Cooler weather is competing with bright hot sunshine as the month of October races past. After so many months of lockdown and isolation, how do we find ways to make the days stand out? Take stock and enjoy the beauty of October this weekend with some of the following recommendations, courtesy of The Court.
Jaga Jazzist – Apex (Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas Remix)
Just shut up for ten goddamn minutes and listen to this song. Does the reverb-laden guitar feel nice? How about the techno beat, the shakers, the claps, the moog? For me it’s like melting into an ice cream lollipop on the beach as the sun rises to my left and sets to my right, a perpetual loop of contentment. I want to live in this song.
John K. Samson – Fantasy Baseball At The End Of The World
Twangy indie folk with a valuable political message. For fans of singer-songwriters, fantasy baseball, and America.
THVN – PLEŚŃ
Gnarly Polish blackened death metal. The album art’s a little silly but the music rips. Stream/download or buy the CD here.
Otomo Yoshihide – Guitar and Turntables
Japanese experimental musician Otomo Yoshihide comes through with this EP of recordings from his Tokyo home studio. Name-your-price here.
Akira Jimbo – 26th Street NY Duo
Fusion jazz led by Jimbo on the drums and featuring bassist Will Lee and guitarist Oz Noy. The ensemble is alert and alive as they play through this set. This is music for every occasion. Stream via Apple Music here, and, if you like it, check out the 27th Ave LA Trio as well.
Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda & HoodyBaby – NFL
Funeral came out in January but it feels like a million years ago. Since then, Lil Wayne released the EPs Weezy Workout, Weezy Flow, and Skateboard Weezy in late June/early July. He celebrated the 5th anniversary of Free Weezy Album by releasing the project on Spotify and Apple Music (it was previously a Tidal exclusive). No Ceilings was also digitally re-released in late August, though minus ten of the original songs. Wayne also features on the song “No Ceilings” from Ferg’s Floor Seats II, maintaining his presence as a radio staple.
After the deluge of new and old music from Lil Wayne throughout 2020, “NFL” feels like a return to form. It starts with a verse from Gudda Gudda, who never released another single after “BedRock,” and if not for his regular appearances on Wayne projects, it’s doubtful we’d ever hear from Gudda Gudda at all. After the chorus (also handled by Gudda Gudda), Wayne tags in for a high energy verse, providing evidence that they’re “ballin’ like we in the NFL.” Another chorus, then HoodyBaby comes through with the third verse, delivering an effective series of bars, though nothing memorable. In any case, it’s the same trio that worked so well on “Loyalty” from the In Tune We Trust EP, and the chemistry is still fresh here.
Opinion of the Court 