Rock 'n' Roll Tape 3 Items

Rock'n'roll is dead. Gallows Wine [KLP287] is a wake for it's charred remains. Calvin Johnson traveled to Columbus, Mississippi to record Gallows Wine with the combo Hartle Road at their Pompeii studio. Columbus, in Lowndes County, is the childhood home of Tennessee Williams (just down US Route 45 from White Station, birthplace of Howlin' Wolf). Songs reflecting this singular environment include:"Pink Cadillac" written by Calvin when he was 16 (in reserve for just the right session);Title song "Gallows Wine" rips psycho psychedelic, poetic license intact;"Crazy Legs" is a Gene Vincent class act celebrating our sock hopulation;"Orange Aid" melts downtown no WAV.Yeah, Gallows Wine gets primitive: Lurch pulls a night shift on organ, Grandma Moses on the fife and drum. Calvin busk (melodica garage worm profane). Rockabilly spin cycle, guitar scrape and crush. Hand jive. You wanted Calvin Johnson howling beyond the magnolia curtain, you got it: Gallows Wine.The only proper response - - - Rock'n'roll is dead. Long live rock'n'roll.

Elvis Presley’s self-titled debut album forever changed popular culture on release in 1956, its earthquake aftershocks still felt some 65 years later. Gritty adaptations of Carl Perkins’ ‘Blue Suede Shoes,’ Ray Charles’ ‘I Got A Woman’ and Little Richard’s ‘Tutti Frutti’ helped make it the first Rock ‘n’ Roll album to top the Billboard charts, where it remained unchallenged for a full ten weeks. The iconic cover image with its distinctive lettering, showing Presley brandishing his acoustic guitar, helped embed the instrument in rock mythology too, indelibly changing how we conceive of the genre and its axemen. Elvis Presley proved that our hero was already the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, just as he still is today.

If one thing seems certain in the realm of downtempo and instrumental hip-hop sounds, it's the arrival of another high quality Bust Free compilation chock full of amazing producers, both known and new. Cold Busted is now issuing Bust Free 22 — yes, the 22nd in the acclaimed series — and it might be the best one yet. These 14 beat-lab concoctions bring out the best in Cold Busted, with previously unheard delights from a global gathering of top notch artists. From Es-K to Sim Nagai, Leo Low Pass & Emapea to DJ Taek — there's much to discover, whether on boomin' systems or cozy earbuds. Highlights include Bay Area beatsmith Nu Vintage and his frequent collaborator, the multi-instrumentalist Pat Van Dyke, exploring the futuristic edges of a beachside hip-hop lounge with the flute-laden feel-good tune "Daylight." Gentle piano, a serene saxophone, and breezy vibes float over tough downtempo beats on "On The Way Home," a delightfully laid back cut from Polish freestyle-footballer turned beat-maker MichRyc. There's "In A Good Mood," sonically shuffling its way out of the '70s and into today's head-nodding beat-zone. Produced by Cologne's Midan, this cut glides by with smooth guitar licks and keyboard melodies, delivering on the promise of its title. Maria Whoat brings some deep heat to bear with the subdued bop of "Between You And Me." Lowdown bass moves, swirling tones and textures, and a tough-as-nails slo-mo drum track recall the trippiest moments of the trip hop canon. Listeners will also uncover "Overpass," a lively and upbeat track from sus9th that proves the old adage that the early bird catches the earworm. An instantly memorable melody guides a percussive rhythm, filtered chords, and percolating synths. Japanese crate digger and turntable maestro Pigeondust ventures to exotic locales with "Nova," a cut that aims to dazzle with bewitching vocal motifs, chiming electric piano chords, and a killer drum beat that's more than ready for prime time. These cuts and more will fulfill any discerning listener's craving for high protein Bust Free beats.