My Best Ambiance program on Monday night, December 25th, was a special show that focused on my top recordings of 2006, and the final hour featured favorite songs from live in-studios over the past year. Here’s a few comments about the selections.

1) AFEL BOCOUM / Niger / (Contre Jour)
From Mali, Afel is from the same area as Ali Farka Toure, and his musical style is very similar- which is not surprising, considering he played guitar and sang with Ali for many years. In 2000, he came with Ali to WOMAD-USA, and he played his own show that I produced at EMP, and when Ali made is very last performance in the USA at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in July, 2003, Afel was with him as well. This album is not yet released in the USA, but has been well received in Europe, and Bocoum played a great show with his group in Seville, Spain, this past October at WOMEX. This recording shows him to be a seasoned performer and songwriter, and showcases a traditionally oriented acoustic group with n’goni, calabash, and fiddle.

2) ALI FARKA TOURE / Savane/(World Circuit-Nonesuch)
Toure tragically died in March, 2006, and this is sadly his final recording. Nick Gold, who runs World Circuit Records, and produced this CD, talked about the making of the record on a Best Ambiance interview earlier this year. Toure had a definite vision for this recording, to feature three n’gonis (a small Malian lute), and modernize the traditional sound of the north of Mali; they added other instruments as well, including the harmonica of British bluesman Little Georgie, and the results are a powerful Malian blues sound, that truly sounds like the roots of the American blues. This CD is nominated for the Grammy this year in the contemporary world category, and for good reason.

3) BA CISSOKO / Electric Griot Land / (Totolo)
This quartet from Guinea is a personal favorite of mine, since I saw them perform in European festivals several years ago, and was a big fan of their previous CD, Sabolan, which really revolutionized the sound of the 21 strong harp, the kora, with highly electrified and distorted sounds. Cissoko is both the name of the leader of the group, and the group itself, that features two kora virtuosos in the lead of the group, with bass and percussion. On this new CD, the group moves back into a more acoustic sound, but still expands upon the traditional kora sound, with guest singers, and new sounds. A particular favorite track is “Silani” that features the Somali rapper K/Naan, (see below).

4) IKHWANI SAFAA MUSICAL CLUB / Zanzabari 1 / (Buda)
This is the first release in a new series of recordings from Buda, similar to their amazing Ethiopiques series by Frances Falceto (now over 20 volumes). This series focuses on the music of East Africa, especially the taraab music of Zanzibar, Mombassa, and nearby coastal regions. The producer of this series is Werner Graebner, who was interviewed on the show when Culture Musical Club stopped by in September. This musical club also comes from Zanzibar, and has rich history of taraab music. The second volume (which I actually played on the show) focuses on the variety of taraab on nearby Mombasa, Kenya, including the beautiful voice of singer Zahura Zwaleh, that I played on the program.

5) K’NAAN / The Dusty Foot Philosopher / (Sony-BMG-Canada)
He is my biggest new discovery of 2006 (and this CD is also on Darek’s top 10 for Wo-Pop. I heard him at WOMAD-UK, and interviewed him – is an incredibly self-assured and gifted performer from Somalia, who managed to escape and make his way to Toronto, and has deservedly become a star in the Somali community. He draws upon his life experiences in his songs and raps, and creates a unique sound, part hip-hop, part African, and mostly K’Naan. He will be coming to Seattle in May, 2007 for the Seattle International Children’s Festival- don’t miss him! And I hope this recording gets a US release in 2007.

6) RACHID TAHA / Diwan 2 / (Barclay-Universal-France)
Just released at the end of 2006, this made it onto my top 10 list , but for good reason; Taha goes back to the earlier acoustic sound of his 1996 Diwan recording, to cover some classic North African songs, with beautiful strings, oud, and percussion; and even throws in some kora on a recording of “Agatha” by the great Cameroonian composer Francis Bebey. Not the electric sounds of recent Rachid Taha, but a really strong look back to earlier times.

7) SALIF KEITA / M’Bemba / (Decca)
What can you say about one of the world’s best voices? Keita became a star in the Afro=pop music world with his late 80’s fusion of Soro, but with Mouffou in 2003, and this new recording, he returns to Mali (literally recording this album there), and the rich Mande sounds and melodies- including kora by Toumani Diabate on the title track. Although released in late 2005 in France, this did not come out here until mid-2006,and also got a world music Grammy nomination for this year, so it makes my list.

