Mr. Gnome: Tastes Like Magic EP (El Marko)

Following a well-received sophomore LP late in 2009 — recorded at Josh Homme's studio — dynamic Cleveland duo Mr. Gnome are issuing an addendum of sorts, a pair of B-sides from the same recording session.

The band's main instrumentation is just guitar and drums, but it attains a much fuller sound with keyboards, electronics, and the ghostly vocal presence of Nicole Barille that has elicited comparisons to Karen O.

The result is both hazy and powerful, and the band's success owes much to that dynamic. "Three Red Birds," the EP's "single," is a creepy example of Mr. Gnome at the heavier end of its spectrum, as the tune takes a simple but potent riff and plays with its surroundings.

Mr. Gnome: "Three Red Birds"
Mr. Gnome: \"Three Red Birds\"

Etran Finatawa: Tarkat Tajje / Let's Go! (Riverboat)

A group of Wodaabe and Tuareg people from Niger, Etran Finatawa is an exploration of tribal music as channeled through electric guitar and a blues sensibility.

The group draws distinct comparisons to Tinariwen, a band of Tuareg musicians whose origin is from northern Mali. And though the two have a kindred bond as well as origins from bordering nations, Etran Finatawa displays the colorful vocalizations and dress of its Wodaabe members, whose collaboration with the Tuareg members is something unique.

The band's instrumentation features a clean-channel guitar, the crux of the Ichumar style, and guitarist Alhousseini Mohamed Anivolla cites regional influences such as Ali Farka Touré and international influences such as Jimi Hendrix. The latter proves to be more of an inspiration than a direct sonic model, but nevertheless, Tarkat Tajje is a mesmerizing album that is helping to further the modernization of tribal African music.

Etran Finatawa: "Aitimani" (excerpt)
Etran Finatawa: \"Aitimani\" (excerpt)

Ralph Towner & Paolo Fresu: Chiaroscuro (ECM)

Acoustic guitar is a staple of classical and folk music and an assortment of Latin and South American styles, but it's something of a rarity in jazz. Ralph Towner has experience in many of these genres, utilizing both nylon- and steel-string guitars (6 and 12 strings) to create a catalog of rich diversity.

However, his instrument of choice is most interesting in his jazz forays, and that holds true on this disc of duets with Italian/Sardinian trumpeter Paolo Fresu. The interplay between the two is careful and effective, and the album's one cover — a piece by Bill Evans and Miles Davis — is representive of the duo's influences and ability.

Honorable Mentions

Dan Weiss Trio: Timshel (Sunnyside)

Flobots: Survival Story (Republic)

Sayyadina: The Great Northern Revisited (Relapse)

V/A: The Rough Guide to Arabic Lounge (World Music Network)

Debashish Bhattacharya

With his second album in 14 months, Indian slide-guitar master Debashish Bhattacharya issues his take on musical adaptations of the mythological Hindu figure Shakuntala.  Using one of his twangy, self-made creations, Bhattacharya mixes Hindustani and Karnatic music in a style that, at times, distantly resembles Western slide music.

Debashish Bhattacharya: "Chahat"

Debashish Bhattacharya: \"Chahat\"

Sleep: Hesitation Wounds (Strange Famous)

A co-founder of hip-hop collective Oldominion, emcee Sleep has made a name for himself in the Pacific Northwest with high-energy, quick-tongued rhymes, diverse samples, and an often-downbeat sound.  This follow-up to his 2005 LP Christopher is his debut on Sage Francis' Strange Famous label, and it features guest spots by Del tha Funky Homosapien and Grayskul.

Obvious disclaimer: this Sleep is unrelated to the über-heavy stoner-metal group of the same name.

Amber Asylum: Bitter River (Profound Lore)

This vocally driven neoclassical project is led by multi-instrumentalist Kris Force, a Gothically inspired songstress with no relation to ALARM head honcho Chris Force.

A pairing of cello and violin roots Bitter River in a brooding, eerie minimalism, which is completed with Force's powerful range.  Previous Amber Asylum contributors have included Steve Von Till (Neurosis) and Tim Green (The Fucking Champs); the group's current collaborators include Eric Wood (Bastard Noise / Man is the Bastard), Jackie Perez-Gratz (Giant Squid), Leila Abdul-Rauf (Saros), and more.

Amber Asylum: "Bitter River"

Amber Asylum: \"Bitter River\"