I’ve spent the past few days digging into a forthcoming book by Jesse Jarnow called Heads: A Biography Of Psychedelic America, which makes all kinds of connections between The Grateful Dead, communes, LSD distribution, graffiti artists, DJs, internet pioneers, fine artists, celebrated chefs and God knows what else. It’s an excellent read, and was the source of a recommendation for Ray Barretto’s fun “Acid”, which usefully drowned out the Kanye album playing over at NME earlier this morning. Inspired me to hit the Dead’s “To Terrapin” set, too, given the eulogising over their May ’77 dates.

Lots more mind-expanding pleasures here, as well. Please pay special attention to that Gimmer Nicolson find, a full song from Kevin Morby’s terrific “Singing Saw” and the first release by Let’s Eat Grandma – don’t be put off by the seemingly wacky name; it’s a beauty.

Advertisement

Follow me on Twitter @JohnRMulvey

1 Tim Hecker – Love Streams (4AD)

2 Missy Elliott – Pep Rally (Amazon Music)

Advertisement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVS-U7gFi4E&feature=youtu.be

3 Mikael Seifu – Zelalem (RVNG INTL)

4 Jesu/Sun Kil Moon – Jesu/Sun Kil Moon (Caldo Verde)

5 Gimmer Nicolson – Christopher Idylls (Light In The Attic)

6 Wilco – February 3, 2016 Capitol Theatre (Port Chester, NY) (NYCtaper.com)

7 Bitchin Bajas & Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties (Drag City)

8 The Dead Tongues – Montana (Self-released)

https://soundcloud.com/winsome-management/graveyard-fields-by-the-dead-tongues

9 Kevin Morby – Singing Saw (Dead Oceans)

10 Let’s Eat Grandma – Deep Six Textbook (Transgressive)

11 Khun Narin – II (Innovative Leisure)

12 Konono N°1 – Konono N°1 Meets Batida (Crammed Discs)

13 Ensemble Economique – Blossoms In Red (Denovali)

14 Träd, Gräs och Stenar – Box Set (Anthology)

15 Matthew Bourne – Moogmemory (Leaf)

16 Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band – The Rarity Of Experience (No Quarter)

17 William Tyler – Live At Third Man Records: 18/7/14 (Third Man)

18 Various Artists – Why The Mountains Are Black: Primeval Greek Village Music: 1907-1960 (Third Man)

19 ELO – On The Third Day (Jet)

20 Scritti Politti – White Bread Black Beer (Rough Trade)

21 Dreamboat – Dreamboat (MIE Music)

22 Coypu – Floating (MIE Music)

23 Ray Barretto – Acid (Fania)

24 The Grateful Dead – To Terrapin: Hartford 77 (Rhino)