SALLY NYOLO AND THE ORIGINAL BANDS OF YAOUNDE / Studio Cameroon / (Riverboat)
A collection of groups from Yaounde in Cameroon, recorded by singer Sally Nyolo, the Cameroonian singer based in Paris, originally known for her work with Zap Mama, and later her own solo recordings. A really refreshing mix of music from an area not hear much in the West – I especially like the song by Orchestre ED’Essono that I played on the show, that shows a nice mix of Congolese guitar and makossa influences.

9) TOUMANI DIABATE’S SYMMETRIC ORCHESTRA / Boulevard de L’Independence / (World Circuit-Nonesuch)
If I had to pick one favorite for 2006, this is the one. Of course I knew that Toumani is an amazing kora player, that has well documented since in 1988 debut with Kaira, but this is his large band from Bamako- that for the past 10 years has been performing weekly in a club every weekend, but never heard much outside of Mali. When Nick Gold went down there in 2004 to record the final Ali Farke Toure recording Savane, and the “In The Heard of the Moon” duo of Toure and Daiabate, he also was able to capture this incredible band in the studio. This past July, I had the chance to hear them in Reading at WOMAD-UKm where they were undoubtedly the highlight of a very strong line-up this year. When I talked to Toumani, he described how has has assembled this group with a vision for a pan West African sound, with musicians from Senegal to Cote d’Ivoire in the group, but led by a quartet of incredible singers, including the great Kasse Mady. They draws from a wide range of African and Latin styles, but at the center is the virtuoso kora of Toumani- which is a joy to behold.

10) VARIOUS ARTISTS / Golden Afrique 3 / (Network Medien)
There were a tremendous amount of excellent historical re-issues of African music in 2006, and I had to put one on this list. This is a double CD, assembled by this German based label by veteran producer Gunter Gretz, with a well selected array of music from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. While many of the songs on volume 1 have been available throught he re-issues by Gallo and Earthworks, it is the volume 2 songs from Zimababwe and Zambia that are the real find here, including a song by Thomas Mapfumo’s Hallelujah Chicken Run band, that shows off the roots of his new chimurenga sound. All three of these double CD historical re-issues from Network are worth tracking down- earlier volumes featured the music of West Africa and the Congo.

Additional top recordings of 2006 featured on the Dec. 25 program:
11) RICHARD BONA / Tiki / (Decca)
Some beautiful music from this talented bassist, singer and writer from Cameroon- who can play bass like Jaco, but sings like an angel; see live session tracks below…

12) VARIOUS ARTISTS /African Guitar Summit II / (CBC Radio-Canada)
Second volume of excellent collection of songs by African guitarists living in Canada, including Vancouver’s Alpha Yaya Diallo, also Pa Joe, Mighty Pupo, Donne Roberts, Adam Solomon, and Madagascar Slim. Good songs, and great guitar work; wish you could find this CD in the US!

13)TONY ALLEN / Lagos No Shaking / (Honest Jon’s-Astrelworks)
Legendary afro-beat drummer continues to make good music, and this is his latest effort. Best known for his work with Fela as the linchpin of the Afrika 70 band, Allen has been on his own for many years now, and is in good form here; he will get even more attention in 2007 as drummer with rock-star Damon Albarn’s new group.

14) GIGI / Gold & Wax / (Palm Pictures)
She has a beautiful voice, and again is backed by strong group of musicians put together by her producer husband, Bill Laswell. This included keyboardist Bernie Worrell and guitarist Buckethead. For some musical purists, perhaps too much in the fusion direction, but sounds good to me.

15) KEKELE / Kinavana / (Stern’s Africa)
Another excellent recording by this all-star Congolese band, assembled by veteran African producer Ibrahima Sylla, and including singers Nyboma and Wuta-Mayi, and ace guitarist Syran M’Benza. They also feature guest vocalists M’Bilia Bel and Isabel Martinez, and the results are a beautiful mix of Congolese and Cuban rumba.

16) MAURICE EL MEDIONI AND ROBERTA RODRIGUEZ / Descarga Oriental-The New York Session / (Piranha-Germany)
Another African and Latin collaboration, but this one with North African twist: Medioni is a very fine piano player originally from Oran, Algeria, based in France for many years. His own sound is a mélange of influences from rai to blues to jazz, and here is teamed up with a ace group of Latin musicians.

