Kobe’s Staff Picks

Scroll down to read an archive of Kobe’s staff pick write-ups.

Herbie Hancock, Maiden Voyage

“I mean…. Herbie, Carter, Coleman and Williams?? Absolute magic. Essential LP for anyone who enjoys music. If you don’t like this record you probably don’t enjoy anything.”

Norma Tanega, Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog

“Absolute classic. Pick this up for a fraction of the price of an original and stay in all winter.”

Guided By Voices, Alien Lanes

“A very formative record for me! made me realize all you need is a couple pieces of cheap gear, good friends and beer to make good music. Long live GBV and Pollard. I could probably jam this til death and still find something new to nerd out about each listen.”

Os Mutantes, Live 8/8/78

“This band is fun to listen to when it’s sunny out.”

Obe, S/T EP

“The first day I got this I jammed it 5 times straight, if that tells you anything at all.”

Smirk, Material

“Been a big fan of Smirk for the past few releases of his. This one is definitely his most complete. Big fan!”

Karger Traum, III

“Great LP from a cool label Fixed Rhythms. Joocha and Das Ende are the standout tracks for me, a great record to grab if you’re a fan of any genre of electronic music.”

Stereolab, Pulse of the Early Brain: Switched On Vol. 5

“Sick record, the opening track immediately drew me in. Love that there’s some Nurse With Wound stuff on this. Killer. Buy it.”

Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments, Bait and Switch

“Essential Ohio record, Incredible lyrics! Highest praise.”

Teakup, No Matter What I Do

“I am addicted to rhythm, groove and melting my brain”

Yo La Tengo, Summer Sun

“Take care and Little eyes are 2 of my favorite Yo La Tengo tracks. This record is killer and one of my favorites to jam when the seasons are changing. I have lots of great memories with this record. One of my favorites from my favorite band.”

Dunn, It Don’t Exist

“From one of the best labels in the game 100 Limousines. Dunn’s ‘It Don’t Exist’ is one of the best electronic releases of the year. Also heard ‘It Don’t Exist’ is an ode to 90s Detroit graff culture, too cool.”

Renee Green, Camino Road

“An easy read you can knock out in just a few hours. One of those books that makes you feel like you’re right there.”

Alex G, God Save the Animals

“This record rules, ‘Ain’t It Easy’ is the ultimate soundtrack to this fall.”

Deutsche Elektronische Musik 2: Experimental German Rock And Electronic Music 1971-83 – Record A

“I feel like it’s always worth grabbing Soul Jazz comps when you see em, lots of staples on this one including CAN, Popol Vuh, & Cluster to name a few. It’s fun buying compilations!”

Townes Van Zandt, S/T

“Perfect fall record, all hail TVZ.”

Albert Ayler Quartet, The Hilversum Session

“Another great Ayler reissue. Dream team lineup. All hail Ayler!”

Celestine Ukwu and His Philosophers National, No Condition Is Permanent

“Insane record, the guitars on these tracks will have you in a trance. Very stoked this record got released, his stuff is hard to come by.”

Brian Jonestown Massacre, Thank God For Mental Illness

“My favorite BJM record. Cost ’em $17 and some change to make. Free and Easy is an all timer for me, hits me hard every time.”

Blonde Redhead, Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons

“A great record and such a prolific band. Never thought to DJ this record but Anton Newcombe inspired me to do so.”

Dean Blunt, Black Metal 2

“I’m a huge fan of Dean Blunt, I would go as far to say he’s one of the greatest living artists of our time. From his early days with Hype Williams stuff and his moniker Babyfather everything he does is amazing. Black Metal 1 and 2 are both perfect records full of insane sampling and creating great atmosphere’s. It’s also worth checking out his label ‘World Music’ 2 of my favorites on the roster are bands Bar Italia and NINA. I feel like I could go on and on but you get the point, listen to Dean Blunt.”

Don Cherry, Om Shanti Om

“A great reissue to own, Don Cherry is a true heavyweight of free jazz and this record only proves that, a great lineup. True hippie – folk jazz mind melter. I also recommend picking up the book about Don Cherry and the Organic Music Society, packed with information.”

