Mary Halvorson & Ambrose Akinmusire

Here's some excellent new collaborative jazz from guitarist Mary Halvorson and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire.  Check out the otherworldly fusion of "Soundcheck" below and pre-order the upcoming "Slo-Mo Neon Luminate Hoverings" LP here from Nonesuch.

Flea

I am not all that big on the Red Hot Chili Peppers (maybe a song or two here and there), but i have always recognized that Flea is one hell of an accomplished musician, be it the bass or the trumpet.  And he's finally giving us a solo jazz outing with the release of "Honora" tomorrow.  Check out the Thom Yorke assisted "Traffic Lights" below and order the LP here from Nonesuch Records.

Fleet Foxes

There's a new Fleet Foxes song out.  It's kind of epic.  Listen to "Third of May / Ōdaigahara" below and look for the band's new album "Crack-Up" in June on Nonesuch.

The Magnetic Fields - 50 Song Memoir

Way back in 1999, The Magnetic Fields made the gimmick album to end all gimmick albums, the quirky and sublime 3-album "69 Love Songs."  Evidently, Stephin Merritt has the itch again with the upcoming 5-disc album "50 Song Memoir."  Merritt wrote a song for every year he's been alive (i had no idea he was 50 years old), beginning when he turned 50 and playing over 100 different instruments over the course of the record.  And it all comes out on my birthday next year (March 3rd) on Nonesuch Records.  Listen to "'74 No" below.

Devendra Banhart - Mondo Taurobolium

Earlier this year, freak folk rock weirdo Devendra Banhart released his latest album "Mala."  The trippy album track "Mondo Taurobolium" just got an equally trippy animated video directed by Galen Pehrson featuring the vocal talents of Mr. Banhart and Rose McGowan.  Watch it below and grab the record from Nonesuch.

Bombino

Every now and again, there's an itch that only some meditative desert-blues can scratch.  And so we get "Nomad," the latest album from Nigerian Omara Moctar, otherwise known as Bombino.  The album cover sums up the vibe, traversing a barren landscape with sun and sand in your face, in search of an oasis that's always just over the horizon.  Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys mans the boards on this one, so it's got that going for it to.  Groovy stuff.  Get it from Nonesuch Records and listen to "Azamane Tiliade" below.