17)VARIOUS ARTISTS / Africa Calling-Live 8 at Eden / (Real World)
When Bob Geldof put together his large Live 8 concerts around the world in the summer of 2005, there was a criticism that almost no African artists were featured in these shows- so at the last minute Peter Gabriel and WOMAD assembled an all-star show in Cornwall at the Eden project, that included an incredible line-up, including Youssou N’Dour, Thomas Mapfumo, Tinariwen, Mariza, Ayub Ogada, Angelique Kidjo and much more- this excellent CD captures musical highlights of that historical concert.

18) AFRICANDO / Ketukuba / (Stern’s Africa)
This group of singers from Senegal and other areas of West Africa, have now been around for 15 years, putting together their love of latin and salsa music, with Latin musicians from NYC and the Caribbean. Another strong release from them, including vocalist Sekouba Bambino from Guinea, that was featured on Best Ambiance.

19) CESARIA EVORA / rogomar / (CA-Lusafrica)
The “barefoot diva” of Cape Verde continues to make beautiful music, drawing upon the mornas and other musical genres of those islands. She is also opening the doors for other singers from Cape Verde, such as Lura and Maria de Barros, who both performed live on Best Ambiance in 2006 (see below).

20) THINK OF ONE / Trafico / (Crammed discs-Belgium)
This is not an African band, but a great world music band from Belgium, and one of the best groups I heard at WOMAD-UK in 2006; and were touring and recording with several Brazilian musicians, including singer Dona Cila. A very popular band in Europe right now, and you can hear why when you listen to this CD.

And a couple bands from South America:
21) ATERCIOPELADOS / Oye / (Nacional)
A very creative rock band from Bogota, Columbia, led by charismatic singer Andrea Echeverri; they bring in an interesting mix of latin and rock influences to their sound.

22) LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES / SuperPop Venezuela / (Gozadera)
A favorite of mine since the performed live on the show in September, 2005- they are come from Caracas, but now live in New York City. This new CD draws upon old favorites of theirs from Venezuela, but gives that special Amigos take on the songs, Worth tracking this one down!

Some notes on the best KEXP live sessions of 2006, in the final hour of the show:
1. Culture Musical Club “Njoo” - recorded on September 25, 2006 (WMA, Real, MP3)
Thirteen member group of musicians and singers from Zanzibar, Tanzania, they play taraab music which combines the sounds of Egyptian popular orchestras with Swahili lyrics and culture’ the group’s concert at Town Hall the night before this in-studio was on of the year’s concert highlights- and so was this session for the Best Ambiance?

2. Gangbe Brass Band “Remember Fela” – May 14, 2006
Ten musicans from Benin, playing a powerful mix of jazz horns and West African percussion and vocals; they had just come from their very first performance in New Orleans, and were still riding high; this is their tribute to Fela Kuti, one of their main musical influences. They were in Seattle performing at the Children’s Festival.

3. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars “Livin’ Like A Refugee” – November 12, 2006 (WMA, Real)
This group was the big African music story of 2006. The film documentary telling their incredible story emerging out of the tragic civil war on Sierra Leone, in the refugge camps of Guinea, won them recognition at film festival including the one here in Seattle, and in March at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin. I met them and interviewed their leader Ruben Camara, and later the film’s director in June during SIFF, the group came through Seattle in the summer and again in the fall for two very successful performances, and directly following this live session for Stevie Zoom, they went to Chicago to play on the Oprah show- one of the very first African groups on her show. This is a live acoustic version of the title song to their CD, now released by Anti Records.

4. Dobet Gnahore “Dulu” - October 14, 2006 (WMA, Real)
In Seattle for the first time with the Acoustic Africa tour (which was led by Habib Koite), Gnahore is one of the discoveries of the year; in her early 20’s, she has a beautiful voice, and shows great potential here in the studio, just performing with an acoustic guitarist. Expect more for Dobet in 2007, including a debut US recording.

5. Lura “Batuku” - January 30, 2006 (WMA, Real)
Voted one of the most promising upcoming African performers last year by BBC Radio Three poll, Lura is based in Lisbon, but her parents come from Cape Verde, and she draws upon its musical traditions in her music. She brings three performers from her band to KEXP early in 2006,along with her engaging performance style.

6. Maria de Barros “Rosinha” – June 5, 2006
Also from Cape Verde, but now living in LA, de Barros came to Seattle for shows at the Jazz Alley, and plays a song from her most recent recording, with her band- that includes musicians from cape Verde and the US.