Spoils, Find Later

“Spoils are my favorite band in Ohio. Rock for life.”

Augustus Pablo, Moods of Pablo

“dub for life”

Alice Coltrane featuring Pharaoh Sanders and Joe Henderson, Ptah the El Daoud

“my favorite artist of all time and a top 5 record ever. HEAVY.”

“A must have for all. Her true magic is shown all throughout this record.”

George Mukabi, Furaha Wenye Gita

“Beautiful African guitar music, great for mellow moods. Comes with a cool booklet also.”

Delivery, Sounds of Delivery

“Feel It once again killing it. Fun short songs, always a good time to jam ’em.”

Daniel Schmidt, In My Arms Many Flowers

“Some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. If you’re a local expect to hear me jamming this 3x a week at least. MUST HAVE FOR ALL.”

Maraudeur, Puissance 4

“Been jamming this a lot, punk at the absolute most minimal level. All the tracks are fun.”

Other Music

“Very fun doc for all music lovers or people who enjoy the behind the scenes of record stores.”

Ekkehard Jost, Free Jazz

“Amazing book that I read when I was fairly new to free jazz, very helpful guide and really opened my eyes to the genius of it all. After reading the Art Ensemble stuff in here I became totally obsessed and still am, true heavyweights of music and cooler than any rockstar.”

Bad LSD Trips, S/T

“My favorite tape release of 2022 so far, so many different elements into one. Truly some of the best experimental music I’ve ever heard.”

Treasury of Puppies, S/T

“Once again more music from Gothenburg & once again it is absolutely incredible. We have both Treasury of Puppies LPs stocked currently, buy them both and stay home on a Friday night and zone.”

Gothenburg Sound Workshop

“Discreet is amazing and basicallly everything that comes out of Gothenburg these days is great. Think I’ve fallen asleep to this CD everyday since I bought it. Great music for watching the summer sunsets to or falling asleep. Discreet fan for life.”

Rottweiler, Haight

“Rottweiler is another project from Ariel Motto who some of you may be familiar with as Club Music. This was pre Club Music but first time being available on vinyl. Some of the hardest shit I’ve ever heard. All I wanna do is go to a club and lose my mind to this record.”

Ponderosa Twins Plus One, 2+2+1=

“A great record with some insane songs, most people will probably recognize that Kanye West famously sampled the track ‘Bound’ but this record goes deeper than just that”

Eliane Radigue, Songs of Milarepa

“Been deep diving the work of Eliane Radigue for the past few weeks now, yet to hear something I dislike. Amazing work and great stuff to throw on in the morning.”

Hamid El Shaeri, The SLAM! Years (1983-1988)

“Absolute slammer, such a great comp of the work of Hamid El Shaeri. Sometimes his songs truly sound like they belong on the newest indie record, once again Habibi Funk keeps killing it, I love this label.”

Guided By Voices, Vampire on Titus

“Great record, some of my favorite tracks are ‘Wished I Was A Giant’ , ‘Dusted’ , and ‘Jar of Cardinals’. Vampire On Titus hasn’t been repressed since the late 90s and I’m sure most of you are just as excited as I am to hear how it sounds.”

Augustus Pablo, Raggae Hot Rocks Dub

“warm weather is here which means it’s time to buy as many reggae records as you want, as long as this one’s in the bunch.”

Helm, Axis

“Incredible Record that Dais put out. There are moments on this that will have you in a complete daze and then in awe of how the sounds even got to the point they are at. The person behind ‘Helm’ is Luke Younger who also plays in a stellar hardcore punk band called ‘ The Chisel’ – Highest of reccomendations for both.”

Duster, Contemporary Movement

“A top 10 all time for me. ‘Me and The Birds’ is one of the greatest songs ever.”

Kamal Keila, Muslims and Christians

“Huge fan of this label. Never heard something bad from them, this record does not disappoint either. So much influence from other countries all into a record about unity, truly great.”

