Top 10: The Best New Releases of October 2011

Here are the top 10 most popular CD and DVD releases for October, 2011, based on reader views. Have you heard any of these yet?

Weather Report: Live in Cologne 1983

1. Weather Report: Live in Cologne 1983

Continuing in their celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 1971 founding of Weather Report, the estate of Joe Zawinul is releasing their second of three new releases this year. Weather Report: Live in Cologne 1983 is now out in the U.S. on DVD and double CD. Live in Cologne features the group’s final line…

Pink Floyd Reissues

2. Pink Floyd Reissues

Pink Floyd has reissued their extensive catalog of music coinciding with the group’s “Why Pink Floyd?” campaign – one designed to introduce their music to a new generation of fans. The most notable release of the group is the remastered six-disc box set of the band’s best-selling Dark Side of The Moon album, and a…

Tom Waits: Bad As Me

3. Tom Waits: Bad As Me

Singer/songwriter Tom Waits has released his seventeenth studio album, Bad As Me, which is also his first compilation of all new material in seven years. The distinctive vocalist recruited a host of talented artists, including bassists Flea, Les Claypool, James Whiton, Larry Taylor, Marcus Shelby and Zack Sumner. Waits’ eclectic style is going strong as…

Jane's Addiction: The Great Escape Artist

4. Jane’s Addiction: The Great Escape Artist

After nearly two years of writing and with the help of three bassists, Jane’s Addiction have released The Great Escape Artist. The new record is their fourth studio album and their first since their 2008 reunion. After the departure of Eric Avery in 2010, Jane’s Addiction began writing the album, enlisting the help of former…

Brian Bromberg: Hands

5. Brian Bromberg: Hands

Jazz bassist Brian Bromberg’s solo acoustic bass album Hands is now available in the U.S. via his website. The 15-track disc features a variety of tunes ranging from straight-ahead jazz standards like “Stella By Starlight” to classic rock like Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog,” all done with one bass in one take. Though he admits he…

ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends

6. ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends

A new tribute album to “Little Ol’ Band from Texas” is now available, featuring performers from across the music world. ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends is the fourth collection of covers to pay homage to the southern rock legends and has all their classic hits. Among the lineup is former Fleetwood Mac bassist John…

Blotted Science: The Animation of Entomology

7. Blotted Science: The Animation of Entomology

Technical death metal supergroup Blotted Science recently released The Animation of Entomology, a 7-track EP follow-up to their full length debut The Machinations of Dementia. The trio consists of Cannibal Corpse bassist Alex Webster, Watchtower guitarist Ron Jarzombek, and Obscura drummer Hannes Grossman, and their science/gore based music is written using a 12-tone system written…

Ethan Farmer: Wine & Strings

8. Ethan Farmer: Wine & Strings

Ethan “Ebassman” Farmer, who has worked with artists like Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child and P Diddy, has released his own solo album, Wine & Strings. Though he has appeared on countless records and tours, the project is his first of his own work. The tone of the album overall is a heavy funk with gospel…

Fishbone: Crazy Glue EP

9. Fishbone: Crazy Glue EP

Fishbone has released Crazy Glue, a 7-track EP that coincides with showings of a new documentary entitled Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone. Fusing funk, rock, punk, reggae and more, the band’s unique and influential sound shines through on the new material, which were put together from last year’s European tour. “There seems to be…

Medeski, Martin & Wood: Fly In A Bottle

10. Medeski, Martin & Wood: Fly In A Bottle

Medeski, Martin & Wood have just released their own documentary film on the band, Fly In A Bottle. The film, directed by the band’s drummer/percussionist Billy Martin, who worked for a year of personal 16mm film and camcorder footage of MMW on the road and in the studio during the Radiolarians recording sessions. The documentary…

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