7. Vusi Mahlasela “Ubuhle” – February 13, 2006 (WMA, Real)
Known as “The Voice” of South Africa, Vusi shows why in this in-studio session, with just his voice and guitar. He has been a popular performer in his native South Arican for will over a decade, but in 2006 has become known to American audiences, with several tours and high-profile performances- he also played at WOMAD-UK this year, and currently working on a follow-up CD to this ATO US debut.

8. Richard Bona “Dina Lam” – December 13, 2006
My most recent in-studio, Bona is extraordinary performer- and his interests cover and career extend across a wide range, from the jazz world touring with Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Mike Stern, and Joe Zawinul, to leading Harry Belafante’s band when he first arrived in the United States from Cameroon by way of Paris; and his four solo recordings, including the recent Grammy nominated Tiki CD. He plays in the studio with just his 5 string bass, and his incredible vocals.

9. Susanna Baca “La Guillermina” – May 20, 2006 (WMA, Real, MP3)
This session was recorded on Quilty3000’s Saturday show, but I borrowed it for a final Latin American set of live sessions from 2006 on KEXP. Baca brought in her band from Lima, Peru, and performs a song from her latest CD, Travesias, which had just been released earlier that month. She draws upon the traditions and sounds of Peruvian music, but adds her own take on the music.

10. Rodrigo y Gabriela “Roja Diablo” – August 14, 2006 (WMA, Real)
One of the special and unique sessions of the year. This young couple play acoustic guitars, but started in heavy metal bands in Mexico City, and developed their guitar sound in the streets of Dublin; now have become stars there with their special mix of rock, jazz, and latin guitar. This was recorded on their first Seattle visit last summer, but they have since returned to Seattle, and their following is growing rapidly for good reason!

11. Grupo Fantasma “Mentiros” - July 17, 2006
The top world music band in Austin Texas that I discovered there in 2005, and they stopped by KEXP when they player in Seattle of the first time this past summer. Led by a singer and timbales player from Nicaragua, and strong horn section- this band in definitely one to catch in concert next time they make it to Seattle. This original song is a intriguing mix of cumbia and salsa- with a potent result.

I didn’t get to play them on this best of show, but I also had three memorable interviews this past year as well, with South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, Amadou and Miriam from Mali; and producer Nick Gold from World Circuit. Thanks to them, and all of the performers who played on KEXP this past year, and made for a really memorable year. And thanks to the many venues that brought these musicians to Seattle, to make it possible for them to play on KEXP; The Triple Door, Jazz Alley, Town Hall, Seattle International Children’s Festival, Bumbershoot, The Crocodile, The Showbox, and Chop Suey- keep bringing in these great artists, and we are happy to bring them to the KEXP audience with the special live sessions.

-Jon Kertzer

Get your tix before they sellout! Tickets are available now.

John and Yunick the Unicorn stopped by Chop Suey to make sure everything was in place for the John in the Morning at Night New Year’s Weekend Bender. They cuddled with Colin, danced on the bar, practiced their stage dives and tested the Champagne. Afterwards, John and Yunick went to the airport to pick up Catfish Haven to welcome to their first visit to Seattle!

John in the Morning At Night New Year’s Weekend Bender at Chop Suey on December 30th and 31st. Both nights are headlined by Jeremy Enigk with additional performances by Wild Sweet Orange, Pablo, Catfish Haven, The Village Green, Water Meego and The Ettes.

Tickets are available now.

1. The Black Angels - Passover (Light in the Attic)
This year’s most powerful album of the year comes from this Austin band. Protest music for the Iraq generation. This set of dark, droning psychedelic rock is a time warp to the underground anti-establishment songs of the late 60’s. It’s not only a modern take on that era’s sound but also a bridge between the two decades comparing the struggles of the country then to the similar problems now. (The First Vietnamese War - MP3)

2. Band of Horses - Everything All the Time (Sub Pop)
Debut released from this Seattle band founded by former Carissa’s Wierd members Ben Bridwell and Mat Brooke. An excellent album of psych-pop dipped in emotional roots rock. (The Great Salt Lake - MP3)

3. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife (Capitol)
This Portland band led by Colin Meloy is returns (for the first time on a major label) with another ambitious concept album, this one inspired by an ancient Japanese folk tale. This release finds Meloy and company at their best. Epic tracks that story tell mixed with short punch rock songs make for a full, rich listening experience.

4. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain (Interscope)
This is one of the most original and inventive albums of 2006. The Brooklyn band’s 2nd full-length is a set of psychedelic prog-rock, doo wop and soul with thick production and crazy arrangements. TV on the Radio is the most unique band of 2006.

5. The Long Winters - Putting the Days to Bed (Barsuk)
The 3rd album from John Roderick proves again that he is one of the smartest and creative song writers making music today. This is yet another excellent set of indie pop-rock. (Pushover - MP3)

6. The Roots - Game Theory (Def Jam)
Game Theory is the best hip hop album of the year and the first in years to bring the intensity, creativity and social consciousness of their predecessors Public Enemy. Everything from the war in Iraq to the social and political disarray at home, this Philadelphia hip hop group tackles with a skillful set of beats and stellar guest MC’ing that nears perfection.

7. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar (Ba Da Bing!)
Zach Condon is the man behind Beirut and at 20 defines “prodigy” After dropping out of countless schools in New Mexico, Zach traveled abroad and soaked up exotic music throughout Europe and came home and put that experience down on “Gulag Orkestar”. Based heavily in Balkan music but totally his original take on the sound, Zach doesn’t even finish many of his lyrics or even try to make sense on his songs. He lets the melody do the talking.

8. Silversun Pickups - Carnavas (Dangerbird)
The best record the Smashing Pumpkins never made, this Southern California band follows up last year’s breathtaking Pikul EP with an even better effort of brooding indie rock that could have been the follow up to Gish but instead marks the start of what could be a very successful career ahead of them. (Well Thought Out Twinkles - MP3)

9. Beck - The Information (Interscope)
Beck continues to sound fresh, relevant and extremely eclectic after all these years. His 2006 effort is a bit of a darker lyrical look at the world and reflects the state of the union but done in a mix of hip hop, folk and electronica that is both playful and inventive. Beck has never sounded better.

10. Pablo - Half the Time (230)
New York band Pablo’s release is one of the most honest and personal albums of 2006. Led by Paul Schalda this album is an auto-biographical view of the world that could be just about anyone’s experience dealing with every day worries and routines. Schalda’s distinct and heart aching voice bring out the kind of emotion you can’t ignore and immediately identify with.

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP DJs think listeners should hear, along with songs from more well-known artists.

Today’s featured selection is from the debut EP So Sweet by The Hands…

The Hands - Lies Lies Lies (MP3)

Learn more about The Hands perform live on KEXP, tomorrow (Sept 12) at 1pm with Cold War Kids and Dr. Dog. Learn more about podcasting and subscribe now.

Another year has passed, another cycle of seasons, another spin on the turntable of life. It’s with mixed feelings that I present to you my Best of 2006. Mixed feelings, because creating a best of list implies an arrogance of knowing what’s best, a proclamation of what is worthy is the realm of the personal and subjective. But I’m more fun than getting bogged down in that rhetoric and I love reading other’s best of lists, especially my trusted sources—in search of insight and/or something I might have missed (check out Riz or Masa’s blog posts for a good read). Plus, I’m the shit—I’m not afraid of you and I will beat your ass so I’m gonna make a list.

Full Disclosure: Like most music lovers (I presume), my favorite records change continually (thank Saraswati!) depending on so many significant (major events: love/life/death) and insignificant (what I just ate/current distraction) factors. I’ve dedicated my life to music. I’m probably in the upper one percentile of the “amount of time spent listening to new music” category of people, yet there’s just not enough time to listen to everything… even CDs I’m pretty darn sure I’ll love… it drives me crazy. For example, I haven’t listened to the Joanna Newsom CD yet. One, I don’t have it, and two, if I did, I’d be waiting for a “special” moment to really sit, listen, and savor it (funny, Riz said pretty much the same thing).

More Disclosure: As each year passes, seems I enjoy reflecting back on the year more and more, and as music is the most meaningful creative expressive form that connects me emotionally with the Divine and the vulgar, it’s satisfying and occasionally enlightening to sit back and think about what I enjoyed and why. It’s an interesting (futile) exercise in trying to define the abstract.

Intent: As a fellow music lover, I hope you find these lists useful, and that you might discover something you may have missed this past year, something that you’ll end up loving as much as I do. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share it. And, thanks to all the staff at KEXP, all the talented DJs I get to work with day in and day out, and to all of you for your support of KEXP. Your support inspires us all.

