Outside the Heard

	Gary Peacock Trio Now This ECM Records

In the realm of the piano trio the bar is set high, and bassist Gary Peacock has helped raise it in the groups of Bill Evans, Paul Bley and Keith Jarrett. Now This, an album with the bassist’s current trio, features powerful new versions of some Peacock classics as well as recent compositions. In this band, which also features pianist Marc Copland and drummer Joey Baron, roles are very evenly shared, and this is an optimum context in which to appreciate the melodic invention of Peacock’s bass playing.

	Snarky Puppy Sylva Impulse!

The once Texan, now New York-based, Grammy award-winning quasi-collective, Snarky Puppy, has gone from the best-kept secret to one of the most respected names in instrumental music – playing over 200 shows a year and making fans out of the pop illuminati. The ensemble’s latest album, Sylvia, was written specifically for a bass-heavy orchestra – and, since it was recorded live in Berlin (with staging that reflects the music’s sylvan theme) – the music sound especially gigantic.

	Keith Jarrett Creation ECM Records

Creation features music selected by Keith Jarrett from his improvised solo concerts recorded in 2014 in Japan, Canada, and Europe. Whereas past solo recordings documented the improvisational process unfolding over the course of a single evening, Creation finds Jarrett zeroing in on the most-revelatory moments from six concerts in Tokyo, Toronto, Paris and Rome. The result is a practically up-to-the minute account of his unrelenting talent.

	Matthias Eick Midwest ECM Records

Hundreds of thousands of Norwegian immigrants settled in the Midwest throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. In similar spirit Mathias Eick, a Norwegian improviser-composer strongly influenced by North American jazz, here reintegrates some of the colors and textures of his native folk music in these newly-created pieces inspired by his recent touring across America: “I had a sense of why the early settlers would want to build their farms there. It reminded me very much of parts of Norway.”

	David Torn Only Sky ECM Records

David Torn ever-intrepid guitarist, producer, improviser, film composer and soundscape artist returns with Only Sky, an album that explores the far sonic edges of what one man and a guitar can create. A solo recording of almost orchestral atmosphere, Only Sky is a vibrating collage full of shimmering sonic shapes, a dark, urban electronic soundscape a potent mix of jazz, free-form rock that is both demanding and rewarding. Only Sky is an album to get lost in, over and again.

	Dizzy Wright The Growing Process Funk Volume

Three years to the date of his first album SmokeOut Conversations, Michigan rapper Dizzy Wright is back with his dank masterpiece, The Growing Process. Led by the prolific “Train Your Mind” and ode to hometown hero “Floyd Money Mayweather,” the new album features appearances from Big K.R.I.T, Tech N9ne, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, Irv Da Phenom, Berner, Mod Sun, Chel’le and Njomza in addition to Funk Volume family SwizZz, Jarren Benton and Hopsin.

	Vardan The Night, The Loneliness Moribund Records

Vardan, the busiest man in black metal, continues his dominance of the underground with The Night, The Loneliness -- his 23rd album. As ever, Vardan creates music down-tempo music for the downtrodden, forlorn and fatalistic. The Night, The Loneliness slowly bores its way into the soul – slowly and bittersweetly twisting and turning its musical knife. This mix of major-key beauty, nighttime mysticism, cyclic shards of decayed melody, and otherworldly synths will leave you enthralled.

	The Bad Plus Joshua Redman The Bad Plus Joshua Redman Nonesuch

In 2011, The Bad Plus invited saxophonist Joshua Redman to join them for a week of enthusiastically received performances at the Blue Note in New York City. They then played a handful of dates before heading into the studio in 2014 to record their debut album, The Bad Plus Joshua Redman. Seven of the nine tracks on The Bad Plus Joshua Redman are new compositions while the other two – "Dirty Blonde" and "Silence Is the Question" – are new arrangements of Bad Plus favorites.

	Boosie BadAzz Touch Down 2 Cause Hell Atlantic

Boosie Badazz first emerged from the underground in 1997, eventually releasing game-changers like Ghetto Stories, Gangsta Musik, and the Top 10 breakthrough Superbad: The Return of Boosie Badazz in 2009. In 2010 Boosie went to prison for 52 months at Angola Louisiana State Penitentiary. Recorded and released while locked up, Incarcerated touched the hearts of fans that called out, “Free Boosie!" He never forgot that and promised them something in return—his definitive album: Touch Down 2 Cause Hell.

