Messenjah Selah, Breaking Babylon Curse. Born in
Jamaica and based in San Leandro, Selah blends modern roots reggae with
dancehall, dub, and rock. Light on the well-worn spiritual and social
imagery of Rasta culture, he prefers to pair smart, serious commentary
about contemporary issues with pure positive vibrations —
especially throughout his sophomore album’s superior second half. (Zion
High Productions)
Magic Brook, The Source: Two Hands, One Guitar. True
to his album title, Oakland’s Magic Brook wrings a full range of sound
from his acoustic six-string without turning to overdubs or
accompaniment for melody, harmony, rhythm, or percussion. Through
technical virtuosity and variable tunings, Brook proves himself unbound
by genre and communicative with the listener both emotionally and
intellectually. (Melusine Records)
Colossal Yes, Charlemagne’s Big Thaw. Though likely
not this Oakland band’s preferred point of reference, similar vocal
tones and a shared passion for upbeat piano-rock make comparisons to
Ben Folds inescapable. Beyond that, Colossal Yes’ sound is more outside
and post-modern: flutes, harpsichord, and guitars (both buzzsaw and
twanged-out) inhabit songs that are circuitous and unpredictable. (Ba
Da Bing Records)
Jubala, Jubala. Jubala has roots in both San Francisco
and Los Angeles, but embraces the latter with an earnest-as-hell and
formulaic alternative rock sound that would struggle in the
mainstream-wary Bay Area scene. Borrowing good and bad alike from
popular groups like Muse, Incubus, and Dredg, this quintet is modern
rock ‘n’ roll vanilla. (Exolution Entertainment)
