Contrapposto |
>> Freshly seizing the award for Best Jam Band in the Phoenix’s Music Poll last December, the Portland psychedelic hip hop act Jaw Gems are set to drop Blades Plural, their second proper release, this spring. A weekly fixture around town, the quartet are built on a foundation of jazzy experimentation and bubbling improvisational collabs with local rappers and producers. While Blades Plural gets its final fluffs, fans can tide themselves over with a sparkling video for “Akai Floss,” a cut from the new album, as well as a new release by pianist and former Gems Wurlitzer player Ahmad Hassan Mohammed, who these days lives in Cincinnati and performs under the name Kafari. Visit jawgems.bandcamp.com for the official release soon, and see the band play with neo-funk group Jimkata at Empire March 13.
>> The Maine-stream folk-rock act Jason Spooner Band are holed up in Camden’s Hear Studios last month, where they’re recording a new album, their fourth. Spooner and company just returned from a month touring the western states of Utah, Wyoming and Idaho — look for a set from them amid the chaos of St. Patrick’s Day performances at Brian Boru on March 17th.
>> And at last, we see a proper release from Contrapposto, the electronic pop duo who’ve been wowing live audiences across the state the last couple years. We’re stoked to find their five-song, self-titled debut among the bandcamp pool this week, where audiences can officially acquaint themselves with the psychedelic smoothness of “Cousinfriends,” the club-bumping “Rope Grown,” and the darkly industrial “Rabbit Habits” before the band’s show with Kung Fu at Port City Music Hall on March 12. Dig up contrappostomusic.bandcamp.com and call a friend.
