Don't Miss the CDBABY SALE!!

Check out this awesome $5 CD sale at CDBABY. I've been buying their stuff for years since it's directly from the artists and ends up being better and cheaper than what I get elsewhere. Below are some personal picks from the $5 selections.


The Cheebacabra
"The Cheebacabra's debut album presents an onslaught of tight beats and catchy instrumental grooves, a unique fusion of soul, funk, jazz, and electronica.*DustyGroove.com says:"New school funk for old school heads! A nice new offering from the West Coast, with sly, sinister grooves, punctuated by all manner of keys, be they Fender Rhodes, groovy organ or quacking clavinet."*Amoeba Records says:"The Cheebacabra comes crooked with sopping wet funkstamentals. Score your own personal porns with these synth heavy groovers. Like funk in a smoking jacket."*Expose Magazine says:"Skillfully mimics the sounds and styles of classic jazz-funk."Check out the track "Push" which Nic Harcourt spun on his "Best of 2003" Sounds Eclectic show.This CD was also cited by Filter Magazine as one of the "Top Ten Albums of 2003"."





Faith Kleppinger
(I've followed her for years...when I'm not ahead.)
"Midnight roams. Dirty cities. Insomniac maniacs. Street vendor roses. Corner dwellers. Secret passageways. Glory. Heroes in stereo. Shanty towns. Night trains. Real eyes. Half wishes. This is Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Faith Kleppinger's debut solo album, "Asleep In The Well" --a stripped-down, woozy, late-night drift through softly-sung stories."



Hedda Layne
"Hedda Layne's debut recording has received exhilarated responses from all over the world. Electric vocal performances drive these lush, modern, disco-jazz arrangements of standards and originals.Born and raised in Texas, Hedda's heart belongs to the divas of yesteryear - Ella, Billie, and Lena. Her development as a modern vocalist took her from classical training to torch jazz to big band into rock, onto blues, folk, and most recently into more intimate jazz combos. Collaboration with her partner, guitarist, and writer/arranger Troy Lee Warden, and cutting-edge producer Brandon Bishop has distilled a diverse history into the singular passion of this fiery disc. "



Lisa Fraser
"Fraser writes intensely personal lyrics. From the autobiographical tale of her triumph over resistance in "Keep Walkin'," to the ironically personal angst-ridden beauties of "Overloaded" to the bittersweet breakup of "Stepped Out," Fraser reaches out with hope, triumph, deity, identity, family, pain, balance, and integrity. Her guitar tickles and meanders, her voice enthralls. The overarching theme embedded in all her music is that of redemption -- the possibility, and ultimate certainty, of salvation.While her sound merges folk intimacy, rock hooks, searing vocals, and oh-so-intimate lyrics, she has her own make-you-weep/make-you-cheer songwriting style. Fraser has honed her personal, effervescent vocal style with an eye towards mergeing folk intimacy with the edginess of rock. Her influences are apparent: she carries the stylish intimacy of Eva Cassidy, the melodoc storytelling of Paul Simon, and the sultriness of Norah Jones. Though these disparate touchstones give an indication of Fraser's sources of inspiration and synthesis, all agree that she is wholly unique. "



jolei
"Personnel: jolei(vocals,acoustic guitar), Rick Lassiter(stand-up bass, guitars, piano), Lee Kirby(organ), Francis Dyer(drums, percussion), Richard Bowden(violin), Mahlon Hoard(soprano sax), Jack Bowden(banjo), Bryan McCune(cornet), Karen Kletter and Cherie Lassiter(backing vocals), Ed Butler(drums) This cd was recorded in Raleigh north Carolina at Rick Lassiter's Calvin Street Studio www.ricklassiter.com and came about from states of conscious and subconscious love, inspired by working with the late cellist Arthur Russell. (see: www.audikarecords.com, www.soundsoftheuniverse.com, www.roughtrade.com, www.jahsonic.com/ArthurRussell.html). I always think of how he would have played his cello with these songs, and I sometimes do think he was in the room as they were recorded. Check out the new Arthur Russell compilation by Audika on CDbaby. It's great. Before this, I was in a band with Joey Ramone (the Ramones) called the Resistance, where we sang some duets but mostly i sang back-ups and harmonies to him. We did some political rallies and Rock the Vote concerts, all around 1994. Joey was a musical and comedic genius, yes,no doubt about that, and had a really original mind. The Joey I knew was a wonderfully sweet soul, and hilarious, and fun, and just like Arthur in his fierce conviction to reach people with his music. It can be sad, the goodbye to the most beautiful, but let it be the seed that enters your soul, just like they wanted it to be. I did have a career as a back-up singer for a while and then I worked with all these amazing musicians like... Bernie Worrell. Chris Spedding. David Byrne. www.briansdiscographies.com/heads/uo.htm Arthur Russell. Chris and Tina Weymouth of the Tom Tom Club. (www.tomtomclub.com/history.html) I was a Casual God in Jerry Harrison's solo group by that name, www.connollyco.com/discography/jerry_harrison/walk.ht... Ernie Brooks. I was one of the mirrors w/Gabrielle Roth www.emusic.com/album/10585/10585578.html I formed the (mostly)all girl band the Trashaholics in New York. Karen and Dana Kletter. the Milagro Saints(www.milagrosaints.com)."

If you spot any other good deals please tell me. I'm sure there are other great CDs for $5, but I can only listen to so many before I have to go back to work.