	Jack Ü Skrillex & Diplo Present Jack Ü Atlantic

With the world already on the edge of their seats awaiting new music, Jack Ü has revealed their surprise dance and trap-infused debut album Skrillex & Diplo Present Jack Ü. The 10-track album features a huge guest roster including the first appearance from Justin Bieber in over a year, Kiesza, 2 Chainz, Aluna George, Bunji Garlin, Snails, Tarantula, Kai and Fly Boi Keno. Heed the lead track: “Don’t Do Drugs Just Take Some Jack Ü.” Okay.

	Mbongwana Star From Kinshasa World Circuit

Mbongwana Star are not what you would expect from a Congolese band or even an African sound. From Kinshasa is a naturally occurring, smashed-together combination of things that’s both unexpected and somehow inevitable, too -- traditional Congolese rhythms with a big fistful of European post-punk bass and busted electronics. Constructed from bits of the past yet pointing towards a strange but exciting kind of future, From Kinshasa’s one-of-a-kind grooves will make the prefect soundtrack for your Summer in progress. Konono No 1 guest.

	Ben Lee Love Is The Great Rebellion Warner Bros Records

Love Is The Great Rebellion finds the Sydney, Australia, native making a sonic return to his 2005 fan favorite album Awake Is The New Sleep, which spawned the hit "Catch My Disease." For the new album, Lee reteamed with longtime producer Brad Wood (Liz Phair, Verruca Salt) for this collection of songs focusing on redemption and new beginnings. And, of course, it’s catchy as hell.

	Jason Derulo Everything Is 4 Warner Bros Records

Jason Derulo’s successes rank up there with some of the best-selling, radio-dominating pop artists of the day (Even critics love him!). In the five years since he ascended from his beginnings writing songs for Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Diddy, Sean Kingston, and others, Derulo has sold over 45 million singles worldwide thanks to his uncanny ability to find new angles to tried-and-true trends. Everything Is 4 merges his pop, dance, and urban sensibilities and finds him truly hitting his stride as a genre-defying artist.

	Various Children of the Revolution: A Tribute to T Rex Broken Hip Records

Children of the Revolution is a tribute to beloved glam icons of the 70s – Marc Bolan and T. Rex. Bringing together 17 up-and-coming indie rock bands from Nashville, Atlanta, and New York -- including Ttotals, Jawws, The Mumzees, Tipper Whore & more -- COTR captures the spirit of Bolan, while creating a sound seemingly unstuck from time. A portion of the proceeds from each album sold go to benefit YEAH (Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities).

	Joanna Gruesome Peanut Butter Slumberland Records

Due to rising international pressure, Joanna Gruesome's new album, Peanut Butter, has been deployed. Rival groups will be disappointed to learn that the record is a further experiment in combining hyper melodic pop music with sonic violence. Officials have confirmed that the album contains a record number of hooks, elements of jangle pop, punk, screaming, and drone organs. One authorized statement reads: ''Weighing in at a concise 25 minutes, the album hurtles through its ten songs, each one a succinct, powerful gem.''

	Cheerleader The Sunshine of Your Youth Bright Antenna

The Sunshine of Your Youth is the debut from Philly-based Cheerleader. NYLON called them “the love child of Passion Pit and St. Lucia.” NME listed the band in their Top 10 new bands of 2014, saying “[Cheerleader] recall New Order at their most addictive,” while KCRW said Cheerleader’s music is “giddy, triumphant world-conquering optimism. This is straight up power pop.” Produced and mixed by Mark Needham (Imagine Dragons, Tokyo Police Club).

	No Joy More Faithful Mexican Summer

More Faithful jumps at the listener with atypical tunings and key changes, tension from odd time signatures and an upfront rhythmic presence, and the force demonstrated in No Joy’s live show. It’s the most forward, throttling record No Joy has made to date, taking their set of influences to the wall in a brazen display of beauty-laced power. Shoegaze and ethereal and alternative rock revivals be damned; More Faithful pushes No Joy to the breaking point.

