John Bohannon

Features

These Are the Breaks: The Motown Sound’s Influence on Hip-Hop Sampling

For any influential group in the hip-hop game, specifically in the early 1990s, Motown's stamp of approval and its variety of subsidiaries were undeniably influential. [28 January 2009]

“Once You Have a Love Like That You’ll Always Be Around”: An Interview With Pete Rock

With the release of his new album N.Y.'s Finest, the legendary hip-hop producer looks back and forward at the same time: remembering both his hardships and victories while looking forward to hip-hop's new age. [13 August 2008]

Finding Common Ground

Caetano Veloso’s 1973 album Araçá Azul is as defiantly unconventional and challenging as Godard’s pioneering New Wave classic Breathless (1960), altering the possibilities and expectations of his chosen medium. [26 June 2008]

Reviews

The Entrance Band: The Entrance Band

Guy Blakeslee can reach into kitschy territory, but with this massive power trio, there is potential for success without compromising artistic integrity. [12 October 2009]

Terry Callier: Hidden Conversations

With his latest recording, Callier decided to wholeheartedly embrace his younger generation of supporters and put a good deal of creative forces in their hands. [24 August 2009]

Rodriguez: Coming from Reality

Rodriguez’s songwriting is still on point, full of life and vigor in the way he expresses our everyday experiences and emotions. [29 July 2009]

Nana April Jun: Ontology of Noise

Ontology of Noise explores manipulation of digital sources that create single-layered dark, static landscapes that have more in common with everyday sounds and atmospheres, than processed noises. [15 June 2009]

Mammifer: Hirror Ennifer

Hydra Head's Mammifer gets lost in a static world of drones and ambiance. [14 April 2009]

William Parker: Double Sunrise Over Neptune/Petit Oiseau

William Parker's inventive approach to the current state of jazz music puts him at the forefront of the avant-garde scene. [1 April 2009]

Mike Bones: A Fool For Everyone

Social Registry resident guitarist puts out an album less rooted in experimental music than traditional songwriting form. [20 March 2009]

Big Ears Festival

If this year was any indication of what is to come, Big Ears may become the premiere American avant-garde festival… in Knoxville, Tennessee of all places. [11 March 2009]

The Swell Season + Bill Callahan

Anyone that’s ever stepped foot in Nashville, Tennessee knows the Ryman Auditorium is a place of myth, magic, and miracles. [15 October 2008]

Zach Hill: Astrological Straits

Hill finds the song form in free-form and stops stroking his ego and starts writing songs. [7 October 2008]

I Heart Lung: Interoceans

New Asthmatic Kitty compatriots prepare an album of free-jazz/drone beauty that is both uncompromising and full of forward vision. [19 September 2008]

Brazilian Girls: New York City

The Brazilian Girls make a smart career move, but a not so great record. [15 September 2008]

Milton Nascimento & Jobim Trio : Novas Bossas

Brazil superstar Milton Nascimento & Jobim Trio deliver a 21st century variation on classic Bossa Nova sounds with astounding success. [4 September 2008]

Custom Made: Original Dynasty

Custom Made blends West & East Coast vibes for one of this year’s most promising hip-hop releases yet. [8 July 2008]

Various Artists: Realistic Patterns: Orchestrated Psychedelia from the USA

Psychic Circle puts their DIY compilation label on the map with these orchestrated psychedelic nuggets full of life and substance not commonplace in the world of obscure cuts. [24 June 2008]

John Hiatt: Same Old Man

Hiatt ages with ease, and leaves us with a handful of wonderful stories from the same old man. [3 June 2008]

Dead Child: Attack

Dead Child pays homage to the golden-era of metal. Heavy enough to please Bay Area thrashers and stoned out bluesmen alike. [1 May 2008]

Blogs

Notes from the Road: Os Mutantes: 8 October 2009 - Webster Hall, New York City [19 October 2009]

Mixed Media: Jesu - Opiate Sun (new album / MP3) [13 August 2009]

Notes from the Road: Bonnaroo Day 3 (Sunday, 14 June 2009) [15 June 2009]

Notes from the Road: Bonnaroo Day 2 (Saturday, 13 June 2009) [14 June 2009]

Notes from the Road: Bonnaroo Day 1 (Friday, 12 June 2009) [13 June 2009]

Mixed Media: Moutheater - “Guts” (MP3) [29 April 2009]

Sound Affects: New Faces of Brazil: Márcio Local [5 March 2009]

Mixed Media: Radio Moscow: “Broke Down” (MP3) [2 March 2009]

Sound Affects: Lukestar - “White Shade” [11 November 2008]

Notes from the Road: CMJ Music Marathon 2008 Day 5: Monotonix [28 October 2008]

Notes from the Road: CMJ Music Marathon 2008 Day 4: Growing [26 October 2008]

Notes from the Road: CMJ Music Marathon 2008 Day 3: Noisettes [24 October 2008]

Notes from the Road: CMJ Music Marathon 2008 Day 1: Parts and Labor [22 October 2008]

Sound Affects: Vancougar’s “Obvious” [12 October 2008]

Sound Affects: Has Metallica Returned to Form? Doubt vs. Faith [6 September 2008]

Sound Affects: The Replacements: Old Grey Whistle Test [15 August 2008]

Sound Affects: The Soul of Brazil: Tim Maia [28 July 2008]

Notes from the Road: Bonnaroo 2008 - Sunday, 15 June [16 June 2008]

Notes from the Road: Bonnaroo 2008 - Saturday, 14 June [15 June 2008]

Notes from the Road: Bonnaroo 2008 - Friday, 13 June [14 June 2008]

Sound Affects: Style and Class: 8Ball and MJG [11 June 2008]

Sound Affects: Is Free Jazz really still free? [4 June 2008]

Sound Affects: David Berman’s Ode to Louisville [13 May 2008]