Entertainment
Louis Siciliano is Back With New EP
Louis Siciliano isn’t holding back with the song “Ancient Cosmic Truth,” the staple song of his new EP of the same title, but if you think his moxie is going to be isolated to this one track, you’re in for quite the surprise when listening to this incredible new record. So many of the crossover jazz/experimental works I’ve reviewed in 2023 have fallen back on retro themes as a means of bridging aesthetical gaps and appealing to a more chamber-minded generation, but that isn’t the case in Ancient Cosmic Truth.
Siciliano isn’t looking to take the route of his rivals in this work; he’s cutting away the throwback influences and getting to the core elements that make his approach such a profound point of interest no matter what kind of song he’s playing. There are many virtuosic instrumental components here, but there isn’t a sense of arrogance that would normally accompany a player with the kind of talent this man has – it’s just a performer beside his band doing the work of the divines, and potentially raising the profile of a frontman in Siciliano who needs to be getting a lot more attention than he ever has before.
“Translucent Dodecahedron” is probably my favorite track here as a man who loves the sax, and as adverse as I tend to be about wily rhythm tracks as eclectic as it is, this one that I couldn’t help but fall in love with the first time I listened to it over the past weekend.
Siciliano isn’t just attacking the melody with his compositional strength; he’s putting soul into it with the chemistry he has with Brecker, Muselli, and Roman. “The Secret of Mansa” showcases a lot of the same punch that we hear in the other songs, but with a slightly avant-garde bottom-end, as if to give us a hint of what the artsy vibe can produce when it’s channeled towards a climax. My man has got so much presence in this record, and I’m very curious to hear how it plays out in person for myself.
There aren’t many who can rock the big rhythm he does in “The Secret of Mansa,” and I’m seriously jealous of those who got to see this firsthand in the studio.
Whether it be the ramshackle grooving of “Bambara’s Symmetries” or the elegance of the title track, you can be certain that Louis Siciliano has got something moving to present to you this autumn through his new EP Ancient Cosmic Truth.
He’s got a lot of buzz surrounding his career at the moment largely thanks to positive critical reception from the international jazz underground, but I don’t see where he couldn’t break out of the indie circuit for the mainstream so long as he continues to break off incredible content like Ancient Cosmic Truth. It’s a timeless kind of record and one that makes sure to leave a mark on anyone who listens to it, but especially those who consider themselves as much of an enthusiast of excellent, left-field jazz music.
Sebastian Cole
Artist Spotlight
Marsha Bartenetti reinvents in her own style “New York Minute”
Marsha Bartenetti’s latest release, “New York Minute,” written by Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, and Jai Winding, offers emotional depth, turning a timeless look at life’s fragility into a reflective, cinematic journey. Stephan Oberhoff’s arrangement perfectly frames Bartenetti’s voice, and Kevin Bate’s expressive cello adds a warm resonance that makes the track feel like a movie.
The way each instrument sounds makes it feel planned, which lets the listener stay in the fleeting moments the song so beautifully describes. Bartenetti’s singing is the best part of the song. She shows an openness that feels real, as if she has lost something and still fully embraces love and presence with complete honesty. Her choice of words and small changes in tone make the lyrics feel even closer.
“New York Minute,” is a new version that pays tribute to the original while showcasing Bartenetti’s own style. The movie-like instruments and heartfelt vocals make the song feel both personal and universal. It makes us think about how hard it is to let go and hold on.
Artist Spotlight
“Yonkers” – Song by Tyler, the Creator
15 years ago, Tyler, the Creator released “Yonkers.” The song would go on to shape a generation of hip-hop fans and make him one of the most talked-about artists in modern music. Tyler’s work on “Yonkers,” which came out of the Los Angeles group Odd Future, was a brave mix of raw lyrics, dark humor, and simple production that made him stand out from other artists right away.
“Yonkers,” which is just over three minutes long, seems simple but has a big effect. The song’s production is based on a spooky bassline, simple piano chords, and simple drums. This puts Tyler’s voice and story front and center. His flow is slow and threatening, and it sends out a stream of verses that balance shock value with deep thoughts on themes like being alone, rebelling, and thinking about oneself. This song has a modern twist on the gritty, confrontational style of hip-hop that was popular in the early 2010s.
The music video for “Yonkers” became a cultural phenomenon all by itself. In the black-and-white video, Tyler looks straight into the camera while doing something that surprised both fans and critics. Tyler became known as an artist who isn’t afraid to push boundaries when the song’s raw lyrics and stark images quickly went viral. The video’s viral success brought Odd Future national attention and helped Tyler get more work, including his albums Goblin (2011) and Wolf (2013), which were both well-received by critics.
People who didn’t like “Yonkers” thought it was a new take on hip-hop. People in the genre often liked flashy production and collaborations, but Tyler’s solo song showed that minimalism can be just as interesting, if not more so, when it has strong lyrics. Young people who wanted realness and change connected with the song’s unapologetic tone, and its influence can still be heard in music today. Many contemporary artists assert that Tyler’s early compositions, particularly “Yonkers,” significantly influenced their lyrical writing and visual storytelling techniques.
“Yonkers” was a big moment in Tyler, the Creator’s career. It was a bold statement from a single artist who wanted to change the rules of hip-hop, and it captured the spirit of early Odd Future, a group that thrived on chaos, creativity, and free expression. More than ten years later, the song is still a touchstone for fans and a turning point in the growth of alternative rap. Its creepy beat, controversial lyrics, and viral music video are still seen as examples of a time when hip-hop was pushing its limits and welcoming a new generation of voices that were willing to question the way things were.
“Yonkers” is a cultural artifact, a snapshot of the time that shaped Tyler, the Creator’s unique artistic style, and a reminder of how powerful bold, unapologetic music can be.
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