	Girlpool Before the World Was Big Wichita Recordings

After releasing their self-titled EP, Girlpool relocated from L.A. to Philadelphia at the end of 2014 looking for change of pace and scenery. There they recorded their debut LP, Before The World Was Big, with Kyle Gilbride (of Swearin’). Before The World Was Big explores the concepts of growth, friendship, and the interaction between identity and environment. The introspective-punk duo captures growing pains and existential quandaries using minimal instrumentation (guitar, bass, and their harmonious vocals) to attempt maximum honesty.

	The Vaccines English Graffiti Columbia

Produced by David Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, MGMT) and Cole MGN (Ariel Pink, Beck) English Graffiti – the new album from victors / victims of the British hype machine, The Vaccines is perfectly trashed. Their first album in 3 years, English Graffiti finds The Vaccines at the top of their game: i.e. the 80s synth pop inspired "Minimal Affection," the machine-gun blasts of "20/20", and the power pop freneticism of "Handsome.” You’ll wanna play this LOUD!

	Buddy Rich Birdland Lightyear Entertainment

Buddy Rich was quite possibly the greatest drummer of the twentieth century. His creative genius and artistic dexterity related primarily with his passion and dedication to the art form. Birdland is a rare, previously unreleased, and all original production was recorded with Buddy's permission by bandmate Alan Gauvin. Fun fact: Birdland is can be spotted in the hands of the young star Miles Teller, who plays an extraordinary drummer who idolizes Buddy Rich in the Academy Award winning film Whiplash,

Jamie xx has made such an impression on the music scene the last several years that it’s sorta hard to believe that In Colour is his first solo album. The eleven-track LP includes previous releases “Girl” and “Sleep Sound” as well as forthcoming single “Loud Places,” which features vocals from Romy Madley Croft. The release of In Colour comes on the back of an incredible six year creative period for Jamie xx, which has seen him alternate effortlessly between his role as founding member and producer of The xx, and creator of more electronic and club orientated music as Jamie xx. A string of acclaimed productions in recent years including debut solo single “Far Nearer,” remixes for the likes of Adele, Radiohead and Florence & The Machine, production work for Drake and Alicia Keys plus We’re New Here - Jamie’s seminal reworking of Gil Scott-Heron’s final studio album - hinted at what was to come. With In Colour – a bold, celebratory, emotional record that features collaborations with The xx band mates Romy Madley Croft (“Seesaw” and "Loud Places”) and Oliver Sim (“Stranger In A Room”), Young Thug and Popcaan (“Good Times”) and Four Tet (“Seesaw”) – Jamie delivers his definitive artistic statement. Also available on VINYL!

Jamie xx -
In Colour
XL / young turks

Hudson Mohawke has been on a meteoric rise the last few years, working with some of the biggest names in hip hop, pop and dance music but everything started in a bedroom in Glasgow when he was barely a teenager. From age 15 he was an award winning scratch DJ producing happy hardcore on cracked software - he came to define a generation of electronic fusion producers but unlike many of his peers, Hudson has matured into a fully-fledged contemporary hit-maker continually working to break the mold. Born of the underground club scene in the UK, Hud Mo has been releasing music for the last 10 years, cultivating a formidable presence in the community. His US break-out came in 2012 with TNGHT, the collaborative project with fellow producer Lunice, which saw their production influence the A-list in rap and help reintroduce the US dance / EDM scene to Hip Hop as club music. In the two years following, Hudson has worked on releases from Drake, Kanye West, John Legend, Young Thug, Pusha-T, and Antony Hegarty. Lantern is the sound of HudMo circa NOW –casually pushing Hip Hop ever forward into the 21st century… Your asses will shake in approval.

Hudson Mohawke -
Lantern
Warp

The Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) is a group of some of the best independent music stores in America. CIMS was founded in 1995; its current membership is made up of 29 accounts that handle 47 stores in 21 states. Many of the accounts have been recognized by the music industry and their local communities for their outstanding dedication to customer service and developing artist support.

Each member is bound by its shared love of music, a reputation for great selection and customer service in its community, yet each CIMS account is as unique as the market it represents. Most importantly, CIMS member stores continually seek to challenge the jaded, color-by-numbers advertising and marketing of other retailers.