San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
NEW ALBUMS
Nikki Lane, “Denim & Diamonds” (New West)
Nashville singer and songwriter Nikki Lane spent the last five years since the release of her breakthrough album, “Highway Queen,” searching for the right combination of confidants to help her realize the vision of the paradigm-spinning outlaw country songs on “Denim & Diamonds.” And it’s paid off — albeit with an unconventional cast.
The album, produced by Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, features Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders and multiple members of QOTSA, yet manages to still sound very much in the spirit of her South Carolina-born persona. “Born Tough” is an empowering yarn to how she was raised, while “First High” leans into pop songwriting with Southern pizzazz. Lane channels influences from the 13th Floor Elevators to Loretta Lynn for a wholly listenable collection of songs.
Makaya McCraven, “In These Times” (International Anthem/Nonesuch/XL Recordings)
Born in France but based in Chicago since 2007, drummer/multi-instrumentalist Makaya McCraven is making singular jazz music that continues to advance textures and compositional possibilities. The prolific musician has released six albums since 2017 and now has returned with another stunning offering, “In These Times.”
Recorded in five different studios and meticulously postproduced and engineered by McCraven, it features a recurring string quartet and a cast of collaborators, including guitarist Jeff Parker, electric bassist Junius Paul, harpist Brandee Younger, vibraphonist Joel Ross and trumpeter Marquis Hill, among others.
“Dream Another” presents a distinct sitar and woodwind flair, while the arrangement on “Seventh String” is remarkable, with McCraven’s otherworldly drumming getting swathed with strings, a hypnotic flute and vibraphone for the standout moment on the album.
McCraven recently performed in San Francisco in February as part of Noise Pop Festival 2022, and plans to return Oct. 23 at the Independent along with support from tuba player Theon Cross.
SONG OF THE MOMENT
Blood Orange, “Jesus Freak Lighter” (RCA) Coming off a slew of support slots for Harry Styles at New York’s Madison Square Garden this month, the London-born, Brooklyn-based Dev Hynes has put out his first Blood Orange release since 2018’s “Negro Swan.”
In the years since then, Hynes has been focused primarily on his work as a film score composer for flicks like “Queen & Slim,” “Passing” and “Master Gardener.” But now with “Four Songs,” he returns with more of his pristine avantgarde pop, like lead single “Jesus Freak Lighter.” It’s a bassdriven, hazy dance-floor groove with Hynes’ signature coo as its guiding light.
LOCALLY MINDED
Symba, “Results Take Time” (Atlantic)
Oakland rapper Symba’s second major label release is a mixtape in DJ Drama’s
Online extra
For The Chronicle’s playlist of this week’s picks, and to watch music videos of select songs, go to datebook.sf chronicle.com.
popular “Gangsta Grillz” series. But don’t let the designation fool you; there’s a ton of star power in this latest release from the rapper, who slayed at Outside Lands festival last month.
Pusha T drops a verse on “Never End Up Broke Pt. 2,” Roddy Ricch hops on “Never Change” and 2 Chainz is on “Pop Out.” It’s a testament to the energy that is building within Symba, who is undoubtedly the center of attention on this album, where he raps, “I’m drownin’ in my sins, I never learned how to swim. My life jacket Celine, swim trunks Supreme, just left the scene in Alexander McQueen.”
Stone Temple Pilots, “Core 30th Anniversary Edition” (Rhino)
The 1992 debut album from the storied alternative rock group, originally from San Diego, is today an eight-timesplatinum-certified release and a revered album from the grunge era. With hits like “Plush,” “Creep” and “Wicked Garden,” highlighted by late singer Scott Weiland’s powerful vocals, “Core” is a hard-driving rock’n’-roll album that continues to stand the test of time.
For its 30th anniversary, a deluxe vinyl edition of the album is out, with the original album on the first two LPs and two additional LPs of demos, rarities and a 1993 live performance at Castaic Lake Natural Amphitheater from the album’s original tour. This is a definitive collector’s item that also comes with a booklet of rare photos, liner notes and more.
By Aidin Vaziri
Roger Dean, the graphic designer best known for his fantastical album art for prog rock bands Yes and Asia, will stage his first immersive “high definition 4D audio and video experience” for a limited run in San Francisco this fall.
“Dragon’s Dream: The Roger Dean Experience,” scheduled to open at Gray Area on Nov. 12, is being produced by Chambers Obscura — a collaborative group that includes the San Francisco design team Minds Over Matter, psychedelic art collector Brian Chambers and Gagan Jared Levy, founder of the local creative marketing agency Guru.
“Through Roger’s guidance and imagination, our animators brought his paintings to life,” Marc Melzer of Minds Over Matter said in a statement. “Step through the portal into his mythical landscapes. You will be surrounded by alien flora, soaring dragons, strange flying machines, grasshopper/elephant hybrids and many other extraordinary sights and sounds.”
To stage the immersive show, the production team is employing state-of-the-art, high-resolution laser projectors and audiophile-quality multichannel surround sound.
“The Roger Dean Experience is a portal that transports our audiences into never before seen, expanded life-size, and living 360-degree versions of his original worlds,” said Travis Threlkel, a member of the design team. “This is the place where dragons spirit you away to their surprisingly blissful and magical worlds.”
If it all sounds a little bit esoteric, that is by design.
“Not sure exactly what we are doing and probably won’t until we are finished, but it is amazing,” said Dean in a statement. “The team that I am working with are brilliant and very experienced with digital immersive spaces, so I am truly looking forward to seeing it complete and to finding out what we have been doing.”
Ahead of the immersive “Dragon’s Dream” show, there are two more traditional exhibitions dedicated to Dean, who in addition to his album cover designs, is known for his architectural designs and iconic logos for brands such as Virgin, Tetris, Harvest, Vertido and Psygnosis. He also designed the “sea urchin” chair, widely considered the predecessor to the bean bag.
“The Secret Path: The Art of Roger and Freyja Dean” runs at the Haight Street Art Center through Oct. 30, before touring to other venues.
Before that, however, Dean is also expected to be the featured artist at the annual Rock Poster Society’s Festival of Rock Posters on Oct. 15, at the Hall of Flowers in San
Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which typically draws more than 30,000 fans from around the world.
“Like countless others, my interest in Roger Dean began before I knew the man himself,” said Chambers, owner of the Chambers Project psychedelic art gallery in Grass Valley (Nevada County). “It was his fantastic album covers and logos for Yes and Asia that originally captured my attention before digging deeper into his vast and diverse career.”
He added that Chambers Obscura hopes to take “Dragon’s Dream” to other cities following its San Francisco run.
“Roger’s worlds will come to life, and I can’t wait to share this experience with everyone in the Bay Area and beyond in the times to come,” Chambers said.