DJ Krush
History of DJ Krush
www.mmjp.or.jp/sus/Krush
History of DJ Krush is a collector’s set of 3DVDs of Japan’s leading DJ Krush who has elevated the art of turntablism, live collaboration with singers and musicians, as well as inspired mixing bringing his cosmically surreal and so-hip-it-hurts programming together into a full overview of a gifted artist. Playing with layering, minimalistic treatments, loops, computer programs and all forms of musical experimentation he has built a worldwide audience for his unique trance-like compositions often collaborating with rappers and vocalists. from funky full stops to dark, low, sensitive and deep sonic soundscapes he’s fearless and let’s the audience’s own heartbeats fill in the texture for a thrilling and cerebral experience. Included are live concert footage, videos and documentary interviews as well as full discography, words, gig almanac and history from producer Noriko Asano. Gig alerts! DJ Krush travels the human condition Oct 26 @ San Francisco’s Mighty and Oct 29 @ Pomona’s Glass House.

Matthew Duffy
Healing Machine
www.MatthewDuffy.com
Twenty-something singer-songwriter Matthew Duffy is moist and ready to take on the aural pleasure needs of a seductive nation. With electronica kissed compositions and poetic lyrics his sultry delivery belies that they actually are good building blocks for a dance set. Literally singing the soundtrack for an evening of naughty good times and introspective soulful realness he should be bursting on the Pride circuit any day now. From Healing Machine - “Make me a witness/ i Can see it in your eyes/ I can feel it in your hands/ Even though I can’t tell why/ The healing machine can/ Deep down inside, I know I tried/ There has to be more to life than this/ Deep down inside, I know I tried/ I was meant to live for so much more.” My picks: “Ride It,” “Don’t Speak” featuring Q-Boy “Pretty,” “#1 Enemy,” “Rope’s End” and “Healing Machine.”

Bee Gees
Greatest
www.OfficialBeeGees.com
Raised in Austrailia the uber hunky trio of brothers, the Bee Gees, were the poster children of the very best of non-queer disco. Fill in your own joke here. No one could make polyester look good but they came close and easy could have been hair models for men’s magazines as they simply oozed macho rugged looks while being soft enough as to not threaten. Pile on their soaring R&B falsetto in three part harmony and you have the birth of elevator music. I actually do like them, in light doses, but disco was not the best period for pop music and culturally it rolled over so much other stuff in its wake that i probably hold a grudge, who knows. Maurice, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb defined soft rock and disco for generations and remain one of the most recognizable music groups ever. give credit where it’s due. For you youngster consider renting the movie “Saturday Night Fever” to see the promise of sexuality that disco had. My picks: “Tragedy,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “Too Much Heaven,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “Rest Your Love On Me,” “Nights on Broadway, “ “Spirits (Having Flown),” “Wind Of Change” and “If I Can’t Have You Remix.”

Luca
Fractions
www.NickLuca.com
Americana alt-rock groovesters Luca breeze in and swell music into a soft roar subtle charming the weary and confusing the wicked. Based in Tucson, Arizona they have a tight musicianship probably from their former life as a trio but they are toe-tapping with rock orchestrations and lay out a near-triipt cover of Lou Reed’s “Walk On the Wildside”. My picks: “Bitten,” “It’s Not Over Yet,” “Walk On the Wildside,” “Down,” “Was It a Dream,” “I Still Believe” and “Fires Burning.” Gig alerts! Luca washes ashore with full agenda Oct 20 @ San Francisco’s The Rite Spot and Oct 21 @ San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.

Mariza
Concerto em Lisboa w/Bonus DVD
TimesSquareRecords.net
World music chanteuse Mariza brings forth the Portuguese song-form known as fado; part flamenco, part African and some art song – some call it Portuguese blues. I think of it more as world torch for the hyper drama and wizened timelessness amongst us all. Some liken it to the songs of sadness, sorrow and yearning when a person isn´t near you and you miss them but also are happy for the memories and wish they were with you again. It is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics. And Mariza is one of the world’s best diva’s of the torchy fado tradition. The 2 disc set includes a bonus DVD of her live in concert. Gig alert! Mariza names the hurt and sings through it Oct 23 @ Berkeley’s University of California Zellerbach Hall.

Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi
Tsimba Itsoka
www.Tukumusic.com
Zimbabwe’s Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi is not only an exceptional singer he also acts as an an ambassador for the country and music appearing in numerous movies such as “Jit,” “Neria,” “Under African Skies” and “The Soul Of The Mbira” and his music has launched him up the Afro-pop charts worldwide. World-famous for his socially conscious African jazz and seasoned voice his upbeat songs are delightful comfort in any language. Tsimba Itsoka means “no foot, no footprint”and the entire album challenges listeners to think what one’s legacy will be when nothing of us but our spirit is still alive. Tuku has also composed soundtracks for documentaries about Africa’s ongoing struggle against AIDS. My picks: “Merey Mathay,” “Mhinduro,” “Hapana Kuti Mbijana,” “Njuga,” “Masimba Mashoma” and “Mbiri Hurimbo.” Gig alerts! Oliver Mtukudzi brings the goodness of our motherland Oct 25 @ Santa Cruz’s Kumbwaa Jazz Center and Oct 26-28 @ Oakland’s Yoshi’s Jazz Club.q

MĂşm
Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy     
www.RandomSummer.com
Icelandic experimental band Mum’s Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy is a massive treat of quirky whispy folk-pop, electronica-kissed disorienting beauty with plenty of hazy experimental flourishes. Beautifully bizarre, sensual and magically morose all at the same time. “Bless the weeds that grow beyond/Just like rain and dust appear/ Go, go smear the poison ivy/Let your crooked hands be holy.” Well OK, I just might! My picks: “Blessed Brambles,” “A Little Bit, Sometimes,” “Moon Pulls,” “Dancing Behind My Eyelids,” “Guilty Rocks” and “Winter (What We Never Were After All).” Gig alert! Múm’s otherworldly enchantments will burn the chills Oct 25 @ San Francisco’s The Grand.

Black Mountain
Black Mountain
www.Jagjaguwar.com
If you like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, the Velvet Underground or Black Sabbath you’ll likely love the psychedelic-bluesy Canadian rockers Black Mountain and their debut of the same name. Classic and reworked brooding rock n’ roll complete with graspy raspy, angsty vocals and walls of guitar mayhem. My picks: “Don’t Run Our Hearts Around,” “Druganaut,” “Set Us Free,” “No Hits,” “Heart of Snow” and “Faulty Times.” Gig alert! Black Mountain timewarps the innocence away Oct 24 @ San Francisco’s The Independent.