A periodic list of some of the most exciting, newly purchased CDs for our circulating collections.

Asleep on the Floodplain by Six Organs of Admittance (2011)

Asleep on the Floodplain is a rich and relaxing acoustic-guitar centered musical meditation. Perhaps in the vein of John Fahey, but a little more droney. I can hardly imagine anyone who loves music not appreciating this album. It brings out the beauty of musical texture so impressively. It is well worth a close listen. (PREVIEW)

Other great albums by Six Organs of Admittance:

Luminous Night (2009)

Ascent (2012)

On Air: Live at the BBC: vol 2 by The Beatles (1963)

This year is the 50th anniversary of The Beatles first arrival in New York City, commemorated wonderfully in the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts' exhibition: "Ladies and Gentlemen...The Beatles" (running through May 10).  Of course many of us are well aware of the Beatles catalog, might even have our own favorite tunes, albums, and eras; but this collection is something new for us all. It captures the Beatles' radio appearances from 1963; so it's a nice mix of early R n B covers and original material, and it all sounds like it's emanating from some am radio station via a transistor radio! I tell you, it's quite charming. And the material? Well, if you've ever read of those early "Quarrymen" days when the soon-to-be Beatles were clocking nightly shows in Hamburg and such, learning what songs got people going, this collection captures that live early energy splendidly. They do great interpretations of Chuck Berry's "I'm Talking About You", and Paul does a glorious vocal homage to Little Richard on "Lucille"; but there are many great originals as well: From the rockin' "I Saw Her Standing There" to the soft and sweet "I'll Follow the Sun"....too many to name. This is a 2-disc set with plenty of banter in between tracks to cinch it as a historical document, not to mention it also helps in bringing an era to life brilliantly. Check it out! 

Memorial by Russian Circles (2013)

A brilliant post-grunge, psychedelic album that builds each track into the most beautiful and terrifying audio juggernaut you'll ever hear. It's well crafted, organic, and goes from soft melodies to raging drones smoother than one would think possible. It's just enjoyable to hear them play with dynamics like that, especially when it works so well. And when it kicks in, even the mighty will shudder in fear. (PREVIEW)

Who is William Onyeabor by William Onyeabor (2013)

This one is my favorite of the bunch! Though the collection was released just last year, Onyeabor's material is drawn from the late '70s and early '80s. It's Afro-pop, which means its got all kinds of great elements in it from disco, African juju, funk, some great electronics thrown in. But now, that just doesn't cover it, because it is noticeably greater than the mere sum of its parts. Onyeabor at some point became a born again Christian and renounced all his "secular" stuff. The problem with that is it just happens to be some of the coolest, most infectious music around. I suppose somebody mentioned to the man his early material  had a devoted cult  following (including one fan that made a 10 hour clip of Onyeabor!) and was too historically important to let fade into obscurity. So here it is, some of the best, and certainly the most far-out, interesting Afro-pop  around. (PREVIEW)

Back to Forever by Lissie (2013)

A great voice, solid songs, and just straight ahead rock and roll. (PREVIEW)