Ratatat- Seventeen Years
‘Germany To Germany’ / XL recordings / XLS189CD
Formerly known as Cherry, this NYC duo is already familiar to hipsters from touring with Interpol. (In fact, Interpol’s Paul Banks occasionally guests on guitar.) Ratatat’s founders, Mike “Snake” Stroud and Evan ”E*Vax” Mast, have been making music out of a Crown Heights apartment in Brooklyn since 2001, their unique sound born of a combined love of Jay-Z, The Rolling Stones, Timbaland, and Beethoven. Mike is one of New York’s best guitarists and has spent his time touring the world with Ben Kweller and Dashboard Confessional; Evan has been producing music as E*vax for the past few years. Now back in their bedroom studio, the pair has made a sing-along record, just without words. While dance music is trying to re-invent itself and rock is returning to its roots, Ratatat seem to make a happy mess in both fields. -AMG
Artist site

Blue Scholars - Freewheelin’ (video)
Self Titled / Self Released
In homage to hip-hop’s empirical formula - one DJ & one MC, and duos such as Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Gangstarr and Blackalicious, the Blue Scholars embody the chemistry that made these groups so consistent not only on wax, but live on stage as well. What results is the blend of poetic, raw vocal delivery with melodic boom-bap and turntablism, painted with politics and preservation. Residing where the hustle and the struggle coincide, Blue Scholars craft the soundtrack for everyday folks with everyday problems seeking everyday release.
Artist site

The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers - Concerning lessons learned from the aliens
The Mother of Love Emulates the Shapes of Cynthia / Bu Hanan Records / BH009
The sophomore effort traces one year in the life of a struggling marriage, a convenient affair and the inevitable collapse of everything that refuses to adequately consider the seasonal nature of existence as a gift.
Artist site