Desert Shore - Arc of an Arrow Blind (Darkan Records)
From the family tree of Red House Painters/Mark Kozelek -- one of my favorite artists -- comes the fifth Desertshore album, Arc of an Arrow Blind. This is a wonderfully engaging instrumental album of sublime depth and beauty. Think of a more textured Red House Painters or Sun Kil Moon with arpeggiated guitars and piano/keyboard riffs with the bass and drums anchoring the proceedings in various rhythmic rock, jazz and even hypnotic world beat patterns.
Recorded in just 4 days with the core trio of former Red House Painters guitiarist Phil Carney, classically trained pianist Chris Connolly and drummer Mike Wells. The album also features Benjamin Powell on violin and Erik Kertes on bass. Ben is a gypsy jazz enthusiast, LA session cat and has collaborated with jazz giant Peter Erskin and Gonzalo Beraga. Erik is a young LA session player and touring musician.
From melodic piano and reverb-soaked guitar groove of the fifth track "Floating" to the more uptempo vibe of "Sky Drifter" with its percolating keyboard riff and twin guitar interplay, this is currently my favorite late summer night chill album. (Acutally, I listen to it day or night; it's that good.)
You can preview the entire album on their website.