help AIDS victims and victims of the civil war in Darfur, and to Oxfam’s “MakeTrade Fair” campaign to improve trade conditions for African countries. My picks: Diogal’s “Sore,” Angélique Kidjo’s “SeDJedo,” Gabriela Mendes’s “Tradicao,” Habib Koité & Bamada’s “Baro,” Dobet Gnahoré’s “Palea.” Gig alerts! Putumayo presents an Acoustic Africa Tour with Habib Koit from Mali, Vusi Mahlasela from South Africa and Dobet Gnahor from Ivory Coast Oct 18 @ Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall, Oct 19 @ Saratoga’s Montalvo Arts Center, Oct 20 @ Chico’s Laxson Auditorium, Oct 21 @ Napa’s Napa Valley Opera House and Oct 22 @ Santa Cruz’s Rio Theatre.

The Be Good Tanyas
Hello Lovewww.TheBeGoodTanyas.com
The three Canadian women of The Be Good Tanyas share a love for soulful folk, blues and country music and serve up original and inspired covers for all to behold. The Vancouver-based trios’ third full length album is down-home goodness and countrified soulsters with heart-plucked lyrics and haunting guitar work. My picks: “For The Turnstiles,” “A Thousand Tiny Pieces,” “Scattered Leaves,” “Out Of The Wilderness” and “When Doves Cry.” Gig alert! The Be Good Tanyas folk out Oct 23 @ San Francisco’s The Independent.

Langhorne Slim
Engine EPwww.LanghorneSlim.com
On his latest release, Engine EP, the witty singer-songwriting troubadour Langhorne Slim offers up a teasey four-song sampling of his latest chapter within a larger book of blues and old-timey folkster throwbacks honoring “the peculiar chords and rhythms of American roots music.” Gig alert! Langhorne Slim timewarps Oct 21/2 @ San Francisco’s Bottom of The Hill.

Headman
Onwww.Headman.org
Funky retro disco synths and brooding innuendos simmer on the new release from post-modern disco and nu-wave guru, remixer, artist, DJ and producer Robi Insinna aka Headman. Sleazy dancefloor funkers collide with trippy pop hooks and great guest vocalists for sassy and sexy results. My picks: “Roh,” “Do U Feel,” “Moisture,” “Freedom Drums” and “Everybody.” Gig alert! Headman cruises the back rooms Oct 20 @ San Francisco’s Mezzanine.
 
Ladytron
Witching Hour
Extended Playwww.Ladytron.com
Liverpool-based Ladytron spark synthpop magic with trippy electropunk and danceable cyber-garage rock. Harnessing vintage synthesizers and a glam doomsday aesthetic the quartet set off sonic waves of melancholy bliss calling forth the spirits of disco-past while drinking the spirits of present day dancefloor drinky-poos. On the 2-disc Extended Play they serve up remixes and a bonus DVD with music videos and a behind-the-scene look at their China tour. My picks: “High Rise,” “Destroy Everything You Touch,” “Soft Power,” “amTV,” “The Last One Standing” and “Weekend.” From Extended Play my picks are: “High Rise (Club Mix),” “Nothing To Hide,” “Sugar (Jagz Kooner Mix)” and “Last One Standing (Shipps & Tait Mix).” Gig alert! Ladytron reanimate Oct 16 @ San Francisco’s Fillmore.

Richard Dorfmeister vs
Madrid De Los Austrias
Grand Slamwww.G-Stoned.com
Deep sexy house, chill, funky dub and Latin-spiced remixes collide on the feel good summer mix album flying across genres and pumping out solid flow for the bedroom and dancefloor from two merging camps of remix pros. The Latin-kissed work of MDLA’s Pogo and Heinz wonderfully counterbalance the hyper funky dub of remixer legend Richard Dorfmeister for a chillbient tour of happy soulful beats.. My picks: Willie Bobo’s “Spanish Grease [Dorfmeister vs. MDLA Muga Reserva Mix],” Koop’s “Relaxin’ At Club F****n [Dorfmeister vs. MDLA Mix],” Pressure Drop’s “Back 2 Back [Dorfmeister vs. MDLA Mix]” and Groove Armada’s “My Friend [Dorfmeister vs. MDLA Mix].”

Susana Baca
Travesiaswww.LuakaBop.com
Peruvian songstress Susana Baca arose from the lower classes and uses her rich history to share tucked away folk worlds of creating one’s own from scratch cooking to your own music. Born in Lima, Peru she opens her life and sings (in Spanish, French, Italian and English) serenades of life and love. My picks: “Guillermina,” “Una Copla Me Ha Cantado,” “Ne Quelque Part,” “Luna Rossa” and “Pensamiento.” Gig alerts! Susana Baca troubadours Oct 21 @ Santa Cruz’s The Attic and Oct 22 @ San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall.

Lily Allen
Smilewww.LilyAllenMusic.com
Twenty-something Brit Lily Allen is another internet underdog churning her witty ska-inflected songs on her MySpace page into an impressive debut on the UK charts. Her breakout single “Smile” enlivens the guilty pleasures of watching your ex get laxatives in his coffee and other cinematic treats. Gig alert! Lily Allen sasses Oct 12 @ San Francisco’s Popscene.