VA, Die Summer! Die!

“All Mississippi comps are amazing but this one is just the one I’ve found myself jamming the most lately.”

Amanaz, Africa

“This record is amazing for many reasons but for me, the track ‘Khala My Friend’ really sets it off. I first heard this track a few years back and ever since this record has been almost a daily listen for me. Truly amazing stuff.”

Common Tones: Selected Interviews with Artists and Musicians 1995-2020

“One of my favorite books I read last year, features an unreal interview with Milford Graves to close it out as well. Highest Rec right now.”

Faze, Content

“Only thing I’ve listened to this week, insane hardcore from Canada.”

Sewer Election, Psychic Panorama

“This CD was my introduction to Sewer Election, unreal sounds that you get lost in instantly.”

Contemporary Homemade Music from Sweden

“An unreal comp that should interest anyone who loves music. When we first got copies I assumed this cd would fly, shocked they haven’t. Grab one while you can, I know $16 for a cd is steep but well worth it for what’s on this.”

Spine, Faith

“If you like hardcore and don’t listen to spine yet, they will become your favorite band.”

Henry Franklin, The Skipper at Home

“Total free jazz explosion”

Aaron Dilloway & Lucrecia Dalt, Lucy & Aaron

“This record continues to blow my mind. Heavy contender for one of the best releases of the year.”

Can, Delay

“I don’t think I need to say anything besides Can rules.”

Gotou, Gotou

“Really cool record, listened to this a few times and loved it. Inu Wan Wan Records is also a new label so I’m extremely stoked to see what the future holds not only for them but this band as well. Heavy recommendation!”

The Bats, Compiletely Bats

“Every song on this record is perfect. The Bats are a great band to jam in the cold as well. Been listening to this pretty consistently at the shop!”

Oku Onuora, AK-7 Pressure Drop

“One of my favorite reggae records I’ve heard in the past few months. For $18 I can’t believe this is still on the website! Someone needs to grab this for sure.“

Kneeling in Piss, Tour de Force

“My favorite Ohio band, punk rock with true DIY spirit. Very excited to see what this band does next!”

Pastor TL Barrett, Do Not Pass Me By

“Numero is pretty hit or miss for me, I sometimes feel like they reissue things for the sake of it but when it comes to soul and gospel they haven’t missed. This is the second reissue numero has done from Pastor TL Barrett. As great as the first record is this one somehow surpasses it for me, so much passion in every song and a must have for anyone who loves soul.”

The Dents, 1979-1980

“Synth punk straight out of Cincinnati. Really cool record, the liner notes are a great read as well.”

Drugs! Death! And Disaster: Dollar Country Tape No. 2

“Dollar Country mixtapes have been one of my favorite things to jam lately, this mix focuses on songs all about disasters due to drugs, and other things. Some extremely weird things on this mix!”

MARV, Keyboard Suite I

“Before the Marv LP I had never heard anything off of enmossed or anything previous from Marv. This record blew me away and made me a fan of enmossed as a label immediately. Easily will be a top 3 record for me this year.”

Music for Mornings

“This is my tape for the radio topo series, would be stoked if everyone picked it up, full of folk and love songs. Some of my favorite songs to listen to early in the morning!”

Chubby & the Gang, Lightning Don’t Strike Twice

“Blue collar punk rock with good riffs, good hooks and good lyrics. What more do you want?”

Loners & Outsiders: DC Mixtape #5

“Mixtapes like these are always a must buy for me. My favorite way to find new music. This tape specifically has some of the strangest country I’ve heard, lyrically. Talking about things it seems like no country artists would talk from these times, mainly all found in dollar bins as well which makes this tape even cooler to me.”

Albert Ayler, In Greenwich Village

“When I first heard Albert Ayler’s music it changed everything for me,this is one of the most important live jazz recordings in my mind.”

Sculpture Club, Worth

“FFO, The Cure, The Cranberries, Sundays, great soft rock/post punk.”

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  October 8, 2021  |  Staff Picks