Favorite Albums of 2006:
Band of Horses - Everything All the Time (The Great Salt Lake - MP3)
the Decemberists - The Crane Wife
the Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America (Hot Soft Light - MP3)
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Yell Fire!
the Knife - Silent Shout
Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Wax Tailor - Tales of the Forgotten Melodies (Que Sera - MP3)
Built to Spill – You In Reverse
the Little Ones - Sing Song EP
Under Byen - Samme Stof Som Stof (Af Samme Stof Som Stof - MP3)
Bob Dylan - Modern Times
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
the Roots - Game Theory
Lily Allen - Alright, Still
Fujiya & Miyagi – Transparent Things
Nomo - New Tones
Hot Chip - The Warning
Trentemoller – The Last Resort
Thom Yorke - The Eraser
Halou - Wholeness and Separation
Asobi Seksu - Citrus
Ghostland Observatory - Paparazzi Lightning
Alexi Murdoch - Time Without Consequence
Archie Bronson Outfit - Derdang Derdang
the Blakes – The Blakes

Top Debut Albums of 2006:
Band of Horses - Everything All the Time
Sera Cahoone - Sera Cahoone
the Black Angels - Passover (The First Vietnamese War - MP3)
the Little Ones - Sing Song EP (Oh, MJ! - MP3)
Silversun Pickups - Carnavas (Well Thought Out Twinkles - MP3)
Common Market - Common Market
Lily Allen - Alright, Still
Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock and Roll
Wax Tailor - Tales of the Forgotten Melodies
Trentemoeller - The Last Resort
Tapes ‘n Tapes - The Loon
Wolfmother - Wolfmother
SpankRock - YoYoYoYoYo
Beirut - The Gulag Orkestar

Best Live Performances of 2006:
Frank Black – 11/13/2006 (WMA, Real)
Michael Franti - Live from Sonic Boom in Ballard 10/13/2006 (WMA, Real, MP3 - subscribe now)
Billy Bragg - Live from the Triple Door 10/2/06 (WMA, Real, Video); and from SXSW 3/16/06 (WMA, Real)
Hot Chip - Live from CMJ 11/2/06
Anathallo – 8/25/06 (WMA, Real)
Grizzly Bear – 10/4/06
the Shackeletons - Live from CMJ 11/3/06
Darc Mind - Live from CMJ (available as a podcast) 10/30/06 (MP3 - subscribe now)
Shins - Live from CMJ 11/3/06
Low Frequency in Stereo - Live from CMJ 11/2/06
the Black Angels – 6/19/06 (WMA, Real, MP3 - subscribe now, Video)
Citizen Cope - 10/21/06 (WMA, Real)
Silversun Pickups – 10/27/06 (WMA, Real)
Asobi Seksu – 9/29/06 (WMA, Real)
Hopewell - Live from NYC – 9/12/06 (WMA, Real)
Head Like A Kite - 5/10/06 (WMA, Real)
Mason Jennings - 7/11/06 (WMA, Real)
Lady Sovereign – 6/7/06 (WMA, Real)
Jason Lytle – 5/19/06 (WMA, Real, MP3 - subscribe now)
Ghostland Observatory – 8/15/06 (WMA, Real, MP3 - subscribe now)
Polysics – 3/1/06
Yo La Tengo – 10/24/06

Best Local Releases of 2006:
the Blakes – The Blakes
Transmissionary Six - Radar
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Rocky Votalato - Makers
the Long Winters – Putting the Days to Bed (Pushover - MP3)
the Thermals – The Body, The Blood, The Machine (A Pillar of Salt - MP3)
the Quiet Ones – Nite You Surprised Me
Thee Emergency – Can You Dig It (Girl You Should’ve Known - MP3)
Skullbot - Skullbot
the Mellors – Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest (MP3)
Math & Physics Club – Math & Physics Club
Racetrack - Racetrack (The War at Home - MP3)
Levi Fuller – This Murder Is A Peaceful Gathering
Pufferfish – Hello Zero
the Minus Five – The Minus Five
the Hands – So Sweet
Jon Auer – Songs From the Year of Our Demise
Talkdemonic – Beat Romantic
Panda & Angel – Panda and Angel
Shorthand for Epic – Shorthand for Epic
Central Services – Central Services
Iceage Cobra – Brilliant Ideas From Amazing People
Downpilot – Like You Believe It
the Trucks – The Trucks (3am - MP3)
Jeremy Enigk – World Waits
Village Green – Feeling the Fall (When the Creepers Creep In - MP3)
Antlerand - Branches
the Heavy Hearts – The Heavy Hearts
Doll Test – Gasoline and Banks

