Mr. Lif: I Heard it Today (Bloodbot Tactical Enterprises)
Beginning as a project to release a song every three weeks, I Heard it Today marks a new beginning for hip-hop hero Mr. Lif. In addition to being self-released, this new work finds Jeffrey Haynes seeking to inspire others and taking a greater reflection on the political landscape.
There's no drop in production, and Lif's rhymes remain as heady and unique as ever. Throughout the album, he hits on themes old and new, including the disillusionment with capitalism and the corporate workplace on "Collapse the Walls" and his take on the housing crisis with title track "I Heard it Today."
The disc's shining moment, however, is his piece regarding the nation's first black president — one that acknowledges the sad truth that Obama, though likely a good person, can't change the ways of the word.
With slight embellishment, Lif raps, "195 countries on the globe; 191 governments under American control. … You think they're gonna let Obama stop the flow of dough? I think no — or we'll be witnessing an overthrow. Bankers run this shit; don't get it twisted. Ain't nothing personal here; it's just business."
Herculaneum: Herculaneum III (Clean Feed)
Led by three horns and members of Chicago's jazz, experimental, and indie scenes, Herculaneum specializes in grooving mid-tempo jazz licks and cool tones. Improvised solos flow over steady foundations, presenting graceful and swinging brass work from trombonist Nick Broste, trumpeter Patrick Newbery, and saxophonist David McDonnell.
Drummer Dylan Ryan, who adds vibraphone to great effect, is also of pop experimentalists Icy Demons, and Broste is a performer in the quirky 30-member marching band Mucca Pazza. Though the group has been around since 2002, this is just its second full-length album and first since 2006 disc Orange Blossom.
Venetian Snares: Filth (Planet Mu)
A man who never hurts for new material, electronic producer Aaron Funk now issues another album under his popular Venetian Snares moniker. Like his recent Detrimentalist and Cavalcade… releases, Filth focuses on straight electronic mayhem — but this time without the glitchy breaks that have marked much of his catalog.
There are no string samples like My Downfall (Original Soundtrack) or Rossz Csillag Alatt Született, and it won't win over anyone that needs melodies, but Filth should hold over Funk's fans until the next release sets about feeding his insatiable appetite.
Venetian Snares: "Deep Dicking"
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Robert Burger: City of Strangers (Tzadik)
A founding member of Tin Hat Trio, multi-instrumentalist Rob Burger tackles a plethoric load of musical devices and genres on this solo release of 31 brief film cues.
Burger left Tin Hat five years ago, but here he gets a bit of guest assistance from the group's other two founding members, guitarist Mark Orton and violinist Carla Kihlstedt. Viola virtuoso Eyvind Kang and violinist Maxim Moston make larger cameos, and guitarist Marc Ribot and percussionist Kenny Wollesen also make brief appearances.
But Burger handles nearly all of the instrumentation on his own, deftly weaving through chamber music, neoclassical, piano scores, twangy bluegrass and slide guitar, melodic pieces of percussion, waltzy accordion numbers, and much more. The result is a beautiful disc of tunes perfect for those with short attention spans and vital for soundtrack enthusiasts.
Lucky 7s: Pluto Junkyard (Clean Feed)
Comprised of seven all-star talents in or affiliated with the Chicago jazz scene, this septet captures the abilities of each esteemed member while creating an intriguing mix of motifs.
A horn-heavy frontline leans on the double trombone talents of Jeb Bishop and Jeff Albert, the cornet of Josh Berman, and the tenor sax of Keefe Jackson. As always, vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz establishes a masterful blend of harmonies, and bassist Matthew Golombisky and drummer Quin Kirchner keep the tunes moving but also drop out for pensive brass exchanges.
Led by Bishop and Albert, the group takes a bit of a double identity — one that is welcomed and fun.
