NOW DIG THIS

Chicagoan Joel Berk wrote to MOJO about how Tortoise’s core members were “the musical connective tissue of the city… If any of those dudes were on the gig, the other players had to be good.” Consequently, it’s hard to go wrong with Tortoise offshoots or their prehistory in Bastro, Slint, Gastr Del Sol (1993’s The Serpentine Similar) and Eleventh Dream Day (start with 1989’s Beet). John McEntire’s gargantuan discography involves many fine Sea & Cake albums, inventive productions and a nice soundtrack (1999’s Reach The Rock). Also recommended: John Herndon’s DJ-friendly beatscapes as A Grape Dope (especially 2020’s Backyard Bangers); Tortoise’s covers set with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, The Brave And The Bold (2006); and the whole adjacent David Pajo universe (seek out Papa M’s incredible 2000 version of Turn! Turn! Turn!).