long-form instrumental environments part 1
009. Menahan St Band, Pino Palladino & Blake Mills, Steve Gunn & David Moore +Sig's experiments
It’s not officially winter but the sun is gone by 6 and I can feel the cold in my fingers and toes. It’s almost time to prune the roses and fruit trees. Cut back the dahlias and lilies. It’s the season to stoke up the fire and put on a full-length album. I’ve been on a serious instrumental music buzz lately. This edition I’ll be featuring some of my favorites. I’ll be doing this in multiple parts because there were too many to choose from—who knows how many parts there will be.
In Sig Wilder news: our first song is out in the world, we have a show coming up in June (details in next edition), our official website is launched, and we have another song coming out soon (official date coming soon). Read to the bottom to listen to an experimental demo I made a few months ago.
The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band - Menahan Street Band
Take stroll down Menahan Street—the paving is smooth, the streetlights are dimmed, the moment is now. It’s a mix of R&B and Soul and Jazz and Blues from some top names in the biz. It’s got vibes for days. I recommend putting this on at a dinner party. Not too rowdy but enough groove to keep the conversations flowing.
Top tracks: Silkworm, Snow Day, Devil’s Respite
Notes With Attachments - Pino Palladino & Blake Mills
I first came across Pino Palladino playing with John Mayer Trio sometime around 2012. I felt his coolness immediately. Over time my interest in John has declined while my intrigue and admiration of Pino lingered somewhere deep inside. Then I fell into the wonderfully inspiring album, Notes With Attachments by Pino Palladino & Blake Mills and my love of Pino grows. I didn’t know I liked jazz—if that’s what you’d call it—this is pure music magic. It’s a musician’s mind explosion, a listeners journey, yaddy yadda. Listen!
Top tracks: Ekuté, Djurkel, & the rest of em’
Since Time Is Gravity - Natural Information Society
The subject line of this issue was inspired/taken by Natural Information Society’s about page on their website where they identify as creators of long-form psychedelic environments informed by jazz, minimalism & traditional musics. They’ve been doing it since 2010 and they are damn good. It’s rhythmic and slow burning and makes me sad and confused and makes me fall in love with the harp. The second track, Is, ringing just over 11 minutes put me into a focused trance. The amazing artwork done by harmonium player Lisa Alvarado.
Top tracks: Moontide Chorus, Immemorial, & Stigmergy
Let The Moon Be a Planet - Steve Gunn & David Moore
This album is all about small movements making a big impact, moving around a slight chord change, easy shifts. It’s an emotional conversation between piano and guitar—between Gunn and Moore. A shout-out and big thanks to reader, subscriber, and friend Frankie for recommending this album. It’s likely to make my long list for 2023. Let the moon be a planet!
Top tracks: hard to choose.
Five Easy Hot Dogs - Mac DeMarco
This album came out in 2023 and feels like it could’ve come out in 1984. Opening with Mac’s signature wonky geetar and drum machine goodness. Inviting you to take a break from jet skiing in the Miami sun and enjoy some light intoxication with some chill friends.
Top tracks: Gualala
I’ve made a playlist on Soundcloud featuring some demo tracks. I’ll keep it updated with new ideas. It’s all a work in progress but feel free to share and tell me what you are enjoying. Feedback will help me decide which ideas to pursue. The experimental demo is called Verandah. Enjoy :)
Thanks for reading! Let me know what albums you are enjoying in the comments.
Sig
So I just finished listening to the songs on Verandah and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. I love that piano on slowlane, whatever the lead is on verandah, and that warbly guitar in Light Tower is awesome. This is some great songwriting and I hope you pursue all of them.
You’re welcome!
And thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed listening.