Editor’s Note: Wendy Christensen from Positively 4th St. Music brings a broadly-based musical collage to this week’s report from the store located in the street level of the Stoneground Building on 400 South.

New reggae is coming to the store. Also, check out hot-styling hats from local company Discrete.

REVIEWS & HIGHLIGHTS:

DUMPSTAPHUNK — April 11th @ The Paladium

This is one of the best current funk bands in existence. You could say Dumpstaphunk is a super group in its own right considering the deep performing and recording experience of band members. Guitarist Nick Daniels — of the Neville Brothers — has recorded with the likes of Boz Scaggs. Drummer Raymond Weber has played with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band among other classic artists. Guitarist Ian Neville — of the Neville Brothers and the Funky Meters — has a long list of artists with whom he has worked. Bassist Tony Hall plays in the Dave Matthews band and has collaborated with Emmy Lou Harris and others. Ivan Neville on vocals — also of the Neville Brothers — has also recorded or performed with stars like the Rolling Stones and John Mayer.

RJD2 – April 14th @ Urban Lounge

Rjd2’s music is a collage of cut-and-paste hip-hop that combines disparate elements to make for soulful, moody portraits of the world. In 2002, his first solo release was one of the best underground hip-hop releases of the year. It melded dirty samples and a classic approach to song structure for an end-result that gave DJ Shadow, DJ Spooky, and Moby a run for their money. He returned in 2004 with Since We Last Spoke, which blended hip-hop with elements of pop. He then moved to XL to fully indulge his passion for pop, releasing The Third Hand in early 2007. While there’s no hint of hip-hop anywhere here, The Third Hand is a surprisingly natural mix of his beat-heavy productions and kaleidoscopic tastes with reflective songwriting and plaintive vocals. Sample spotters beware. Everything on the record was written, produced, and, most importantly, performed by Rjd2 in his home studio.

NEW RELEASES:

Crystal Castles’ Crystal Castles — Fusing low-res electronic noise and pop hooks so effortlessly that it can seem accidental, Crystal Castles began as producer/multi-instrumentalist Ethan Kath’s solo project in late 2003. Kath got the moniker from the name of She-Ra’s dwelling in the He-Man and Masters of the Universe cartoon series. It’s also the name of a 1983 Atari video game, which is oddly appropriate, considering that one component of the band’s distinctive sound comes from a keyboard modified with an Atari 5200 sound chip. When Kath collaborated with singer Alice Glass on some songs in spring 2005, Crystal Castles’ lineup was complete. We love it for its ingenious musical approach.

Gnarls Barkley’s The Odd Couple — In a world where it’s the norm to have a one-off collaboration between a producer and a rapper, something special has to happen to prompt a sequel. Of course, “Crazy” was all the prompting needed for Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse to rejuvenate Gnarls Barkley, their collaboration by mail that sparked the brightest and catchiest single of the year. All the hallmarks of a follow-up record are here — similar sounds and themes, for sure, but also a clear lack of innovation, lyrical and production touches that have since become clichés, and more than just a few passages that will prompt a severe case of listener déjà vu. (Of course, many listeners may enjoy that sense of déjà vu.) At times, The Odd Couple is a more beautiful record than its predecessor — but nothing overly exciting as far as we are concerned — yet still solid, worthwhile listening.

UPCOMING SHOWS: Tickets available from Positively 4th St Music (** Indicate our favorite shows on the list)

April 10 – THE FORECAST @ Kilby Court
**April 11 – DUMPSTAPHUNK @ The Paladium
April 12 – WHY? @ Urban Lounge
April 13 – LUCIANO @ The Paladium
**April 14 – RJD2 @ Urban Lounge
April 16 – ENON @ Urban Lounge
**April 17 – LUCKY I AM @ Urban Lounge
April 19 – BITCH & THE EXCITING CONCLUSION @ Urban Lounge
April 21 – MAN MAN & YEASAYER @ In The Venue
April 26 – JUNIOR BROWN @ The Paladium

RECOMMENDED SHOWS:

April 11 – BILLY TALENT & MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE @ Saltair
April 16 – THE BOUNCING SOULS @ In The Venue
**April 22 – MINUS THE BEAR @ In The Venue
**April 23 – SAUL WILLIAMS @ Kilby Court