Songs That Make Me Smile:
the Little Ones, “Lovers Who Uncover” (Stream)
Art Brut - Pretty much every track on Bang Bang Rock and Roll will make you smile.
Lily Allen , “A One-woman Madness” - tons of fun
Born Ruffians, “This Sentence Will Ruin/Save Your Life”
I’m From Barcelona
Beastie Boys/CCR, “Bad Body Movin’” mashup
Nina Simone,
the Hold Steady, “Massive Nights”
Mustafa Ozkent, “Dolana”
Michael Franti & Spearhead, “Hello Bonjour”
Bob Dylan
Lady Sovereign - Size Don’t Matter!
Bruce Springsteen, “Pay Me My Money Down”
Spank Rock - Think first Beastie Boys album humor.
Wolfmother
Girl Talk
Ratatat, “Wildcat” (MP3)
the Gourds, Hooky Junk
Persephone’s Bees,
CSS
Yo La Tengo, “Mr. Tough”
Rinôçérôse
Common Market, “Connect For”

Great Songs That Didn’t Make Me Smile:
AmmonContact, “A Zillion Tamborines”
Gnarns Barkley
Dr. Octagon, “Trees”
Thom Yorke, “Atoms for Peace”
Regina Spector, “Fidelity”
Cat Power, “Could We” (MP3)
Bonnie Prince Billy
the Roots, “False Media”
Halou - Wholeness and Separation (Vertebrae)
Voxtrot

With only 3 days left to purchase the limited edition Live at KEXP Volume 2 compilation cd, John and his friend Yunick the Unicorn, walked over to the record store in their ‘hood. KEXP’s cd, a collection of exclusive tracks recorded live in the KEXP studios, is the top seller. John will listen to it all week as he enthusiastically prepares for his John in the Morning at Night New Year’s Weekend Bender this weekend. But first Yunick the Unicorn needs some sugary goodness.

John in the Morning At Night New Year’s Weekend Bender at Chop Suey on December 30th and 31st. Both nights are headlined by Jeremy Enigk with additional performances by Wild Sweet Orange, Pablo, Catfish Haven, The Village Green, Water Meego and The Ettes.

Tickets are available now.

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP DJs think listeners should hear, along with songs from more well-known artists.

Today’s featured selection is from the debut album Things Change by Coho…

Coho - Until We Get There (MP3)

Learn more about Coho, learn more about podcasting and subscribe now.

It’s business as usual for John returning to work today after a long holiday weekend. Both his inbox and mailbox were overflowing. He’s getting ready for the John in the Morning at Night New Year’s Weekend Bender with his friend, Yunick the Unicorn. They’ll ring in the New Year along with some amazing bands, new and old. It will be magical.

John in the Morning At Night New Year’s Weekend Bender at Chop Suey on December 30th and 31st. Both nights are headlined by Jeremy Enigk with additional performances by Wild Sweet Orange, Pablo, Catfish Haven, The Village Green, Water Meego and The Ettes.

Tickets are available now.

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP DJs think listeners should hear, along with songs from more well-known artists.

Today’s featured selection is from the 2006 album Easter by These Arms Are Snakes…

These Arms Are Snakes - Deer Lodge (MP3)

Learn more about These Arms Are Snakes and their upcoming performances in Japan and Australia. Learn more about podcasting and subscribe now.

Over the long holiday weekend, John and his friend, Yunick the Unicorn, ventured out downtown Seattle for some holiday cheer. You might have seen them around town with Santa. They caught up on some last-minute shopping for their loved ones. It’s a tradition to ride a horse-drawn carriage and carousel, as well as get his yearly Santa portrait. John’s eagerly anticipating this weekend’s year-end celebration complete with magical unicorns.

John in the Morning At Night New Year’s Weekend Bender at Chop Suey on December 30th and 31st. Both nights are headlined by Jeremy Enigk with additional performances by Wild Sweet Orange, Pablo, Catfish Haven, The Village Green, Water Meego and The Ettes.

Tickets are available now.