Madlib

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)"
Madlib: \"For My Mans (Prelude)\"

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"
Dex Romweber Duo: \"Lookout\"

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"
Alex Cline: \"Clearing Our Streams\"

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.

Calexico

Jimmy Carl Black, the original drummer of Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, has passed away at the age of 70 after a fight with lung cancer.

All Tomorrow's Parties has announced a new festival, scheduled for May 15-17, 2009 in Minehead. The fest will be curated by The Breeders and tickets are already on sale.

In other ATP news, '90s doom-metal group Sleep will reunite to play the series' next festival in Minehead, taking place earlier in May of 2009.

Interested parties can watch a free streaming video of Calexico's Southwestern folk from a 23-song performance in Amsterdam.

Genre-leaping identical twins and instrumentalists Nels Cline (guitar: Nels Cline Singers, Wilco) and Alex Cline (drums/percussion: The Alex Cline Ensemble, Tim Berne) are each releasing a solo album on Cryptogramophone on February 10, 2009. Follow the link for a sample track from each.

Technically assailing math-metal Relapse artists Dysrythmia have booked shows for February with labelmates Tombs.

Hard-hitting Brooklyn trio Goes Cube will have a limited-edition EP for sale on its upcoming Midwest and East Coast tour dates, some of which are paired with ALARM cover favorites Dub Trio.

Unsigned jam/groove duo Family Order has made all of its excellent upcoming album available for free download.

Funky jazz guitarist Will Bernard has begun a handful of West Coast tour dates with his trio.

Deftones bassist Chi Cheng is hospitalized and in serious condition after being involved in a car accident.