What? Recording as El Guincho, Pablo Díaz-Reixa crafted drum-heavy, carnival-esque sounds on Alegranza (No. 33 on our 40 Best Albums of 2008 list). While that album contains enough moments of repetitious bliss to keep parties across the planet gyrating for years to come, Díaz-Reixa’s main outfit, Coconot, provides the perfect soundtrack for winding down without dropping the beat. The group’s hypnotizing second record, the recently released Cosa Astral, features swaths of gauzy keyboards and Animal Collective-worthy yelping while never forgetting to pack a rhythmic punch in each track.
Who? In a matter of happenstance, Coconot was formed in March 2005 by Díaz-Reixa and former member Alfredo Montes after the two met while traveling Western Africa and shared a discussion about their love of Brazilian music. Current members Jens Neumaier and Cristian Subirà joined Coconot’s lineup when the band recorded their debut, Novo Tropical Errado, in June 2005. After a break to craft music as El Guincho, Díaz-Reixa returned to Coconot — now a trio, following Montes’ departure — to write and record what would become Cosa Astral.
Fun Fact: Díaz-Reixa isn’t the only member of Coconot that’s been a part of other musical projects: Neumaier was the saxophonist/keyboardist for the recently defunct Barcelona-based post-rock act 12Twelve, while Subirà is the brains behind the electro-psych outfit Summer Recreation Camp.
Listen: Coconot, “Verbena de los Delfines” (DOWNLOAD MP3)
Buy: Cosa Astral at Stickfigure Distribution
Cheap mp3 Downloads: “Sacriversum” mp3s online store
Adrian Belew 
Side Three (2006) 
Adrian Belew is one of the most original guitarists I’ve ever listened to. He played with many famous musicians, such as David Bowie and King Crimson, but at that himself is still underrated and not such famous musician.
Last year Adrian started to record his solo albums seriously by releasing, although not of long duration, but valuable albums “Side One” and “Side Two”. This year Adrian released the next album with a quite predictable title “Side Three”. This album has a similar organization - it contains nine full value track on 35 minutes of total duration (and that’s unusual in itself, if we would take an average duration of present-time music albums into account).
As regards to music, “Side Three” is a deserving continuation of the line, which, however, has its own identity. Only the last track “And” repeats an altered “Ampersand” version from “Side One”. The rest of the album sound freshly enough, but at the same time each track is performed in Adrian’s “firm” style. It’s meaningless to describe the music - you’d better get this album and listen to it yourself. You won’t be disappointed. Reviewed by Igor Brynskich.
Cheap Mp3 Downloads: “Suddenly (Single)” release by “Gala”
The latest project from Norman Cook, a.k.a. Fatboy Slim, comes with a cute backstory about a group of friends dropping by a Brighton, England studio for ’70s-era jam sessions with Cook and producer Simon Thornton. Though the timeline is fabricated, this mash of rock, soul, and rocksteady is distinctly collaborative. Iggy Pop’s deadpan delivery on “He’s Frank” sets the tone for an album that sometimes gets a little goofy, while the danceable “Toe Jam” pairs David Byrne with Dizzee Rascal (finally!). The lesser-known guests offer more misses than hits, but Emmy the Great shines on “Seattle,” a sunny, commercial-ready pop confection.
Ballad Of Jayne Bonus Track Track943980
Fire From The Tomb Rel108730
Filed under: News, Apple, Microsoft, RIAA
Ah Doug Morris, unibrow baby to the digital music revolution. His hard-ball approach with Microsoft, fighting hard for a $1 cut of each Zune sold in exchange for allowing Microsoft to license Universal Music’s stable of artists, won him a place on the enemies list of every music blogger from Anaheim to Zurich.
The AP takes a softer look at the man who’s mission is to change music licensing forever, and not for better. Glenn Coolfer aptly explains, “In contrast to most portrayals as a lone renegade, this one shows a more accurate scenario. Even though other label heads aren’t acting so tough, they’re more than happy to let Morris do their dirty work.”
Morris’ next hardware licensing target is Apple, who’s current deal with Universal expires in May of this year. According to the AP, “Speculation in the industry is that he’ll seek a slice of iPod sales. Apple declined comment.” Morris stopped short of threatening to pull Universal’s catalog from iTunes if the Cupertino kids won’t cough up extortion payments royalties but, I wouldn’t consider that option completely off the table.
See Also:
Universal may shoot for royalty deal with Apple
Universal Music’s Doug Morris, phone phreak
Universal rasies pressure on Youtube and Myspace
Universal Music Group vs. Music Listeners
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Kontor Top Of The Clubs Vol 36 3cd Rel118116
