The tracks for the June 2010 sampler are no longer available.Please visit the latest sampler for more tracks! www.utne.com/sampler
Every month, Utne Reader presents free, downloadable music gleaned from current and upcoming releases on independent labels, curated by senior editor Keith Goetzman.
Gurrumul
Australian aboriginal singer-songwriter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu sings in a honey-soaked voice in a 40,000-year-old language onGurrumul, which comes out June 15 on Dramatico. This isn’t just world music–it’s universal. Enjoy this live version of a song from the album and read a review ofGurrumulin the July-AugustUtne Reader.
Track:“Djarimirri (Live)” by Gurrumul
The Twilight Hours
As the Twilight Hours, Matt Wilson and John Munson purvey soaring, yearning pop on Stereo Night (Princess), daring to be dreamers and wearing their oversized hearts on their dapper sleeves.
Track: “Dreams” by the Twilight Hours
Marco Benevento
Marco Benevento conjures a carnival of sounds from his keyboards, splitting the difference between the jam-band and the jazz-band experience on Between the Needles & Nightfall (Royal Potato Family).
Track: “It Came from You” by Marco Benevento
The Mynabirds
The sweet soul of the Mynabirds is Laura Burhenn, who was going for something “that felt like Neil Young doing Motown” when she recorded What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood (Saddle Creek). She succeeded.
Track: “Numbers Don’t Lie” by the Mynabirds
Jeremy Messersmith
Inspired by his sojourns through a historic cemetery, Jeremy Messersmith set his darkly romantic thoughts to an unexpected soundtrack–sunny, Beatles- and Beach Boys-style pop–on The Reluctant Graveyard (Music Alternatives).
Track: “Violet!” by Jeremy Messersmith
Regina Carter
Violinist Regina Carter brings her expansive jazz and classical background to African folk songs on Reverse Thread (E1), enriching all three traditions in the process.
Track: “Artistiya” by Regina Carter
Mountain Man
This female trio’s haunting harmonies are steeped in folk tradition but feel as fresh as the natural imagery that runs through their rustically elegant songs on Made the Harbor, which comes out July 20 on Partisan.
Track: “Animal Tracks” by Mountain Man
Azar Lawrence
A saxophonist who played with Miles Davis in the ’70s, Lawrence took a long detour into R&B and other pursuits. But he’s back on the jazz tip, blowing with newfound vitality on Mystic Journey (Furthermore).
Track: “Journey’s End” by Azar Lawrence