Madlib: Beat Konducta, Vol. 5-6 (Stones Throw)
With 42 snippet-length tracks, the latest installment of Madlib's Beat Konducta series serves as a tribute to friend and collaborator J Dilla, who passed away in 2006. The two shared a love of mix-tape-style, crate-digging hip hop, and that's apparent as ever in Madlib's samples.
Though billed as "instrumental," Vol. 5-6 may contain the most (sampled) vocals of any Beat Konducta disc. It works better as background music than cruising tunes, and with many tracks less than two minutes in length, much of it runs together.
Madlib: "For My Mans (Prelude)"
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Dex Romweber Duo: Ruins of Berlin (Bloodshot)
As the former frontman of the rockabilly outfit Flat Duo Jets, Dex Romweber has some serious roots-rock credentials.
With this, his fifth solo album, Romweber is joined by sister Sara. The straightforward rock ballads don't work as well as the surf-heavy instrumental "Lookout" — featuring Rick Miller of Southern Culture on the Skids — but the siblings do exhibit vocal chemistry. Ruins of Berlin also features guest appearances by Neko Case, Cat Power, and Exene Cervenka.
Dex Romweber Duo: "Lookout"
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Alex Cline: Continuation (Cryptogramophone)
As one half of another pair of prolific siblings, Alex Cline isn't as well known as his twin brother, Nels (thanks to his inclusion in Wilco). But both are, first and foremost, forward-pressing musicians that balance melody with avant-garde tendencies.
A percussionist by trade, Alex assembles a cast to provide the other instrumentation on Continuation, which worms between semi-conventional forms (film scores, jazz) and seemingly endless atmospherics. A pair of 18-minute songs make this seven-track album even longer — and better for getting lost in sound — than previously anticipated.
Alex Cline: "Clearing Our Streams"
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Nels Cline: Coward (Cryptogramophone)
Nels' new solo effort, as one might predict, is centered on his instrument of choice, the guitar. He passes through a number of genres, lending his dexterous fingers to an acoustic-based album that doesn't hurt for electric drones or noisy effects.
Coward is more accessible than the improv-heavy, free-jazz Nels Cline Singers, but hardcore fans of Wilco may be put off. Nevertheless, Cline's songwriting and technical skills are on full display, and fans would do well to pick it up.
