Here are 2 EPs I’m Digging (and You Should Too)

The flavors come in glam rock, bubblegum pop, and house.

GospelbeacH - Jam Jam

Brent Rademaker, previously of Beachwood Sparks, is back with Jam Jam by GospelbeacH, his band that always brings the sunburnt 70s California A.M. radio vibes.

He’s once again brought along keyboardist and guitarist Jonny Nieman, who also wears the producer’s hat on this one. This iteration of GospelbeacH includes links to the genre’s past with legendary session bassist Bob Glaub (Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan… you get the picture) and drummer Don Heffington (Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, among many others) who passed away last month.

A covers album inspired this time by glam rock and bubblegum music, Rademaker and company channel Marc Bolan and T. Rex while also lending a fun version of Crazy Elephant’s “Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’.”

I always look forward to anything Rademaker releases, and Jam Jam has me wanting to rollerskate or go bowling… or maybe both at the same time?

Jam Jam is available now on Curation Records.

Laurence Guy - Mutual Excitement is a Wonderful Thing

Leftfield house DJ and producer Laurence Guy has been on my radar over the last few years with his EPs full of soothing samples and hypnotic beats. Last year’s The Sun is Warm and Directly Above You and Your Good Times Will Come were two of my favorite electronic releases of 2020.

Returning on the Bristol indie label Shall Not Fade, Guy has put out a set of three great pieces with Mutual Excitement is a Wonderful Thing. Written and recorded over a week last November, Mutual Excitement came to fruition while Guy dealt with pandemic life in his own way - by releasing plush soundscapes that will make you feel again.

“Love Theme for the Morning After” is driven by a pounding bass drum with its juxtaposition of string samples and synth samples to open up the track, while the self-titled second track gives way to a murky vocal fragment that acts as the backbone to various drum pieces and piano melodies.

My favorite track “Certain (To a Certain Extent)” is a lofi jazzy number with a memorable melody that snakes throughout table slaps and tambourine beat. As someone who doesn’t typically like radio edits, the abridged compositions available on the digital version are pretty great and have their own personalities.

Next time you need 15 minutes away from reality, Laurence Guy has you covered.

Mutual Excitement is a Wonderful Thing is available on Shall Not Fade.