Orestes Vilató, It’s About Time. Ten songs and fifty minutes of Latin music so rich and authentic you can feel the humidity. Grammy nominee and leading Latin percussionist Vilató guides his band (featuring Rebecca Mauleón, who also produced) through traditional Cuban rhythms and contemporary New York fusion without prejudice — so expertly, in fact, that it all feels unified. (RAFCA Records)
Sir Lord Von Raven, Please Throw Me Back in the Ocean. Eric Von Raven of the Time Flys and the Cuts returns with another set of unabashed vintage rock ‘n’ roll, the hip stuff that sneers and swaggers but never gets out of line. The Gris Gris’ Greg Ashley recorded, co-produced, and played lead guitar; Fats Domino, however, made the best contribution of all via “I’m Ready,” a sax-laced 1959 boogie that anchors the disc. (Happy Parts Recordings)
The Fresh & Onlys, The Fresh & Onlys. Coming from San Francisco’s Castle Face Records (home to Ty Segall, John Dwyer, and more), it’s gotta be gritty. Thus the few examples of aimless garage rock, though evocative, don’t pack much punch. The real moments of bliss on this debut, and there are many, skew toward tuneful, demented pop, recalling Lou Reed, Roky Erickson, and retro contemporaries like Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. (Castle Face Records)
No One and the Nobodies, Grew Some Feet. Another Oakland indie album bearing the mark of garage impresario Greg Ashley (where isn’t he these days?), No One and the Nobodies’ intermittently interesting debut is too messy for its own good. Local music fans have more than enough places to turn for faux-vintage pop, rock, and folk without having to dig through one band’s bedroom tapes. (Filthy Lesson Records)
