Are you discovering new music?

best thing about streaming... !!!!

just discovered these niche artists... 👍😁

I think of the ’Gon as mainly a gear site. There are some long running threads, which credit due, involve people playing LPs or CDs and introducing others to the music they like. When I used to post more prolifically on the audio sites, I would always do a "non-audiophile records" thread as a counterpoint to the usual warhorses, which keep getting recycled. "Audiophile" is often safe, though people don’t think they are siloed but the reality is, if you are buying from Chad, Mofi or any of the usual suspects, most of their output is bigger sellers.

Going into obscurities for their own sake may give you dismal returns. There are some notable "known unknowns" that sell for big money- e.g a Decca UK pressing of Growers of Mushroom, but at this point, I don’t consider that to be an "obscure" record.

I got into soul and spiritual jazz because I liked it. A lot of those records are obscure-- even the stuff on the best known label, Strata-East, is largely obscure to most people, except for Gil Scott Heron’s Winter in America. (very cool Rhodes sound). I got deeper, into the private label stuff- Milt Ward & Virgo Spectrum (reissued recently as a needle drop); Jothan Callins, Winds of Change (OG only); Ronnie Boykins (The Will Come, Is Now); Woody Shaw, Gary Bartz and an almost endless number of side men that played on some significant records and made their own as well. Gary Bartz cut a direct to disc a few years ago with a UK collective, Maisha, that is revisiting the period in which Gary was extremely active as a sideman and featured artist; Nate Morgan is great to explore with a strong left hand on Nimbus West; Horace Tapscott had a collective on the West Coast that played in a church for 10 years- one of the albums, live is pretty staggering.

Whether this is something that appeals to others is not within my control. I think everyone should find their own niche that appeals to them musically and sonically.

I will tell you that my experience with streaming services has left me to conclude that they are rather shallow. For example, there is a bass player I follow--Cecil McBee-- take a look at how many offerings there are on your preferred streaming service for his work.

I’m not advocating one format over another but to get access, I don’t think streaming services are the answer for deep catalog stuff.

Have fun.

@whart you have great taste! And I like your train of thought there. I’ve been burned on chasing obscure for obscure sake… and left disappointed a lot. I’m gonna check out that Horace Tapscott you mentioned and I Love Cecil McBee.

I wish Chad/mofi would take more chances on non-popular records… seems like they tend to focus on the well known artists.
as for new artists I’m discovering this month?

King Floyd

Cosmic Eye (the whole Amancio D’ Silva catalog)

Marcos Valle (what a rabbit hole..)

This is through vinyl though. I have a hard time “discovering” through streaming.

I got into this hobby because of music and eventually became an audiophile but I am constantly looking for new music. There is so much good music that it is disconcerting sometimes as to how much I have missed whether new or old. Lately , my favorite new album is Everlasting Dance by the Tierro Band with Bridget Law on Octave Records. If you aren’t familiar with Octave Records they are part of PS Audio and can be purchased on their website. This album is one wild toe tapping ride. If you like Gypsy violin with a dash of flamenco guitar , rock underpinnings and a hint of tex/mex you will enjoy this album. As a bonus it is extremely well recorded.

@whart, Mainly or not, this site is also about tunes almost to the point of check-mate.